Bullhorn CRM logo

Happlicant vs Bullhorn: Which software is best?

Is Happlicant a good alternative to Bullhorn? We've compared both platforms to help you decide which is right for you.

CRM overall score

95%

ATS overall score

98%

Candidate sourcing score

90%

-Quick takeaway

Is Happlicant a good alternative to Bullhorn?

If you’re a solo recruiter or small agency, Happlicant may well be a more focused, modern and affordable alternative to Bullhorn. While Bullhorn is a powerful CRM for staffing agencies at scale, it’s also complex, expensive, and often better suited for larger teams with internal tech support. Independent recruiters often find it bloated for their actual workflow needs.

In contrast, Happlicant strips away the clutter, offering recruitment agency software designed specifically for solo operators and lean teams. You still get the essentials—ATS + CRM, job tracking, client collaboration, and automations—but without the corporate weight or pricing.

If you're looking for software for independent recruiters that helps you move faster and feel more in control, Happlicant is a refreshing, modern Bullhorn alternative.

Given Happlicant doesn't charge per user, it's perfect for smaller, growing staffing firms that need a powerful yet affordable solution.

-Overview

What is Bullhorn and is Happlicant a good alternative?

Bullhorn is a cloud-based ATS and CRM platform that’s been a powerhouse in the staffing world for over 25 years, serving more than 10,000 recruitment agencies globally.

It offers end-to-end functionality—job posting, resume parsing, candidate sourcing, client relationship management, reporting, and a suite of integrations and automation tools.

Designed to scale from small teams to large enterprises, Bullhorn boasts advanced features like AI‑powered search and customizable pipelines.

Its depth and flexibility make it a go-to choice for mid‑size and enterprise teams, but solo recruiters and smaller firms often find the platform more complex, slower, and pricier than necessary.

Quirks like slow loading, a steep learning curve, inconsistent parsing results, and limited support loom large in user feedback.

-Look & feel

What is Bullhorn's user interface like?

How does Bullhorn platform look and feel compared to Happlicant's?

Bullhorn CRM logo

Bullhorn: A powerful ATS & CRM for firms with big budgets—but is it practical for solo recruiters and small agencies?

-Who's it for?

Who are Happlicant and Bullhorn designed for?

What type of recruiters typically uses each software?

Bullhorn CRM logo

Bullhorn primarily targets staffing agencies and internal recruiting teams sized from small to enterprise.

While it supports solo recruiters and small agencies, many users note it’s optimized for operations with multiple users and high volume.

Independent recruiters may find Bullhorn’s power—with its heavy customization options, multiple modules, and deep CRM features—overkill and less cost-effective compared to lighter-weight solutions.

Many reviewers claim there's a steep learning curve, which might suit larger teams more than solo recruiters looking to get up and running in no time.

Happlicant is purpose-built for solo recruiters and small recruitment agencies who want powerful tools without the overhead of bloated enterprise software.

Unlike traditional platforms designed for large teams, Happlicant strips away the complexity and clutter to focus on the workflows that actually matter to independent recruiters—fast sourcing, client collaboration, candidate tracking, and easy automation.

With modern UX, lightweight setup, and relevant features, Happlicant offers the perfect balance of power and simplicity for recruiters who need tools that work with them, not against them.

-Why Happlicant?

3 key reasons to choose Happlicant over Bullhorn

What are the most common reasons Happlicant's customers switch from Bullhorn to Happlicant?

1

Designed for solo & small teams:

Happlicant delivers CRM + ATS simplicity and speed with zero excess complexity. The platform is perfect for one-person recruiters and lean staffing firms who have no time to waste.

2

Customer support & onboarding

Many describe Bullhorn's customer service as poor. As Bullhorn focuses on larger agencies, solo recruiters often find it hard to get support they need, which is not the case at Happlicant.

3

Happlicant is more affordable than Bullhorn

While Bullhorn can cost between $110 and $330 per user each month—plus setup fees—Happlicant is a fraction of the cost. Even better, we have a fixed total price that doesn't increase as you grow.

-Feature-by-feature comparison

Full comparison between Happlicant and Bullhorn

Analyzing features side by side, which is the best CRM for independent recruiters?

Feature

Happlicant

Bullhorn

CRM + ATS in one

Chrome sourcing extension

Fast, accurate & well structured resume parsing

⚠️ (parsing issues reported)

AI resume auto reformatter

Advanced filtering & intuitive search

Modern user interface

⚠️ (outdated)

Custom fields & workflows

Reporting & analytics dashboards

Integrated client portals

Email sync + mass outreach

🚧 (Coming soon!)

