Whether you’re an employer or hiring manager looking for the most qualified candidates, or a job seeker hoping to land the best job, it pays to compare the two biggest job listing sites right now, ZipRecruiter vs. Indeed, before using one of these services.
Both ZipRecruiter and Indeed are reputable job listing sites with established track records. Both of them cater to industries of all sizes, offering job hunters to find their dream jobs right from their fingertips. Both ZipRecruiter and Indeed also has a massive database for applicant resumes, helping employers and recruiters find the best talent for their job post.
But which is better: ZipRecruiter or Indeed? I’ve rounded up more information on both job listing services in this comparison review. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you can decide which way to go.
This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links at NO extra cost to you.
What is ZipRecruiter?
Table of Contents
ZipRecruiter is a giant digital job directory that syndicates job listings across hundreds of other job boards on the internet. ZipRecruiter for employers can help increase the exposure of their job listing and attract the right person for the job.
The site also matches job seekers to positions that are most suitable for them, thanks to its smart AI-driven system. Within the site or app, job seekers can search for jobs based on location, position, job type, and more. Employers can view employees’ resumes and invite them for interviews.
Serving both employers and job hunters, ZipRecruiter has managed to position itself as one of the leading job listing services today.
Is ZipRecruiter free? Yes, it is for job seekers. But, employers need to pay a fixed price per plan to enjoy the service.
Related: ZipRecruiter Review
What is Indeed?
Indeed is an employment website that aggregates job listings from different sources: staffing firms, job boards, and company career pages. Both employers and job seekers come to Indeed to take advantage of its massive database of job listings and resumes.
What makes Indeed as an appealing option as a job listing service is that it is free to use for job seekers. You don’t have to pay a dollar to look for jobs within the site. Indeed even allows you to store your resume in your account so that it’s easier to apply for jobs and become visible to potential employers.
Employers also like Indeed because it is a lot cheaper than other job listing sites. Whereas ZipRecruiter charges per tier or plan, Indeed charges employers for targeted ads. Employers may opt to have their job posts take prime real estate to attract more talents, and in turn, pay for this perk.
Comparison Between ZipRecruiter vs. Indeed: Which is Better?
When it comes to ZipRecruiter vs. Indeed, there is no doubt that these are two of the biggest job listing services we have today. But how do you decide which one is best for your needs?
I have made a comparison between the two services for both employers and job hunters between ZipRecruiter and Indeed, hoping that in the end, you’ll find the best hiring or job searching solution that works for you.
ZipRecruiter vs. Indeed For Job Seekers
1. Job search
ZipRecruiter job search
ZipRecruiter has an easy interface that allows job seekers to scour through jobs easily. On its homepage, you can type in the desired job title or position and location and then click “search jobs.”
Its AI system will generate a list of ZipRecruiter jobs that match your search criteria. If you’ve entered a broad job title, ZipRecruiter also gives you popular jobs similar to that job title and in that specific location that you were searching in.
ZipRecruiter also has search filters so you can search based on time of posting, distance, salary range, employment types, job titles, and names of companies. This makes it easier for you to broaden or narrow down your job search.
Indeed job search
Just like ZipRecruiter, Indeed is also like a massive search engine for jobs. Finding Indeed jobs is as easy as typing in the desired job title or position and Indeed will generate a list of jobs you might be interested in.
Additionally, by utilizing the same search function, you can type in the name of the company you’d like to work in and Indeed will give you results on job openings of the said company.
If you’re trying to find a job in a specific location, type in the desired location under the tab “where.”
It’s good to remember that you can also upload your resume on Indeed so that potential employers can reach you if they find your credentials a good fit for their job post.
2. Application process
ZipRecruiter application process
How you apply for jobs on ZipRecruiter depends on whether the job listing is hosted internally or externally. Typically, you can do a “1-click-apply” if the button is available within a particular job post. By doing so, ZipRecruiter sends your profile information and resume to the recruiter or hiring manager.
On the other hand, there are jobs that are hosted externally, and this is where you should click “apply now.” When you do this, you will be redirected to another page where you can send in your application.
You can also view your application by logging into your job seeker account and visiting the “applied jobs” tab. Here, you will find all the job applications and resumes you have sent.
Indeed application process
The application process on Indeed is as easy as the Indeed job search. Click on the Indeed jobs you want to apply to and you’ll be directed to another page where you’ll find all the details about the job: job title, description, and location.
You can apply right away through Indeed by clicking on the button “Easily Apply.” You’ll then need to click on “Apply now” so that you can write a cover later and upload your resume.
Alternatively, you can apply to the company directly by going to their website. Once you’re there, you’ll usually have to fill up the application form and send them your resume.
ZipRecruiter vs. Indeed: For Employers
1. Pricing
ZipRecruiter Cost
Since ZipRecruiter is a Saas or software as a service, it charges users (in this case, the employers) a fixed amount per tier or plan to. There are three plan levels offered by ZipRecruiter for employers: Basic, Premium, and Enterprise.
ZipRecruiter’s website does not disclose the cost for each plan, but according to what I’ve found online, ZipRecruiter pricing starts at $249/month. You can customize your plan depending on your needs and preferred features. It’s also good to take advantage of the ZipRecruiter free trial so that employers can test-run the service and see if they like it.
Indeed Cost
Indeed.com job listing service’s pricing structure is different from ZipRecruiter in that it can be free or subscription-based. Typically, recruiters and hiring managers can post jobs for free on the site (but with certain limitations).
There’s also the option to subscribe to the service wherein you pay as little as $5/day to Indeed so they’ll sponsor your job ads. Within this plan, you only pay when job seekers clicked on your job post. Or, you could design a hiring campaign with Indeed wherein Indeed helps you set a budget and pick the jobs to sponsor.
Apart from these subscription options, you can also pay Indeed for features like Featured Employer, Indeed Resume, and Company Pages which can help attract the right talents to your job post.
2. User-friendliness
ZipRecruiter
The ZipRecruiter app and website were designed to make job posting and hunting seamless and easy for employers and job seekers. Perhaps what makes ZipRecruiter stand out in this aspect is the fact that you can filter your job search in different ways: by job type, salary, location, etc.
Indeed
Indeed’s website is pretty easy to navigate as well. From searching for Indeed careers jobs, applying to setting up alerts, Indeed has done a good job of making it as user-friendly as possible.
3. Customer support
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter has a robust customer support system. Whenever you have queries or concerns, you can reach ZipRecruiter through their hotline or contact their live chat agents. Additionally, you can send your query through the contact form provided on their website.
Indeed
Indeed also has an employer help center that addresses the most common questions and queries employers have. You can also contact Indeed by phone from 8 AM to 8 PM EST, Monday to Friday. Employers may also send an email from their employer accounts. They can also initiate a live chat with one of Indeed’s chat support agents.
Rounding Up: Ziprecruiter vs. Indeed
Whether you are offering work or looking for one, ZipRecruiter and Indeed are two of the best sites to go to.
If you are a job seeker, it is great to search for jobs on both websites. This will allow you to find the best opportunities that match your skill set and credentials.
If you are an employer and own a more established and robust company, ZipRecruiter appears to be the better option. This is especially true if you are always looking for the next best candidate to hire.
Employers can sign up for the ZipRecruiter free trial here.
On the other hand, if you’re a smaller company with a more conservative budget, Indeed is a good way to go. You can post jobs for free or have them sponsored for a small fee.
Both ZipRecruiter and Indeed are incredible job listing websites. Both of them have a massive database for jobs and resumes, and they’re both easy to use. It just all now boils down to your budget, needs, and preferences.
Have you tried ZipRecruiter or Indeed? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
