CATS vs Rippling Recruiting
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
Rippling Recruiting
AI-native ATS inside the Rippling HR/IT/payroll platform
Best for: Companies consolidating HR, IT, and payroll who want hiring in the same system
✓Offer acceptance instantly creates the employee record, payroll, and IT provisioning
✓AI screening and Interview Assistant built in
✕Sold as part of the platform; standalone terms unclear
✕Custom workflow setup is complex
Our verdict
Choose CATS if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Rippling Recruiting doesn't focus on
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
- ✓You want to trial before committing (free trial available)
Choose Rippling Recruiting if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, 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 | Rippling Recruiting |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Rippling Recruiting (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 Rippling Recruiting pricing compare?
CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Rippling Recruiting 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 Rippling Recruiting cost?
Rippling Recruiting uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Custom quote only ('tell us what services you need'). Recruiting is a module of the broader Rippling platform; no separate public list price (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Which is rated higher, CATS or Rippling Recruiting?
Rippling Recruiting is rated higher: 4.8/5 on G2 versus 4.2/5 for CATS.
Who is CATS best for, and who is Rippling Recruiting best for?
CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking. Rippling Recruiting: Companies consolidating HR, IT, and payroll who want hiring in the same system.