Every platform has to make money somewhere, and where it makes money shapes what it optimises for. Knowing the model tells you more about the experience you will have than any feature list does. No prices are quoted here — see each provider's own pricing page for current figures.
Explanatory diagram produced for this page. It illustrates the models described below and is not a depiction of any particular company's finances.
| Model | How it works | What it tends to produce for you |
|---|---|---|
| Free tierno payer | Core features at no cost, usually with limits on search, messaging or visibility. | Enough for most people most of the time. Limits appear exactly at the moment you have an urgent need. |
| Subscriptionyou pay | A recurring fee unlocks search depth, messaging, analytics or profile placement. | Predictable cost. Worth checking whether you need it year-round or only during an active search. |
| Creditsyou pay | You buy units and spend them on messages, applications, listings or introductions. | Scales with use, but encourages spending credits rather than sending fewer, better messages. |
| Commissionyou pay | The platform takes a percentage of work booked through it. | Nothing owed until you earn. The percentage compounds on long client relationships. |
| Employer seatssomeone else pays | Recruiters and companies pay for sourcing tools; individual accounts stay free. | Free access, and a product designed to make you findable and contactable by people paying to find you. |
| Advertisingsomeone else pays | Advertisers pay for placement in the feed or inbox. | Free access, and a feed tuned for time spent rather than time saved. |
The model is not a scandal. Advertising and recruiter seats are ordinary, disclosed ways to run a service. The point is only that they explain design decisions that otherwise look arbitrary — why a feed is endless, why unsolicited messages arrive, why a limit sits where it does.
Educational content. This page explains common software business models in general terms. It is not financial, career or legal advice, sells nothing, and promises no outcome of any kind.
No affiliation, no rankings. This is an independent publication. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, authorised by or endorsed by any professional networking, recruitment or social platform. No company is named, endorsed, ranked or criticised here, and no affiliation or endorsement should be inferred.
Prices change. Always confirm current pricing, terms and renewal conditions directly with the provider before purchasing anything.