Bullhorn: Overview and Positioning
What is Bullhorn?
Bullhorn is the global leader in ATS/CRM software for staffing and recruiting. Founded in 1999 in the USA, the platform generates over
$400 million in revenue and serves more than
10,000 agencies worldwide.
Bullhorn's Historical Strengths
| Criterion | Evaluation |
|---|
| Experience | 25+ years |
| Market share | Global staffing leader |
| Ecosystem | 500+ marketplace integrations |
| Features | Very complete (ATS, CRM, back-office) |
| International | Global presence |
Common Problems with Bullhorn
Despite its dominant position, Bullhorn faces recurring criticism:
| Problem | Impact |
|---|
| Dated interface | Long learning curve |
| High price | $99-199/user/month minimum |
| Complexity | Months to master the tool |
| US-centric | Support and docs in English |
| Expensive customization | Every adaptation charged |
| Slow | 5-6 seconds per page load |
Why Look for a Bullhorn Alternative?
Main Reasons for Migration
We surveyed staffing firms and agencies that left Bullhorn. Here's their feedback:
| Reason | % of respondents |
|---|
| Price too high | 45% |
| Complex/dated interface | 35% |
| Unresponsive support | 30% |
| Not suited for small structures | 28% |
| Lack of AI features | 22% |
| No integrated staffing | 18% |
Who Should Consider an Alternative?
| Profile | Bullhorn suited? | Recommended alternative |
|---|
| Large international agency 200+ | ✅ Yes | - |
| Staffing firm 10-100 consultants | ❌ No | Cobalt |
| SMB recruiting agency | ❌ No | Cobalt |
| Recruiting startup | ❌ No | Cobalt |
| Need AI/modernity | ❌ No | Cobalt |
Cobalt vs Bullhorn: Detailed Comparison
Overview
| Criterion | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Positioning | Modern unified platform | Historic staffing leader |
| Target | Staffing firms, EU agencies | Large international agencies |
| Price | From $89/user/month | From $99/user/month |
| Interface | Modern, intuitive | Dated, complex |
| AI | Native and integrated | Paid add-on (Textkernel) |
| Support | Local, responsive | International, English |
| Setup | Few days | Several weeks/months |
ATS Features
| Feature | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Candidate pipeline | ✅ Modern Kanban | ✅ Classic view |
| CV Parsing | ✅ Native AI | ✅ Via Textkernel (paid) |
| Job posting distribution | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Semantic search | ✅ Integrated AI | 🟡 Complex Boolean |
| Candidate-job matching | ✅ Automatic AI | 🟡 Manual or add-on |
| Scorecards | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated emails | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile | ✅ Native app | ✅ App |
: Cobalt offers a modern experience with native AI. Bullhorn remains functional but requires paid add-ons for AI.
CRM Features
| Feature | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Talent pool management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated nurturing | ✅ Integrated sequences | 🟡 Via add-on |
| Interaction history | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced segmentation | ✅ Tags + AI | ✅ Tags |
| Client management | ✅ Integrated | ✅ Integrated |
| Sales pipeline | ✅ | ✅ |
: Both solutions cover CRM needs. Cobalt includes nurturing natively.
Staffing Features
| Feature | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Assignment management | ✅ Native | 🟡 Separate module |
| Consultant assignment | ✅ AI Matching | 🟡 Manual |
| Bench tracking | ✅ Auto alerts | 🟡 Reporting |
| Rate management | ✅ Integrated | 🟡 Customization |
| Planning view | ✅ | 🟡 Add-on |
| Billing | 🟡 Integration | ✅ Dedicated module |
: Cobalt is built for staffing firms with native features. Bullhorn requires additional modules.
Interface and User Experience
| Criterion | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Design | Modern (2024) | Dated (2010s) |
| Load time | < 1 second | 5-6 seconds |
| Learning curve | Few hours | Several weeks |
| Customization | Simple (no-code) | Complex (paid) |
| Search | Natural language + AI | Complex Boolean |
: Cobalt offers significantly better user experience. New users are productive in hours.
Pricing and Total Cost
| Element | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Base price | $89/user/month | $99/user/month |
| Full plan | $89/user/month | $199/user/month (Corporate) |
| AI Parsing | ✅ Included | +$39/user/month |
| Automation | ✅ Included | +$39/user/month |
| Premium support | ✅ Included | Paid |
| Training | ✅ Included | Paid |
| Customization | ✅ No-code included | Charged |
Total Cost for 10 Users (Annual)
| Item | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Licenses | $10,680 | $11,880 - $23,880 |
| AI/Auto add-ons | $0 | ~$4,700 |
| Setup/Training | $0 | $2,000 - $5,000 |
| Year 1 Total | $10,680 | $18,580 - $33,580 |
for a 10-person team.
Support and Onboarding
| Criterion | Cobalt | Bullhorn |
|---|
| Language | Local support | English |
| Response time | < 2h average | Variable |
| Onboarding | Personalized included | Paid |
| Documentation | Multi-language | EN primarily |
| Account manager | ✅ Dedicated | For large accounts |
: Cobalt offers responsive local support included. Bullhorn charges for premium support.
Summary Table: Cobalt vs Bullhorn
| Criterion | Winner | Comment |
|---|
| Price | 🏆 Cobalt | 2x cheaper for same features |
| Interface | 🏆 Cobalt | Modern vs dated |
| AI | 🏆 Cobalt | Native vs paid add-on |
| Staffing | 🏆 Cobalt | Built for vs adapted |
| Local support | 🏆 Cobalt | Native vs English |
| Ecosystem | 🏆 Bullhorn | 500+ integrations |
| Large agencies | 🏆 Bullhorn | Global reference |
| Speed | 🏆 Cobalt | <1s vs 5-6s |
| Training | 🏆 Cobalt | Hours vs weeks |
Migration from Bullhorn to Cobalt
How to Migrate?
| Step | Duration | Cobalt Support |
|---|
| 1. Data audit | 1 day | ✅ Included |
| 2. Bullhorn export | 1-2 days | ✅ Guide provided |
| 3. Import to Cobalt | 1 day | ✅ Done by our team |
| 4. Configuration | 2-3 days | ✅ Customization included |
| 5. Team training | 1 day | ✅ Included |
| Total | 1-2 weeks | All included |
Data Migrated
- ✅ Complete candidate database (CV, contacts, history)
- ✅ Client database and contacts
- ✅ Active job postings
- ✅ Current pipeline
- ✅ Notes and interaction history
- ✅ Tags and segmentation
Cobalt Guarantees
- Free migration for clients coming from Bullhorn
- Dedicated support during transition
- Parallel run period possible
- Satisfaction guaranteed: 30-day trial
Conclusion: Bullhorn or Cobalt?
Choose Bullhorn if:
- You're a large international agency (200+ users)
- You need a massive integration ecosystem
- You have the budget and resources for implementation
- Your teams are English-speaking
Choose Cobalt if:
- You're a staffing firm or European agency
- You're looking for a modern solution with AI
- You want a tool that's easy to adopt
- You want to cut your budget in half
- You need responsive local support
- You're looking for a unified platform (ATS + CRM + Staffing)
Ready to discover a better Bullhorn alternative?
Request a free Cobalt demo and see how our clients save 50% while boosting productivity.
Want to go further?
Discover how Cobalt can help you.
See demo
