7 Top Recruitment Websites in South Africa: For Employers and Employees

Ever spent hours combing through dozens of job boards only to feel more lost than before? I’ve been there too—that’s why I put together this guide.

Did you know that the recruitment industry in South Africa is projected to grow by over 7% annually? With so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

That’s why I’ve rounded up the top recruitment websites in South Africa to make your life a little easier—whether you're hiring or job hunting.

Let’s examine some of the best recruitment platforms South Africa has to offer and compare them to alternatives like Sauce.

Sauce is an Employer of Record (EOR) service that allows businesses to easily hire across borders. It offers a unique and efficient alternative to traditional recruitment websites.

My pro tip: If you're new to EORs, check out my guide on What Does EOR Stand For for more insights.

Ready? Let’s dive in.

7 Best Recruitment Websites in South Africa to Try

To help you make an informed decision, I selected these platforms based on criteria such as ease of use, reach, industry focus, and cost-effectiveness. 

Whether you're an employer looking for the best talent or a candidate searching for the perfect role, these platforms provide various options to suit different needs.

1. Careers24

Best For: Local businesses looking to fill roles within South Africa.

Careers24 is a well-established recruitment platform in South Africa. It's popular for connecting local talent with businesses in various industries, from finance to tech. 

According to recent user reviews, Careers24 boasts a high satisfaction rate among employers, with over 80% of users finding qualified candidates within two weeks. 

Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for candidates to browse and apply for jobs while employers can access a decent-sized talent pool.

Pros:

• Super easy to use. No more getting lost in a clunky backend.
• Large pool of candidates. Especially for common roles.
• Company reviews help job seekers make informed choices. No more nasty surprises at interviews.

Cons:

• Heavily focused on South Africa, which may limit reach for international hires.
• High competition for candidates in popular roles.

While Careers24 focuses mainly on local candidates, Sauce's Employer of Record (EOR) services make hiring from a broader range of talent—including international hires—a breeze. 

An Employer of Record (EOR) in South Africa is a third-party organisation that legally employs staff and handles compliance, payroll, and other administrative tasks. 

For instance, if your business wants to hire remote tech talent from different time zones without navigating the complexities of local labour laws, Sauce handles all compliance and payroll challenges seamlessly, something Careers24 cannot offer.

2. Indeed

Best For: Employers looking for mass reach and candidates exploring opportunities across different industries.

Indeed is a global recruitment giant that also has a strong presence in South Africa. 

One standout feature for South African users is Indeed's localised search options. These options help employers target specific regions and industries, making it easier to find the right fit. 

It aggregates job postings from various sources, making it a great place for candidates to discover multiple opportunities in one place. 

Employers can post directly on Indeed, giving them access to a diverse talent pool.

Pros:

• Extensive reach for employers.
• Free and paid posting options.
• A wide variety of roles, from entry-level to executive.

Cons:

• High volume of applications can mean more time spent sorting through unqualified candidates.
• Paid features can be costly for small businesses.

Unlike Indeed, which requires employers to filter through candidates manually, Sauce provides hands-on support with compliant hiring, so you save time and focus on growth.

3. PNet

Best For: Larger companies looking for industry-specific talent and needing applicant tracking features.

PNet is one of the largest and oldest recruitment sites South Africa has to offer. 

Founded in 1997, PNet has grown to serve over 9,000 recruiters and employers, making it a trusted source for industry-specific talent across the country. 

It’s well known for serving a wide range of industries and has been trusted by both job seekers and employers for years. 

It also has features like applicant tracking that streamline the hiring process.

Pros:

• Well-established platform.
• Industry-specific job listings.
• Applicant tracking features to simplify the recruitment process.

Cons:

• Cost can be a barrier for smaller businesses.
• Some users report a clunky interface.

While PNet offers applicant tracking, Sauce helps businesses skip the administrative hassles of payroll and compliance when hiring in South Africa or beyond.

4. LinkedIn Jobs

Best For: Companies looking to fill professional or executive-level roles using network connections.

LinkedIn Jobs offers more than just listings; it’s a social platform where professionals connect, share, and grow their careers. 

Employers in South Africa have used LinkedIn's networking features to connect with passive candidates who may not be actively job searching but are open to new opportunities, helping them secure high-quality talent more efficiently.

Its strength lies in networking and passive recruitment, allowing employers to attract top talent by using their extended professional connections. 

Pros:

• A strong professional networking aspect.
• Employers can target specific candidate types.
• Jobs can be promoted to a highly targeted audience.

Cons:

• Paid ads can get expensive.
• Harder to reach entry-level candidates.

Unlike LinkedIn, Sauce doesn’t rely on paid ads but instead facilitates direct, seamless hiring—especially when navigating regulations for international recruitment.

5. Gumtree Jobs

Best For: Small businesses looking to fill entry-level or casual positions quickly.

Gumtree isn’t just for buying and selling secondhand goods; it's also a popular platform for local job listings. 

The majority of its users are looking for entry-level and casual work, making it ideal for small businesses with immediate, lower-skilled needs but less suitable for more professional or specialised roles. 

Employers can post vacancies quickly, and job seekers can filter through various options.

Pros:

• Simple and fast to post jobs.
• Great for low-skill, high-volume roles.
• Affordable for small businesses.

Cons:

• Lacks credibility checks, which can result in spam.
• Not ideal for specialised or executive roles.

Gumtree Jobs makes local hiring quick and affordable, but Sauce is a much stronger contender for businesses that want more structured and compliant international hires.

6. Glassdoor

Best For: Employers wanting to boost their brand appeal and attract informed candidates.

Glassdoor is known for company reviews, but it’s also a powerful recruitment site in South Africa for employers and job seekers. 

South African employers have benefited from Glassdoor's company insights by understanding employee expectations and enhancing their employer branding strategies. 

Employers can use it to attract candidates by promoting their brand, and job seekers can access valuable company insights.

Pros:

• Offers company insights and reviews.
• Great for employer branding.
• A good choice for niche roles.

Cons:

• Not always focused on South African roles.
• High reliance on employer branding, which can be limiting.

While Glassdoor is a strong branding tool, Sauce takes the hassle out of cross-border recruitment, making it much easier for you to build teams in South Africa.

7. JobMail

Best For: Companies looking for entry-level candidates and job seekers wanting an easy application process.

JobMail is a long-standing recruitment platform South Africa uses for entry-level and mid-tier roles. 

It has been particularly effective in industries such as retail, hospitality, and logistics, where there is a high demand for candidates to fill essential roles quickly. 

It offers job alerts so candidates can stay informed and is an affordable choice for employers.

Pros:

• Affordable.
• Job alert feature keeps candidates engaged.
• Wide reach in certain industries.

Cons:

• Not ideal for specialised or high-skill roles.
• Limited international reach.

JobMail offers affordable listings, but if you want to expand your recruitment internationally, Sauce helps handle the details and simplifies compliance.

My Final Thoughts

And there you have it: With so many recruitment websites in South Africa to choose from, your decision will depend on what you’re looking for.

Need a highly targeted approach? LinkedIn Jobs is an excellent way to find professional talent.

Just need local, entry-level hires? Gumtree and JobMail are worth a try.

But if your goal is hiring across borders, navigating legalities, and ensuring compliance, Sauce could be your ideal companion.

Check out my other guides for more on starting a recruitment agency in South Africa or for a list of the top recruitment companies in South Africa.