Lever Alternative: Best Options for Small Teams in 2026

Lever is a powerful talent acquisition suite—but it's not right for everyone. If you're a small team struggling with Lever's enterprise pricing, complex features, or lengthy sales process, you're not alone. Many small businesses are looking for a Lever alternative that fits their actual needs.

In this guide, we'll compare the 7 best Lever alternatives for small teams in 2026, breaking down features, pricing, and ideal use cases. Whether you're a startup, small business, or growing company, there's an ATS that fits your budget and complexity needs.

#Why Look for a Lever Alternative?

Lever is a combined ATS + CRM platform designed for mid-to-large companies with dedicated recruiting teams. It's packed with features—but those features come at a cost:

Common reasons teams switch from Lever:

• Price: Lever starts at ~$3,500/year and scales up quickly. Most small teams don't need—or can't afford—enterprise pricing
• Complexity: Combined ATS + CRM functionality is overkill for teams who simply need to track applicants
• Sales process: No transparent pricing, annual contracts required, weeks of implementation
• Feature bloat: CRM features, advanced analytics, and sourcing tools go unused by small teams
• No monthly billing: Annual commitments aren't practical for startups or seasonal hiring

What small teams actually need:

• Simple job posting and application tracking
• Easy candidate pipeline management
• Basic team collaboration
• Email communication tools
• Affordable, flexible pricing

Let's look at the best alternatives.

#Quick Comparison: Top Lever Alternatives

#1. JuggleHire - Best for Small Teams

Best for: Small businesses, startups, and teams currently using spreadsheets or Google Forms

JuggleHire is purpose-built for small teams who need professional hiring tools without enterprise complexity. If you're moving from spreadsheets, Google Forms, or manual processes, JuggleHire is the natural next step.

#Why JuggleHire is the Best Lever Alternative for Small Teams

The core difference: While Lever combines ATS + CRM features for companies doing proactive sourcing, JuggleHire focuses purely on applicant tracking for companies receiving inbound applications. For most small businesses, this is exactly what you need.

#Key Features

• Visual Kanban pipeline: Drag-and-drop candidates through customizable stages
• Custom application forms: Create branded job application forms as easily as Google Forms
• Team collaboration: Unlimited team members with shared notes, ratings, and candidate assignments
• Email templates: Save and reuse templates for every scenario (rejection, interview invites, offers)
• CSV import: Easily migrate existing candidate data from spreadsheets or other systems
• Interview scheduling: Google Calendar and Google Meet integration
• Talent pool: Save past candidates for future opportunities
• Multi-language support: English, Portuguese, Arabic (RTL)

#Pricing

• Starter: $19/month ($12/month annually) - 3 active jobs
• Professional: $49/month ($29/month annually) - 5 active jobs
• Scale: $99/month ($59/month annually) - Unlimited jobs

Free 14-day trial, no credit card required.

#JuggleHire vs Lever

Bottom line: JuggleHire delivers the essential features small teams need at 1/15th the cost of Lever. If you're not proactively sourcing passive candidates or running nurture campaigns, JuggleHire gives you everything you need without paying for features you won't use.

Try JuggleHire free for 14 days →

For a detailed comparison, see our JuggleHire vs Lever guide.

#2. Greenhouse - Best for Structured Hiring

Best for: Growing companies (50-500 employees) who want structured, data-driven hiring

Greenhouse is a robust ATS focused on structured hiring practices. It's a step down from Lever in CRM capabilities but offers strong interview planning and bias-reduction features.

#Key Features

• Structured interview kits and scorecards
• Strong analytics and reporting
• 400+ integrations
• DEI/anti-bias features
• Job board posting

#Pricing

• Starts around $6,000-$8,000/year
• Custom pricing based on company size
• Annual contracts required

#Greenhouse vs Lever

Greenhouse focuses on ATS functionality without Lever's CRM features. Better for companies who want structure but don't need candidate nurturing.

Best for: Companies that prioritize structured interviews and reducing bias, with budget for enterprise pricing.

#3. Workable - Best All-in-One Solution

Best for: Mid-size teams who want recruiting, sourcing, and HR in one platform

Workable combines ATS, sourcing, and basic HR features. It's more comprehensive than JuggleHire but less complex than Lever.

#Key Features

• AI-powered candidate sourcing
• Job board posting to 200+ sites
• Video interviews built-in
• Offer management and e-signatures
• Basic onboarding features

#Pricing

• Starter: $149/month for up to 20 employees
• Standard: Custom pricing
• Premier: Custom pricing

#Workable vs Lever

Workable offers a more streamlined experience than Lever at a lower price point. Good middle-ground for teams who want more than basic ATS but less than full CRM.

Best for: Teams who want sourcing and HR features bundled together.

#4. BreezyHR - Best Free Option

Best for: Small teams who want a free tier to start

BreezyHR offers a free tier that's genuinely useful for small teams, making it a great Lever alternative for budget-conscious companies.

#Key Features

• Free tier with basic features
• Visual pipeline management
• Email and SMS communication
• Job board posting
• Customizable career sites

#Pricing

• Bootstrap (Free): 1 position, basic features
• Startup: $157/month for unlimited positions
• Growth: $273/month with advanced features
• Business: $439/month with full features

#BreezyHR vs Lever

BreezyHR is dramatically simpler and cheaper than Lever. The free tier lets you try before committing. Good for teams who want to start free and scale up.

Best for: Budget-conscious teams who want to start with a free tier.

#5. JazzHR - Best Value for SMBs

Best for: Small-to-medium businesses who need good features at a low price

JazzHR is a long-standing SMB-focused ATS that offers solid functionality at competitive pricing.

