Compare/Head to head
Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.
Starting price
$29.99/mo 14 day free trial
No-frills small-business ATS from $29.99 a month, with a free trial. Starter covers one active job.
Where ApplicantStack fits
$199/mo Free tier
Genuinely free startup ATS with job distribution and a modern interface. Premium ATS is $199 a month if you outgrow the free tier.
Where Dover fits
| Detail | ApplicantStack | Dover |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29.99/mo | $199/mo |
| Free tier | –No | ✓Yes |
| Free trial | 14 day free trial | Not on record |
| MCP server | –No | –No |
| Public API | –No | ✓Yes |
| Listed under | ATS | ATS |
| Capterra | 4.4 from 1,555 reviews | Not enough reviews |
ApplicantStack
Stands out: A published sub-$30 paid start for small HR teams.
Watch out: Starter is capped at one active job, and there is no API or MCP.
Not the right fit for
Dover
Stands out: A real free tier rather than a countdown trial, with job distribution included.
Watch out: Sourcing is sold separately, and there is no MCP.
Not the right fit for
ApplicantStack
Dover
ApplicantStack
$29.99/mo
Starter is $29.99/mo for 1 active job, Growth $49.99/mo for 3 jobs, Recruit $109.99/mo for unlimited jobs and Bundle $159.99/mo with onboarding. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
Dover
$199/mo
The Free ATS costs nothing, with unlimited users, jobs and candidates and no card required. Premium ATS is $199 per month and adds AI resume review, the AI notetaker, unlimited MCP usage, bulk actions, the API and premium support. Marketplace recruiters set their own hourly, retainer or per-hire rates. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.
Checked 4 Nov 2026
All ApplicantStack alternatives All Dover alternatives Every ATS tool
Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?