Bullhorn is a global giant in recruitment software, but for UK-based agencies—especially those focused on the fast-paced, complex world of temporary recruitment—a close contender is proving to be the smarter, more tailored choice: Voyager Infinity.
While both systems offer robust ATS and CRM functionality, Voyager Infinity’s core design, feature set, and pricing model are perfectly suited to the unique demands of the UK temporary recruitment market.
Here is a breakdown of why Voyager Infinity should be the frontrunner for your agency:
1. The Temp Desk Powerhouse: Planning, Availability, and Booking
Temporary recruitment lives and dies by efficient shift management and immediate candidate availability. This is where Voyager Infinity delivers a key advantage.
| Area | Voyager Infinity Advantage | Bullhorn Note |
|
Temp/Shift Tools |
Features built-in, colour-coded planners, immediate visibility of candidate availability, and dedicated booking management screens. This is a core strength. | While Bullhorn supports job/shift management, its built-in visual planner and availability matching tools are less prominent; core strength is ATS/CRM, meaning temp features may require add-ons or custom configuration. |
|
Mid-Office / Pay & Bill |
Includes an optional Voyager Mid-Office module for online timesheet entry, invoice generation, self-bill, and support for Umbrella companies. | Bullhorn offers payroll/billing functionality, but it is often achieved via integrations or additional modules, making the total cost and complexity higher for full back-office operations. |
The Takeaway: Voyager Infinity is the superior tool for day-to-day temporary desk operations, offering highly visual, built-in Temp/Shift Planners and a dedicated Mid-Office/Pay & Bill module right out-of-the-box, saving UK agencies from the complexity and added cost of Bullhorn’s more modular approach to temp features.
2. UK-Specific Compliance: Built-In, Not Bolt-On
Navigating UK legislation like IR35, AWR, and the Working Time Directive is non-negotiable for temp agencies. Voyager Infinity explicitly integrates these crucial workflows.
| Area | Voyager Infinity Advantage | Bullhorn Note |
|
UK Compliance |
Explicitly supports IR35 workflows, HMRC reporting, and working time/contract compliance. It tracks documentation expiry, ensuring candidates are job-ready and compliant. |
Bullhorn handles general compliance (e.g., GDPR), but may require more custom configuration or extra modules to fully meet the specific, complex demands of UK temporary staffing laws like IR35. |
|
Candidate Onboarding |
Offers a dedicated Candidate Portal for automated onboarding, compliance document tracking, and self-service. This significantly speeds up the process and improves completion rates. | Bullhorn provides mobile/remote access, but the extent of its built-in self-service onboarding portal for compliance and documents may be more limited or require a custom build. |
The Takeaway: For agencies navigating the strict regulatory landscape in the UK, Voyager Infinity provides a clear edge with explicit support for IR35 and HMRC compliance workflows and a robust, automated Candidate Portal for document tracking, reducing the need for the extensive custom configuration that Bullhorn requires for similar UK-specific legislation.
3. Value, AI & Support for the UK Agency
For small-to-mid-sized UK agencies, total cost of ownership and ready-to-use features are critical factors.
| Area | Voyager Infinity Advantage | Bullhorn Note |
| Skills Testing | Offers free, integrated skills testing and a pass/fail/scoring mechanism—a clear out-of-the-box differentiator. | Free test libraries or skills assessment is not a highlighted feature and usually comes via a third-party partner integration, adding cost. |
| AI / Automation | The “Infinity Copilot” tool helps with AI-driven lead sourcing, candidate bios, and automating outreach, giving smaller teams maximum leverage over repetitive tasks. | Bullhorn has strong automation in matching and general outreach, but Voyager’s Copilot provides a wider scope of AI-assisted manual tasks. |
| Cost & Scalability | Marketed as affordable and flexible for agencies of all sizes, with inclusive features that reduce the need for many expensive add-ons. | Often positioned as enterprise-grade and more modular, meaning total cost for smaller or mid-sized agencies can quickly become higher with necessary add-ons. |
| Core Focus | Strong focus on the UK market (and Australia/NZ), making its platform and support more aligned with local business needs. | Stronger global presence, making it the better choice for agencies operating in multiple, diverse countries. |
The Takeaway: Voyager Infinity offers better immediate value and features for the typical UK agency size, including free integrated skills testing and the Infinity Copilot AI tool, providing an affordable and inclusive platform that minimises the need for the expensive third-party add-ons common in Bullhorn’s enterprise-focused, modular structure.
The Verdict for UK Temp Recruiters
Bullhorn is a powerhouse for large, multi-national agencies or those focused purely on high-volume permanent recruitment, where its global reach and API ecosystem shine.
However, for a UK recruitment agency, particularly one where temporary, contract, or shift-based staffing is a priority, Voyager Infinity is demonstrably the better, more specialised solution.
It provides the necessary UK-centric compliance tools, superior temp planning features, and a more inclusive, affordable package right out of the box, ensuring your team spends less time on admin and more time placing compliant candidates in critical roles.
Want a CRM that works with the UK temp market, not around it? Have a look at Voyager Infinity.
Voyager Infinity and Voyager Mid-Office are software solutions that make Recruiters’ lives easier. Voyager Infinity is a CRM used by thousands of recruiters globally to source, nurture and maintain the relationships with their clients and candidates, and Mid-Office manages the entire Pay and Bill process (IR35 ready).
