Lever vs Ashby: Applicant Tracking Systems Compared (2026)
Lever and Ashby are two widely compared ATSs. Lever is an applicant tracking system with built-in candidate relationship management (CRM) for sourcing and nurturing talent, part of Employ Inc. Ashby is an all-in-one recruiting platform combining applicant tracking, CRM, interview scheduling and advanced analytics, popular with fast-growing tech companies.
- Verified 10 Nov 2026Sources are dated on this page
- 2 sourcesLinked, typed and dated
- No winner declaredFit depends on your criteria
- Not tested by Stack18Editorial summary of documented facts
Lever vs Ashby: the short answer
Lever is an applicant tracking system with built-in candidate relationship management (CRM) for sourcing and nurturing talent, part of Employ Inc. Ashby is an all-in-one recruiting platform combining applicant tracking, CRM, interview scheduling and advanced analytics, popular with fast-growing tech companies. Both are ATSs, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus.
On pricing, Lever is described as: annual quote based on company headcount; Ashby as: price by company size band; monthly or annual. Neither documents a permanent free plan in the sources reviewed. Lever is positioned for teams that source and nurture candidates proactively, and Ashby for fast-growing companies wanting ATS, CRM and analytics in one tool.
Everything below is drawn from the two sourced profiles and the 2 dated sources listed at the end. Where a source does not document something it is marked Unknown, and third-party estimates are labelled. No winner is declared: the better fit depends on your size, budget and requirements.
Lever and Ashby at a glance.
One card per product, drawn from each full profile. Open a profile for features, pricing plans, limits and sources.
Lever
Employ Inc. · Applicant Tracking Systems
Lever is an applicant tracking system with built-in candidate relationship management (CRM) for sourcing and nurturing talent, part of Employ Inc.
- Pricing
- Custom quote by headcount; estimates about $12,000 a year at 200 employees and $35,000-$65,000 at 500-1,000.
- Best for
- Teams that source and nurture candidates proactively
Ashby
Ashby · Applicant Tracking Systems
Ashby is an all-in-one recruiting platform combining applicant tracking, CRM, interview scheduling and advanced analytics, popular with fast-growing tech companies.
- Pricing
- Foundations about $300-$900 a month (up to 100 employees); Plus and Enterprise quoted (typically $30,000-$120,000 a year).
- Best for
- Fast-growing companies wanting ATS, CRM and analytics in one tool
Lever vs Ashby: feature-by-feature comparison.
Every row is drawn from the sources listed below. Rows that differ are marked, and you can filter the table to show only those.
- YesDocumented
- PartialAvailable with limits or on some plans
- NoDocumented as unavailable
- UnknownNot documented in the sources reviewed
| Dimension |  Lever |  Ashby |
|---|---|---|
| Product | ||
| Product typeDiffers | YesATS with recruiting CRM | YesAll-in-one recruiting platform |
| VendorDiffers | YesEmploy Inc. | YesAshby |
| Best forDiffers | YesTeams that source and nurture candidates proactively | YesFast-growing companies wanting ATS, CRM and analytics in one tool |
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | PartialAnnual quote based on company headcount. | YesPrice by company size band; monthly or annual. |
| Pricing summaryDiffers | PartialCustom quote by headcount; estimates about $12,000 a year at 200 employees and $35,000-$65,000 at 500-1,000. | PartialFoundations about $300-$900 a month (up to 100 employees); Plus and Enterprise quoted (typically $30,000-$120,000 a year). |
| Free plan | NoNo | NoNo |
| Free trial | NoNot documented | NoNot documented |
| Applicant Tracking Systems criteria | ||
| Pricing modelDiffers | PartialQuote by headcount | YesBy company size |
| Starting priceDiffers | Partial~$12,000/yr at 200 staff (est.) | Partial~$300-$400/mo |
| Free plan / trialDiffers | NoNo | NoNot documented |
| Published pricingDiffers | YesNo | YesPartly |
| Best forDiffers | YesSourcing + ATS | YesAll-in-one recruiting |
| Fit and platform | ||
| Team sizeDiffers | YesMid-size teams, Large enterprises | YesSmall teams, Mid-size teams, Large enterprises |
| Platforms | YesWeb, iOS, Android | YesWeb, iOS, Android |
| IntegrationsDiffers | YesLinkedIn, Slack, Google Workspace, HRIS systems | YesSlack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, HRIS systems |
| API | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. | UnknownNot reviewed for this profile. |
Lever vs Ashby pricing.
Plan names, prices and billing terms as reported in each profile's sources. Taxes, add-ons and discounts are excluded unless stated.
Lever pricing
Annual quote based on company headcount.
- Lever (ATS + CRM)Quote (est. ~$12,000 per year at 200 employees) · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Estimates from Rework (August 2026); ranges conflict within the source. Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Lever plans and sources
Ashby pricing
Price by company size band; monthly or annual.
- FoundationsFrom about $300-$400 per month · Monthly or annual
- PlusQuote · Annual
- EnterpriseQuote · Annual
Prices from independent sources; treat as reported. Rework (August 2026) and Yardstick (September 2026, competitor). Currency: USD. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
All Ashby plans and sourcesLever vs Ashby: pricing model, ecosystem and fit.
