5 Best Cluen Alternatives for All Business Types
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Cluen is a renowned executive search software provider, offering robust solutions for search firms, in-house recruitment, and talent acquisition teams. Its Encore software excels in managing assignments, building candidate databases, and streamlining workflows, with a strong emphasis on data security and GDPR compliance.
However, Cluen’s pricing may deter smaller firms or those on tight budgets. Its steep learning curve and less intuitive design can also affect efficiency, prompting businesses to explore alternatives that are more affordable, user-friendly, and scalable.
Why Businesses Are Seeking Alternatives to Cluen?
Cluen provides a dependable platform for managing executive search processes, but it might not align perfectly with every firm's needs. Its higher price point and complexity can be a drawback for companies requiring simpler, more cost-effective solutions. Additionally, some users report that Cluen's software lacks certain modern features, such as advanced AI-driven analytics or seamless integration capabilities with newer third-party tools.
Fortunately, the executive search software market offers a range of alternatives designed to address these limitations. These platforms combine intuitive design, enhanced automation, and flexible pricing, making them more suitable for firms seeking innovation and ease of use in their recruitment processes.
Here’s Why Some Firms Are Moving Away from Cluen
- - High pricing limits affordability for smaller firms.
- - A steep learning curve slows team adoption.
- - An outdated interface impacts user experience.
- - Limited third-party integrations.
- - Scalability issues for growing businesses.
For executive search firms looking to replace Cluen, these alternatives offer a fresh perspective on recruitment technology. With features like advanced automation, better scalability, and modern user interfaces, they fill the gaps left by Cluen’s software. Platforms like iSmartRecruit also provide flexible pricing and simplified onboarding, making them ideal for both small businesses and large enterprises.
Explore these solutions to find the one that matches your firm’s unique requirements, streamlines your workflows, and helps you achieve more efficient, effective executive search processes. The right alternative can transform how you manage your assignments and deliver superior results for your clients.
Top Cluen Alternatives at a Glance
If you're looking for a swift overview of the best alternatives to Cluen for executive search software, here's a concise comparison table. It highlights the key features and pricing of each option, making it easier for you to make an informed decision quickly.
 iSmartRecruit
|
 Cluen
|
 Loxo
|
 Invenias
|
 Manatal
|
 Clockwork
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Starts From | - |
- |
$119 |
$1 |
$19 |
$149 |
| Free Trial | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.3 |
| Customer Service | 4.7 | 4 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.3 |
| Features | 4.6 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| Value for Money | 4.6 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.3 |
| Capterra Rating | ||||||
| G2 Rating |
Pricing Starts From -
Free Trial: YES
Ease of Use: 4.5
Customer Service: 4.7
Features: 4.6
Value for Money: 4.6
Capterra Rating:
G2 Rating:
Pricing Starts From -
Free Trial: YES
Ease of Use: 3.8
Customer Service: 4
Features: 2.7
Value for Money: 2.7
Capterra Rating:
G2 Rating: Not found on G2
Pricing Starts From $119
Free Trial: YES
Ease of Use: 4.6
Customer Service: 4.7
Features: 4.5
Value for Money: 4.5
Capterra Rating:
G2 Rating:
Pricing Starts From $1
Free Trial: YES
Ease of Use: 4.8
Customer Service: 4
Features: 2.7
Value for Money: 2.7
Capterra Rating:
G2 Rating: Not found on G2
Pricing Starts From $19
Free Trial: YES
Ease of Use: 4.7
Customer Service: 4.6
Features: 4.5
Value for Money: 4.6
Capterra Rating:
G2 Rating:
Pricing Starts From $149
Free Trial: YES
Ease of Use: 4.3
Customer Service: 4.3
Features: 4.1
Value for Money: 4.3
Capterra Rating:
G2 Rating:
Best Cluen Alternatives for All Business Types
1. iSmartRecruit
Suitable For:
Small, mid-size, and large staffing firms, recruitment agencies, executive search firms, and in-house HR teams.
Star Rating:
4.8 on G2 & 4.6 on Capterra
Apps:
Android and iOS Mobile App and Web Version.
Key Features:
Sourcing Mailbox- Assign Multiple Recruiters
- Revenue
- Knockout Screening
- Pre-Assessment Screening
- Autopilot Workflow
- Smart Search
- Fuzzy & Proximity Search
- Self Scheduling Interviews
- AI features - Matching jobs & candidates, suggesting candidates.
- Pipeline Management
- IMAP Configuration (Communication)
- Client & Candidate Portal
- Client Job Tracker
- Seamless Data Migration
- Languages
- Vendor Management
- Referral Campaign
PROS
Supportive customer service, custom solutions and value for money.
Highly customisable with robust Java-based features.
User-friendly and easy to onboard HR teams.
Ideal for startups needing affordable, quick setups.
Easy-to-use features.
Flexible and Innovative, consistently improving based on feedback.
Self-service portals for clients and candidates.
Excellent customer support.
Strong job posting and regular updates.
Streamlined candidate tracking and reporting with a clear dashboard.
Excellent recruitment database for resume search and candidate tracking.
iSmartRecruit has been a lifesaver for streamlining our application tracking. Since it’s cloud-based, our team members can manage everything from job posts to candidate tracking, no matter where we are. It keeps all our data in one easy-to-navigate dashboard, so we no longer have to jump between spreadsheets and emails—it's a huge time-saver.
CONS
Minor display and loading delays.
Pastel colour palette reduces visibility.
No automatic record display for incoming calls.
Platform speed can be slow at times.
Occasional errors and missing functionalities.
Training is necessary for effective use.
Limited file upload options.
Complex settings, though CS is helpful.
Sometimes it takes time to load a single page while doing bulk upload.
2. Loxo
Suitable For:
Recruiting agencies, RPO, executive search firms and in-house executive search teams of Small-midsize-enterprise companies.
Star Rating:
4.4 on G2 & 3.6 on Capterra
Apps:
Android and iOS Mobile App and Web Version.
Key Features:
- Candidate Import Chrome Extension
- Automated activity tracking
- Performance Report Analysis
- Candidate Data Auto-Update
- Versatile Recruitment Solutions
- AI-Powered Multi-Channel Outreach
- Integrated Sales CRM
PROS
Easy-to-use, reliable, with responsive support and intuitive AI.
Highly effective for team productivity.
Comprehensive metrics tracking for improved business processes.
All-in-one ATS, CRM, and marketing tools in a user-friendly system.
Customisable with automatic email sync.
Intuitive platform for sourcing, and pipeline with live chat support.
Efficient pipeline and search, much faster than previous systems.
Clean, organised interface for streamlined operations.
Seamlessly integrated everything through sales, recruiting interview process and placements.
CONS
Inconsistent layout, unclear display of information like company addresses.
High cost compared to other competitive products.
Lengthy, messy data migration with inadequate support.
Disruptive updates change essential features without reversion options.
API updates lag, leaving outdated candidate info.
Impersonal, rushed training sessions make learning difficult.
Poor CV formatting and clunky interface hinder workflow.
Unresponsive customer support, especially for cancellation requests.
Frequent glitches, duplicate candidates, and search limitations.
No desktop/mobile app; frequent UI changes disrupt user experience.
The system always has issues. Customer service is not that great either. You are not able to pull your data out once you enter it without it taking upwards of 48 hours to obtain.
3. Invenias
Suitable For:
Startups, SMEs and global leaders in commercial, technical, strategic and executive talent.
Star Rating:
1.1 on G2 & 4.4 on Capterra
Apps:
Android and iOS Mobile App and Web Version.
Key Features:
- Candidate and Client management
- Internal Hr
- Email & calendar integration
- Collaboration tools
- Customisable workflow
- Interview scheduling and management
- API Acess
- Client Portal
- GDPR Compliance
PROS
Simple CRM with excellent support.
Integrated features for effective work management.
User-friendly, with strong reporting and search functions.
Organised candidate email capture.
Fast, reliable, and customisable interface.
Seamless Outlook integration for contact identification.
Designed for headhunting, with ongoing improvements.
We use Invenias as a database for recruiting, it's a useful space to store a variety of details about candidates and allows us to keep track of candidates conversations etc. and longlists up to date vs keeping them on excel where you need to manually update any moves etc.
CONS
Poor UI and limited functionality.
Challenging setup with difficult data cleanup.
Incomplete management reports and Chrome add-in.
Slow response, no Mac integration, and cumbersome installation.
