A Comparative Review of the Top 10 Applicant Tracking System for Small Businesses

Introduction
In the competitive world of small business, finding the right talent quickly and efficiently is crucial. An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can be a game-changer, simplifying and enhancing recruitment. However, with many options available, choosing the right ATS can be overwhelming. This blog provides a comparative overview of the top 10 ATS software for small businesses, helping you make an informed decision.


What is an Applicant Tracking System?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a software application designed to automate and streamline the recruitment process for organizations. ATS tools enable HR departments and hiring managers to manage job postings, track candidate resumes, schedule interviews, and communicate with applicants from a centralized platform.
By digitizing and organizing recruitment workflows, ATS platforms help improve efficiency, enhance collaboration among hiring teams, and provide valuable insights through analytics.



Features of Applicant Tracking Software for Small Businesses
Some of the must-have features of the Applicant Tracking System for Small Business are:

Resume Parsing
: Ability to extract and organize key information from resumes automatically.


Candidate Management
: Efficiently manage candidate profiles, applications, and statuses within the system.


Communication Integration
: Seamless integration with email and other communication channels for streamlined correspondence with applicants.


Candidate Screening
: Facilitating screening processes through customizable filters and criteria to identify top candidates.


Interview Scheduling
: Simplifying the scheduling of interviews and coordination with candidates.


Analytics and Reporting
: Providing insights into recruitment metrics and performance through comprehensive reporting and analytics tools.


Collaboration Tools
: Enabling collaboration among hiring team members, allowing them to review and assess candidates collectively.





List of Top 10 ATS Tools


100 Hires
: Known for its User-friendly interface and efficient job promotion capabilities.


Rippling
: Renowned as an all-in-one HR solution with a robust ATS component.


Breezy HR
: Celebrated for its modern approach to hiring and ease of use.


Greenhouse
: Distinguished by its comprehensive feature set that enhances the entire recruitment process.


Zoho Recruit
: Acclaimed for its powerful AI features and high customization options.


Clear Company
: Noted for its advanced communication tools and streamlined hiring process.


Workable
: Aimed for its SEO-optimized job descriptions and seamless job board posting.


Jazz HR
: Known for its User-friendly design and significant reduction in time-to-hire.


Freshteam
: Admired for its cloud-based system that modernizes HR tasks.


Hireology
: Esteemed for its integrated approach, combining ATS features with efficient verification tools for hiring.





Selecting the Best Recruitment Tracker

To finalize the Top 10, we conducted a thorough analysis of some of the best-known platforms, reviewed insights from platform demos, gathered feedback from HR professionals, and scored the contenders across four key parameters: Features, Analytics, Integration, and User Reviews.

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Here's a detailed breakdown of the factors considered:
Features
We meticulously evaluated the features offered by each ATS, focusing on the functionality of key features and assessing any unique capabilities each platform provides.
Analytics
We scrutinized the analytics capabilities of each ATS, determining how effectively the platform tracks and reports key recruitment metrics.
Integration
We examined the ease with which each ATS integrates with other HR systems and tools, considering the availability of APIs, compatibility with third-party software, and the simplicity of setting up these integrations.
User Reviews
We analyzed User ratings and reviews from reputable third-party platforms such as G2 and Capterra. This involved assessing overall satisfaction levels and specific feedback on the software’s performance, reliability, and usability.
Expert Score
This score considers various factors, including ease of adoption, customization options, automation capabilities, and User-friendliness. These elements are crucial for ensuring that the software can be seamlessly integrated into your existing processes.



Detailed Overview - Applicant Tracking System for Small Business








100 Hires


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Why 100 Hires?
100 Hires is an innovative recruitment automation platform designed to streamline and optimize the hiring process for modern organizations. By offering robust applicant tracking, resume parsing, and candidate management features, 100Hires helps businesses efficiently manage their recruitment efforts, improve candidate experience, and make data-driven hiring decisions.


