Comparison

RecXchange vs Top Echelon

Top Echelon has been a fixture in split fee recruitment since 1988 and deserves credit for proving that recruiter collaboration works. But the recruitment landscape has changed dramatically since then. If you are comparing split fee networks, the differences in fees, technology, network size and geographic reach matter. Here is an honest breakdown.

How Top Echelon Works

Top Echelon connects roughly 500 recruitment agencies across a traditional split fee network, primarily in the United States. Recruiters post jobs or candidates, browse listings from other members, and arrange splits manually through the platform. The standard arrangement is a 50/50 fee split between the job recruiter and the candidate recruiter. Top Echelon takes a 6% brokerage fee from the total placement fee, leaving each recruiter with 47% of the fee rather than the full 50%. The network operates on a membership model with additional costs for their ATS product, Big Biller.

How RecXchange Differs

RecXchange is built for a different scale and a different era. The network includes over 15,000 recruiters globally, not limited to the US market. There is no brokerage fee on placements. When two recruiters agree a 50/50 split, each keeps their full 50%. Splits are also flexible, ranging from 50/50 to 70/30 depending on the value each party brings to the deal. The Xchange Engine uses AI to match jobs with the most relevant recruiters based on sector specialisation, placement history and candidate quality, rather than relying on manual browsing and keyword searches. Fee agreements are generated and signed digitally, with built-in deal protection that tracks candidate ownership from first introduction.

RecXchange also offers RecX Direct, which allows recruiters to take on roles at 70% of the fee by working them exclusively. This gives recruiters a route to higher earnings on roles they are confident they can fill without a split partner.

Which Should You Choose?

Top Echelon is a well-established network with a loyal membership base, and it works well for US-based recruiters who value long-term, relationship-driven partnerships within a smaller community. If you prefer a tight-knit group and are comfortable with the 6% brokerage fee, Top Echelon has a proven track record.

RecXchange is the stronger choice if you want global reach, zero brokerage fees, AI-driven matching and the flexibility to work splits from 50/50 to 70/30. The larger network means more potential partners, more roles, and more candidates to match against. For recruiters who want to keep every penny of their agreed split and access technology that automates the admin, RecXchange is the modern alternative.