ATS have become an integral tool for recruiters looking to streamline their hiring process. These software platforms assist in managing job postings across numerous job boards, collecting and organizing applications, and facilitating communication with candidates. With an ATS, recruiters can efficiently sort through high volumes of applications, quickly identifying those candidates who best match the job requirements. This efficiency in the initial stages of recruitment enables HR departments to allocate more time to engage with potential employees, enhancing the overall recruitment strategy.
The best applicant tracking systems offer a high level of integration with other HR tools, allowing for a seamless transition of data throughout the various stages of hiring. From sourcing to onboarding, these systems provide a repository for all candidate information, which can be accessed by multiple members of the recruitment team. Advanced features such as AI-driven analytics and automations further contribute to an effective recruitment process, ensuring that teams aren’t bogged down by administrative tasks and can focus on more strategic HR initiatives.
What we cover
Benefits of Using Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruiters
- Enhanced Efficiency: ATS streamline the recruitment process by automating tasks such as job posting, resume screening, and interview scheduling. This allows recruiters to focus on more strategic aspects of hiring.
- Streamlined Candidate Sourcing: An ATS can integrate multiple sourcing channels, including job boards and social media platforms, to widen the talent pool and attract qualified candidates.
- Improved Candidate Experience: With ATS, communication with candidates is more consistent and timely, providing updates on application status and reducing the chances of candidates feeling neglected.
- Robust Reporting and Analytics: Recruiters gain access to valuable data on hiring metrics, such as time-to-hire and source effectiveness, aiding in making data-driven decisions.
- Automation of Routine Tasks: ATS can automatically filter candidates based on predefined criteria, schedule interviews, and send follow-up emails, reducing manual intervention and the potential for human error.
General Pricing of Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruiters
The pricing of ATS varies widely, reflecting the diverse features and scales of businesses they cater to. Generally, these systems offer a range of pricing models to accommodate the financial capabilities of different organizations.
Smaller businesses often seek cost-effective solutions, and they can find systems with basic functionalities starting around $60 to $100 per month. These packages usually support a limited number of job postings and may offer candidate tracking and communication capabilities.
For more advanced features, such as automation tools, integrations, and analytics, mid-tier options range from $100 to $500 per month. Providers often present this pricing in tiered subscriptions, scaling up with the complexity and robustness of the service offerings.
At the high end of the market, enterprise-level solutions can start from $500 per month and can go upwards significantly. These systems offer extensive customizations, full-suite HR integrations, and premium support services.
Many ATS providers also offer transparent pricing on their websites, enabling potential buyers to compare costs without direct inquiries. Pricing can be presented per recruiting user or per employee, fitting the budget of different-sized organizations.
Recruiters can also take advantage of free trial periods offered by many providers. This gives them the opportunity to evaluate the system’s interface and features before committing to a purchase, thus making a more informed decision.
Features to Look for In Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruiters
When selecting an ATS, recruiters should focus on the following key features to enhance their hiring processes:
- Customizable Workflows and Automation: Recruiters should look for ATS platforms that allow for the personalization of hiring workflows. Automation tools can save significant time by managing repetitive tasks such as email notifications and candidate follow-ups.
- Candidate Tracking and Management: Robust ATS platforms offer comprehensive candidate tracking features. This includes maintaining a talent pool, effectively parsing resumes, and providing seamless candidate relationship management, crucial for building strong employer branding.
- Integration Capabilities: Ensure the ATS can integrate with a variety of job boards and other HR systems for benefits administration, performance management, and more. This connectivity simplifies job posting and candidate sourcing.
- Compliance and Security: The system should adhere to legal standards like GDPR compliance, while also offering enhanced security features to protect sensitive candidate information.
- Reporting and Analytics: Access to real-time dashboards with detailed analytics enables recruiters to monitor the effectiveness of their hiring strategies, manage employer branding, and adjust their processes accordingly.
Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruiters
Recruiters seeking comprehensive solutions to streamline their hiring process can turn to a variety of ATS each with unique features tailored to different needs, whether it’s improving candidate experience, enhancing collaboration among hiring teams, or ensuring compliance.
Best ATS for Recruiters (At a Glance)
| Software | Focus Area | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workday | Human Capital Management | Integrated HR suite, talent management, financial management | Medium to large enterprises |
| Greenhouse | Recruitment Optimization | Collaboration tools, candidate scoring, integration capabilities | Companies of all sizes, strong on integration |
| Lever | Candidate Relationship | ATS and CRM integration, customizable pipelines, analytics | Medium to large businesses, tech-savvy recruiters |
| SmartRecruiters | Talent Acquisition Platform | Candidate sourcing, engagement tools, compliance and reporting | Medium to large enterprises, global companies |
| iCIMS Recruit | Talent Acquisition | Scalable ATS, onboarding, text engagement tools | Businesses of all sizes, especially large enterprises |
| BambooHR | HR Software for SMEs | ATS as part of HR suite, employee onboarding, performance management | Small to medium-sized businesses |
| JazzHR | Recruitment Automation | Job posting, candidate tracking, interviews and assessments | Small to medium-sized businesses, cost-conscious firms |
| Breezy HR | Visual Recruiting | Drag-and-drop pipeline management, video interviewing, candidate messaging | Small to medium enterprises, startups |
| Zoho Recruit | End-to-end Recruiting | Customization, automation, integration with Zoho suite | Staffing agencies, corporate HRs |
| Bullhorn | Staffing and Recruiting | Cloud-based ATS and CRM, mobile accessibility, business intelligence | Staffing agencies, recruiting firms |
| Recruitee | Collaborative Hiring | Employer branding, collaborative hiring tools, talent sourcing | Small to medium-sized companies, growing startups |
| ApplicantPro | Simplified Hiring Process | Job posting to multiple boards, applicant tracking, onboarding | Small to medium-sized companies |
| Taleo | Enterprise Recruiting | Comprehensive recruiting solution, onboarding, performance management | Large enterprises, multinational corporations |
1. Workday
Key Features:
- Unified workforce platform
- Human capital management
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Rating: 4.2/5
Pros:
- Robust suite integrating HR, payroll, and benefits
- Scalable for large businesses and enterprises
- Extensive third-party integration capabilities
Cons:
- Higher cost can be prohibitive for small businesses
- Requires training for optimal use
- Complex implementation process
Pricing: Custom pricing based on organization size and needs.
Workday is a comprehensive cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that excels in human capital management (HCM) and financial management.
It integrates various aspects of business operations, with a strong focus on human resources processes.
Workday’s ATS capabilities are part of its broader HCM suite, offering organizations a unified platform to manage the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment to retirement.
Its key strengths include an intuitive user interface, advanced analytics for informed decision-making, and a flexible architecture that supports global businesses with complex organizational structures and workforce dynamics.
Verdict: Workday is best suited for medium to large enterprises looking for a robust solution that can handle HR, finance, and planning needs in a cohesive manner.
2. Greenhouse
Key Features:
- Candidate scorecards
- Customizable interview kits
- Comprehensive recruitment CRM
Rating: 4.5/5
Pros:
- User-friendly and offers extensive customization
- Strong emphasis on candidate experience
- Effective collaboration tools for recruiting teams
Cons:
- Can be costly for smaller teams
- Learning curve for full feature utilization
- Setup may require dedicated resources
Pricing: Starts at $6,600 annually.
Greenhouse is renowned for its focus on optimizing the entire recruiting process, making it a favorite among companies of all sizes.
Its software is designed to improve decision-making in hiring with data-driven analytics, enhance collaboration among hiring teams, and streamline the candidate experience.
Greenhouse stands out for its extensive integration capabilities, allowing it to fit seamlessly into the existing technology ecosystem of a company, including HRIS, productivity tools, and background check services.
Its proactive approach to inclusion and diversity through structured hiring practices makes it a leading choice for organizations committed to building diverse teams.
