Binary is an AI-first ATS that works inside Claude and ChatGPT through MCP, with a free-forever plan. See how it stacks up against 17 other applicant tracking systems on price, free plans, AI agents and MCP. Looking for no-cost options? Read our roundup of the best free ATS for 2026.
Sales-led platforms priced on headcount with annual contracts. Deep configuration, but no free plan and setup measured in weeks.
Enterprise structure and compliance at a custom annual price. Binary is the free-to-start, AI-first pick for startups.
Deep, configurable and AI-rich from $400/mo. Binary gives startups an AI agent and MCP free, with flat plans from $49.
ATS plus sourcing CRM on a custom annual quote; MCP connector still coming soon. Binary includes MCP free.
Self-serve tools for small teams. Most have a free plan or trial; the differences are in job caps, AI and what counts as an add-on.
Broad suite with 200+ job boards from $299/mo; AI sold in credit packs, no MCP. Binary includes both free.
Employer-branding powerhouse with included AI and an MCP, on a quote-based 12-month contract. Binary starts free.
The closest free rival. Dover meters MCP and keeps AI review for $199/mo Premium; Binary includes both on Free.
Deeply customisable, with a one-job free plan and AI from $30 per user. Binary gives unlimited jobs, AI and MCP free.
Loved Kanban pipeline from $157/mo; AI sold as credits and the free plan hides candidates after 30 days.
Proven SMB ATS billed annually from $1,000/yr with 3 postings. No free plan, no AI agent, no MCP.
Collaborative ATS with a great careers editor; quote-only with a one-year minimum, credit-capped AI and an agent in beta.
Gorgeous careers pages, 3–5 job slots and no AI. Binary adds AI screening, unlimited jobs and MCP on Free.
Sourcing-first platform with an AI Sourcing Agent and a newer ATS, priced by headcount with AI per seat. Binary includes AI and a write-capable MCP free.
HRIS and payroll platforms where recruiting is one module. Good if you want one system of record, with a lighter ATS and per-employee pricing.
HR and payroll suite with a quote-only hiring module. Binary is the free, AI-first ATS for Indian startups.
Being discontinued: renewals stopped March 2026, access ends around April 2027. Export your data and migrate.
Strong recruiting AI, but only as a per-employee module on the Rippling platform, with no MCP. Binary stands alone and starts free.
HRIS first, ATS second: $10–$25 per employee and 5–50 job caps. Binary gives unlimited jobs free with an AI agent.
ATS plus client and deal management for recruitment firms, priced per user. Built for placements rather than in-house hiring.
Price, free plan, AI agent and MCP support for each platform, from vendor pricing pages checked October 2026. Binary is the only one with an AI agent and an MCP server on a free plan.
| ATS | Pricing | Free plan | AI agent | MCP server |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free, then from $49/mo flat | Yes, unlimited jobs, candidates and users | Included on every plan | Included on every plan, read and write | |
| Custom quote, annual (est. ~$550/mo) | None | Notetaker and Talent Matching | Yes, open beta, admin-scoped | |
| From $400/mo, annual | None | Yes, credit-based | Yes, beta, limited writes | |
| $299 / $599 / $719 per mo | None | Workable Agent, credit packs | None | |
| Custom quote, annual (est. ~$500/mo) | None | Screening signals and transcripts | Coming soon, read-only | |
| Quote, annual, 12-mo min (est. ~$230/mo) | None | Yes, included, unlimited | Yes, admin-enabled | |
| Free; Premium $199/mo | Yes, unlimited users and jobs | AI review on Premium only | Yes, metered on Free | |
| Quote only (Pro / Advanced) | Trial only | Parsing and match score | None | |
| Free; $30 / $60 per user/mo | Yes, 1 active job | AI on Standard and up | Yes, since July 2026 | |
| Not sold; renewals stopped | Legacy only | None | None | |
| $157 / $273 / $439 per mo, annual | Yes, 30-day candidate window | Breezy Intelligence, credits | None | |
| $1,000 / $3,480 / $5,508 per yr | None, no trial | Candidate matching only | None | |
| Per employee/mo, custom quote | None | Yes, inside Rippling | None | |
| $95 / $135 / $215 per user/mo | None | Yes, credit-metered | Yes, Business tier and up | |
| Quote by company size, 1-yr min | None | Tellent Agent, in beta | None | |
| $10 / $17 / $25 per employee/mo | None | HR assistant only | None | |
| €49 / €109–139 / €195–215 per mo | None | None | None | |
| Custom by FTE; startups from $130/mo yearly | None (6 months free under 30 employees) | Agents for sourcing and review, per AI seat | Yes, GeMCP; read and reports |