10 Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses Shortlist
With so many different applicant tracking systems tailored to the needs of small businesses, finding the right system for you can be challenging. You want cost-effective software to help you analyze your candidate applications quickly, but you need to figure out which software is best.
In this post, I'll help you make this choice simpler by sharing my insights on the best applicant tracking systems for small businesses based on my personal recruiting experience with a small company that experienced rapid growth.
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Best Applicant Tracking System for Small Business Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top applicant tracking system for small business selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for ease of use | 15-day free trial + free demo | From $299/month | Website | |
| 2 | Best for in-house talent acquisition teams | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for automated offers and analytics | Free 7-day trial | From $10/user/month | Website | |
| 4 | Best with built-in immigration support | Free demo available | From $5/employee/month | Website | |
| 5 | Best for streamlined hiring automation | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 6 | Best for combined ATS and CRM | Free demo available | Pricing starts at $95/user/month | Website | |
| 7 | Best for sourcing many qualified candidates | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 8 | Best for integrating hiring with team management | 14-day free trial available | From $24/location/month | Website | |
| 9 | Best for small businesses | 7-day free trial + free demo available | From $99/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 10 | Best for staffing agencies | 15-day free trial + free plan available | From $25/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
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Remote People
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.5 -
Paycom
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3 -
edays
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.7
Best Applicant Tracking System for Small Business Review
Below are my detailed summaries of the best applicant tracking system for small business that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Workable
Best for tracking candidate progress through the hiring pipeline
Workable is a recruitment software platform designed to improve the hiring process for businesses of all sizes. With its comprehensive suite of tools, Workable simplifies job posting, candidate sourcing, and applicant tracking, making it easier for HR teams to manage their recruitment efforts.
One of the standout features of Workable is its job posting and sourcing capabilities. Workable allows users to post job listings to hundreds of job boards and social media platforms with just a few clicks, which is useful for small businesses with limited time for manual effort. Additionally, Workable’s advanced candidate sourcing tools enable recruiters to search for potential candidates across multiple channels. This extensive reach ensures that companies can attract a diverse pool of qualified candidates
Workable's ATS allows recruiters to manage candidate applications from a single, intuitive dashboard, tracking their progress through each stage of the hiring pipeline. It also includes powerful automation features, such as resume parsing and candidate scoring.
The platform also offers a range of tools that facilitate team collaboration, allowing hiring managers and team members to share feedback and evaluation.
Workable integrates with a wide range of popular tools and platforms, including LinkedIn, Indeed, Google Calendar, Slack, Microsoft Outlook, Zapier, BambooHR, Greenhouse, Zoom, Asana, Trello, DocuSign, G Suite, Office 365, Monster, Facebook, Twitter, Glassdoor, and more.
New Product Updates from Workable
Workable Adds Report Formatting and Survey Insights
Workable adds reporting updates with conditional formatting, survey percentages, and locale-based data formatting. These improvements help teams review hiring and workforce reports more easily. For more information, visit Workable’s official site.
Folks HR's ATS is an all-in-one applicant tracking system designed to help small and medium-sized businesses manage their recruitment processes more efficiently. You can use it to centralize applications, post to job boards, and simplify how you source, screen, and hire candidates.
I included Folks HR's ATS in this list because it offers an intuitive ATS designed specifically for smaller businesses that may not have a dedicated recruitment team. You can manage applications through a centralized CV library, automate interview communications, and customize your hiring workflows—all from one platform. It also helps you create branded career pages quickly, making it easier to present a polished image to prospective candidates without relying on extra marketing resources.
Other standout features include AI-powered resume parsing to help identify the most qualified applicants faster, detailed recruitment analytics to track time-to-hire and other key metrics, and direct sourcing through LinkedIn to expand your reach. Folks HR's ATS also makes it simple to connect with candidates through automated updates and organized communication tools, keeping your hiring process on track without extra effort.
Integrations are available with platforms like Integrations include ADP, Agendrix, Applauz, Employeur D, Emprez, Evolia, Merinio, Nethris, and Payworks. These integrations support payroll, time tracking, and other ATS processes, helping you manage more of your ATS ecosystem in one place.
Homebase is an applicant tracking system for small businesses that combines hiring tools, employee scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and team communication in one platform.
Who Is Homebase Best For?
Homebase is a good fit for small businesses with hourly teams that need to manage hiring, scheduling, and payroll in one place.
Why I Picked Homebase
I picked Homebase as one of the best because I can manage applicant tracking, payroll, and time tracking all in one place. My team uses the built-in time clock to track hours and syncs that data directly with payroll, which saves us from manual entry. I also like that I can onboard new hires and run payroll without switching between different systems.
Homebase Key Features
- Job posting distribution: Post open positions to multiple job boards directly from the platform.
- Applicant messaging: Communicate with candidates through built-in messaging tools.
- Interview scheduling: Set up and manage interview times with candidates inside the system.
- Document storage: Store and organize candidate documents and onboarding paperwork securely.
Homebase Integrations
Homebase offers native integrations with Square, Clover, Toast, Shopify, PayAnywhere, Talech, Lightspeed, Revel, ADP RUN, Gusto, QuickBooks Online Plus, Paychex, Rippling, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Heartland, Millennium, SurePayroll, TipHaus, and GoDaddy. It also posts jobs directly to Indeed, Google Jobs, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and Craigslist. An API is available for custom integrations.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Shift scheduling links directly to hiring
- Built-in time tracking for hourly roles
- Direct job posting to major job boards
Cons:
- Reporting features are basic for hiring analytics
- No built-in video interview functionality
New Product Updates from Homebase
Homebase Adds AI Scheduling Assistant for Faster Shift Planning
Homebase introduces Scheduling Assistant, AI-optimized shift creation, and automated conflict resolution. These updates reduce manual scheduling work while keeping teams aligned and shifts fully staffed. For more information, visit Homebase's official site.
Manatal
Intuitive applicant tracking system with AI-driven recommendations and social media recruitment tools
Manatal’s applicant tracking system simplifies the hiring process, helping hiring teams of any size manage their talent pools and strengthen their team collaboration. Their system creates individual talent pipelines for each vacant position, making it easy to track and share progress with other hiring managers. To boost the number of candidate applications, Manatal feeds job postings to thousands of free and premium job posting boards following the parameters of your job ad campaigns.
Recruiters dealing with high-volume hiring will appreciate Manatal’s built-in artificial intelligence, which includes AI-driven recommendations for which candidates are the best fit based on extensive candidate scorecards and comparisons of their direct skills against your detailed job descriptions. Rich candidate profiles also capture a candidate’s entire digital presence including their LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts, all within their profile, making social media recruitment simple.
Manatal’s cloud-based SaaS software is fully accessible from their mobile app as well, making it easy to stay on top of activity when you’re away from your desk too. The system also includes integrations with LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Mailchimp and other platforms. Access to their API and Zapier integration are available for customized system configurations too.
Pricing for Manatal starts at $15 USD/user/month. A free demo and a 14-day free trial can also be requested via their website.
New Product Updates from Manatal
Manatal Adds Custom Branded Resume Templates
Manatal introduces enhanced Custom Resumes with branded resume templates, structured candidate report layouts, cover customization, and flexible export options for creating professional client-ready candidate profiles. For more information, visit Manatal’s official site.
AvaHR is an all-in-one applicant tracking system that's designed to help small businesses streamline their recruitment process. You can use it to help you manage your job postings, track applicants, and make the hiring process a whole lot easier.
I included AvaHR in this list because it's got all the features you need without being overly complicated or expensive. You can use automations to post to 50+ job boards at once, share job openings over social media, create custom hiring pipelines, and communicate with candidates through text messages. You can also create custom questionnaires to gather information from candidates and monitor for unconscious bias.
Other standout features include resume parsing, detailed candidate scoring, tools for collecting employee referrals, and the ability to send digital offers to top-tier candidates, which can be signed with e-signatures. AvaHR also supports bulk actions and numerous automations, which can save a ton of time and make the whole recruitment process a lot smoother.
Integrations are available with over 860 apps, including CRM systems like Twilio, Salesforce, HubSpot and Pipedrive, and with work operating systems like Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365. It also integrates with numerous job boards, including LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter, which allows you to post jobs to multiple platforms with just a few clicks.
Greenhouse is a recruiting software that offers an 'essential' plan that's well-suited to the needs of small businesses. The platform helps you reach, classify, and nurture talent, and build a robust candidate pipeline and find the best candidates for each available position.
When you're ready to advertise a job opening, you can post on over 1,000 job boards through the software. This includes both niche sites and major job marketplaces, and the software makes recommendations of where you should post based on historical and industry performance. By casting a wider net, you're more likely to find the best people for the role.
