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There are hundreds of job board templates across a dozen platforms, and most "best of" lists just rank their own product first. This guide organizes templates by platform type so you can find options that work with your existing tech stack: WordPress, Webflow, Framer, raw HTML, or managed SaaS.
We've built job boards that scaled to hundreds of thousands of visitors. We'll tell you which templates actually hold up, which ones look pretty but lack critical functionality, and what hidden requirements you'll need for each option (hosting, backend, payments). (Still deciding on your niche? See our guide to profitable job board ideas.)
What is a job board template?
A job board template is a pre-built website design that provides the structure, layout, and core functionality for running a job listing website. Templates range from simple HTML files you customize yourself to full SaaS platforms with built-in payment processing, applicant tracking, and job aggregation. The right choice depends on your technical skills, budget, and how quickly you want to launch.
Quick comparison by platform
| Platform | Best for | Template cost | Total first-year cost | Technical skill | Time to launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | Existing WP sites | $59–89 one-time | $400–800+ | Medium | 2–4 weeks |
| Webflow | Designers wanting visual control | $49–149 | $500–1,200+ | Medium-High | 1–2 weeks |
| Framer | Modern aesthetic, simple boards | $29–169 | $300–600+ | Low-Medium | 3–7 days |
| Developer kits | Full custom control | $0–89 | $7K–17K+ (dev time) | High | 4–12 weeks |
| SaaS platforms | Non-technical, fast launch | Included | $348–5,300/year | Low | 1–3 days |
The "total first-year cost" column is the real comparison. WordPress looks cheap until you add hosting, security, and plugins. Developer templates look cheap until you count your hours.
WordPress job board templates
WordPress offers deep customization through premium themes on ThemeForest. Some themes require the WP Job Manager plugin (Jobify, WorkScout, Superio), while others include their own built-in job management systems (Careerfy, Civi, JobMonster). Either way, you get frontend submission, resume databases, and monetization features. The tradeoff is that you manage hosting, security updates, and plugin compatibility yourself.
Jobify — $69
The original WP Job Manager theme and still one of the most popular, with over 14,000 sales since 2013. Requires WP Job Manager plugin. Jobify offers live job searching, fully customizable homepage layouts, and smooth Resume Manager integration. Setup takes 2-4 hours and the design remains clean and professional.
Best for: First-time job board operators who want a proven, well-documented solution with active community support.
WorkScout — $59
A dual-purpose theme combining traditional job boards with freelance marketplace functionality similar to Upwork. Requires WP Job Manager plugin. WorkScout includes an AI Hiring Assistant that analyzes applications and scores candidate fit. Supports Stripe Split Payments for freelancer payouts and subscription-based monetization.
Best for: Operators wanting to combine job listings with gig economy features or task-based hiring.
Careerfy — $69
The best-selling job board theme on ThemeForest with 14,500+ sales. Includes built-in job system (no WP Job Manager needed). Careerfy differentiates itself with native job feed imports from Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and CareerJet — automatically pulling external listings to supplement your board. Features include Zoom interview scheduling, social login via LinkedIn and Facebook, and WooCommerce subscription packages.
Best for: Aggregator-style job boards that want to blend proprietary listings with major job feed APIs.
Superio — $59
A modern Elementor-compatible theme with 5,500+ sales and strong visual customization options. Requires WP Job Manager plugin. Superio includes employer packages, CV viewing credits, and contact restriction features that let you control which employers can access candidate information. Responsive design works well across devices.
Best for: Operators who want Elementor's drag-and-drop builder for homepage and landing page customization.
Civi — $59
A newer theme (launched 2022) inspired by FlexJobs and Glassdoor with 12+ homepage layouts and 72 custom Elementor widgets. Includes built-in job system (no WP Job Manager needed). Civi includes built-in private messaging between employers and candidates, eliminating the need for external communication tools.
Best for: Remote-first or modern tech job boards that prioritize visual design and candidate-employer communication.
JobMonster — $59
A feature-rich theme with WPBakery and Elementor compatibility, WooCommerce integration for paid listings, and comprehensive resume database functionality. Includes built-in job system (no WP Job Manager needed). JobMonster supports multiple payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, 2Checkout) and allows candidates to maintain multiple searchable resumes.
Best for: Enterprise-style job boards needing robust payment options and multi-resume candidate profiles.
The true cost of a WordPress job board
The $59–69 theme is just the beginning. Here's what a WordPress job board actually costs to run:
| Expense | Annual cost |
|---|---|
| Hosting (renewal rates, not intro pricing) | $120–600 |
| WP Job Manager add-ons (resume, applications, alerts) | $159–329 |
| Security plugin (Wordfence Premium or similar) | $119+ |
| Backup solution | $70–150 |
| Theme (one-time, averaged over 3 years) | $20–30 |
| Realistic minimum | $488–1,108/year |
And that's before you count your time: 2–8 hours monthly for updates, security patches, plugin conflicts, and troubleshooting. Introductory hosting prices ($2–3/month) triple on renewal — check the actual renewal rate before budgeting.
If WordPress maintenance isn't your thing, SaaS platforms handle hosting, security, and updates automatically — often for less than the true WordPress cost.
Webflow job board templates
Webflow templates offer visual control for designers who want to build without code. These templates use Webflow CMS for content management and require Webflow hosting ($14–39/month for CMS plans). You'll need external integrations for payments (Stripe via Memberstack or Outseta) and automated job alerts (Make.com or Zapier).
Job Board X — $79
A sleek, performance-optimized template with 15 pages built on Webflow CMS and Ecommerce. Features global styling for easy customization, smooth animations, and includes a Figma file.
Best for: Businesses wanting a modern, lightweight job portal with fast load times.
JobBoardly X — $129
The most complete option from BRIX Templates with 32 pages, including multiple homepage variations, company profiles, and authentication pages. Built with Webflow CMS and Ecommerce for managing job posts directly from the editor. Includes three header/footer variations and a complete icon set.
Best for: Full-featured job portals requiring extensive page variety.
Jobs — $79
A well-rounded 19-page template featuring resume submission functionality, company profiles, and a pricing page. Includes Webflow CMS integration for easy content management and a Figma design file.
Best for: Job boards that need resume collection and tiered pricing plans.
Job Board 128 — $129
A professional 35-page template from 128 Digital with three homepage layouts, candidate pages, and e-commerce functionality. Designed with intuitive UX and smooth animations throughout.
Best for: Recruitment agencies and larger job portals needing extensive page structures.
Jobify (Webflow) — $49
The most affordable option, offering a fully responsive design with customizable headers, CMS-enabled job pages, and cross-browser compatibility. Includes comprehensive documentation.
Best for: Budget-conscious creators launching their first job board.
Premium Job Board — $55–135
A complete business template rather than just a design, featuring built-in chat, member dashboards, applicant profiles, and two monetization solutions. Comes with a 15-video tutorial series, Make.com automation scenarios, and private Slack support.
Best for: Entrepreneurs building monetized job marketplaces or freelancer platforms.
Webflow templates: key considerations
Webflow templates require a Site Plan for hosting ($14–39/month for CMS plans). For payment processing, you'll need external integrations like Stripe via Memberstack or Outseta. Automated job alerts typically require Make.com or Zapier connections, adding $20–50/month to your costs.
Framer job board templates
Framer is a newer player in the job board template space, offering React-based, no-code website building with a strong emphasis on modern design aesthetics. While the template selection is smaller compared to WordPress or Webflow, Framer's CMS capabilities and animation features make it appealing for visually-driven job boards. The ecosystem has grown significantly since 2024, with new templates launching monthly.
Jobhunt — $169
The most feature-rich Framer job board template, offering dynamic filters, search, and a complete 14-page structure including user dashboards, saved jobs, and career resources. Includes authentication flows and learning resource pages.
Best for: Comprehensive job marketplaces or freelance platforms requiring user accounts.
Workze — $49
A multipurpose job board template with 12 responsive pages, CMS collections for job categories, and built-in application forms. Workze emphasizes accessibility with semantic tags and ARIA labels, plus includes team profile pages.
Best for: Recruitment agencies and HR departments wanting an accessible hiring platform.
Jobhub — $29
A clean, minimal job board template with 17 prebuilt pages covering job listings, categories, locations, companies, and a blog. Includes dark mode support and filtering by job type.
Best for: Entrepreneurs launching niche job boards or community-powered talent hubs.
Shifter — Free
A minimal job directory template with CMS support, automated SEO, and built-in analytics. Shifter provides a sleek interface for showcasing job listings without complex features.
Best for: Testing job board concepts, simple internal career pages, or budget-conscious founders validating their idea.
Framer templates: key considerations
Framer templates excel at modern animations and responsive design but currently lack the native integrations (ATS connections, payment processing) found in mature WordPress or SaaS solutions. Consider Framer if visual design is a priority and your job board requirements are simple: job listings, company pages, and applications.
Developer templates and starter kits
These templates are for developers comfortable building or integrating backend functionality. They offer maximum flexibility but require significant additional work beyond the template itself.
Free HTML and Bootstrap templates
If you're comfortable with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, free Bootstrap templates provide an excellent starting point with zero upfront investment.
JobBoard (Colorlib) — Free. A polished Bootstrap 4 template featuring animated statistics, testimonials slider, and call-to-action buttons. Mobile-responsive with sticky navigation and Google Maps integration. Best for developers wanting a professional foundation without spending money.
JobListing (Colorlib) — Free. A minimal, distraction-free design with featured jobs slider, job listing icons, and Bootstrap-based responsive layout. Best for niche boards where clean presentation matters most.
Jobstart (Colorlib) — Free. Includes parallax effects, advanced search functionality, blog section, and newsletter subscription. The widgets-packed footer makes it suitable for content-rich job portals. Best for boards planning to publish career advice alongside listings.
Careers (Colorlib) — Free. A professional recruitment-focused design built on HTML5 and Bootstrap. The sophisticated layout targets corporate career pages and recruitment agencies. Best for companies building internal career portals.
JobGrids (GrayGrids) — Free/Premium. Built with Bootstrap 5, includes 4 homepage variations, 18 pages, and 200+ UI elements. Well-documented codebase makes customization easier than most free options. Best for developers who want extensive design options with premium features available.
Premium HTML templates
Premium HTML templates offer more polished designs and comprehensive page collections for a one-time investment.
Superio HTML (ThemeForest) — $24. Includes 22 home pages, 103 HTML files, and 17 job list layouts. Extensive page library covers employer dashboards, candidate profiles, and job detail variations. Best for ambitious projects needing enterprise-grade page variety.
JobHunt (ThemeForest) — $18. Provides 56 HTML files with 8 unique home pages, employer and candidate dashboards, and PSD files included. Best for developers wanting design flexibility with source files.
Job Board by DexignZone (ThemeForest) — $17. Offers both light and dark modes plus full RTL (right-to-left) support for Arabic, Hebrew, and other RTL languages. Best for international job boards serving Middle Eastern markets.
Freeio HTML (ThemeForest) — $14. Combines job board functionality with freelance marketplace features — ideal for hybrid platforms connecting freelancers with project-based work. Best for gig economy and freelance-focused boards.
React and Next.js templates
Modern JavaScript frameworks offer superior performance. These range from frontend-only templates (you build the backend) to full-stack solutions (backend included).
MetaJobs (CodeCanyon) — $89/year. Full-stack solution. A complete MERN application with Next.js frontend, Strapi headless CMS backend, MongoDB database, JWT authentication, admin panel, and applicant tracking built-in. This is a working application, not just a template — the most turnkey option if you're comfortable with the stack. Best for developers wanting to skip backend work entirely.
Superio NextJS (ThemeForest) — $24. Frontend only. Ports the popular Superio design to Next.js 15 with 89+ pages, employer and candidate dashboards, and Redux state management. You'll need to build or integrate your own backend (Supabase, Strapi, etc.). Best for React developers who want beautiful UI without backend lock-in.
Jobi (ThemeForest) — $19. Frontend only. Features 7 homepage variations, 50+ inner pages, job wishlist functionality, and filtering system. No backend included. Best for developers prioritizing user experience design.
Jobcamp (ThemeForest) — ~$21. Frontend only. Supports both Gatsby and Next.js with React hooks and context API. Clean architecture with zero jQuery dependencies. Best for developers building multiple job board projects.
Jobcy (ThemeForest) — $20. Frontend only. Available in both Django and Next.js versions with 30+ pages. Best for developers who want template consistency across different tech stacks.
Laravel and Django templates
Backend-focused developers can leverage server-rendered frameworks for robust job board applications.
