CATS vs Happlicant
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
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
Happlicant
Lightweight, transparent ATS/CRM for solo recruiters
Best for: Solo recruiters and tiny teams who want zero bloat
✓Extreme ease of use with instant onboarding
✓Transparent pricing and no annual lock-in
✕Intentionally shallow: no invoicing or VMS integrations
✕No app marketplace or API
Our verdict
Choose CATS if…
- ✓You need an open API for custom integrations
- ✓Multi-job-board posting is core to how you fill roles
Choose Happlicant if…
- ✓Entry price matters: $69/user/mo published vs $89 for CATS
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | CATS | Happlicant |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATS (official) | $445/mo | $1,780/mo | $4,450/mo |
| Happlicant (official) | $345/mo | $1,380/mo | $3,450/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 CATS cheaper than Happlicant?
Happlicant has the lower published starting price. Happlicant pricing starts at $69/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 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).
What does Happlicant cost?
Happlicant pricing starts at $69/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Pro $69/user/mo billed quarterly; Enterprise is custom flat-fee with unlimited users. No annual lock-in; cancel anytime. Optional Leads Discovery add-on $49/user/mo (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Which is rated higher, CATS or Happlicant?
Happlicant is rated higher: 4.9/5 on G2 versus 4.2/5 for CATS.
Who is CATS best for, and who is Happlicant best for?
CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking. Happlicant: Solo recruiters and tiny teams who want zero bloat.