Compare/Head to head

TAP Recruiter vs Top Echelon

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

Starting price

TAP Recruiter

$34/mo Free tier 30 day free trial

Recruitment agency network from Australia where agencies list themselves free, share roles with other agencies on agreed fee splits and pitch for employer hiring briefs. Network is $34 a month with 2 seats and a 30 day trial, and Agency Growth at $104 a month adds a full candidate CRM and ATS. A direct Zoho Recruit connection sends reviewed candidates and CVs from TAP to your Zoho account. TAP takes no placement commission.

Where TAP Recruiter fits

  • Independent and boutique agencies looking for split partners across borders
  • Agencies wanting inbound employer briefs to pitch for
  • Recruiters who work across several agencies under one personal ID
  • Zoho Recruit agencies that want to send reviewed candidates and CVs across without retyping

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

DetailTAP RecruiterTop Echelon
Starting price$34/mo$79/mo
Free tier✓Yes–No
Free trial30 day free trialYes
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underJob boards, ATS, CRMATS, CRM
CapterraNot enough reviews4.6 from 515 reviews

Where they pull apart

TAP Recruiter

Stands out: It covers both sides of agency new business in one place: agency to agency split roles with terms agreed before any candidate is introduced, plus employer briefs where companies post a role with no sign up and agencies submit competing proposals on fee and approach. Prices are flat per agency with 2 seats included and no per role or placement fee, and a direct Zoho Recruit connection lets agencies keep their existing candidate database.

Watch out: The network is newer than long running split networks, so check how many shared roles and employer briefs exist in your niche and region before paying. External job board posting is not available yet, ads publish only to TAP's own board, and the full ATS and CRM sits on the $104 Growth plan rather than Network. The Zoho Recruit link moves selected candidates one way, so it is not a full sync.

Not the right fit for

  • Agencies that need multi board job posting from their ATS
  • Large staffing firms with an established enterprise ATS
  • Recruiters who need a deep, proven split network in a US niche today

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

TAP Recruiter

  • Free agency listing and directory profile
  • No per role or placement commission
  • Split network and ATS in one subscription on Growth
  • Direct Zoho Recruit connection for reviewed candidate and CV transfers
  • Young network, so match volume varies by niche
  • No external job board posting yet
  • Full ATS and CRM only on the $104 plan
  • Zoho Recruit link sends selected candidates one way, with no two way sync

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

TAP Recruiter

$34/mo

Free agency accounts get a public profile, directory listing, network browsing, connection requests and one recruiter seat, and once two agencies are connected they can keep messaging each other for free. Network is $34 a month per agency and adds shared roles with agreed split terms and responses to employer briefs. Agency Growth is $104 a month and adds the client CRM, candidate database, ATS pipelines, résumé parsing, automation and reports. Employer Workspace is $69 a month for an in house team's own CRM and ATS. Paid plans include 2 seats, extra seats are $14 a month each, Network and Growth have a 30 day free trial, and there are no per role or placement fees. Prices shown in USD, with AUD, GBP, EUR and other currencies available.

TAP also runs a referral partner programme: approved partners get their own referral link and earn commission when an agency they refer becomes a paying subscriber. See the TAP partner programme for details. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is TAP Recruiter cheaper than Top Echelon?
TAP Recruiter starts lower, at $34/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 TAP Recruiter or Top Echelon for free?
TAP Recruiter carries a free tier on our listing. TAP Recruiter offers a 30 day free trial. Top Echelon offers a free trial.

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