Alternatives
Best SHL Assessments alternatives in 2026
Data compiled by Toolradar Updated How we rate
Cite this list: Toolradar, best SHL Assessments alternatives 2026, toolradar.com/alternatives/shl-assessments
3 direct alternatives to SHL Assessments and 5 more tools in the same category, compared on pricing, features, and best-for use cases. Pick the right replacement without the marketing fluff.
Quick answer
- TestGorilla is the top alternative to SHL Assessments on our list, followed by Spark Hire and Criteria Corp.
- 1 of the 8 alternatives has a free plan, starting with Bonusly.
- Highest rated: Awardco, 4.9 out of 5 from 11,265 ratings, Sep 2026.
- 8 alternatives
- 3 direct
- 1 with a free plan
Top 3 alternatives to SHL Assessments
TestGorilla
#1 Top pickSkills-based hiring with AI assessments and pre-tested candidates
Starting price
From $215 /mo
Cheapest paid plan, monthly, as of November 2026
4.3 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,716 ratings, Sep 2026
Our take
Best overall
Spark Hire
#2Streamline your hiring process with video interviews, behavioral assessments, and an applicant tracking system.
Starting price
From $249 /mo
Cheapest paid plan, monthly, as of November 2026
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 815 ratings, Sep 2026
Science-backed hiring and development for every industry
Pricing
Usage-based
4.5 /5 across SourceForge, G2 and Capterra · 468 ratings, Sep 2026
SHL Assessments vs 8 alternatives
| Tool | Starting price (Nov 2026) | Free plan | Rating | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price: Not published | Free plan: No | n/a | ||
| Price: $215/mo | Free plan: No | 4.3 out of 5, from 1,716 ratings across G2 and Capterra (1,716) | Direct alternative |
| Price: $249/mo | Free plan: No | 4.7 out of 5, from 815 ratings across G2 and Capterra (815) | Direct alternative |
| Price: Usage-based | Free plan: No | 4.5 out of 5, from 468 ratings across SourceForge, G2 and Capterra (468) | Direct alternative |
 | Price: $8/mo | Free plan: No | 4.8 out of 5, from 18,284 ratings across G2 and Capterra (18,284) | Same category as SHL Assessments |
 | Price: $19/mo | Free plan: No | 4.7 out of 5, from 20,580 ratings across G2, Capterra and Trustpilot (20,580) | Same category as SHL Assessments |
 | Price: Contact sales | Free plan: No | 4.9 out of 5, from 11,265 ratings across G2 and Capterra (11,265) | Same category as SHL Assessments |
 | Price: $10/mo | Free plan: No | 4.5 out of 5, from 10,281 ratings across G2 and Capterra (10,281) | Same category as SHL Assessments |
 | Price: $3/mo | Free plan: Yes | 4.7 out of 5, from 8,994 ratings across G2 and Capterra (8,994) | Same category as SHL Assessments |
Why people consider alternatives to SHL Assessments
SHL Assessments provides a comprehensive platform for talent acquisition and talent management, utilizing proven behavioral science, predictive analytics, and transparent AI.
Teams most often switch away when one of these starts to bite:
- Pricing at scale as usage or premium tiers add up.
- Missing integrations with the rest of your stack.
- Performance or scale limits as your needs grow.
- A specific feature gap you have hit in hr & recruiting.
The 3 direct alternatives below cover the same core job (HR & recruiting) with different trade-offs. The 5 tools marked "Same category as SHL Assessments" fit the category but replace SHL Assessments less directly.
SHL Assessments by the numbers
| Metric | SHL Assessments | Peer median | Position (1 is best) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | 27 of 48 have one | n/a |
| Listed as an alternative to | 5 tools | 2 | #12 of 48 (joint) |
Listed as an alternative to: #12 on 2026-10-16 to #12 on 2026-11-02 (rank among 48 tools, 1 is best).
Each position is counted among the tools that have data for that row, as noted under it. All Assessment Tools data · How we compute this. Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position.
Cite this: Toolradar, “SHL Assessments by the numbers”, Nov 2026.
HR & Recruiting leaderboards from Toolradar data
Toolradar ranks HR & Recruiting tools on one measure at a time, only where at least 8 tools have data. As of Nov 2026.
Lowest entry price, plans with no stated unit
Cheapest standard paid plan per month (annual prices divided by 12), read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis.
