Shortlists vs Loxo
It promised to replace everything. Now it's just an expensive database.
Loxo sold itself as the all-in-one solution. For many solo recruiters, it became a $169/month contact list with a lot of unused features around it.
“Started as an all-in-one replacement... didn't meet expectations. Now just a flat database for storing candidates.”
At a glance
Shortlists vs Loxo — quick overview
The honest take
Loxo is a sourcing platform wearing a CRM's clothes.
Loxo was built around talent sourcing for large internal recruiting teams. It has a lot of features — but most solo recruiters and small agencies use maybe 30% of them, and the ones they actually need (client portal, passive candidate pipelines, simple BD tracking) aren't there.
The enrichment credits system is a recurring frustration: $250 for 250 credits, no refunds for bad data. And at $169/month on an annual contract, you're paying $960 upfront for a platform that several of its own users describe as “just a flat database.”
Why agencies switch
What drives recruiters away from Loxo.
Became just a database
Users built it up as their all-in-one solution, then found they were still using Excel for client management and spreadsheets for BD.
“Still relies on Excel spreadsheets for client organisation.”
The credits system is a trap
Enrichment runs on credits you pay for separately. Bad data? No refund. Want more credits? Pay again.
“$250 for 250 credits vs competitors offering 1,000.”
Can't build passive pipelines
You can't create a candidate pipeline without an active job posting attached. For retained and relationship-led recruiters, this kills the whole workflow.
“Can't create passive candidate pipelines without active job posting.”
No client portal
Loxo has no way to share a live, branded view of your pipeline with a hiring manager. You're still emailing PDFs.
“Had to send candidate reports manually every time — no portal, no live view.”
Feature by feature
Everything side by side.
Pricing accurate as of Q1 2026. Verify current Loxo pricing with their sales team.
Pricing
Enrichment included. No credits system.
Loxo
$960 billed annually. Enrichment credits sold separately.
You save $1,128/year — plus whatever you'd have spent on enrichment credits.
Migration
Switching from Loxo takes one evening.
Your candidate and client data comes with you. Our CTO handles the migration overnight — free. And if you're still inside a Loxo annual contract, use Shortlists at $35/month until it runs out.
Start your free migration →Questions
Shortlists vs Loxo — common questions.
Ready to make the switch?
Join 40+ agencies who've already moved. Your data comes with you — free, overnight, handled personally.
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