Top Echelon vs Workable
This comparison pits specialized recruiting power against all-in-one HR capabilities. Top Echelon focuses narrowly on agency workflows and collaborative networks. Workable is a powerhouse combining ATS and HRIS functions with massive AI sourcing power. Choosing between them depends entirely on your core business need.
Solid value for growing teams
We see Top Echelon as a solid, scalable platform that unifies ATS/CRM and the TE Network for collaboration. Overall, it delivers reliable workflows, strong search, and clear value, though some features are marked as coming soon and pricing clarity could improve.
Pros
- Centralizes candidate and client data for streamlined workflows
- TE Network enables collaboration across teams
- TE Recruit automates repetitive tasks for high-volume hiring
- Scalable with easy user and client growth
Cons
- Some features marked Coming Soon (Sequences, Email Inbox Syncing)
- Pricing clarity could improve; no visible money-back guarantee
- Standard monthly price not explicitly stated
- No free plan, only a 30-day trial
Powerful Feature Stack, Inconsistent Experience
We assessed Workable as a powerful all-in-one platform successfully combining high-end ATS and HRIS functions with robust AI tools. Our analysis showed excellent pricing transparency and a strong feature set built for scalability, but user reports indicate notable inconsistencies in execution. Overall, we recommend Workable for companies prioritizing a comprehensive feature stack, provided they can work around the reported UI clunkiness and source tracking issues.
Pros
- Combines comprehensive Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and HRIS functionality.
- Uses powerful AI for sourcing, screening, and drafting interview materials.
- Customer support is frequently described as fast, effective, and helpful.
- Offers transparent, publicly displayed pricing tiers starting at $299/month.
Cons
- Candidate source tracking is often unreliable, requiring manual and time-consuming updates.
- User interface is frequently described as clunky, buggy, and not intuitive.
- Initial integration and setup processes can be difficult or 'slightly fraught.'
- Functionality and wording are sometimes perceived as USA-centric.
AboutTop Echelon
TE Recruit™ is the recruiting platform used by recruiters and staffing agencies to streamline workflows, manage talent pipelines, boost team productivity, and close placements faster. TE Network™ is the split-placement network that expands reach, enables collaboration, and helps close placements through a trusted community of recruiting professionals. Together, they form a unified platform that supports success at every step. 💼🤝
AboutWorkable
Workable serves as a truly comprehensive, future-ready HR platform designed for demanding businesses. It effectively combines sophisticated candidate sourcing and a full Applicant Tracking System (ATS) with a robust HR Information System (HRIS). This powerful structure helps you manage the entire employee lifecycle, starting from attraction and extending through payroll reporting. The system uses great design and advanced artificial intelligence to hide complexity, ensuring the software feels easy while remaining powerful under the hood. It’s built for businesses that require high performance, scalability, and reliability. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
System Focus
Top Echelon is a specialized ATS/CRM, while Workable is a full-stack ATS/HRIS solution.
Top Echelon is laser-focused on recruiting workflows, pipeline management, and data centralization. It combines the core TE Recruit platform with the powerful TE Network for collaboration. This focus makes Top Echelon excellent for agency-style recruiting operations. Workable acts as a comprehensive, future-ready HR platform and ATS. It handles sourcing and tracking candidates but also manages the entire employee lifecycle (HRIS). Workable provides PTO management, payroll preparation, and performance reviews. The main difference is scope: Top Echelon strictly manages relationships; Workable manages people from attraction to exit. If you need robust HR functions, Workable is the clear choice here. If you only need recruiting, Top Echelon handles it well. For staff augmentation agencies, Top Echelon's specialization brings immediate value to collaboration. For internal HR teams, Workable’s unified platform is simpler.
Agency Collaboration
Top Echelon includes a unique split-placement network; Workable focuses on internal team collaboration.
Top Echelon features the proprietary TE Network for collaborating across teams and with trusted recruiters. This network expands reach and helps close split-placements by sharing job orders and pipelines. Top Echelon makes it easy to streamline workflows with shared access to communication and sequencing tools. Workable supports internal team collaboration within the ATS workflow and customizable pipelines. However, Workable does not offer any equivalent external recruiter community or split-placement network. Top Echelon's specialization gives it a massive advantage if your business relies on external community recruiting. Workable's collaboration is limited to your organization's hiring team. If your core business relies on shared placements, Top Echelon offers an unparalleled feature. Workable serves general business needs, not specific agency models.
AI & Sourcing Power
Workable uses powerful AI for massive sourcing; Top Echelon provides basic Smart-TE automations.
Top Echelon provides 'Smart-TE AI Automations' starting with the Professional plan. These focus on streamlining internal tasks, parsing, and data movement. Sequences are also coming soon for automated outreach in Top Echelon. Workable bakes AI directly into sourcing, acting as a dedicated recruiter for your team. It accesses a database of 400+ million profiles for rapid passive candidate sourcing. Workable’s AI also drafts job descriptions, salary bands, and interview kits instantly. Workable is superior for businesses needing massive external sourcing power and automated content generation. Top Echelon's automation is primarily focused on internal workflow efficiency. Workable can post to over 200 job boards and is a preferred partner for Indeed and LinkedIn. Workable's technology is built to find candidates externally at scale.
