Rippling ATS vs HubSpot CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
HubSpot CRM
HubSpot CRM is a powerful and easy-to-use customer relationship management platform trusted by over 150,000 companies worldwide. It offers a completely free core CRM with optional paid Marketing, Sales, and Service Hubs for growing teams. HubSpot is the go-to CRM for companies that want to align their marketing, sales, and customer service teams in one platform.
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
Pros
- ✓Generous free plan that is genuinely useful for small teams
- ✓All-in-one platform covering marketing, sales, and service
- ✓Excellent onboarding resources and HubSpot Academy
- ✓Strong integrations with 1000+ tools
Cons
- ✗Can get very expensive as you add paid Hubs and contacts
- ✗Some advanced features locked behind higher tiers
- ✗Reporting is limited on free and starter plans
Rippling ATS vs HubSpot CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Rippling ATS | HubSpot CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | Free |
| Best For | Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll | SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Rippling ATS Features
- ✓Job posting
- ✓candidate pipeline
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓automated onboarding trigger
- ✓payroll integration
- ✓IT provisioning
- ✓analytics
HubSpot CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓email tracking
- ✓deal pipelines
- ✓live chat
- ✓meeting scheduling
- ✓reporting
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓landing pages
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Best For
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll
Best For
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation
Also Consider
If neither Rippling ATS nor HubSpot CRM is the right fit, Manatal is worth evaluating.
Manatal
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
From $15/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Rippling ATS and HubSpot CRM?
Rippling ATS is best for companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll. HubSpot CRM is best for smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
Which is better, Rippling ATS or HubSpot CRM?
Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll. Choose HubSpot CRM if smbs wanting a free crm with room to grow into marketing automation.
How much does Rippling ATS cost?
Rippling ATS starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does HubSpot CRM cost?
HubSpot CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Rippling ATS?
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll
Who should use HubSpot CRM?
SMBs wanting a free CRM with room to grow into marketing automation