Limited dupe checking on bulk imports.
No browser access for Invenias yet.
Occasional crashes, similar to other software.
Product is not being developed - we have to pay another vendor to achieve basic functionality. Almost no integrations available. UI close to unacceptable. Tons of features - but never the features you actually need.
4. Manatal
Suitable For:
Medium and large-sized companies and recruitment agencies.
Star Rating:
4.8 on G2 & 4.6 on Capterra
Apps:
Android and iOS Mobile App and Web Version.
Key Features:
- Automated CV/resume formatting and branding
- Progressive mobile application
- Candidate management
- AI-generated job description
- Vendor Portal
- AI-based candidate recommendation
- Customisable hiring pipelines
PROS
Exceptional customer service with quick responses and free training available when needed.
An efficient tool for recruiters that streamlines processes, saving valuable time.
Advanced search features highlight top candidates automatically, enhancing hiring precision.
Automated candidate matching saves time, proving invaluable for busy recruiters.
Great value for budget-conscious companies, providing quality without compromise.
Integrated with Outlook and a LinkedIn Chrome extension for improved usability.
High user satisfaction after long-term use, proving its reliability for recruitment needs.
Most of their features are super helpful; They have the capability to automate the entire hiring process. We have used Manatal for quite a long time, and the team has built simple and easy products for hiring companies.
CONS
Limited customisation options, with occasional bugs that impact usability.
Frustrating UX/UI design with slow, cluttered navigation, making it difficult to locate essential features.
Poor search functionality; social media AI integration is ineffective. Limited technical support, with difficulties in exporting JSON files and incompatible data formats.
Language support is limited, with the job page only supporting English and Spanish.
No automated weekly reports; data must be manually retrieved from the admin page.
Payment is required upfront, but access delays and lack of refunds leave users dissatisfied.
Additional add ons would cost extras. Career page APIs only has basic feature. Unable to add additional label as you need to pay extra. Once data has been migrated, you will need to pay extra to download your own data at a cost as it is not possible to do it on your own. We have used other system such as workable, avature and freshteams. We never had such issues.
5. Clockwork
Suitable For:
Retained executive search firms of any size, corporate or in-house executive talent acquisition teams, and institutional investors such as venture capital and private equity.
Star Rating:
3 on Capterra
Apps:
Android and iOS Mobile App and Web Version.
Key Features:
- Client Collaboration Tools
- Team Collaboration
- Advance Data management
- Business Development CRM
- Robust Security Compliance
PROS
Ideal for retained search firms, provides comprehensive project tracking.
Excellent service and support help clients succeed.
Enables small firms to compete with useful reporting and search tracking features.
Simple purchasing with responsive support staff.
User-friendly interface with strong Long List presentations, search functions, and profile management.
Cloud-based, secure, client-friendly, and promotes team collaboration.
Flexible workflows add client value and are easy for new users to learn with prompt support.
The built-in contact grabber app from LinkedIn is incredibly useful. Lots of capability to customize as well.
CONS
Limited reporting makes it hard to provide clients with organised candidate summaries.
Minimal training and no dedicated support centre, requiring admins to learn by trial and error.
Search functionality is clunky, leading users to avoid many features.
Updates have removed useful features like multi-tag searches.
Tagging and merging lists are frustrating.
Lack of Outlook 365 compatibility forces dual calendar management.
People search lacks organisation, such as an Org Chart view and profile ranking options.
Basic interface with lagging updates and manual processes compared to other CRM/ATS tools.
I dislike the lack of an iPhone app. Would definitely help to have the increased accessibility.
Wrapping Up
For executive search firms looking to replace Cluen, these alternatives offer a fresh perspective on recruitment technology. With features like advanced automation, better scalability, and modern user interfaces, they fill the gaps left by Cluen’s software. Platforms like iSmartRecruit also provide flexible pricing and simplified onboarding, making them ideal for both small businesses and large enterprises.
Explore these solutions to find the one that matches your firm’s unique requirements, streamlines your workflows, and helps you achieve more efficient, effective executive search processes. The right alternative can transform how you manage your assignments and deliver superior results for your clients.
Not sure yet? Explore how iSmartRecruit compares to other top tools.
Get started with iSmartRecruit today
We will handle your data migration and provide fully personalised onboarding to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transition from Cluen.