Affordable, group-bundled pricing

Tailor the software to your needs

⚠️ (limited)

Free data migration

Want to see Happlicant in action?

Crelate’s deep feature set, extensive integrations, and search power can be compelling for larger teams—but its complexity often leads to slow load times, workflow friction, and long onboarding periods.

Solo recruiters and boutique agencies need tools that are fast, intuitive, and affordable—without hidden fees or wasted clicks.

Happlicant was built specifically to streamline recruiting workflows: razor-sharp parsing, clean interface, and modern automation without the bloat.

👉 Book a free Happlicant demo to experience how easily our CRM+ATS fits your workflow and budget—no confusing setup, no surprise charges.

Get a demo with Chris Allen, Happlicant's co-founder

Get a demo with Chris Allen, Happlicant's co-founder

-Pricing breakdown

Pricing comparison: Bullhorn vs. Happlicant

How does Bullhorn's pricing compare to Happlicant's pricing?

Last reviewed: June 22, 2025

Bullhorn CRM logo

Per-user licensing:

  • Startup/Team plans: starts around $95–$110/user/month

  • Mid-tier / Corporate: ranges from $150 to $250/user/month

  • Enterprise: can reach $300+/user/month depending on add‑ons and support tiers

Setup & implementation fees: Typical setup and migration range from $5k to $25k

Add-on costs: Advanced integrations, LinkedIn sync, reporting extensions, etc., often require higher-tier plans or extra fees.

Free trial: Free trial available

Consult Bullhorn's website for more info.

Estimated Bullhorn pricing:

Min: $99+/user/month
Max: $315+/user/month

2 tiers:

  • 1-3 users: $45/month per month for up to 3 users

  • 4+ users: $150/month

  • Prices including a 55% launch discount!

  • IMPORTANT: These are total prices, not per user, like most other providers.

  • Flexibility perks: No long-term contracts, pausable/cancelable anytime, and free credit-card-free trial

  • Free trial: 14-day free trial

Happlicant pricing:

1-3 users: $45/mo (total price)
4+ users $150/mo (unlimited users)

Why pay for extra seats?!

At Happlicant, we understand that sometimes independent recruiters need to take on contractors for time to time. You should have to pay more for your software!

We don't charge you more for an extra pair of hands.

"Happlicant has been a breath of fresh air, it's easy to navigate and flexible enough to adapt certain features that best represent my recruitment style and workflow. Everything feels intentional and recruiter-focused. The support team is responsive, they schedule regular check-ins and are genuinely open to feedback, which makes a huge difference. It feels like it’s built with us, not just for us."

-Leigh W.

-Customer support

Review of Bullhorn's customer support

What do people say about the customer support & onboarding of Bullhorn vs. Happlicant?

Bullhorn CRM logo

Experiences vary. Some long-term customers praise Bullhorn’s dedicated support and account management g2.com, but others describe poor service.

Multiple reviews mention slow response, billing errors, and being bounced to forums instead of getting direct help softwareadvice.com & capterra.com.

One angry user said Bullhorn’s onboarding “failed… we raised over 20 complaints” and was “extremely dissatisfied” capterra.com.

Another simply wrote, “The customer service is horrible – honestly the worst I’ve ever seen.” softwareadvice.com.

Happlicant doesn’t just give you software—we give you real support and real results. Whether you need us to handle the data migration, you're stuck on setup, or just want a second opinion on how to do something, you’ll get fast, thoughtful help.

Because we specialize in solo recruiters and small agencies, you really matter to us. There’s no generic ticketing abyss or outsourced chatbot loop—support is led by people who care deeply about your experience.

Most questions are answered the same day, and customers regularly mention how the team goes above and beyond with proactive ideas, hands-on help, and zero ego.

We want you to feel like you have a partner, not just a vendor.

-Customer reviews

Bullhorn customers' feedback & online reviews

See what Bullhorn customers are saying about its strengths & gaps:

Bullhorn CRM logo

Performance:

Slow loading and lag are frequently mentioned cons. G2 aggregate data shows “Slow Loading” and “Slow Performance” as top complaints g2.com. One startup founder warned Bullhorn is “nightmarishly slow…an absolute dumpster fire” on multiple machines reddit.com. (Some later reviewers report improvements, but speed remains a concern.)

Usability & UI:

The interface is modern, but the rich feature set makes it complex. Beginners often face a steep learning curve capterra.com. Many users find certain processes non-intuitive or multi-stepped, requiring clicks through several screens or even support help capterra.com. Some praise the clean design, but others say the abundance of options can be cumbersome capterra.com.

