rocket-icon

iSmartRecruit MCP Is Now Live! Search, Compare & Analyse Candidates in ChatGPT & Claude

iSmartRecruit MCP Is Live!

Get a Demo
/
CATS vs Longlist

CATS vs Longlist: Compare Before You Choose

Which tool is the Right Choice?

Quick Summary

CATS (CatsOne) and Longlist are both recruitment platforms built to help staffing firms and talent teams manage candidates, clients and hiring workflows, though they take noticeably different approaches. CATS (CatsOne) is a web-based ATS built for professional recruiters, agencies and corporate hiring teams, with pricing that runs around $99 per user per month billed monthly, or $69 per user per month billed annually, with a free single-position Bootstrap plan and a 7-day free trial. Its core strengths lie in affordable, transparent pricing with no hidden fees and a genuinely free entry tier, though it currently has no public API, and some reviewers note lighter reporting depth and search precision at higher candidate volumes.

Longlist, by contrast, is a sourcing and outreach tool built around a Chrome extension and a lightweight mini-CRM. Pricing runs a permanent recruitment plan starting at $59 per user per month, and it is best known for fast, credit-based candidate and client contact discovery layered onto a lightweight CRM. On the other hand, it currently has no API and its applicant tracking depth is lighter than a full ATS.

Both platforms are worth serious consideration for their respective use cases, and teams comparing them should also look at iSmartRecruit, an AI-powered recruitment platform that combines applicant tracking, recruiting CRM and automation in one system.

Metrics Comparison of CATS vs Longlist

CATS
CATS
Longlist
Longlist
iSmartRecruit
iSmartRecruit
Pricing Starts From

$89

$59

Free Trial

Best For Small Business Hiring Teams, Professional Recruiters, Construction, Engineering, Education, Energy, Executive Search, Finance, Healthcare, and Manufacturing Recruiters and staffing agencies Corporate HRs, Mass recruiters, Hiring managers, Employment and recruiting agencies, Executive search firms, Staffing firms, Small businesses and startups
Help Videos

New Release/Updates Annually - Monthly
Trustpilot Score - 0 4
Software Suggest Score 4.3 - 4.7
SaaSWorthy Score 4.4 - 4.6
Capterra - Ease of Use 4.3 4.9 4.5
Capterra - Customer Service 4.3 4.6 4.7
Capterra - Features 4.1 4.6 4.6
Capterra - Value for Money 4.3 5.0 4.6
Mobile Application

Capterra Rating
G2 Rating
CATS

Pricing Starts From $89

Free Trial:

Ease of Use: 4.3

Customer Service: 4.3

Features: 4.1

Value for Money: 4.3

Capterra Rating:

G2 Rating:

Longlist

Pricing Starts From $59

Free Trial:

Ease of Use: 4.9

Customer Service: 4.6

Features: 4.6

Value for Money: 5.0

Capterra Rating:

G2 Rating:

iSmartRecruit

Pricing Starts From: Get Quote

Free Trial: Get a Trial

Ease of Use: 4.5

Customer Service: 4.7

Features: 4.6

Value for Money: 4.6

Capterra Rating:

G2 Rating:

Overview of CATS

For recruiters reviewing it in 2026, CATS is positioned as an applicant tracking system and recruiting software platform built to support automated recruiting through a customisable and easy-to-use interface. Its current website presents CATS as a system for teams that want to manage recruiting activity, candidate information and hiring workflows in one applicant tracking platform.

The platform highlights recruitment features such as meeting scheduling, SMS texting for the US and Canada, two-way calendar and email sync, a recruiting browser extension, custom access levels and sponsored job postings. These features suggest a practical ATS focused on helping recruiters organise communication, candidate sourcing, scheduling and day-to-day hiring tasks.

CATS appears suitable for recruitment teams and professional recruiters that need configurable applicant tracking software rather than a very basic hiring tool. Its website also promotes a free trial, giving buyers a way to test the platform before committing to a paid subscription.

CATS’ pricing page shows pricing at USD 89 per user per month, with a free trial option available. Buyers should still review the live pricing page carefully to confirm billing terms, included features, user costs, SMS availability, job posting options, integrations and any add-ons before making a final comparison.

