Hiring can be one of the most challenging aspects of running a small business. Without the right tools, juggling resumes, applications, and interview schedules can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where applicant tracking systems (ATS) come in. Designed to streamline the recruiting process, an ATS helps small business owners and recruiters alike save time, stay organized, and find the best candidates for the job.
But with so many options on the market, which ATS is best for small businesses? This guide breaks it all down, with insights into the top free and paid ATS platforms tailored to meet the needs of small business owners, HR professionals, and recruiters.
What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
An ATS is a software tool designed to manage and streamline recruiting by organizing applications, resumes, and candidate data in one place. Think of it as a digital assistant to track, sort, and rank applicants efficiently, allowing small businesses to spend less time on admin and more time hiring the right people.
From resume parsing to automated communication with candidates, the features of modern ATS platforms help to simplify every step of the recruitment funnel. And with many free and low-cost options now available, small businesses can access these capabilities without breaking the bank.
Why Small Businesses Need an ATS
Hiring for a small business often comes with unique challenges. Limited resources, time constraints, and lean teams make it crucial to work efficiently. Here’s why adopting an ATS is a smart move for small businesses:
- Save Time: Automate repetitive tasks like screening applications, sending emails to candidates, and scheduling interviews.
- Stay Organized: Keep all your hiring data in one easy-to-access platform. No more digging through email threads or spreadsheets.
- Improve Candidate Quality: An ATS helps you prioritize applicants based on qualifications, experience, and fit for the role.
- Enhance Collaboration: ATS platforms make it easier for hiring managers and HR teams to collaborate and review candidates.
- Reduce Hiring Costs: Many ATS platforms offer free or affordable plans that provide excellent value for small businesses.
What to Look for in an ATS for Small Businesses
Before we review the best ATS platforms, it’s essential to understand what features you should prioritize for a small business setup. Here are a few key capabilities to consider:
- Ease of Use
Small businesses often have small teams, so an ATS should be user-friendly and easy to set up without needing dedicated IT support.
- Automation Features
Look for an ATS that can automate tedious tasks like sorting resumes, following up with candidates, and even scheduling interviews.
- Customizable Hiring Pipelines
Every business has unique needs. Choose a system that allows you to tailor the hiring process and create custom workflows.
- Integration
A good ATS integrates with your favorite tools, like job boards, email apps, and HR platforms.
- Affordability
Many ATS platforms offer free plans, which are excellent for startups or businesses operating on a budget.
The Best ATS for Small Businesses
1. Zoho Recruit
Best For: Small businesses and startups looking for a versatile ATS with free and paid options.
Zoho Recruit is a feature-rich platform that offers everything a small business needs to manage recruitment, from posting job openings to onboarding new hires. Its free plan allows small businesses to access basic tools, while the paid plans provide advanced features like AI candidate matching and custom reports.
Key Features
- Resume parsing and keyword-rich candidate ranking.
- Built-in tools for scheduling interviews and communicating with applicants.
- Integrates with popular job boards and CRMs, including LinkedIn and Indeed.
- A user-friendly mobile app to recruit on the go.
Why It’s Great for Small Businesses
Zoho Recruit’s flexibility makes it particularly appealing to small businesses. Whether you’re hiring for one role or expanding a team, its range of tools adjusts to fit your needs.
2. Breezy HR
Best For: User experience and visually engaging hiring pipelines.
Breezy HR offers an intuitive, drag-and-drop hiring interface that makes updating your recruitment pipeline effortless. It’s perfect for teams that value simplicity and visual organization while maintaining efficiency.
Key Features
- Integration with dozens of job boards and candidate management tools.
- Video interview capabilities built into the platform.
- Powerful reporting tools to analyze hiring performance.
Free Plan Highlights
Breezy HR’s free plan is surprisingly comprehensive, providing access to core features like candidate management, job ads, and email scheduling at no cost!
3. Recruitee
Best For: Collaborative hiring with multiple team members.
Recruitee is designed for small teams prioritizing partnerships in their hiring process. Robust collaborative tools and hiring pipelines make Recruitee a favorite among HR professionals.
Key Features
- Easy-to-use templates for job postings.
- Team-oriented review features, allowing multiple stakeholders to weigh in on candidates.
- Drag-and-drop pipelines to visualize progress.
Pricing
While Recruitee doesn’t offer a free plan, it does provide affordable tiers for small businesses, starting at just $91/month.
4. Workable
Best For: All-in-one hiring for small businesses with scalable plans.
Workable combines applicant tracking with tools for sourcing and assessing candidates, offering a complete solution for growing teams.
Key Features
- AI-powered candidate suggestions based on job descriptions.
- Branded career pages to showcase your company and attract top talent.
- Built-in tools for live video interviews.
Free Trial
Workable is more of an investment, but its free trial allows businesses to explore the platform before committing.
5. Freshteam by Freshworks
Best For: Startups seeking strong ATS features bundled with HR tools.
Freshteam stands out for its ability to handle both recruiting and essential HR operations, such as PTO tracking and employee onboarding.
Key Features
- Multiple posting across job boards with one click.
- A central candidate portal for easier applicant management.
- HR management capabilities for smaller teams.
Free Plan Highlights
Freshteam offers a generous free plan for startups, covering 50 employees with essential ATS and HR functionalities.
Free ATS Options for Small Businesses
If your budget is tight, don’t worry—there are fantastic free ATS platforms available. Here are some that won’t cost a penny to get started:
- Recruiterbox: Offers a free plan for one active job with up to 200 applications per month.
- SmartRecruiters: Includes candidate sourcing, tracking, and communication tools in its free solution.
- JazzHR: A great option for small teams looking to post jobs on various sites and track applicants from one dashboard.
Conclusion
An ATS can be a game-changer for small businesses, transforming hiring processes into an efficient and collaborative experience. With the right platform, you can save time and money while attracting top talent that fits your company culture. Consider your business’s unique needs when choosing from the best ATS options listed above to find the perfect solution for your team. Not only does an ATS help with recruitment, but it can also improve overall HR processes and streamline communication between team members. Make sure to take advantage of free trials or plans before committing to a paid option, and don’t be afraid to switch if necessary. With the right tools in hand, small businesses can compete with larger companies in attracting and hiring top talent. So why wait? Start exploring the world of ATS platforms today!
