Best free job posting sites in 2024
“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Published 7:16 a.m. UTC April 18, 2024
Editorial Note: Blueprint may earn a commission from affiliate partner links featured here on our site. This commission does not influence our editors' opinions or evaluations. Please view our full advertiser disclosure policy.
Job posting sites connect employers and employees, helping organizations find qualified professionals to fit a variety of roles from administrative assistant to graphic designer. While some job posting platforms require payment, others are free of charge.
Our research team took a deep dive into the best free job posting sites in 2024, considering features like search capabilities, mobile app availability and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. We also considered features that matter to jobseekers, like whether they can set job alerts for specific companies, as well as features that matter to companies, like whether the platform includes tools to optimize job postings.
Find out what you can expect from the best free job posting sites below.
Featured recruiting software offers
ZipRecruiter
Free trial
Yes
Standout features
AI-driven smart matching technology, Resume database, 24/7 customer support
BambooHR
Free trial
Yes
Standout features
Applicant tracking system, automated workflow approvals, offboarding and performance management
Best free job posting sites
- Indeed: Outstanding selection of features.
- Glassdoor: Most in-depth information about employers.
- Handshake: Best for students.
- SimplyHired: Easiest to use.
- LinkedIn: Outstanding thought leadership features.
- Monster: Best for employers.
Why trust our small business experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of business products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 20 companies reviewed.
- 1,190 data points analyzed.
- 100+ hours of reserach.
Indeed
Glassdoor
Handshake
SimplyHired
Monster
Featured recruiting software offers
ZipRecruiter
Free trial
Yes
Standout features
AI-driven smart matching technology, Resume database, 24/7 customer support
BambooHR
Free trial
Yes
Standout features
Applicant tracking system, automated workflow approvals, offboarding and performance management
Best free job posting sites comparison
| ADVANCED SEARCH FEATURES | JOB SEEKER PROFILES | SAVED SEARCHES FOR JOBSEEKERS | ADVERTISING BOOSTS FOR EMPLOYERS | ADVANCED JOB POST ANALYTICS FOR EMPLOYERS | MOBILE APP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indeed
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes
| Yes
|
Glassdoor
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes
|
Handshake
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| No
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes
|
SimplyHired
| No
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes; additional cost
| No
| No
|
LinkedIn
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes
|
Monster
| No
| Yes
| Yes
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes; additional cost
| Yes
|
Methodology
We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the best free job posting sites in 2024.
Expert score (10%): With our expert score, we consider everything about free job posting sites, including its features (2.5%), popularity (2.5%), the value you receive for your money (2.5%) and how easy it is to learn and use (2.5%). We consider where certain free job posting sites stands out and a company’s reputation.
Value (14%): We determine the value of free job posting sites with small businesses in mind. Will this software provide your company with the best value for your money? We look at how many users can use the job search site, which could be an important factor in choosing a free job posting site. If you own a small business, you might need an account for yourself and someone who helps you with job postings. We also look at how many active job postings are allowed, if there is a flat fee per job posting and if a company only charges you per hire made through its platform.
Features (66%): Small businesses will need to find a free job posting site that is not only within their budget but also has the features they need. Your company might need advanced search features or AI features to match job seekers with jobs they are most qualified for. It could also be helpful if the site allows job applicants to create a profile, save their job documents, save specific searches and create alerts for specific job titles. This can help you find the best employee for your open position as possible. Other features to think about could be the availability of a mobile app, if a job seeker can see reviews of your company, if the company offers advertising boosts and if you have the ability to see job post analytics.
Service and support (10%): When running a business, having access to quality customer service is essential. When looking at free job posting sites, we made note of the different ways a business could contact customer service. It is important to have access to 24/7 customer support, preferably with a live human agent. This can help you solve problems more efficiently as a business owner, making it easier to run your business. Even if a company doesn’t have 24/7 customer service, it should at least offer self-help knowledge centers where small business owners can easily find answers to commonly asked questions.
What is a free job posting site and how does it work?
Job posting sites connect employers and employees, allowing companies to find workers to fill roles. The business can create a job posting with essential details, such as educational requirements and years of experience needed. Job seekers can then view posts and see if they meet the criteria. If so, they can apply for the role in question. Some job posting sites charge users, while others are free.
Benefits of free job posting sites
Free job posting sites can benefit employers and employees alike. The fact that these sites are free means a low barrier to entry, as anyone can access these platforms without having to pay. Here are some of the other advantages of these online platforms:
- Broad reach: Job posting sites help improve job posting visibility in various ways. For example, the platform may publish the job posting on its website, on its mobile app and on partner sites.
- Simplified searching: Websites make it easier for employers and employees to connect through detailed search options. For example, organizations can search for candidates based on criteria like skills, location, industry and experience.
- Improved employer-employee matching: Some job sites offer additional tools to help ensure employers and employees are well-matched. For example, businesses can use skill assessments and screening questions, including them in job posts to ensure they are attracting qualified candidates.
Who uses free job posting sites?
