LinkedIn Recruiter is a popular tool used by recruiters and talent acquisition teams to source, engage, and manage candidates on LinkedIn. However, the various Recruiter plans and pricing options can be confusing. Here’s a detailed look at what LinkedIn Recruiter costs in 2023, the pricing plans available, features offered, and alternatives to consider.
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Overview of LinkedIn Recruiter Costs
The cost of LinkedIn Recruiter varies significantly based on the specific plan, number of seats/users, and contract length. Here’s a quick overview:
- LinkedIn Recruiter Lite: Starts at $599/year per seat
- LinkedIn Recruiter Professional: Starts at $7,200/year per seat
- LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate: Starts at $17,500/year per seat
- Premium add-ons like Recruiter Learning, Hiring Insights, and Interview Insights cost extra
As you can see, pricing ranges from a few hundred dollars per seat per year for Recruiter Lite to over $17,000 annually for Corporate. Volume discounts are available. Generally, the more seats you buy, the lower the per-seat cost.
Next, let’s look at the three main Recruiter plans in more detail.
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LinkedIn Recruiter Lite Plan and Pricing
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite is the entry-level package. Here are the key details on Recruiter Lite pricing:
- $599 per seat per year on an annual contract
- $69 per seat per month with a monthly contract
- Minimum of 5 seats required
- Volume discounts available:
- 10-24 seats: 10% off
- 25-49 seats: 20% off
- 50+ seats: Contact for a custom quote
- Includes access to Recruiter Learning e-learning content
- Add-ons like Interview Insights available for additional cost
Recruiter Lite is best for small companies or teams doing minimal LinkedIn recruiting. It lacks some advanced capabilities but offers core tools like InMail, project collaboration, and recruiter analytics starting at $599 annually per seat.
Month-to-month contracts are available but more expensive at $69 per month. Overall, Recruiter Lite provides a low-cost way to get started with LinkedIn recruiting.
LinkedIn Recruiter Professional Pricing
LinkedIn Recruiter Professional is the mid-range offering. Here are the Recruiter Professional pricing details:
| Aspect | LinkedIn Recruiter | Recruiter Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Tiered pricing based on company size and needs | More affordable with basic features |
| Plans | Customized plans for larger enterprises | Simplified plan for smaller businesses |
| Costs | Higher costs tailored to advanced functionalities | Lower costs suitable for basic recruiting needs |
| Features | Advanced search filters, InMail credits, analytics | Basic search filters, limited InMail credits |
| Differences | More features, suitable for extensive recruiting | Limited features, ideal for small-scale hiring |
| Alternatives | Other advanced recruiting platforms like Indeed, Glassdoor | Other budget-friendly options like ZipRecruiter |
Recruiter Professional offers significantly more capabilities for talent sourcing, screening, and pipeline management. But with a starting price of $7,200 per seat annually, it’s a bigger investment suited for recruiters and teams managing high volumes of candidates.
Also read: How Much Is LinkedIn Premium in 2023: Pricing & Plans Explained
LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate Pricing
LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate is LinkedIn’s premium, enterprise-level recruiting product. Here are the Recruiter’s Corporate costs:
| Pricing Options | LinkedIn Recruiter |
|---|---|
| Annual Contract | $17,500 per seat per year |
| Monthly Contract | $1,625 per seat per month |
| Multi-Year Discounts | Available |
| Minimum Seats Required | 25 |
| Volume Discounts | |
| 25-49 seats | 10% off |
| 50-99 seats | 20% off |
| 100+ seats | Contact for a custom quote |
| Included Features | All Professional features |
| Additional Features | Talent pools, automated workflows, integration with ATS, etc. |
| Premium Add-Ons | Additional cost for premium add-ons like Hiring Insights |
At $17,500+ per seat annually, Corporate offers advanced automation and integrations tailored for large recruiting teams. Corporate licenses also include access to LinkedIn’s full Talent Insights platform. But it’s a hefty investment suited only for major corporations with large recruiting needs.
In summary, LinkedIn Recruiter pricing starts at the low end with Lite and scales up to the premium Corporate product. Let’s look at the key features you get at each plan level.