Search & Data Access:

Search functions are criticized as rigid. Several reviewers note you must often enter full first+last names exactly to find records, and keyword search may not be global g2.com & capterra.com. One user complained they “often have to search by the full name” because partial name or keyword searches fail g2.com. Likewise, filtering reports and building custom queries can be limited g2.com.

Resume Parsing:

Although parsing is built-in, feedback is mixed. Some say it “quickly” extracts candidate info, but others report very poor results. One recruiter said Bullhorn’s parser turned resumes into “one giant wall of text” with lost formatting reddit.com. Inaccuracy here may require manual cleanup.

Customization Limits:

Bullhorn offers custom fields and layouts, but some users hit walls. A healthcare recruiter noted “limitations of using customizations…when it comes to predefined or limited tasks,” hindering flexibility g2.com. G2 data also lists “Limited Customization” among common cons g2.com.

Reporting & Analytics:

Basic reporting (lists, exports) works adequately, but advanced analytics have issues. One user reported Bullhorn implemented the wrong version of its analytics tool, calling it “non-functional” for their team capterra.com. Others mention that custom reports can be tricky to set up. Workarounds are often needed for highly specialized reports.

Integrations & Tools:

Bullhorn integrates with many tools, but there are gaps. As noted, basic plans exclude LinkedIn integration smbguide.com. Some connectors have been unreliable: reviewers report Indeed and custom job-board links frequently break or bill wrongly reddit.com & capterra.com. Similarly, the free Chrome extension itself has mixed reviews (Chrome Store rating ~2.5/5) which may reflect occasional parsing failures.

Mobile & Access:

Bullhorn has a mobile app, but the main UI was not originally optimized for tablets. Some users explicitly mention the interface feels “slow, outdated, and not optimized” on modern devices capterra.com. A few recruiters wish for better on-the-road access.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

-Happlicant's customers

What are recruiters saying about Happlicant?

  • "Pricing is affordable, great for solo recruiters"
  • "Super fast and zero clunkiness"
  • "The interface is nice and modern!"
  • "I'm running my agency with one tool"
  • "Pricing is affordable, great for solo recruiters"
  • "Super fast and zero clunkiness"
  • "The interface is nice and modern!"
  • "I'm running my agency with one tool"
  • "Love working with the team.. they actually listen"
  • "Super fast setup and the support is excellent"
  • "Their Chrome extension has been a game-changer"
  • "Love working with the team.. they actually listen"
  • "Super fast setup and the support is excellent"
  • "Their Chrome extension has been a game-changer"

-Overview

FAQs: Happlicant vs. Bullhorn

How does Happlicant charge users?

Unlike Bullhorn’s per-user pricing, Happlicant uses a flat rate—$45 total for up to 3 users, and $150 for 4+.

At Happlicant, we understand that sometimes independent recruiters need to take on contractors for time to time. You should have to pay more for your software! We don't charge you more for an extra pair of hands.

Is there a long contract with Happlicant?

Nope. Happlicant is month-to-month. Cancel or pause anytime—no lock-in, no surprises.

Can I easily export my Happlicant data if I decide to leave?

Unlike other software vendors, we make it very easy for you to download your data. Just send a message to Support and we’ll export it all for you in a clean and structured format.

How easy is it to get started with Happlicant compared to Bullhorn?

Happlicant takes minutes to get going—no sales hoops or weeks-long onboarding required. Our team is always on hand to help you. We can have as many calls as you need.

Can I migrate from Bullhorn to Happlicant?

Yes! We offer free white-glove migration from Bullhorn, including candidates, clients, and resume extraction.

Which platform updates more often—Happlicant or Bullhorn?

Happlicant releases updates weekly based on user feedback; Bullhorn’s roadmap may feel slower and less responsive to smaller teams.

Disclaimer: All the data found in this review is based on research from Bullhorn's website, popular review sites and interviews with prior customers. Last updated: June 22, 2025.

