Applicant tracking software typically runs $2–$719 per month. Most vendors sell three subscription tiers priced per recruiter seat or as a flat monthly rate, with a few free versions and open-source options available.
Applicant tracking software costs between $2 and $719 per month, with three common tiers: entry-level at up to $119 per user or $189 flat, mid-tier at up to $249 per user or $329 flat, and high-end at up to $449 per user or $529 flat.
Most vendors sell monthly subscriptions, and many also bill per recruiter seat or by job posting. Here's how each tier breaks down.
Entry-Level
Price: Up to $119 per user/month or $189 flat/month (averages run about $70 per user or $136 flat)
Best For: Small businesses starting structured hiring
Other Features:
- Job posting
- Resume parsing
- Candidate database
This tier covers the basics without extras you won't use. It's a solid fit if your team is small and your hiring volume is light. Seat counts and job-posting caps vary by vendor, so confirm those limits before you sign.
Mid-Tier
Price: Up to $249 per user/month or $329 flat/month (averages run about $140 per user or $255 flat)
Best For: Growing organizations that need more than basic tracking
Other Features:
- Advanced analytics
- Branded career pages
- CRM and HRIS integrations
If you hire regularly and want a clearer view of your pipeline, this tier earns its keep. The reporting and integrations help teams that have outgrown entry-level tools.
High-End
Price: Up to $449 per user/month or $529 flat/month (averages run about $335 per user or $372 flat)
Best For: Enterprises with complex, high-volume hiring
Other Features:
- Workflow customization
- Compliance features
- AI-driven sourcing
- Enterprise-grade support
The price jump here is steep, so skip it unless you truly need customization, compliance modules, or AI sourcing. Larger organizations with complicated workflows will see the most value. 💡
License models change the math, too. Subscription licenses bill monthly or annually per seat and are easiest to scale. Perpetual licenses charge one upfront fee plus optional maintenance, which suits teams with stable IT resources. Free and open-source platforms cost nothing to license, but you'll pay in hosting, support, and IT time.
Real products land all over this range. TalentHR starts at $2 per user/month, ApplicantStack at $29.99/month, and Workable tops out at $719/month. Breezy and TalentHR offer free versions, and every product in Software Advice's FrontRunners comparison includes a free trial.
Watch for costs beyond the sticker price. Setup, data migration, recruiter training, API access, and per-candidate background checks are often billed separately, and these extras can rival your subscription fee. One more thing worth knowing: annual commitments usually earn discounts, while month-to-month flexibility comes at a premium. Prices reflect FrontRunners data as of April 16, 2026, so confirm current rates with each vendor.