However, teams should carefully assess CATS’ per-user pricing, setup needs, customisation depth, regional SMS availability, calendar and email sync fit, sourcing workflow, support expectations and long-term scalability before deciding whether it is the right applicant tracking system for their recruitment process.

pros

Pros

cons

Responsive and friendly customer support.

cons

Useful features include statuses, customisable fields and archiving.

cons

User-friendly workflow with job posting and email integration.

cons

CV parsing and candidate search support recruiter productivity.

cons

Customisable workflows and HRIS integration are available.

cons

Task automation can help reduce routine administration.


Miguel G.

"Good experience."
User friendly. Very good applicant tracking. Control Panel very helpful. I can see CATS calendar integrated with microsoft outlook. Great understanding with linkedin.

Verified Capterra Review

pros

Cons

cons

Reporting features may be limited or harder to locate for some users.

cons

Advanced data export formats should be checked before purchase.

cons

Support response consistency has received mixed feedback.

cons

CV forwarding and email integration may require workflow testing.

cons

Loading speed can vary depending on usage and setup.

cons

Automated skills selection may not meet every team’s screening process.


James G.

"8 Year CATS User"
Very clunky and slow at times. Does not offer any integrations that are helpful. I use it for dissemination of my jobs. It is one step above an excel spreadsheet.

Verified Capterra Review

Overview of Longlist

Longlist, launched in 2020 and based in San Francisco, California, is a cloud-based recruitment software platform aimed at boosting the efficiency of recruitment agencies and staffing firms. It provides a comprehensive set of integrated tools that simplify candidate sourcing, client engagement, and the entire recruitment process.

One of Longlist's key features is its sourcing extension, a browser tool that empowers recruiters to effortlessly source candidates from multiple platforms. This extension helps in retrieving contact details for potential candidates and clients, enabling personalised email outreach with automated follow-ups, ultimately driving higher engagement rates.

The platform boasts a full-featured Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, complete with a visual job pipeline. This gives recruiters a clear picture of how each job is progressing. It makes managing relationships with candidates and clients much smoother, keeping recruitment tasks well-organized and efficient.

Longlist's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) makes it easier to promote jobs and attract candidates. It lets you post jobs to free job boards with just a single click. Plus, it helps you build custom career pages, which is great for strengthening your brand and gathering candidate information.

Longlist provides powerful analytics and reporting tools to help with decision-making based on data. These tools enable recruiters to track important metrics and create comprehensive reports on candidate engagement, team activity, and key accounts, which helps in continually improving recruitment strategies.

Longlist caters to recruitment agencies of all sizes, from new startups to well-established firms, across a wide range of sectors like technology, energy, manufacturing, retail, banking, healthcare, and oil & gas. With a user-friendly interface, features such as free data migration, and adherence to data privacy regulations like GDPR, it's a flexible solution for recruitment professionals looking to streamline their operations and drive growth.

pros

Pros

cons

User-friendly and intuitive, perfect for seamless recruitment.

cons

Ideal for small agencies, saving time, energy, and budget with a Mini CRM.

cons

Tracks candidates, jobs, and email campaigns efficiently.

cons

AI features, auto-reach-outs, and LinkedIn integration boost productivity.

cons

Simplifies engagement with candidate data and customizable email templates.

cons

Detailed reporting and organized data help hit targets and maintain pipelines.

cons

Chrome integration makes finding candidate details quick and easy.

cons

Affordable and feature-rich, outperforming other extensions.


pros

Cons

cons

Tabs opening in new windows could be improved for better usability.

cons

The starter price is high for beginners.

cons

A lite PC version would enhance accessibility.

cons

More tailoring options could improve workflow customization.

cons

While the UI is beginner-friendly, user experience can be refined.

cons

Future updates could focus on added convenience features.

cons

Overall, users are satisfied with minimal complaints.