Counted among 95 tools with no stated price unit, verified price.
Lowest entry price, per-user plans
Cheapest standard paid plan per month (annual prices divided by 12), read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis.
Counted among 35 tools priced per user, verified price.
| # | Tool | Entry plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AccessOwl | $1.50/user/mo, billed monthly |
| 2 | Engagedly | $2/user/mo, billed monthly |
| 2 | Sling | $2/user/mo, billed monthly |
| 2 | TalentHR | $2/user/mo, billed monthly |
| 5 | When I Work | $2.50/user/mo, billed monthly |
Lowest entry price, per-employee plans
Cheapest standard paid plan per month (annual prices divided by 12), read on vendor pages and compared only with tools priced on the same basis.
Counted among 17 tools priced per employee, verified price.
| # | Tool | Entry plan |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ThriveSparrow | $2/employee/mo, billed monthly |
| 2 | PeopleForce | $2.50/employee/mo, billed yearly |
| 3 | ChartHop | $8/employee/mo, billed monthly |
| 3 | Shapes (formerly DreamTeam) | $8/employee/mo, billed monthly |
| 5 | ActivTrak | $10/employee/mo, billed monthly |
A position exists only when at least 8 tools have data for that metric. 156 of 415 HR & Recruiting tools have a verified price; the others publish none we could read (often "contact sales"). Advertising and placement fees are not inputs to any position. Visit counts include visits from every source. How we compute this. Cite this: Toolradar, “HR & Recruiting leaderboards”, Nov 2026. Data licensed CC BY 4.0. All HR & Recruiting statistics.
8 alternatives to SHL Assessments
Direct alternatives come first, ranked by G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editor review. Tools marked "Same category as SHL Assessments" follow, ranked the same way.
- 1
TestGorilla
Paid Battle-tested at scaleSkills-based hiring with AI assessments and pre-tested candidates
4.3 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,716 ratings, Sep 2026
From $215/mo flat, billed monthly
- 2
Spark Hire
PaidStreamline your hiring process with video interviews, behavioral assessments, and an applicant tracking system.
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 815 ratings, Sep 2026
From $249/mo, billed monthly
- 3
Criteria Corp
PaidScience-backed hiring and development for every industry
4.5 /5 across SourceForge, G2 and Capterra · 468 ratings, Sep 2026
Price not published
- 4
Rippling
Paid Battle-tested at scaleUnify HR, IT, and finance for seamless employee management
4.8 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 18,284 ratings, Sep 2026
From $8/user/mo, billed monthly
Same category as SHL Assessments
- 5
Deel
Paid Battle-tested at scaleHire globally, pay compliantly, and manage payroll worldwide
4.7 /5 across G2, Capterra and Trustpilot · 20,580 ratings, Sep 2026
From $19/employee/mo, billed monthly
Same category as SHL Assessments
- 6
Awardco
Paid Battle-tested at scaleMake employee recognition more rewarding and drive engagement with a flexible platform.
4.9 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 11,265 ratings, Sep 2026
Price not published
Same category as SHL Assessments
- 7
BambooHR
Paid Battle-tested at scaleHR software for small businesses
4.5 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 10,281 ratings, Sep 2026
From $10/employee/mo, billed monthly
Same category as SHL Assessments
- 8
Bonusly
Free plan Cheaper than SHL AssessmentsReimagine employee recognition and rewards to drive continuous performance and build a thriving culture.
4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 8,994 ratings, Sep 2026
From $3/seat/mo, billed monthly; free plan available
Same category as SHL Assessments
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to SHL Assessments?
Based on real-signal scoring (G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editorial review), the top alternatives to SHL Assessments are TestGorilla, Spark Hire, Criteria Corp. Each solves the same core job with different trade-offs on pricing, features, and integrations.
Is there a free alternative to SHL Assessments?
There is no fully free alternative in this list. Bonusly is freemium: a permanent free tier plus paid plans (Reimagine employee recognition and rewards to drive continuous performance and build a thriving culture).
Why do people look for SHL Assessments alternatives?
Common reasons teams switch away from SHL Assessments: pricing that scales aggressively, missing integrations with the rest of their stack, performance or scale limits, or a specific feature gap in hr & recruiting. The alternatives on this page solve the same core problem with different trade-offs.
Side-by-side comparisons
In-depth comparison pages for SHL Assessments versus each alternative.
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