Clockwork vs Firefish: Features & Benefits Comparison

Which tool is the Right Choice?

Quick Summary

Clockwork Recruiting and Firefish are both recruitment software platforms designed to enhance the efficiency of hiring processes. Clockwork Recruiting offers executive search software for retained search firms, in-house teams, and investors to manage projects, collaborate with clients, and streamline workflows.

Firefish is a recruitment CRM that accelerates profitable growth by promoting a CRM-first strategy, increasing revenue per recruiter through an enriched and engaged database, admin automation, and increased recruiter engagement. Both platforms are web-based and support various devices, including desktops and mobiles, providing flexibility for recruitment professionals. User reviews indicate that Clockwork Recruiting has an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5, while Firefish has a rating of 4.6 out of 5, reflecting varying levels of user satisfaction.

We will also look at iSmartRecruit, a cost-effective recruitment software designed to suit the requirements of agencies and small to medium-sized businesses.

Metrics Comparison of Firefish vs Clockwork Recruiting

Firefish
Firefish
Clockwork Recruiting
Clockwork Recruiting
iSmartRecruit
iSmartRecruit
Pricing Starts From

£80

$149

-

Free Trial

No

Yes

Yes

Best For Recruitment agencies of all sizes Retained search firms, in-house executive recruiting, and institutional investors Corporate HRs, Mass recruiters, Hiring managers, Employment and recruiting agencies, Executive search firms, Staffing firms, Small businesses and startups
Help Videos Yes Yes Yes
New Release/Updates Monthly Monthly Monthly
Trustpilot Score 3.3 - 4
Software Suggest Score 0 0 4.7
SaaSWorthy Score 4.7 - 4.6
Capterra - Ease of Use 4.6 4.3 4.5
Capterra - Customer Service 4.7 4.3 4.7
Capterra - Features 4.3 4.1 4.6
Capterra - Value for Money 4.6 4.3 4.6
Mobile Application Yes No Yes
Capterra Rating
G2 Rating
Firefish

Pricing Starts From £80

Free Trial: No

Ease of Use: 4.6

Customer Service: 4.7

Features: 4.3

Value for Money: 4.6

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:

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 Firefish

Firefish Software, established in 2010, is headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland.

It specializes in providing recruitment and marketing SaaS solutions designed to assist recruiters in reaching, engaging, and recruiting top talent.

The platform offers a comprehensive Recruitment Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system that integrates various recruitment activities into a single, unified interface. Key features include an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that streamlines the hiring process, AI-powered automation tools to enhance efficiency, and advanced analytics for data-driven decision-making.

Additionally, Firefish provides integrated communication tools, such as two-way email and SMS tracking, to facilitate seamless interactions between recruiters and candidates.

Firefish serves recruitment agencies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, across various industries. Its services are utilized by agencies in over 25 countries, enabling them to streamline recruitment processes, enhance candidate engagement, and drive profitable growth.

By putting data at the heart of recruitment operations, Firefish empowers agencies to make informed decisions and maintain a competitive edge in the recruitment industry.

pros

PROS

cons

Firefish is user-friendly, with an intuitive workflow and uncluttered dashboard.

cons

The software is fast, reliable, and ideal for recruitment tasks.

cons

Exceptional customer support is responsive, courteous, and highly effective.

cons

Easy training makes it suitable for new team members and start-ups.

cons

It consistently delivers value, positively impacting businesses quickly.

cons

Highly recommended for its usability, support, and overall functionality.


Rachel F.

"Brilliant!"
Firefish is an amazing system, it is perfect for my business needs, it can be altered to support my business specifically plus the customer service is unbelievable

Verified G2 Review

pros

CONS

cons

CVs cannot be viewed during calls without downloading.

cons

Global dropdowns lack customization options.

cons

Adding a role requires entering a contact before the company.

cons

Temp side initially supports only day rates, not hourly rates.

cons

User removal is frustrating and time-consuming.

cons

Initial learning curve can be challenging.

cons

Retainer input process needs improvement.


Thea B.

"AVOID AT ALL COSTS"
AVOID. Pretend to be a small business that cares for small businesses, but are the total opposite and are currently hiding behind contracts when i've asked for help. System still not fully operational after a month - not worth the migration costs to move from other suppliers with. Am now left in an even worse position than when I was with the dumpster fire that is Vincere/Access, which I didn't think was even possible. Broken process where each department is seperate, zero account management once signed up. AVOID AVOID AVOID.

Verified Capterra Review

Overview of Clockwork Recruiting

Clockwork Recruiting, founded in 2010, is a specialized software-as-a-service company headquartered in Oakland, California. It focuses on enhancing the executive search and internal recruiting processes for boutique executive search firms and internal recruiting departments.

The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline various aspects of executive recruitment. Key features include client management, project tracking, and reporting capabilities, all aimed at facilitating seamless collaboration between executive search professionals and their clients.

Clockwork Recruiting's software is tailored to support every stage of the executive search process, from business development to candidate placement. It provides functionalities such as a recruiting CRM, client collaboration portals, and business development tools, enabling firms to manage pre- and post-sale workflows efficiently.

The platform emphasizes client engagement by offering collaborative features that keep clients involved and informed throughout the search process. This includes sharing search strategies, longlists, and scorecards to increase transparency and buy-in.

Additionally, Clockwork Recruiting provides real-time, automated reporting tools that allow firms to create custom reports, keeping clients updated on progress and reinforcing confidence in the search process.

By integrating these features into a single platform, Clockwork Recruiting aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of executive search projects, fostering better 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

Features Comparison

Firefish
Firefish
Clockwork Recruiting
Clockwork Recruiting
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 versatile recruitment software platform designed to streamline hiring processes for staffing firms, recruitment agencies, and executive search professionals. The platform offers AI-powered resume parsing, reducing manual work and simplifying candidate data management. Its multilingual support for over 14 languages ensures global accessibility, making it ideal for teams working internationally.

The software provides customizable recruitment pipelines, allowing organizations to tailor workflows to their specific processes. Features such as job board integrations and candidate relationship management (CRM) enhance sourcing efficiency and foster better client and candidate engagement. Additionally, advanced reporting and analytics tools deliver actionable insights for data-driven decision-making.

iSmartRecruit is known for its intuitive interface, ensuring quick adoption without the need for extensive training. Its affordability and scalability make it a practical choice for organizations of all sizes. For agencies seeking a reliable, feature-rich, and cost-effective alternative to platforms like Clockwork Recruiting and Firefish, iSmartRecruit offers a comprehensive and user-friendly solution.

Our Client Testimonial Speaks Louder Than Words!

Conclusion

Both Clockwork Recruiting and Firefish offer robust recruitment solutions with unique features tailored to different organizational needs. Clockwork Recruiting provides a comprehensive platform suitable for executive search firms seeking to streamline their search processes and collaborate effectively with clients.

Firefish offers a recruitment CRM that accelerates profitable growth by promoting a CRM-first strategy and increasing recruiter engagement.

For agencies and small to medium-sized businesses seeking a cost-effective and comprehensive recruitment solution, iSmartRecruit presents a compelling alternative with its advanced features, multilingual support, and user-friendly interface.