Sonara AI Reviews: Ratings & User Insights [+ Alternative]

Imagine a world where your dream job finds you. That's what Sonara promised.

Sonara burst onto the job search scene as an AI-powered platform designed to change how people find jobs.

The platform's premise was simple yet ambitious: Let AI do the heavy lifting while you focus on interview prep. Sonara claimed to match users with relevant positions based on their skills and preferences, then apply to those jobs on their behalf. It promised to uncover hidden job opportunities and increase the chances of landing interviews, all while saving users countless hours.

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Teal Note: On February 1, 2024, Sonara announced they were shutting down the platform and their services. This information was independently verified via the former CEO and co-founder’s LinkedIn profile. Sonara has been acquired by BOLD—the parent company of LiveCareer, Zety, My Perfect Resume, and MightyRecruiter.

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Sonara's core features included:

• AI-powered job matching: Sonara's algorithm analyzed user profiles and preferences to identify suitable job postings across multiple job boards and company websites.
• Automated job applications: Once a match was found, Sonara would automatically fill out and submit job applications on behalf of the user, potentially applying to hundreds of positions in a short time.
• Application tracking: The platform provided users with real-time updates on the status of their applications, allowing them to monitor progress and prepare for potential interviews.

But Sonara or any other auto-apply AI platforms can’t work with non-optimized resumes.

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If you're looking for a Sonara alternative, use Teal’s Job Application Tracker with Chrome extension to save jobs, autofill and track applications—all within the same platform where you store and optimize your resume.

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What is Sonara AI?

Sonara was an AI-powered job search platform designed to streamline and automate the whole job hunting and application process. It matched users with relevant job opportunities and applied to them on behalf of the users until they secured a job. 

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How Sonara worked:

1. Profile creation: Users set up a profile with their skills and job preferences.
2. Job matching: Sonara's AI matched these profiles with job listings.
3. Automated applications: It then automatically applied to these jobs on behalf of the user.
4. Application tracking: Users could track their application status and receive updates.

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And while the idea of a system that applies to jobs for you might seem like finding a unicorn, David Fano, CEO and Founder of Teal, cautions that auto-apply tools have actually complicated an already complex system.

"Email confirmation after you apply is now a built-in requirement in many ATS systems because of auto-apply tools. So, what was meant as a short-term hack has actually made the process harder and more time-consuming.

Auto-apply may seem like a quick win, but it can flood the system with unqualified applications, making it harder for qualified candidates to get noticed."

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Fano continues, emphasizing that navigating this complexity requires a focus on the fundamentals.

"Ultimately, you'll move forward if you put in the work, are fit for the position, and submit materials—like your resume—showing you're qualified. I don't argue that the market is complicated, with many layers and biases, but shortcuts and hacks won't lead to the success you want. There will always be another hack, but there's no easy button for a career—even if it feels like there is.

Leverage technology to save time and simplify your job search where you can. But landing your next role is about your success, accomplishments, and how well you show it all."

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Sonara reviews by site

Sonara AI received mixed reviews across various platforms, with users appreciating how it saved them from time-consuming tasks but criticizing its accuracy when surfacing relevant roles and application errors.

While some found value in its automation, many users reported issues with customer support and questioned whether the service was worth its price, especially since free alternatives like LinkedIn's Quick Apply exist.

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Sonara reviews on TrustPilot

3.2 / 5 ⭐️

Disclaimer: There’s only one review of the service on Trustpilot, however, given its comprehensive nature, it's worth a read.

This user tried Sonara for three weeks because the platform seemed promising. But upgrading to a higher subscription revealed significant problems: 25-40% of applications failed due to Sonara's inability to handle email verifications required by many companies. Support was slow to respond, and filters for job levels and locations were ineffective. The user ended up with numerous pending applications and no responses, leading them to get frustrated and request a refund.

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The bottom line? LinkedIn's free Quick Apply is a far better alternative to Sonara.

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Sonara reviews on Product Hunt

3.2 / 5 ⭐️

Users liked how Sonara helped them save time and auto-apply to jobs. Some reviewers found it helpful in securing interviews and liked the user interface. 

But many users were frustrated. The platform couldn’t handle email verifications, which many jobs require. Users weren’t matched with the right jobs. Reviewers also reported that the platform charged them for unsuccessful applications.

And the icing on the cake? There were was no way to provide feedback to improve the application process. For a platform still in beta mode, not creating a feedback loop is a red flag.

