How Much Do Pre-Employment Tests Cost in 2026? Pricing Models Explained
Ali Guliyev7 min read
Key takeaways
- Vendors use three main models: pay per candidate/test, annual plans with credits, and flat subscriptions with unlimited candidates.
- The real cost is cost per hire, not the list price. A cheap plan with candidate limits can cost more in high-volume hiring.
- Hidden costs: seat limits, expiring credits, paywalled integrations or anti-cheating features, and annual lock-in.
- Example: TheyTest costs $119–$209 per month, with unlimited candidates and seats.
The three pricing models
| Model | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay per candidate / per test | You buy tests or candidate credits as you go | Occasional hiring | Becomes expensive with volume; budget is hard to predict |
| Annual plan with credits | Yearly fee including a number of candidates, often with seat limits | Steady hiring | Unused credits may expire; annual commitment |
| Flat subscription, unlimited candidates | Fixed monthly or yearly fee, no per-candidate charge | High-volume and growing teams | Check what's included in each tier |
What drives the price
- Number of candidates you test per year
- Number of recruiter seats
- Test library access (basic vs full)
- Anti-cheating level (basic flags vs full session recording)
- Integrations (ATS, API) and SSO
- Support (email vs dedicated contact)
- Contract length (monthly vs yearly)
How to compare vendors: calculate cost per hire
- Estimate candidates per year, e.g. 600.
- Price each vendor for that volume, including seats and features you actually need.
- Divide by hires per year, e.g. 40.
- Add recruiter time saved. Testing should cut interview hours.
Example: 600 candidates and 40 hires per year. A flat plan at $179/month comes to $2,148/year, or about $54 per hire, with no per-candidate cost.
A per-candidate model at $10 per candidate comes to $6,000/year, or $150 per hire.
(The per-candidate figure is an illustration. Check each vendor's current pricing.)
TheyTest pricing (November 2026)
| Plan | Monthly billing | 3 months | 6 months | Yearly | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 30 days free | Pro features | |||
| Basic | $149/mo | $139/mo | $129/mo | $119/mo | Core test library and essential features (no video recording) |
| Pro | $209/mo | $199/mo | $189/mo | $179/mo | Full library and all features, full-session video recording, advanced cheating detection, priority support |
| 300-assessment package | $300/year | 300 assessments with Pro features | |||
| Enterprise | Quote | Volume pricing, migration, ATS integration, named contact |
All plans include unlimited candidates and unlimited seats. Monthly billing has no annual contract.
Questions to ask any vendor
- Are candidates or credits limited? Do unused credits expire?
- How many recruiter seats are included?
- Are anti-cheating features (recording, behaviour monitoring) in my plan?
- Can I pay monthly, or is a yearly contract required?
- Are tests available in my candidates' languages at no extra cost?
FAQ
How much does a pre-employment test cost per candidate?
It ranges from a few dollars to tens of dollars per candidate on pay-as-you-go models. Flat subscriptions with unlimited candidates bring the per-candidate cost close to zero at high volume.
Is there pre-employment testing software with monthly billing?
Yes. TheyTest offers monthly billing with no annual contract, from $149/month (Basic) or $209/month (Pro).
Are there free pre-employment testing tools?
Some vendors offer free plans with limited tests. TheyTest offers a 30-day free trial with Pro features.
