12 Best Applicant Tracking System for Small Business (2025)

Finding the best applicant tracking system for small business can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You're juggling growth, managing tight budgets, and trying to attract top-tier talent, all while competing with larger companies. The right ATS doesn't just organize resumes; it becomes the central nervous system for your entire hiring strategy, transforming a chaotic process into a streamlined, scalable machine. It's the difference between accidentally ghosting a star candidate and seamlessly guiding them from application to offer.

This guide is built to cut through the noise. We've gone beyond the marketing copy to give you a comprehensive, hands-on look at the top contenders for boutique staffing firms, high-growth SMEs, and ambitious founders. We'll dive deep into the platforms that truly deliver, from established players like Workable and Breezy HR to powerful innovators like Ashby and Greenhouse. You won't just get a list of features; you'll get a clear picture of how each system performs in real-world scenarios, complete with screenshots, direct links, and honest assessments of their strengths and limitations.

Our goal is simple: to provide you with everything needed to make a confident, informed decision. We’ll analyze everything from ease-of-use and critical integrations (like connecting your ATS with relationship-intelligence tools) to multi-language support for expanding teams. We even include aggregator sites like G2 and Capterra to show you how to conduct your own ongoing research. For those seeking an even more comprehensive understanding, you can explore this ultimate guide to Applicant Tracking Systems for small companies. Let's find the perfect ATS to fuel your growth.

1. Workable

Workable is a powerhouse all-in-one recruiting platform that has become a go-to for small but ambitious teams. It shines by offering a remarkably intuitive and clean user interface, making it one of the best applicant tracking systems for small business owners who need to get up and running without a steep learning curve. The platform brilliantly combines a robust ATS with powerful sourcing tools, allowing you to post to over 200 job boards with a single click and manage every candidate from one central pipeline.

Its real magic lies in its scalability. You can start with a straightforward recruiting plan and later bundle in its HR module to handle onboarding, employee records, and time-off tracking. This unified approach prevents the headache of stitching together multiple systems as your company grows.

Key Features & Pricing

Workable's pricing is transparent and designed for growing businesses. The "Starter" plan begins at a flat monthly fee for up to 50 employees, including unlimited jobs and users, which is a fantastic value proposition.

• Pricing: Starts at $149/month for the "Starter" plan. Pricing scales based on the number of employees in your organization.

• Best For: High-growth SMEs and boutique staffing firms that need a scalable, all-in-one solution without a complex setup.

• Standout Feature: The ability to bundle a full HR suite with the ATS, creating a unified system for the entire employee lifecycle. For more insights on choosing the right system, explore this in-depth guide to applicant tracking systems.

Pros:

• Extremely user-friendly with clear self-service checkout.

• Excellent documentation and support resources.

• Unlimited active jobs and users on paid plans.

Cons:

• Advanced features like texting and assessments are paid add-ons.

• The price increases as your employee headcount grows.

Website: https://www.workable.com

2. Breezy HR

Breezy HR is a fantastic choice for startups and small businesses that prioritize simplicity, visual organization, and affordability. It stands out by offering a clean, drag-and-drop pipeline interface that makes managing candidates feel intuitive and almost fun. This platform is arguably the best applicant tracking system for small business teams who need a powerful tool without the enterprise-level complexity or price tag, even offering a generous free plan to get started.

The platform empowers small teams to automate repetitive tasks like scheduling interviews and sending questionnaires, freeing up valuable time. With a single click, you can distribute job postings to over 50 free job boards, and all paid plans include unlimited users and candidates, fostering a collaborative hiring environment where everyone from the hiring manager to the CEO can participate.

Key Features & Pricing

Breezy HR's pricing model is incredibly transparent, with a "Free Forever" plan for one active position. Paid plans scale up with features like multiple pipelines, candidate automations, and advanced reporting, ensuring you only pay for what you need as you grow.

• Pricing: Starts with a "Free Forever" plan. Paid plans like "Startup" begin at $143/month.

• Best For: Startups and budget-conscious small businesses that need a visually intuitive and collaborative hiring tool.

• Standout Feature: The highly visual, Trello-like drag-and-drop pipeline, which provides an at-a-glance overview of your entire hiring process for each role.

Pros:

• Generous free plan and transparent, affordable pricing tiers.

• Unlimited users and candidates on all paid plans encourages team collaboration.

• Excellent automation features for a small business-focused platform.

Cons:

• The free plan is limited to just one active job or candidate pool.

• Advanced features like API access and detailed reporting are reserved for higher-tier plans.

