▸ Comparison · Curated hiring marketplace
Haystack vs Hired
Hired pioneered the 'candidates apply to companies' model. Haystack modernised it with real vetting and better filters.
Hired was the original curated tech hiring marketplace. It's still a solid product, especially in the US.
Haystack takes the same core idea - opt-in candidates, upfront salary, curated matches - and layers on verified skills, working-pattern filters, and stronger UK / EU coverage.
Side-by-side
Haystack vs Hired - the honest breakdown
| Area | Haystack | Hired |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic strength | UK, EU strongest; US growing | US-focused, limited EU depth |
| Vetting | Skills verified in-platform | Profile-based, no forced verification |
| Filters | Working pattern, timezone, notice period | Basic role and location filters |
| Time to first shortlist | < 24 hours from job live | 2-5 days |
| Pricing | Flat subscription or pay-on-success | % of first-year salary on hire |
| Best for | UK / EU teams and modern remote workflows | US-based tech teams |
Which one is right for you?
Pick Hired if
US-based tech teams already familiar with the Hired workflow.
Common questions
- Is Haystack better than Hired for UK hiring?
- For UK and EU hires, yes. Haystack's candidate pool and salary data are much deeper across the UK and EU.
- Does Haystack use the same 'candidates apply to companies' model?
- Same core idea, modernised. Candidates opt in, but Haystack adds verified skills, working-pattern filters and salary verification upfront.
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