The best applicant tracking systems (ATS) for small businesses will save your company time by automating the recruitment process. They can help you streamline the hiring of new talent by collecting, sorting, and organizing resumes and placing applicants in a talent pool.
These applicant tracking systems can boost efficiency in the hiring process by automatically creating job posts and filtering resumes, allowing you to quickly identify the best applicants. To help you find the solution that best meets your needs, I’ve reviewed and compared the best applicant tracking systems for small businesses today.
The Best ATS for Small Businesses Tested by Our Experts
The Best ATS Solutions for Hiring Ranked
This list of ATS systems is based on my hands-on testing, which includes criteria like features, security, scalability, and overall value for money.
- ClearCompany — Best ATS for Start-ups
- Rippling — Best for Full Talent and HR Management
- Monday.com — Best Free ATS for Small Businesses
- Zoho Recruit — Best for Self-Employed or Very Small Businesses
- Manatal — Best Use of Social Media
- BreezyHR — Best Unique Recruitment Features
- Workable — Best for Small Businesses with Global Aspirations
- TeamTailor — Best ATS with a Career Website Builder
- BambooHR — Best for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses
- Show Full Guide
How to Choose an ATS for Small Businesses
Selecting the best applicant tracking system (ATS) amidst the abundance of choices available can be tricky. Here are several key factors to consider:
Assess the roles you need to fill and the volume of applicants you anticipate. Also, think about the primary pain points in your hiring process. Then, look at the features above to see which provider best fits your needs.
Check that the platform can integrate with your overall tech stack and other HR tools like HRIS system, payroll, and email systems. You’d also want it to integrate with hiring tools like Zoom for video interviews and LinkedIn for job posting.
Determine your budget and choose an ATS that fits within it. Some systems offer free options with limitations, while others charge per user or offer tiered pricing plans. Consider scalability costs as your business grows.
Opt for an ATS that is easy to use and implement, minimizing disruptions to your workflow. Ensure the provider offers reliable customer support to address any technical issues promptly.
The Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses Reviewed
In a crowded marketplace brimming with applicant tracking systems (ATS), I undertook a comprehensive evaluation to refine our selection.
Our rigorous assessment criteria at Techopedia include pricing, user-friendliness, integration capabilities, and each system’s overall efficiency in enhancing recruitment workflows.
1. ClearCompany — Best ATS for Start-ups
Free Trial | N/A |
---|---|
Price From | Quote-based |
Top 3 Features | Video interviews, Smart forms, Performance management suite for employees |
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Great for ATS beginners
- AI-powered recruitment
- Excellent employee experience capabilities
Cons
- No mobile app
- No free trial
- Pricing structure can be complex
2. Rippling — Best for Full Talent and HR Management
Free Trial | No |
---|---|
Price From | Starts at $35/month (platform fee) + $8/user/month |
Top 3 Features | Global payroll, Onboarding, Great customer support |
Pros
- Powerful automations
- Simplified interviews
- Next-level reporting
- Broader employee engagement features
Cons
- Opaque pricing
- The complexity of the software can be intimidating
- Might have too many features for micro-businesses
3. Monday.com — Best Free ATS for Small Businesses
Free Trial | Free Plan + 14-day free trial |
---|---|
Price From | Starts at $22/user/month |
Top 3 Features | Step-by-step applicant tracking, Endless automation triggers, Excellent array of integrations |
Pros
- Cost-effective ATS
- Wider business automation suite
- Over 200 templates for creating boards and using automations
- Built-in collaboration tools for small HR teams
Cons
- Requires technical know-how
- Lacks next-level features like background screenings and job board posting
- Pricing can escalate quite steeply based on a few new hires
4. Zoho Recruit — Best for Self-Employed or Very Small Businesses
Free Trial | 14-day free trial |
---|---|
Price From | Free |
Top 3 Features | Free plan, Video interviewing, Plenty of customizable features |
Pros
- Free option
- Integration with Zoho’s other products is smooth and effortless
- Plenty of options available for customization
- 45-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.
Cons
- Quite a steep learning curve
- AI features only available on the most expensive plan
- Limited number of job postings per month
Free Trial | 14-day free trial |
---|---|
Price From | Free |
Top 3 Features | Drag-and-drop recruitment interface, Candidate discovery, Staffing tracker |
Read our full Manatal review
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Access to candidates who don’t apply for roles
- Kanban board tracking
- Easy to use
Cons
- Style of the interface is a little outdated
- Not suitable for organizations with minor recruitment needs
6. BreezyHR — Best Unique Recruitment Features
Free Trial | 14-day free trial |
---|---|
Price From | Free |
Top 3 Features | Free plan, Personality testing, Simplified job posting |
Pros
- Free plan
- Candidates have the ability to schedule their own interviews.
- Unique recruitment features
- Unlimited users
Cons
- Can be expensive
- Features might be too in-depth for some SMBs
7. Workable — Best for Small Businesses with Global Aspirations
Free Trial | 15-day free trial |
---|---|
Price From | Starts at $149/month |
Top 3 Features | Onboarding features, Background screening, Wide array of job boards |
Pros
- Local language job postings
- Global job boards
- Passive candidate sourcing
- Intuitive interface
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for small, regional organizations
8. TeamTailor — Best ATS With a Career Website Builder
Free Trial | 14-day free trial |
---|---|
Price From | Starting from $200/month |
Top 3 Features | Powerful automations, Net Promoter Score (NPS) survey feature, Attractive and intuitive interface |
Pros
- Excellent customer support
- Extremely easy to use
- Great mobile app
- Reliable AI-based assistant
Cons
- The software might be too powerful for some small businesses
- Can be expensive
- No free plan
- Onboarding comes at an extra cost.
