Lever vs Workable: Choosing the Right ATS for Your Business
TL;DR
Deciding between Lever and Workable for your applicant tracking system (ATS) needs can be challenging. Both platforms offer unique strengths tailored to different business models. Lever is renowned for its robust features catering to tech-savvy companies and startups, while Workable provides comprehensive solutions appealing to mid-market companies worldwide. This article examines their differences, helping you determine which ATS aligns best with your business requirements.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | Lever | Workable |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Varies by tier | Varies by tier |
| Starting price | Varies | Varies |
| UK GDPR compliance | Partial | Partial |
| UK job boards | Limited | Limited |
| AI CV screening | Varies | Varies |
| UK support hours | Limited | Limited |
Feature availability may vary by plan. Last updated February 2026.
TL;DR Summary
Lever excels in offering a user-friendly interface and powerful integrations for tech companies and startups, while Workable shines with its extensive global reach and support for mid-market businesses. Choose Lever if you're a tech-focused company seeking seamless integrations, and opt for Workable if you need a scalable solution for a larger, diverse workforce with extensive global support. Both offer strong features but cater to different business sizes and needs.
| Feature | Lever | Workable |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Tech companies and startups | Mid-market companies globally |
| Starting price | Yes | Yes |
| UK GDPR compliance | Yes | Yes |
| UK job boards | Yes | Yes |
| AI screening | Yes | Yes |
| Support timezone | Global | Global (24/5) |
Company Overview
Lever was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Francisco. It has carved out a distinctive space in the tech industry, focusing on intuitive design and efficient workflow integrations. Lever's customer base primarily includes tech startups and companies that prioritize seamless integration with their existing tools.
Workable, established in 2012 and based in Boston, has built a strong reputation as a versatile ATS provider. It supports a wide range of mid-market companies across the globe. Known for its robust features and extensive customer list, Workable caters to businesses seeking comprehensive recruitment solutions with a focus on scalability and global reach. Both companies have grown significantly, serving thousands of businesses across various industries, yet they maintain distinct market positions tailored to different customer needs.
Detailed Feature Comparison
CV Parsing and Screening: Lever provides sophisticated CV parsing capabilities, designed to streamline the candidate screening process. It integrates AI to enhance candidate matching, making it ideal for tech companies focused on precision hiring. Workable also offers strong parsing features, with a focus on ease of use across multiple job boards, making it suitable for companies with diverse recruitment needs.
AI/Automation Features: Lever's automation tools are particularly appealing to startups, offering task automation that cuts down on manual processes. Workable, on the other hand, leverages automation for scalability, ensuring that larger teams can manage high volumes of applications efficiently.
Integrations: When it comes to integrations, Lever is known for its seamless connectivity with a variety of tech tools, including popular UK job boards. Workable provides a wide range of integrations too, but its strength lies in global job board partnerships, supporting international recruitment efforts.
Reporting and Analytics: Lever offers detailed analytics, focusing on recruitment metrics that are critical for tech industries. Workable provides comprehensive reports that cater to mid-sized companies needing insights into recruitment trends and performance metrics.
Collaboration Features: Lever excels in offering collaborative features that enhance team communication, a must for agile tech teams. Workable provides robust collaboration tools as well, with a focus on supporting larger teams in maintaining communication across different regions.
Pricing Comparison
Lever and Workable both offer flexible pricing models, albeit with different focuses.
Lever: Known for its tiered pricing structure, Lever does not typically offer a free tier. Pricing is often per seat, which can be more cost-effective for smaller teams. The cost includes access to core features, with additional premium options available for larger teams or specific needs.
Workable: Offers a more scalable pricing model with options for both per-seat and per-job pricing. This flexibility can be advantageous for mid-sized companies that may have fluctuating hiring needs. Workable typically provides a free trial, allowing companies to test its features before committing.
For a 10-person team, Lever might be more cost-effective due to its per-seat pricing, while Workable offers scalability for varying recruitment volumes.
User Experience
Both Lever and Workable are designed with user experience in mind, but they cater to different needs.
Ease of Setup: Lever is praised for its straightforward setup process, making it ideal for tech-savvy teams who want to get started quickly. Workable offers a slightly more complex setup but provides extensive support to guide users.
Learning Curve: Lever's intuitive design minimizes the learning curve, perfect for startups. Workable, while more feature-rich, requires a bit more time to master but offers extensive resources and support.
Interface Design: Both platforms boast clean, user-friendly interfaces, but Lever's design is particularly appealing to tech companies. Workable's interface is designed for functionality, supporting a wider array of features.
Mobile Access: Both ATS platforms provide mobile applications, ensuring recruiters can manage their tasks on the go.
Who Should Choose Lever
Lever is an excellent choice for tech companies and startups that value seamless integration with existing tech stacks and prefer a user-friendly interface. It's particularly suited for teams that prioritize agile workflows and efficient collaboration. If budget is a consideration, Lever's per-seat pricing model can be more economical for smaller teams. Lever's strong focus on integration and automation makes it a standout option for tech-driven recruitment strategies. If your business operates in a fast-paced tech environment and needs a reliable, nimble ATS, Lever is a compelling choice.
| Feature | Lever | Workable |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Tech companies and startups | Mid-market companies globally |
| Starting price | Yes | Yes |
| UK GDPR compliance | Yes | Yes |
| UK job boards | Yes | Yes |
| AI screening | Yes | Yes |
| Support timezone | Global | Global (24/5) |
Who Should Choose Workable
Workable is ideal for mid-market companies seeking a scalable recruitment solution. Its robust feature set supports diverse hiring needs across various industries. Workable is particularly beneficial for businesses with a global presence, thanks to its extensive integration with international job boards and support for multiple languages. The flexible pricing model accommodates varying recruitment volumes, making it suitable for companies with fluctuating hiring needs. If your business requires a comprehensive, scalable ATS that can manage large volumes of applications while providing in-depth analytics, Workable is a strong contender.
| Feature | Lever | Workable |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Tech companies and startups | Mid-market companies globally |
| Starting price | Yes | Yes |
| UK GDPR compliance | Yes | Yes |
| UK job boards | Yes | Yes |
| AI screening | Yes | Yes |
| Support timezone | Global | Global (24/5) |
Lever 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