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The Future of Hiring is Here: iSmartRecruit 2.0 is Now Live!

The Future of Hiring is Here: iSmartRecruit 2.0 is Now Live!

iSmartRecruit 2.0 is Now Live!

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Recruit CRM vs Cluen

Recruit CRM vs Encore's Cluen: Best Software for Recruiters?

Which tool is the Right Choice?

Quick Summary

Recruit CRM and Cluen Encore are both recruitment software platforms aimed at making the hiring process more efficient. Recruit CRM is an ATS+CRM solution designed specifically for recruitment and executive search businesses, centralising the management of candidates, clients, emails, and job postings. Cluen Encore is an executive search software tailored for search firms, in-house executive search teams, strategic recruiters, and private equity companies to enhance talent search productivity.

Both solutions are web-based and support various devices, including desktops and mobiles, offering flexibility for recruitment professionals. User reviews indicate that Recruit CRM and Cluen Encore have an overall good rating, showing varying levels of user satisfaction.

We will also consider iSmartRecruit, a cost-effective AI-powered recruitment software designed to meet the needs of recruitment agencies and small to medium-sized businesses. You'll also come to know why iSmartRecruit is the best choice among Recruit CRM and Cluen.

Metrics Comparison of Recruit CRM vs Cluen

Recruit CRM
Recruit CRM
Cluen
Cluen
iSmartRecruit
iSmartRecruit
Pricing Starts From

$100

-

Free Trial

Best For Small & Medium-Sized Recruitment Firms with 1-200 employees Executive search firms, legal recruiters, in-house talent acquisition teams, government bodies, universities, venture capital firms and private equity firms Corporate HRs, Mass recruiters, Hiring managers, Employment and recruiting agencies, Executive search firms, Staffing firms, Small businesses and startups
Help Videos

New Release/Updates - Every alternate month Monthly
Trustpilot Score 4.5 0 4
Software Suggest Score 4 0 4.7
SaaSWorthy Score 4.9 0 4.6
Capterra - Ease of Use 4.9 0.0 4.5
Capterra - Customer Service 5.0 0.0 4.7
Capterra - Features 4.8 0.0 4.6
Capterra - Value for Money 4.8 0.0 4.6
Mobile Application

Capterra Rating
G2 Rating
-
Recruit CRM

Pricing Starts From $100

Free Trial:

Ease of Use: 4.9

Customer Service: 5.0

Features: 4.8

Value for Money: 4.8

Capterra Rating:

G2 Rating:

Cluen

Pricing Starts From -

Free Trial:

Ease of Use: 0.0

Customer Service: 0.0

Features: 0.0

Value for Money: 0.0

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 Recruit CRM

Since founding in 2017, Recruit CRM has been offering its services as a cloud-based recruitment software provider from its base in Norwood, New Jersey, USA. Their focus is on delivering complete recruitment and staffing solutions to agencies across the globe, using an integrated platform to simplify the entire hiring process.

This platform merges an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, empowering agencies to handle candidates, clients, and job listings with ease. Standout features are its AI-driven resume analysis, which pulls out key details from resumes to form comprehensive candidate profiles, and a Chrome extension for sourcing that lets recruiters find candidates directly on sites like LinkedIn, Xing, and Zoominfo.

Recruit CRM also provides sophisticated search filters for pinpointing the right candidates in the database and a visual Kanban board to monitor candidates' journey through each phase of the recruitment process. It ensures smooth communication through built-in email integration, automated email campaigns, and internal teamwork aids like hotlists and shared notes.

Recruit CRM works with clients all over the world in more than 100 countries. They provide around-the-clock customer support and help in multiple languages. Thanks to their dedication to happy customers and constant improvements, they've become a reliable partner for recruitment agencies looking to improve their hiring methods.

pros

Pros

cons

Smooth setup and onboarding process.

cons

Intuitive interface with excellent KPI reporting tools.

cons

Highly customizable features to suit specific needs.

cons

Quick, efficient, and proactive customer service.

cons

Seamless navigation with dynamic information links.

cons

Simplifies recruitment with automation and analytics.

cons

Future-ready with AI features and continuous improvements.

cons

Exceptional training tailored to individual learning styles.


Hagen L.

"RecruitCRM User Review"
Easy to use, customizable to different needs, prompt live support

Verified G2 Review

pros

Cons

cons

Limited and outdated reporting features.

cons

High pricing and slow platform performance.

cons

Instances of unprofessional customer service.

cons

No "Back" button on job descriptions, requiring page refresh to view all jobs.

cons

Geographical search needs improvement but is being addressed.

cons

Software updates can disrupt operations with poor accountability.

cons

Only one CV per candidate profile allowed.


Christian G.
-

"Running from responsibility"
Disrespectful discourse. Run software updates that negatively impact your business and take zero responsibility.

Verified G2 Review

Overview of Cluen

Cluen is an executive search CRM and recruitment database provider established in 1990 and based in New York City. Its main platform, Encore, is designed for executive search consultants, legal recruiters, in-house talent acquisition teams, government bodies, universities and venture capital or private equity firms.

