SmartRecruiters vs 15Five
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
SmartRecruiters
SmartRecruiters is an enterprise talent acquisition platform that offers a genuinely free plan alongside paid enterprise tiers. Its free plan includes unlimited job postings, candidate tracking, and team collaboration — making it one of the most generous free ATS options available. SmartRecruiters is used by global enterprises including Visa, Bosch, and LinkedIn.
15Five
15Five is a continuous performance management platform focused on weekly check-ins, OKRs, and employee engagement. It helps managers stay connected with their teams through structured feedback and recognition tools. 15Five is popular with remote and distributed teams that need async communication tools.
Pros
- ✓Genuinely useful free plan with unlimited jobs and users
- ✓Enterprise-grade features available as you scale
- ✓Strong AI candidate screening on paid plans
- ✓Used by large global enterprises giving it credibility with candidates
Cons
- ✗Free plan has limited analytics and automation
- ✗Enterprise pricing can be expensive
- ✗Interface can feel complex for small teams
- ✗Implementation requires dedicated time for enterprise features
Pros
- ✓Simple and intuitive weekly check-in format that drives adoption
- ✓Strong OKR and goal-setting tools
- ✓Excellent manager training and coaching resources
- ✓Good engagement survey tools with benchmarking
Cons
- ✗Limited HR functionality beyond performance and engagement
- ✗No payroll or benefits administration
- ✗Reporting could be more advanced for data-driven HR teams
SmartRecruiters vs 15Five: Side by Side
| Factor | SmartRecruiters | 15Five |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $4/user/mo |
| Best For | Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise | Companies focused on employee engagement and performance |
| Our Pick | — | — |
SmartRecruiters Features
- ✓Unlimited job postings
- ✓candidate tracking
- ✓collaborative hiring
- ✓AI screening
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓analytics
- ✓career page
- ✓mobile app
15Five Features
- ✓Weekly check-ins
- ✓OKRs
- ✓performance reviews
- ✓engagement surveys
- ✓manager training
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance.
Best For
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Best For
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance
Also Consider
If neither SmartRecruiters nor 15Five 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 SmartRecruiters and 15Five?
SmartRecruiters is best for companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. 15Five is best for companies focused on employee engagement and performance.
Which is better, SmartRecruiters or 15Five?
Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose 15Five if companies focused on employee engagement and performance.
How much does SmartRecruiters cost?
SmartRecruiters starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does 15Five cost?
15Five starts at $4/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use SmartRecruiters?
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Who should use 15Five?
Companies focused on employee engagement and performance