ApplicantStack vs Certn: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for ApplicantStack and Certn side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
ApplicantStack
Find, hire, and onboard new employees with a simple, fast, and powerful HR software.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive solution covering both recruiting and onboarding
Certn
Modernize your hiring process with fast, easy, and compliant background checks.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly reduces time-to-hire and onboarding costs
| At a Glance | ApplicantStack | Certn |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $29.99/mo, billed monthly Starter plan | Not published |
Category | HR & Recruiting ATS | HR & Recruiting Compliance |
Rating | 4.4/5 Capterra 4.4 · G2 4.4 · TrustRadius 4.6 2,373 reviews | 4.5/5 G2 4.7 · SourceForge 4.3 273 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Additional admin/hiring manager seats cost extra on higher tiers. | n/a |
Choose ApplicantStack or Certn?
Choose ApplicantStack if
- You want comprehensive solution covering both recruiting and onboarding
- You want highly customizable workflows to fit specific hiring processes
Choose Certn if
- You want significantly reduces time-to-hire and onboarding costs
- You want provides comprehensive global screening coverage
In-Depth Analysis
ApplicantStack
Find, hire, and onboard new employees with a simple, fast, and powerful HR software.
ApplicantStack offers a fair pricing structure, especially for smaller businesses with limited hiring needs.
Watch out
Additional admin/hiring manager seats cost extra on higher tiers.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive solution covering both recruiting and onboarding
- Pro: Highly customizable workflows to fit specific hiring processes
- Pro: Integrated text messaging for improved candidate communication and engagement
- Pro: User-friendly interface, making it easy to adopt
- Pro: Strong customer support with HR experience
Weaknesses
- Con: Specific details on advanced analytics capabilities are not explicitly detailed
- Con: No mention of direct integrations with payroll systems or other HRIS beyond its own onboarding module
- Con: The extent of customization for the employee portal is not fully specified
Key features
Certn
Modernize your hiring process with fast, easy, and compliant background checks.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly reduces time-to-hire and onboarding costs
- Pro: Provides comprehensive global screening coverage
- Pro: Offers a seamless and user-friendly experience for candidates
- Pro: Scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes
- Pro: Strong integration capabilities with existing HR tech stacks
Weaknesses
- Con: Public Records Check is limited to Canada only
- Con: Pricing is in CAD, which may require currency conversion for international users
- Con: Pass-through access fees may apply for certain checks
Key features
Plans and prices: ApplicantStack vs Certn
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ApplicantStack |
| applicantstack.com/pricing read Oct 30, 2026 |
| Certn |
| certn.co read Oct 8, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on ApplicantStack pricing and Certn pricing.
Key Takeaways
ApplicantStack
- Choose if you want find, hire, and onboard new employees with a simple, fast, and powerful HR software
Certn
- Choose if you want modernize your hiring process with fast, easy, and compliant background checks
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 2,373 reviews for ApplicantStack, 4.5/5 from 273 reviews for Certn).
- ApplicantStack starts at $29.99/mo, billed monthly; Certn has no public paid plan price on file.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ApplicantStack and Certn compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.4/5 from 2,373 reviews for ApplicantStack, 4.5/5 from 273 reviews for Certn). ApplicantStack starts at $29.99/mo, billed monthly; Certn has no public paid plan price on file.
What are ApplicantStack and Certn used for?
ApplicantStack: Find, hire, and onboard new employees with a simple, fast, and powerful HR software. Certn: Modernize your hiring process with fast, easy, and compliant background checks.
What does ApplicantStack cost vs Certn?
ApplicantStack's cheapest paid plan is Starter at $29.99/mo, billed monthly. Certn has no public paid-plan price on file. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between ApplicantStack and Certn?
ApplicantStack's main strength: comprehensive solution covering both recruiting and onboarding. Certn's main strength: significantly reduces time-to-hire and onboarding costs.