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Top Echelon vs iSmartRecruit

Top Echelon vs iSmartRecruit: Comparison of Features & Cost

Which tool is the Right Choice?

Quick Summary

Top Echelon and iSmartRecruit are both recruitment software platforms designed to streamline hiring processes, but they cater to slightly different market needs.

Top Echelon is a well-known recruitment software primarily tailored for third-party recruiters and recruiting firms in the United States. It offers applicant tracking, split placements, network collaboration, and built-in CRM features. However, its interface and customisation options may feel limited for modern agencies with diverse global requirements.

On the other hand, iSmartRecruit is an AI-powered recruitment software built for staffing agencies and executive search firms worldwide. It stands out for its multilingual support, highly customisable workflows, automation features, and affordability. With tools like AI resume parsing, talent pool segmentation, GDPR compliance, and seamless integrations, iSmartRecruit provides a complete recruitment solution suited for agencies of all sizes.

In this comparison, we also highlight how iSmartRecruit combines affordability with advanced automation, making it an ideal alternative to Top Echelon—especially for growing or globally focused recruitment firms.

Metrics Comparison of Top Echelon vs iSmartRecruit

Top Echelon
Top Echelon
iSmartRecruit
iSmartRecruit
Pricing Starts From

-

Free Trial

Best For Corporate HR Departments, Healthcare, IT, sales & marketing 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 - 4.7
SaaSWorthy Score - 4.6
Capterra - Ease of Use 4.5 4.5
Capterra - Customer Service 4.7 4.7
Capterra - Features 4.4 4.6
Capterra - Value for Money 4.5 4.6
Mobile Application

Capterra Rating
G2 Rating
Top Echelon

Pricing Starts From -

Free Trial:

Ease of Use: 4.5

Customer Service: 4.7

Features: 4.4

Value for Money: 4.5

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 Top Echelon

Big Biller was put together by Top Echelon, a team that’s been around since 1988, based in Canton, Ohio, USA. They developed it to help small and mid-sized recruitment teams, providing them with a straightforward applicant tracking system, commonly known as an ATS for short.

It’s a cloud-based hiring kit that helps recruiters stay on top of their game without breaking a sweat. It combines all the must-haves like tracking applicants, CRM for client chats, and managing job orders, all in one tidy spot. Plenty of solo recruiters and smaller agencies swear by it cos it’s quick, reliable, and don’t muck up their workflow.

Big Biller’s packing some decent features—pulls info from CVs, tracks emails, sorts your pipeline, posts jobs on boards, hunts candidates, and chucks out reports. It also integrates with other tools, lets you blast emails to loads at once, and has hotlists to keep your top candidates in line. There’s even a Chrome add-on to nick candidates off websites and drop ‘em straight into your database.

It’s proper handy for recruiters who want summat straightforward, no bells and whistles, just good old relationship-building tools. Mixes ATS and CRM stuff without being a headache, so you save time, stay on it, and place more folks into jobs. Cheap as chips and easy to get your head round—perfect for little teams who want bang for their buck.

pros

Pros

cons

User-Friendly Interface.

cons

Strong Customer Support.

cons

Mobile Accessibility.

cons

Comprehensive Features like applicant tracking, CRM functionalities, email marketing, and job posting capabilities.


Paul V.

"Very Good System "
Very positive and we really enjoy the support team

Verified Capterra Review

pros

Cons

cons

Limited Search Functionality.

cons

Email Deliverability Issues.

cons

Interface is outdated compare to other software.

cons

Limited Group Texting.


Jen G.

"Just okay...."
Dated platform (update supposed to be coming soon) and although the features are okay, there are other companies at this pricing offering more for the money for sure.

Verified Capterra Review

Overview of iSmartRecruit

iSmartRecruit is a Recruitment Software that helps companies and staffing agencies manage their hiring processes more efficiently. It uses an intelligent system called Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to handle many recruitment tasks automatically, making it more straightforward to keep track of job applications and monitor candidate progress. The tool also offers special features for managing relationships with potential candidates, helping companies maintain better communication and engagement.

One of the best features of iSmartRecruit is its powerful search tools. These tools help users quickly find candidates who meet the job requirements using various search methods, such as boolean and semantic searches. Additionally, the software makes job posting easier by allowing users to share job openings on multiple platforms directly from the system, ensuring greater visibility.

iSmartRecruit is known for its user-friendly interface, making it accessible even to those with limited technical skills. It is adaptable for businesses of all sizes and can be customised to fit specific organisational needs. The software is available in multiple languages, supporting diverse recruitment requirements globally. Furthermore, iSmartRecruit is recognised for its strong customer support, enhancing user experience and satisfaction.

