Karat vs SHL Assessments: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Karat and SHL Assessments 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: Karat is our overall pick for HR & recruiting workflows. Pick SHL Assessments 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:
Karat
Scale engineering hiring with expert-led, AI-enhanced technical interviews 24/7
Best for you if:
- • Technical interviewing-as-a-service with expert engineers conducting assessments 24/7
- • Supports 100+ languages with standardized rubrics and AI-enabled NextGen format
SHL Assessments
Leverage people science, predictive analytics, and AI for smarter talent decisions.
Best for you if:
- • Uses science, AI, and analytics for talent assessment and management.
- • Offers a broad portfolio of assessments for various skills and abilities.
| At a Glance |  Karat | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | Custom |
Best For | HR & Recruiting | HR & Recruiting |
Rating | - | - |
Choose Karat or SHL Assessments?
Choose Karat if
Scale engineering hiring with expert-led, AI-enhanced technical interviews 24/7
- Eliminates the burden of technical interviewing from engineering teams
- 24/7 availability dramatically reduces time-to-hire
- Standardized rubrics produce more consistent and fair evaluations
Choose SHL Assessments if
Leverage people science, predictive analytics, and AI for smarter talent decisions.
- Leverages extensive scientific research and data for high accuracy.
- Offers a wide range of assessment types to cover diverse talent needs.
- Enhances candidate experience with engaging assessments and personalized feedback.
| Feature | Karat | SHL Assessments |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Categories | HR & RecruitingAssessment Tools | HR & RecruitingAssessment Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Karat
Scale engineering hiring with expert-led, AI-enhanced technical interviews 24/7
Strengths
- +Eliminates the burden of technical interviewing from engineering teams
- +24/7 availability dramatically reduces time-to-hire
- +Standardized rubrics produce more consistent and fair evaluations
- +Scales interview capacity without hiring additional engineers
- +NextGen format tests genuine engineering judgment, not just coding speed
Weaknesses
- -No public pricing-requires enterprise sales engagement
- -Outsourced interviews may not capture company-specific culture fit
- -High cost makes it impractical for early-stage startups
- -Candidates may react differently to external interviewers
- -Limited to technical roles-does not cover non-engineering positions
Key features
SHL Assessments
Leverage people science, predictive analytics, and AI for smarter talent decisions.
Strengths
- +Leverages extensive scientific research and data for high accuracy.
- +Offers a wide range of assessment types to cover diverse talent needs.
- +Enhances candidate experience with engaging assessments and personalized feedback.
- +Provides objective and fair insights, reducing bias in talent decisions.
- +Integrates with numerous ATS platforms for streamlined workflows.
Weaknesses
- -Pricing information is not publicly available, requiring direct contact for quotes.
- -Requires integration with existing HR systems for full benefit.
- -The breadth of features might be overwhelming for smaller organizations with simpler needs.
Key features
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Karat
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.
Value user reviews?
Neither has ratings yet.
Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.
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?
Neither has ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Karat
- Our pick for this comparison
SHL Assessments
- Choose if you want leverage people science, predictive analytics, and AI for smarter talent decisions
The Bottom Line
Karat is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Karat or SHL Assessments better?
Karat is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Karat and SHL Assessments used for?
Karat: Scale engineering hiring with expert-led, AI-enhanced technical interviews 24/7. SHL Assessments: Leverage people science, predictive analytics, and AI for smarter talent decisions..
What does Karat cost vs SHL Assessments?
Karat is a paid tool. SHL Assessments is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.