Head to head
Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.
$85/user/mo Free trial
Boutique agency recruiting CRM built around notes, hotlists and email sync. Essentials is $85 per user/month paid annually, with a free trial.
Where Crelate fits
$79/mo Free trial
Split-network ATS for independent desk recruiters. Standard is $79/month billed annually, or $95 monthly, with a free trial.
Where Top Echelon fits
| Detail | Crelate | Top Echelon |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $85/user/mo | $79/mo |
| Free tier | –No | –No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| MCP server | –No | –No |
| Public API | ✓Yes | ✓Yes |
| Listed under | ATS, CRM | ATS, CRM |
| Capterra | 4.5 from 443 reviews | 4.6 from 515 reviews |
Crelate
Stands out: Desktop-class notes, hotlists and email sync for small agency desks.
Watch out: No MCP, and the published price is annual billing rather than month to month.
Not the right fit for
Top Echelon
Stands out: Split and network deals with partner recruiters handled inside the ATS.
Watch out: No MCP, and it only makes sense if splits are part of how you work.
Not the right fit for
Crelate
Top Echelon
Crelate
$85/user/mo
Essentials is $85 per user per month paid annually and Business is $119 per user per month. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.
Checked 21 Sep 2026
Top Echelon
$79/mo
TE Recruit Standard is $79/mo billed annually ($95/mo billed monthly) and Professional is $95/mo billed annually ($115/mo billed monthly). Confirm current terms on the vendor site.
Checked 21 Sep 2026
All Crelate alternatives All Top Echelon alternatives Every ATS tool
Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 21 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?