LinkedIn Premium Plans: Comparing Recruiter Lite and Sales Navigator

Discover the key differences between LinkedIn Recruiter Lite and Sales Navigator — features, pricing, and how to choose the right tool for hiring or sales.

This guide breaks down what each tool does, how to use them effectively, and how much they cost (in both JPY and USD). Whether you're an HR professional searching for top talent or a sales leader looking to connect with decision-makers, this post helps you decide which subscription fits your goals best.

In today's global business environment, LinkedIn has become more than a professional network. It's a vital tool for recruitment, sales, and relationship building.

However, have you ever wondered whether you truly need to use a paid LinkedIn plan? This guide breaks down what they do, how they differ, and which one suits your goals best.

What Is LinkedIn Recruiter Lite?

LinkedIn Recruiter Lite is a subscription tool designed for individual recruiters, HR professionals, and hiring managers who need to identify, connect with, and manage potential candidates' even those outside their immediate network.

What It Can Do:

• Use advanced search filters (skills, experience, location, and more)

• View1st, 2nd, and 3rd-degree connections candidate profiles

• Send 30 monthly InMail messages to contact anyone directly

• Manage candidates through pipelines and notes

• Set up alerts for new talent that matches your saved searches

Pricing (as of latest available data):

• Monthly cost: approximately ¥15,000 (around $100)

• Includes 30 InMails per month

• Additional InMail cost: approximately ¥15,000 per 10 messages.*

• You can hold a maximum of 120 InMails at a time

*Pricing may vary by region and currency, so always confirm on your LinkedIn dashboard.

Best For:

It is well suited for hiring international talent, filling niche positions, or reaching candidates who may not appear on Japanese recruitment platforms. Because it allows direct outreach to specific candidates, it is particularly effective in highly competitive markets. However, for users with a limited network, the number of candidates they can reach is restricted, so connecting with users who have broader networks is essential.

What Is LinkedIn Sales Navigator?

LinkedIn Sales Navigator is built for sales professionals, business developers, and founders who want to build stronger relationships, identify potential clients, and close deals faster.

What It Can Do:

• Perform advanced lead and company searches

• Get personalized lead recommendations based on your goals

• Send InMail messages to reach decision-makers directly

• Access real-time insights on buyer engagement and activity

• Integrate with CRMs like HubSpot or Salesforce to manage pipelines

Pricing (as of latest available data):

• ¥10,000–¥13,000 JPY (≈ $70–$90 USD) per month, depending on the plan:Core, Advanced, or Advanced Plus tiers available

• Comes with 20–50 InMails per month, depending on the subscription level

Best For:

Sales Navigator is suitable for B2B sales professionals, business owners, executives, and HR leaders who want to build relationships with decision-makers. While the maximum number of InMails per month is capped at 50, the cost per InMail is lower compared with Recruiter Lite.Additionally, when comparing Sales Navigator Core and Recruiter Lite, the differences in search filters are not significant, and both allow direct outreach to individual candidates. Therefore, if your goal is simply to experiment with LinkedIn for recruitment purposes, a Sales Navigator plan can also serve that purpose effectively.

Final Thoughts: Choose the LinkedIn plan that best aligns with your objectives.

The most suitable LinkedIn paid plan varies depending on your specific objectives.

Recruiter Lite: 

Ideal for recruitment activities, talent sourcing, and direct hiring. It is particularly recommended for hiring global talent or specialized professionals.

Sales Navigator:

Best suited for sales activities, lead generation, and reaching key decision-makers within target companies. It is highly recommended for B2B businesses or organizations seeking to expand new business opportunities.

Both plans share the common goal of “expanding your network and strengthening relationships,” making them valuable investments for enhancing results in both recruitment and sales. In addition, each plan offers a free trial period, allowing you to evaluate whether it fits your company’s objectives and workflow before fully implementing it.

The pricing information introduced in this article is subject to change.

If you would like to know the most up-to-date details or have any specific inquiries, please feel free to contact us here.