Head to head

LinkedIn Recruiter vs SeekOut

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

The default sourced candidate database, with InMail and projects. Around $140 per seat/month.

Where LinkedIn Recruiter fits

  • Almost every in-house talent team
  • Agency desks running InMail projects
  • Sourcers who work the graph daily
  • Buyers weighing Recruiter against job ads alone

SeekOut

$149/mo 14 day free trial

Enterprise talent graph with diversity and internal-mobility filters. Recruit Core starts at $149/mo with a 14-day trial, no card.

Where SeekOut fits

  • Corporate talent teams on hard-to-find roles
  • Diversity-focused search teams
  • Organisations that want internal mobility next to external search
  • Buyers who will start on a 14-day trial

At a glance

DetailLinkedIn RecruiterSeekOut
Starting price$140/mo$149/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trialNot on record14 day free trial
MCP server–No✓Yes
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underJob boards, LinkedIn, SourcingAI screening, Sourcing, Succession & internal mobility
Capterra4.5 from 150 reviews4.7 from 189 reviews

Where they pull apart

LinkedIn Recruiter

Stands out: It is the graph every other sourcing tool enriches from.

Watch out: It is supply, not a system of record, so you still need an ATS.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that only need to post a job
  • Buyers unwilling to pay per seat

SeekOut

Stands out: Diversity and internal-mobility filters on a very large people graph, plus MCP.

Watch out: AI screening is a paid add-on rather than included.

Not the right fit for

  • Small desks that need a $50 Chrome finder
  • Agencies that want a cheap ATS

Pros and cons

LinkedIn Recruiter

  • The default graph for most talent teams
  • InMail and projects included
  • Connects to the major enterprise trackers
  • Per-seat cost across a team
  • Not an ATS
  • No API or MCP

SeekOut

  • Public $149/mo Recruit Core
  • 14-day trial, no card
  • Diversity and mobility filters
  • AI screening is a paid add-on
  • Not a small-business price

What each one costs

LinkedIn Recruiter

$140/mo

From ~$140/mo seat. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

SeekOut

$149/mo

Recruit Core is $149 per month paid annually ($1,788 per year) or $179 billed monthly, with 500 contact credits a month and a 14 day free trial. The Sourcing, Sourcing + Integration and Full Recruiting Funnel packages are custom priced. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 20 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is LinkedIn Recruiter cheaper than SeekOut?
LinkedIn Recruiter starts lower, at $140/mo against $149/mo for SeekOut. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try LinkedIn Recruiter or SeekOut for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. SeekOut offers a 14 day free trial.
Does LinkedIn Recruiter or SeekOut have an MCP server?
SeekOut ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

All LinkedIn Recruiter alternatives All SeekOut alternatives Every Job boards tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 7 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?