Ashby vs VanillaHR (2026): Pricing, Features & Which to Choose

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

Lower starting price
VanillaHR
From $199/mo against from $270/mo
Free plan
Tie
Neither has one
Higher rating
Ashby
4.2 against 3.5
Same job?
Yes
Both are HR & Recruiting AI tools

Side by side

Compared on	Ashby	VanillaHR
Our rating	4.2Better	3.5
Starts at	$270/mo	$199/moBetter
Free plan	No	No
Category	HR & Recruiting AI	HR & Recruiting AI
Plans	Foundations$300/mo (1-10 employees) to $900/mo (76-100); 10% off with a yearly commitment PlusQuote only (101-1,000 employees) EnterpriseQuote only (1,000+ employees) Ashby AnalyticsQuote only, usage-based	From $199/mo
Key features	Full applicant tracking system with job requisitions, pipelines, and interview scheduling Native recruiting analytics dashboards built into the core product AI-assisted candidate sourcing alongside the core ATS workflow Foundations plan starting at $400/month for smaller teams Custom Plus and Enterprise tiers for larger organizations	AI analysis of CVs and cover letters AI content creation for job posts and candidate messages A full applicant-tracking pipeline with scheduling and collaboration An integrations module for connecting other HR and business tools A 30-day free trial with a free onboarding call
Pros	Built-in analytics remove the need to export ATS data into a separate BI tool Combines sourcing, tracking, and reporting in one connected platform Structured interview scorecards support more consistent hiring decisions	A generous 30-day trial with a guided onboarding call AI screening built into the core workflow, not a bolt-on A published entry price rather than demo-only pricing
Cons	Entry pricing at $400/month is a real commitment for very small teams Enterprise tier costs require a custom quote before knowing the real price Feature breadth means a longer setup and onboarding than a narrow point tool	Pro and Enterprise pricing both require a sales conversation The AI model and scoring method behind CV analysis are not detailed AI screening needs a human review step to catch bias
Company	Ashby, founded 2018	VanillaHR

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260922. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Ashby better than VanillaHR?

In our reviews Ashby scores 4.2 and VanillaHR scores 3.5. The better pick depends on the job. Ashby: Applicant tracking system built with recruiting analytics baked in, not bolted on as an afterthought. VanillaHR: AI-driven applicant tracking system from Paris that screens CVs and cover letters, with a 30-day free trial and plans from $199 a month.

Which is cheaper, Ashby or VanillaHR?

VanillaHR has the lower starting price: from $270/mo for Ashby and from $199/mo for VanillaHR.

Do Ashby and VanillaHR have free plans?

Neither lists a free plan.

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