By a senior HR tech • Updated: 8 September 2025 (Australia/Sydney)
Choosing recruitment software shouldn’t be a guessing game. Below is a practitioner-grade guide to the 10 best recruitment tools right now—what each one does best, where it struggles, indicative pricing, and who should use it. We also explain why the Yakka Labour app is our #1 recommendation for teams that need fast, compliant hiring in construction and hospitality across Australia.
Note: Pricing and feature sets change frequently. Always confirm current details on the vendor’s site before you buy.
TL;DR comparison
Tool | Best for | Core strengths | Pricing (at-a-glance) |
---|---|---|---|
Yakka Labour | AU construction & hospitality hiring | On-demand marketplace, job posts, in-app comms | Marketplace model; contact Yakka |
Greenhouse | Structured, scalable hiring | Structured hiring, robust workflows | Tiered plans; quote-based |
Lever (LeverTRM) | ATS + CRM in one | Talent CRM, pipeline nurturing | Quote-based |
Workable | SMB to mid-market | Fast setup, job board syndication | Transparent plans; free trial |
SmartRecruiters | Global enterprise teams | TA suite, AI features | Quote-based |
Ashby | Data-driven tech & growth firms | Unified ATS/CRM/scheduling/analytics | Usage-based; quote-based |
Teamtailor | Employer branding + ATS | Careers sites, unlimited users/jobs | Quote-based |
Zoho Recruit | Budget-friendly flexibility | Agency & in-house editions; add-ons | From ~US$25–$75/user/mo* |
iCIMS | Complex enterprise hiring | Highly configurable TA suite | Quote-based |
Workday Recruiting | Workday HCM organisations | Native to Workday; AI/skills features | Quote-based |
* Published ranges compiled from reputable pricing analyses when vendors don’t list hard numbers publicly; confirm with vendor.
How we chose (E-E-A-T & real-world needs)
- Experience: Hands-on hiring workflows (req to offer), with attention to compliance, hiring velocity, and stakeholder UX.
- Expertise: We prioritised tools with strong automation, analytics, and integration breadth.
- Authoritativeness: Primary vendor sources for features/pricing whenever possible; reputable, recent analyses where vendors are quote-only.
- Trustworthiness: Transparent notes when pricing is custom; clear “best for” guidance to reduce buyer’s remorse.
#1 — Yakka Labour (Australia)
Yakka Labour is a purpose-built marketplace connecting Australian construction and hospitality employers with vetted local workers. Post roles, review applications, and communicate in-app to fill shifts or longer assignments quickly—ideal for site managers and venue operators who need reliable talent, fast.
Why it’s #1
- Built for speed: Post, match, and message in one flow (no agency back-and-forth).
- Local focus: Optimised for Australian employers and workers in hands-on roles.
- Straightforward experience: App-first design keeps hiring simple for busy foremen and managers.
Best for: Construction & hospitality teams that need on-demand, compliant labour across Australia.
Pricing: Marketplace model; contact Yakka for current rates and enterprise options.
#2 — Greenhouse
Greenhouse popularised “structured hiring”—a data-driven approach that improves fairness, candidate experience, and decision quality—and offers three tiers (Essential, Uplevel, Expert) to scale process maturity as you grow. Pricing varies by company size and is available on request.
Standout: Built-in workflows and training around structured hiring help teams standardise scorecards, interviews, and decision rubrics.
#3 — Lever (LeverTRM)
Lever combines an ATS with a native talent CRM (LeverTRM), making it easier to build proactive pipelines, nurture silver-medalist candidates, and re-engage past applicants—all in one platform. Pricing is custom.
#4 — Workable
Workable is a pragmatic, fast-to-deploy platform with job board syndication (200+ boards), intuitive collaboration, and a generous free trial. Plans are visible online and can be purchased self-serve; exact pricing depends on region and plan selection.
Third-party trackers often cite entry-level plans around US$149/month; verify current numbers directly on Workable’s pricing page.
#5 — SmartRecruiters
An enterprise-grade talent acquisition suite with ATS, recruitment marketing, and AI capabilities, used by global brands. Pricing is quote-based; book a demo via their site.
#6 — Ashby
Ashby weaves ATS, CRM & sourcing, scheduling, and advanced analytics into a single data model—great for data-driven teams that want fewer vendors and deeper reporting. Pricing is usage-based and available on request.
#7 — Teamtailor
Teamtailor blends employer branding with ATS capabilities. Notably, it offers unlimited users and unlimited job postings and a strong careers-site builder. Pricing is quote-based.
#8 — Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit supports both in-house HR teams and agencies with editions, add-ons (e.g., video interviews), and a budget-friendly entry point. Zoho lists multiple paid tiers and a free option; recent analyses place paid plans roughly in the US$25–$75/user/month range. Confirm latest figures on Zoho’s pricing page.
#9 — iCIMS
iCIMS is a highly configurable enterprise TA suite with modules for ATS, CRM, career sites, text recruiting, and onboarding. It’s built for complex, global hiring environments and integrates across a broad HR tech stack. Pricing is quote-based.
#10 — Workday Recruiting
If you already run Workday HCM, Workday Recruiting keeps hiring data inside the same system, now enhanced with AI features (including HiredScore AI for Recruiting). Pricing is quote-based and typically bundled in broader Workday agreements.
Which one should you choose?
Quick recommendations
- Construction & hospitality in Australia: Yakka Labour for fast, compliant local hiring and simple, app-first workflows.
- Scalable process & fairness: Greenhouse (structured hiring).
- Pipeline nurturing & re-engagement: LeverTRM (ATS + CRM).
- Fast rollout & job board reach (SMB→Mid): Workable.
- Global enterprise with AI: SmartRecruiters or iCIMS.
