Hiring the right people is one of the biggest challenges for a startup. A bad hire drains resources, and a slow hiring process drives top talent to competitors. If you’re planning to expand your workforce, you need a system that speeds up hiring without compromising quality.
Manually sorting resumes, scheduling interviews, and tracking candidates is exhausting. Without the right tools, your team spends hours on admin work instead of building the company.
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) makes hiring easier and more in line with your organizational goals. It automates tasks, organizes candidate data, and helps you make faster and smarter decisions. Let’s take a look at some of the best ATS for startups.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that helps businesses manage the hiring process. It automates tasks like posting jobs, screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and tracking candidate progress.
For startups, an ATS saves time by organizing applications in one place. It ensures you never lose track of promising candidates while making hiring faster and more efficient. Let’s understand why a good ATS is essential for startups.
Why Does Your Startup Need an ATS?
Proper hiring is imperative for startups, as hiring errors can lead to major setbacks. Hiring at a startup is fast-paced and competitive. Without the right system, you risk losing great candidates and wasting valuable time.
An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) helps make hiring faster, smarter, and more efficient. Here are some key reasons you need an ATS for your startup:
1. Saves time and reduces manual work
Manually managing the hiring process is overwhelming. An ATS automates tasks, freeing up your team to focus on growth.
- Automates resume screening to filter out unqualified candidates instantly.
- Schedules interviews without back-and-forth emails.
- Keeps track of candidate progress to ensure every applicant moves through the hiring process smoothly.
2. Speeds up hiring and improves decision-making
Startups need to speed up the hiring process to secure top talent. An ATS ensures faster, data-driven hiring with better insights.
- Ranks candidates automatically based on skills, experience, and job fit.
- Centralizes hiring data for easy access and collaboration.
- Generates reports to analyze hiring trends and improve decisions.
3. Improves candidate experience
A slow or unorganized hiring process frustrates job seekers. An ATS makes the process smooth and engaging.
- Keeps candidates updated with automated emails and notifications.
- Simplifies applications with easy-to-use online forms.
- Ensures timely communication to keep top talent interested.
4. Scales with your growth
As your startup expands, hiring needs become more complex. A good ATS grows with you and keeps your hiring organized.
- Manages multiple job openings without confusion.
- Stores and organizes resumes for future hiring needs.
- Integrates with other HR tools for a seamless experience.
Visit hrtech Marketplace today to choose from the largest selection of ATS platforms, suitable for businesses of all sizes!
Now that we’ve discussed the importance of ATS for startups, let’s explore the features you should look for.
Features of ATS to Consider
ATS platforms vary in features, and the best choice depends on your startup’s specific hiring needs. Startups need a system that streamlines hiring while remaining flexible and scalable. Here are the key features to look for when selecting an ATS for your startup:
- Customizable workflows: Ensure the system lets you modify hiring stages to match your process.
- AI-powered screening: Look for automated tools that rank and filter candidates based on job fit.
- Interview scheduling: Check if it syncs with calendars to streamline coordination.
- Email and communication tools: See if it automates follow-ups and keeps candidates engaged.
- Collaboration features: Make sure hiring managers can easily share feedback within the platform.
- Integration with job boards: Confirm it allows one-click job postings to multiple platforms.
- Analytics and reporting: Opt for a system that provides insights to improve hiring decisions.
Choosing the right ATS helps your startup hire smarter, faster, and more efficiently. To help you find the best fit, we’ve compiled a list of top 10 applicant tracking systems perfect for startups.
Top 10 Applicant Tracking Systems for Startups
While there are many ATS platforms available, it is important to identify the ones which offer best features relevant to startups. Selecting any business software for startups is a sensitive process.
We have compiled for you, a list of the best applicant tracking systems suitable for startups, which combine the best features and are cost-effective.
1. Workable
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Workable is an all-in-one recruiting software designed to simplify the hiring process for businesses. Did you know Workable helped 27,000 companies hire 1.5 million employees? It offers a robust ATS with features suitable for startups.
Best Features:
Here are some of the best features of Workable:
- Extensive Job Board Integration: You can post to over 200 job boards worldwide with a single click, increasing job visibility.