Stop adapting to software.
Get a CRM & ATS that adapts to
your exact requirements

Stop adapting to software.
Get a CRM & ATS that adapts to
your exact requirements

Stop adapting to software.
Get a CRM & ATS that adapts to
your exact requirements

Stop adapting to software.
Get a CRM & ATS that adapts to
your exact requirements

Browse Happlicant's features

All features
Managing candidates
Publishing jobs
Running the business
Analytics & reporting
User experience
Assessing candidates

Browse Happlicant's features

All features
Managing candidates
Publishing jobs
Running the business
Analytics & reporting
User experience
Assessing candidates

Browse Happlicant's features

All features
Managing candidates
Publishing jobs
Running the business
Analytics & reporting
User experience
Assessing candidates

Browse Happlicant's features

All features
Managing candidates
Publishing jobs
Running the business
Analytics & reporting
User experience
Assessing candidates

-What is Happlicant?

Built to unleash your agency's full potential

Powerful yet flexible software tailored to help recruiters do more without paying more.

1

Placing top candidates

Happlicant is a modern & affordable CRM/ATS with automations, sourcing tools, AI resume parsing, a LinkedIn extension, & so much more.

2

Growing your agency

Win clients and wow them. Track revenue, leads, and relationships, all while keeping them in the loop with real-time updates.

3

Co-creating Happlicant

Join our Pilot Program to co-create features specifically built for agency recruiters. You shape the roadmap—we build what you need.

-What is Happlicant?

Built to unleash your agency's full potential

Powerful yet flexible software tailored to help recruiters do more without paying more.

1

Placing top candidates

Happlicant is a modern & affordable CRM/ATS with automations, sourcing tools, AI resume parsing, a LinkedIn extension, & so much more.

2

Growing your agency

Win clients and wow them. Track revenue, leads, and relationships, all while keeping them in the loop with real-time updates.

3

Co-creating Happlicant

Join our Pilot Program to co-create features specifically built for agency recruiters. You shape the roadmap—we build what you need.

-What is Happlicant?

Built to unleash your agency's full potential

Powerful yet flexible software tailored to help recruiters do more without paying more.

1

Placing top candidates

Happlicant is a modern & affordable CRM/ATS with automations, sourcing tools, AI resume parsing, a LinkedIn extension, & so much more.

2

Growing your agency

Win clients and wow them. Track revenue, leads, and relationships, all while keeping them in the loop with real-time updates.

3

Co-creating Happlicant

Join our Pilot Program to co-create features specifically built for agency recruiters. You shape the roadmap—we build what you need.

-What is Happlicant?

Built to unleash your agency's full potential

Powerful yet flexible software tailored to help recruiters do more without paying more.

1

Placing top candidates

Happlicant is a modern & affordable CRM/ATS with automations, sourcing tools, AI resume parsing, a LinkedIn extension, & so much more.

2

Growing your agency

Win clients and wow them. Track revenue, leads, and relationships, all while keeping them in the loop with real-time updates.

3

Co-creating Happlicant

Join our Pilot Program to co-create features specifically built for agency recruiters. You shape the roadmap—we build what you need.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

Jobs filled this month

9/10

Join our exclusive Pilot Program

We're on a mission to create the best software for agency and solo recruiters. Join our Pilot Program and help shape the tools that will elevate your business.

Handle thousands of applications in a flash

Use custom fields, qualifying questions and assessments to filter out the noise and zero in on top talent. Build custom pipelines, leverage robust analyses and trigger automated emails.

Accurately evaluate with integrated assessments

Automate all the monotonous tasks

Wow candidates & clients simultaneously

Qualifying questions

Custom candidate pipelines

Robust analytics

Smart filtering

Handle thousands of applications in a flash

Use custom fields, qualifying questions and assessments to filter out the noise and zero in on top talent. Build custom pipelines, leverage robust analytics and trigger automated emails.

Qualifying questions

Custom candidate pipelines

Robust analytics

Smart filtering

Accurately evaluate with integrated assessments

Automate all the monotonous tasks

Wow candidates & clients simultaneously

Handle thousands of applications in a flash

Use custom fields, qualifying questions and assessments to filter out the noise and zero in on top talent. Build custom pipelines, leverage robust analytics and trigger automated emails.

Qualifying questions

Custom candidate pipelines

Robust analytics

Smart filtering

Accurately evaluate with integrated assessments

Automate all the monotonous tasks

Wow candidates & clients simultaneously

Handle thousands of applications in a flash

Use custom fields, qualifying questions and assessments to filter out the noise and zero in on top talent. Build custom pipelines, leverage robust analyses and trigger automated emails.

Accurately evaluate with integrated assessments

Automate all the monotonous tasks

Wow candidates & clients simultaneously

Qualifying questions

Custom candidate pipelines

Robust analytics

Smart filtering

-Who we serve

Calling all agency & solo recruiters

Happlicant elevates your recruitment business with tailored tools to effortlessly manage candidates, clients, and your admin.

