6 Bullhorn Alternatives Agencies Should Test in 2025
Bullhorn is powerful—but is it still the best fit for your agency in 2025? Here are 6 modern alternatives to consider.
Why Look for a Bullhorn Alternative?
Bullhorn has long been considered a go-to ATS/CRM for staffing and recruitment agencies. It’s packed with features, deeply customizable, and trusted by some of the largest firms in the world.
But it also comes with downsides that are increasingly difficult for small and mid-sized agencies to ignore:
- A complex UI that feels dated to modern teams
- Slow performance at scale
- High cost and many essential features locked behind add-ons
- Long implementation cycles
- Mixed user feedback on support and ease of use
In 2025, agencies want more than legacy power. They want speed, automation, AI-native features, and platforms that work out of the box.
If you're evaluating alternatives to Bullhorn, here are 6 that are making waves this year.
1. Crew – The AI-First Alternative for Modern Agencies
Best for: Crew is ideal for boutique & mid-sized recruitment firms & executive search who want to double productivity (thus their revenue).
Why switch to Crew:
- AI built-in powerful features: Matching, outreach, call summaries, write-ups, and more
- Fast, modern UI inspired by tools like Notion and Slack
- Deep LinkedIn integration: 1-click imports, enrichment, live sync
- Smart reminders, AI Notetaker, always-fresh profiles
- ATS + CRM + Automation in one
What sets it apart: Crew isn’t just another Bullhorn competitor; it’s rethinking how recruiters work, from the ground up. It’s fast to implement, easy to adopt, and helps recruiters do more with less.
2. Vincere – Bullhorn’s closest all-in-one rival
Best for: Global agencies with contract/temp needs
Pros:
- Covers ATS, CRM, onboarding, timesheets, and pay/bill
- Strong analytics and dashboards
- Good UX with recent improvements
- Deep global support and multi-language options
Cons:
- Can feel complex for small firms
- Implementation can take time
- Less native AI vs Crew or Loxo
3. Loxo – Data-rich sourcing meets automation
Best for: Agencies doing high-volume sourcing
Pros:
- Massive built-in talent directory (1.2B+ profiles)
- Email + LinkedIn sequencing built-in
- AI matching engine
- CRM + ATS hybrid
Cons:
- Higher tiers required for core features
- Less flexible than Bullhorn or Crew for pipeline customization
- Not all features are globally available
4. JobAdder – Simpler UX, solid core
Best for: temp agencies
Pros:
- Easy to use and onboard
- Everything you need for temp jobs
- Mobile app is best-in-class
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Limited CRM and sales tools
- Lacks built-in automation
- Less suited for executive search or multi-office teams
5. Recruit CRM – Lightweight, globally popular
Best for: Small firms and solo recruiters
Pros:
- Simple pricing and clean interface
- Strong search features (Google Maps radius, tags)
- Client portal and resume formatting tools
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- Basic reporting
- Not ideal for large databases or complex workflows
6. Manatal – Budget-friendly ATS with AI extras
Best for: Price-sensitive teams looking for quick wins
Pros:
- Low-cost entry point
- Built-in suggestions and resume parsing
- Chrome extension
Cons:
- Limited CRM functions
- Not designed for staffing firms (more SMB-focused)
- Feature depth is light compared to Crew/Bullhorn
Final Thoughts
Bullhorn still serves many enterprise agencies well, but it’s no longer the default for everyone. Whether you're looking to reduce complexity, lower cost, or modernize your recruiting workflow with AI, there are now powerful alternatives that might be a better fit.
Crew stands out among them for agencies that want AI-first performance, recruiter-friendly design, and faster ROI.
👉 See why agencies switch to Crew →
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Crew is the next-gen Talent ATS/CRM built for recruiting agencies and executive search.