- AI-Powered Candidate Recommendations: You can get AI-powered recommendations of suitable candidates.
- Customizable Interview Kits: You can standardize interviews with tailored kits, ensuring consistent evaluations.
- Mobile-Friendly Interface: You can easily Manage recruitment tasks on-the-go with a responsive mobile design.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some pros and cons of using Workable ATS:
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface | Higher-tier features can be costly |
| Comprehensive job board integrations | Learning curve for advanced functionalities |
| ATS is AI powered and hence reduces workload | Lower tier plans may offer limited customization |
Pricing:
Here are the pricing options for Workable:
- Starter: $169/Month
- Standard: $299/Month
- Premier: $599/month
2. BambooHR
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BambooHR is a comprehensive HR software solution that includes an intuitive ATS, making it ideal for startups. BambooHR has served 26,000 customers and its cloud based system is ideal for growing companies.
Best Features:
Here are some features of BambooHR ATS that makes it ideal for startups:
- Centralized Candidate Database: You can manage all applicant information in one place, ensuring organized and efficient tracking.
- Customizable Hiring Pipelines: You can tailor recruitment stages to align with your startup’s unique hiring process.
- Automated Notifications: You can easily circulate information among candidates and hiring teams informed with automatic updates
- Mobile Accessibility: You can access BambooHR’s ATS from any device, and review candidates to make decisions on the go.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some pros and cons of using BambooHR:
| Pros | Cons |
| All-in-one HR platform with customizable ATS functionality | May require some initial setup to customize workflows |
| Excellent customer support | Some users report BambooHR offers limited customization |
| User-friendly interface | Pricing is not publicly available |
Pricing:
There are three pricing options:
- Core
- Pro
- Elite
However, exact pricing is subject to discussion. You can also enquire about pricing from hrtech and get personalized support!
3. Greenhouse
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Greenhouse is a cloud-based recruiting software designed to streamline and optimize the hiring processes for organizations of all sizes. Its Applicant Tracking System (ATS) offers a suite of features suitable for startups.
Best Features:
Did you know Greenhouse is recognized as a top leader in 25 categories? This includes distinctions like “Best Applicant Tracking System”.
Let’s take a look at the features that make it one of the best software:
- Customizable Interview Kits: Provides tailored interview materials to ensure uniform assessments across candidates.
- Advanced Reporting and Analytics: Offers in-depth insights into hiring metrics to monitor performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Diversity and Inclusion Tools: Includes features designed to promote equitable hiring practices and support diversity initiatives
- Structured Hiring Process: Implements consistent evaluation criteria to reduce bias and improve the quality of hires.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some pros and cons of using Greenhouse ATS:
| Pros | Cons |
| Data-driven insights improve hiring decisions | May require training to fully utilize advanced features |
| Emphasis on reducing hiring bias | Steep learning curve |
| Comprehensive integration capabilities | Pricing details are not publicly disclosed |
Pricing:
There are three pricing plans:
- Essential
- Advanced
- Expert
However, exact prices are not disclosed on their website and you can get a quote by contacting.
4. Keka HR
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Keka HR is a comprehensive human resource management system (HRMS) that integrates a robust ATS, making it particularly suitable for startups. The platform offers a suite of tools designed to improve hiring efficiency and candidate experiences.
Best Features:
Here are some of the best features of Keka HR:
- Candidate Pipeline Management: Keka’s ATS allows you to build and maintain a talent pool, enabling continuous engagement with potential candidates for future roles.
- Job Distribution: You can post job openings across multiple high-ranking job sites and social networks directly from the platform.
- Kanban-Style Candidate Tracking: You can visualize and manage the hiring process for each role using a project management approach.
- Technical Assessments: You can conduct pre-employment tests to evaluate candidates’ skills and competencies. This helps you identify the qualified applicants.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some pros and cons of Keka HR:
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly and interactive interface | Occasional inconsistencies between the app and web versions |
| Integrated payroll, time tracking, and leave management | Candidate search functionality could be more refined |
| Self-service options for transparency between HR and employees | Some ATS automation features may require manual adjustments |
Pricing:
Keka offers customized pricing based on company size and specific feature requirements. For exact pricing details, please inquire on hrtech.