Best For: Small to Medium-sized Businesses
Features

Automated Job Posting
Customizable Assessments
Applicant Tracking


Data-driven Insights




Pros



The platform saves time and resources by automating repetitive tasks such as resume screening, candidate communication, and interview scheduling.
The platform provides a seamless integration experience for businesses as they expand their hiring efforts.

Customer Reviews
"Candidate management is easy to do and integrates into the whole recruitment process” (Source: G2 )



Cons



Some users may find the platform initially challenging to navigate due to its extensive features and customization options.
The platform is on the higher end as compared to other tools available on the market.

Customer Reviews
"I feel there could be a middle option for the pricing as it goes a big jump”. (Source: G2 )


Clientele

Siemens
Magna
Acme Innovations
Venture Works

Pricing


Start
$29/Month/User












Rippling


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Why Rippling?
Rippling is a comprehensive workforce management platform designed to streamline HR, IT, and finance operations in one unified system. By integrating HR, payroll, benefits, and IT in one unified system, Rippling streamlines administrative tasks, enhances employee experience, and supports data-driven decision-making for organizational management.


Best for: Small to Medium-sized businesses
Features

Onboarding and Offboarding
Payroll and Benefits
Time and Attendance
Unified Employee Database




Pros



The platform’s extensive automation capabilities reduce administrative burdens, allowing HR and IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
Rippling integrates seamlessly with a wide range of third-party applications.

Customer Review
"I love how interconnected everything is. Instead of having to pull information from several different sources, it all lives in one place." (Source: G2 )



Cons



The comprehensive nature of Rippling’s services might come at a higher price point compared to more specialized or basic tools.
Some smaller organizations may find Rippling’s extensive feature set overwhelming.

Customer Review
"Since Rippling has a lot of features, there are some things that are hard to find." (Source: G2 )


Notable Clients

Zenefits
Evernote
Superhuman
Checkr
Expensify

Pricing


Price on Request












Breezy HR


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Why Breezy HR?
Breezy HR is a modern applicant tracking system (ATS) designed to simplify and enhance the recruitment process for businesses of all sizes. With features like automated job posting, candidate sourcing, and collaborative hiring tools, Breezy HR helps businesses streamline recruitment, enhance candidate experience, and make informed hiring decisions through data-driven insights.



Best for: Small to Medium-sized Businesses
Features:

Job Posting and Syndication
Candidate Management
Collaboration Tools
Reporting and Analytics



Pros


Breezy HR’s intuitive design makes it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to navigate and utilize the platform effectively.
The ability to customize recruitment pipelines allows for a tailored approach to different roles and departments.

Customer Review
"I love that you can easily create applicant pipelines that are customizable and automatically move applicants through the stages of recruitment." (Source: G2 )


Cons


New Users may experience a learning curve as they get accustomed to the platform’s functionalities and customization options.
The platform lacks certain advanced features available in more comprehensive HR suites.

Customer Review
"I wish it was easier to block candidates and that it didn't require so many steps. I should be able to block without leaving the recruiting screen." (Source: G2 )


Notable Clients

Mozilla
Trello
Shopify
Canva
Seat Geek

Pricing


Startup
$157/User/Month


Growth
$273/User/Month


Business
$439/User/Month












Greenhouse


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Why Greenhouse?
Greenhouse is a leading talent acquisition suite designed to optimize and streamline the hiring process for organizations of all sizes. It excels in candidate sourcing, structured interviewing, and data-driven hiring decisions. Greenhouse stands out because of its customizable workflows, seamless integrations with other HR tools, and a strong emphasis on collaboration.


Best For: Medium to Large Enterprises
Standout Features

Structured Hiring Tools

Integration with HR Systems

Customized career pages
Candidate Engagement Tracking







Pros



The platform’s analytics tools provide valuable insights that help organizations refine their recruitment strategies and improve hiring outcomes.
Greenhouse offers a wide range of features that cover every aspect of the hiring process, from sourcing to onboarding.