Verdict: Greenhouse stands out with its focus on candidate experience and collaborative hiring, providing extensive customization to optimize the recruitment process.
3. Lever
Key Features:
- Candidate relationship management
- Customizable hiring pipeline
- Robust analytics and reporting
Rating: 4.3/5
Pros:
- Intuitive design promotes user adoption
- Robust reporting for data-driven decisions
- Focus on building strong candidate relationships
Cons:
- Pricing may be steep for budget-conscious businesses
- Some features require advanced setup
- Limited HR functions beyond recruiting
Pricing: Starts at $3,000 annually for small businesses.
Lever combines the functionalities of an ATS and candidate relationship management (CRM) system to provide a comprehensive talent acquisition platform.
It emphasizes building stronger candidate relationships and facilitates a more strategic approach to talent acquisition.
Lever is known for its sleek design, ease of use, and powerful analytics, helping organizations to attract, engage, and hire top talent efficiently.
The platform’s Lever Nurture feature automates personalized candidate engagement, enhancing the recruiter’s ability to attract passive candidates.
Verdict: Lever is ideal for medium to large businesses that prioritize a candidate-centric approach and seek to improve their employer branding.
4. SmartRecruiters
Key Features:
- Global talent acquisition suite
- Comprehensive vendor management system
- Extensive marketplace of third-party integrations
Rating: 4.4/5
Pros:
- Strong global capabilities for large enterprises
- Streamlined candidate sourcing and engagement
- Wide array of third-party integrations
Cons:
- May have a learning curve for new users
- Customization can require consultation
- Potential for additional costs with premium features
Pricing: Free tier available; custom pricing for enterprise solutions.
SmartRecruiters offers a talent acquisition suite that emphasizes attracting, selecting, and hiring the best talent.
Its platform is designed to provide a high-quality experience for candidates, recruiters, and hiring managers alike. Key features include global job distribution, collaborative hiring, and comprehensive compliance and reporting tools.
SmartRecruiters stands out for its marketplace of pre-integrated apps, enabling companies to easily extend the platform’s capabilities. It is best suited for medium to large enterprises and global companies that require a scalable, flexible solution to meet diverse hiring needs.
Verdict: SmartRecruiters is well-regarded for its global recruiting capabilities and a vast marketplace that augments its core ATS functionality.
Check out SmartRecruiters here!
5. iCIMS Recruit
Key Features:
- Advanced communication tools
- Integration with major job boards
- Mobile recruiting capabilities
Rating: 4.1/5
Pros:
- Comprehensive platform with strong communication tools
- Wide network of job board integrations
- Flexible mobile options for recruiters and applicants
Cons:
- Interface can feel outdated
- Initial setup can be time-consuming
- Enterprise focus may overlook smaller businesses’ needs
Pricing: Custom pricing based on specific recruiter needs.
iCIMS Recruit is part of the iCIMS Talent Cloud, offering a scalable solution that supports the entire talent acquisition lifecycle.
It is known for its ability to manage high-volume recruitment efficiently while providing a personalized candidate experience.
The platform offers robust onboarding solutions and a suite of tools to engage candidates through text messaging, virtual career fairs, and other innovative channels.
iCIMS is favored by businesses of all sizes, particularly large enterprises that value a comprehensive, customizable ATS capable of integrating with a wide range of HR systems and tools.
Verdict: iCIMS Recruit is recognized for its strong connectivity with various job boards and mobile-friendly application processes.
6. BambooHR
Key Features:
- HR-focused ATS
- Benefits administration
- Performance management tools
Rating: 4.3/5
Pros:
- Centralized HR system with ATS capabilities
- User-friendly for small to mid-sized businesses
- Good support and resource library
Cons:
- Limited customization for complex workflows
- ATS features can be basic for larger companies
- Reporting functionality can be improved
Pricing: Custom pricing; free trial available.
BambooHR is best known for its user-friendly HR software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Its ATS is integrated within a broader HR suite, offering functionalities like employee onboarding, time tracking, and performance management alongside recruitment.
