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Criteria Corp vs EmployTest

03/26/2026
Reading Time: 5 minutes


Platform Comparison · 2026

EmployTest vs Criteria Corp

EmployTest is built for smaller HR teams, company owners, and department heads who need to get testing done fast, without a contract. Criteria Corp is built for enterprise hiring teams with larger budgets and dedicated HR staff.

★★★★★
4.8 / 5 on Capterra
Verified customer reviews

★★★★★
Starts at $199
No annual contract required

★★★★★
Best Value 2026
Capterra Award Winner

Pricing for SMBs
EmployTest Wins
Pay-per-test in blocks from $199, no annual contract. Criteria Corp starts at $1,200/year on a 12-month minimum.

Ease of Setup
EmployTest Wins
Start testing in 8 minutes with no demo or onboarding required. Criteria Corp requires demos and consults.

Test Customization
EmployTest Wins
Mix skills, behavioral, and aptitude topics in one custom assessment. Criteria Corp keeps assessments separate.

Platform Depth
Criteria Corp Wins
Broader toolset: gamified tests, ATS-friendly integrations, video interviewing, and talent development.

Scientific Validation
Criteria Corp Wins
Deeper investment in I/O psychology research and psychometrics.

Video Interviewing
Criteria Corp Wins
Built-in async and live video interviewing with AI-powered scoring. EmployTest focuses on assessments only.

Feature by Feature Breakdown

Every feature that matters for your hiring decision, side by side.

Feature EmployTest Criteria Corp
Starting Price $199 one-time, no annual contract LOWER From ~$1,200/year, 12-month minimum
Pricing Model Pay in blocks. Buy credits, use them when you hire. FLEXIBLE Annual SaaS subscription, 3 tiers
Annual Contract Required No FLEXIBLE Yes, 12-month minimum on all plans
Setup Time Start testing in 8 minutes, no onboarding FASTEST Demo required, more in-depth implementation process
Target Company Size Small to mid-size, under 1,000 employees SMB FOCUSED Mid-market to enterprise (50-1,000+ employees)
Emotional Intelligence Tests Emotional Intelligence Profile Test AVAILABLE Dedicated EQ assessment module AVAILABLE
Test Customization Mix behavioral, skills, and aptitude in one test UNIQUE Separate assessments per category
Capterra Rating 4.8/5 (2,250+ reviews) HIGHER RATED 4.5/5

Two platforms built for two very different buyers

This is not really about which platform is better. It’s about who you are. EmployTest and Criteria Corp are built for completely different situations.

The short version: If you’re an HR generalist, a company owner, or a department head at a small or mid-size company, EmployTest is built for you. No contract or pressured sales demos, no waiting. Buy credits in blocks, start testing. If you run a large enterprise HR team and need deep cognitive science, video interviewing, and talent development tools in one platform, Criteria Corp is worth your consideration.

EmployTest is the right choice if you…

  • Are under 1,000 employees and don’t want to pay for a full year upfront
  • Need cognitive, attention to detail, or behavioral tests that cover any role
  • Need to start testing this week, not after a demo and onboarding process
  • Want behavioral and skills topics mixed into one test
  • Need Office simulation tests for admin, assistant, or ops roles
  • Are running under 1,000 assessments per year
  • Want the highest-rated experience on the market (4.8 vs 4.5 on Capterra)

Criteria Corp is worth considering if you…

  • Want video interviewing built into the same platform as your assessments
  • Need gamified assessment modules
  • Run a mid-to-large HR team with 50+ annual hires and an existing ATS
  • Want to extend testing into employee development and team performance
  • Can commit to a $3,000+ annual plan
  • Work in regulated industries where third-party science validation is required

Four advantages EmployTest has over Criteria Corp

01

No Contract. Pay For Test Credits In Blocks.

Criteria Corp starts at around $1,200 a year on a 12-month contract. You’re locked in whether you hire 10 people or 200. EmployTest works on credits. You buy a block, use it when you have roles to fill, and stop when you don’t. No renewal reminders.

02

Testing In 8 Minutes, Not 8 Days.

