CATS 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
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
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 CATS if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Lever doesn't focus on
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
- ✓You want to trial before committing (free trial available)
Choose Lever if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | CATS | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATS (official) | $445/mo | $1,780/mo | $4,450/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 CATS and Lever pricing compare?
CATS pricing starts at $89/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 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 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, CATS or Lever?
Lever is rated higher: 4.3/5 on G2 versus 4.2/5 for CATS.
Who is CATS best for, and who is Lever best for?
CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking. Lever: Mid-market teams where outbound sourcing and nurture drive hiring.