Firefish vs Top Echelon
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
Firefish
Recruitment CRM with built-in marketing for UK agencies
Best for: UK agencies that treat their website and brand as a candidate channel
✓Recruitment marketing (website CMS, campaigns, engagement tracking) built in
✓Outstanding UK-based support reputation
✕Rigid contract lengths reported by customers
✕Some job board integrations are paid extras
Top Echelon
Affordable ATS/CRM with a built-in split-placement network
Best for: Solo recruiters and small perm firms doing split placements
✓Extremely affordable with transparent pricing
✓TE Network: unique split-placement revenue opportunities
✕UI needs a modern overhaul
✕Recurring bugs with email sync and resume attachments
Our verdict
Choose Firefish if…
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
- ✓Multi-job-board posting is core to how you fill roles
- ✓Reporting and analytics drive how you run the desk
Choose Top Echelon if…
- ✓You're in executive search firms, a segment Firefish doesn't focus on
- ✓You want to trial before committing (free trial available)
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Firefish | Top Echelon |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefish (reported) | £400/mo | £1,600/mo | £4,000/mo |
| Top Echelon (official) | $375/mo | $1,500/mo | $3,750/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
How do Firefish and Top Echelon pricing compare?
Firefish pricing starts at £80/user/mo (reported, reviewed July 4, 2026). Top Echelon pricing starts at $75/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Firefish cost?
Firefish pricing starts at £80/user/mo (reported, reviewed July 4, 2026). Vendor site is quote-led; Capterra reports Basic £80, Professional £90, Enterprise £105 per user/mo (Capterra, Oct 2025). Contract terms not verified; some job board integrations cost extra.
What does Top Echelon cost?
Top Echelon pricing starts at $75/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Standard $75/user/mo and Professional $89/user/mo billed annually ($89/$110 monthly). Optional TE Network: $135/mo per agency on annual billing; annual waives the $350 startup fee charged monthly (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Which is rated higher, Firefish or Top Echelon?
Top Echelon is rated higher: 4.6/5 on G2 versus 4.4/5 for Firefish.
Who is Firefish best for, and who is Top Echelon best for?
Firefish: UK agencies that treat their website and brand as a candidate channel. Top Echelon: Solo recruiters and small perm firms doing split placements.