Compare/Head to head

Bullhorn vs SmartSearch

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

Starting price

Bullhorn

$99/user/mo

The default agency ATS conversation: staffing CRM, automations and a large marketplace. Starter is published at $99/user/month, with everything above it quoted.

Where Bullhorn fits

  • Staffing agencies
  • Desks that need client management next to jobs
  • Firms that live on the Bullhorn marketplace
  • Buyers comparing Bullhorn against Loxo or Vincere

SmartSearch

Quote-based

Staffing ATS and CRM from Cleveland, Ohio for recruiting firms across education, construction, corporate, executive search and RPO, with AI Smart matching, onboarding and vendor management in one system. SmartSearch does not publish prices and sells through a demo request, and it is rated 4.5 on Capterra across 53 reviews.

Where SmartSearch fits

  • US staffing and recruiting firms
  • Education and construction staffing desks
  • Teams wanting matching and onboarding together

At a glance

DetailBullhornSmartSearch
Starting price$99/user/moQuote-based
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underATS, CRMATS, CRM
Capterra4.0 from 1,023 reviews4.5 from 53 reviews

Where they pull apart

Bullhorn

Stands out: Staffing CRM plus a marketplace of more than 300 partners on Core.

Watch out: Only the two small-agency tiers are published. AI, automation and analytics all sit behind a quote.

Not the right fit for

  • In-house tech talent teams that want structured hiring
  • Teams that need MCP today

SmartSearch

Stands out: AI Smart matches candidates on skills, prior behavior and historical hiring patterns, alongside resume parsing and intelligent candidate scoring. The company cites over 38 years of client work, and teams export jobs through eQuest and text or call with RingCentral.

Watch out: There is no public price, so budgeting starts with a demo. The SmartSearch name is shared with unrelated products, including a UK background screening brand, and this SmartSearch is the Cleveland staffing system at smartsearchinc.com.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who need a public seat price
  • Teams seeking UK background screening
  • Developers wanting published API docs

Pros and cons

Bullhorn

  • Published Starter at $99/user/month
  • Marketplace of 300-plus partners on Core
  • Purpose-built staffing CRM shape
  • No MCP
  • The capabilities most agencies want sit behind a quote
  • Published prices exclude VAT

SmartSearch

  • AI Smart matching on skills and hiring patterns
  • CRM, onboarding and vendor management included
  • Rated 4.5 on Capterra across 53 reviews
  • No public price
  • Open API without published documentation
  • Name shared with unrelated SmartSearch brands

What each one costs

Bullhorn

$99/user/mo

Starter $99/user/mo; Core $165/user/mo. Pro, Max and larger plans are quoted. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

SmartSearch

Quote-based

SmartSearch does not publish prices. Buyers request a demo online or call sales at (216) 255-5428 to get a quote. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 27 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try Bullhorn or SmartSearch for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

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