Bullhorn vs Gem
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
Gem
Sourcing-first talent platform with staffing-specific plans
Best for: Sourcing-led teams: in-house TA and outbound-heavy search firms
✓One-click sourcing across 30+ platforms with multi-channel sequencing
✓Best-in-class analytics and forecasting
✕Expensive at scale; enterprise deals run high per seat
✕Strict email-finding credit limits on lower tiers
Our verdict
Choose Bullhorn if…
- ✓You're in rpo providers, a segment Gem doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in high-volume hiring, a segment Gem doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in contract & temp staffing, a segment Gem doesn't focus on
- ✓You run temp or contract desks and need pay & bill in the platform
Choose Gem if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment Bullhorn doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in executive search firms, a segment Bullhorn doesn't focus on
- ✓You want built-in candidate sourcing instead of separate tools
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Bullhorn | Gem |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullhorn (official) | $495/mo | $1,980/mo | $4,950/mo |
| Gem (official) | $495/mo | $1,980/mo | $4,950/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 Gem?
Bullhorn and Gem have the same published starting price. Bullhorn pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Gem 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 Gem cost?
Gem pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Staffing plans: Essentials $99/user/mo billed yearly (up to 3 users) and Professional $149/user/mo billed yearly (up to 10 users); Enterprise custom. Corporate/startup plans are quote-led; Gem now positions itself as an all-in-one recruiting platform, with ATS optional in some packaging. Email-finding credit limits vary by plan (vendor pricing pages, Jul 2026).
Which is rated higher, Bullhorn or Gem?
Gem is rated higher: 4.8/5 on G2 versus 4.2/5 for Bullhorn.
Who is Bullhorn best for, and who is Gem best for?
Bullhorn: Mid-size to enterprise staffing firms, especially temp/contract. Gem: Sourcing-led teams: in-house TA and outbound-heavy search firms.