Head to head

Ashby vs Gem

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

Ashby

$400/mo

All-in-one ATS plus analytics for growth teams. Foundations starts at $400/month for up to 100 employees, with 10% off annual.

Where Ashby fits

  • Growth-stage talent teams
  • Companies that want analytics without a second tool
  • Desks that want MCP on hiring data
  • Teams comparing Ashby against Greenhouse

Gem

130

Recruiting CRM that sits on top of Greenhouse or Ashby, with sequences, rediscovery and analytics. From $130/mo for small teams.

Where Gem fits

  • Mid-market talent teams already on Greenhouse or Ashby
  • Sourcing desks that need sequences in the CRM
  • Teams re-engaging past applicants
  • Small companies in the published entry band

At a glance

DetailAshbyGem
Starting price$400/mo130
Free tierNoNo
MCP serverYesYes
Public APIYesYes
Listed underATS, CRMOutreach, CRM, Sourcing
Capterra4.4 from 15 reviews4.7 from 124 reviews

Where they pull apart

Ashby

Stands out: Scheduling, CRM, reporting and analytics in one ATS, with a hosted MCP.

Watch out: The $400/month floor is real, and the higher tiers go back to a sales conversation.

Not the right fit for

  • Agencies that need a staffing CRM
  • Buyers who cannot start at $400/month

Gem

Stands out: CRM and outreach layered onto the ATS you already have, with a hosted MCP.

Watch out: Pricing scales with company headcount, and anything past a small team is quoted.

Not the right fit for

  • Agencies that want a staffing CRM
  • Buyers who need a published enterprise price

Pros and cons

Ashby

  • Analytics inside the ATS rather than a separate product
  • Hosted MCP plus API
  • Published entry price
  • $400/month floor
  • Higher tiers are quote-only
  • Priced on headcount, not recruiter seats

Gem

  • Published entry price for small teams
  • Hosted MCP
  • Sequences and rediscovery on one desk
  • Larger companies are quote-only
  • Priced on headcount, not recruiter seats
  • Not a cheap agency CRM

What each one costs

Ashby

$400/mo

Foundations is $400 a month for companies with up to 100 employees, billed monthly, with 10% off for an annual commitment. Plus (101 to 1,000 employees) and Enterprise are custom-priced. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Gem

130

Published on gem.com/pricing. Enterprise Gem + ATS and All-in-One are custom by FTE. Startup self-serve shows from $130/mo for 1–10 FTE on yearly (10% off). Under 30 employees: All-in-One free for six months, then 50% off paid; 30–100 FTE get reduced rates from day one.

Checked 15 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Ashby cheaper than Gem?
Gem starts lower, at 130 against $400/mo for Ashby. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Ashby or Gem for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.
Does Ashby or Gem have an MCP server?
Ashby and Gem ship a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?