Ashby vs Lever
Two recruitment CRMs compared on pricing, features, and fit, so you can shortlist with confidence.
✓Pricing verified against vendor pagesData reviewed July 5, 2026How we research →
By Ramin Assemi, B2B SaaS marketer and former Head of Content at Close.comPublished Updated
Ashby
Analytics-first ATS expanding from startups into agencies
Best for: Tech-focused teams that prioritize analytics and product velocity
✓Best-in-class custom reporting and analytics
✓Rapid product velocity, constant shipping
✕Built for in-house hiring; weak multi-client database separation for agencies
✕Opaque pricing for AI add-ons and larger plans
Lever
ATS + native CRM for sourcing-led TA teams (Employ)
Best for: Mid-market teams where outbound sourcing and nurture drive hiring
✓NurtureKit CRM built natively into pipelines for passive talent
✓Visual candidate boards and flexible scheduling
✕AI roadmap lags Greenhouse and Ashby
✕Reporting customization limited at scale
Our verdict
Both pair an ATS with a native CRM for in-house teams, but they're moving at different speeds. Ashby ships constantly, leads the category on reporting, and publishes entry pricing ($400/mo up to 100 employees); its gaps are enterprise compliance certifications and agency-style multi-client separation. Lever pioneered the ATS-plus-CRM model and its passive-talent nurture is mature, but its AI roadmap lags and reporting customization tops out at scale. For most modern-stack teams Ashby is the forward bet; deep NurtureKit workflows or specific marketplace integrations are the reasons to stay with Lever.
Choose Ashby if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Lever doesn't focus on
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
- ✓AI matching and assistance are on your must-have list
- ✓Reporting and analytics drive how you run the desk
Choose Lever if…
- ✓Multi-job-board posting is core to how you fill roles
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Ashby | Lever |
|---|---|---|
| ATS + CRM core | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email/inbox sync | ✓ | ✓ |
| LinkedIn / Chrome extension | ~ | ~ |
| Multi-job-board posting | ~ | ✓ |
| Built-in candidate sourcing | ~ | ~ |
| Workflow automation | ✓ | ~ |
| AI matching & assistance | ✓ | ~ |
| Reporting & analytics | ✓ | ~ |
| Temp back-office (pay & bill) | – | – |
| Open API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app | – | ~ |
IncludedPartial or paid add-onNot available
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashby (official) | $400/mo (org ≤100 employees)flat | $400/mo (org ≤100 employees)flat | $400/mo (org ≤100 employees)flat |
| Lever (official) | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
Estimated from each vendor's published entry-tier price as of July 5, 2026; real quotes vary with plan tier, add-on modules, and contract terms. See how we label pricing confidence.
Frequently asked questions
How do Ashby and Lever pricing compare?
Ashby pricing starts at $400/mo (org ≤100 employees) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Lever uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Ashby cost?
Ashby pricing starts at $400/mo (org ≤100 employees) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Foundations $400/mo for organizations up to 100 employees (10% annual-commitment discount); larger plans and Analytics are custom-quoted. Priced by company headcount, not recruiter seats (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
What does Lever cost?
Lever uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Custom quote: pricing 'scales based on your team size and hiring needs' per the vendor's FAQ; every plan includes ATS, CRM, analytics, and integrations. No public seat or headcount tariff (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Which is rated higher, Ashby or Lever?
Ashby is rated higher: 4.7/5 on G2 versus 4.3/5 for Lever on G2.
Who is Ashby best for, and who is Lever best for?
Ashby: Tech-focused teams that prioritize analytics and product velocity. Lever: Mid-market teams where outbound sourcing and nurture drive hiring.