Eploy vs Workable: Choosing the Right ATS for Your Business
TL;DR
Choosing the right Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is crucial for efficient recruitment. Eploy and Workable are two prominent options, each with distinct strengths. This guide provides a balanced comparison to help UK/EU hiring managers decide which platform suits their specific needs. Whether you’re focused on public sector recruitment or mid-market expansion, understanding these tools' features, pricing, and user experience will be invaluable.
When neither Eploy nor Workable solves CV screening depth
If you are comparing Eploy vs Workable because your team is overloaded with applications, include Marxel as the specialist third option. Eploy and Workable can manage ATS workflow, but Marxel is built for first-pass CV screening: it turns the job description and briefing notes into weighted criteria, ranks CVs in bulk, and shows transparent reasoning for every Aligned, Potential, Hold, or Unclear candidate.
The practical split is simple: keep Eploy or Workable when you need the applicant tracking system, HRIS, or pipeline workflow; use Marxel when the buying question is how do we screen and rank this CV batch faster without losing the evidence behind each decision?
| Need | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Manage the full applicant pipeline | Eploy or Workable, depending on workflow fit |
| Rank a high-volume CV batch with transparent reasoning | Marxel |
| Add screening without replacing the ATS | Marxel beside your current ATS |
| Explain why a candidate was shortlisted, held, or rejected | Marxel criteria, evidence, and action buckets |
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Eploy | Workable |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | UK public sector and enterprises | Mid-market companies globally |
| Public pricing | Custom pricing | From $149/month per job |
| Category | Applicant tracking or recruitment workflow | Applicant tracking or recruitment workflow |
| AI CV screening | Check plan-specific screening features | Check plan-specific screening features |
| UK GDPR and DPA details | Verify vendor documentation | Verify vendor documentation |
| UK support hours | Verify vendor documentation | Verify vendor documentation |
Use this table as a buying checklist, then confirm current plan details with each vendor. Last updated June 2026.
GDPR and Candidate Data: Eploy vs Workable
For UK and EU hiring teams, the GDPR question is not simply whether Eploy or Workable has a data processing agreement. The practical question is whether your recruiters can control candidate retention, respond to access or deletion requests, document screening decisions, and avoid unsupported automated decision-making.
| GDPR workflow area | What to check in Eploy | What to check in Workable | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data processing agreement | Confirm DPA terms, subprocessors, and international transfer safeguards | Confirm DPA terms, subprocessors, and international transfer safeguards | Vendor paperwork must match your hiring process |
| Candidate retention | Check whether retention rules can be automated by role, region, or status | Check whether retention rules can be automated by role, region, or status | Manual cleanup becomes risky at high applicant volume |
| Deletion and access requests | Verify export, delete, and audit workflows before rollout | Verify export, delete, and audit workflows before rollout | Candidates can request access or deletion of personal data |
| Screening explainability | Confirm how notes, scores, and rejection reasons are recorded | Confirm how notes, scores, and rejection reasons are recorded | Recruiters need defensible reasons for shortlist decisions |
| AI-assisted screening | Keep a human review step and document the rubric used | Keep a human review step and document the rubric used | Avoid treating automated scores as final hiring decisions |
If your main compliance risk is explaining why candidates were shortlisted or rejected, the ATS comparison should include the screening layer as well as the applicant database. A clear rubric, human review, and auditable notes are often more important than the brand name of the ATS.
- Ask for the DPA and subprocessor list before signing.
- Test candidate deletion and export workflows during trial or onboarding.
- Document the screening rubric used for each role.
- Keep human review in the loop for AI-assisted ranking or bucketing.
TL;DR Summary
Eploy is best suited for UK public sector and enterprise-level recruitment, offering robust compliance features and local integrations. Workable excels in providing a user-friendly experience for mid-market companies with global reach. Choose Eploy if your focus is on local compliance and enterprise needs; opt for Workable for a seamless, scalable solution with international capabilities. Both offer unique advantages depending on your recruitment strategy and business size, ensuring efficient talent acquisition processes for different organisational needs.
Here’s a quick at-a-glance comparison to guide your decision-making process:
| Feature | Eploy | Workable |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | UK public sector and enterprises | Mid-market companies globally |
| Starting price | £Yes | £Yes |
| UK GDPR compliance | Yes | Yes |
| UK job boards | Yes | Partial |
| AI screening | Partial | Yes |
| Support timezone | UK business hours | 24/7 support |
Company Overview
Eploy was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Kidderminster, UK. It has established itself as a significant player in the UK recruitment market, particularly within the public sector and large enterprises. Eploy’s ATS is known for its comprehensive compliance features and integration capabilities with local job boards, making it a preferred choice for organisations seeking tailored solutions for the UK market.