5. Hiresome
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Hiresome is a cloud-based Applicant Tracking System (ATS) tailored to meet the needs of recruiting agencies and startups. Despite being relatively new, it has gained traction among over 500 recruiters and 90 companies.
Best Features:
Here are some of the best of Hiresome ATS:
- Candidate Sourcing: You can easily aggregate candidates from multiple job boards, which makes the sourcing process easier.
- Resume Parsing: You can automatically extract and organize candidate information, reducing manual data entry.
- Customizable Hiring Workflows: You can tailor recruitment stages to align with your startup’s processes.
- Analytics and Reporting: You can gain valuable insights into hiring metrics for better decision-making.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some pros and cons of Hiresome ATS:
| Pros | Cons |
| 24*7 account and server support | Some advanced features may need initial setup to maximize efficiency |
| Requires one-time customization | Integration options are continuously expanding. HR teams need to keep up with the changes. |
| Provides valuable analytics and reporting |
Pricing:
While the prices are undisclosed, you can get personalized support from hrtech to get more information about Hiresome.
6. BreezyHR
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BreezyHR is an end-to-end HRM platform that includes a powerful ATS. The ATS is perfect for the needs of startups and growing companies. Its user-friendly interface and automation simplify hiring. It is ideal for teams looking to improve recruitment efficiency.
Best Features:
Here are some best features of BreezyHR:
- Customizable Drag & Drop Pipelines: Allows startups to design recruitment workflows that align with their specific hiring processes, providing flexibility and control.
- Automated Communication: Facilitates automated emailing and SMS to candidates, ensuring timely updates and consistent engagement throughout the hiring process.
- Integration with Popular Tools: The ATS integrates easily with various job boards, email providers, calendars, and HR systems.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some pros and cons of BreezyHR:
| Pros | Cons |
| User-friendly interface with intuitive navigation | Advanced reporting capabilities may require additional setup |
| Comprehensive automation features reduce manual tasks | Some integrations may require technical assistance during initial configuration |
| Flexible options to customize as per requirements | Certain advanced features are available only in higher-tier plans |
Pricing:
Breezy HR offers four pricing tiers to accommodate various business sizes and needs:
- Bootstrap: Free forever
- Startup: $157 per month (billed annually)
- Growth: $273 per month (billed annually).
- Business: $439 per month (billed annually)
7. iCIMS
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iCIMS is one of the best applicant tracking systems and offers great features suitable for startups. It recently introduced a GenAI-powered recruitment assistant to improve its services. It is perfect for startups looking to quickly expand their workforce.
Best Features:
Here are some of the best features of iCIMS:
- AI-Powered Candidate Matching: Utilizes AI to automatically match candidates’ skills and experiences with job requirements.
- Automated Job Posting: Allows one-click distribution of job openings across multiple platforms maximizing reach without additional recruiter effort.
- Customizable Analytics Dashboards: Provides detailed, configurable dashboards that offer insights into hiring metrics.
- AI Copilot: iCIMS recently introduced an AI-powered co-pilot to simplify and improve the recruiter’s workflow.
Pros and Cons
Here are some pros and cons of using iCIMS
| Pros | Cons |
| AI capabilities for better candidate matching and streamline hiring | No free trial options |
| Robust reporting and analytics for informed decision-making | Pricing is not very transparent |
| Integrates third party recruitment tools | May have too many features for small businesses |
Pricing:
Pricing options are not publicly disclosed on their website. Prices depend on the number of employees and your specific business needs.
8. Recruit CRM
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Recruit CRM is a cloud-based platform that combines ATS and CRM functionalities. It is designed specifically to meet the needs of recruitment agencies and startups. Its suite of features are greatly beneficial for startups.
Best Features:
- AI-Powered Resume Parsing: Automatically extracts key details from resumes to create detailed candidate profiles.
- Kanban-Style Recruitment Pipeline: Visualize and manage the recruitment workflow with a Kanban view. This helps recruiters to track candidates, manage tasks, and monitor progress at a glance
- Advanced Search Filters: You can utilize advanced search capabilities, including radius and Boolean searches, to quickly identify suitable candidates within the database.
