Lever Alternatives: 6 ATS & Recruiting Platforms
Lever pioneered the ATS + CRM model, but its acquisition by Employ and platform stagnation have pushed companies to explore alternatives. These 6 platforms offer modern analytics, better pricing, or more comprehensive features.
Watch: Top Lever Alternatives
Why Companies Switch from Lever
Post-Acquisition Uncertainty
Lever was acquired by Employ (which also owns JazzHR and Jobvite). The product roadmap and long-term direction remain unclear.
Innovation Has Slowed
Lever's product updates have been less frequent since acquisition. Competitors like Ashby ship features faster with modern architecture.
Analytics Limitations
Lever's reporting is good but not great. Ashby and Greenhouse offer deeper recruiting analytics and pipeline insights.
Siloed from HR
Lever is recruiting-only. Companies wanting recruiting + HRIS + onboarding in one tool prefer Rippling or BambooHR.
Best Lever Alternatives
1. Greenhouse
Best for: Structured hiring with deepest integration ecosystem
Strengths
- Gold standard for structured hiring
- 400+ integrations (largest ecosystem)
- Best interview scorecards and feedback
- Excellent DEI hiring tools
- Strongest compliance features
Considerations
- More expensive than Lever
- CRM is a separate add-on
- Steeper learning curve
- Requires dedicated recruiting ops
2. Ashby
Best for: Modern ATS with built-in analytics and CRM
Strengths
- Most modern ATS available
- Built-in CRM like Lever, plus better analytics
- Unified scheduling, CRM, and ATS
- Beautiful, fast interface
- Strong automation capabilities
Considerations
- Newer platform, less enterprise-proven
- Smaller integration ecosystem
- Limited global hiring features
- Still building market presence
3. Workable
Best for: Budget-friendly recruiting with AI sourcing
Strengths
- Significantly more affordable
- Built-in AI sourcing and candidate suggestions
- Quick self-service setup
- Good for teams without dedicated recruiters
- Strong job board distribution
Considerations
- Less customisable than Lever
- Weaker CRM capabilities
- Basic reporting
- Limited for high-volume hiring
4. Rippling
Best for: Recruiting integrated with HR, payroll, and IT
Strengths
- ATS + HRIS + payroll + IT in one platform
- Automated onboarding from offer to first day
- Device and app provisioning for new hires
- Eliminates handoff between recruiting and HR
- Modern automation engine
Considerations
- ATS is less mature than Lever
- Fewer recruiting-specific features
- CRM less developed
- Not recruiting-first
5. BambooHR ATS
Best for: Simple recruiting within your HRIS
Strengths
- Full HRIS with ATS included
- Seamless candidate-to-employee transition
- No separate recruiting tool needed
- Intuitive for non-recruiters
- Best employee onboarding flow
Considerations
- ATS is basic vs Lever
- No CRM features
- Limited sourcing tools
- Not for high-volume recruiting
6. Teamtailor
Best for: Employer branding with solid ATS
Strengths
- Best career site builder on the market
- Strong employer branding tools
- Good CRM and nurturing capabilities
- Modern, attractive interface
- AI-powered candidate matching
Considerations
- Less structured than Lever
- Fewer enterprise compliance features
- Smaller US presence
- Limited analytics depth
Quick Comparison: Lever vs Alternatives
| Feature | Lever | Greenhouse | Ashby | Workable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $4K-8K/yr | $5K-15K+/yr | $3.6K-10K/yr | From $149/mo |
| Built-In CRM | Included | Add-on | Included | Basic |
| Analytics | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Basic |
| Structured Hiring | Good | Excellent | Good | Basic |
| Modern UI | Good | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Best For | 50-500 | 100-5,000 | 50-1,000 | 10-250 |
Switching from Lever?
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