Customer Review
"Very easy to post job openings, managing applications, or conducting interviews, the platform adapts to your needs.” (Source: G2 )



Cons



The comprehensive nature of Greenhouse’s services may come at a higher price point compared to simpler applicant tracking systems.
Greenhouse’s customization feature is complex, and Users may require time to fully leverage.

Customer Review
"Although Greenhouse is flexible, extensive customization can be complex. Balancing standard workflows with unique requirements can be tricky.” (Source: G2 )


Clientele

Airbnb
Pinterest
HubSpot
Slack
Stripe

Pricing


Price on Request












Zoho Recruit


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Why Zoho Recruit?
Zoho Recruit is comprehensive recruitment software designed to meet the needs of both in-house recruiters and staffing agencies. With its powerful features and seamless integrations, Zoho Recruit helps organizations manage the entire hiring process, from job posting to onboarding, in an efficient and streamlined manner.




Best For: Small to Medium-sized Businesses
Standout Features

Job Posting
Candidate Management
Customizable Workflows
Automated Resume Parsing




Pros



Seamlessly integrates with other Zoho products and popular third-party applications, enhancing overall productivity and collaboration.
Zoho Recruit’s intuitive design makes it easy for recruiters to navigate and utilize the platform effectively.

Customer Reviews
"The best thing about Zoho Recruit is it’s perfectly organized, User-friendly, the step-by-step procedure of the recruitment is very perfect." (Source: G2 )



Cons



New Users may experience a learning curve as they get accustomed to the platform’s extensive features.
Some advanced features may require additional configuration and technical expertise to fully leverage.

Customer Reviews
"Initial setup and learning curve for a non-techie. However, when you pass that curve, it works very well." (Source: G2 )


Clientele

Starbucks
Tesla
Sodexo
Airtel
HDFC Life

Pricing


Price on Request












Clear Company


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Why Clear Company?
ClearCompany stands out for its advanced applicant tracking system (ATS), which includes features like candidate sourcing, automated workflows, and analytics. ClearCompany's seamless integration with other HR tools and its focus on enhancing the employee lifecycle help organizations streamline their hiring processes, improve employee engagement, and make informed, data-driven decisions.




Best For: Medium to Large Enterprises
Features

Recruiting Campaign Automation
Employee Onboarding
Performance Management
Employee Engagement




Pros



ClearCompany covers all aspects of talent management, providing an integrated solution for recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
The platform’s intuitive design ensures ease of use for HR professionals and employees alike.

Customer Reviews
"Clear company is easy to use. You can customize different parts of the process to make it work for your company and your workflows." (Source: G2 )



Cons



Initial setup and implementation can be time-consuming, especially for larger organizations with complex needs.
The platform’s customization ability is limited.

Customer Reviews
“I wish it was more customizable and provided additional features in its Performance module.” (Source: G2 )


Notable Clients

Chick-fil-A
Panasonic
Subaru
Gerber Technology
Ichor Systems

Pricing


Price on Request












Workable


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Why Workable?
Workable is a versatile recruitment platform designed to simplify and enhance the hiring process for organizations of all sizes. Its user-friendly interface and robust features simplify tasks such as job posting, candidate management, and collaboration among hiring teams. Workable's importance lies in its ability to enhance recruitment efficiency, improve candidate experience, and facilitate data-driven decision-making.





Best For: Small to Large-sized Businesses
Features

Job Posting
Candidate Management
Collaborative Hiring
Advanced Search and Filtering




Pros



The platform’s extensive integration with job boards and social media ensures a wide reach for job postings.
Workable’s intuitive design makes it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to navigate and utilize the platform effectively.

Customer Reviews
"Workable has a seamless design, making it easy to use and navigate. I like how it is consistently being updated too with tools." (Source: G2 )



Cons



Workable’s pricing may be higher compared to simpler applicant tracking systems.
Some advanced features may require additional configuration and technical expertise to fully leverage.

