Bullhorn 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
Bullhorn
The market-leading platform for staffing and recruitment agencies
Best for: Mid-size to enterprise staffing firms, especially temp/contract
✓Unmatched scale: 300+ marketplace integrations and 110+ VMS connections
✓Deepest temp/contract back-office (timesheets, pay & bill)
✕Dated, click-heavy UI that reviewers call sluggish
✕Automation and AI (Amplify) are expensive modular add-ons
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 Bullhorn if…
- ✓You're in rpo providers, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in high-volume hiring, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in contract & temp staffing, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You run temp or contract desks and need pay & bill in the platform
Choose CATS if…
- ✓Entry price matters: $89/user/mo published vs $99 for Bullhorn
- ✓You want to trial before committing (free trial available)
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Bullhorn | 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 | ✓ | – |
IncludedPartial or paid add-onNot available
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullhorn (official) | $495/mo | $1,980/mo | $4,950/mo |
| 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
Is Bullhorn cheaper than CATS?
CATS has the lower published starting price. CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Bullhorn pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Bullhorn cost?
Bullhorn pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Publishes small-agency pricing only: Starter $99/user/mo (1–2 users) and Core $165/user/mo. Pro and larger deployments are quote-based, and optional modules (AI Search & Match, Onboarding, Back Office) are priced separately (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
What does CATS cost?
CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Monthly billing: $89/user/mo and $110/user/mo, plus a $500 data migration fee. The annual rate is not confirmed and is deliberately not published here; the older $69 figure that third-party sites still quote no longer applies. Same monthly pair as TE Recruit, which has owned CATS since 2020 (Aug 2026).
Which is rated higher, Bullhorn or CATS?
Bullhorn holds 4.2/5 on G2 and CATS holds 4.2/5 on G2.
Who is Bullhorn best for, and who is CATS best for?
Bullhorn: Mid-size to enterprise staffing firms, especially temp/contract. CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking.