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Reviewed
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help human resources (HR) and recruiting teams streamline the hiring process from end to end. This software allows businesses to automate the recruitment process by managing job postings, applications, candidate information and applicant communications through a single platform. Forbes Advisor analyzed the top ATS options across dozens of data points to come up with the best applicant tracking systems for 2024.
The Forbes Advisor Small Business team is committed to bringing you unbiased rankings and information with full editorial independence. We use product data, strategic methodologies and expert insights to inform all of our content and guide you in making the best decisions for your business journey.
We reviewed multiple applicant tracking system providers using a complex process to help you find the 11 best applicant tracking systems for small businesses. Our ratings consider factors, such as transparent pricing, employee self-sufficiency, compatibility with third-party integrations, access to customer support and ratings. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Best For | Starting Price | LinkedIn Integration | LEARN MORE | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freshteam by Freshworks |  |
4.8 |  |
Best Overall | Free for up to 50 employees; $1.20 per employee, per month (billed annually, plus $71 platform fee per month) | Yes | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| JazzHR |  |
4.6 | |
Best for Startups | $75 per month (billed annually) | Yes | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| BreezyHR |  |
4.5 | |
Best Free Applicant Tracking System | Free; $157 per month, billed annually | Yes | Learn More | On BreezyHR's Website | https://technologyadvice.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=114&aff_id=1011 |
| Rippling |  |
4.5 | |
Best ATS Plus Payroll | $8 per employee, per month | Yes | Learn More | On Rippling's Website | |
| Greenhouse |  |
4.4 | |
Best for Midsized Businesses | No pricing transparency | Yes | Learn More | On Greenhouse's Website | |
| Zoho Recruit |  |
4.2 |  |
Best for Its Free Trial | Free; $25 per user, per month (billed annually) | Yes | Learn More | On Zoho's Website | |
| BambooHR |  |
4.0 | |
Best For Large Employers | $108 per month for 20 employees + $5.40 for per month for each additional employee | Yes | Learn More | On BreezeHR's Website | |
| Workable |  |
3.8 | |
Best for Computer Software Companies | $149 per month, per job | Yes | Learn More | On Workable's Website | |
| Bullhorn |  |
3.7 |  |
Best for Recruitment Agencies | No pricing transparency | No | Learn More | Read Forbes' Review | |
| Recruit CRM |  |
3.6 | |
Best ATS Plus CRM | $85 per user per month (billed annually) | No | Learn More | On Recruit CRM's Website | |
| Recruitee |  |
3.2 |  |
Best Jobs Widget | $199 per month, paid annually | Yes | View More |
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a type of software used by businesses to assist with the management and tracking of job applicants. An ATS typically includes features, such as applicant tracking, résumé parsing, automated emails, interview scheduling, candidate collaboration tools, analytics and reporting. The primary purpose of an ATS is to streamline the entire recruitment process and make it more efficient for employers.
Additionally, ATS can help companies ensure that their recruitment process is compliant with legal or industry regulations. By automating the recruitment process, businesses can save time and money while ensuring that they are recruiting the best candidates for their company.
A comprehensive HR platform offers an all-in-one solution, so you don’t have to worry about piecing together various ATS options. Many of these platforms come with built-in ATS functionality, but some may require an additional purchase. Whether you are looking for a stand-alone ATS or part of a larger HR platform, it is important to research the features and pricing of each product to choose the one that best fits your needs.
An applicant tracking system can help businesses streamline their recruitment process, increase efficiency and save time. Here are some of the benefits of using an ATS:
While there are many benefits of using an ATS, there are also some potential drawbacks. Here are some of the limitations to consider:
To choose the best applicant tracking system (ATS) for your business, consider the key features that matter more to your team and organization. For example, some businesses are looking for very simple tracking features to help manage the hiring process for the occasional new hire. Meanwhile, other businesses need an ATS to save time and money with high-volume recruiting. In addition to key features, also consider the price—and what it might cost as your business grows—available integrations, customer reviews and customer support.
