CATS vs Workable
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
Workable
Self-serve hiring platform with employee-band pricing
Best for: Growing companies that want to be live in a week without a sales cycle
✓No recruiter seat limits; pricing scales by company size instead
✓Live in under a week with self-serve setup
✕Employee-band pricing rises as the company grows, even if hiring doesn't
✕Limited customization for complex approval chains
Our verdict
Choose CATS if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Workable doesn't focus on
- ✓You need an open API for custom integrations
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
Choose Workable if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓AI matching and assistance are on your must-have list
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | CATS | Workable |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Workable (official) | $299/mo (1–20 employees)flat | $299/mo (1–20 employees)flat | $299/mo (1–20 employees)flat |
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 Workable pricing compare?
CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Workable pricing starts at $299/mo (1–20 employees) (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 Workable cost?
Workable pricing starts at $299/mo (1–20 employees) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Employee-band pricing: for the 1–20 employee band, Standard $299/mo, Premier $599/mo, Enterprise $719/mo on annual billing; larger bands quote differently. 15-day free trial; AI-agent credits sold separately (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Who is CATS best for, and who is Workable best for?
CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking. Workable: Growing companies that want to be live in a week without a sales cycle.