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Binary vs Workable
Looking for a Workable alternative? Binary is an AI-first ATS with a free plan, flat tiers from $49 a month and MCP included. Workable is a broader ATS and HR suite from $299 a month, with wide job distribution and an AI agent sold as credit packs, and no MCP server.
Last updated October 2026
Side-by-side comparison
Binary
WorkablePrimary target market
Startups and small-to-mid-sized teams that want an AI-first ATS and to start hiring fast without heavy setup.
Small and mid-sized businesses that want extensive sourcing, job distribution and HRMS features in one suite.
Onboarding & setup
Self-serve and instant, so most teams are live and hiring within minutes. Switching mid-contract? The months left on your old ATS become free months on any Binary annual plan, and you can be migrated in 48 hours.
Self-serve to start, but the broader feature set and customisation mean more to configure before you are live.
AI features
An AI-native ATS: an AI agent that screens, searches and reports, AI Skills (saved prompts you call with "/"), AI-generated jobs and forms, custom analytics, daily briefs and a Slack AI agent.
The Workable Agent evaluates, sources and chats about candidates, but it is sold as an add-on in credit packs: $600 for 5,000 credits, with each evaluation costing 1 credit, sourcing 2 and a chat 10. Paid accounts get 3,000 free credits.
MCP & AI agents
A built-in AI agent in the app, plus an MCP server on every plan, including Free. Both have the same read and write actions: screen candidates, import data, create jobs and manage interviews, from inside Binary or from Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, Grok or Cursor.
No MCP server. The Workable Agent works only inside Workable, so you cannot run hiring from Claude or ChatGPT.
Pricing
Flat, public pricing with a free-forever plan: Free / $49 / $149 / $299 a month (billed yearly) for unlimited users, jobs and candidates on every plan, with AI credits included and no per-seat fees.
Standard $299, Premier $599 and Enterprise $719 a month for a 1–20 employee company, billed annually for the top two tiers (Standard saves 20% on annual). Video, SMS and the Workable Agent are paid add-ons. No free plan.
User experience
Fast, modern and minimal, built for speed with keyboard-driven workflows.
Mature and feature-rich, though the depth and customisation come with a steeper learning curve.
Hiring forms
Highly customisable, interactive forms with live widgets and resume autofill, plus rich job descriptions with images and YouTube embeds.
Standard, configurable application forms with assessments and questionnaires.
Video questions
Built-in video questions on any hiring form, on every plan. Candidates record answers in the browser; the AI transcribes and scores them with the resume. The fastest way to cut through AI-written text answers.
One-way video interviews are a paid add-on, sent as a separate step rather than a question on the form.
Candidate screening
AI screening that scores every candidate against your criteria with a reasoning per criterion, plus a superfast review mode with keyboard shortcuts.
Structured screening with scorecards, plus the credit-based Workable Agent to evaluate and shortlist candidates.
Assignments & take-homes
Built-in assignments: send take-home forms individually or in bulk, track submissions and let AI review the answers. 100 a month free, unlimited on Business and up.
Assessments and questionnaires, with video interviews as a paid add-on; no bulk-sent take-home assignments with AI review.
Analytics
AI-powered analytics that let you ask questions of your data and build custom reports.
Solid built-in reporting and hiring analytics across the funnel.
Interview scheduling & feedback
See every interviewer's open slots, schedule or send booking links on Google Calendar, and collect structured feedback. 3 schedules a month free, unlimited on Business.
Built-in scheduling with self-scheduling across Google and Microsoft calendars, plus scorecards and feedback.
Integrations
LinkedIn, Google Calendar, Slack and any MCP client (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor), plus a Slack AI agent that works like an added teammate.
Large integration marketplace and an open API, including Slack notifications.
Job boards
A built-in careers page on every plan, and one-click LinkedIn job posting on the Business plan and up.
One-click posting to a network of over 200 job boards, including premium and niche boards, a core strength.
Sourcing
Sourcing via a Chrome extension that works on LinkedIn and other common websites, and bulk import of candidates into any live job.
Built-in sourcing with a large passive candidate database and outbound email campaigns.
Mobile support
A polished, mobile-optimised experience that includes full access to the AI agent on the go.
Dedicated mobile app for reviewing and managing candidates on the go.
Workable pricing vs Binary pricing
Binary- Free$0
Unlimited jobs, candidates and team members, AI agent, Slack agent, MCP, careers page, candidate messaging, Chrome extension, 3 interview schedules and 100 assignments a month, 30 GB, $1 AI credits a month
- Starter$49/mo
Duplicate detection, basic analytics, admin settings, 10 interview schedules and 1,000 assignments a month, 100 GB, $10 AI credits a month plus add-on credits
- Business$149/mo
LinkedIn job posts, unlimited interview scheduling, interview feedback, unlimited assignments, 500 GB, $25 AI credits a month
- Pro$299/mo
Free data migration, onboarding, early access to new features, priority support, unlimited storage, $100 AI credits a month
Prices per month, billed yearly (save 25%). Monthly billing is $69 / $199 / $399. No per-seat fees on any plan. See full pricing.
WorkableStandard $299, Premier $599 and Enterprise $719 a month for a 1–20 employee company, billed annually for the top two tiers (Standard saves 20% on annual). Video, SMS and the Workable Agent are paid add-ons. No free plan.
Which one is right for you?
Choose Binary if…
- You're a startup or small-to-mid-sized team that wants to start hiring today.
- You want an AI-first ATS with an AI agent, a Slack agent and MCP included on every plan, not sold as add-ons.
- You want to run hiring from Claude or ChatGPT, with write actions like scheduling interviews.