Jobstack Laravel (ThemeForest) — $19. Runs on Laravel 11 with Tailwind CSS, offering a modern admin dashboard and job management system. Best for PHP developers building feature-rich portals with server-side rendering.
Jobcy Django (ThemeForest) — $20. Built with Django 5 and Bootstrap 5.3, featuring clean Python code, SCSS support, and authentication pages. Best for Python developers preferring Django's batteries-included approach.
What frontend-only templates actually require
Full-stack solutions like MetaJobs include backend functionality. But most templates above are frontend only — the UI looks complete, but there's no working backend. To launch with a frontend-only template, you'll need to build:
| Requirement | DIY estimate | Outsource estimate |
|---|---|---|
| User authentication (employers + candidates) | 8–20 hours | $500–2,000 |
| Job posting and management system | 20–40 hours | $2,000–5,000 |
| Application tracking | 10–20 hours | $1,000–2,500 |
| Payment processing (Stripe/PayPal) | 8–15 hours | $800–1,500 |
| Email notifications and job alerts | 10–20 hours | $1,000–2,000 |
| Search and filtering backend | 15–30 hours | $1,500–3,000 |
| Hosting and deployment setup | 4–10 hours | $400–1,000 |
| Total | 75–155 hours | $7,200–17,000 |
The honest math: Even if you're a developer who could build this yourself, those 75-155 hours have value. At $75/hour, that's $5,600-11,600 of your time. Time you could spend on marketing, content, or validating your niche. A SaaS platform at $29-200/month costs $348-2,400/year and launches in hours, not months. Unless you're building something genuinely custom that no platform supports, the economics rarely favor building from scratch.
SaaS job board platforms
SaaS platforms bundle templates with hosting, backend infrastructure, and features. No server management, no security updates, no backend development. Payment processing, job alerts, Google for Jobs compliance, and mobile optimization are included. You can launch in hours instead of weeks.
Cavuno — $29–439/month
Cavuno takes a design-system approach to job board themes. Seven pre-built themes (Obsidian, Slate, Coral, Indigo, Emerald, Sand, Charcoal) provide starting points, but you're not locked in — the visual page builder with 13 page types lets you customize everything. The design system includes 14 semantic color tokens with automatic light/dark mode support.
Accessibility is built-in via React Aria components, with a selection of professional typefaces for headings and body text. Hybrid semantic search means candidates find "Ruby developer" when searching "Rails engineer," which solves the keyword matching problem that plagues most job boards. Job aggregation with AI-powered deduplication and location validation is included on all plans, up to your active job limit.
Best for: Community builders, newsletter operators, and entrepreneurs who want modern search technology, reliable aggregation, and fast launch without enterprise complexity.
JBoard — $149–449/month
JBoard offers a single flexible template with a drag-and-drop builder in development. Color and logo customization is easy to manage, and the platform's strength is its aggregation features: 800+ sources for backfilling your board with relevant jobs. Higher tiers include built-in ATS, registration walls for building candidate databases, and custom code injection (HTML/JS/CSS).
Best for: Operators who need ATS functionality, registration walls, or enterprise features like subfolder hosting and API access — and have budget for the Plus tier.
Niceboard — Contact sales
Niceboard's design quality stands out from the competition. Boards look professional immediately with minimal customization. Theme customization covers colors, fonts, and banners, with custom HTML/CSS/JS access on higher tiers. Strong reputation in the association space with AMS integrations (iMIS, Fonteva, MemberClicks). Revenue share model available.
Best for: Professional associations, non-profits, and design-focused operators who want polished aesthetics and don't mind contacting sales for pricing.
SmartJobBoard — Contact sales
SmartJobBoard offers 4 pre-built themes with enterprise customization options. AI matching scores candidates against job requirements, and a built-in Kanban-style ATS lets employers manage hiring workflows. With a 17+ year track record and 2,000+ active boards, it's one of the most established players. SSO and AMS integrations available.
Best for: Associations with budget who want AI-powered candidate matching, SSO, and AMS integrations with enterprise support and proven stability.
Jobboardly — $40–80/month ($27–53/month annual)
Jobboardly offers a simple template with customization options at the lowest price point for full-featured SaaS. Unlimited jobs, pages, and traffic are included, with 7M+ jobs available for backfilling via pay-per-credit system ($0.009/credit). The Pro plan ($80/month) adds branding removal, candidate profiles, employer profiles, employer subscription, and API access.
