Compare/Head to head

ClearanceJobs vs Indeed

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

Starting price

ClearanceJobs is the job board and resume database for hiring people who already hold a US federal security clearance. Pricing is quote-based through a sales demo. It fits defense contractors, federal agencies, and cleared staffing firms that need Secret, TS/SCI, or polygraph candidates.

Where ClearanceJobs fits

  • Defense and intelligence contractors
  • Federal agencies hiring cleared staff
  • Cleared staffing and RPO firms
  • Roles needing TS/SCI or polygraph

Indeed

PPC / subscription Free tier

The default job board for both free and sponsored listings. You set a budget and pay when candidates engage.

Where Indeed fits

  • Almost every employer buying application volume
  • Teams that already live on sponsored jobs
  • Employers who want organic and paid on one board
  • Small businesses posting without an ATS

At a glance

DetailClearanceJobsIndeed
Starting priceQuotePPC / subscription
Free tier–No✓Yes
MCP server–No✓Yes
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underJob boards, Recruitment marketing, SourcingJob boards
CapterraNot enough reviews4.5 from 7,613 reviews

Where they pull apart

ClearanceJobs

Stands out: Every candidate must be a US citizen with an active or current clearance, and the site reports over 2 million registered and 519,313 searchable profiles. IntelliSearch matches candidates to a pasted job description, and Workflow automates outreach when passive candidates become active. ClearanceJobs now owns AgileATS, a GovCon ATS with one-click candidate transfer and OFCCP and EEO reporting.

Watch out: No prices are published, so you need a sales call to budget. Resume database access is limited to US-based companies with US-citizen users located in the US. The audience only makes sense if the role needs a clearance.

Not the right fit for

  • Roles with no clearance requirement
  • Non-US companies
  • Buyers who need published pricing

Indeed

Stands out: The board candidates actually open, with MCP and an API on top.

Watch out: Pay-per-click spend can outrun a small budget quickly, and it is not your ATS.

Not the right fit for

  • Anyone treating Indeed as their system of record
  • Executive search

Pros and cons

ClearanceJobs

  • Candidate pool limited to cleared US citizens
  • AI-assisted resume search from a job description
  • Native push into AgileATS
  • No published pricing
  • Resume access restricted to US-based companies
  • Only useful for clearance-required roles

Indeed

  • The default candidate destination
  • MCP and API available
  • Free listings plus a sponsored budget
  • Not an ATS
  • Click costs can escalate fast
  • Quality varies with spend

What each one costs

ClearanceJobs

Quote

ClearanceJobs does not publish prices. Employers request a demo to discuss job posting and resume search packages, and the job postings page describes pay-per-view posting packages that all include the full tool suite. BrandAmp, Promoted Job Slots, and the Enhanced Employer Profile are sold as add-ons. Resume database access requires a US-based company, and every user must be a US citizen located in the United States. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 26 Sep 2026

Indeed

PPC / subscription

PPC / subscription. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try ClearanceJobs or Indeed for free?
Indeed carries a free tier on our listing.
Does ClearanceJobs or Indeed have an MCP server?
Indeed 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 26 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?