Free to start
Create an account and launch your first screening campaign at no cost. Criba's usage-based pricing means you only pay as you grow — no enterprise contract, no mandatory sales call required.
Best AI Recruiting Tools for Startups
Screen candidates fast, hire smarter, and keep your existing tools — without a dedicated recruiter or a big budget.
What are the best AI recruiting tools for startups?
The best AI recruiting tools for startups combine speed, low cost, and ease of setup. Criba stands out by giving candidates a ~5-minute voice AI interview on their own schedule, then returning a ranked shortlist — Pass, Borderline, or Reject — backed by direct quotes. It is free to start, charges only for usage, and works alongside your existing ATS rather than replacing it.
Why startups need AI recruiting tools
Early-stage teams move fast, budgets are tight, and every bad hire stings. Traditional recruiting workflows — posting jobs, scheduling phone screens, reading stacks of resumes — eat hours you do not have. AI recruiting tools help founders and lean HR teams screen more candidates in less time, surface the strongest fits quickly, and stay organized without adding headcount. Criba was built specifically for this: a lightweight screening layer that plugs into whatever workflow you already use.
Why Criba works for startups
Transparent, usage-based pricing
See exactly what you will pay before you commit. Criba charges per screening completed, so a five-person startup and a fifty-person team both pay proportionally for what they actually use.
No ATS rip-out required
Criba slots in alongside your existing applicant tracking system — whether that's Lever, Ashby, a spreadsheet, or nothing at all. You keep your current workflow and add AI screening on top.
~5-minute candidate experience
Candidates complete a structured voice AI interview on their own schedule, in about five minutes. Higher completion rates mean you get data on more applicants, not just the ones who reply to an email.
Instant ranked shortlist
Every submission is automatically scored and labeled Pass, Borderline, or Reject. Each label links to direct quotes from the candidate so your team can audit and trust the recommendation.
Built for English and Spanish hiring
Criba was designed for bilingual hiring across LATAM and the US. Candidates can complete their interview in the language they are most comfortable in, widening your talent pool without extra work.
How Criba works
Create your screening criteria
Define the role, the must-have skills, and the key questions you want answered. Criba takes a few minutes to set up — no template library required, just describe what a great candidate looks like.
Candidates complete a voice AI interview
Applicants receive a link and complete a ~5-minute structured AI interview on their phone or computer, whenever it suits them. No scheduling friction, no recruiter time spent on first-round calls.
Receive a ranked shortlist
Criba processes each response and returns a Pass / Borderline / Reject label with a score. Every rating is tied to direct quotes from the candidate so you can see exactly why they ranked where they did.
Advance the right people, fast
Focus your limited interview time on candidates who already cleared the bar. Pass their shortlist into your existing ATS or next hiring step — Criba does not replace your process, it accelerates the front of it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ATS to use Criba?
No. Criba works as a standalone screening layer and integrates with your existing ATS if you have one. Many early-stage startups use Criba alongside a simple spreadsheet or hiring board. You do not need to replace any tool to get started.
How much does Criba cost for a startup?
Criba is free to start. After your initial credits, pricing is usage-based — you pay per screening completed, with no monthly minimums or long-term contracts. Full details are on the pricing page so you can plan before you commit.
How long does a candidate screening take?
Each AI-led candidate interview takes approximately five minutes. Candidates complete it on their own schedule, from any device, without needing to book time with a recruiter. Results are available immediately after submission.
Can Criba screen candidates in Spanish?
Yes. Criba is built for bilingual hiring in English and Spanish, with LATAM-neutral language support. Candidates can complete their interview in whichever language they prefer, which is especially useful for startups hiring across multiple markets.
How does Criba rank and score candidates?
Criba labels each candidate Pass, Borderline, or Reject based on their responses to your screening criteria. Every label links to direct quotes from the candidate's voice interview so your team can understand and audit the reasoning — there is no black-box scoring.
What makes Criba different from other AI recruiting tools for startups?
Most AI recruiting tools are add-ons to large ATS platforms or require expensive annual contracts. Criba is lightweight, usage-priced, and free to start. It focuses narrowly on the screening bottleneck — the repetitive first-round work — without trying to replace your entire recruiting stack.