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 July 4, 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 | – | ✓ |
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gem (official) | $495/mo | $1,980/mo | $4,950/mo |
| Workday 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 Gem and Workday Recruiting pricing compare?
Gem pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 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 $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Staffing plans: Essentials $99/user/mo billed yearly (up to 3 users) and Professional $149/user/mo billed yearly (up to 10 users); Enterprise custom. Corporate/startup plans are quote-led; Gem now positions itself as an all-in-one recruiting platform, with ATS optional in some packaging. Email-finding credit limits vary by plan (vendor pricing pages, Jul 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.