Head to head

ApplicantStack vs Zoho Recruit

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

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

Zoho Recruit

$25/mo Free tier 15 day free trial

ATS for teams already inside Zoho. Free tier, with paid plans from around $25/user/mo on annual billing.

Where Zoho Recruit fits

Companies already paying for Zoho
Small in-house talent teams
Small agencies that want a free tier
Teams that need parsing and job boards without enterprise pricing

At a glance

Detail	ApplicantStack	Zoho Recruit
Starting price	$29.99/mo	$25/mo
Free tier	–No	✓Yes
Free trial	14 day free trial	15 day free trial
MCP server	–No	✓Yes
Public API	–No	✓Yes
Listed under	ATS	ATS, CRM
Capterra	4.4 from 1,555 reviews	4.5 from 1,282 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

Zoho Recruit

Stands out: Zoho CRM sync plus a genuine free tier at a low per-user price.

Watch out: Employee licences are sold in separate packs, so the recruiter seat is not the whole bill.

Not the right fit for

Enterprises outside the Zoho estate

Pros and cons

ApplicantStack

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

One active job on Starter
No API
No MCP

Zoho Recruit

Genuine free tier
Low annual per-user price
Zoho CRM sync for companies already in-suite

Employee licences sold separately
Weaker fit outside the Zoho estate

What each one costs

ApplicantStack

$29.99/mo

From $30/mo. Confirm current pricing on the vendor site.

Checked 17 Sep 2026

Zoho Recruit

$25/mo

From ~$25/user/mo. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is ApplicantStack cheaper than Zoho Recruit?

Zoho Recruit starts lower, at $25/mo against $29.99/mo for ApplicantStack. 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 Zoho Recruit for free?

Zoho Recruit carries a free tier on our listing. ApplicantStack offers a 14 day free trial. Zoho Recruit offers a 15 day free trial.

Does ApplicantStack or Zoho Recruit have an MCP server?

Zoho Recruit 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 17 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?