- Chrome Sourcing Extension: Source candidates directly from platforms like LinkedIn, Xing, and Zoominfo using a Chrome extension. This further simplifies the talent acquisition process.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some of the pros and cons of Recruit CRM:
| Pros | Cons |
| Provides a clear visual workflow for tracking candidates. | May have extra features that startups don’t need. |
| Speeds up resume parsing and candidate matching. | Advanced settings are available in premium tiers. |
| Provides built in email automation to improve communication with candidates automatic follow-ups | Some users may need time to learn all features. |
Pricing:
There are three pricing tiers, and these are:
- Pro: $100/user per month
- Business: $150/user per month
- Enterprise: $165/user per month
For more details on Recruit CRM, including pricing and features, inquire on hrtech to get tailored recommendations for your startup.
9. JazzHR
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JazzHR is an intuitive ATS designed to streamline the hiring processes of small to medium-sized businesses. Its robust features help in efficient talent acquisition and management. The recent integration of JazzHR with Justworks has expanded its services to integrate other important aspects of HR, like payroll, benefits, and compliance.
Best Features:
Here are some of the best features of JazzHR:
- Customizable Workflows: You can create unique hiring stages for each job opening, ensuring alignment with your organization’s recruitment strategies.
- Collaborative Candidate Evaluation: The tool helps in real-time feedback and discussions among hiring team members, promoting informed decision-making.
- Automated Task Management: You can reduce manual efforts by automating routine tasks like email communications and interview scheduling.
- Mobile Accessibility: You can manage tasks and communicate with candidates from mobile devices. It’s great if your HR team is working remotely.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some of the pros and cons of JazzHR:
| Pros | Cons |
| The interface is simple and intuitive, making it accessible for startups with minimal training. | Some users find the reporting options less flexible |
| More affordable than many enterprise-level ATS solutions, making it ideal for small businesses. | Unlike some competitors, there is no permanent free version, only a trial. |
| Works well with payroll, onboarding, and HR software |
Pricing:
There are three pricing plans and these are:
- Hero: $75/Month
- Plus: $269/Month
- Plus: $420
10. Zoho Recruit
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Zoho Recruit is a cloud based hiring platform. It helps businesses meet diverse needs, from startups to large enterprises.
Best Features:
Some of the best features of Zoho Recruit are:
- Multi-Channel Job Posting: Allows simultaneous posting of job openings across over 150 job boards, maximizing reach and attracting a diverse talent pool
- Collaborative Hiring: Helps the team collaborate through real-time updates, promoting informed decision-making.
- AI-Powered Candidate Matching: Uses AI to analyze candidates’ skills and experience, quickly matching them to relevant job requirements.
Pros and Cons:
Here are some pros and cons of Zoho Recruit:
| Pros | Cons |
| Good for small and medium sized companies | The extensive feature set may require time for new users to fully adapt. |
| Software offers good customization | Response times for support queries can vary |
| Ensures adherence to global hiring regulations, safeguarding sensitive candidate data. | Advanced analytics and custom reporting options are only available in higher-tier plans. |
Pricing:
Here are some of the pricing options:
- Forever Free: $0 per user/month
- Standard: $25 per user/month (billed annually)
- Professional: $50 per user/month (billed annually)
- Enterprise: $75 per user/month (billed annually)
Choosing the right ATS can make a significant difference in how efficiently your startup attracts, evaluates, and hires top talent.
Contact hrtech to get best ATS recommendations perfect for your business needs!
Conclusion
Choosing the right Applicant Tracking System (ATS) helps startups streamline hiring, automate tasks, and scale recruitment efficiently. The platforms covered in this guide are exclusively suitable for startups. Finding the best fit will help you ensure a smoother hiring process and better candidate management.
Selecting an ATS is easier with hrtech’s marketplace of verified solutions for startups. It offers expert insights, vendor comparisons, and tailored recommendations to match your hiring needs. Instead of searching endlessly, you can find the right ATS all in one place.
Need an ATS that fits your startup’s needs? Explore hrtech today and discover top ATS solutions designed for fast and efficient hiring.