The size of your business will also influence the type of ATS you need. Small businesses may be able to get by with a basic, off-the-shelf system, while larger organizations may need a more advanced ATS for their recruitment purposes. Additionally, consider the type of recruitment process you have in place—whether it’s a more manual process or an advanced, automated system—and whether the ATS can support that.
When it comes to selecting an applicant tracking system, you’ll want to look for features that make the process as simple and efficient as possible. Here are some essential features to consider:
These features will help you get the most out of your applicant tracking system and make recruiting easier. As you research different solutions, be sure to read customer reviews and compare features to find the right ATS for your business.
Applicant tracking systems can be found with a wide range of pricing options. Some are offered as a one-time fee, while others have subscription prices. The average cost for an ATS is around $1,000 per year. However, some systems can cost up to $10,000 or more annually.
When considering price, it’s important to also think about the long-term value of the ATS. Many businesses find that they save time and money with an ATS by streamlining the recruitment process and reducing administrative costs. Additionally, many ATS offer integrations with other software that can further reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Ultimately, selecting an ATS that fits your business’s needs and budget is the best way to ensure success in the long term. With the right ATS, you can save money and time, as well as ensure your recruitment process is compliant and efficient.
Here is a side-by-side comparison of some of our top applicant tracking systems:
The size of your business will play a role in deciding which ATS is the best fit. For larger companies with multiple departments and hundreds of employees, an ATS with advanced features and high scalability is essential. Smaller companies may not need the same level of sophistication, so they may be able to get away with a basic ATS that is more affordable. Additionally, the features you need may vary based on your industry or the type of role you are recruiting for.
Generally, ATS will fall into three categories. These include small business ATS, agency ATS and enterprise ATS. Small business ATS are typically designed for companies with fewer than 50 employees and offer basic features, such as job posting, applicant tracking and reporting. Agency ATS are designed for staffing firms and recruitment agencies, offering features such as job board integration and applicant tracking. Enterprise ATS are designed for larger companies and typically come with more advanced features such as automated workflows, talent management, analytics and predictive hiring.
Featured Partners
1
Rippling
Yes
Yes
$35/month plus $8 PEPM
2
OnPay
Yes
Yes
$40 per month + $6 per user
3
Paychex Flex
Yes
Yes
$39-plus per month, depending on company size and needs (6 month free offer)
4
Gusto
Yes
Yes
$40 per month plus $6 per user
Investing in an applicant tracking system can have a huge impact on the success of your recruitment efforts. With the right ATS in place, you can save time and money while ensuring your hiring process is efficient and compliant.
When deciding to invest in an ATS, it’s important to create a business case for adoption. Start by looking at your current recruiting process and consider what an ATS can do to streamline it. Evaluate the cost of the ATS, as well as any additional costs associated with implementation, training and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, consider the cost savings from reduced manual processes and improved efficiency.
Once you have a solid business case, it’s time to present your findings to leadership. Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the features and benefits of the ATS you are recommending and be ready to discuss why it is the best fit for your business.
Tips for buy-in:
To find the best applicant tracking system, we evaluated several different systems based on price, features, real customer reviews, ease of use and value for the money. We then narrowed down our list to the top 11 applicant tracking systems based on these criteria.
Here are some of the categories we used to rank the providers that made the top of the list.
We looked at each applicant tracking system’s pricing plans to see which applicant tracking system was the most affordable compared to the number of features offered. We also looked at the range of pricing from the lowest-priced plan to the highest-priced plan for each provider and the value each higher tier brought to users. We also considered whether a provider offered a free trial or plan and whether its pricing was transparent or required potential customers to request a quote. This accounted for 15% of our weighted scoring.
We evaluated each applicant tracking system’s features to see what applicant tracking systems had the most to offer. Some of the general features we felt that each ATS should have included automatic candidate matching, onboarding tools, social media sharing capabilities and LinkedIn integration. We weighted features at 30% of our total score.