#Key Features

• Customizable workflows
• Job syndication to multiple boards
• Interview scheduling
• Offer letters and e-signatures
• Compliance reporting

#Pricing

• Hero: $75/month - 3 open jobs
• Plus: $269/month - unlimited jobs
• Pro: $420/month - advanced features

#JazzHR vs Lever

JazzHR offers much better value for SMBs than Lever, though it lacks the modern interface and CRM capabilities. Good for companies who prioritize function over form.

Best for: SMBs who want proven features at a reasonable price.

#6. Recruitee - Best for Collaborative Teams

Best for: Teams where hiring is a group effort across departments

Recruitee emphasizes collaborative hiring, making it easy to involve hiring managers and team members in the process.

#Key Features

• Collaborative evaluation tools
• Career site builder
• CRM pipeline (basic)
• Automated actions
• Analytics dashboard

#Pricing

• Launch: €199/month (~$215/month)
• Scale: €311/month (~$335/month)
• Lead: Custom pricing

#Recruitee vs Lever

Recruitee offers some CRM features like Lever but at a lower price point. Good for European companies or teams prioritizing collaboration.

Best for: Teams who involve many stakeholders in hiring decisions.

#7. Zoho Recruit - Best for Zoho Users

Best for: Companies already using the Zoho ecosystem

Zoho Recruit integrates seamlessly with other Zoho products, making it ideal for existing Zoho users.

#Key Features

• Deep Zoho integration (CRM, People, etc.)
• Resume parsing
• Job board posting
• Candidate portals
• Staffing agency features

#Pricing

• Free: 1 active job
• Standard: $25/user/month
• Professional: $50/user/month
• Enterprise: $75/user/month

#Zoho Recruit vs Lever

Zoho Recruit is much more affordable than Lever and offers good integration with the Zoho ecosystem. Less polished than dedicated ATS platforms.

Best for: Companies already invested in Zoho products.

#Feature-by-Feature Comparison

#Job Posting & Distribution

#Candidate Pipeline

#Team Collaboration

#Pricing Comparison (Annual)

#How to Migrate from Lever

If you're switching from Lever to another platform, here's how to make the transition smooth:

#Step 1: Export Your Data from Lever

1. Go to Settings > Data Management
2. Export candidates, jobs, and activity history
3. Download as CSV files

#Step 2: Clean and Organize Your Data

Before importing to a new system:

• Remove duplicate candidates
• Standardize data formats (dates, phone numbers, etc.)
• Decide which historical data you actually need

#Step 3: Import to Your New Platform

Most modern ATS platforms support CSV import. For example, JuggleHire's CSV import lets you:

• Map your Lever fields to JuggleHire fields
• Import candidate profiles with all relevant data
• Organize imported candidates into your talent pool
• Preserve notes and key information

#Step 4: Set Up Your New Workflow

• Create custom pipeline stages
• Set up email templates
• Invite your team members
• Test with a sample job before going live

#Step 5: Communicate the Change

Let your team know about the switch and provide any necessary training. Most Lever alternatives are simpler to use, so the learning curve is typically short.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#What's the best Lever alternative for small businesses?

For small businesses (10-50 employees), JuggleHire is the best Lever alternative. It offers essential ATS features at 1/15th the cost, with 10-minute setup instead of weeks of implementation. You get job posting, candidate tracking, team collaboration, and email templates without paying for CRM features you won't use.

#Can I import my data from Lever to another ATS?

Yes. Export your candidates and jobs from Lever as CSV files, then use the CSV import feature in your new ATS. JuggleHire and most other platforms support easy data migration.

#What features will I lose switching from Lever?

The main features you'll lose are:

• CRM/candidate nurturing capabilities
• Advanced sourcing tools
• Automated job board posting (in some alternatives)
• Enterprise-level analytics

For small teams, these features are rarely used, making the switch worth the significant cost savings.

#How long does it take to switch from Lever?

Switching to a simpler platform like JuggleHire takes days, not weeks:

• Export data from Lever: 1 day
• Import and set up new platform: 1-2 days
• Team training: 1 day (most platforms are intuitive)

Compare this to Lever's 1-4 week implementation process.

#Is Lever worth the cost for small teams?

Generally, no. Lever's starting price of ~$3,500/year makes sense for companies who:

• Actively source passive candidates
• Need CRM and nurture campaigns
• Hire 30+ people per year
• Have dedicated recruiters

For small teams receiving inbound applications, simpler alternatives like JuggleHire provide better value.

#Conclusion: Which Lever Alternative is Right for You?

Choose JuggleHire if you're a small business (10-50 employees) who needs simple, affordable applicant tracking. Best for teams moving from spreadsheets or Google Forms. Try JuggleHire free →

Choose Greenhouse if you're a growing company (50-500 employees) who wants structured hiring with strong analytics and has enterprise budget.

Choose Workable if you want an all-in-one solution with sourcing, ATS, and basic HR features in one platform.

Choose BreezyHR if you want to start with a free tier and scale up as needed.

Choose JazzHR if you're an SMB looking for proven features at a competitive price.

Choose Recruitee if collaborative hiring across departments is your top priority.

Choose Zoho Recruit if you're already using Zoho products and want tight integration.

Ready to switch from Lever? JuggleHire makes it easy to migrate your candidates with CSV import, set up in minutes instead of weeks, and save thousands per year. Try JuggleHire free for 14 days.

Related Reading:

• JuggleHire vs Lever: Full Comparison
• Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses
• How to Choose the Right Recruitment Software
• Greenhouse Alternatives for Small Teams