EngageBay vs Rippling ATS
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
EngageBay is our recommended pick for most teams — budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Try EngageBay →Read our full EngageBay review →EngageBay
EngageBay is an all-in-one marketing, sales, and customer support platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It offers a free plan that includes CRM, email marketing, live chat, and helpdesk tools — making it one of the most generous free plans in the market. EngageBay is positioned as an affordable alternative to HubSpot.
Rippling ATS
Rippling Recruiting is the applicant tracking module within the Rippling platform. It connects recruiting directly to onboarding, payroll, and IT provisioning so that when a candidate is hired, their entire employee setup happens automatically. Rippling ATS is ideal for companies already using Rippling for HR who want a seamlessly integrated recruiting experience.
Pros
- ✓One of the most generous free plans available — includes CRM, marketing, and support tools
- ✓Affordable paid plans compared to HubSpot
- ✓All-in-one platform reduces the need for multiple subscriptions
- ✓Good automation features
Cons
- ✗Less brand recognition and fewer integrations than HubSpot
- ✗Interface can feel cluttered with so many features
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
Pros
- ✓Seamless connection from hiring to onboarding to payroll — zero manual handoff
- ✓Automatically provisions IT accounts and equipment when a candidate is hired
- ✓Deep integration with the full Rippling platform
- ✓Eliminates duplicate data entry across HR systems
Cons
- ✗Only valuable if you use the full Rippling platform
- ✗Requires custom pricing quote
- ✗Less feature-rich as a standalone ATS compared to dedicated tools like Greenhouse
- ✗Overkill for companies not using Rippling
EngageBay vs Rippling ATS: Side by Side
| Factor | EngageBay | Rippling ATS |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan | Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓reporting
Rippling ATS Features
- ✓Job posting
- ✓candidate pipeline
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓automated onboarding trigger
- ✓payroll integration
- ✓IT provisioning
- ✓analytics
Pricing Comparison
EngageBay
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Basic: $12/mo · Growth: $24.99/mo · Pro: $49.99/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
EngageBay
- →Small businesses wanting all-in-one CRM and marketing
- →Startups replacing multiple tools with one platform
- →Companies migrating away from expensive HubSpot plans
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
EngageBay is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing advanced customization
- ✗Teams requiring sophisticated marketing attribution
- ✗Businesses needing dedicated enterprise support
Integrations
EngageBay
Zapier, Gmail, Outlook, Stripe, SendGrid, Mailgun, Twilio, Xero
Our Take
Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Best For
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll
Also Consider
If neither EngageBay nor Rippling ATS is the right fit, Monday.com CRM is worth evaluating.
Monday.com CRM
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
From $12/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between EngageBay and Rippling ATS?
EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Rippling ATS is best for companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
Which is better, EngageBay or Rippling ATS?
Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan. Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Rippling ATS cost?
Rippling ATS starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Who should use Rippling ATS?
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll