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
HackerRank lists a free plan and a starting price of $165. But Reddit candidates describe confusing problem statements, hidden tests they cannot inspect, and timed puzzles they see as unlike their day-to-day work. The alternatives below are not all coding-test replacements: Criteria is the closest match for assessments and interviews, while the others focus on recruiting workflows, sourcing or analytics. Check the product fit and price before moving your screening process.
01Why people leave HackerRank
Puzzle-heavy screening
In one Reddit thread, candidates said HackerRank-style puzzles can feel unrelated to software engineering work and reward a different skill set.
Confusing tasks and hidden tests
Candidates in Reddit threads reported unclear problem statements, examples that did not match test cases, and hidden cases they could not inspect while debugging.
Time pressure and inconsistent outcomes
One candidate worried about solving two problems in under an hour; commenters described different experiences of how interviewers judge incomplete solutions.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Assessments and interviews
CriteriaCriteriaCriteria is the closest fit if you want to keep assessments central: its listed strengths include combining assessments and interviews. That makes it a more relevant place to investigate than a general ATS if your main reason for leaving HackerRank is the screening format. The published information does not confirm coding challenges or publish a price, so ask about both before planning a migration.
Trade-off: Pricing is not published, and coding-test support is not confirmed.
5.4/10from
Custom - ATS and recruiting CRM
CATSCATSCATS suits teams that want to move beyond a standalone screening platform and manage recruiting in an ATS and CRM together. Its listed features include candidate-stage workflow automation, which may fit a process where HackerRank is only one part of the hiring pipeline. The listed starting price is $95; confirm what that covers before comparing it with HackerRank.
Trade-off: It is an ATS and CRM, not a confirmed coding-test replacement.
6.5/10from
$95/mo - Recruiting stack and analytics
AshbyAshbyAshby is worth considering if leaving HackerRank is part of consolidating recruiting tools or adding built-in recruiting analytics. The pricing page says it bundles the recruiting stack, but its price details are not consistent: it lists a $360 starting price and separately describes a $400/month entry plan. Confirm the current price and plan limits directly.
Trade-off: Higher-plan prices are hidden, and the published entry-price details conflict.
6.0/10from
$360/mo - ATS and recruiting CRM
LeverLeverLever combines an ATS and recruiting CRM, with listed coverage for passive-candidate pipelines, hiring analytics and AI. It may suit teams that want candidate management and sourcing capabilities alongside their screening process, rather than another standalone testing product. The published information does not give a public price or relevant Reddit feedback, so request a quote and verify assessment needs.
Trade-off: No public price or confirmed coding-assessment coverage.
6.2/10from
Custom - Recruiting tools consolidation
GemGemGem is aimed at teams replacing several recruiting tools or keeping their current ATS while adding recruiting coverage. That makes it a possible broader-stack option if HackerRank is one of several systems you want to reassess. The listing starts at $130 and includes a free plan, but custom pricing is opaque; confirm what each plan includes before switching.
Trade-off: Custom pricing makes the full cost hard to size up.
7.0/10from
$130/mofree plan - Hiring task automation
ParadoxParadoxParadox is listed for organizations automating hiring tasks and teams hiring across multiple stages. It could be relevant if your decision is to rethink the wider hiring process around HackerRank, not simply replace its tests. Pricing and limits are unpublished in the published information, so ask for a quote and confirm how it fits your existing system of record.
Trade-off: Pricing and limits are not published.
6.2/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 HackerRank HackerRank (current) | 5.9 | $165/mo | Yes | Teams assessing AI fluency |
| Criteria Criteria | 5.4 | Custom | No | Teams combining assessments and interviews |
| CATS CATS | 6.5 | $95/mo | No | Recruiters needing ATS and CRM together |
| Ashby Ashby | 6.0 | $360/mo | No | Teams consolidating recruiting tools |
| Lever Lever | 6.2 | Custom | No | Teams combining ATS and recruiting CRM |
| Gem Gem | 7.0 | $130/mo | Yes | Startups with 1–10 FTE |
| Paradox Paradox | 6.2 | Custom | No | Organizations automating hiring tasks |
Questions people ask
What is the closest HackerRank alternative for assessments?
Criteria is the closest match in this list because its listed features include assessments and interviews. The published information does not confirm coding challenges or publish pricing, so ask for a feature walkthrough and quote before treating it as a direct HackerRank replacement.
Are these alternatives direct replacements for HackerRank coding tests?
Not necessarily. The published descriptions confirm assessment coverage for Criteria, but do not establish coding-test features for the other picks. CATS, Ashby, Lever, Gem and Paradox are described mainly around recruiting systems, analytics or automation. Verify the test format you need before migrating.
Why do candidates complain about HackerRank?
In the Reddit threads supplied, candidates described confusing problem statements, hidden test cases that were difficult to debug, and timed puzzles they felt did not reflect software engineering work. Those are individual reports, not proof that every candidate or hiring team has the same experience.