Greenhouse vs Lever vs Ashby: Which Has the Best Public API?
A technical deep-dive comparing the three most popular ATS platforms. Which one has the best API for accessing job listings? Here's what you need to know.
TL;DR: Lever is easiest (no auth), Greenhouse has most data (2,000+ companies), Ashby has best developer experience. Read on for the full comparison.
Quick Comparison Table
| ATS | Companies | Auth Required | Rate Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse | 2,000+ | Yes (per-board) | ~150/min | Enterprise |
| Lever | 1,500+ | No | ~600/min | Easy integration |
| Ashby | 500+ | Yes (per-board) | Generous | Developer DX |
Greenhouse
The enterprise choice. Greenhouse is the most widely used ATS, with over 2,000 companies using their platform.
API Details
- API Type: REST API with JSON responses
- Authentication: API key required (per-board)
- Rate Limit: ~150 requests per minute
- Base URL:
https://boards-api.greenhouse.io/v1/
Data Available
- Jobs (with full details)
- Departments and offices
- Hiring team members
- Candidate stages
- Job applications (with permission)
How to Get Access
You'll need to request an API key from each company's Greenhouse board. There's no universal key — each company must grant you access individually.
GET https://boards-api.greenhouse.io/v1/boards/{board_token}/jobs
Authorization: Basic {api_key}Pros: Most comprehensive data, largest company count, detailed job information
Cons: Requires individual API keys per company, more complex setup
Lever
The easy choice. Lever has the easiest-to-use API — no authentication required for public job data.
API Details
- API Type: Public JSON endpoints
- Authentication: None required for public postings
- Rate Limit: ~600-1200 requests per minute
- Base URL:
https://api.lever.co/v0/
Data Available
- Jobs (with descriptions)
- Teams and departments
- Office locations
- Posted date
How to Get Access
No API key needed. Just make a GET request to their public endpoint:
GET https://api.lever.co/v0/postings/{company_name}
// Example:
GET https://api.lever.co/v0/postings/stripePros: Easiest to integrate, no auth required, generous rate limits
Cons: Less detailed data than Greenhouse, fewer companies
Ashby
The modern choice. Ashby is the newest ATS but growing fast, with excellent developer documentation.
API Details
- API Type: REST API with GraphQL option
- Authentication: Basic auth with API key
- Rate Limit: Generous (no strict limits published)
- Base URL:
https://api.ashbyhq.com/
Data Available
- Jobs (full details)
- Departments
- Locations
- Team information
How to Get Access
Similar to Greenhouse, you'll need an API key from each company's Ashby instance:
GET https://api.ashbyhq.com/api/v1/jobs
Authorization: Basic {api_key}Pros: Best developer experience, GraphQL option, modern API design
Cons: Fewest companies (growing), requires per-company keys
Verdict: Which Should You Use?
It depends on your use case:
- For breadth: Use Greenhouse — most companies, most data
- For simplicity: Use Lever — no auth, easiest integration
- For startups: Use Ashby — best DX, fast-growing platform
- For everything: Use HirePulse — automatically handles all three
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an API key for each ATS?
It depends on the ATS. Lever requires no authentication for public job data. Greenhouse and Ashby require an API key from each company's board (you'll need to request access from each company you want to track).
Which ATS has the most companies?
Greenhouse has the largest market share with 2,000+ companies. Lever follows with around 1,500 companies, and Ashby has 500+ (but is growing fast).
Which API is easiest to integrate?
Lever is the easiest — no authentication required. Just make a GET request to their public JSON endpoint and you get job data. Ashby has the best developer experience with excellent documentation.
Can I get real-time job updates?
All three APIs provide real-time data when you query them. However, none offer webhooks for instant notifications. You'll need to poll periodically (hourly or daily) to detect changes.
Which ATS should I prioritize tracking?
If you want breadth: Greenhouse (most companies). If you want ease: Lever (no auth). If you're building for startups: Ashby (fastest growing, best DX). HirePulse handles all three automatically.
What's Next?
Ready to start tracking? Here's where to go next:
- Join the waitlist for early access to HirePulse
- Learn how to track jobs with n8n
- Why scraping LinkedIn gets you banned
Track All Three ATS with HirePulse
HirePulse automatically detects which ATS a company uses and handles API integration for you. No need to manage multiple API keys or deal with different response formats.
Join Waitlist