How Much is LinkedIn Recruiter? LinkedIn Recruiter vs Recruiter Lite.

If you are reading this blog then you are most likely considering one of the many paid plans that LinkedIn has to offer. In this blog, we answer the question “How much is LinkedIn Recruiter”, whilst delving into the intricacies of LinkedIn Recruiter and its streamlined counterpart, Recruiter Lite. We explore the features that can significantly impact the decisions of freelance recruiters.

Why use LinkedIn Recruiter or Recruiter Lite as a Freelance Recruiter?

Both LinkedIn Recruiter and Recruiter Lite are powerful tools for freelance recruiters. As a platform designed specifically for recruitment, LinkedIn offers a range of features and functionalities that cater to the unique needs of freelance recruiters. Here are several reasons why freelance recruiters should consider leveraging either LinkedIn Recruiter or Recruiter Lite:

Extensive Talent Pool: LinkedIn boasts a vast and diverse professional network, making it an ideal platform for freelance recruiters to access a broad talent pool. Freelancers can tap into this network to identify and engage with potential candidates across various industries and job functions.

Advanced Search and Filtering Options: They provide advanced search and filtering tools that empower recruiters to narrow down their candidate searches based on specific criteria. This granularity allows freelance recruiters to find candidates with the exact skills, experience, and qualifications required by their clients.

InMail Messaging System: The platform’s InMail messaging system enables recruiters to reach out to candidates directly, even if they are not connected. This direct communication channel is valuable for initiating conversations with potential candidates and building professional relationships.

Job Postings and Promotion: Freelance recruiters can use LinkedIn Recruiter and Recruiter Lite to post job openings, reaching a wide and relevant audience. The platform’s promotion features increase the visibility of job postings, ensuring that they are seen by potential candidates who match the job requirements.

Detailed Candidate Profiles: LinkedIn profiles are comprehensive, providing detailed information about a candidate’s professional background, skills, endorsements, and recommendations. Freelance recruiters can use this information to evaluate candidates more thoroughly before reaching out, saving time in the initial screening process.

Competitive Intelligence: They enable freelance recruiters to stay informed about their competitors and industry trends. By monitoring the activities of other recruiters and businesses, freelancers can gain valuable insights into market dynamics and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Collaboration and Team Features: LinkedIn Recruiter offers collaboration features which are excellent for recruitment agencies, and small recruitment teams and allow recruiters to work together seamlessly, share candidate profiles, and enhance their collective efficiency.

Personal Brand Building: Freelance recruiters can use LinkedIn as a platform to build and promote their personal brand. By sharing relevant content, participating in discussions, and showcasing their expertise, recruiters can enhance their visibility and credibility within the professional community.

Analytics and Reporting: They both provide analytics and reporting tools, allowing freelance recruiters to track the performance of their activities. This data-driven approach enables recruiters to assess the effectiveness of their strategies and make informed decisions to optimise their recruitment processes.

Best Features of LinkedIn Recruiter Lite:

1. Advanced Search Feature: Harness the capabilities of over 20 advanced filters for thorough searches based on industry, field of study, recent job tenure, and more. Streamline the candidate selection process efficiently.
2. InMails: Cultivate connections with top-tier talent by sending 30 InMails monthly through Recruiter Lite. Initiate meaningful conversations and foster relationships with potential candidates.
3. Third-Degree Connection Profile Views: Enjoy unrestricted access to first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree LinkedIn connections with the full profile view option. Attain comprehensive insights into potential candidates.
4. Reports: Obtain valuable insights into the performance of InMails and job posts through comprehensive reports. Track the effectiveness of recruitment efforts for well-informed decision-making.
5. Candidate Pipeline: Effectively manage talent pools with dedicated projects for each position. Utilise user-friendly tools, including follow-up reminders, to organise and streamline recruitment workflows.

Where Recruiter Lite May Have Limitations:

• Reduced InMails: Recruiter Lite offers a limited number of InMails compared to LinkedIn Recruiter.
• Single Seat Limitation: Unlike LinkedIn Recruiter, Lite permits only one seat per account, potentially limiting collaboration for larger recruitment teams however, this shouldn’t affect freelance recruiters.
• Limited Reporting: Recruiter Lite lacks some advanced reporting features available in the premium version, such as recruiter usage, pipeline, and summary data.

Best Features of LinkedIn Recruiter:

1. Advanced Keyword Search: Utilise Booleans and advanced filters to precisely identify ideal candidates. AI-based intelligent recommendations, such as Similar Profiles, People Also Viewed, and Suggested Profiles, enhance the search process.
2. InMail: Connect with candidates using LinkedIn’s InMail feature, with each recruiter seat offering 150 monthly InMails. Overcome network limitations and reach out to potential candidates directly.
3. Bulk Messaging: Expedite outreach efforts by sending up to 25 personalised messages at once, with the option to save templates.
4. Diverse Reporting: Beyond standard analytics, LinkedIn Recruiter provides monthly usage reports, cross-contact reporting, insights into the recruiter pipeline, and performance summaries.
5. Update Me: Stay informed about profile changes, including alterations in experience, education, skills, and contact information.
6. Multiple Seats: Unlike Recruiter Lite, a LinkedIn Recruiter account allows collaborative usage with multiple users, fostering seamless data exchange and teamwork.