Best for: Bootstrapped entrepreneurs validating a niche with minimal financial commitment — the unlimited everything model makes it ideal for testing market fit before scaling.
Why SaaS makes sense
No hosting to manage, no security updates, no backend development. Payment processing, job alerts, Google for Jobs compliance, and mobile optimization included. Launch in hours instead of weeks.
For more platform comparisons, see our complete guide to job board software.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to build a job board?
Total cost ranges from $300 to $17,000+ in the first year depending on your approach. SaaS platforms cost $348-5,300/year with no development time. WordPress themes cost $59-89 upfront but add up to $488-1,108/year with hosting, plugins, and security. Developer templates appear cheap ($0-89) but require 75-155 hours of backend development, which costs $7,200-17,000 if outsourced.
What is the best platform for a job board?
SaaS platforms are best for most operators because they include hosting, security, payment processing, and job aggregation out of the box. WordPress works if you already have a WordPress site and technical skills. Webflow and Framer suit designers who want visual control. HTML/React templates only make sense if you have development resources and need full customization.
How long does it take to launch a job board?
SaaS platforms launch in 1-3 days. Framer templates take 3-7 days. Webflow templates take 1-2 weeks. WordPress themes take 2-4 weeks. Developer templates with custom backend work take 4-12 weeks or longer depending on complexity.
Do I need coding skills to start a job board?
No. SaaS platforms like Cavuno, JBoard, and Niceboard require zero coding. Framer and Webflow require minimal technical skills. WordPress requires some technical comfort for plugin management and troubleshooting. HTML and React templates require significant development experience.
How to choose the right template
Choose WordPress if...
- You already have a WordPress site you want to extend
- You're comfortable with plugin management, updates, and occasional troubleshooting
- You want a one-time theme cost instead of monthly subscription
- You have 10+ hours available to configure and customize
For more self-hosted options beyond WordPress, see our open source job board software guide.
Choose Webflow if...
- You're a designer who wants visual control over every element
- You're comfortable with monthly hosting costs ($14–39+ per month)
- You need custom CMS structures and content workflows
- You'll integrate external tools for payments and job alerts
Choose Framer if...
- You want the most modern aesthetic with smooth animations
- Your job board requirements are relatively simple
- You're okay with a newer, less mature ecosystem
- Speed of launch matters more than feature depth
Choose HTML/React templates if...
- You're a developer (or you're hiring one)
- You need complete custom control over every aspect
- You have existing backend infrastructure or plan to build it
- You're building something genuinely unique that SaaS platforms can't handle
- You prefer one-time template cost over monthly subscription (but factor in dev time)
Choose a SaaS platform if...
- You're non-technical or time-constrained
- You want to launch in days, not weeks
- You'd rather pay monthly than manage infrastructure
- You need built-in monetization, alerts, and SEO features
What to look for in any job board template
Before committing to any template, run through this checklist to ensure it meets baseline requirements:
- Mobile responsiveness: 60%+ of job seekers browse on mobile
- Search and filtering: Location, category, salary, and job type filters are table stakes
- Employer posting flow: How easy is it to post a job? Complex workflows drive abandonment
- Application process: Apply buttons and application tracking should work without friction
- SEO basics: Clean URLs, meta tags, and schema markup potential for Google for Jobs
- Customization depth: Can you match your brand colors and adjust layouts?
- Performance: Page speed matters for both SEO and user experience
- Accessibility: Keyboard navigation, screen reader support, and color contrast compliance (increasingly important and rarely mentioned by competitors)
Bottom line
WordPress works for existing WordPress sites with technical comfort. Webflow and Framer serve designers who want visual control. HTML and React templates give developers maximum flexibility but require significant backend work. SaaS platforms trade some customization for speed, reliability, and built-in features.
If you want to launch fast with professional design and zero technical overhead, SaaS platforms are the practical choice. The math rarely favors custom development unless your requirements genuinely exceed what existing platforms offer.
Ready to launch? Start your job board with Cavuno — 7 professional themes, visual builder, and everything you need included. Or continue with our complete guide to creating a job board for step-by-step instructions, and our marketing playbook for growth strategies.