Are you looking for a recruiting and talent CRM that effectively supports your hiring goals?
Gem has become a popular choice for sourcing, outreach, and pipeline management, but many users say it doesn’t always deliver the flexibility or insight they need.
Reviews highlight limited reporting customization, integration issues with ATS tools, clunky dashboards that require time-consuming configuration, and data synchronization problems that disrupt workflows.
For fast-moving recruiting teams, that can mean extra manual work, slower pipelines, and less clarity where it matters most.
That’s why we’ve selected the 8 best Gem alternatives that offer cleaner reporting, stronger integrations, and smoother workflows to help you build and nurture talent pipelines with ease.
9 best Gem alternatives to consider in 2025
Before we dive deeper into our top picks, here is a quick overview:
📌 Note
All the pros and cons mentioned in this text are sourced from reliable platforms such as G2 and community opinions shared on Reddit.
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1. Cohort AI
Cohort AI is a recruiting platform designed to help you secure the top three candidates for any technical role, delivered in just days, not weeks.
Powered by SPEC, our system of AI agents that manage sourcing, outreach, screening, and engagement, Cohort functions like a 24/7 talent operations team running seamlessly in the background.
Each search is supported by a dedicated Talent Architect, who captures the nuances of your requirements to deliver candidate recommendations that are accurate, relevant, and tailored to your organization
Key features:
1️⃣ SPEC – A team of AI agents built to help you find and hire exceptional talent faster than ever before:
- Sally the Scout (Sourcing Agent): Scans platforms such as GitHub, LinkedIn, Stack Overflow, and Kaggle to identify and rank top technical talent, surfacing high-signal profiles before they appear on job boards.
- Pete the Prospector (Outreach Agent): Delivers AI-personalized outreach based on candidate activity and role alignment, boosting engagement and response rates without manual follow-up.
- Eva the Evaluator (Screening Agent): Conducts asynchronous, role-specific interviews with AI-driven prompts, quickly assessing both technical fit and cultural alignment.
- Charlie the Closer (Engagement Agent): Manages post-shortlist communication, from nudges to offer prep, ensuring momentum, trust, and fewer candidate drop-offs.
2️⃣ Talent graph + LLM matching layer – Builds a comprehensive candidate graph from both public and proprietary data, enabling intelligent matches based on patterns, potential, and context, not just keywords.
3️⃣ Rapid Cohort definition – Offers an intuitive interface for hiring managers to define ideal candidate profiles across multiple criteria and instantly generate matching cohorts from the talent database.
4️⃣ Top 3 candidate delivery – Provides a shortlist of three AI-ranked, pre-vetted candidates within 10 business days, reducing decision fatigue and accelerating the hiring process.
5️⃣ Talent data management – Continuously ingests, validates, and enriches candidate data from multiple sources to maintain a high-quality, up-to-date talent database.
6️⃣ Collaboration and workflow automation – Facilitates seamless team collaboration and automates workflows across the hiring lifecycle, from candidate engagement to offer management.
7️⃣ API Integration – Integrates seamlessly with existing HR systems and third-party platforms, ensuring smooth data synchronization and end-to-end automation.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Delivers the top three pre-vetted candidates, each closely aligned with the role’s requirements.
- Automates the sourcing, outreach, and screening processes across leading talent platforms.
🔴 Cons:
- May require additional time to produce results for highly specialized or niche roles.
Pricing
For pricing details and plan options, contact us directly.
2. hireEZ
hireEZ is an all-in-one AI recruiting platform that helps recruiters efficiently source, match, engage, and manage top talent through the power of Agentic AI.
It streamlines the hiring process by automating sourcing, candidate evaluation, and communication, allowing recruiting teams to focus on building meaningful connections and making smarter hiring decisions.
Key features:
- AI-powered sourcing – Searches the open web and internal databases to uncover qualified candidates beyond LinkedIn, expanding access to diverse and hard-to-find talent.
- Applicant match – Uses intelligent resume analysis to evaluate and rank candidates by role fit, reducing manual screening and improving hiring accuracy.
- Talent rediscovery – Re-engages and enriches profiles from existing ATS data, helping recruiters revive past candidates for current opportunities.
- Automated outreach & analytics – Enables personalized multi-channel communication and real-time performance tracking within a single, integrated platform.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Uncovers hard-to-find talent beyond LinkedIn with AI sourcing.
- Streamlines engagement with built-in email and campaign tools.
🔴 Cons:
- Some candidate contact info can be outdated or inaccurate.
- Interface updates occasionally disrupt workflow and usability.
Pricing
hireEZ doesn’t disclose pricing plans on its website.
3. LinkedIn Recruiter
LinkedIn Recruiter is an AI-powered talent acquisition platform that helps organizations efficiently source, engage, and manage top candidates from the world’s largest professional network.