A contact database is included in the system, making it easier to keep track of applicant contact information and send personalized follow ups and communications. You can also automate your messaging to reduce your manual workload.
The software allows you to screen candidates anonymously using scorecards you can set up. This helps you both mitigate unconscious bias and ensure you're evaluating people fairly and consistently.
You can connect the platform to other tools including Broadbean, Canditech, Cord, Docusign, Dropbox, FlexJobs, Google Meet, Indeed, Microsoft Teams, Paradox, and Seek. A free demo is available, and pricing information is available upon request.
As a small business, hiring is a labor-intensive activity that sometimes takes too much time. Mitratech Hire has an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that can help you with the heavy lifting so you can focus on creating impactful tasks for your company.
Mitratech Hire’s ATS enables recruiting teams to receive résumés through customizable application forms, and use bulk upload to import multiple résumés simultaneously. Once the résumés are imported and stored in the system, the software’s résumé parser automatically extracts all the pertinent details from the candidate résumés to create accurate applicant profiles.
In addition to applicant tracking and candidate sourcing, Mitratech Hire allows you to schedule candidate interviews on the same platform. It features shared calendars, automated responses and reminders, email templates, as well as Outlook and Google calendar integrations. Career site management and offer management are also available, making it an end-to-end ATS and hiring solution.
Integrations include other Mitratech Perform products and several third-party solutions, such as Checkr, Slack, Namely, and BambooHR, as well as Google and Outlook calendar applications.
Recruit CRM is a web-based applicant tracking system that simplifies and automates the recruitment process for small businesses. You can create job postings and track applicants through a centralized dashboard and easily filter through resumes and CVs to find the perfect candidate for each position.
The platform offers automated emails, comprehensive analytics, customizable questionnaires, and personalized messages to ensure applicants feel valued. Additionally, its onboarding feature automates document gathering and processing tasks so you can focus on other tasks.
Recruit CRM’s integrated job board feature makes it easy to post jobs on popular job boards like Indeed or LinkedIn with just one click. Users can customize these postings with company logos, colors, and other branding elements to attract qualified applicants. The resume parser quickly scans incoming resumes and automatically imports relevant information. Then, all the candidate data is stored ina. central location, thanks to its candidate database management feature.
Finally, you can use the performance tracking feature to evaluate employee performance over time by tracking key metrics such as attendance rates or customer satisfaction surveys. This helps employers identify areas where employees could improve or when additional training or resources may be needed to achieve specific goals set by management teams.
A 30-day free trial is available.
New Product Updates from Recruit CRM
Recruit CRM Adds AI Candidate Matching and Resume Parsing
Recruit CRM Recruit CRM introduces AI candidate matching and enhanced resume parsing. These updates help recruiters identify candidates faster and improve screening accuracy. For more information, visit Recruit CRM's official site.
Comprehensive HR software that streamlines the recruitment process, from sourcing candidates to advanced analytics
Zoho Recruit is an applicant tracking system (ATS) that offers valuable features for small businesses in managing their recruitment processes. Zoho Recruit provides a user-friendly platform for small businesses to streamline their applicant tracking. The software allows small businesses to create customized career webpages, post job listings, and track candidate applications. It offers tools for managing candidate profiles, scheduling interviews, and collaborating with team members.
Zoho Recruit incorporates a feature called Blueprint, which is designed to automate and streamline the recruitment workflow. It provides recruiters with a visual representation of their hiring processes, guiding them step-by-step through pre-defined workflows. This ensures that each stage of recruitment, from sourcing candidates to onboarding, is consistent and adheres to best practices. The drag-and-drop interface and customization capabilities of Blueprint allow businesses to tailor the recruitment journey to their unique needs, ensuring both efficiency and compliance.
Zoho Recruit offers a specialized feature known as the Resume Inbox which, when paired with the software's built-in Resume Parser, enables recruiters to effortlessly manage bulk applications. By simply forwarding all received resumes to a designated email address, the Resume Inbox collects them and, with the Parser, automatically extracts relevant details like skills, experience, and education to create structured candidate profiles. This not only saves time from manual data entry but also ensures that candidate data is uniformly presented and easily searchable within the system.
Zoho Recruit has a free plan is available for small teams and allows limited access to features. Paid plans start from $7/user/month and up.
New Product Updates from Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit Introduces Block Candidates
Zoho Recruit now allows recruiters to block specific candidates from applying to future jobs, ensuring a compliant hiring process. For more information, visit Zoho Recruit's official site.
