What is the difference between Ashby and Deel?

Ashby is best for Fast-growing companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform, while Deel is best for Companies hiring internationally without entities. Ashby starts at Custom and Deel starts at Free.

Is Ashby or Deel cheaper?

Ashby starts at Custom. Deel starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to Ashby?

Yes, Deel offers a free tier (Free for contractors).

Ashby vs Deel (2026) — notanothertool

At a glance

	Ashby	Deel
Best for	Fast-growing companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform	Companies hiring internationally without entities
Starting price	Custom	Free
Free tier	—	✓
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	—	✓
Open source	—	—
ATS	✓	—
Analytics	✓	—
CRM	✓	—
Compliance	—	✓
Contractors	—	✓
EOR	—	✓
Global Payroll	—	✓
Scheduling	✓	—

Ashby

Strengths

Includes ATS as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows
Includes CRM as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows
Focused toolset keeps the interface clean and easy to navigate
Includes analytics alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

No free tier, so you can't try it without committing to a paid plan
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in hr & recruiting
Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish

Try Ashby → Full review

Deel

Strengths

Includes Global Payroll as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows
Includes Compliance as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows
Free for contractors — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Includes eor alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in hr & recruiting
Mobile experience lags behind the desktop version in features and polish

Try Deel → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: Both Ashby and Deel are free. You can try both without spending a dollar.

Feature gaps: Ashby offers ATS, Analytics and CRM that Deel lacks. Deel brings Compliance, Contractors and EOR that Ashby does not have.

Team fit: Ashby is geared toward mid-size teams teams, while Deel is aimed at any size teams. Pick the one that matches where your team is today and where it is headed — migrating tools later is always painful.

Where each tool shines: Ashby's biggest strengths are: includes ats as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows. includes crm as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows. Deel's biggest strengths are: includes global payroll as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows. includes compliance as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows.

Watch out for: With Ashby, users commonly note that no free tier, so you can't try it without committing to a paid plan. With Deel, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose Ashby if...

You need a tool built for fast-growing companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform
You specifically need ATS and Analytics
You care about includes crm as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows
Your team size fits the mid-size teams profile Ashby is designed for

Choose Deel if...

Your profile matches its sweet spot: companies hiring internationally without entities
You specifically need Compliance and Contractors
You care about includes compliance as a core feature, purpose-built for hr & recruiting workflows
Your team size fits the any size profile Deel is designed for
The free tier works for you: free for contractors