Head to head

CATS vs Recruit CRM

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

CATS

$89/user/mo 30 day free trial

Classic agency ATS for firms that want cheap and proven. $89 per user/month, with a 30-day free trial and a documented API.

Where CATS fits

  • Staffing agencies that want cheap and proven
  • Desks that need an API without enterprise services
  • US agency front office
  • Buyers comparing Recruit CRM and Crelate

Recruit CRM

$35/mo Free trial

Boutique and mid-size agency ATS and CRM with hotlists, GDPR tooling and a hosted MCP, from around $35/user/mo.

Where Recruit CRM fits

  • Boutique staffing agencies
  • Mid-size desks that need hotlists
  • UK and EU agencies that care about GDPR tooling
  • Teams connecting Claude or ChatGPT via MCP

At a glance

DetailCATSRecruit CRM
Starting price$89/user/mo$35/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trial30 day free trialYes
MCP server–No✓Yes
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underATS, CRMATS, CRM
Capterra4.2 from 144 reviews4.9 from 476 reviews

Where they pull apart

CATS

Stands out: A proven agency ATS with published per-user pricing and a real API.

Watch out: No MCP, and it is a front-office tool rather than a corporate hiring platform.

Not the right fit for

  • Corporate structured hiring
  • Teams that need MCP

Recruit CRM

Stands out: A hosted MCP at agent.recruitcrm.io plus agency hotlists and GDPR controls.

Watch out: MCP access has to be switched on per role before an assistant can connect.

Not the right fit for

  • Corporate in-house talent teams
  • Desks that want structured hiring kits

Pros and cons

CATS

  • Published per-user pricing
  • Documented API for desk automations
  • 30-day free trial
  • No MCP
  • Front-office only
  • Not a corporate ATS

Recruit CRM

  • Hosted MCP on the vendor's own domain
  • Hotlists and GDPR tooling built for agencies
  • Free trial available
  • MCP needs enabling per role
  • Not a corporate structured-hiring ATS
  • Pricing scales per seat

What each one costs

CATS

$89/user/mo

From $69/user/mo. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 17 Sep 2026

Recruit CRM

$35/mo

From ~$35/user/mo. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is CATS cheaper than Recruit CRM?
Recruit CRM starts lower, at $35/mo against $89/user/mo for CATS. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try CATS or Recruit CRM for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. CATS offers a 30 day free trial. Recruit CRM offers a free trial.
Does CATS or Recruit CRM have an MCP server?
Recruit CRM 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?