Head to head

Ashby vs Kula

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

Kula

$5,120/yr

AI-native ATS with pipelines, outreach and AI screening in one desk, from $5,120 a year on annual billing.

Where Kula fits

  • Modern in-house talent teams that want an agent in the workflow
  • Teams consolidating tracking, notes and scheduling
  • Desks that screen inbound applicants with AI
  • Buyers comfortable paying annually

At a glance

DetailAshbyKula
Starting price$400/mo$5,120/yr
Free tier–No–No
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underATS, CRMATS, Outreach, CRM
Capterra4.4 from 15 reviewsNot enough 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

Kula

Stands out: AI screening plus outreach inside the ATS, with a published annual price.

Watch out: Annual billing up front, and no MCP if you want to drive it from an assistant.

Not the right fit for

  • Agencies that need a staffing CRM
  • Teams that need MCP today

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

Kula

  • Published annual price, unusual for an AI-native ATS
  • AI screening as a first-party feature
  • Outreach lives in the ATS
  • Annual commitment up front
  • No MCP
  • Not built for agency desks

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

Kula

$5,120/yr

Pricing is based on company headcount, not seats. The 1 to 50 employee band is $5,120 per year on annual billing, with every feature included. Larger bands are quoted on a call. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 20 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Ashby cheaper than Kula?
Ashby starts lower, at $400/mo against $5,120/yr for Kula. 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 Kula for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.
Does Ashby or Kula have an MCP server?
Ashby 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 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?