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TestGorilla is listed from $74 with a free plan, but Reddit threads describe candidates facing long assessments, video recording and questions they felt did not match the job. Those are reports, not proof of a universal candidate experience, but they point to a real trade-off: screening depth can add friction before candidates speak to a person. We’ve picked two assessment-focused options and four recruiting platforms for teams considering a broader change. Public prices vary, and several are not published.
01Why people leave TestGorilla
Long assessments can deter applicants
One Reddit thread describes a 75-minute assessment with video; another poster says the process took more than two hours.
Questions may feel unrelated
A Reddit commenter applying for museum work said only a few questions related to the museum, with much of the test focused elsewhere.
Candidate experience is a risk
Reddit commenters say they would abandon applications over the process, and some worry employers may lose qualified candidates.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Assessment and interviews
CriteriaCriteriaCriteria is the closest listed fit if you want to keep assessments but compare a different hiring platform. Its listed use cases include combining assessments and interviews, which gives buyers a basis for evaluating a wider selection process. The trade-off is price: it is not published, so you’ll need a quote to compare it with TestGorilla’s listed $74 starting price.
Trade-off: Pricing is not published, and candidate concerns are noted.
5.4/10from
Custom - Technical screening
HackerRankHackerRankHackerRank fits teams whose screening need is technical: the listed use cases include AI fluency assessments, pair-programming interviews and structured technical screening. Its listing starts at $165 and includes a free plan; plan limits revolve around attempt caps, but the specific caps are not published here. Candidate feedback is described as mixed.
Trade-off: More technically focused; attempt caps and candidate feedback need scrutiny.
5.9/10from
$165/mofree plan - ATS and recruiting CRM
CATSCATSCATS is a broader change than swapping one assessment provider for another. It combines ATS and recruiting CRM features, and its listed strengths include automating candidate-stage workflows and tracking clients and applicants. The price starts at $95 per user, so compare the cost for your team size before replacing TestGorilla or adding another tool.
Trade-off: Not an assessment-focused replacement; per-user pricing adds up.
6.5/10from
$95/mo - Recruiting stack consolidation
AshbyAshbyAshby is worth considering if you want to consolidate recruiting tools rather than replace TestGorilla with another assessment product. Its listed fit includes built-in recruiting analytics and teams seeking a combined recruiting stack. The entry price is listed from $360, while larger plans hide their prices, so confirm what is included before budgeting.
Trade-off: Higher listed entry price; larger-plan pricing is not public.
6.0/10from
$360/mo - ATS and candidate pipelines
LeverLeverLever combines ATS and recruiting CRM capabilities, with listed use cases that include building passive-candidate pipelines and using hiring analytics and AI. That makes it a broader recruiting-system option, not a direct assessment substitute. Its public price is not listed, so ask for a quote and compare the full hiring workflow you would be replacing.
Trade-off: No public price or relevant Reddit feedback to clarify value.
6.2/10from
Custom - Hiring task automation
ParadoxParadoxParadox is aimed at organizations automating hiring tasks across multiple stages while keeping an existing system of record. Consider it if the goal is to change how the hiring process runs, not simply switch assessment vendors. Pricing and limits are not published in the listing, so ask for both before deciding whether it fits your budget.
Trade-off: Pricing and limits are not published.
6.2/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 TestGorilla TestGorilla (current) | 6.0 | $74/mo | Yes | Teams sourcing candidates and screening skills |
| Criteria Criteria | 5.4 | Custom | No | Teams combining assessments and interviews |
| HackerRank HackerRank | 5.9 | $165/mo | Yes | Teams assessing AI fluency |
| 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 |
| Paradox Paradox | 6.2 | Custom | No | Organizations automating hiring tasks |
Questions people ask
What is the closest TestGorilla alternative?
Criteria is the closest listed match for teams that want assessments alongside interviews. HackerRank is another assessment-focused option, but its listed use cases center on technical screening, AI fluency and pair-programming interviews. Neither listing provides enough detail to compare assessment libraries question by question.
Is there a free TestGorilla alternative?
HackerRank is listed with a free plan, but the plan’s included features and attempt cap are not specified here. TestGorilla is also listed with a free plan. Check what each free tier includes and whether its limits fit your hiring volume before treating it as a like-for-like replacement.
What should we compare before switching from TestGorilla?
Compare the role relevance of assessments, how much time candidates must spend, whether recording is required, and the full price at your expected volume. Reddit reports describe concerns about lengthy tests and questions that felt unrelated to the role. Ask vendors to clarify plan limits that are not published.