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Clockwork Recruiting vs Cluen

Clockwork vs Cluen: Features & Benefits Comparison

Which tool is the Right Choice?

Quick Summary

Clockwork Recruiting and Cluen Encore are both software tools built to make hiring, especially for higher-level positions, quicker and easier. Clockwork Recruiting runs in the cloud and is a good fit for specialized search firms, internal hiring teams, and investors. It helps them keep track of projects, work closely with clients, and smooth out their hiring workflow.

Cluen Encore offers a complete recruiting package designed for professionals working on a retained basis. It lets them manage candidates, potential business leads, companies and searches all from one place. Both Clockwork Recruiting and Cluen Encore work on the web, so you can use them on your computer, phone, or tablet, which is handy for recruiters on the go.

We'll also be checking out iSmartRecruit, a more affordable option for recruitment agencies and small to medium-sized businesses that need a hiring software solution.

Metrics Comparison of Clockwork Recruiting vs Cluen

Clockwork Recruiting
Clockwork Recruiting
Cluen
Cluen
iSmartRecruit
iSmartRecruit
Pricing Starts From

$149

-

-

Free Trial

Yes

Yes

Yes

Best For Retained search firms, in-house executive recruiting, and institutional investors Executive recruiters, legal recruiters, in-house talent acquisition teams, government entities, universities, and venture capital/private equity firms all over the world Corporate HRs, Mass recruiters, Hiring managers, Employment and recruiting agencies, Executive search firms, Staffing firms, Small businesses and startups
Help Videos Yes No Yes
New Release/Updates Monthly Every alternate month Monthly
Trustpilot Score - - 4
Software Suggest Score 0 - 4.7
SaaSWorthy Score - - 4.6
Capterra - Ease of Use 4.3 3.8 4.5
Capterra - Customer Service 4.3 4.0 4.7
Capterra - Features 4.1 2.7 4.6
Capterra - Value for Money 4.3 2.7 4.6
Mobile Application No Yes Yes
Capterra Rating
G2 Rating
-
Clockwork Recruiting

Pricing Starts From $149

Free Trial: Yes

Ease of Use: 4.3

Customer Service: 4.3

Features: 4.1

Value for Money: 4.3

Capterra Rating:

G2 Rating:

Cluen

Pricing Starts From -

Free Trial: Yes

Ease of Use: 3.8

Customer Service: 4.0

Features: 2.7

Value for Money: 2.7

Capterra Rating:

G2 Rating: -

iSmartRecruit

Pricing Starts From -

Free Trial: YES

Ease of Use: 4.5

Customer Service: 4.7

Features: 4.6

Value for Money: 4.6

Capterra Rating:

G2 Rating:

Overview of Clockwork Recruiting

Clockwork Recruiting, launched in 2010 and based in Oakland, California, is a niche software-as-a-service company. They're all about making the process of finding top execs and handling in-house recruitment smoother for specialised executive search firms and internal recruiting teams.

Their platform brings together a bunch of tools designed to make executive recruitment easier. Think of it as a one-stop shop for client management, keeping tabs on projects, and generating reports. All of these features make it simple for executive search pros to work hand-in-hand with their clients.

Clockwork Recruiting's software covers the entire exec search journey, from drumming up business to placing the right candidate. It's got a recruiting CRM, client collaboration portals, and tools to boost business development, giving firms a helping hand with workflows both before and after a sale.

The platform prioritises keeping clients actively engaged and well-informed throughout the search process by offering collaborative tools. It achieves this by sharing search strategies, longlists, and scorecards, enhancing transparency and ensuring client buy-in.

Furthermore, Clockwork Recruiting equips firms with real-time, automated reporting tools, enabling them to generate custom reports. This keeps clients abreast of progress and bolsters their confidence in the search process.

By bringing all these features together on a single platform, Clockwork Recruiting strives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of executive search projects. This ultimately leads to stronger client relationships and successful candidate placements.

pros

PROS

cons

Highly recommended for retained search firms as a robust project tracking solution.

cons

Offers a competitive edge and ensures organized, on-track searches.

cons

Reporting and past search insights provide valuable inspiration.

cons

Excellent service and support enhance the user experience.

cons

Smooth purchasing process with responsive and helpful staff.

cons

Overall user experience is seamless and satisfactory.

cons

Users anticipate continued benefits from the software's growth.