Informal Sonara reviews on social media platforms

Sonara reviews on LinkedIn

Some users have only mentioned Sonara in round-up posts where they’ve included other tools in the same category.

But a few users who actually tried the platform or were indirectly on the receiving end of the AI-generated application didn’t hold back from sharing their unfettered opinions. 

A user who gave the platform a fair shot shared that the platform surfaced mostly sales positions which is ironic because, as an IT manager, they didn’t have any experience in the field.

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Another user who founded a recruiting service for technical talent shared how their client’s ATS couldn’t handle the sheer volume of AI-driven applications.

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Anecdotal evidence would suggest that both candidates and recruiters didn’t benefit from the platform’s automated application feature.

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Sonara reviews on Reddit

Redditors were split on the matter.

Some appreciated the convenience of the automation and even secured interviews.

But many called out the platform for poor job matching, with Sonara frequently selecting positions unrelated to their skills. Users couldn’t see what the AI-generated cover letters even looked like before the AI sent in their application. And support kept ghosting them.

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Sonara reviews on YouTube

Some YouTubers who used Sonara over a year ago liked the platform and how easy it was to apply to multiple jobs that aligned with their experience. But others, mainly recruiters, reported concerns about the AI not surfacing relevant jobs. 

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A YouTuber who extensively reviewed the platform shared they appreciated the platform’s ability to automate applying, which saved them time. But they experienced some major issues—there were delays in submitting applications, the job matching was poor, and the service was limited to US-based users (definitely not a good fit for anyone looking for relevant remote jobs).

P.S. Check out this review of the best job search apps to help you find your next role—remote jobs included!

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Sonara reviews on X

Several X (aka Twitter) users recommended Sonara as one of the many platforms that could help automate the job application process without going into the finer details. 

One user who looked at Sonara and its alternatives LazyApply and LoopCV found that Sonara’s UI was the best but it also cost the most.

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Pro Tip: No matter which automated job searching or application platform you use, you still have to show up with an optimized resume because that isn’t something platforms like Sonara can help with. And if you need help with that, Teal has a guide for optimizing your ATS resume.

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Sonara reviews on TikTok

Several TikTok users praised Sonara for the interface and its ability to apply to roles quickly, given how long even talented folks can struggle to find their next role in a tough job market. But most of these were paid reviews, so it's hard to ascertain whether they were unbiased.

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Sonara job search board review

Users seemed to have a love-hate relationship with the job search board. While some users were charged for duplicates of the same job listing, others landed a new role using the platform. 

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Pro Tip: BTW, if you’re looking for your next role, here are some of the best job search websites for tech and remote work.

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Sonara pricing reviews

Since the website doesn’t load most pages, including the pricing page, we found out what the plans cost through YouTube reviews, where users uploaded a video walkthrough and corroborated that data with other reviews from Reddit. 

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Sonara offered a Free Trial for 3 days, with paid plans ranging from $19.99/month to $79.99/month, allowing users to apply for up to 420 jobs per month depending on the plan.

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Users who landed a role using Sonara didn’t find the pricing expensive. But those critical of the pricing cited the following reasons:

• They didn’t see the promised outcomes—no relevant jobs, auto-apply failed where email verification was necessary, and duplicate job listings
• The AI was still in beta, which didn’t justify the high price. For context, people still had to use ChatGPT to analyze the job descriptions and a GPT pro subscription is a mere $20/month.
• When Sonara announced it was shutting down, new users couldn’t fully benefit from the subscription. It’s unclear if they were issued a pro-rated refund.

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Sonara review pros

Across all Sonara reviews, here are three pros:

• Time-saving automation - Users appreciated that Sonara automates the job application process, reducing the time and effort needed to apply to multiple jobs.
• Ease of use - The platform was generally considered user-friendly, making it easy for users to set up their profiles and start the job application process quickly.
• Flexible subscription options - Sonara offered a range of plans to suit different needs, from casual job seekers to those urgently seeking a new job.

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Sonara review cons

Here are some common cons users reported:

• Poor job matching: Many users reported that the platform often selected jobs that were irrelevant to their skills and experience.
• Frequent application failures: Many applications failed due to issues like email verification, leading to frustration among users.
• Inadequate customer support: Users consistently mentioned slow or unresponsive customer support, which exacerbated their issues with the platform.