9. BambooHR — Best for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses
Free Trial | 7-day free trial |
---|---|
Price From | Custom |
Top 3 Features | Payroll, Employee mobile app, Onboarding and offboarding |
Pros
- Complete HR tool
- Excellent onboarding features
- Employee mobile app
- Intuitive ATS
Cons
- Opaque pricing
- Features might be too extensive for very small companies
The Top Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses Compared
ATS | TeamTailor | ClearCompany | Monday.com | Zoho Recruit | BreezyHR | Manatal | Rippling | Workable | BambooHR | TeamTailor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best For | Career site builder | Beginners | Cost-efficiency | Zoho customers | Unique recruitment features | LinkedIn recruitment | Businesses seeking a HR management solution | Companies with global aspirations | Free ATS | Career site builder |
Free Version | 14-day free trial | Live demo only | Free plan + 14-day free trial | 15-day free trial + Free for one recruiter | Bootstrap plan is free forever | 14-day free trial | Free demo only | 15-day free trial | 7-day free trial | 21-day free trial + plan for 50 users |
Starting Price | Starts at $200/month | Request quote | Starts at $22/user/month | Starts at $25/user/month, billed annually | Starts at $157/month | Starts at $19/month | Starts at $35/month (platform fee) + $8/user/month | Starts at $149/month | On request | Starts at $200/month |
Top Features | Powerful automations and an attractive, intuitive interface | Video interviews and smart forms | Step-by-step applicant tracking plus endless automation triggers | Free plan and plenty of customizable features | Personality testing and simplified job posting | Drag-and-drop recruitment interface and great candidate discovery | Global payroll with great customer support | Background screening and a wide array of job boards | Powerful employee mobile app |
How We Review And Test HR Products
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular HR products on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Features: We examine each product’s features to determine what capabilities are offered, and how well it performs crucial HR management tasks, such as tracking a sick leave.
- Integrations: We evaluate the integrations of each piece of HR software to determine how well it fits in with other key pieces in a business’s software stack, and whether its functionality can be expanded as required.
- User Experience: Usability is paramount when it comes to HR software. That’s why we put ourselves in the shoes of a new user, testing each platform to gain a firsthand understanding if the platform is easy to use or requires onboarding.
- Price and Value for Money: Our approach to pricing involves a thorough review of the structure and plans offered by each platform. Beyond just the initial cost, we delve into the details to assess affordability and value for money.
- Security: We dig into the security policies of each company, interrogating the safeguards they have in place to ensure the software protects user data properly.
- Compliance: A critical requirement for most HR departments, we assess HR software on whether it offers local compliance when it comes to payroll, taxes, and more.
- Reporting and Documentation: We look at the reporting and documentation capabilities of each software to make sure they offer comprehensive data sets, takeaways, and collaboration options for documentation.
How do ATS Systems Work?
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) use the power of automation and data analytics to effectively manage every aspect of the recruitment process — including job posting, interviewing candidates, onboarding, and handling all communication through the recruitment process.
Benefits of Using an ATS for Small Business
Besides expediting the hiring process, here are some additional reasons why utilizing an applicant tracking system (ATS) can prove advantageous for HR departments and recruitment agencies:
- Streamlined Hiring Process – Increased efficiency in hiring translates to saved time and access to a broader pool of applicants, enhancing the chances of finding the ideal candidate for your organization.
- Improved Brand Reputation – Applicants aren’t afraid to take to social media to share a poor recruitment process these days. Plus, a cumbersome application process can deter potential candidates. Simplifying the process with an ATS attracts more applicants and conveys professionalism.
- Automation – Leading ATS solutions swiftly identify qualified candidates matching specific criteria, ensuring time isn’t wasted on candidates unsuitable for the role.
- Better company performance – Vacancies in the team can disrupt timelines and affect employee morale. A good ATS will help you to rapidly fill positions with the right candidates, so your employees are never left trying to do too many people’s jobs at once.
ATS Features for Small Businesses
An ATS for a small business will look vastly different from one for a large, multinational company. With that in mind, here are the features you should look for:
A good ATS will take the stress and hassle out of hiring through automation triggers, so your team can focus on higher-value tasks.
Your ATS should have an intuitive, easy-to-use interface so your team can start benefiting from your investment quickly.
The ATS should match your budgetary requirements.
Ideally, you’ll choose an ATS that assists with employee onboarding once you’ve found candidates.
Great ATS providers help you find candidates that aren’t already on your radar.
Choose a system that can integrate with your broader business software tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams.
Your ATS should feature templates that enable you to quickly complete tasks like sending offer letters and rejections.
Applicant Tracking System Pricing
As you can see from the above list, ATS pricing varies widely depending on the features included within the platform. The more expensive providers on this list tend to include more in-depth, robust features that help with broader HR and business management functions.
On the other hand, the less expensive providers on this offer solely ATS software. Instead of jumping straight into a more costly solution, it’s a good idea to experiment with the free and low-cost options above, as you might be able to find something that meets your needs without needing to pay for an expensive subscription.