ApplicantStack vs Lever: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between ApplicantStack and Lever comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Lever is our overall pick for HR & recruiting workflows. Pick ApplicantStack if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. 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:
- • Streamlines the entire hiring process from job posting to onboarding.
- • Offers robust applicant tracking with features like candidate scoring and team collaboration.
Lever
All-in-one talent acquisition to build equitable hiring
Best for you if:
- • Lever is an applicant tracking system with built-in CRM for recruiting
- • It combines sourcing, nurturing, and hiring in one collaborative platform
| At a Glance |  ApplicantStack |  Lever |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $29.99/moStarter | $6/moLeverTRM |
Best For | HR & Recruiting | HR & Recruiting |
Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose ApplicantStack or Lever?
Choose ApplicantStack if
Find, hire, and onboard new employees with a simple, fast, and powerful HR software.
- Comprehensive solution covering both recruiting and onboarding
- Highly customizable workflows to fit specific hiring processes
- Integrated text messaging for improved candidate communication and engagement
Choose Lever if
All-in-one talent acquisition to build equitable hiring
- Combined ATS+CRM
- Great UX
- Strong integrations
| Feature | ApplicantStack | Lever |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.4/5 2,373 reviews | ★4.4/5 2,777 reviews |
| Categories | HR & RecruitingATS | HR & RecruitingATS |
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
- +Comprehensive solution covering both recruiting and onboarding
- +Highly customizable workflows to fit specific hiring processes
- +Integrated text messaging for improved candidate communication and engagement
- +User-friendly interface, making it easy to adopt
- +Strong customer support with HR experience
Weaknesses
- -Specific details on advanced analytics capabilities are not explicitly detailed
- -No mention of direct integrations with payroll systems or other HRIS beyond its own onboarding module
- -The extent of customization for the employee portal is not fully specified
Key features
Lever
All-in-one talent acquisition to build equitable hiring
Lever's pricing, particularly the LeverTRM tier at $6-8/employee/month, appears competitive for its comprehensive ATS/CRM features.
Watch out
Potential seat minimums for LeverTRM
Strengths
- +Combined ATS+CRM
- +Great UX
- +Strong integrations
Weaknesses
- -Enterprise pricing
- -No public pricing
Key features
Pricing: ApplicantStack vs Lever
| Plan | ApplicantStack | Lever |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $29.99 per month Starter | $6-8 LeverTRM |
| Tier 2 | $49.99 per month Growth | Custom Enterprise |
| Tier 3 | $109.99 per month Recruit | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $159.99 per month Bundle | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ApplicantStack pricing and Lever pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Lever
Want the highest-rated option?
ApplicantStack: 4.4/5 (2,373 reviews). Lever: 4.4/5 (2,777 reviews).
Go with: ApplicantStack
Value user reviews?
ApplicantStack: 2,373 reviews (4.4/5). Lever: 2,777 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Lever
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are hr & recruiting tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Lever
- Larger review base (2,777 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
ApplicantStack
- Choose if you want find, hire, and onboard new employees with a simple, fast, and powerful HR software
The Bottom Line
Lever is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ApplicantStack or Lever better?
Lever is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are ApplicantStack and Lever used for?
ApplicantStack: Find, hire, and onboard new employees with a simple, fast, and powerful HR software.. Lever: All-in-one talent acquisition to build equitable hiring.
What does ApplicantStack cost vs Lever?
ApplicantStack is a paid tool. Lever is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.