SmartRecruiters vs Lever: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between SmartRecruiters 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
SmartRecruiters
AI-powered talent acquisition and recruitment software to streamline hiring and improve candidate experience.
Best for you if:
- • You need ats features specifically
- • AI-powered talent acquisition platform with ATS, CRM, and onboarding.
- • Streamlines hiring processes through automation, AI matching, and conversational AI.
Lever
Talent acquisition suite
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 7.4/10)
- • You need crm features specifically
- • 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 |  SmartRecruiters |  Lever |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | ATS | CRM |
Rating | 74/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | SmartRecruiters | Lever |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 74 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | ATSRecruiting | CRMMeeting Scheduling |
How SmartRecruiters and Lever Compare
SmartRecruiters
AI-powered talent acquisition and recruitment software to streamline hiring and improve candidate experience.
Paid · 74/100 score
Lever
Talent acquisition suite
Paid · 85/100 score
SmartRecruiters is a ats tool. Lever is in crm.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Lever
Want the highest-rated option?
SmartRecruiters: 74/100. Lever: 85/100.
Go with: Lever
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
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?
SmartRecruiters is a ats tool. Lever is in crm. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Lever scores higher: 85/100 vs 74/100.
Key Takeaways
Lever
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 74
- Our pick for this comparison
SmartRecruiters
- Better fit for ats
The Bottom Line
Lever (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SmartRecruiters or Lever better?
Lever scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are SmartRecruiters and Lever used for?
SmartRecruiters: AI-powered talent acquisition and recruitment software to streamline hiring and improve candidate experience.. Lever: Talent acquisition suite.
What does SmartRecruiters cost vs Lever?
SmartRecruiters is a paid tool. Lever is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.