Overall, it stands out as a versatile solution that combines advanced technology with a focus on improving hiring processes and candidate interactions.

pros

Pros

cons

Monthly updates keep the system aligned with the industry standards.

cons

Strong job posting and regular updates.

cons

Streamlined candidate tracking and reporting with a clear dashboard.

cons

Excellent recruitment database for resume search and candidate tracking.

cons

Always ready to work on your custom needs to streamline your work.

cons

End-to-end data migration so rarely loses any important information.

cons

Provide on-premise solutions to cater to requirements for local data storage and extensive customisation.


Sharada M.

"Tool is simple , user-friendly and effective"
Overall tool is simple to use and specially the Job posting, candidate panels are ausome.

Verified G2 Review

pros

Cons

cons

Platform speed can be slow at times.

cons

Training is necessary for effective use.

cons

Minor display and loading delays.

cons

No automatic record display for incoming calls.


Nida S.

"Keeps updated"
My experience is been good with ismart. My overall experience on Ismart is we have Data availability on portal, On ismartrecruit most of the time speed is slow.

Verified Capterra Review

Features Comparison

Top Echelon
Top Echelon
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 is a more advanced and flexible recruitment solution than Top Echelon, especially for agencies, staffing firms, and executive search teams that require automation, AI capabilities, and customisation. While Top Echelon is known for its recruiter network and basic applicant tracking functionalities, iSmartRecruit offers a modern, all-in-one platform built for global hiring success.

With AI-powered resume parsing, multilingual support for over 14 languages, and candidate relationship management (CRM) tools, iSmartRecruit enables efficient hiring across borders. Its integration with job boards and email platforms, plus detailed reporting and analytics, provides recruitment teams with the insights and agility they need to scale and optimise hiring operations.

Unlike Top Echelon, which suits more traditional or niche recruiting needs, iSmartRecruit supports everything from high-volume recruitment to executive search. Its cost-effective pricing, ease of use, and high degree of customisation make it ideal for small to mid-sized businesses looking to automate and grow. Try iSmartRecruit for free today and discover a modern recruitment platform that adapts to your hiring needs, not the other way around.

From Vision to Victory: Awards We Won!

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Our Client Testimonial Speaks Louder Than Words!

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Conclusion

Top Echelon is a well-established recruitment platform, known for its split network and collaboration tools. It's particularly beneficial for agencies that rely heavily on shared placements and network-driven hiring.

However, when it comes to flexibility, AI-powered automation, multilingual support, and a more modern user interface, iSmartRecruit clearly takes the lead. It caters to recruitment agencies, staffing firms, and executive search professionals looking for a complete and scalable solution that supports global hiring needs.

Whether you're a small agency seeking value or a growing firm needing advanced tools, iSmartRecruit offers the right mix of affordability, customisation, and innovation. Book a Free Demo Now! and experience a smarter, more efficient way to manage your hiring process.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of recruitment firms typically use Top Echelon?

Top Echelon is primarily used by independent recruiters and small agencies that benefit from split placements and network-based recruiting.

2. Does iSmartRecruit offer more flexibility for global teams?

Yes, iSmartRecruit supports over 14 languages and offers fully customisable workflows, making it ideal for globally dispersed recruitment teams.

3. How does the pricing of Top Echelon compare to iSmartRecruit?

Top Echelon has fixed pricing tied to its recruiting network and database access. iSmartRecruit, on the other hand, offers flexible pricing based on features and user needs, which may be more suitable for scaling businesses.

4. Does iSmartRecruit include AI features as standard?

Yes, iSmartRecruit includes AI-driven capabilities such as resume parsing, candidate matching, and job description generation across its plans, helping to automate and optimise hiring workflows.

5. Which platform is better suited for growing agencies with remote recruiters?

iSmartRecruit is more adaptable for hybrid and remote recruitment models due to its cloud infrastructure, multilingual support, and mobile accessibility.

Ready for a Smarter Way to Hire? Switch to iSmartRecruit!

Discover how our advanced AI technology and personalized recruitment solutions give your business a competitive advantage.
Streamline your hiring process effortlessly, no matter where you are in the world.

Frustrated with Top Echelon? Switch to iSmartRecruit!

Say goodbye to Top Echelon frustrations! Switch to iSmartRecruit today for a smarter AI-powered ATS with superior features and support.