Comparison of Features by LinkedIn Recruiter Plan
The features and capabilities you get access to depend on which Recruiter plan you purchase. Here’s an overview of what’s included at each tier:
| Features | LinkedIn Recruiter Lite | LinkedIn Recruiter Professional | LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recruiter Profile Branding | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Basic Boolean Search | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| InMail Messages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Project Collaboration | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recruiter Analytics | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recruiter Learning E-Learning Access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Boolean Search | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Opening and Contact Data | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Custom Workflow creation | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Candidate Comparison | ✓ | ✓ | |
| TeamLink Connectivity | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Compliance Tools | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Interview Scheduling | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Automated Search Alerts | ✓ | ||
| Automated Candidate Nurturing | ✓ | ||
| Talent Pool Management | ✓ | ||
| Recruiter Activity Analytics | ✓ | ||
| Proprietary MATCH Scoring | ✓ | ||
| Deep ATS Integrations | ✓ | ||
| Hiring Insights Analytics | ✓ |
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite Features:
- Recruiter Profile Branding
- Basic Boolean Search
- InMail Messages
- Project Collaboration
- Recruiter Analytics
- Recruiter Learning E-Learning Access
LinkedIn Recruiter Professional Features:
- All Lite Features
- Advanced Boolean Search
- Opening and Contact Data
- Custom Workflow creation
- Candidate Comparison
- TeamLink Connectivity
- Compliance Tools
- Interview Scheduling
LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate Features:
- All Professional Features
- Automated Search Alerts
- Automated Candidate Nurturing
- Talent Pool Management
- Recruiter Activity Analytics
- Proprietary MATCH Scoring
- Deep ATS Integrations
- Hiring Insights Analytics
As you move up the tiers, you gain more sophisticated tools for sourcing, screening, and pipeline management. Corporate offers the most automation, customization, and data integration capabilities.
Next, let’s discuss the key differences between Recruiter Lite and Recruiter Professional/Corporate.
Recruiter Lite vs Professional/Corporate: Key Differences
If you’re evaluating Recruiter Lite vs Professional or Corporate, what are the major differences? Here are some of the core capabilities you only get with the Professional and Corporate tiers:
| Core Capabilities | LinkedIn Recruiter Professional | LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Candidate Search and Sourcing | More precise Boolean search, automated alerts, talent pool organization, etc. | More precise Boolean search, automated alerts, talent pool organization, etc. |
| Customized Workflows | Tailor workflows, smart lists, tags, screens, etc. for your process. | Tailor workflows, smart lists, tags, screens, etc. for your process. |
| Candidate Management | Tools like candidate comparison, tracking, custom status fields, compliance, etc. | Tools like candidate comparison, tracking, custom status fields, compliance, etc. |
| ATS Integrations | Tight integrations with leading ATS platforms. | Tight integrations with leading ATS platforms. |
| Analytics and Reporting | Recruiter activity tracking, talent pool analytics, hiring insights reporting. | Recruiter activity tracking, talent pool analytics, hiring insights reporting. |
| Automation | Auto-nurturing of prospects, bulk communications, scheduling assistance. | Auto-nurturing of prospects, bulk communications, scheduling assistance. |
| Tradeoff with Recruiter Lite | Lacks advanced sourcing and automation capabilities needed by larger teams. | Lacks advanced sourcing and automation capabilities needed by larger teams. |
| Suitable for | Ideal for more extensive LinkedIn recruiting needs. | Ideal for more extensive LinkedIn recruiting needs. |
The main tradeoff with Recruiter Lite is it lacks the advanced sourcing and automation capabilities larger recruiting teams need. Lite is best for limited LinkedIn recruiting.
- Advanced Candidate Search and Sourcing – More precise Boolean search, automated alerts, talent pool organization, etc.
- Customized Workflows – Tailor workflows, smart lists, tags, screens, etc. for your process.
- Candidate Management – Tools like candidate comparison, tracking, custom status fields, compliance, etc.
- ATS Integrations – Tight integrations with leading ATS platforms.
- Analytics and Reporting – Recruiter activity tracking, talent pool analytics, hiring insights reporting.
- Automation – Auto-nurturing of prospects, bulk communications, scheduling assistance.
The main tradeoff with Recruiter Lite is it lacks the advanced sourcing and automation capabilities larger recruiting teams need. Lite is best for limited LinkedIn recruiting.
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When Does it Make Sense to Pay for a LinkedIn Recruiter?
Trying to decide if LinkedIn Recruiter is worth the investment? Here are some scenarios where paying for it makes the most sense:
- You have a high recruiting volume and need an optimized workflow.
- Your team needs to source candidates directly instead of waiting for applications.
- You want tight integration between LinkedIn and your ATS or HR systems.
- Stakeholders at your company require recruiting data and analytics.
- Your existing process involves lots of manual searching, messaging, and tracking.
- You want to implement automation for recruitment marketing and nurturing.
- Your team needs advanced compliance tools and audit trails.
For recruiters and Talent Acquisition teams that meet several of those criteria, the time and efficiency gains from LinkedIn Recruiter usually outweigh the subscription cost. But for individual recruiters or small teams managing minimal LinkedIn outreach, the free tools may be sufficient.
Alternatives to Lower LinkedIn Recruiting Costs
If the pricing for LinkedIn Recruiter doesn’t fit your budget, what are some alternatives? Here are a few options to consider:
Utilize LinkedIn’s Free Tools – You can do quite a bit of LinkedIn sourcing and outreach without paying for Recruiter including using search filters, joining groups, following companies, sending connection requests, using 2nd degree connections, and sending limited InMails.
Use Boolean Search Plugins – Browser plugins like Recruitee and SeekOut provide advanced LinkedIn search capabilities for free.
