Compare/Head to head

LinkedIn Recruiter vs Wellfound

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

Starting price

LinkedIn Recruiter

Quote-based

The default sourced candidate database, with InMail and projects. LinkedIn does not publish a price: Recruiter Lite is priced at checkout and full Recruiter by quote.

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

Wellfound

$135/seat/mo Free tier

Startup and tech jobs, formerly AngelList. Free job posts, with paid ads from $200.

Where Wellfound fits

  • Startups hiring technical people
  • Teams that still recruit early-stage on Wellfound
  • Companies on Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby or Workable
  • Recruiters who want a free post before paying

At a glance

DetailLinkedIn RecruiterWellfound
Starting priceQuote-based$135/seat/mo
Free tier–No✓Yes
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No–No
Listed underJob boards, LinkedIn, SourcingJob boards
Capterra4.5 from 150 reviews4.7 from 35 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

Wellfound

Stands out: A free job post on a board early-stage candidates actually browse.

Watch out: Weak outside early-stage tech, and the paid tiers are a different product from the free post.

Not the right fit for

  • Enterprise hourly hiring
  • Brand campaigns outside the startup world

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

Wellfound

  • Free job posts
  • Startup audience is the product
  • Connects to the major modern trackers
  • Weak outside early-stage tech
  • No API or MCP
  • Paid tiers are a separate product

What each one costs

LinkedIn Recruiter

Quote-based

LinkedIn does not publish Recruiter prices. Recruiter Lite shows its price at checkout, and Recruiter (the full product) is sold through LinkedIn sales on an annual contract. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Wellfound

$135/seat/mo

Job posts are free with unlimited listings, and Job Ads for top placement cost from $200 per ad. Wellfound Reach, the AI sourcing product, has a free Explore tier, Starter at $135 per seat a month, Growth at $199 per seat a month and custom Scale pricing. Autopilot, a dedicated recruiter, is $500 a month per open role plus a 10% placement fee on hire. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Can you try LinkedIn Recruiter or Wellfound for free?
Wellfound carries a free tier on our listing.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?