Encore helps search teams manage relationships, historical data, candidate records, client information, communication activity and business development opportunities from one recruitment database. The platform is positioned for relationship-led search work rather than high-volume applicant tracking.

For 2026, Cluen’s newer positioning focuses on relationship intelligence, workflow automation and AI-supported compliance. Encore can surface past touchpoints, warm introductions and client-candidate dynamics, helping recruiters work with more context during executive search assignments.

The platform also highlights automated follow-ups, reminders and task routing to reduce manual administration. Its compliance support includes AI features for consent tracking, audit trails and data privacy workflows, while the company also states that Encore is GDPR compliant and works with any email programme.

Cluen may suit firms that need a specialist executive search database with relationship tracking, compliance support and long-term client history. Buyers should still review pricing visibility, interface modernisation, integration needs, support scope and whether Encore’s workflow matches their current search process before committing.

pros

Pros

cons

Purpose-built for executive search and relationship-led recruitment.

cons

Encore supports executive search consultants, legal recruiters and in-house talent teams.

cons

Helps manage historical data, client relationships and business development activity.

cons

Relationship intelligence can surface past touchpoints and warm introductions.

cons

Workflow automation supports reminders, follow-ups and task routing.

cons

AI-supported compliance features cover consent tracking and audit trails.


Mike J.

"Encore is a great way to recruit new talent"
I use Encore when looking to hire new talent. It's a excellent way to keep track of every candidate and organize all the information. It's a very simple system of keeping track of finding and hiring new talent.

Verified Capterra Review

pros

Cons

cons

Public pricing is not clearly available.

cons

Interface and usability may feel dated for some users.

cons

Teams should check integration requirements before purchase.

cons

May be more suitable for executive search than general recruitment workflows.

cons

Implementation and configuration may require support for complex databases.

cons

Buyers should review support scope, data migration and contract terms carefully.


Jill M.

"Behind the times"
This product is quite behind their competitors and it feels like an old "DOS" computer as compared to other like products. It is also extremely slow and lacking many desirable features.

Verified Capterra Review

Features Comparison

Recruit CRM
Recruit CRM
Cluen
Cluen
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 versatile and robust recruitment tool tailored for staffing companies, recruitment agencies, executive search firms, and internal HR departments. It boasts AI-driven resume parsing that automates the extraction of applicant information, thereby saving time and minimising mistakes. Supporting over 14 languages, it's ideal for international hiring teams.

iSmartRecruit comes with adaptable pipelines and integrations with various job boards, simplifying the recruitment process and boosting sourcing effectiveness. Its Candidate Relationship Management (CRM) system enables smooth handling of relationships with both clients and candidates, fostering better communication and teamwork. Moreover, its sophisticated reporting and analytics provide up-to-the-minute insights, helping to refine recruitment strategies and make informed, data-backed decisions.

iSmartRecruit is known for its user-friendly interface, allowing teams to get up and running quickly with minimal training. Its affordability and scalability make it a great solution for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're managing executive searches or everyday recruitment tasks, iSmartRecruit offers a powerful, cost-effective, and feature-rich alternative to platforms like Recruit CRM and Cluen Encore. Register for a free trial now and experience a streamlined hiring process.

Our Client Testimonial Speaks Louder Than Words!

quote

Conclusion

Recruit CRM and Cluen Encore both provide strong recruitment tools, each with its own special features to suit various business requirements.

Recruit CRM delivers an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) combined with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) specifically crafted for recruitment agencies and executive search firms. It brings together the management of candidates, clients, emails, and job listings all in one place. On the other hand, Cluen Encore supplies executive search software tailored for search firms and in-house executive search teams, aiming to boost the efficiency of talent searches.

For agencies and small to medium-sized enterprises looking for an affordable yet complete recruitment system, iSmartRecruit emerges as an attractive option. It boasts sophisticated functionalities, support for multiple languages, and an interface that's easy to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key features of Recruit CRM and Cluen Encore?

Recruit CRM provides applicant tracking, job posting, candidate management, and resume search functionality. Cluen's Encore is designed for executive search firms, focusing on relationship management, communication tracking, and GDPR compliance.

2. How do Recruit CRM and Cluen Encore integrate with other tools?

Both platforms are designed to offer comprehensive solutions, potentially reducing the need for multiple third-party integrations. Specific integration capabilities are not detailed in the provided information.

3. Which platform is more suitable for executive search firms?

Cluen's Encore is designed for executive search firms that provide tools for relationship management and communication tracking. Recruit CRM is more suited for general recruitment agencies.

4. Do Recruit CRM and Cluen offer customisation options?

Yes, both platforms allow customisation. Recruit CRM supports field customisation and workflows, while Cluen offers personalised dashboards and reporting views.

5. Why should agencies consider iSmartRecruit over Recruit CRM and Cluen Encore?

iSmartRecruit offers a cost-effective solution with advanced features like AI-powered resume parsing, multilingual support, and customisable workflows, making it a suitable choice for agencies and small to medium-sized businesses seeking to enhance their recruitment processes.