Pricing Structure
Top Echelon prices per account/agency; Workable prices based on total company headcount.
Top Echelon offers tiered pricing ($75–$135 annually) based on features and email quotas (5K–10K emails). The TE Network plan is priced per agency. Top Echelon offers a clear, predictable cost structure for agency recruiters regardless of company size. Workable prices are determined by total company headcount, starting at $299/month for the 1–20 employee tier. The price increases significantly as the company grows beyond 20 employees. Workable offers annual discounts equivalent to 20% savings. The pricing approach reflects their focus: Top Echelon prices for recruiting activities. Workable prices for its comprehensive HR responsibility across the employee base. If you are a large company with few recruiters, Workable might be expensive due to the headcount model. If you are a small agency with high recruitment volume, Top Echelon is likely more cost-effective.
HR Management (HRIS)
Workable has robust HRIS features (PTO, payroll); Top Echelon is exclusively focused on pre-hire tools.
Top Echelon is centered on candidate and client management, offering no post-hire HR functionality. It manages the recruiting funnel (ATS/CRM) seamlessly. Top Echelon is not designed to replace payroll systems or HR software. Workable includes a dedicated HR Information System (HRIS) as a unified system of record. This handles employee onboarding, time off management, and prepares payroll reports. Workable integrates with major payroll systems like ADP Workforce Now and Xero. Workable is the only option if you seek to centralize recruiting and employee management in one platform. You would need separate HR software to pair with Top Echelon. This makes Workable a strong choice for businesses simplifying their tech stack. Top Echelon integrates better into a dedicated agency tech stack.
Integration Options
Workable connects to 270+ systems; Top Echelon focuses on key email and calendar integrations.
Top Echelon provides core integrations like Email Integration, Calendar Integration, and Job Board Integrations. This is standard functionality for an ATS. The focus is on ensuring recruiting tools work well together. Workable offers over 270 integrations across various platforms, including payroll, productivity tools, and HR tech. This deep connectivity makes Workable easily fit into large or complex existing ecosystems. Workable is superior for organizations demanding a broad, flexible integration ecosystem, especially with HR tools. Top Echelon is highly functional but more walled-off in its approach. If you need custom reports sent to specialized payroll software, Workable offers the necessary connectivity. Top Echelon handles core tasks effectively within its framework.
Our Verdict
Choosing between Top Echelon and Workable requires understanding their distinct missions. It’s a classic choice: specialized, collaborative recruiting versus comprehensive HR management. Top Echelon’s superpower is its commitment to the staffing agency workflow, particularly the TE Network. This feature allows recruiters to collaborate on split-placements and expand their reach instantly. Top Echelon centralizes all client and candidate data to eliminate fragmentation and streamline agency tasks. Workable's strength lies in being a unified ATS and HRIS platform supported by excellent AI. Workable's powerful AI actively sources passive candidates from a database of 400 million profiles. Workable handles everything post-hire, including PTO tracking, performance reviews, and payroll preparation. The deciding factor boils down to where you need the most control and focus. Do you need integrated HR management, or do you need specialized agency collaboration? Workable scales based on total company headcount, providing superior feature consolidation. Top Echelon provides strong recruiting value at predictable per-account pricing. Opt for Workable if you need a single, feature-rich tool managing all employees from sourcing through HR cycles. Choose Top Echelon if you run a recruiting agency and must leverage shared job orders and external collaboration via the TE Network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform is better for an all-in-one HR solution, Top Echelon or Workable?
Workable is a true all-in-one tool, combining high-end ATS with comprehensive HRIS functionality. Top Echelon focuses only on the pre-hire recruiting and CRM process. You must pair a separate HR solution with Top Echelon.
How do the pricing models of Top Echelon and Workable differ?
Top Echelon prices are based on per-account or agency quotas, which are highly predictable. Workable uses a unique model where pricing scales based on your total company headcount. Workable gets much more expensive as your organization grows.
Can I use Top Echelon to manage employee time-off and performance reviews?
No, Top Echelon is designed exclusively for candidate sourcing, placement, and client management. Workable includes robust HRIS features like PTO tracking and performance review management. Workable is the proper tool for post-hire functions.
Which tool is better for sourcing passive candidates with AI?
Workable is significantly better for large-scale external sourcing using AI. Workable accesses a database of over 400 million profiles and automates detailed outreach. Top Echelon’s AI automations focus on internal efficiency rather than mass sourcing.
Does Workable offer a unique feature like Top Echelon’s TE Network?
No, Workable does not have an equivalent split-placement or trusted external recruiter network. Top Echelon’s TE Network is an advantage specifically for staffing agencies. Workable focuses collaboration on internal hiring teams.
Which software has better integration options?
Workable is the leader here, offering over 270 integrations, including essential payroll and HR systems. Top Echelon focuses on core productivity integrations like email, calendar, and job boards.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.