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Best for

Sonara was best suited for job seekers who valued time-saving automation in their job search and were willing to invest in a premium service. It particularly benefited those who needed to apply to a large volume of jobs and wanted to streamline the application process, despite some evident issues with automated job search, matching, and application failures.

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Teal: One of the best Sonara AI alternatives

If you're looking to save time applying, there are a few Sonara AI alternatives that can help. Career growth platform, Teal, has a Chrome Extension with Application Autofill so that you can complete applications in less time without worrying about accuracy or ATS email confirmations. This is because you're still reviewing the details and submitting the actual application yourself.

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Here's what one user had to say about Teal's Autofill feature.

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But that isn't all. Teal's new Job Board is also a great alternative to Sonara.

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While Sonara only catered to US based users, Teal is perfect for the global remote candidate. With a strong focus on hybrid and remote opportunities, Teal understands how the future of work has changed.

The handy filters allow you to fine-tune their search and find positions that actually match their skills and preferences instead of having to wade through a sea of irrelevant jobs like most had to on Sonara. 

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Plus, Teal’s in-built Job Tracker also allows you to save interesting positions and attach those job descriptions (JD) to your resume so that you can apply for them later. You can also tailor your resume based on the keywords used in the JDs—something you’d have to do manually for each job on Sonara and most other auto-apply alternatives. 

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Sonara review on Business Insider

Aki Ito, a Business Insider journalist, gave Sonara a shot. She shelled out $79.99 for their top-tier plan, expecting it to blast out 420 job applications. 

But Sonara fell flat. It trickled out just a handful of job postings daily, and the ones Aki okayed just sat there, unsent. After a week of this, Sonara suddenly called it quits and shut down.

As for job application bots in general, Aki found them to be a real mixed bag. 

They can crank out tons of applications and maybe boost your interview chances. But they're also pretty risky. These bots screwed up her applications, getting basic stuff wrong, like her ethnicity and language skills, and even digging up old resumes.

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Teal reviews vs. Sonara AI reviews

Compared to Sonara AI, Teal fares better on all platforms—whether it’s software review sites that only approve reviews after rigorous verification or social media platforms like LinkedIn or Reddit that host dozens of reviews from happy Teal members. 

Here’s a quick overview:

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Trustpilot - 4.3/5 ⭐️
The most recent reviewer writes how Teal helped them secure a job 2x. Both times, they landed a new role within 3 months, and the application to interview rate was 10%.

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Teal member praising the platform for helping them land a role within 3 months 

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Chrome Web Store: 4.9/5 ⭐️

Reviewers love how easy it is to pull jobs from LinkedIn and tailor your resume for those roles using Teal.

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While there are plenty of happy users who’ve lauded Teal on LinkedIn, here’s a balanced perspective from Andrew Jenkins and a screenshot from his summary:

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Job seekers prefer Teal’s all-in-one approach

Tired of juggling spreadsheets and losing track of job applications? Teal's got your back. 

Teal helps you streamline your entire job search process, whether you're actively job hunting or just keeping an eye out for that dream role.

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What makes Teal stand out:

Job Search Board:
Ditch the chaos. Teal centralizes everything—job postings, applications, interviews, and contacts. With the right filters, you can find the most relevant job openings instantly, save them to your Job Tracker, and attach the job description so you can tailor your resume for every position.

Comprehensive application tracking:
Connected to over 40 job boards (yep, including the big ones like LinkedIn and Indeed), Teal keeps tabs on every application. You’ll never wonder, "Where did I apply again?"

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Pricing that works for you:
Check out Teal's core features for free. And if you need more tools in your toolbox, Teal+ offers flexible weekly or monthly plans to level up without hurting your wallet or auto-renewing your plan. Unlike some clingy platforms, Teal makes it easy to cancel if needed. Plus, their support team responds when you need help. Imagine that!

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Bonus: Teal goes beyond the basics with networking tools and email templates to fine-tune your outreach game. Here are more Teal tools that’ll help you enhance your resume and land that dream job:

• Resume keyword scanner: Analyze and refine your resume's keyword usage to perfectly align with job descriptions.‍
• LinkedIn optimizer: Transform your profile into a polished resume and craft attention-grabbing summaries.‍
• Interview prep tools: Track interviews, use email templates, and access checklists to nail your preparations.‍‍
• Job search Chrome extension: Save jobs and track applications right from your browser.