Compare/Head to head

ApplicantStack vs HiringThing

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

ApplicantStack

$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

Small HR teams
Start-ups with one live role
Buyers replacing a spreadsheet
Teams that want a free trial on a cheap tracker

HiringThing

$80/mo 14 day free trial

Small-business and white label ATS with an open API and, since October 2026, a first-party MCP server on the Pro plan. Starts at $80/mo with a 14-day free trial.

Where HiringThing fits

Small HR teams that want an API and AI agent access
HR platforms, PEOs and SaaS companies reselling hiring under their own brand
Small businesses posting a few roles at a time
Teams that want Claude or ChatGPT to move applicants through the pipeline

At a glance

Detail	ApplicantStack	HiringThing
Starting price	$29.99/mo	$80/mo
Free tier	–No	–No
Free trial	14 day free trial	14 day free trial
MCP server	–No	✓Yes
Public API	–No	✓Yes
Listed under	ATS	ATS
Capterra	4.4 from 1,555 reviews	4.5 from 91 reviews

Where they pull apart

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

Agencies
Teams that need MCP or an API

HiringThing

Stands out: An API-first small-business tracker that now lets AI agents work jobs and applicants through a hosted MCP server, using the same API key and secret you already have.

Watch out: MCP access needs the Pro plan or a partner account, signs in with an API key and secret rather than OAuth, and the tracker itself is not built for large requisition-heavy teams.

Not the right fit for

Staffing agencies
Enterprise teams with heavy requisition approvals
Buyers who want MCP on the cheapest plan

Pros and cons

ApplicantStack

Published price under $30
Free trial
Simple job posting plus pipeline

One active job on Starter
No API
No MCP

HiringThing

First-party MCP server on top of an open API
White label option for platforms and PEOs
Published starting price and a 14-day trial with no card

MCP only on the Pro plan or for partners
MCP uses API key and secret, not OAuth sign-in
Light on reporting and not built for agencies

What each one costs

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

HiringThing

$80/mo

Starts at $80/mo, with Essential and Pro plans and a 14-day free trial (up to 5 active jobs, no credit card). The MCP server is included on the Pro plan and for HiringThing partners. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is ApplicantStack cheaper than HiringThing?

ApplicantStack starts lower, at $29.99/mo against $80/mo for HiringThing. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.

Can you try ApplicantStack or HiringThing for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing. ApplicantStack offers a 14 day free trial. HiringThing offers a 14 day free trial.

Does ApplicantStack or HiringThing have an MCP server?

HiringThing ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?