Indeed review

Indeed takes first place because it gives employers the most ways to start cheap and scale up. Many roles can be posted for free with screening questions, message templates and performance analytics, which is enough to see whether a job draws applicants at all. When it does not, a Standard Sponsored Job adds a visibility boost over free posts, email advertising to relevant job seekers and automated messages. Premium moves the post into the top three results more often, by Indeed's own US data, and lets you invite matched candidates and text applicants. The tradeoff is pricing you cannot read in advance: Indeed recommends a budget per job from title, location and competition, and you can lower it only to the minimum shown at checkout. Invoices arrive on the first of the month or once spend reaches $500. Jobs pulled in from a career site, a feed or an ATS may have to be sponsored, so large employers should budget for that.

Who it is for

Most US employers filling hourly, local and professional roles who want the widest applicant pool and control over spend.

Price

Free job posts for many roles; Sponsored Jobs use a budget you set above a per-job minimum, billed monthly or at $500 of spend.

You'll be billed on the first day of the month or when your account spending reaches $500—whichever comes first.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 7, 2026.

Key features

• Free job posts with screening questions, analytics and message templates
• Standard Sponsored Jobs add a visibility boost, email advertising and automated messages
• Premium adds a first page boost, matched candidates to invite and SMS messages
• Indeed Apply lets candidates apply to your ATS jobs directly on Indeed
• Premium Plus beta adds a 0 to 100 Smart Fit Score and AI follow-up questions

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free posting covers many jobs, so you can test demand before spending
• Strength: You can set a budget below the recommendation as long as it meets the job minimum
• Strength: Screening questions and analytics are included even on free posts
• Weakness: No fixed price list: the minimum depends on market, competition and plan
• Weakness: Indeed can require that some jobs be sponsored, including ATS and feed jobs
• Weakness: Matched candidate invites and SMS start on Premium

Key facts

• Free posting: Yes, for many jobs, subject to Indeed terms
• Paid tiers: Standard, Premium, Premium Plus (beta)
• Billing: First of the month or at $500 of spend
• Pricing model: Your budget, charged for clicks or started applications

Where it ranks

Indeed is No. 1 in our Best Job Posting Sites for Employers verdict.