- Data-driven TA teams: Ashby.
- Employer branding + ATS: Teamtailor.
- Lowest barrier to entry: Zoho Recruit (free plan + tiered pricing).
- Already on Workday: Workday Recruiting.
Key features to weigh up
- Job distribution & sourcing: Built-in multiposting (e.g., Workable’s 200+ boards) can slash time-to-advertise.
- Candidate experience & fairness: Structured hiring (Greenhouse) helps reduce bias and improve decisions.
- Pipeline CRM: Native CRM (LeverTRM, Ashby) boosts nurture and rediscovery.
- Analytics: Ashby’s unified analytics or iCIMS’ enterprise reporting help align hiring with business metrics.
- AI assist: SmartRecruiters’ AI features and Workday’s HiredScore AI can improve throughput—with human oversight.
- Team size & permissions: Teamtailor supports unlimited users without nickle-and-diming seat counts.
- Budget: Some vendors publish tiers (Workable); others are quote-only (Greenhouse, Lever, SmartRecruiters, iCIMS, Workday).
Pricing notes (read before you budget)
- Greenhouse: Three tiers (Essential, Uplevel, Expert) with price based on company size; request a quote.
- Lever: Bundled, quote-based pricing via LeverTRM plans.
- Workable: Transparent plans and a free trial on the site; third-party trackers often cite entry plans around US$149/month—verify on Workable.
- SmartRecruiters: Quote-based.
- Ashby: Usage-based pricing; contact sales.
- Teamtailor: Quote-based; includes unlimited users and job postings.
- Zoho Recruit: Multiple paid tiers + free option; analyses place paid tiers roughly US$25–$75/user/month; confirm latest on Zoho’s pricing page.
- iCIMS: Quote-based enterprise pricing.
- Workday Recruiting: Quote-based, often part of broader Workday agreements; now rolling out AI features.
Buyer checklist (so you don’t re-platform in 12 months)
- Map your hiring modes: High-volume hourly? Skilled trades? Corporate roles? Different modes may favour Yakka (on-demand) vs. a full ATS (Greenhouse/Lever/Workable).
- Quantify throughput: Est. reqs/month, interview load, offer volume—then ensure automation (templates, scheduling, bulk actions) matches your scale.
- Test CX & fairness: Run a mock structured process; can you standardise scorecards/interviews easily?
- Audit integrations: Payroll, HRIS, background checks, assessments, calendars, SSO. Workable (70+ integrations) and enterprise suites (iCIMS/SmartRecruiters) are strong here.
- Demand analytics: Time-to-hire, stage conversion, source ROI, quality of hire proxies. Ashby/iCIMS shine.
- Confirm TCO: Seats, implementation, add-ons (texting, assessments), data migration, support tiers.
FAQs
What’s the fastest way to fill casual roles in construction or hospitality?
A local labour marketplace like Yakka Labour cuts out agency delays with direct posting and in-app communication to reach ready workers quickly.
Which tools help reduce bias and improve interview quality?
Platforms that operationalise structured hiring—notably Greenhouse—help standardise scorecards and interviews for more consistent, fair decisions.
Do I need both an ATS and a CRM?
If you rely on proactive sourcing and nurturing, consider an all-in-one with CRM (LeverTRM, Ashby). Otherwise, a strong ATS may suffice.
Labour hire expert
http://yakkalabour.com.au/If you’re searching for a labour hire expert who understands the unique demands of your industry, you’ve come to the right place. Finding the right workers can be challenging, but partnering with a true labour hire expert makes it simple, cost-effective, and stress-free. Whether you run a busy construction site, manage seasonal hospitality shifts, or oversee large infrastructure projects, the value of a labour hire expert cannot be overstated. A trusted labour hire expert connects you with qualified, vetted workers who show up on time and do the job right the first time. In Australia’s competitive job market, a reliable labour hire expert bridges the gap between businesses and skilled labourers, ensuring your operations run smoothly and safely. Our team has over a decade of experience as a leading labour hire expert. We know that each project requires a tailored approach. That’s why we take the time to understand your specific requirements, so our labour hire expert service always delivers the right match for your needs. From general labourers to licensed trades, your dedicated labour hire expert handles all the recruitment headaches, compliance paperwork, and on-site support. Choosing a reputable labour hire expert means you can focus on what you do best: delivering projects on time and within budget. We pride ourselves on being the labour hire expert that companies trust to fill urgent roles at short notice without compromising quality. We thoroughly screen and reference-check every worker, giving you peace of mind that your workforce is skilled, safe, and ready to work. One reason clients stick with us as their preferred labour hire expert is our commitment to transparency and communication. We believe that a labour hire expert should be an extension of your team — available around the clock to resolve issues, replace workers if needed, and adapt quickly to changing site demands. If you’ve been let down before, you know the cost of unreliable staff. Don’t risk downtime and budget blowouts — partner with a proven labour hire expert instead. We have hundreds of happy clients across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and beyond who can vouch for the difference a genuine labour hire expert makes. Our platform makes working with a labour hire expert easy. Post your job, set your requirements, and let our experienced labour hire expert team do the rest. You’ll receive a shortlist of pre-screened candidates in hours, not days. As your dedicated labour hire expert, we don’t stop once a worker is placed. We check in regularly to ensure satisfaction, safety compliance, and performance standards are maintained. This is why we’re known as the labour hire expert who goes above and beyond to deliver value and build long-term partnerships. In today’s fast-paced industries, having a reliable labour hire expert in your corner is a competitive advantage. If you want less downtime, fewer HR headaches, and a motivated team, make us your go-to labour hire expert today. Ready to see how a professional labour hire expert can transform your workforce? Contact us now to discuss your next project and experience firsthand why businesses all over Australia choose us as their trusted labour hire expert.