BambooHR’s ATS simplifies the hiring process with easy job postings, applicant tracking, and communication tools to engage candidates.
The platform’s strength lies in its simplicity and effectiveness, making HR tasks more manageable and helping companies build a better workplace.
Verdict: BambooHR is favored by small to mid-sized businesses for combining ATS features with a broad HR software suite, including benefits administration.
7. JazzHR
Key Features:
- Candidate sourcing
- Customized workflows
- Collaboration tools
Rating: 4.2/5
Pros:
- Affordable for small businesses and startups
- Customization options for different hiring stages
- Ease of use in candidate collaboration
Cons:
- Features may be limited for large-scale hiring
- Reporting capabilities could be more robust
- Some integrations require additional setup
Pricing: Starts at $39 per month.
JazzHR targets small to medium-sized businesses with its cost-effective, user-friendly ATS. It focuses on automating and streamlining the recruitment process to help companies find and hire the right talent faster.
Features include customizable job postings, syndication to free and premium job boards, and collaborative tools that engage the entire hiring team.
JazzHR is praised for its affordability and the ability to customize workflows, making it a flexible option for growing companies that need to optimize their hiring process without significant investment.
Verdict: JazzHR caters to small businesses with an affordable solution that doesn’t compromise on essential candidate sourcing and collaboration features.
8. Breezy HR
Key Features:
- Visual hiring pipelines
- Video interviews
- Candidate management
Rating: 4.1/5
Pros:
- User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop functionality
- Convenient video interviewing
- Strong candidate management capabilities
Cons:
- Reporting functions could be more comprehensive
- Limited customization in certain areas
- Free version may be too basic for some
Pricing: Free tier; paid plans starting at $143 per month.
Breezy HR offers a visually oriented ATS that simplifies the recruitment process with its drag-and-drop pipeline management.
The platform includes modern features like video interviewing and candidate messaging, enhancing the overall hiring experience.
Breezy HR’s ease of use and comprehensive feature set make it an attractive choice for small to medium enterprises and startups.
The platform also offers robust reporting and analytics tools, allowing companies to make data-driven hiring decisions.
Verdict: Breezy HR has an approachable design and powerful candidate management tools, making it a solid choice for SMBs looking for an efficient hiring process.
9. Zoho Recruit
Key Features:
- Recruitment automation
- Customizable modules
- Integration with G Suite and other Zoho products
Rating: 4.0/5
Pros:
- Extensive automation streamlines hiring tasks
- Customizable to fit various recruitment processes
- Seamless integration within the Zoho ecosystem
Cons:
- Learning curve for advanced features
- Customer support response can be slow
- Interface may not be as intuitive as competitors
Pricing: Starts at $25 per user per month.
Zoho Recruit is a part of the extensive Zoho ecosystem, designed to cater to both staffing agencies and corporate HR departments. It offers a highly customizable ATS that automates and streamlines the end-to-end recruiting process.
Key features include sourcing automation, advanced candidate management, and integration capabilities with various Zoho apps and third-party systems.
Zoho Recruit’s flexibility and scalability make it suitable for businesses of all sizes, particularly those already using other Zoho products.
Verdict: Zoho Recruit appeals for its strong automation tools and integration capabilities, fitting well into the Zoho suite used by many businesses.
10. Bullhorn
Key Features:
- Recruiting CRM
- Mobile recruiting
- Advanced analytics
Rating: 4.0/5
Pros:
- Highly tailored CRM functionality for recruitment
- Mobile app increases accessibility on the go
- Powerful analytics for data-driven recruiting strategies
Cons:
- Can be expensive for smaller businesses
- Learning curve associated with feature-rich platform
- Some users report occasional system slow-downs
Pricing: Quote-based pricing.
Bullhorn is tailored for staffing and recruiting agencies, providing a cloud-based ATS and CRM solution that facilitates end-to-end recruitment processes.
