Shortlists vs Bullhorn comparison
Built in 2005. Priced like it's 2025.
Bullhorn is the default choice for large staffing firms. But if you're running 1–5 desks, you're paying enterprise prices for a tool that was never designed for how you work.
“Would rather die than buy Bullhorn.”
7 days free, then £79 / $99 / €89 per user per month. Card required. Cancel any time in the 7 days and you won't be charged.
At a glance
Shortlists vs Bullhorn — quick overview
The honest take
We'll be straight with you.
Bullhorn is the most established platform in recruitment. If you're running a 50-person staffing firm with complex compliance workflows, multiple teams, and a dedicated IT admin — it might still make sense for you.
But here's the reality for smaller agencies: you're paying a reported $199/month for a platform built in 2005 that hasn't meaningfully innovated in years. The AI features are integrations, not native — where Shortlists builds the AI notetaker and contact enrichment straight into the CRM, alongside a native pipeline and a real-time revenue dashboard. The support has gone fully automated. The contracts auto-renew, and the cancellation window closes before most people notice.
If you're 1–5 desks, you're carrying the cost of an enterprise tool and getting none of the benefits.
Bullhorn earns its place if you run a 20 to 200+ desk staffing group, need heavy compliance and multi-team administration, and have IT support to run it. For a 3-to-10 seat UK agency, that is enterprise software with the volume turned down, and you are paying for capability you will not use.
Why agencies switch
What drives recruiters away from Bullhorn.
The price stopped making sense
A reported ~$199/month for a tool where you use 20% of the features. Most solo recruiters are overpaying by $1,200/year or more.
“£200–300 per month per user. Poor user experience. 1–2 years of stalled growth.”
The contract trap
Annual contracts with auto-renewal clauses buried in the small print. One recruiter was charged a full year's renewal they never agreed to.
“Just paid £1,400 renewal to Bullhorn — didn't set up auto-renewal but charged anyway.”
The UX never got better
Multiple clicks for basic tasks. Notes scattered. Email integration broken. Users track deals in Excel instead.
“Multiple menu clicks just to access candidate notes during a call.”
No real AI
Bullhorn's AI story is a patchwork of third-party integrations. Everything is an add-on. Nothing is native.
“Tool from 2005, crap.”
Feature by feature
Everything side by side.
Bullhorn doesn't publish a public rate card. $199/user/month is a third-party estimate — independent trackers put it in a roughly $99–$315 range — figure checked July 2026.
Pricing
Every feature in one plan. No add-ons.
Shortlists
Everything included. No bolt-ons. No annual contract required. 7 days free, then £79 / $99 / €89 per user per month. Card required. Cancel any time in the 7 days and you won't be charged.
Start free trialBullhorn
(third-party estimate)
Base price only. Add-ons for AI, enrichment, and LinkedIn integration cost extra.
You save $1,200/year — before add-ons.
Switching is easier than you think
Switching from Bullhorn? We move your data for you.
Our CTO migrates your data personally. We've done it dozens of times from Bullhorn exports, LinkedIn Recruiter data, and spreadsheets. Still in a contract with another CRM? Pay $51 per user per month until it ends. Book a call and we'll set it up.
Start free trialMigrating from another CRM? Talk to us first.
Book a call
We set up your account so your trial runs while we move your data.
We migrate your data
Send us your Bullhorn export. We handle the import, mapping, and QA. Most migrations take 2–3 weeks end to end.
Go live
Your team is on Shortlists. Your Bullhorn contract can expire in peace.
What recruiters say
Rated 4.8/5 on G2, trusted by 55+ recruitment agencies.
“Shortlists cuts the time it takes to build a shortlist and keeps everything tidy and consistent. I can share a clean, professional output with clients.”
Faraj Jaboor
Consultant · via G2
“Shortlists has completely transformed how we present candidates. It saves hours of work, looks professional, and makes our clients' experience seamless.”
Aaron Hayhurst
Founder, Web3 Insights: Talent · via G2
“Streamlined my entire client presentation process. And my clients love it.”
Robin Beattie
Founder, Akaina Talent · via G2
Questions
Shortlists vs Bullhorn — common questions.
Ready to make the switch?
Join 55+ agencies who've already moved. Migrating from another CRM? Talk to us first.
7 days free, then £79 / $99 / €89 per user per month. Card required. Cancel any time in the 7 days and you won't be charged.