Crew vs Bullhorn – 2025 Comparison for Recruitment Agencies
Looking for a Bullhorn alternative? Here's how Crew stacks up in 2025.
Introduction
Bullhorn has long been considered the gold standard for staffing agencies—an all-in-one ATS/CRM with deep roots in the recruitment world. But in 2025, the recruitment tech landscape is changing fast. Agencies, especially boutique and mid-sized ones (typically under 200 recruiters), are looking for more modern, AI-powered platforms that are easier to use, faster to deploy, and designed to boost recruiter productivity and revenue per head.
Enter Crew, the first AI-driven ATS/CRM purpose-built for recruitment agencies and executive search firms (from solo consultants to firms with 10, 50, or even 150 recruiters). For larger enterprise agencies (200+ seats), the needs shift toward back office, compliance, and legacy integrations, a territory where Bullhorn historically leads.
In this guide, we compare Crew vs Bullhorn across features, pricing, AI capabilities, user experience, and overall fit. If you're evaluating alternatives to Bullhorn, this article is for you. The gold standard for staffing agencies, an all-in-one ATS/CRM with deep roots in the recruitment world. But in 2025, the recruitment tech landscape is changing fast. Agencies, especially boutique and mid-sized ones, are looking for more modern, AI-powered platforms that are easier to use, faster to deploy, and designed to boost recruiter productivity and revenue per head.
Enter Crew, the first AI-driven ATS/CRM purpose-built for recruitment agencies and executive search firms.
In this guide, we compare Crew vs Bullhorn across features, pricing, AI capabilities, user experience, and overall fit. If you're evaluating alternatives to Bullhorn, this article is for you.
Quick Summary: Why Agencies Are Considering Bullhorn Alternatives
| Criteria | Bullhorn | Crew |
|---|---|---|
| Designed for | Staffing agencies of all sizes (esp. enterprise) | Boutique & mid-sized recruitment firms |
| Speed & UX | Powerful but can feel dated, slower | Clean, modern UI, built for speed |
| AI features | Recent additions (Copilot, Textkernel) | AI native: matching, summaries, emails, notes |
| Pricing | Starts ~$99/user, most essential features require paid add-ons | Starts ~$99/user, most features are included |
| Set-up time | Weeks or months, requires onboarding | Live in a few minutes |
| Support | Mixed feedback | Fast, founder-led, <20min response time |
1. Core Features Comparison
Both Bullhorn and Crew offer ATS and CRM capabilities, but they differ in approach.
Bullhorn
- ATS with resume parsing, job/candidate tracking, email/calendar sync
- CRM for managing client leads, deals, and sales pipelines
- Add-ons for onboarding, timesheets, VMS sync, back office
- Strong reporting (especially with Cube19 analytics)
- Integrations via large marketplace
Notable limitations: Complex UI for new users, slow performance at scale, many useful features only available as paid extras.
Crew
- ATS/CRM in one: manage talent + clients without switching tools
- Deep LinkedIn integration (1-click profile import + enrichment + sync data)
- AI Notetaker: joins calls, writes summaries, updates CRM fields
- Smart reminders, auto-updated profiles, Chrome extension
- Client portal with Kanban pipelines + direct feedback
Strengths: Built for speed and simplicity. Automates everything recruiters hate doing (data entry, follow-ups, formatting).
2. AI and Automation: Crew Built-In, Bullhorn Catching Up
In 2025, AI isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s essential.
Bullhorn
- Copilot (Generative AI): Drafts emails, job descriptions, notes
- Pulse: Tracks client/candidate engagement via email patterns
- Textkernel: Adds AI-powered parsing + semantic search
- Automation (Herefish): Workflow automation (drip campaigns, reminders, etc.), sold separately
Bottom line: Bullhorn is making great progress in AI, but many features are still add-ons, and may require setup or third-party licenses.
Crew
AI isn’t an add-on at Crew, it’s part of the product’s DNA.
- AI Matching: Paste a job description, get the best candidates instantly
- AI Notetaker: Joins calls, creates summaries, updates records
- AI Emails & Submissions: Write emails, candidate profiles, and outreach in 1 click
- Auto-updating profiles: Roles, companies, photos, contact info, all refreshed continuously
Bottom line: If you want AI baked into every step of your workflow, Crew leads the pack.
3. User Experience: Simplicity vs Complexity
Bullhorn
- Interface is functional but can feel outdated
- Many users report sluggish load times, especially with large databases
- Setup requires onboarding + configuration
- Steep learning curve for smaller teams
Crew
- UI built like modern SaaS (Slack, Notion, Linear)
- Lightning-fast, mobile-first, clean and intuitive
- Most actions = 1–2 clicks
- Up and running in few minutes (no setup or migration fees)
Recruiters regularly describe Crew as “a joy to use” and “so fast it feels like cheating.”
4. Pricing Transparency
Bullhorn (estimated)
- Team: ~$99/user/month – limited features, no API
- Corporate: ~$199/user/month – adds API, integrations
- Enterprise: Custom pricing – unlocks analytics, Pulse, more
- Add-ons: Onboarding, automation, texting, VMS sync, etc.
Total cost = base license + many extras
Crew
- Starts at ~$99/user/month
- Includes ATS, CRM, AI tools, integrations, enrichment, notetaker
- No hidden fees, no setup costs
Crew’s approach: everything you need in one simple plan—without paying extra for essentials.
5. Support and Responsiveness
Bullhorn
- Mixed reviews: some praise dedicated reps, others cite slow replies
- High volume may stretch support team capacity
- Knowledge base and Bullhorn Academy available
Crew
- Live chat support with <20min average response time
- The founders personally oversee onboarding and support because they believe this is a critical part of delivering value to every client
- Clients frequently cite support as one of Crew’s key differentiators
6. Who Is Each Tool Best For?
| Agency Type | Better Fit |
| Large enterprise staffing | Bullhorn |
| Boutique/mid-size agency | Crew |
| Need full back office | Bullhorn (with add-ons) |
| Want fast, modern UX | Crew |
| AI-first workflow | Crew |
| Compliance-heavy VMS work | Bullhorn |
| Scaling executive search | Crew |
Final Verdict: Bullhorn vs Crew in 2025
Bullhorn remains a powerhouse, rich in features, well-integrated, and trusted by large agencies. But for smaller to mid-sized firms, or those prioritizing speed, automation, and usability, it often feels too complex and expensive.
Crew is the Bullhorn alternative built for this decade: fast, elegant, AI-native, and focused on helping recruiters get more done.
If you're looking to make more placements per recruiter without adding headcount or overhead, Crew is worth a serious look.
👉 Book a demo and see how Crew compares in action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is Crew an ATS or a CRM?
Both. Crew combines ATS and CRM in one platform so you can manage talent and business in the same place.
2. Does Crew integrate with LinkedIn?
Yes. Crew’s Chrome extension offers the deepest LinkedIn integration on the market—including 1-click import, enrichment, and live activity from LinkedIn.
3. How fast can I switch from Bullhorn to Crew?
Most teams are up and running on Crew in less than a week. Crew supports data migration and onboarding (for free).
4. What’s included in Crew’s pricing?
Everything: AI tools, integrations, ATS/CRM, reminders, notes, Chrome extension, and more. No paywalls.
5. Can I try Crew before committing?
Yes. You can get a demo and access a trial to see how Crew works for your team.
Still unsure? Compare your current workflow to Crew's, and see where you could save hours per recruiter per day.
👉 Talk to us — no pressure, just clarity.