Recruitment agencies

Happlicant helps recruiting firms streamline workflows, automate admin, and place top talent faster—so you can scale without the chaos.

Independent recruiters

Stay organized, impress clients, and manage your pipeline with ease. Happlicant gives solo recruiters big-firm power without the overhead.

RPO partners

Seamlessly manage the entire hiring process for your clients with automation, collaboration tools, and branded experiences—all in one tool.

Boutique recruiters

Whatever your niche, Happlicant’s customizable tools let you source, assess, and place top talent with ease—all on one platform.

Executive search firms

Handle complex, high-stakes searches with a system built for executive sourcing, relationship nurturing, and client reporting.

Temp staffing agencies

Rapid placements, automated workflows, and easy tracking—our software keeps your staffing business running at full speed.

-Who we serve

Calling all agency & solo recruiters

Happlicant elevates your recruitment business with tailored tools to effortlessly manage candidates, clients, and your admin.

Recruitment agencies

Happlicant helps recruiting firms streamline workflows, automate admin, and place top talent faster—so you can scale without the chaos.

Independent recruiters

Stay organized, impress clients, and manage your pipeline with ease. Happlicant gives solo recruiters big-firm power without the overhead.

RPO partners

Seamlessly manage the entire hiring process for your clients with automation, collaboration tools, and branded experiences—all in one tool.

Boutique recruiters

Whatever your niche, Happlicant’s customizable tools let you source, assess, and place top talent with ease—all on one platform.

Executive search firms

Handle complex, high-stakes searches with a system built for executive sourcing, relationship nurturing, and client reporting.

Temp staffing agencies

Rapid placements, automated workflows, and easy tracking—our software keeps your staffing business running at full speed.

-Who we serve

Calling all agency & solo recruiters

Happlicant elevates your recruitment business with tailored tools to effortlessly manage candidates, clients, and your admin.

Recruitment agencies

Happlicant helps recruiting firms streamline workflows, automate admin, and place top talent faster—so you can scale without the chaos.

Independent recruiters

Stay organized, impress clients, and manage your pipeline with ease. Happlicant gives solo recruiters big-firm power without the overhead.

RPO partners

Seamlessly manage the entire hiring process for your clients with automation, collaboration tools, and branded experiences—all in one tool.

Boutique recruiters

Whatever your niche, Happlicant’s customizable tools let you source, assess, and place top talent with ease—all on one platform.

Executive search firms

Handle complex, high-stakes searches with a system built for executive sourcing, relationship nurturing, and client reporting.

Temp staffing agencies

Rapid placements, automated workflows, and easy tracking—our software keeps your staffing business running at full speed.

-Who we serve

Calling all agency & solo recruiters

Happlicant elevates your recruitment business with tailored tools to effortlessly manage candidates, clients, and your admin.

Recruitment agencies

Happlicant helps recruiting firms streamline workflows, automate admin, and place top talent faster—so you can scale without the chaos.

Independent recruiters

Stay organized, impress clients, and manage your pipeline with ease. Happlicant gives solo recruiters big-firm power without the overhead.

RPO partners

Seamlessly manage the entire hiring process for your clients with automation, collaboration tools, and branded experiences—all in one tool.

Boutique recruiters

Whatever your niche, Happlicant’s customizable tools let you source, assess, and place top talent with ease—all on one platform.

Executive search firms

Handle complex, high-stakes searches with a system built for executive sourcing, relationship nurturing, and client reporting.

Temp staffing agencies

Rapid placements, automated workflows, and easy tracking—our software keeps your staffing business running at full speed.

Unlike other software providers, we embrace your quirks. We try to understand every nook and cranny of your business to build the perfect solution for you

Unlike other software providers, we embrace your quirks. We try to understand every nook and cranny of your business to build the perfect solution for you

Unlike other software providers, we embrace your quirks. We try to understand every nook and cranny of your business to build the perfect solution for you

Unlike other software providers, we embrace your quirks. We try to understand every nook and cranny of your business to build the perfect solution for you

Overall percentile: 96th

No strings attached

Take advantage of our Pilot Program to tailor the perfect hiring solution for your needs.

Overall percentile: 96th

No strings attached

Take advantage of our Pilot Program to tailor the perfect hiring solution for your needs.

Overall percentile: 96th

No strings attached

Take advantage of our Pilot Program to tailor the perfect hiring solution for your needs.

Overall percentile: 96th

No strings attached

Take advantage of our Pilot Program to tailor the perfect hiring solution for your needs.