On this page
Side by side
| Sales Navigator Core | Recruiter Lite | Recruiter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Selling to leads and accounts | Small-scale hiring | Recruiting teams |
| InMail credits per month | 50 (max 150) | 30 (max 120) | 150 |
| Search filters | 50+ sales filters | 20+ filters | 40+ filters |
| Search reach | Up to 2,500 results per search | 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree network | All members |
| Boolean operators per search | Max 15 | No limit | No limit |
| Integrations | CRM (Advanced Plus) | Not listed | ATS |
| Price (US) | US$119.99/month | Not shown on LinkedIn's page | Quote |
Can a recruiter use Sales Navigator?
You can search candidates in Sales Navigator, and it gives more InMail credits than Recruiter Lite, but it lacks candidate pipelines, projects and ATS integration, and caps Boolean searches at 15 operators.
Independent recruiters and agencies sometimes pick Sales Navigator because it serves both sides of the desk: finding hiring managers at client companies and finding candidates. Its filters are sales-shaped (seniority, function, company growth, buyer intent) rather than skills and open-to-work signals.
If you hire a few roles a year and also sell recruitment services, Sales Navigator Core can cover both. If you run several open roles at once with long Boolean strings, Recruiter Lite's unlimited operators and hiring workflow fit better.
Boolean limits for recruiters
Recruiter-style Boolean strings often run past 15 operators. In Sales Navigator, split a long string into two saved searches instead, for example one per title family. The Boolean search guide shows how.
Getting your leads out of Sales Navigator
LinkedIn does not offer a CSV or Excel export of leads or accounts on any plan. Its official route out is CRM Sync on Advanced Plus.
Recruiters who keep candidate lists in a spreadsheet or ATS hit the same wall: Sales Navigator has no CSV export.
If you are on Core or Advanced and want a spreadsheet, the options are copying rows by hand, a Sales Navigator scraper that runs in your browser, or a cloud tool. Our guide to export Sales Navigator leads compares them.
Know the rule before you pick one: LinkedIn's User Agreement prohibits scraping or copying the Services, including through browser plugins and add-ons, and LinkedIn says extensions may limit your searches or lead to restrictions. The safety guide covers that risk in full.
Related
Sources
Checked by hand on the dates shown. Vendors change plans, prices and limits without notice, so confirm on the linked page before you buy.
- LinkedIn: Recruiter Lite (checked 2026-10-20)
- LinkedIn Help: InMail credits by subscription (checked 2026-10-20)
- LinkedIn Help: Boolean operator limits (checked 2026-10-20)
- LinkedIn: Premium vs Sales Navigator (checked 2026-10-20)
Questions
Is Sales Navigator cheaper than LinkedIn Recruiter?
Sales Navigator Core lists at US$119.99 a month. LinkedIn quotes Recruiter by contract and does not show a Recruiter Lite price on its product page, so compare in your own region.
How many InMails does Recruiter Lite get compared to Sales Navigator?
Recruiter Lite gets 30 InMail credits a month (up to 120). Sales Navigator gets 50 a month (up to 150).
Does Sales Navigator limit Boolean search?
Yes, to 15 Boolean operators per search. LinkedIn says Recruiter and Recruiter Lite have no limit.
Export your next Sales Navigator search
500 rows a month free. Pro is $10/month with unlimited exports and a 7-day money-back guarantee.