- You want video questions on your forms to get past AI-written text answers, without a separate video tool.
- You prefer flat, public pricing with a free-forever plan and paid plans from $49 a month, with no per-seat fees.
- You'd rather self-serve than sit through demos and annual contracts.
Choose Workable if…
- You need more extensive job distribution to a network of over 200 boards.
- You want more advanced sourcing with a large passive candidate database.
- You need built-in HRMS features like offers, e-signatures and onboarding alongside hiring.
- You want a broad all-rounder and don't mind paying $299 a month and up, plus credits for AI.
Both are capable applicant tracking systems. The best fit comes down to your team size, budget and how much configuration you need.
Other Workable alternatives
Weighing more than two options? These are the Workable alternatives startups most often shortlist alongside Binary, each with its own comparison.
1. Binary
AI-first ATS with an AI agent, video questions and an MCP server on a free-forever plan; paid plans from $49/mo, flat.
2. Teamtailor
Employer-branding powerhouse with included AI and an MCP, on a quote-based 12-month contract. Binary starts free.
3. Dover
The closest free rival. Dover meters MCP and keeps AI review for $199/mo Premium; Binary includes both on Free.
4. Zoho Recruit
Deeply customisable, with a one-job free plan and AI from $30 per user. Binary gives unlimited jobs, AI and MCP free.
5. Breezy HR
Loved Kanban pipeline from $157/mo; AI sold as credits and the free plan hides candidates after 30 days.
See all 17 on the comparison hub, with price, free plan, AI agent and MCP support in one table.
Why Binary is the best Workable alternative for startups
- An MCP server on every plan, so you can hire from Claude or ChatGPT; Workable has none.
- A free plan and flat tiers from $49 a month, against a $299 a month entry price.
- The AI agent is included with monthly credits on every plan, not sold as $600 credit packs.
- Built-in assignments, AI Skills and interviewer open slots without add-on fees.
Mid-contract with Workable? Those months are free on Binary.
The months left on your Workable subscription become free months of Binary on any annual plan, so you only pay for the rest of the year. Migration takes about 48 hours: import your export yourself, ask the AI agent to do it, or on Pro let our team move your jobs, candidates and history for you. Live roles keep moving while you do it.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Binary a popular Workable alternative?
Binary is a popular Workable alternative for startups and small teams that want an AI-first ATS with a free plan and flat pricing from $49 a month, instead of $299 a month and up plus credit packs for AI. Binary includes its AI agent, AI Skills, a Slack agent and an MCP server on every plan, so you can screen, import and schedule from Claude or ChatGPT, something Workable cannot do. It is also simpler to set up and stays focused on a fast, modern hiring workflow rather than a broad HR suite.
What does Workable do better than Binary?
Workable offers more extensive job distribution to over 200 boards, more advanced sourcing with a large passive candidate database, and built-in HRMS features such as offers, e-signatures and onboarding. Its Workable Agent is a capable evaluator and sourcer if you are happy to buy credits. Binary covers job posting and sourcing too, but teams that need that extra breadth or HR alongside hiring may prefer Workable, accepting the higher price and more configuration.
Can I migrate from Workable to Binary?
Yes, and switching mid-contract costs you nothing extra. Pick any Binary annual plan and the months left on your Workable subscription become free months, so you only pay for the rest of the year. Migration takes about 48 hours: import your Workable export yourself in minutes, ask your AI agent to do it through the MCP server, or on the Pro plan let our team migrate your jobs, candidates and history for you. Start on the free plan today and send support@binary.so your contract end date when you are ready to switch.
What AI features does Binary have?
Binary is an AI-first ATS. An AI agent screens candidates against your criteria with a reasoning for each one, searches your whole candidate database, builds custom reports and sends daily briefs of what needs attention. AI Skills let you save your screening rubric or any prompt and call it with "/" in chat. A Slack AI agent works alongside your team. The MCP server gives Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, Grok or Cursor the same read and write actions as the in-app agent, so you can import candidates, create jobs, screen in batches and schedule interviews from whichever assistant you prefer. All of it is included on every plan, including Free, with monthly AI credits rather than paid add-ons.
Does Binary support video questions in applications?
Yes, on every plan. Add a video question to any hiring form and candidates record their answer in the browser, no separate tool or scheduling needed. The AI transcribes each answer and scores it alongside the resume against your criteria, so you hear how someone actually thinks instead of reading another AI-written paragraph. More teams are adding one or two video questions for exactly that reason.
Does Workable have an MCP server?
No. Workable does not offer an MCP server as of October 2026. Its AI, the Workable Agent, runs inside Workable and is sold as credit packs, so you cannot use Claude, ChatGPT or another assistant to work in your Workable account. Binary includes an MCP server on every plan, including Free, with read and write actions: screen candidates in batches, import data, create jobs and schedule, reschedule or cancel interviews from Claude, ChatGPT, Codex, Grok or Cursor. The same actions are available in Binary's built-in AI agent, so you get them without connecting an external assistant at all.
How does the pricing of Binary and Workable differ?
Binary has flat, public pricing with a free-forever plan: Starter at $49, Business at $149 and Pro at $299 a month (billed yearly) for unlimited users, jobs and candidates, with AI credits included and no per-seat fees. Workable has no free plan and starts at $299 a month on Standard for a company of up to 20 employees, with Premier at $599 and Enterprise at $719 a month billed annually, and rises with headcount. The Workable Agent costs extra: $600 for 5,000 credits after the included 3,000. Binary’s top tier costs the same as Workable’s entry tier and includes AI and MCP.
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