Workable was founded in 2012 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts, with a strong presence in Athens, Greece. It caters to mid-market companies worldwide, offering a scalable solution that supports international recruitment efforts. Workable is renowned for its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set, which includes AI-driven screening and a wide array of global job board integrations. Its versatility makes it suitable for businesses looking to streamline their hiring processes across different regions.
Detailed Feature Comparison
CV Parsing and Screening: Eploy offers basic CV parsing capabilities, focusing on accuracy and compliance, particularly for UK-centric roles. Workable, on the other hand, provides advanced AI-driven screening tools that automate candidate shortlisting, making it highly efficient for companies dealing with high volumes of applications.
AI/Automation Features: Workable stands out with its robust AI and automation features, such as automated candidate sourcing and predictive analytics. Eploy’s automation is more focused on compliance and workflow management, aligning with the needs of public sector recruitment.
Integrations: Eploy integrates seamlessly with UK-specific job boards, offering a strategic advantage for local recruitment campaigns. Workable provides broader integration capabilities, supporting a wide range of international job boards, which is ideal for companies with global recruitment needs.
Reporting and Analytics: Both platforms offer comprehensive reporting tools. Eploy provides detailed compliance and diversity reporting, whereas Workable offers customizable dashboards that cater to a variety of recruitment metrics and KPIs.
Collaboration Features: Collaboration is a strong suit for both platforms. Eploy focuses on workflow management and team collaboration within the UK context. Workable offers a more global approach with features like real-time team feedback and interview scheduling, which are beneficial for dispersed teams.
Pricing Comparison
Eploy and Workable offer distinct pricing models that cater to different business needs. Eploy’s pricing is typically tailored to large enterprises and public sector organisations, with quotes provided based on specific requirements, making it ideal for businesses needing extensive customisation and compliance features.
Workable offers a more straightforward pricing structure, often based on a per-seat model. This approach is advantageous for mid-market companies looking for scalability without committing to large upfront costs. Workable also provides a free trial period, allowing potential users to explore its features before committing.
For a team of 10 users, Workable's per-seat pricing may result in a more predictable cost, while Eploy’s customised pricing will depend on the specific needs and integrations required by the organisation.
User Experience
Both Eploy and Workable are designed with user experience in mind, though they cater to different preferences and needs.
Ease of Setup: Workable is known for its quick setup process, allowing teams to start hiring without delay. Eploy’s setup may require more time due to its customisation options, which are beneficial for larger organisations.
Learning Curve: Workable offers an intuitive interface with a gentle learning curve, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise. Eploy, while feature-rich, may require additional training to fully leverage its capabilities.
Interface Design: Both platforms boast modern, user-friendly designs, but Workable’s interface is often praised for its simplicity and ease of navigation.
Mobile Access: Workable provides robust mobile access, ensuring recruiters can manage their tasks on the go. Eploy’s mobile features are comprehensive but may be more suited to specific workflows and organisational needs.
Who Should Choose Eploy
Eploy is an excellent choice for UK-based enterprises and public sector organisations that require a compliant, feature-rich ATS tailored to local needs. It is particularly suitable for teams that need extensive customisation and integration with UK job boards and compliance frameworks. If your organisation prioritises detailed compliance reporting and works within strict regulatory environments, Eploy offers the tools necessary to ensure seamless operations. Budget-wise, Eploy is best suited for larger teams that can invest in a more tailored solution. Additionally, organisations needing specialised workflow management and collaboration features will find Eploy to be a robust option.
Consider Eploy if: - You operate in the UK public sector or require strict compliance. - Your focus is on integrating with local job boards. - You need a tailored solution for large teams.
Who Should Choose Workable
Workable is ideal for mid-sized companies seeking a scalable, user-friendly ATS with a global presence. It suits organisations with dynamic recruitment needs that require AI-driven screening and automation features. Workable’s straightforward pricing and ease of use make it accessible for teams looking to quickly implement a robust recruitment solution without extensive training. Its global job board integrations are beneficial for companies targeting international talent. If your organisation values flexibility, scalability, and a seamless user experience, Workable is a strong contender.
Consider Workable if: - You are a mid-market company with global hiring needs. - You prefer a user-friendly interface with strong AI features. - You need a scalable solution with predictable pricing.
Eploy vs Workable FAQs
Looking for an alternative to both?
If neither option fits your needs, Marxel offers AI-powered CV screening built specifically for UK/EU businesses with native GDPR compliance.
Learn more about Marxel