Pricing model and cost drivers
Lever: annual quote based on company headcount. Estimates from Rework (August 2026); ranges conflict within the source. Ashby: price by company size band; monthly or annual. Rework (August 2026) and Yardstick (September 2026, competitor). Model costs at your real seat count, usage and contract term before comparing headline prices.
What sets each apart
The Lever profile highlights: built-in CRM; headcount-based pricing; part of Employ Inc. The Ashby profile highlights: all-in-one platform; advanced analytics; AI credits included.
Integrations and ecosystem
Lever integrations named in its sources: LinkedIn, Slack, Google Workspace and HRIS systems. Ashby: Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and HRIS systems. Check that the connectors you rely on exist on the plan you would buy.
Deployment and team fit
Lever runs on Web, iOS and Android and is documented for mid-size teams and large enterprises. Ashby runs on Web, iOS and Android and is documented for small teams, mid-size teams and large enterprises. We did not test setup or migration.
Lever and Ashby: each option, in balance.
Each point is linked to a dated source on the product's profile.
Lever
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- Built-in candidate CRM.
- Documented public API.
- Suited to proactive sourcing.
- No published pricing.
- Price scales with total headcount.
- Estimates vary widely.
Ashby
Strengths and limitations from the profile
- ATS, CRM, scheduling and analytics in one.
- API on every tier.
- AI credits included.
- Larger plans quote-only.
- Can be costly as teams grow.
- Foundations limited to 100 employees.
Lever or Ashby: which fits which situation?
No overall winner is declared. The better choice depends on the criteria that matter most to you, so test both against your own requirements.
Choose Lever if you are…
- Teams that source and nurture candidates proactively
- Mid-market talent teams
- Recruiting-heavy companies
Less suited to: small businesses; buyers wanting self-serve pricing.
See the Lever profile
Choose Ashby if you are…
- Fast-growing companies wanting ATS, CRM and analytics in one tool
- Data-driven recruiting ops
- Tech startups
Less suited to: occasional hirers; very price-sensitive SMBs.
See the Ashby profileSwitching between Lever and Ashby.
Moving off Lever or Ashby means exporting candidates, resumes, notes and consent records, re-creating job templates, stages and scorecards, reconnecting job boards, calendars and HRIS, and retraining hiring managers. Avoid switching mid-way through active hiring for key roles. Run one open role end to end in each shortlisted ATS, including posting, interviews, scorecards and an offer.
- Export a sample of your data and test an import into the other product.
- List the automations, integrations and permissions you would need to rebuild.
- Compare total cost at your real volume, including add-ons and services.
- Pilot with one team before a full cut-over.
- Check contract terms and notice periods with both vendors.
General guidance, not specific to either vendor. Confirm migration options with the vendors.
Lever vs Ashby: questions and answers
What is the difference between Lever and Ashby?
Lever is an applicant tracking system with built-in candidate relationship management (CRM) for sourcing and nurturing talent, part of Employ Inc. Ashby is an all-in-one recruiting platform combining applicant tracking, CRM, interview scheduling and advanced analytics, popular with fast-growing tech companies. Both are ATSs, but they differ in pricing model, target team size and focus. Lever is positioned for teams that source and nurture candidates proactively; Ashby for fast-growing companies wanting ATS, CRM and analytics in one tool.
Is Lever cheaper than Ashby?
It depends on your volume and plan. Lever: Custom quote by headcount; estimates about $12,000 a year at 200 employees and $35,000-$65,000 at 500-1,000. Ashby: Foundations about $300-$900 a month (up to 100 employees); Plus and Enterprise quoted (typically $30,000-$120,000 a year). Compare both at your real seat count, usage and contract term.
Do Lever or Ashby have a free plan?
Neither documents a permanent free plan in the sources reviewed. Lever free trial: Not documented. Ashby free trial: Not documented.
Lever or Ashby: which is better for small teams?
Ashby is documented for small teams. Lever suits teams that source and nurture candidates proactively; Ashby suits fast-growing companies wanting ATS, CRM and analytics in one tool. Neither is best for everyone.
What are the main limitations of Lever and Ashby?
Lever: No published pricing. Ashby: Larger plans quote-only.
How much does Lever cost?
Lever quotes by company headcount; an August 2026 guide estimates about $12,000 a year at 200 employees.
How much does Ashby cost?
Foundations is about $300 to $900 a month for companies up to 100 employees; larger plans are quoted.
What are the alternatives to Lever and Ashby?
Stack18 has alternatives guides for both: Lever alternatives and Ashby alternatives, each comparing at least four other ATSs on pricing, free plan, features and fit. The Applicant Tracking Systems category lists every profile.
Where this comparison comes from.
- Best Applicant Tracking Systems in 2026 (updated 13 August 2026) Rework Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
- ATS pricing comparison (terms read September 2026) Yardstick (competing vendor) Third-party Accessed 10 Nov 2026
This comparison summarises the Lever and Ashby profiles and their sources. Third-party figures are labelled; confirm current pricing and terms with each vendor. Stack18 has not tested these products.
Ready to test Lever and Ashby?
Check each vendor's current pricing and terms, run both against a real scenario from your business, or talk to Stack18 if off-the-shelf software is not the answer.
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