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Head-to-head · Assessment & Examination software

HackerRank vs SHL

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score HackerRank #2 in Assessment & Examination software 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit HackerRank
SHL #3 in Assessment & Examination software 8.9/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit SHL

HackerRank leads on 0 checks, SHL on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHackerRank · 9.1/10

HackerRank scores higher on our rubric for assessment & examination software: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

HackerRank is the better fit for teams hiring across technical roles. SHL is the better fit for employers seeking broad candidate assessment coverage.

  • HackerRank fits best

    Teams hiring across technical roles

  • SHL fits best

    Employers seeking broad candidate assessment coverage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature HackerRank 9.1/10 Visit ↗ SHL 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #2 in Assessment & Examination software #3 in Assessment & Examination software
Best for Teams hiring across technical roles Employers seeking broad candidate assessment coverage
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Not checked yet
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Tickets, Community Email, Tickets, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features HackerRank 1/4 · SHL 1/4
Question bank Not checked yet Not checked yet
Proctoring ✓ ✓
Automated grading Not checked yet Not checked yet
Assessment reporting Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Question types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Exam delivery Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Build custom assessments from a question library or job description
  • Combine automated scoring with live technical interviews
  • Connect recruiting systems and use APIs for assessment workflows
  • Covers skills, cognitive, personality, behavioral, and job-fit assessments.
  • Supports custom projects, cutoffs, scheduling, and bulk candidate uploads.
  • Provides dashboards, reports, benchmarking, and automated or live proctoring.
Cons
  • No free plan; paid Screen plans start at $165/month billed annually
  • Starter is limited to 1 user and 120 attempts per year
  • Its focus on technical skills may not suit broader hiring needs
  • Paid service with cloud or mobile deployment rather than open-source hosting.
  • Broad coverage may exceed teams needing only one assessment type.
  • Support channels are email, tickets, and documentation.
Our verdict

HackerRank brings coding assessments and live technical interviews into a hiring platform for companies recruiting technical talent. Teams can use role-based certified assessments or create custom tests from a question library or job…

Read the review →

SHL provides online talent assessments and related reporting for organizations evaluating candidates and employees. Its portfolio spans cognitive ability, personality, behavioral, skills, and job-focused assessments, making it relevant to…

Read the review →
  1. HackerRankAssessment & Examination software 9.1Paid
  2. SHLAssessment & Examination software 8.9Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HackerRank — where it wins

    • Build custom assessments from a question library or job description
    • Combine automated scoring with live technical interviews
    • Connect recruiting systems and use APIs for assessment workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; paid Screen plans start at $165/month billed annually
    • Starter is limited to 1 user and 120 attempts per year
    • Its focus on technical skills may not suit broader hiring needs
  • SHL — where it wins

    • Covers skills, cognitive, personality, behavioral, and job-fit assessments.
    • Supports custom projects, cutoffs, scheduling, and bulk candidate uploads.
    • Provides dashboards, reports, benchmarking, and automated or live proctoring.

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid service with cloud or mobile deployment rather than open-source hosting.
    • Broad coverage may exceed teams needing only one assessment type.
    • Support channels are email, tickets, and documentation.

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update