Website: https://breezy.hr

3. JazzHR

JazzHR has carved out a fantastic niche as a highly accessible and budget-friendly recruiting solution, making it a powerful contender for the best applicant tracking system for small business budgets. It offers a streamlined, no-frills approach to hiring that focuses on core functionalities like job posting, syndication, and candidate management. This simplicity allows new users to get started quickly without feeling overwhelmed.

The platform is designed to get the job done efficiently. Users can create customizable workflows to match their unique hiring stages and leverage features like eSignatures and offer letter management on higher-tier plans to professionalize their process. Its reputation for ease of use and straightforward pricing has made it a popular choice for SMBs looking to move away from spreadsheets for the first time.

Key Features & Pricing

JazzHR's pricing model is celebrated for its low entry point and the inclusion of unlimited users across all plans, which is a major benefit for growing teams. The plans scale based on features rather than headcount, with popular add-ons available.

• Pricing: Starts at $39/month (billed annually) for the "Hero" plan. Higher tiers unlock more advanced features.

• Best For: Small businesses and startups needing an affordable, easy-to-use ATS with predictable costs and unlimited user access.

• Standout Feature: The combination of a low starting price and unlimited users on every plan provides unbeatable value for small but collaborative hiring teams.

Pros:

• Extremely competitive entry-level pricing.

• Unlimited users are included across all paid plans.

• Simple and intuitive interface that is easy to adopt.

Cons:

• Key features like eSignatures and advanced reporting are reserved for higher-priced plans.

• The cost can increase significantly with feature add-ons.

Website: https://www.jazzhr.com

4. Zoho Recruit

Zoho Recruit is a remarkably flexible and powerful platform that caters brilliantly to both in-house corporate HR teams and dedicated staffing agencies. For small businesses already invested in the Zoho ecosystem, it's an absolute game-changer, integrating seamlessly with other Zoho apps like CRM and Mail. It stands out by offering distinct editions tailored to different recruiting needs, making it one of the best applicant tracking system for small business options for companies that require a highly customizable workflow without a massive price tag.

The platform provides a comprehensive suite of tools, from multi-job board posting and social recruiting to sophisticated resume parsing that automates candidate data entry. This focus on automation helps small teams save precious time and focus on what truly matters: finding and engaging the right talent. The dedicated portals for clients and candidates in the staffing edition are a particularly strong feature for agencies looking to provide a premium service.

Key Features & Pricing

Zoho Recruit offers a free-forever plan for a single recruiter and tiered paid plans that are competitively priced on a per-user basis, allowing for predictable scaling.

• Pricing: Starts with a Free plan. Paid plans begin at approximately $25/user/month (billed annually) for the Standard edition.

• Best For: Small businesses and staffing agencies that are either already using Zoho products or are looking for a highly affordable and customizable ATS.

• Standout Feature: Its deep integration within the broader Zoho suite, allowing for unparalleled workflow automation when combined with other Zoho applications.

Pros:

• Extremely competitive starting price and a robust free trial.

• Broad integration options, especially within the Zoho ecosystem.

• Separate, tailored editions for Corporate HR and Staffing Agencies.

Cons:

• The separate pricing and feature sets for different editions can be slightly confusing.

• Sponsored job board fees (e.g., on Indeed or ZipRecruiter) are an additional cost.

Website: https://www.zoho.com/recruit

5. Freshteam (by Freshworks)

Freshteam by Freshworks is an incredibly versatile and affordable HR software that packages a smart ATS with essential HR management tools. It's an ideal choice for growing small businesses that want to manage the entire employee lifecycle, from sourcing to offboarding, without breaking the bank. The platform’s strength lies in its intuitive design and powerful automation features, making it a strong contender for the best applicant tracking system for small business users who need efficiency and value.

The system allows you to build a custom career site, distribute job postings across multiple channels, and create customized hiring pipelines. Its automation engine, "Autopilot," can handle repetitive tasks like screening resumes and sending out templated emails, freeing up your team to focus on connecting with top candidates. The rich integration marketplace, with partners like Checkr and TestGorilla, extends its capabilities significantly.

Key Features & Pricing

Freshteam's pricing model is a major draw, featuring a generous free plan for companies with up to 50 employees. Paid plans are structured with a platform fee plus a low per-employee, per-month cost, making it highly scalable.

• Pricing: A "Free" plan is available. Paid plans start at $71/month + $1.20/employee/month.

• Best For: Small to mid-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one HR and recruiting solution that offers a free starting point and affordable scaling.

• Standout Feature: The combination of a robust free tier and a rich marketplace for integrations. Its value as a no-cost option is highlighted in this roundup of the best free applicant tracking systems.

Pros:

• Excellent free plan for startups and very small businesses.

• Rich integration marketplace enhances functionality.