LinkedIn Recruiter vs Recruiter lite.

As implied by its name, Recruiter Lite serves as a streamlined version of its more comprehensive counterpart, Recruiter. While it comes with certain limitations, it also presents a more economical alternative to LinkedIn Recruiter pricing. Here are the distinctive features that LinkedIn Recruiter offers, which are not included in the Lite version:

• InMails: Many Recruiter packages include InMails, allowing users to contact individuals with small restrictions. InMail messages can be sent in bulk, supporting up to 150 separate messages per day compared to the 30 messages a month that Recruiter Lite offers. It’s crucial to craft well-thought-out messages, as a low response rate (less than 13%) may lead to penalties from LinkedIn.
• Automated Communications Workflow: The Recruiter option provides an automated communications workflow throughout the hiring process, ensuring seamless communication and providing full access to candidate information.
• Advanced Reporting: While Recruiter Lite offers InMail and job analytics reports, Recruiter goes a step further with additional features. It includes recruiter usage and pipeline analytics reporting, along with the capability for custom report generation.
• Filtering by “Open to New Opportunities”: A key distinguishing feature of Recruiter is its ability to filter by LinkedIn members who are “open to new opportunities.” These are individuals who have indicated their openness to new opportunities on their profiles. While LinkedIn users may occasionally come across a profile with an “open to work” banner, LinkedIn Recruiter is the exclusive means to systematically search through these profiles.

Click here if you wish to view the differences between Recruiter, Recruiter Professional Services, and Recruiter Lite in the form of a table.

How much is LinkedIn Recruiter?

For many recruiters, the determining factor in choosing between LinkedIn Recruiter and Recruiter Lite is often the cost. Recruiter Lite is particularly attractive to freelance recruiters and smaller businesses with limited budgets for recruitment.

Currently, the monthly cost of Recruiter Lite is $170, with a discounted annual subscription available at $1,680. To inquire about the pricing for LinkedIn Recruiter, you have to get in touch with LinkedIn to engage with one of their sales advisors. Based on feedback from the freelance recruiters in our network, the typical cost for a LinkedIn Recruiter license can range from $5,000 to $10,000 per annum.

LinkedIn Recruiter Lite vs Sales Navigator

While both Recruiter Lite and Sales Navigator are LinkedIn products, they cater to distinct professional needs. Here’s a breakdown to help you pick the right tool:

Recruiter Lite:

• Focus: Designed specifically for recruiters to find qualified candidates with relevant skills and experience.
• Search & Filters: Offers 21 filters focused on skills, experience, education, and career history.
• Network Access: Limits searches to your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree connections.
• InMail Credits: Includes 30 InMails per month to directly message candidates.
• Pick Recruiter Lite if: You prioritize talent acquisition with strong filters for skills and experience. Your budget is tight, and 30 InMails suffice.

In essence, Recruiter Lite is a tool for efficient candidate searches within your network.

Sales Navigator:

• Focus: Built for sales professionals to identify potential clients and decision-makers within companies.
• Search & Filters: Provides 29 filters, including company details and functionalities less relevant to recruiting (e.g., company news).
• Network Access: Grants access to the entire LinkedIn database, including 3rd+ degree connections.
• InMail Credits: Offers 50 InMail credits per month, regardless of the plan.
• Pick Sales Navigator if: You just need to target companies for recruitment campaigns (Account-Based Marketing). You need access to a wider talent pool beyond your network. A higher InMail quota is crucial for your outreach.

In essence, Sales Navigator is a broader solution for identifying potential clients and decision-makers across companies.

LinkedIn Recruiter Alternative

There are a few alternatives to LinkedIn Recruiter that you can find. One of the main ones you can find is Tapflow. Tapflow is a talent-sourcing tool that uses deep technology and AI to support you in building your candidate pipelines. Here are some of the key benefits that Tapflow have to offer:

• It uses AI to identify the most qualified tech talent based on your requirements.
• Advanced filtering technology removes unqualified candidates, allowing you to focus on the best matches.
• Easily allows you to tailor the recruitment process specifically for different tech roles.

For more alternatives, check out this blog titled The 10 Best LinkedIn Recruiter Alternatives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the decision between LinkedIn Recruiter and Recruiter Lite boils down to what features you require and your budget considerations. Both platforms offer robust tools for accessing extensive talent pools, streamlining searches, and engaging with candidates.

LinkedIn Recruiter stands out with its advanced functionalities, including InMails, team collaboration, and comprehensive reporting. On the other hand, Recruiter Lite provides a cost-effective alternative with some limitations, such as reduced InMails and single-seat usage which arguably is enough for a freelance recruiter.

For those seeking an economical solution, Recruiter Lite at $170 per month may be appealing. Conversely, the investment in LinkedIn Recruiter, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per annum, unlocks a suite of advanced features. Ultimately, the choice hinges on aligning the chosen platform with specific recruitment needs and the available budget, ensuring optimal efficiency for freelance recruiters or organisations.