Features Comparison

CATS
CATS
Longlist
Longlist
iSmartRecruit
iSmartRecruit
API
Activity Dashboard
Activity Tracking
Alerts/Notifications
Applicant Tracking
Application Management
Approval Workflow
Assessment Management
Billing & Invoicing
Boolean Search
Built-in ATS
CRM
Calendar Management
Campaign Analytics
Campaign Management
Candidate Management
Candidate Profiles
Candidate Sourcing
Candidate Tracking
Careers Page
Chatbot
Collaboration Tools
Commenting/Notes
Compliance Management
Compliance Tracking
Configurable Workflow
Contact Database
Content Management
Customisable Branding
Customisable Forms
Customisable Reports
Customisable Templates
Data Import/Export
Document Management
Electronic Signature
Email Management
Email Marketing
Email Templates
Employee Database
Employee Onboarding
Employee Referral Management
For Recruiting Agencies
For Small Businesses
For Staffing Agencies
Full Text Search
HR Management
Internal Chat Integration
Internal HR
Interview Management
Interview Scheduling
Job Application Management
Job Board Software
Job Management
Job Posting
Job Requisition
Job Tracking
Lead Management
Marketing Automation
Matching Engine
Mobile Access
Multi-Channel Marketing
Onboarding
Pipeline Management
Pipeline Reports
Question Library
Real-Time Analytics
Real-Time Reporting
Recruiting Firms
Recruitment Management
Reference Checking
Reminders
Reporting & Statistics
Reporting/Analytics
Resume Database
Resume Parsing
Resume Search
Resume Storage
SMS Messaging
Scoring
Search/Filter
Self Service Portal
Skills Assessment
Social Media Integration
Social Recruiting
Status Tracking
Tagging
Talent Acquisition
Talent Pool
Task Management
Temporary Staffing
Third-Party Integrations
Workflow Management

Find the perfect features for your hiring needs!

Why iSmartRecruit is Best?

iSmartRecruit deserves a place in any CATS (CatsOne) vs Longlist evaluation, particularly for teams that want deeper AI automation than either platform provides on its own. Its AI Agents and generative AI tools handle candidate sourcing, job description drafting and interview summaries, while its Recruiting CRM manages candidate and client relationships on the same data layer as the applicant tracking system.

Unlike CATS (CatsOne), which focuses on affordable, transparent pricing with no hidden fees and a genuinely free entry tier, or Longlist, known for fast, credit-based candidate and client contact discovery layered onto a lightweight CRM, iSmartRecruit supports 14+ languages for genuinely global hiring and offers flexible, quote-based pricing that scales with team size. Start a free trial to compare it directly.

Our Client Testimonial Speaks Louder Than Words!

Our Client Testimonial Speaks
Louder Than Words!

Our Client Testimonial Speaks Louder Than Words!

Conclusion

Both CATS (CatsOne) and Longlist bring real strengths to the table, but the right choice depends on your team's structure and budget. CATS (CatsOne) suits agencies drawn to affordable, transparent pricing with no hidden fees and a genuinely free entry tier, whereas Longlist tends to suit teams that need fast, credit-based candidate and client contact discovery layered onto a lightweight CRM.

If you want that same level of capability paired with deeper AI automation and multilingual support, iSmartRecruit is worth evaluating alongside CATS (CatsOne) and Longlist. Book a free demo to compare the three directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main difference between CATS (CatsOne) and Longlist?

CATS (CatsOne) is a web-based ATS built for professional recruiters, agencies and corporate hiring teams, while Longlist is a sourcing and outreach tool built around a Chrome extension and a lightweight mini-CRM.

2. How does CATS (CatsOne) pricing compare to Longlist?

CATS (CatsOne) runs $69-$99 per user/month. Longlist runs from $59 per user/month. Exact costs vary by team size, so it's best to request a quote from either vendor.

3. Which platform offers stronger AI capabilities?

CATS (CatsOne) offers AI-assisted resume parsing and search, without a dedicated AI-branded suite. Longlist offers AI-assisted candidate recommendations and auto-classification within its sourcing workflow. Neither goes as deep on AI automation as platforms built specifically around AI Agents and generative AI.

4. Who is CATS (CatsOne) best suited for?

CATS (CatsOne) is generally best suited to small to mid-sized recruiting businesses that want an affordable, easy-to-learn ATS.

5. Who is Longlist best suited for?

Longlist is generally best suited to recruiters and agencies whose priority is sourcing, outreach and re-engagement rather than deep pipeline management.

6. What do users say about CATS (CatsOne) and Longlist?

Feedback on CATS (CatsOne) is roughly 81% “great” on SelectHub across 329 reviews and 4.4 out of 5 on GetApp. Feedback on Longlist is positive Capterra feedback describing it as more efficient than tools like Lusha.

7. Is iSmartRecruit a reasonable alternative to CATS (CatsOne) and Longlist?

Yes. iSmartRecruit combines applicant tracking, Recruiting CRM, AI Agents, generative AI and multilingual candidate engagement in one platform, making it a practical alternative for teams comparing CATS (CatsOne) and Longlist that want broader AI automation and flexible, quote-based pricing.

Prompt copied to clipboard!