Free job posting sites can be used by companies looking for employees and by individuals looking for jobs. An organization may use a job posting site to fill a role by advertising a position then soliciting applications and filtering applications according to criteria like education and experience. A job searcher may use a free job posting site to research potential employers and submit applications for fitting roles.
How to choose the best free job posting site
If you’re new to job posting sites, you may not know what to look for in a platform. We’ve broken down the basics below, addressing both the must-have features and the nice-to-have add-ons and extras.
Key features to look for
When comparing free job posting sites, there are a few key criteria to look out for. In our research, we’ve considered factors that matter for both job seekers and employers. Here’s what we found:
- Search features: Job search features make it faster and easier for job seekers to look up roles that fit their needs. For instance, they can search for roles according to location, employment type or keyword.
- Saved searches for job seekers: Most job seekers have certain criteria they’re looking for in a job, like a specific location or experience level. By saving searches, you can avoid having to adjust the search criteria every time you log in.
- Job applicant profiles: Job seeker profiles may include information like a person’s name, title, company, location and job preferences (for example, if they are open to working remotely). Such profiles speed up the application process and allow companies to scout potential employees.
- Alerts for job applicants: Instead of having to visit the job posting site every day, alerts allow job applicants to receive a notification when a fitting job becomes available. This boosts efficiency and ensures no interesting jobs slip through the cracks.
- Advertising boosts for employers: Employers looking for qualified candidates will want to make sure their job posts have a wider reach by using advertising. Such features generally cost extra (or are associated with a paid plan).
- Job post analytics for employers: Companies can track how well their job posts are doing through analytics that track metrics like views and clicks. Cost analytics also help reveal if expenses, like promoted job ads, are worth it.
Add-ons and extras
Beyond the basics, there may be some additional features that job seekers and employers find useful in a job posting site. Although not 100% necessary, these perks may be advantageous:
- Company reviews for job seekers: Company reviews help job seekers get a look behind the curtain, providing real-world feedback from actual employees. Job seekers can get insights into details like culture and values, diversity and inclusion, work/life balance, compensation, benefits and senior management.
- ATS for employers: An applicant tracking system (ATS) helps companies stay on top of applications received for specific roles. Some job platforms allow organizations to integrate an ATS, while others do not.
- AI functionality: Some job posting sites leverage AI to automatically match job seekers and organizations. The AI algorithm may take into account details like previous job searches and resume details to make matches.
- Mobile app: A mobile app allows job seekers and employers to access the job platform from their mobile devices. Individuals can make sure they don’t miss any updates regarding potential professional matches, maximizing responsiveness.
How much does a free job posting site cost?
The job posting sites on this list all have one thing in common: They’re free! You don’t have to pay to use them as an employer or an employee. That said, some offer paid plans with additional features that may be useful. For example, Glassdoor’s premium plan offers perks like advanced job seeker insights and premium branded content, while Monster’s paid plan allows you to promote jobs, track applicants and message qualified potential employees.
How much will a job posting site cost if you upgrade from a free version? We compiled pricing data when possible, but some providers only provide personalized quotes on request. That said, we were able to get data from two providers on this list: Monster’s paid plan starts at $299, while LinkedIn has plans starting at $170. Ultimately, you don’t have to pay to use a job posting site unless you need or want the more advanced features.
Featured recruiting software offers
ZipRecruiter
Free trial
Yes
Standout features
AI-driven smart matching technology, Resume database, 24/7 customer support
BambooHR
Free trial
Yes
Standout features
Applicant tracking system, automated workflow approvals, offboarding and performance management
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The best free job posting sites include advanced search features so job seekers can filter according to specific criteria. Meanwhile, employers should be able to search applicants according to details like years of experience and relevant skills. Job seekers can further benefit from the ability to create profiles, save job searches and set alerts. Employers can benefit from the options to advertise jobs and get job post analytics.
Free job posting sites make money from charging employers for job postings, selling premium subscriptions, displaying ads and offering premium services like personalized employer branding.
Paid subscription options (in addition to the freebie versions) with additional functionality are also one of the ways these companies make money. For example, while Monster has a free plan, it also has paid plans starting at $299 per month. These paid plans offer benefits like promoting unlimited jobs and inviting multiple team members to collaborate on a single Monster account.
Yes, it’s possible to create a job posting on LinkedIn for free. The platform also offers the option to pay to promote jobs. This helps companies reach more qualified candidates faster. According to LinkedIn, promoted jobs are shown at the top of search results and reach three times more qualified applicants on average.
Yes, it is possible to create a job posting on Indeed for free. A free job posting will appear on the platform’s general search results. It’s also possible to pay for sponsored job posts on Indeed.
A job post should include a job title, company name, description of roles and responsibilities, necessary skills, educational requirements and an overview of possible compensation and benefits. The job should also include logistical details, like contact information and where job seekers can submit applications.
In general, United States law doesn’t require employers to post job ads at all. However, there are some exceptions, for example, for federal contractors that are affected by the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA). Regulations for if and how long a job needs to be legally posted may vary in other countries.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
