CATS vs Recruiterflow
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
Recruiterflow
Automation-first ATS/CRM with the AIRA agent suite
Best for: Modern boutique agencies that live on outbound and automation
✓Recipes automate across candidates, jobs, companies, and deals — not just candidate stage changes
✓Deep multichannel sequencing: 7 step types with conditional branching and native LinkedIn steps
✕Premium pricing, and the AI features that anchor the marketing sit on the quote-only AIRA plan
✕AI agents and contact lookups draw on a separately purchased credit wallet; bought credits expire after 12 months
Our verdict
Choose CATS if…
- ✓Entry price matters: $89/user/mo published vs $149 for Recruiterflow
Choose Recruiterflow if…
- ✓You're in executive search firms, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
- ✓AI matching and assistance are on your must-have list
- ✓Reporting and analytics drive how you run the desk
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | CATS | Recruiterflow |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATS (official) | $445/mo | $1,780/mo | $4,450/mo |
| Recruiterflow (official) | $745/mo | $2,980/mo | $7,450/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 Recruiterflow?
CATS has the lower published starting price. CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Recruiterflow pricing starts at $149/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 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).
What does Recruiterflow cost?
Recruiterflow pricing starts at $149/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Platform plan $149/user/mo billed monthly, $119/user/mo billed annually; the AIRA AI plan is quote-only with no published price. The pricing page states there are no feature add-ons, but the vendor's own help centre documents a separate metered AI-credits wallet bought on top of the seat price and spent on contact lookups and AI agents (2 credits per email or phone lookup), with purchased credits expiring 12 months after purchase. Self-serve migration is free; white-glove migration is paid by data volume (vendor pricing page and help centre, Aug 2026).
Which is rated higher, CATS or Recruiterflow?
Recruiterflow is rated higher: 4.6/5 on G2 versus 4.2/5 for CATS on G2.
Who is CATS best for, and who is Recruiterflow best for?
CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking. Recruiterflow: Modern boutique agencies that live on outbound and automation.