True Cost Engine | Calculating real costs for 2 products
True Cost of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) Over 3 Years
The cheapest applicant tracking systems (ats) over 3 years is Workable at $1,404 total (monthly billing, 1 user). With annual billing, that drops to $1,404. We analyzed 2 products, factoring in intro pricing, renewal increases, and billing cycle savings.
Showing costs for 1 user with monthly billing
#1
D Transparency
Performance Reviews Add-on (Standard only) plan · tiered-monthly-or-annual-with-addon-options
Intro Renewal
Monthly price $39.00/mo Same
Year 1 $468.00
Year 2 $468.00
Year 3 $468.00
3-Year Total $1,404
Transparency Score: 18/100 (D)
- 7/10 plans show pricing (+21)
- No renewal data available (+10)
- 15-day free trial (+12)
- Pricing model: tiered-monthly-or-annual-with-addon-options (+5)
- 3 plan(s) require "Contact Sales" (-30)
#2
D Transparency
Foundations (Starting) plan · tiered-by-employee-count-with-transparent-startup
Intro Renewal
Monthly price $400.00/mo Same
Year 1 $4,800
Year 2 $4,800
Year 3 $4,800
3-Year Total $14,400
Transparency Score: 2/100 (D)
- 1/6 plans show pricing (+5)
- No renewal data available (+10)
- 14-day free trial (+12)
- Pricing model: tiered-by-employee-count-with-transparent-startup (+5)
- 5 plan(s) require "Contact Sales" (-30)
How We Calculate True Cost
1 Year 1 uses the intro/promotional price that vendors advertise.
2 Years 2-3 use the renewal price, which is often 2-6x higher than the intro price.
3 Team size multiplies per-user costs. For flat-rate products, the cost stays the same regardless of team size.
4 Annual billing typically saves 10-40% vs monthly. We show both so you can compare.
Building Your Business Stack?
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the true cost of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) over 3 years?
- The cheapest applicant tracking systems (ats) over 3 years is Workable at $1404 (monthly billing) or $1404 (annual billing) for 1 user. This includes intro pricing in Year 1 and renewal pricing in Years 2-3.
- Do applicant tracking systems (ats) prices increase after the first year?
- Among the 2 products we track, most maintain stable pricing after the intro period.
- How much can I save with annual billing on applicant tracking systems (ats)?
- Annual billing savings vary by product. Use our calculator to see the exact savings for each product.
- What is a Price Transparency Score?
- Our Price Transparency Score rates vendors on a 0-100 scale based on how openly they share pricing information. We evaluate whether prices are shown publicly, renewal costs are disclosed, free trials or plans exist, the pricing model is predictable, and if any plans require contacting sales.