Head to head

Recruit CRM vs Top Echelon

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

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

Top Echelon

$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

  • Independent desk recruiters
  • Split and network staffing
  • Small agencies that partner on roles
  • Buyers who want published monthly pricing

At a glance

DetailRecruit CRMTop Echelon
Starting price$35/mo$79/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trialYesYes
MCP server✓Yes–No
Public API✓Yes✓Yes
Listed underATS, CRMATS, CRM
Capterra4.9 from 476 reviews4.6 from 515 reviews

Where they pull apart

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

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

  • Corporate in-house talent teams
  • Teams that need MCP

Pros and cons

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

Top Echelon

  • Split network is a first-class feature
  • Published monthly pricing
  • Free trial available
  • No MCP
  • Only worthwhile if you work splits
  • Not a corporate ATS

What each one costs

Recruit CRM

$35/mo

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

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Top Echelon

$79/mo

From ~$119/mo. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 17 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Recruit CRM cheaper than Top Echelon?
Recruit CRM starts lower, at $35/mo against $79/mo for Top Echelon. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Recruit CRM or Top Echelon for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Recruit CRM offers a free trial. Top Echelon offers a free trial.
Does Recruit CRM or Top Echelon 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?

All Recruit CRM alternatives All Top Echelon alternatives Every ATS tool

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