Calculating the True Cost ofGreenhouse vs Custom.
Calculate the true 5-year cost of Greenhouse ATS vs building a custom applicant tracking system. mid-market companies pay $50K–$150K/year.
Why Companies Outgrow Greenhouse
Per-employee pricing model means hiring more recruiters costs more in software before ROI
Job board posting fees are additional on top of platform licensing
Candidate data is locked in Greenhouse, migration costs $10K+ in professional services
Reporting is limited without expensive add-on analytics modules
Feature Matrix: Custom vs Greenhouse
| Capability | Custom Architecture | Greenhouse |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Cost | $35K build + $3K/year | $50K–$150K/year |
| Workflow Customization | Built for your exact hiring process | Configurable but limited |
| Job Board Integrations | Custom API integrations | Built-in with major boards |
| Candidate Data | 100% owned in your database | Locked in vendor platform |
| AI Screening | Custom AI matching to your criteria | Basic resume parsing |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Greenhouse cost per year?
Greenhouse pricing is custom-quoted based on company size and modules. mid-market companies with 500–2,000 employees typically pay $50,000–$150,000/year. This includes the core ATS, onboarding modules, and DEI analytics.
Should I build a custom ATS instead of using Greenhouse?
If you hire 50+ people per year and have specific workflow requirements, yes. A custom ATS costs $35,000 to build with $3,000/year maintenance. Over 5 years that is $47,000 versus $250,000–$750,000 for Greenhouse.
What features does a custom ATS include?
A custom ATS includes applicant tracking, interview scheduling, custom scorecards, AI-powered resume screening, automated reference checks, offer letter generation, and onboarding workflows, all built for your exact hiring process.
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