Verified User in Management Consulting

"Pretty good, but needs work"
It’s aesthetically pleasing and intelligently-designed. It has made it far easier to keep track of candidates

Verified G2 Review

pros

CONS

cons

Switching between projects is difficult for users and clients.

cons

Tagging and merging lists are inefficient despite admin support.

cons

Lack of LinkedIn Recruiter integration hampers recruiting workflows.

cons

Poor search functionality discourages feature use.

cons

Updates sometimes remove essential features like dual-tag searches.

cons

Incompatibility with Outlook 365 creates scheduling challenges.

cons

These issues significantly impact usability and efficiency.


Jason W.

"Decent concept, pretty basic software, and deceptive sales practices. Beware!"
They don't care about taking advantage of small businesses. I asked to cancel my account before my new contract date, and they showed me some fine print that said my contract automatically renew for two years when I renew the previous year. And then tried giving me flack for not giving them 90 days notice even though I logged into the platform once in the last year. None of this was ever mentioned in the sales call. All they said it would require a two-year contract but nothing about being committed to two more years every time 365 days passes.

Verified G2 Review

Overview of Cluen

Cluen, established in 1990, is a New York City-based tech firm that focuses on creating software for executive search. Their main product, Encore, is used by a wide range of clients around the globe, including executive search consultants, legal recruiters, corporate talent acquisition departments, government bodies, universities, and venture capital/private equity firms.

Encore provides a full-featured recruitment database that helps organisations build and maintain key relationships, keep track of past data, and identify new business prospects. The system is built to automate data input, simplify the process of tracking communications, and make sure users comply with regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The technology behind Cluen is created by an internal team with many years of shared experience in the executive search field. Their consulting and support personnel collaborate closely with clients to make sure the software fits the particular requirements of the recruitment sector.

Cluen works with clients all over the world, spanning six continents. They offer a wide range of solutions for different parts of the recruitment industry. Thanks to their focus on new ideas and helping clients succeed, they've become a go-to partner for companies looking for recruitment software that's both efficient and follows regulations.

pros

PROS

cons

The new interface is user-friendly, visually appealing, and well-organized.

cons

Offers robust functionality for small to medium enterprises, comparable to larger competitors.

cons

Highly customizable to fit unique workflows seamlessly.

cons

Advanced tools for reporting and search enhance efficiency.

cons

Smartphone access ensures convenience on the go.

cons

Intuitive design makes it easy for first-time users.

cons

Excellent data storage and responsive customer support.

cons

Simplifies tracking and hiring processes effectively.


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

The software feels outdated compared to competitors, with a "DOS-like" interface.

cons

It is slow, especially with high user volumes, affecting efficiency.

cons

Pricing is high compared to similar products.

cons

Limited applicability for service industries, favoring manufacturing.

cons

Major issues, like client portal glitches, take time to resolve.

cons

Overpromising on features while under-delivering is a recurring issue.

cons

Face-to-face training is difficult for international users, though remote support is prompt.

cons

Essential feature fixes can experience delays despite regular updates.


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

Clockwork Recruiting
Clockwork Recruiting
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

Why iSmartRecruit is Best?

iSmartRecruit is a flexible recruitment software that's perfect for staffing firms, recruitment agencies, and executive search experts. It uses AI to parse resumes, which makes managing candidate data much easier and lessens the workload. With support for more than 14 languages, it's great for teams spread across different countries.

Some standout features are Customisable pipelines, letting businesses adjust their recruitment processes, and integrations with job boards, which makes finding candidates simpler. It also has tools for candidate relationship management (CRM) to help handle interactions with clients and candidates smoothly. Plus, the platform offers advanced reporting and analytics, giving you valuable insights to improve your recruitment approach.

iSmartRecruit is known for its intuitive interface, allowing teams to adapt quickly without extensive training. Its scalability and affordability make it an excellent solution for Organisations of all sizes. Whether you're managing high-level executive searches or everyday recruitment operations, iSmartRecruit offers a reliable, feature-rich, and cost-effective alternative to platforms like Clockwork Recruiting and Cluen Encore.

Our Client Testimonial Speaks Louder Than Words!

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Conclusion

Clockwork Recruiting and Cluen Encore provide strong recruitment tools, each with special touches to fit various company requirements. Clockwork Recruiting delivers a full package for top-level hiring firms looking to smooth out their search methods and team up seamlessly with clients.

Conversely, Cluen Encore has software for professionals using the retained model, letting them handle candidates and business growth chances in one spot.

For staffing agencies and smaller to mid-sized businesses wanting a cost-effective and thorough recruitment fix, iSmartRecruit stands out as a strong choice thanks to its sophisticated features, support for multiple languages, and an interface that's easy to navigate.