Greenhouse Alternatives: 6 ATS Platforms Compared
Greenhouse is the gold standard for structured hiring, but its pricing and complexity aren't right for every team. These 6 alternatives offer modern CRM features, lower costs, or unified HR capabilities.
Watch: Top Greenhouse Alternatives
Why Companies Consider Greenhouse Alternatives
High Cost
Greenhouse is one of the most expensive ATS platforms. Smaller teams paying $5,000-15,000+/year for recruiting software find more affordable options in Workable or BambooHR.
No Built-In CRM
Greenhouse separates ATS from CRM (Greenhouse CRM is an add-on). Lever and Ashby include candidate nurturing natively at no extra cost.
Complexity for Small Teams
Greenhouse's structured hiring approach requires dedicated recruiting ops. Teams under 100 employees often find it overkill.
Siloed from HR
Greenhouse doesn't include HRIS, payroll, or onboarding. Companies want platforms like Rippling or BambooHR that handle the full employee lifecycle.
Best Greenhouse Alternatives
1. Lever (by Employ)
Best for: CRM-first recruiting with relationship nurturing
Strengths
- Native CRM built into ATS
- Better candidate relationship nurturing
- Unified ATS + CRM in one tool
- More intuitive interface
- Strong sourcing and pipeline management
Considerations
- Fewer third-party integrations
- Less structured hiring process
- Smaller marketplace
- Post-acquisition roadmap uncertainty
2. Ashby
Best for: Modern, analytics-first ATS for scaling teams
Strengths
- Most modern ATS on the market
- Built-in analytics and reporting
- Unified ATS + CRM + scheduling
- Beautiful, intuitive interface
- Strong automation capabilities
Considerations
- Newer platform, less proven at enterprise
- Smaller integration ecosystem
- Limited global hiring features
- Fewer compliance features
3. Workable
Best for: Affordable ATS with built-in sourcing
Strengths
- Far more affordable than Greenhouse
- Built-in AI sourcing tools
- Quick, self-service setup
- Good for teams without dedicated recruiters
- Strong job posting distribution
Considerations
- Less customisable workflows
- Fewer enterprise features
- Basic analytics compared to Greenhouse
- Limited for high-volume recruiting
4. BambooHR ATS
Best for: HRIS + recruiting in one simple platform
Strengths
- Full HRIS + ATS in one system
- No separate recruiting software needed
- Seamless candidate-to-employee transition
- Simple for teams without recruiters
- Most intuitive interface
Considerations
- ATS is basic compared to Greenhouse
- Limited customisation
- No CRM features
- Not suited for high-volume hiring
5. iCIMS
Best for: Enterprise talent acquisition suite
Strengths
- Enterprise-grade talent acquisition
- Strong compliance and OFCCP support
- Career site builder included
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Good for regulated industries
Considerations
- Dated interface
- Complex implementation
- Expensive for smaller companies
- Steeper learning curve
6. Rippling
Best for: Unified HR + recruiting + IT onboarding
Strengths
- ATS + HRIS + payroll + IT in one platform
- Automated onboarding from hire to first day
- Device and app provisioning for new hires
- Eliminates data silos between recruiting and HR
- Modern, automated workflows
Considerations
- ATS is less mature than Greenhouse
- Fewer recruiting-specific features
- Modular pricing adds up
- Less customisable interview processes
Quick Comparison: Greenhouse vs Alternatives
| Feature | Greenhouse | Lever | Ashby | Workable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $5K-15K+/yr | $4K-8K/yr | $3.6K-10K/yr | From $149/mo |
| Built-In CRM | Add-on | Included | Included | Basic |
| Analytics | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Basic |
| Structured Hiring | Excellent | Good | Good | Basic |
| Integrations | 400+ | 200+ | 100+ | 70+ |
| Best For | 100-5,000 | 50-500 | 50-1,000 | 10-250 |
Switching from Greenhouse?
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