ApplicantStack vs CATS Comparison
ApplicantStack
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
ApplicantStack is Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Human Resources (HR) software for small to medium-sized companies. It comes with a Recruiting Module, Job Board Subscription, Performance Tracking, Time and Attendanc…
CATS
Starting at $69 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Freelancers / Consultants
- Large Enterprises
CATS is an easy to use, powerful tool that brings important staffing data together, anywhere on the go! It takes the tedious, paper-and-pencil task of charting, and makes it fast and simple for managers and recruiters to…
ApplicantStack leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 1,969 reviews.
ApplicantStack vs CATS — at a glance
| Feature | ApplicantStack | CATS |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,969 | 391 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $69 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Applicant Tracking System (ATS) | Staffing Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Online |
| Certifications | GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between ApplicantStack and CATS
- Pricing: CATS starts at $69 /User/Month. ApplicantStack pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: ApplicantStack is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while CATS targets Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises.
- User satisfaction: ApplicantStack scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
- Deployment: ApplicantStack supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; CATS supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
ApplicantStack vs CATS — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Best for customizable, user-friendly staffing in healthcare and recruitment agencies.
- You need easy job posting to multiple job boards without technical hassle
- Your organization requires flexible, configurable workflows tailored to specific recruitment needs
- You want an intuitive interface suitable for recruiters and HR administrators with limited tech skills
- Your team demands advanced AI-driven recruitment features for sophisticated candidate sourcing
- You require extensive third-party app integrations beyond basic job board connectivity
ApplicantStack typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. CATS tends to fit Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | ApplicantStack is Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Human Resources (HR) software for small to medium-sized companies. It comes with a Recruiting Module, Job Board Subscription, ... Read More about ApplicantStack | CATS is an easy to use, powerful tool that brings important staffing data together, anywhere on the go! It takes the tedious, paper-and-pencil task of charting, and makes it fast and simple ... Read More about CATS |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.9/10 | Not Available |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 10 – 500 employees | Small BusinessMedium Business |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Cost-Effective ATS & HR Suite for SMBs: ApplicantStack offers a solid suite of recruiting and HR tools at a competitive price, making it a strong value proposition for small to medium-sized companies looking to digitize hiring and HR operations.
- All-in-One HR Features Including Time and Attendance: Beyond applicant tracking, the platform includes built-in HR tools like performance tracking and attendance, enabling users to manage the full employee lifecycle in one platform.
- Ease of Use and Quick Implementation: The platform is designed for simplicity, allowing HR teams to onboard quickly with minimal training. Pre-built templates and reports help accelerate usage right from the start.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- 10 – 500 employees
- Healthcare, Education, Retail, Nonprofits, Manufacturing, Hospitality
- HR Generalists, Talent Acquisition Managers, Office Administrators, Hiring Coordinators, Small Business Owners
No best-fit guidance available yet.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- While suitable for small to mid-sized businesses, larger companies may find ApplicantStack’s customization options for workflows, forms, and reports less robust than enterprise-grade ATS platforms.
- The platform provides functional design, but may not offer the sleek, user-friendly interface found in newer ATS systems like Greenhouse or Lever, especially for tech-savvy recruiting teams.
- Unlike AI-first platforms (e.g., iSmartRecruit or SeekOut), ApplicantStack lacks native artificial intelligence tools for predictive analytics, smart resume parsing, or automated candidate ranking.
No alternatives guidance available yet.
Software Demo
Demo |  CATS has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do ApplicantStack and CATS Compare on Features?
Total Features | 11 Features | 0 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare ApplicantStack and CATS on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
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GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
ApplicantStack User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 699 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users generally appreciate CATS for its ease of use, customization options, and efficient candidate tracking, though some find it complex initially and desire more advanced features. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  Allen  AEC DIRECT  SCI |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  4 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos | No videos available. |
Top Alternatives to ApplicantStack and CATS in 2026
Alternatives |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, ApplicantStack or CATS?
- ApplicantStack edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do ApplicantStack and CATS offer a free trial?
- Yes, both ApplicantStack and CATS offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of ApplicantStack vs CATS?
- ApplicantStack starts at Contact for pricing. CATS starts at $69 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to ApplicantStack?
- Top alternatives to ApplicantStack include RecruitBPM, JobScore, Manatal, Recruiterflow, Jobtoolz.
- What are the top alternatives to CATS?
- Top alternatives to CATS include monday.com, CleverStaff, ApplicantStack, Recruit CRM, Recruiterflow.