Customer Reviews
“Lack of flexible Pricing options and limited search functionality” (Source: G2 )


Notable Clients

Forbes
Sephora
Beiersdorf
Oldcastle
Ryanair

Pricing


Starter:
$149/Month


Standard:
$313/Month


Premier:
$628/Month












Jazz HR


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Why JazzHR?
Offering a comprehensive suite of features like job posting, applicant tracking, interview scheduling, and candidate communication, JazzHR provides an intuitive platform for all hiring needs. Its standout attributes include a User-friendly interface and customizable workflows, allowing seamless adaptation to specific organizational requirements.


Best For: Small to Medium-sized Businesses
Features

Job Posting
Candidate Management
Customizable Hiring Workflows
Reporting and Analytics




Pros



JazzHR offers competitive pricing plans tailored to the needs of small and Medium-sized businesses.
JazzHR's intuitive interface makes it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to navigate and use the platform effectively.

Customer Reviews
"JazzHR is easy to navigate, and the results are instant. You get more applications, and you reach more employment platforms." (Source: G2 )



Cons



Setting up JazzHR takes a lot of time.
While JazzHR offers customizable hiring workflows, some users may find that the level of customization is limited compared to more robust platforms.

Customer Reviews
"Set up can be burdensome and time-consuming, not as intuitive as other platforms." (Source: G2 )


Notable Clients

Example Tech
StartupX
InnovateNow
GrowthCo
VentureTech

Pricing


Hero
$79/Month


Plus
$269/Month


Pro
$420/Month












Freshteam


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Why Freshteam?
Freshteam is a modern applicant tracking system (ATS) designed to streamline recruitment processes for small and Medium-sized businesses. The significance of Freshteam lies in its capacity to aid companies in attracting top talent, efficiently managing candidates, and ensuring a smooth onboarding experience. Through task automation and the provision of insightful analytics, Freshteam empowers businesses to make data-driven decisions, leading to improved hiring outcomes and organizational success.


Best For: Small to Medium-sized Businesses
Features

Job Posting
Candidate Management
Applicant Tracking
Customizable Hiring Workflows
Reporting and Analytics




Pros



Freshteam, along with its clean UI, also provides a wide range of customizable templates for job postings, interview evaluations, and offer letters.
The platform provides comprehensive reporting and analytics tools that offer deep insights into recruitment metrics.

Customer Reviews
"The Analytics feature of Freshteam is superb! It helps in providing all necessary data." (Source: G2 )



Cons



The platform's resources such as knowledge bases and email support are limited or less responsive.
Freshteam’s customization is limited compared to more robust platforms.

Customer Reviews
"You need to wait for a while to get a reply from their customer care executive." (Source: G2 )


Notable Clients

TechStartup
InnovateNow
GrowthCo
VentureTech
StartupX

Pricing


Growth
$1/User/Month + $5.99 Platform Fee Per Month


Pro
$2/User/Month + $99 Platform Fee Per Month


Enterprise
$4/User/Month + $169.99 Platform Fee Per Month












Hireology


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Why Hireology?
Hireology is a comprehensive hiring platform designed to simplify and optimize the recruitment process for businesses of all sizes. Hireology plays a crucial role in assisting companies to attract top talent, streamline candidate management, and enhance hiring decisions. Through the provision of data-driven insights and automation of routine tasks, Hireology empowers businesses to enhance their hiring results and foster organizational success.


Best For: Small to Medium-sized Businesses
Features

Job Posting and Distribution
Candidate Management
Applicant Tracking
Customizable Hiring Workflows
Assessment Tools




Pros



Hireology streamlines recruitment tasks with automated processes.
The platform helps organizations maintain compliance with hiring regulations and requirements.

Customer Reviews
"Hireology makes recruiting, interviewing, and screening much easier with automation. You can post on multiple job boards with their software." (Source: G2 )



Cons



Hireology's pricing plans are higher compared to other recruiting software solutions.
New users may experience a learning curve when getting acquainted with the platform.