It offers advanced search filters, personalized AI messaging, and collaborative tools to streamline large-scale or competitive hiring while keeping recruiters in control of every step.
Key features:
- Global talent access – Provides direct reach to LinkedIn’s entire professional network, enabling engagement with both active and passive candidates worldwide.
- AI-driven candidate discovery – Delivers intelligent matching and 40+ advanced filters to surface top candidates based on real-time data and insights.
- Personalized outreach automation – Generates and optimizes InMail messages with AI assistance to boost engagement and response rates.
- Collaborative analytics – Offers shared dashboards, hiring insights, and performance metrics to streamline team workflows and improve decision-making.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Accesses a vast, high-quality talent pool with advanced search tools.
- Boosts sourcing speed and accuracy through AI-powered recommendations.
🔴 Cons:
- Relies heavily on LinkedIn’s platform for communication and outreach.
- Occasional bugs and interface issues can interrupt recruiter workflows.
Pricing
LinkedIn Recruiter doesn’t disclose pricing plans on its website.
4. Ashby
Ashby is an all-in-one recruiting platform that integrates ATS, CRM, sourcing, scheduling, and analytics into a single AI-powered system designed to streamline the entire hiring process.
It helps teams automate manual tasks, improve collaboration, and make data-driven hiring decisions with powerful analytics and AI built into every stage of the recruiting workflow.
Key features:
- Advanced analytics – Delivers real-time, customizable dashboards and reports for deep visibility into recruiting performance and pipeline health.
- Structured workflows – Enables fully customizable interview stages, automation rules, and templates to match each team’s unique hiring process.
- AI-powered automation – Embeds AI throughout sourcing, scheduling, and data management to streamline workflows and improve decision-making.
- Automated scheduling – Simplifies interview coordination with smart calendar syncing and automated scheduling for candidates and hiring teams.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Delivers powerful analytics and customizable dashboards for full visibility.
- Automates scheduling and workflows, reducing manual recruiter tasks.
🔴 Cons:
- Has a learning curve due to deep customization options.
- Lacks some advanced scoring and agency-focused features.
Pricing
Ashby offers a Foundation Plan starting at $300 per month and 3 Plans with customizable pricing.
5. Bullhorn
Bullhorn is a cloud-based recruitment software platform that empowers staffing and recruitment agencies to manage the entire hiring process, from sourcing and screening to placement and onboarding, in one system.
By leveraging AI and automation, Bullhorn helps organizations boost efficiency, strengthen candidate and client relationships, and scale their business operations without increasing headcount.
Key features:
- Unified ATS and CRM – Combines applicant tracking and customer relationship management to streamline recruiting, sales, and operations in one platform.
- AI-powered automation – Uses advanced artificial intelligence to source, screen, and match candidates efficiently, reducing manual workload and accelerating placements.
- Advanced reporting and analytics – Delivers real-time insights and customizable dashboards to track performance, identify trends, and optimize recruiting strategies.
- Extensive integrations – Offers open APIs and a marketplace of 100+ partners, enabling integration and customization within any existing tech stack.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface that streamlines recruiting tasks.
- Robust integrations with job boards and external systems for smoother workflows.
🔴 Cons:
- Performance can be slow when handling large amounts of data.
- Customer support can be inconsistent and slow to respond.
Pricing
Bullhorn offers an ATS & CRM Plan starting at $75 per month and 2 Plans with custom pricing.
6. Lever
Lever is an AI-powered recruitment and Talent CRM platform that unifies sourcing, tracking, and candidate relationship management within one intuitive system.
It empowers hiring teams to streamline every stage of the recruiting process, build stronger talent pipelines, and make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions that scale with their organization’s growth.
Key features:
- Customizable workflows – Enables tailored hiring pipelines, fields, and permissions to align with each team’s unique recruiting process.
- Advanced analytics and dashboards – Delivers real-time insights and metrics to track performance and improve hiring efficiency.
- Unified ATS + CRM – Combines applicant tracking and talent relationship management to create seamless candidate experiences from sourcing to hire.
- Extensive integrations and APIs – Connects easily with external systems and tools, ensuring smooth data flow across your recruiting tech stack.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface.
- Strong integrations and automation features that streamline workflows and reduce manual effort.
🔴 Cons:
- Advanced customization options can have a learning curve for new users.
- Reporting and analytics tools can often feel limited for teams that need deeper insights or greater flexibility.
Pricing
Lever doesn’t disclose pricing plans on its website.
7. Greenhouse
Greenhouse is a comprehensive, AI-powered hiring platform that streamlines every part of the recruitment lifecycle, from sourcing and nurturing talent to structured interviewing, onboarding, and performance analytics.
