We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
CodinGame has a 6.2 score and starts at $80, but the hiring case depends on whether its tests reflect the work you need to assess. Reddit commenters describe timed questions, memorization and test results they felt did not represent real development. HackerRank is the closest technical-screening alternative here; Criteria also covers assessments and interviews. The other picks are broader recruiting platforms, not like-for-like coding test tools. Their published entry prices range from $95 to $360, while several vendors do not publish pricing.
01Why people leave CodinGame
Test scores may not reflect job fit
In one Reddit thread, a candidate reported scoring 90% on a CodinGame test but being rejected for profile fit, with no clear link to the result.
Timed questions can reward memorization
Commenters criticize short coding tasks and syntax-focused QCMs, saying they can favor recall over debugging or learning in a real project.
Some test formats frustrate candidates
Reddit commenters describe little time to parse questions and ambiguous SQL tasks with limited feedback, which can make the assessment feel less useful.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Technical hiring
HackerRankHackerRankHackerRank is the closest fit if you want to replace CodinGame with another technical hiring platform rather than rethink screening entirely. Its listed uses include assessing AI fluency, pair-programming interviews and structured technical screening for small teams. The listing says it has a free plan and starts at $165; it also flags attempt caps and mixed candidate feedback, so compare the plan limits before switching.
Trade-off: It still relies on technical assessments, and attempt caps and candidate feedback are concerns.
5.9/10from
$165/mofree plan - Assessments and interviews
CriteriaCriteriaCriteria is a closer alternative if your hiring process needs both assessments and interviews, rather than coding games alone. The listing also includes employee development tools, which may suit teams looking beyond candidate screening. Pricing is not published, so you will need a quote to compare its cost with CodinGame’s listed $80 starting price.
Trade-off: Pricing is not published, and its assessment approach may not resolve candidate concerns.
5.4/10from
Custom - Recruiting stack
AshbyAshbyAshby is a broader change, not a direct coding-test replacement: its listing positions it as a bundled recruiting stack with built-in analytics. Consider it if the decision to leave CodinGame is part of consolidating recruiting tools or improving hiring analytics. The listed entry price is $360, while larger-plan prices are not public, so check the plan limits and quote before budgeting.
Trade-off: The $360 entry price is higher, and larger-plan pricing is not public.
6.0/10from
$360/mo - ATS and CRM
LeverLeverLever may fit teams that want to move away from a test-first process and combine applicant tracking with recruiting CRM. Its listed coverage includes passive-candidate pipelines, hiring analytics and AI. It is not presented as a coding-assessment product, so this is a broader recruiting-process switch. Pricing is not published, making a cost comparison with CodinGame difficult before requesting a quote.
Trade-off: No public price or relevant Reddit feedback is listed to help judge value.
6.2/10from
Custom - ATS and recruiting CRM
CATSCATSCATS is worth considering if your priority is organizing candidate stages rather than swapping one coding test for another. The listing describes an ATS and recruiting CRM with candidate-stage workflow automation, aimed at recruiters and agencies. It starts at $95 per user, so factor in the user count when comparing it with CodinGame. It is a workflow alternative, not a direct technical assessment substitute.
Trade-off: It is not a direct coding-test replacement, and the listed price is per user.
6.5/10from
$95/mo - Company discovery
Welcome to the JungleWelcome to the JungleWelcome to the Jungle is the most different option here: its listing focuses on company discovery for job seekers and recruiter discovery for candidates. It may suit employers who want to shift attention from timed screening toward being found by candidates. The listing does not publish employer pricing, and it does not position the product as a technical assessment tool.
Trade-off: Employer pricing is opaque, and the listing does not describe technical assessments.
5.8/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 CodinGame CodinGame (current) | 6.2 | $80/mo | No | Developers practicing through coding games |
| HackerRank HackerRank | 5.9 | $165/mo | Yes | Teams assessing AI fluency |
| Criteria Criteria | 5.4 | Custom | No | Teams combining assessments and interviews |
| Ashby Ashby | 6.0 | $360/mo | No | Teams consolidating recruiting tools |
| Lever Lever | 6.2 | Custom | No | Teams combining ATS and recruiting CRM |
| CATS CATS | 6.5 | $95/mo | No | Recruiters needing ATS and CRM together |
| Welcome to the Jungle Welcome to the Jungle | 5.8 | Custom | No | Job seekers comparing company cultures |
Questions people ask
What is the closest CodinGame alternative for technical hiring?
HackerRank is the closest match among these picks: its listing covers AI-fluency assessment, pair-programming interviews and structured technical screening. Criteria also covers assessments and interviews. Neither listing establishes that its tests solve the candidate concerns raised about CodinGame, so review the assessment formats and limits before choosing.
How much does CodinGame cost compared with its alternatives?
The pricing page puts CodinGame at a starting price of $80. HackerRank starts at $165, CATS at $95 per user and Ashby at $360. Criteria, Lever and Welcome to the Jungle do not have public prices in the published information. These figures do not establish like-for-like plan features or limits.
Why do candidates criticize CodinGame tests?
In two Reddit threads, commenters say timed coding questions and syntax-focused quizzes can favor memorization over practical development skills. Others describe limited time to understand prompts and frustrating SQL questions with little feedback. These are commenters’ experiences, not proof that every CodinGame test has the same problems.