Compare/Head to head

Talnet vs Top Echelon

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

Starting price

Talnet

Quote Free tier

Free split network and social feed for independent and agency recruiters: post jobs and candidate profiles, find a partner recruiter, agree a fee split and get paid directly. The Free plan covers all core features; Plus at 14.99 a month only adds unlimited private candidate profiles.

Where Talnet fits

  • Independent recruiters who want split partners without paying for a network
  • Small agencies with candidates who fit roles outside their own client base
  • Recruiters marketing MPCs to clients and wanting to see who viewed them
  • Recruiters who want a recruiting focused feed outside LinkedIn

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

DetailTalnetTop Echelon
Starting priceQuote$79/mo
Free tier✓Yes–No
Free trialNot on recordYes
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underJob boards, SourcingATS, CRM
CapterraNot enough reviews4.6 from 515 reviews

Where they pull apart

Talnet

Stands out: Splits are agreed and paid directly between the two recruiters, with no platform fee taken, and both sides carry a reputation score: candidate owners are rated on submission quality, while job owners and employers are rated on communication, speed and payment reliability.

Watch out: It is a young network, and a split marketplace is only as useful as the number of active recruiters and open jobs on it, so check the job and talent marketplaces for your niche before relying on it. Job publishing tools are still being built out, there are no integrations with an ATS or CRM, and the Plus price is shown without a currency.

Not the right fit for

  • Agencies that need an ATS or CRM in the same tool
  • Recruiters who need a large, established split network today
  • Employers looking for a full job board audience

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

Talnet

  • Free plan covers every core feature
  • No platform cut from fee splits
  • View tracking on private candidate profiles
  • Network is young, so match volume is limited
  • No ATS, CRM or integrations
  • Plus price shown without a stated currency

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

Talnet

Quote

The Free plan covers all core features, unlimited job and talent posting and browsing, up to 5 private candidate profiles and up to 2 contact and password pairs per profile. Plus is listed at 14.99 a month and makes private profiles and contact and password pairs unlimited; the vendor's pricing page does not state the currency. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Oct 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

Common questions

Can you try Talnet or Top Echelon for free?
Talnet carries a free tier on our listing. Top Echelon offers a free trial.

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