It empowers organizations to make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions, deliver exceptional candidate experiences, and scale their talent strategies for sustained growth and success.
Key features:
- Recruiting CRM – Builds and nurtures a centralized talent network, enabling proactive sourcing and organized pipeline management.
- AI recruiting tools – Uses AI to assist with candidate sourcing, interview scheduling, and offer forecasting, reducing manual workload and improving efficiency.
- Structured hiring workflows – Standardizes interviewing, feedback, and decision-making processes for consistency, fairness, and scalability.
- Reporting and integrations – Delivers advanced analytics and connects seamlessly with hundreds of third-party tools to enhance visibility and optimize hiring performance.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface that simplifies hiring workflows.
- Strong integrations with third-party tools and platforms.
🔴 Cons:
- Reporting features can be rigid and lack flexibility.
- Mobile app functionality is generally limited compared to desktop applications.
Pricing
Greenhouse offers 3 Plans with customizable pricing.
8. Leonar
Leonar is an all-in-one AI-powered recruiting platform that combines ATS, CRM, and sourcing tools to help recruiters find, contact, and manage candidates efficiently.
It enables multi-channel outreach, integrates with LinkedIn and other tools, and is built for both agencies and in-house hiring teams to streamline their recruitment workflows.
Key features:
- Multi-channel outreach automation – Enables recruiters to run personalized outreach campaigns across LinkedIn, email, and WhatsApp from a single platform.
- Unified inbox – Centralizes all candidate communications into one view, simplifying message tracking and follow-ups across multiple channels.
- AI and ChatGPT integration – Assists with writing, filtering, and candidate scoring through intelligent automation and natural-language tools.
- Integrated ATS and CRM – Combines applicant tracking and client relationship management to streamline hiring pipelines and reduce tool fragmentation.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- AI-powered sourcing that speeds up candidate discovery.
- Automated multichannel outreach that boosts response rates.
🔴 Cons:
- Slight learning curve for advanced features.
- Initial setup can be time-consuming.
Pricing
Leonar offers 2 Paid Plans starting at $109 per month and an Enterprise Plan with custom pricing.
9. Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered recruitment software that streamlines hiring by automating candidate sourcing, screening, and management for HR teams, recruitment agencies, and headhunters.
Its intuitive, all-in-one platform combines applicant tracking, CRM, data enrichment, and analytics to help recruiters hire faster and more efficiently.
Key features:
- Recruitment CRM – Offers a built-in client and candidate relationship management system to centralize communication, tracking, and revenue management.
- Customizable pipelines & automation – Enables drag-and-drop workflow customization and automated actions to streamline repetitive recruitment tasks.
- AI-powered candidate matching – Leverages AI to enrich profiles from 20+ platforms and rank candidates based on semantic job-fit analysis.
- Collaborative hiring tools – Facilitates real-time feedback, tagging, and shared notes to enhance transparency and team coordination throughout the hiring process.
Pros and cons:
🟢 Pros:
- Intuitive, easy-to-use interface for recruiters.
- Centralized candidate database for better visibility.
🔴 Cons:
- Limited reporting and analytics features.
- Some navigation and UI elements feel clunky.
Pricing
Manatal offers 3 Paid Plans starting at $19 per month and a Custom Plan for custom integrations.
How to choose the best Gem alternative
Now that we’ve reviewed the best Gem alternatives, the best platform ultimately depends on your team’s goals, resources, and workflow complexity.
If you’re a startup or small recruiting team looking for automation without complexity, Leonar and hireEZ are great choices.
For mid-sized to enterprise organizations, tools like Ashby, Bullhorn, and Lever stand out for their scalability, integrations, and analytics.
And if you want to go beyond manual sourcing and spreadsheets, Cohort AI is the perfect choice.
Powered by SPEC, a system of AI agents that scout, engage, evaluate, and close candidates, Cohort delivers the top three pre-vetted candidates for every role in just 10 days. It’s precision recruiting designed to save you time, reduce guesswork, and help you hire with confidence.
Book a demo today and discover how Cohort AI can help you find and hire exceptional talent faster and smarter!
How we selected these Gem alternatives
To help you identify the best Gem alternatives, we:
✅ Evaluated 25+ recruiting and talent CRM platforms across sourcing, analytics, workflow automation, and integration capabilities.
✅ Focused on solutions offering cleaner reporting, stronger ATS integrations, and AI-enhanced automation for faster hiring decisions.
✅ Analyzed user feedback from G2, Capterra, and Reddit, ensuring real-world recruiter insights shaped our recommendations.
✅ Highlighted platforms that deliver measurable improvements in pipeline speed, data accuracy, and candidate experience.