SparkHire offers small and mid-sized businesses a structured applicant tracking system with built-in video interviewing and hiring workflow tools. The platform is designed for teams that want more visibility and consistency in hiring without relying on spreadsheets or manual follow-up. Every plan includes one-way video interviewing and AI-assisted resume review features.
Who Is SparkHire Best For?
SparkHire is a good fit for HR generalists and recruiters at companies with 50 to 500 employees that need a structured hiring process with self-service tools for hiring managers.
Why I Picked SparkHire
I picked SparkHire because its hiring manager self-service workflows help reduce manual coordination during the hiring process. Step-by-step prompts guide managers through candidate evaluations and feedback collection, while centralized candidate records, video responses, and scorecards keep hiring activity organized in one place.
SparkHire Key Features
Some other features that make SparkHire useful for small business hiring teams include:
- One-way video interviews: Candidates record responses on their own time, allowing hiring teams to review submissions asynchronously.
- AI-assisted resume review: Helps teams identify and prioritize applicants during the screening process.
- Hiring manager self-service: Guided workflows help hiring managers complete evaluations and feedback tasks independently.
- Interview scheduling automation: Candidates can self-schedule interviews based on interviewer availability, reducing scheduling coordination.
SparkHire Integrations
Integrations include Greenhouse, Lever, Workable, JazzHR, JobAdder, iCIMS, BambooHR, SmartRecruiters, Bullhorn, and ApplicantStack.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- One-way video interviews included on every plan
- Built-in candidate rating and feedback tools
- Syncs multiple hiring manager calendars automatically
Cons:
- Not suitable for complex compliance needs
- Advanced analytics require manual data exports
Other Applicant Tracking System for Small Business
Here are some additional applicant tracking system for small business options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Rippling
For streamlining the recruitment process with automated tracking features
- Recooty
Easy-to-use ATS tool, available in multiple languages
- Wizehire
For human-powered hiring support
- Eddy
Collaborative candidate tracking tools within a core HR framework
- Recruitee
Straightforward recruiting platform with smart campaigns and custom landing pages
- JazzHR
Full-feature applicant tracking system with enhanced candidate experience functions
- Mitratech TalentReef
Applicant tracking system for hiring hourly workers
- Rise
Comprehensive recruiting and core HR solution for Canadian companies of any size
- Unnanu Hire
For AI/ML powered resume scoring feature
- GoHire
ATS system with industry-specific customizations to help businesses scale
Applicant Tracking System for Small Business Selection Criteria
When selecting the best applicant tracking system for small business to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like budget constraints and ease of use. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage job postings
- Track applicant status
- Schedule interviews
- Store candidate information
- Generate reports
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- AI-driven candidate screening
- Integration with social media platforms
- Mobile app access
- Customizable workflows
- Multi-language support
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Simple navigation
- Intuitive interface
- Quick access to features
- Minimal learning curve
- Aesthetic design
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Access to templates
- Interactive product tours
- Supportive chatbots
- Live webinars
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Response time
- Quality of assistance
- Availability of help documentation
- Multiple support channels
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Features offered at each price tier
- Discount options
- Cost of add-ons
- Free trial availability
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Ease of use feedback
- Feature satisfaction
- Customer support experiences
- Overall reliability
- Value for money perception
How to Choose Applicant Tracking System for Small Business
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Will the system grow with your business? Ensure it can handle more users or job postings as your team expands, without significant costs or technical limitations. |
| Integrations | Does it work with your existing tools? Check compatibility with HR software, email, and calendars to keep everything connected and reduce manual data entry. |
| Customizability | Can you tailor the system to fit your workflows? Look for options to adjust fields, processes, and dashboards to suit your team’s unique needs. |
| Ease of use | Is the system intuitive for all users? Ensure a straightforward interface that minimizes training time and allows quick adoption by your entire team. |
| Implementation and onboarding | How quickly can you get started? Evaluate the setup process, available support, and resources like tutorials or guides to facilitate smooth onboarding. |
| Cost | What’s the total cost of ownership? Look beyond initial pricing; consider maintenance fees, add-ons, and any hidden costs that might affect your budget. |
| Security safeguards | Are your data and candidates’ information protected? Check for data encryption, compliance with data protection laws, and user access controls. |
| Support availability | How accessible is customer support? You’ll want reliable help via multiple channels, especially during critical hiring periods or when facing technical issues. |
What Is an Applicant Tracking System for Small Business?