Look at Lower Cost Recruiting Tools – Tools like RecruitHunter offer some recruiting automation at a lower price point.
Leverage ATS Capabilities – Many modern applicant tracking systems now include some level of candidate sourcing and outreach tools you may be able to utilize.
Use Freemium Tools Carefully – “Freemium” tools like Linked Helper offer a basic free version but require paying to unlock core features. Use carefully to avoid hitting limits.
With the right combination of free tools, techniques, and selective use of paid tools, it’s possible to optimize LinkedIn recruiting performance without the full Recruiter investment. But for larger teams, the combination of automation, customization, and data integration provided by Recruiter is well worth the price.
Current LinkedIn Recruiter Pricing and Plans (2023)
Here is a summary of the current LinkedIn Recruiter pricing and plans as of 2023:
| Plan | Pricing (Annual Contract) | Pricing (Month-to- Month Contract) | Minimum Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| LinkedIn Recruiter Lite | $599 per seat per year | $69 per month per seat | Minimum 5 |
| LinkedIn Recruiter Professional | $7,200 per seat per year | $675 per month per seat | Minimum 10 |
| LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate | $17,500 per seat per year | $1,625 per month per seat | Minimum 25 |
Volume discounts are available on all plans. Contact LinkedIn Sales for details.
| Add-On Products | Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| Recruiter Learning | Available for additional cost |
| Interview Insights | Available for additional cost |
| Hiring Insights | Available for additional cost |
LinkedIn Recruiter Lite
- $599 per seat per year (annual contract)
- $69 per month per seat (month-to-month contract)
- Minimum 5 seats
LinkedIn Recruiter Professional
- $7,200 per seat per year (annual contract)
- $675 per month per seat (month-to-month contract)
- Minimum 10 seats
LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate
- $17,500 per seat per year (annual contract)
- $1,625 per month per seat (month-to-month contract)
- Minimum 25 seats
Volume discounts are available on all plans. Contact LinkedIn Sales for details.
Add-on products like Recruiter Learning, Interview Insights, and Hiring Insights are available for additional cost on top of the base Recruiter plan pricing.\
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The Bottom Line
LinkedIn Recruiter delivers powerful capabilities for sourcing, engaging, and managing candidates directly on LinkedIn. However, the various plans and add-ons can make the costs confusing.
To summarize:
- Recruiter Lite offers core features starting at $600/year per seat.
- Recruiter Professional unlocks more advanced capabilities from $7,200/year per seat.
- Recruiter Corporate provides enterprise-level tools and analytics for $17,500/year per seat.
While the investment may seem high, for recruiters and talent acquisition teams managing high volumes of candidates, the time and efficiency gains usually pay for themselves through reduced time to hire, better quality hires, and improved recruiting performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
What is the cheapest version of LinkedIn Recruiter?
The cheapest version is LinkedIn Recruiter Lite, which starts at $599 per seat per year.
-
Does LinkedIn Recruiter have a free version?
No, all versions of LinkedIn Recruiter require a paid subscription. But LinkedIn does offer free tools that can be used for some basic recruiting functions.
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How much does LinkedIn Recruiter cost for one user?
For one user, LinkedIn Recruiter Lite costs $599/year. The Professional plan costs $7,200/year for one user, and Corporate is $17,500/year.
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Does LinkedIn Recruiter offer monthly pricing?
Yes, LinkedIn Recruiter plans can be paid monthly, but the monthly pricing is higher than annual contracts. For example, Recruiter Lite costs $69/month vs $599/year per seat.
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Is LinkedIn Recruiter worth the money?
For recruiters and teams that need optimized LinkedIn sourcing, messaging, and candidate management, Recruiter is usually worth the investment in time savings and results. However, each organization should evaluate if the costs provide enough value.
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What is the best LinkedIn Recruiter alternative?
Top alternatives include utilizing LinkedIn’s free tools, Boolean search plugins, lower-cost recruiting tools, an ATS, or selectively using “freemium” tools. A combination can optimize results at a lower cost.
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How does LinkedIn Recruiter pricing compare to competitors?
LinkedIn Recruiter is priced competitively when compared to similar all-in-one recruiting tools. Competitors like Recruitics, Entelo, and Beamery offer similar capabilities in the $5,000 to $20,000 per seat per year range.
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Can I negotiate the pricing for LinkedIn Recruiter?
Yes, pricing is negotiable, especially for large contracts with 50+ seats. Contact the LinkedIn sales team to discuss volume discounts and contract terms.
The Bottom Line
While LinkedIn Recruiter requires significant investment, the platform delivers value by enabling recruiters to source, engage, and manage candidates directly within the LinkedIn ecosystem.
Organizations should carefully assess their needs, volume, and existing workflow when determining the appropriate level of Recruiter capabilities and pricing to invest in. But for teams serious about optimizing LinkedIn recruiting results, Recruiter is the clear industry leader in capability and integration.
