Gem vs Workday Recruiting
Two recruitment CRMs compared on pricing, features, and fit, so you can shortlist with confidence.
✓Pricing verified against vendor pagesData reviewed September 22, 2026How we research →
By Ramin Assemi, B2B SaaS marketer and former Head of Content at Close.comPublished Updated
Gem
Sourcing-first talent platform with staffing-specific plans
Best for: Sourcing-led teams: in-house TA and outbound-heavy search firms
✓One-click sourcing across 30+ platforms with multi-channel sequencing
✓Best-in-class analytics and forecasting
✕Expensive at scale; enterprise deals run high per seat
✕Strict email-finding credit limits on lower tiers
Workday Recruiting
The recruiting module of the Workday HCM suite
Best for: Enterprises already standardized on Workday HCM
✓Hires flow straight into the HCM system of record
✓Global enterprise compliance
✕Recruiter and candidate UX rated below standalone ATS rivals
✕Candidates must create a Workday account per employer
Our verdict
Choose Gem if…
- ✓You're in executive search firms, a segment Workday Recruiting doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Workday Recruiting doesn't focus on
- ✓You want built-in candidate sourcing instead of separate tools
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
Choose Workday Recruiting if…
- ✓Multi-job-board posting is core to how you fill roles
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Gem | Workday 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 | – | ✓ |
IncludedPartial or paid add-onNot available
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gem (official) | $695/mo | $2,780/mo | $6,950/mo |
| Workday Recruiting (official) | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
Estimated from each vendor's published entry-tier price as of September 22, 2026; real quotes vary with plan tier, add-on modules, and contract terms. See how we label pricing confidence.
Frequently asked questions
How do Gem and Workday Recruiting pricing compare?
Gem pricing starts at $139/user/mo (official, reviewed September 22, 2026). Workday Recruiting uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Gem cost?
Gem pricing starts at $139/user/mo (official, reviewed September 22, 2026). Staffing plans on monthly billing: Essentials $139/user/mo (up to 3 users per account) and Professional $199/user/mo (up to 10 users). Billed yearly those drop to $99 and $149. Enterprise is custom, with the choice of Gem's ATS or a third-party one. Both paid staffing plans start with a 7-day trial. Email-finding credits are 150/user/mo on Essentials and 750 on Professional. Corporate plans are quoted on company headcount, with discounted startup pricing under 100 employees (vendor pricing pages, Sep 2026).
What does Workday Recruiting cost?
Workday Recruiting uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Custom quote only, sold as part of the Workday HCM relationship; no public recruiting-module pricing. Circulating figures like '$35k starting' are unverified (Workday site, Jul 2026).
Who is Gem best for, and who is Workday Recruiting best for?
Gem: Sourcing-led teams: in-house TA and outbound-heavy search firms. Workday Recruiting: Enterprises already standardized on Workday HCM.