We read through customer reviews of each applicant tracking system on popular third-party review websites Capterra, G2 and Trustpilot to get a sense of what users thought of each ATS. Those that scored at least 3.5 out of 5 on each site did the best in our rankings. These accounted for 15% of the total score.
Our panel of experts did a deep dive on several metrics. For example, when it came to ease of use, we wanted to know how easy the system is to use for candidates as well as the recruiting staff. For value for the money, we evaluated whether the features and pricing offered by each applicant tracking system were a good value for the price. Other factors we considered included any stand-out or detailed features an ATS offered and its overall popularity. Altogether, these criteria make up 40% of the total score.
Freshteam: If you’re looking for an ATS, Freshteam is one of the best on the market. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes, especially growing businesses that have changing needs. With its free forever plan, you can manage up to 50 employees, three job postings, an employee directory and time-off management.
JazzHR: JazzHR’s ATS is an excellent way to keep your recruitment organized and on track. By customizing workflows for each job opening, you can create a process that works best for you and your team. In addition, automating tasks such as assigning tasks between recruiting stages helps to ensure that your team remains efficient and focused.
BreezyHR: BreezyHR is one of the ATS industry leaders, and it offers a free forever plan that its competitors do not. This generous BreezyHR ATS includes unlimited users and candidates, as well as distribution to over 50 job boards plus advanced résumé parsing.
The cost of an ATS can vary depending on the features and number of users you need. However, applicant tracking systems typically start at around $30 per month but can cost hundreds of dollars per month if your company is large.
An ATS uses algorithms and data that the users of the program input into it to track matches for specific jobs that the company has available. This data eliminates applicants whose résumés don’t have the information, such as job skills, previous work experience, education level and more listed on their résumés that the company seeking employees wants in its future employees. This allows the company to eliminate low-grade candidates and focus on the ones who have the potential to meet its needs.
An ATS can improve the selection process by streamlining and automating many of the tasks involved in recruitment. For example, an ATS can automatically generate an email to applicants when they submit their résumés, as well as make notes on each candidate’s profile so recruiters can easily track their progress.
The system can also help screen applicants by checking for keywords in the résumés and cover letters that match the skills required for each job. This eliminates the need for manually sorting through hundreds of applications by hand. Finally, an ATS can also provide valuable analytics that allow recruiters to measure the effectiveness of their recruitment process. This information can be used to make adjustments to improve the efficiency and accuracy of future hiring processes.
Applicant tracking systems are used by companies of all sizes, including small businesses, large corporations and nonprofit organizations. Agencies, recruiters and staffing firms that are looking to streamline the recruitment process also use it. Furthermore, many government agencies also use ATS to manage their recruitment processes.
An ATS can help save the administrative expenses associated with recruitment. Additionally, an ATS can also help small businesses stay organized during the recruitment process and ensure that they hire the right candidate for each job. By using an ATS to its fullest potential, a small business can save both time and money while improving the quality of candidates they hire.
An ATS can greatly benefit HR managers by helping them to streamline their recruitment and selection processes. An ATS can be used to track the progress of each candidate, automatically generate emails to applicants and make notes on a candidate’s profile. This can help HR managers quickly identify the best candidates for the position and eliminate any low-grade applicants.
Most modern applicant tracking systems can read PDF files. However, it is important to note that the files should be formatted correctly for the ATS to be able to read them properly. It is also recommended that applicants submit their résumés as either a Word document or in plain text to ensure that the ATS will be able to properly read it.
An ATS-friendly résumé is a résumé that has been optimized to be read by an applicant tracking system. This means that the formatting should be simple and the content should include keywords that reflect the job requirements. Additionally, an ATS-friendly résumé should be easily searchable, with clear headers and bulleted lists to help the ATS differentiate the key points.
There are some free applicant tracking systems available, although they may be limited in terms of features and functionality. Free ATS can provide basic recruitment and selection processes and can be a great option for small businesses that are just starting out. However, most companies will eventually opt for a paid ATS to take full advantage of the features and capabilities that are available.
