Applied

Applied is a recruiting platform built around skills-based assessment, job-description tools and AI-assisted hiring tasks. It is best suited to teams seeking a structured, bias-conscious process with human oversight. Its breadth is appealing, but custom pricing and a demo-led buying process may frustrate teams that need to compare costs or integrations upfront.

Overview

Applied aims to reduce bias in recruiting by supporting assessment and decision-making across the hiring process. It combines pre-built skills assessments with hiring data, job-description analysis and AI tools for creating assessment materials. A DEI metrics dashboard and inclusive recruiting capabilities extend its appeal to employers working to examine their hiring practices.

Applied says it has been acquired by Phenom. Its homepage features testimonials from SSAFA, HarperCollins and Comic Relief. The product also supports API-based access, with further information available on request.

Key features

Skills-based assessment and AI support

Teams can use AI to generate skills, questions, interviews and scoring rubrics, as well as parse CVs and assist with response scoring. AI can also flag text that appears to have been generated by AI, helping hiring teams account for it during assessment. These capabilities can help establish more consistent evaluation materials, but they do not remove the need for recruiter judgment: Applied’s policies require meaningful human oversight and prohibit decisions made solely by automated AI.

Job descriptions and hiring data

The Job Description Analysis Tool can analyze and update descriptions and generate consistent versions. Alongside pre-built assessments and data throughout the hiring process, this gives teams tools for more than one stage of recruitment. Applied says it integrates with many products, but does not name them; buyers who need to confirm a particular connection should ask the team.

Security and support

Applied says it complies with UK data security requirements, including GDPR and the EU AI Act, and holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification. Its security policy describes 128-bit SSL for browser traffic and AES-256 for sensitive stored data; that policy was last updated in June 2018. Applied invites prospective customers to book a demo or contact the team for help and product information. Payments are processed through Stripe, and Applied says it does not collect or process card details.

Pricing

Applied is paid software with custom pricing: prospective customers can request pricing or arrange a demo. Some features have free trials, while others are presented in an interactive tour with the team. There are no published plan prices or seat and usage limits to compare.

Platforms

Applied is available on the web and through an API. Teams considering API access should request further information from the company.

Who it's for

Applied is a strong fit for employers that want skills-based hiring materials, AI assistance across assessment tasks and human review of outcomes, particularly those focused on inclusive recruiting or DEI metrics. It is a less natural fit for buyers who need transparent pricing, named integration partners or clearly defined trial terms before speaking with a vendor.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Support across multiple hiring stages: assessment generation, CV parsing, response scoring and job-description analysis go beyond a single screening feature.
• Human oversight is built into the stated approach: AI supports hiring work, while hiring managers review outcomes and make final decisions.
• Inclusive hiring tools: a DEI metrics dashboard and inclusive recruiting capabilities suit teams looking to address fairness in recruitment.
• Security credentials: Applied cites GDPR and EU AI Act compliance and Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

Cons

• Costs require a vendor conversation: custom pricing makes it harder to screen against a budget before arranging contact.
• Integration fit takes follow-up: Applied says it connects with many products but does not identify them.
• Trial access varies: some features have free trials, while others require an interactive tour with the team, limiting a uniform self-guided evaluation.
• Security-policy detail is dated: the separate policy describing encryption was last updated in June 2018.

Alternatives

For more options in this category, browse Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Software.

• Teleskope Affinities is worth considering when enterprise ERG management is the priority; it is paid, has no free plan and requires a demo for pricing.
• Benevity Employee Groups is another paid web option for employee groups, with custom-scoped pricing quoted to the organization.
• CommunityCliQ is a paid web alternative; contact the vendor for a demo and pricing.
• Diverst is a paid alternative available on Android and web.
• Fair HQ is a paid web alternative.
• Mathison is a paid web alternative with pricing on request.
• Syndio is a paid web platform whose Essentials plan forms the foundation for Decisions; pricing is available by demo request, and Predict is marked as coming in 2027.
• Affirmity Employment Law Navigator is a paid web alternative with pricing by request and demos available.

Verdict

Choose Applied if your team wants skills-based recruiting supported by AI tools, inclusive hiring capabilities and human review of final outcomes. Its main advantage is the breadth of support across assessment and job-description work; its main drawback is that pricing, trial access and integration fit all require a conversation with the vendor. Buyers who need those answers upfront should compare alternatives before engaging.