Avature vs CATS
Two recruitment CRMs compared on pricing, features, and fit, so you can shortlist with confidence.
✓Pricing verified against vendor pagesData reviewed July 4, 2026How we research →
By Ramin Assemi, B2B SaaS marketer and former Head of Content at Close.comPublished Updated
Avature
Endlessly configurable enterprise TA suite (ATS + CRM)
Best for: Global enterprises and RPOs needing bespoke workflows
✓Extreme workflow configurability for global, complex programs
✓Market-leading proactive candidate pooling and campus/event tooling
✕Resource-intensive implementations
✕Needs dedicated admin capacity
CATS
Straightforward, customizable ATS for small agencies
Best for: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking
✓Deep customizability of fields and workflows
✓Simple, centralized candidate management
✕Clunky, dated interface
✕Weak third-party data integration
Our verdict
Choose Avature if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in rpo providers, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
Choose CATS if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Avature doesn't focus on
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
- ✓You want to trial before committing (free trial available)
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Avature | CATS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ~ | – |
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avature (official) | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
| CATS (official) | $445/mo | $1,780/mo | $4,450/mo |
Estimated from each vendor's published entry-tier price as of July 4, 2026; real quotes vary with plan tier, add-on modules, and contract terms. See how we label pricing confidence.
Frequently asked questions
How do Avature and CATS pricing compare?
Avature uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Avature cost?
Avature uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Custom quote only, demo-led modular suite with no public pricing or published billing basis (vendor site, Jul 2026).
What does CATS cost?
CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Current official page shows $89 and $110/user/mo options plus a $500 data migration fee; billing-term mapping needs confirmation. The older $69 price no longer applies (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Who is Avature best for, and who is CATS best for?
Avature: Global enterprises and RPOs needing bespoke workflows. CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking.