SmartRecruiters Recruiting Software Review For 2024

By Faye Wai • Last updated on Dec 6, 2024

SmartRecruiters stands out from its competitors by offering an intuitive interface that simplifies the hiring process for both recruiters and candidates.

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In this review, I’m going to share my analysis and evaluation from hands-on experience with SmartRecruiters. But first, if you’re just beginning your search for the best recruiting software, check out my picks of the best recruiting software.

You probably already know SmartRecruiters is among the most popular recruiting software out there, but you need to better understand what’s good, and not so good about it. This in-depth SmartRecruiters review will walk you through the pros and cons, features, and functionality, to help guide you to better understand its capabilities and suitability for your scenario.

smartrecruiters review screenshot — *SmartRecruiters streamlines hiring with features for job posting, tracking, and analytics.*

Summary: SmartRecruiters

SmartRecruiters is a talent acquisition suite designed to help businesses find, engage, and hire the best talent. HR professionals and recruiters generally use SmartRecruiters to support their day-to-day operations by managing job postings, candidate communications, and interview scheduling. It helps businesses by providing tools for efficient recruitment processes and improving the overall hiring experience.

SmartRecruiters addresses common pain points like inefficient hiring processes, poor candidate experience, and lack of collaboration among hiring teams. Its best features are its user-friendly interface, integration capabilities with other HR tools, and advanced recruitment analytics for tracking recruitment metrics.

SmartRecruiters Pros

User-friendly interface: The platform is praised for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for users at all levels of technical proficiency.
Collaboration tools: SmartRecruiters facilitates effective collaboration among hiring managers, recruiters, and other stakeholders, organizing the recruitment process.
Customization: The software allows for significant customization, enabling users to tailor workflows and platform settings to meet specific business needs.

SmartRecruiters Cons

Interview scheduling: Users have reported difficulties with scheduling interviews, citing a lack of basic scheduling functionalities and the need for manual adjustments.
Notification issues: The system's notification features are limited, often failing to alert recruiters about important updates or candidate communications.
Clunky paid features: Some of the paid features can be cumbersome and not user-friendly, which can hinder the overall user experience.

SmartRecruiters Expert Opinion

In my opinion, SmartRecruiters stands out as a robust recruiting software platform, particularly for medium to large-sized companies. Its user-friendly interface and extensive integrations with over 570 job boards and HR solutions make it a versatile tool for managing the entire recruitment process. The platform excels in offering features like candidate sourcing, assessment, and engagement, along with AI-driven talent matching and customizable workflows.

However, it does have its drawbacks, such as a steep learning curve, limited reporting capabilities, and a lack of transparency in pricing. Users have also reported issues with the referral system and scheduling interviews. Despite these shortcomings, SmartRecruiters is highly regarded for its ability to streamline hiring processes and is used by notable companies like Ikea, Visa, and LinkedIn.

It is best suited for organizations with frequent hiring needs and those looking for a comprehensive solution that integrates well with other tools. For smaller businesses or those with less frequent hiring needs, the cost and complexity might outweigh the benefits.

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

We’ve been testing and reviewing Recruiting Software since 2019. As HR experts ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.

We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different HR management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our SmartRecruiters review methodology.

Are You a Good Fit for Smartrecruiters?

Who Would Be a Good Fit for SmartRecruiters?

SmartRecruiters is ideal for mid-sized to large companies that need a scalable solution for managing high volumes of job applications. It offers advanced features like collaborative hiring, automated workflows, and detailed analytics, which are beneficial for organizations with complex hiring processes. Companies that prioritize a strong candidate experience will also appreciate its user-friendly interface and mobile accessibility.

Who Would Be a Bad Fit for SmartRecruiters?

Small businesses or startups with limited hiring needs might find SmartRecruiters too feature-rich and costly. The platform's extensive functionalities, such as multi-channel sourcing and advanced reporting, may be unnecessary for companies that only hire occasionally. Additionally, organizations looking for a simple, low-cost solution might prefer more basic tools.

Best Use Cases for SmartRecruiters

Healthcare industry: SmartRecruiters helps healthcare organizations like Catholic Healthcare double their hiring volume to meet the growing demand for aged care services.
High-volume hiring: Retail companies can benefit from SmartRecruiters' automation features that can help to speed up hiring processes during seasonal upticks.
Professional services: SmartRecruiters can help to build talent acquisition agility, making it easier to adapt to changing recruitment needs.
Technology sector: Companies like Xplor Technologies use SmartRecruiters' data-driven recruiting to fuel consistent growth.
Manufacturing: PACCOR utilizes SmartRecruiters to build a mature recruiting ecosystem in less than a year, enhancing their hiring efficiency.
Diversity hiring: Telecommunications firms like CityFibre use SmartRecruiters to hire for diversity and empower internal mobility through its employee portal.

Worst Use Cases for SmartRecruiters

Small startups: Small startups with limited hiring needs may find SmartRecruiters' extensive features and costs unnecessary.
Low-tech industries: Companies in low-tech industries might struggle with SmartRecruiters' advanced features and integrations, which could be overkill for their needs.
Freelance recruitment: Organizations focusing on freelance or gig economy workers may not benefit from SmartRecruiters' traditional recruitment processes.
Non-profit organizations: Nonprofits with tight budgets might find SmartRecruiters' pricing and feature set too extensive for their limited hiring needs.
Temporary staffing: Agencies specializing in temporary staffing might find SmartRecruiters' long-term recruitment features less relevant.
Manual labor jobs: Industries that rely heavily on manual labor might not need the sophisticated applicant tracking and AI features offered by SmartRecruiters.

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SmartRecruiters Evaluation Summary

Core Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Standout Features: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Onboarding: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer Support: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Integrations: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Customer Reviews: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value for Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Review Methodology

We’re a team of software experts who obsess about the features and functionality of different platforms. We know how critical—yet difficult and confusing—software selection can be. We test and score software to find the best solutions, whatever the use case may be.

Using our objective, data-driven testing methodology, we’ve tested 300+ software. We dedicate ourselves to being objective in fully and fairly testing software, to get beyond the marketing fluff and truly understand the platform.

We’ve developed robust testing scenarios to use the software in the same way you will. We leverage our own first-hand, practical experience with the tools, complemented by interviews with users, experts, and software vendors.

How We Test & Score Recruiting Software

We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system for recruiting software. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection, and what makes recruiting software effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.

Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across eight criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.

Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)

For recruiting software, the core functionality we test and evaluate are:

Applicant Tracking: Manages the entire recruitment process from job posting to hiring.
Resume Parsing: Automatically extracts and organizes information from resumes.
Job Posting: Distributes job listings to multiple job boards and social media platforms.
Interview Scheduling: Facilitates the coordination and scheduling of interviews.
Candidate Database: Maintains a searchable database of past and current candidates.
Reporting and Analytics: Provides insights and metrics on recruitment activities.

Standout Features (20% of final scoring)

We evaluate uncommon recruiting software features that go above and beyond the core functionality these tools are known for.. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.

Ease of Use (15% of final scoring)

We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the recruiting software. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.

Onboarding (10% of final scoring)

We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use the recruiting software with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the software with no experience. High scoring software indicates little or no support is required.

Customer Support (10% of final scoring)

We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Recruiting software that provides real-time support scores best, while chatbots score worst.

Integrations (10% of final scoring)

We evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Recruiting software offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.

Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)

Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the recruiting software again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.

Value for Money (10% of final scoring)

Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry-level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.

Through this comprehensive approach, focusing on core functionalities, standout features, usability, onboarding, customer support, value, and customer reviews, I aim to identify recruiting software that not only meet but exceed expectations, ensuring teams have the tools they need to succeed.

SmartRecruiters Review

Core Recruiting Software Functionality

Applicant Tracking: SmartRecruiters offers a robust applicant tracking system (ATS) that automates the hiring process. It provides a unified view of candidate data, allowing recruiters to track application statuses and manage candidate records efficiently.

Job Advertising: The platform includes tools for job advertising, enabling recruiters to post job openings across multiple job boards and social media channels. This feature helps in reaching a broader audience and attracting more qualified candidates.

Career Sites: SmartRecruiters allows companies to create customized career sites that are optimized for search engines. These sites are designed to provide a compelling candidate experience, making it easy for job seekers to find and apply for open positions.

CRM (Candidate Relationship Management): The CRM functionality helps recruiters nurture relationships with potential candidates. It includes tools for managing candidate interactions and tracking their journey through the recruitment process.

Collaboration Tools: SmartRecruiters includes built-in collaboration tools that facilitate communication between hiring teams. These tools help in sharing candidate information, scheduling interviews, and collecting feedback, ensuring a smooth and efficient hiring process.

SmartRecruiters Standout Features

Programmatic Job Advertising: This feature uses intelligent algorithms to place job ads on the most effective job boards automatically. It dynamically allocates the budget to high-converting job boards, ensuring that job ads reach the right audience and drive higher application rates.

Internal Mobility Programs: SmartRecruiters supports internal mobility by allowing companies to create internal career sites and build talent pools of current employees interested in new roles. This feature helps in retaining talent and filling positions with existing employees who are already familiar with the company culture.

Ease of Use

SmartRecruiters is generally easy to use compared to other recruiting software. The platform's user-friendly interface and intuitive design make it accessible for both recruiters and candidates. Features like drag-and-drop tools, automated workflows, and real-time updates simplify the recruitment process. The integration with third-party tools such as Docusign, which simplify signing offer letters for example, further enhances usability, making it a preferred choice for many organizations.

Onboarding

New users can expect a smooth onboarding process with SmartRecruiters. The platform offers a native onboarding solution, SmartOnboard, which integrates easily with existing systems. It automates onboarding workflows, ensures compliance, and provides user-friendly dashboards for organized task management. Compared to other recruiting software, SmartRecruiters' onboarding process is efficient and user-friendly, helping new hires get up to speed quickly.

Customer Support

SmartRecruiters offers multiple avenues for customer support, including email support for inquiries, dedicated sales support for product and pricing information, an online help center for troubleshooting and user guides, and developer documentation for technical support with integrations and API usage.

Integrations

SmartRecruiters integrates natively with LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, Google for Jobs, SAP SuccessFactors, Docusign, Workday, ADP, BambooHR, and Salesforce.

Additionally, SmartRecruiters offers extensive API customization, allowing for tailored integrations that meet specific business needs. The platform also supports integrations through its marketplace, providing a wide range of options for enhancing the recruitment process.

Value for Money

SmartRecruiters does not provide pricing information publicly. However, based on my research, I would say that SmartRecruiters is generally considered to be on the higher end of the pricing spectrum for recruiting software. I estimate that the starting price is approximately $39/month/user, with pro plans coming in at about $100/month/user.

It is worth noting that SmartRecruiters bills annually, and most contracts average around $10,000 including additional fees which can be quite an expensive upfront cost. This cost can increase depending on the features and number of employees in the organization. While on the higher end for this type of software, SmartRecruiters does offer a limited free version and their higher tiers provide solid value for their advanced features. Prospective buyers are encouraged to request a personalized demo and quote directly from the company.

Pricing plan options for SmartRecruiters:

SmartStart is free for up to 10 active jobs for companies of up to 250 employees
Pro custom pricing based on company size and needs
Corporate pricing for larger enterprises with advanced needs
Enterprise plan for global organizations with complex requirements

Product Specifications

Feature	SmartRecruiters
Applicant Tracking	✅
AI-powered Candidate Matching	✅
Candidate Pipeline Management	✅
Resume Parsing and Formatting	✅
Job Board Integration	✅
Social Media Integration	✅
Advanced Boolean Search	✅
Chrome Extension	❌
Scorecards	✅
Career Page Building	✅
Recruitment CRM	✅
Analytics and Reporting	✅
Candidate and Client Profiling	✅
Automation	✅
Collaboration Tools	✅
Compliance and Security	✅
Integration with Other Systems	✅
Talent Pool Categorization	✅
Email Sequences	✅
Video Interview Software	✅
Scheduling Integration	✅
Candidate Evaluation	✅
Customizable Branding	✅
Mobile Accessibility	✅
Holistic Assessment	✅

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SmartRecruiters provides solid value for money with its extensive features and fair pricing.

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SmartRecruiters integrates seamlessly with various HR and productivity tools.

3 of 12

SmartRecruiters offers friendly customer support through email, chat, and a help center.

4 of 12

SmartRecruiters supports onboarding with tools for document management and task tracking.

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SmartRecruiters offers an intuitive interface for easy navigation and use.

6 of 12

SmartRecruiters facilitates internal mobility with tools for promoting internal hires.