Customer Reviews
"Some of the navigation can be confusing." (Source: G2 )


Notable Clients

AutoNation
Interstate Batteries
Meineke Car Care Centers
Anytime Fitness
Jamba Juice

Pricing


Price on Request







Benefits of ATS Systems

Some of the major benefits of using an Applicant Tracking System are:

Streamlined Recruitment Process:
ATS streamlines the entire recruitment lifecycle, saving time and resources for HR professionals.


Improved Candidate Experience:
With features like automated communication and intuitive interfaces, ATS enhances the candidate experience by providing timely updates and facilitating transparent communication.


Enhanced Collaboration:
It enables seamless collaboration among hiring team members by centralizing candidate data and communication.


Data-Driven Insights:
By leveraging analytics and reporting tools, ATS provides valuable insights into recruitment metrics, enabling organizations to make informed decisions.




Challenges of Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

Some of the major challenges associated with using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) are:

Initial Implementation Complexity:
Implementing an ATS can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant upfront investment in terms of resources.


Candidate Privacy Concerns:
Managing sensitive candidate data within the ATS raises privacy concerns, especially due to evolving data protection regulations such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act).


Potential for Bias in Selection:
Despite efforts to design fair and objective selection processes, ATS algorithms may inadvertently introduce bias, leading to unequal treatment of candidates.


Integration Challenges:
Integrating ATS with other HR systems and third-party applications can be challenging, especially for organizations with complex IT infrastructures or legacy systems, leading to compatibility issues and data synchronization problems.



How to Choose the Right Applicant Tracking Software?

Selecting the right Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) demands thoughtful evaluation of several key factors essential for effective talent acquisition. With numerous options available, identifying the ideal ATS for your organization requires careful consideration.

Firstly, Seek out an ATS renowned for its User-friendly interface and intuitive design. Complex systems may deter employee engagement and hinder adoption, emphasizing the importance of simplicity in usability.

Secondly, integration capabilities are paramount. Choose an ATS that seamlessly integrates with your existing HR ecosystem, including payroll, HRIS, and other essential systems. This ensures smooth data flow and eliminates the need for manual data entry, enhancing efficiency and accuracy.

Lastly, prioritize performance analytics. Look for an ATS equipped with advanced analytics features, enabling you to track recruitment metrics, analyze candidate data, and derive actionable insights to optimize your hiring processes.

By evaluating these factors comprehensively, you can confidently select the ATS best suited to meet your organization's recruitment needs.


FAQ’s


Q. Can an Application Tracking Systems integrate with other HR systems?
A. Yes, most modern candidate tracking platforms offer integration capabilities with various HR systems such as payroll, HRIS (Human Resource Information System), onboarding software, background check services, and more.



Q. How can ATS Systems help improve the candidate's experience?
A. ATS systems can streamline the application process, provide timely updates to candidates, offer mobile-friendly interfaces for easy access, and ensure consistent communication, thereby enhancing the overall candidate experience.



Q. Can an Applicant Tracking Software help me track diversity and inclusion metrics in recruitment?
A. Many Applicants Tracking software offer reporting and analytics features that allow organizations to track diversity metrics such as gender, ethnicity, and veteran status, enabling them to monitor and improve diversity and inclusion efforts in recruitment.



Q. Is it possible to customize an ATS to fit my organization's specific needs?
A. Yes, many ATS platforms offer customization options such as configurable workflows, branding customization, customizable job templates, and the ability to add or remove features based on organizational requirements.










This article is written by Tanu Nath who is a Product Research Analyst at Vantage Circle .Tanu has a knack for diving deep into products, unraveling their features, and understanding their unique selling points. Her academic background in business administration complements her passion for product knowledge. Tanu finds joy in exploring the world of products and connecting with like-minded individuals.
To get in touch, reach out to [email protected]