An applicant tracking system for small business is software designed to help manage and organize the hiring process. HR professionals and recruiters typically use these tools to simplify tracking applications, scheduling interviews, and storing candidate data. Features like job posting management, candidate tracking, and interview scheduling help with efficiency and organization. These tools ultimately save time and reduce the complexity of hiring for small businesses.
Features
When selecting an applicant tracking system for small business, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Job posting management: Allows you to create and manage job listings across multiple platforms, saving time and reaching a wider audience.
- Candidate tracking: Helps you monitor applicant progress through the hiring pipeline, ensuring no steps are missed.
- Interview scheduling: Facilitates setting up interviews with candidates and team members, reducing back-and-forth communication.
- Customizable workflows: Lets you tailor hiring processes to fit your team's unique needs, improving efficiency and organization.
- Integration capabilities: Connects with existing tools like email and calendars to streamline communication and data entry.
- Data security: Ensures candidate information is protected with encryption and compliance with data protection laws.
- Reporting and analytics: Provides insights into hiring metrics and trends, helping you make informed decisions.
- Mobile access: Offers the ability to manage hiring tasks on the go, increasing flexibility for busy HR professionals.
- User-friendly interface: Features an intuitive design that minimizes training time and encourages adoption by the entire team.
- Training resources: Includes tutorials and guides to help new users quickly learn and effectively use the system.
Benefits
Implementing an applicant tracking system for small business provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Time savings: Automates repetitive tasks like posting jobs and tracking candidates, freeing up time for more strategic activities.
- Improved organization: Keeps all candidate information and hiring data in one place, reducing the risk of losing important details.
- Enhanced collaboration: Allows team members to access and update candidate information easily, improving communication and decision-making.
- Better candidate experience: Provides timely updates and communication to applicants, enhancing their overall experience with your company.
- Data-driven insights: Offers reports and analytics on hiring processes, helping you make informed decisions and improve future recruitment strategies.
- Scalability: Grows with your business, accommodating more users and job postings as your hiring needs increase.
- Cost efficiency: Reduces the need for manual processes and external recruitment services, saving money in the long run.
Costs & Pricing
Selecting an applicant tracking system for small business requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in applicant tracking system for small business solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Applicant Tracking System for Small Business
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic job posting, candidate tracking, and limited reporting. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Job posting, resume parsing, email integration, and basic analytics. |
| Business Plan | $30-$75/user/month | Advanced analytics, customizable workflows, integrations with HR tools, and mobile access. |
| Enterprise Plan | $80-$150/user/month | Full customization, dedicated support, multi-language support, and enhanced security. |
Applicant Tracking System for Small Business FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about applicant tracking system for small business:
What is the implementation time for an applicant tracking system?
Implementation time varies, but most applicant tracking systems can be set up within a few days to a few weeks. The duration depends on the complexity of your existing processes and the level of customization you require. To speed up the process, gather all necessary information and resources beforehand, such as job descriptions, team roles, and current workflows. Some vendors offer support to help guide you through the setup, ensuring a smooth transition for your team.
Can applicant tracking systems integrate with other HR tools?
Yes, most applicant tracking systems offer integration capabilities with other HR tools like payroll, performance management, and employee engagement platforms. By integrating these tools, you can create a more cohesive HR ecosystem that reduces manual data entry and enhances communication between different functions. Before purchasing, check if the system supports the specific tools your team already uses.
Is data migration possible when switching applicant tracking systems?
Yes, data migration is usually possible when switching systems, but it requires careful planning. You’ll want to ensure that all candidate data, job postings, and historical records are transferred without loss. Many vendors provide migration assistance or tools to help with this process. It’s a good idea to back up your data before starting the migration to safeguard against potential issues.
How secure are applicant tracking systems?
Applicant tracking systems generally offer strong security measures, including data encryption, secure user access, and compliance with data protection laws. When evaluating a system, ask about their security protocols and any certifications they hold. It’s important to ensure that your candidates’ information is handled securely and that the system complies with relevant regulations in your region.
What’s Next:
If you're in the process of researching applicant tracking system for small business, connect with a SoftwareSelect advisor for free recommendations.
You fill out a form and have a quick chat where they get into the specifics of your needs. Then you'll get a shortlist of software to review. They'll even support you through the entire buying process, including price negotiations.
