Søknadsbasen vs NAV / Arbeidsplassen
Arbeidsplassen (NAV) is free job posting on one of Norway's largest public job databases, and a statutory channel for inclusive recruitment. Free also means that some things are missing.
We compare honestly: NAV's free reach against Søknadsbasen's candidate base, ATS and AI, and why they work well together.
What is what
Arbeidsplassen lets employers post jobs for free, with AI help for the ad text and a «superrask søknad» (super-quick application) function. State-run (NAV), Norwegian. No self-service candidate search or full ATS.
Søknadsbasen adds what NAV lacks: a searchable candidate base, a pipeline with an ATS score and AI screening, at a low unit price.
Side by side
| Feature | Søknadsbasen | NAV / Arbeidsplassen |
|---|---|---|
| Price / model | Per job, NOK 990-2,990 (14-90 days), volume discount | Free |
| Job posting | highlighted in the job seeker feed, exclusively | free, large base |
| Searchable candidate base (active sourcing)Only via a NAV employee, not employer self-service | anonymous candidate base, unlocks NOK 49-99 each | No |
| Application handling (ATS / pipeline)Only «superrask søknad» / expressions of interest, no pipeline | pipeline with ATS score + AI summary | No |
| AI (ad + screening)AI suggests qualifications/headings for the ad | AI ad + AI screening | Partly |
| No lock-in / annual contract | no lock-in, pay per job | free, no agreement |
| Free to get started | free account, pay only on publishing/contact | completely free |
| Norwegian + EU/GDPR storage | Norwegian, EU/GDPR, never sells data | state-run NAV, Norwegian |
| Company profile / employer brandingLimited company presentation | public company profile + brand upgrade | Partly |
| Target group | Founders/SMBs to HR/agencies | All employers / inclusion |
What NAV / Arbeidsplassen does well
- Completely free, and a statutory channel with large reach.
- Strong on inclusive recruitment with NAV's support schemes.
- AI help to write good qualifications in the ad.
Where NAV / Arbeidsplassen falls short
- No self-service candidate search, you can't actively search for candidates yourself.
- No full ATS/pipeline, only expressions of interest.
- A limited company profile and employer branding.
What Søknadsbasen offers beyond that
- A searchable candidate base with active sourcing, which NAV doesn't offer employers.
- A full pipeline with an ATS score and an AI summary of every applicant.
- A boosted placement in a dedicated job seeker feed, not just a listing.
Choose NAV / Arbeidsplassen
Choose NAV/Arbeidsplassen when the budget is zero, or when you want to recruit inclusively with NAV's support schemes. It is often smart to use free NAV and Søknadsbasen together.
Choose Søknadsbasen
Choose Søknadsbasen as well when you want to search actively for candidates, handle applications in a pipeline with an ATS score, and use AI screening, things NAV doesn't have.
Common questions
- Why pay when NAV is free?
- NAV covers free posting, but not active candidate search, a pipeline or AI screening. Many use free NAV + Søknadsbasen together: NAV for reach and inclusion, Søknadsbasen to actually find and handle the candidates.
- Can I search candidates at NAV the way I can at Søknadsbasen?
- Not yourself. At NAV, a NAV employee can search among registered job seekers if you contact them. Søknadsbasen lets you search an anonymous candidate base yourself and send a contact request.
Ready to hire, calmly?
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