Its key strengths include mobile accessibility, advanced search capabilities, and a suite of business intelligence tools.
Bullhorn’s platform is designed to increase recruiter productivity and enhance candidate engagement, making it a preferred choice for agencies looking to improve their placement rates and grow their businesses.
Verdict: Bullhorn is a popular choice among agencies and larger firms for bringing together a powerful CRM and ATS to create an efficient end-to-end recruitment solution.
11. Recruitee
Key Features:
- Collaborative hiring
- Customizable career sites
- Employer branding tools
Rating: 4.1/5
Pros:
- Promotes collaboration with hiring teams
- Offers tools to enhance employer branding
- Flexible career site customization
Cons:
- Reporting functions could be more detailed
- Integration options may be limited
- Pricing can escalate with additional features
Pricing: Starts at $79 per month.
Recruitee is a collaborative hiring software that emphasizes employer branding, talent sourcing, and collaborative tools to optimize the hiring process.
Its user-friendly interface and customizable workflows make it easy for teams to attract, evaluate, and hire candidates.
Recruitee is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized companies and growing startups that value teamwork and efficiency in their recruitment strategy.
Verdict: Recruitee shines with its focus on enhancing collaboration between team members and strengthening employer branding efforts through customizable career sites.
12. ApplicantPro
Key Features:
- Simple applicant tracking
- Job posting syndication
- Basic reporting and analytics
Rating: 4.0/5
Pros:
- Straightforward ATS suitable for non-technical users
- Broad job posting distribution
- Competitive pricing for smaller organizations
Cons:
- Lacks advanced customization options
- Features may be too basic for complex recruiting needs
- Limited integration with other HR systems
Pricing: Pricing starts at $60 per month.
ApplicantPro provides a straightforward ATS solution that covers job posting, applicant tracking, and onboarding.
Designed with simplicity in mind, it enables small to medium-sized companies to streamline their hiring process without the complexity of larger systems.
ApplicantPro stands out for its ease of use, customer support, and the ability to reach a wide audience with integrated job postings across multiple job boards.
Verdict: ApplicantPro is a functional and budget-friendly ATS solution that facilitates job posting syndication and straightforward tracking for small to midsize businesses.
13. Taleo
Key Features:
- Enterprise-level recruitment software
- Sophisticated candidate management
- Compliance tracking
Rating: 3.8/5
Pros:
- Scalable solution for large organizations
- Extensive candidate management tools
- Focus on maintaining compliance in hiring
Cons:
- Complex system requiring extensive training
- Cost may be prohibitive for smaller companies
- Interface and user experience could use updating
Pricing: Custom pricing based on enterprise requirements.
Taleo, now part of Oracle, offers an enterprise-level ATS known for its comprehensive recruiting solutions.
It supports global companies with complex hiring needs, providing tools for sourcing, recruiting, and onboarding candidates.
Taleo’s extensive configurability, robust reporting capabilities, and integration with Oracle’s HR suite make it a powerful tool for large enterprises and multinational corporations seeking to optimize their talent acquisition strategy.
Verdict: Taleo supports large enterprises with a powerful suite of tools geared towards maintaining compliance and managing candidates at scale.
FAQs
Which applicant tracking systems offer the best features for candidate management?
Systems like Greenhouse and BreezyHR are often highlighted for their comprehensive candidate management features. They provide robust tools for sourcing, screening, and engaging with candidates throughout the recruitment process.
How do free applicant tracking systems compare to paid versions for recruitment processes?
Free applicant tracking systems like BreezyHR offer essential functionalities that can suit the needs of startups and small companies. However, paid versions generally include advanced features like AI-powered screening and analytics that significantly enhance recruitment efficiency for larger organizations.
What are some examples of applicant tracking systems that integrate well with other HR software?
Applicant tracking systems such as Rippling and Greenhouse are designed for easy integration with various HR software. These systems streamline the hiring process by connecting with tools for payroll, onboarding, and performance management, creating a cohesive HR ecosystem.
