Bullhorn vs Lever
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
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
Choose Bullhorn if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Lever doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in rpo providers, a segment Lever doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in high-volume hiring, a segment Lever doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in contract & temp staffing, a segment Lever doesn't focus on
Choose Lever if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment Bullhorn doesn't focus on
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Bullhorn | 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 | ✓ | ~ |
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 |
| Lever (official) | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
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 Bullhorn and Lever pricing compare?
Bullhorn pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Lever uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (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 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, Bullhorn or Lever?
Lever is rated higher: 4.3/5 on G2 versus 4.2/5 for Bullhorn.
Who is Bullhorn best for, and who is Lever best for?
Bullhorn: Mid-size to enterprise staffing firms, especially temp/contract. Lever: Mid-market teams where outbound sourcing and nurture drive hiring.