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SmartRecruiters automates job ads with data-driven, programmatic advertising tools.

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SmartRecruiters enhances team collaboration with shared tools and communication features.

9 of 12

SmartRecruiters manages candidate relationships with tools for nurturing and engagement.

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SmartRecruiters creates customizable career sites to attract and engage candidates.

11 of 12

SmartRecruiters helps advertise jobs by posting to multiple job boards simultaneously.

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SmartRecruiters tracks applicants efficiently with tools for sorting and managing candidates.

SmartRecruiters Alternatives

If you’re looking for alternative recruiting software options to SmartRecruiters, here are a few worth checking out:

Zoho Recruit: Zoho Recruit offers a comprehensive suite for in-house recruiting, making it easier to source, track, and hire talent all from one place.
Greenhouse: Greenhouse focuses on improving the recruiting process with better talent acquisition, meaningful interviews, and data-driven decision-making.
iCIMS Talent Cloud: iCIMS Talent Cloud provides a global talent acquisition and internal mobility platform designed to build, retain, and scale your workforce.
Workable: Workable enhances hiring with AI, powerful sourcing tools, and seamless integration with major job boards, making it a highly configurable system for recruitment and employee management.

SmartRecruiters Frequently Asked Questions

SmartRecruiters is a talent acquisition platform designed to guide and support hiring success for businesses. It offers a range of services useful to human resources including applicant tracking, candidate sourcing, recruitment marketing, collaborative hiring, and candidate assessment. SmartRecruiters has been verified to support over 4,000 companies globally, including Bosch, LinkedIn, Skechers, and Visa.

Yes, SmartRecruiters offers a mobile app that allows recruiters and hiring managers to manage their hiring processes on the go. The app provides real-time updates, communication tools, and access to candidate details and interview schedules, making it easier to stay connected and efficient.

SmartRecruiters is not specifically designed to be HIPAA compliant. The platform focuses on general data security and privacy measures, but it is not tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Yes, SmartRecruiters has achieved SOC 2 Type II certification. This certification verifies that the platform’s security controls and operations meet the standards for data security and privacy set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). The audit was completed with a clean opinion, indicating no noted exceptions.

SmartRecruiters prioritizes data security and has implemented various measures to protect user data. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified and ISO 27001 certified, ensuring that it meets high standards for data security and privacy. Additionally, SmartRecruiters offers features like GDPR compliance settings and secure data processing to further enhance security.

SmartRecruiters is not FedRAMP certified. FedRAMP certification is specific to cloud services used by U.S. federal agencies, and SmartRecruiters does not currently hold this certification.

Yes, SmartRecruiters is GDPR compliant. The platform includes features to help businesses adhere to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements, such as data purging, consent management, and configurable privacy policies. These tools ensure that candidate data is handled responsibly and in compliance with GDPR.

SmartRecruiters Company Overview & History

SmartRecruiters is an enterprise hiring platform offering tools for applicant tracking, job advertising, CRM, AI recruiting, text recruiting, and onboarding. The company simplifies hiring processes, enabling businesses to attract, interview, select, and hire talent more efficiently.

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Poland, Germany, the UK, and France, SmartRecruiters employs between 501 and 1,000 people. Over 4,000 customers, including Bosch, LinkedIn, Visa, Square, and McDonald’s, use SmartRecruiters to support their hiring.

Known for its positive work culture and corporate responsibility, SmartRecruiters is recognized as a leader in enterprise talent acquisition. In total, the company has raised $225 million, achieving a $1.5 billion valuation as of July 2021.

SmartRecruiters Major Milestones

2010: SmartRecruiters was founded by Jerome Ternynck.
2012: The company launched its platform, providing full source-to-hire capabilities.
2016: SmartRecruiters raised $30 million in venture funding.
2021: The company raised $110 million in a Series E funding round, bringing its total funding to $225 million and achieving a valuation of $1.5 billion.
2021: SmartRecruiters added over 200 enterprise customers, grew revenue by fifty percent, and experienced seventy percent growth in bookings.
2023: Michael DeSimone was appointed as the new CEO of SmartRecruiters.

Visit SmartRecruiters's Website

Want to learn more about SmartRecruiters? Check out their site for additional information.

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Pricing upon request

Trial:

Free demo available

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