HR generalists and company owners don’t have time for a week of demos and onboarding calls. EmployTest is built to get you testing today. Create an account, pick a test, send it to a candidate. Most people are up and running in under 8 minutes. Criteria Corp requires a full sales process before you can start.

03

Test Customization Feature

Need reliability, plus attention to detail, plus customer service fit? You can put that in one test. EmployTest lets you pick the topics that matter for the role and build a custom assessment around them. Less friction for candidates. One result for you to review.

04

100+ Tests. Larger Test Library.

Cognitive, behavioral, skills, knowledge — it’s all in one place. EmployTest covers more ground than many platforms at this price point. Whether you’re hiring an admin, an accountant, or a customer service rep, there’s a test built for that role. Every test is available from day one.

What you actually pay

The price difference is real. Here’s what each platform costs and what you get.

Criteria Corp

~$1,200 / year, minimum

Annual subscription with 3 tiers. Quote-based pricing. 12-month minimum on all plans.

  • Professional: full assessment library, unlimited usage
  • Professional+: adds video interviewing and AI scoring
  • Talent Success Suite: adds development and team tools
  • 12-month minimum commitment required
  • Quote-based, no public pricing for higher tiers
  • Sales call required before purchase

What EmployTest customers say

4.8
Capterra
Verified customer reviews

4.8
Software Advice
Verified ratings

🏆
Capterra 2026
Best Value and Best Ease of Use

★★★★★

“What really stands out are the various assessments available within the platform, which we’ll be using as a key tool during our recruiting process. The features are intuitive and well-designed, making it easy to evaluate candidates efficiently and consistently. I highly recommend this product, not only for its functionality, but also for the team behind it.”

Chief of Staff
Professional Services

★★★★★

“We vetted a number of testing programs, but truly were impressed by how well EmployTest simulated real-world skills and actions. We also appreciate being able to customize the tests if we need to remove or add an element.”

Talent Acquisition Specialist
Hospital & Healthcare

★★★★★

“The system is incredibly easy to use. The library of tests is fairly extensive. Our team felt confident using these and it saved a lot of time for HR and the hiring manager. AND great customer support.”

Human Resources Director
Media Production

Common questions about EmployTest vs Criteria Corp

Does EmployTest require less commitment than Criteria Corp?
Yes, by a wide margin for most small and mid-size companies. EmployTest starts at $199 with no annual contract. You buy test credits in blocks and use them when you hire. Criteria Corp starts at around $1,200 a year on a 12-month minimum. If your hiring volume is low or varies year to year, EmployTest will cost you less.

What is the main difference between EmployTest and Criteria Corp?
Criteria Corp is built for large enterprise HR teams needing a full talent suite. It has deep cognitive scientific research, video interviewing, EQ testing, and talent development tools. EmployTest is built for small and mid-size companies that need to test candidates quickly without a contract. Different tools for different buyers.

Does EmployTest have cognitive ability tests like Criteria Corp?
Yes. EmployTest includes attention to detail tests (valid across all job types), cognitive reasoning tests, and other aptitude assessments. Criteria Corp goes deeper on the science side, so if that level of validation is a hard requirement for your industry, Criteria Corp has the edge.

Does Criteria Corp require an annual contract?
Yes. All three Criteria Corp plan tiers require a 12-month commitment. EmployTest has no annual contract and you can add more credits at any time.

Which platform is better for small businesses?
EmployTest. Most small businesses don’t hire at a volume that justifies a $1,200+ annual platform. EmployTest lets you buy a credit block, test candidates when you need to, and stop when you don’t. You’re up and running in minutes, no hard sell by a sales rep required.

Can I try EmployTest before committing?
Yes. Free sample tests are available so you can see what candidates see before you spend anything. You can also book a demo. The starting credit package is $199 with no annual contract, so there’s less risk to try it.

Try EmployTest before committing to anything

Free sample tests, no annual contract, and you can start testing candidates in 8 minutes. See why 6,000+ companies chose EmployTest.

Criteria Corp information sourced from their public website, Capterra listings, SelectHub analysis, and verified customer reviews. Pricing data reflects publicly available estimates and may vary. Data accurate as of early 2026.