• Combines ATS with core HR features like time-off and onboarding.

Cons:

• Official pricing tables can be hard to find; it's best to contact them for current fees.

• The mix of a platform fee and per-employee pricing can become costly as the company scales.

Website: https://www.freshworks.com/freshteam

6. BambooHR

BambooHR is a household name in the HR software space, and for good reason. While it’s a full-fledged Human Resource Information System (HRIS), its integrated ATS module is a standout feature for small businesses looking to consolidate their people operations. This makes it an incredibly strong contender for the best applicant tracking system for small business if you’re also in the market for a central system to manage employee data, onboarding, and time off. The platform excels at creating a seamless transition from candidate to employee.

Its core strength lies in its all-in-one nature. You can manage job openings, send offer letters with e-signatures, and then immediately kick off new-hire onboarding checklists all within the same ecosystem. This unified approach eliminates data silos and streamlines the entire hiring and HR management process, which is a massive win for busy teams.

Key Features & Pricing

BambooHR’s pricing is quote-based and tailored to your company's headcount. While there are no public price tiers, this custom approach ensures you only pay for what you need, with options for add-ons like payroll and benefits administration in the US.

• Pricing: Custom quote required; pricing is based on employee headcount.

• Best For: Small to mid-sized businesses that want a single, integrated platform for both recruiting and core HR functions.

• Standout Feature: The seamless handoff from the ATS to the onboarding and employee records modules, creating a unified employee journey from day one.

Pros:

• A well-known and trusted brand with comprehensive HR features.

• Discounts are available for non-profit organizations.

• No annual contract is required, offering flexibility.

Cons:

• You must contact sales to get a price quote.

• The number of active job openings is capped depending on the plan.

Website: https://www.bamboohr.com

7. Recruitee

Recruitee is a modern recruiting software designed with collaboration at its core, making it a fantastic choice for growing teams that need everyone on the same page. It excels at empowering companies to build beautiful, branded career sites with its "CareersHub" editor, turning a simple job board into a powerful talent attraction tool. The platform is celebrated for its clean, intuitive user experience, which is why many consider it a top contender for the best applicant tracking system for small business.

The platform’s strength lies in its blend of customization and automation. Hiring managers can create automated workflows to handle repetitive tasks like sending rejection emails or moving candidates to the next stage, freeing up valuable time. With a marketplace of over 200 integrations, Recruitee easily connects to the tools your team already uses, from calendars to HRIS platforms.

Key Features & Pricing

Recruitee's pricing is customized based on your company size and desired features, typically requiring a demo to get an exact quote and an annual commitment. This model is built to scale with your organization.

• Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size and plan tier; a demo is required.

• Best For: Collaborative SMBs and mid-market companies that want to build a strong employer brand and automate their hiring workflows.

• Standout Feature: The intuitive CareersHub site builder allows teams to create professional, fully branded career pages without needing a developer, significantly boosting talent attraction efforts.

Pros:

• Excellent user interface designed for team collaboration.

• Scalable plans that grow from limited active jobs to unlimited roles.

• Strong multilingual support, making it ideal for international teams.

Cons:

• Most plans require an annual commitment.

• Pricing is not transparent; you must book a demo for a quote.

Website: https://recruitee.com

8. Manatal

Manatal is an AI-powered recruiting software that delivers incredible value, especially for startups and small businesses keeping a close eye on their budget. It stands out by making sophisticated features like AI-driven candidate recommendations and automated workflows accessible without a hefty price tag. For a small team, this is a game-changer, allowing them to compete for talent on a more even footing with larger companies.

The platform is designed for simplicity and speed, with a clean user interface and a straightforward self-service signup process that includes a free trial. Its generous quotas and transparent per-user pricing model remove the guesswork from budgeting. This focus on clear, affordable power makes Manatal one of the best applicant tracking system for small business teams who need an effective solution that just works.

Key Features & Pricing

Manatal's pricing is among the most competitive in the market, with a "Professional" plan that offers a powerful feature set for a low monthly per-user fee. This includes unlimited jobs, candidates, and hiring managers, which is a fantastic deal.

• Pricing: Starts at $15/user/month for the "Professional" plan. A 14-day free trial is available.

• Best For: Startups and small businesses seeking powerful AI features and workflow automation on a tight budget.

• Standout Feature: The AI enrichment and recommendation engine, which automatically enhances candidate profiles and suggests top matches for open roles. Discover how Manatal stacks up against other tools in this guide to top recruiting CRM alternatives.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable entry-level pricing.

• Easy self-service signup with a 14-day free trial.

• Powerful AI sourcing and candidate matching features.

Cons:

• Fewer native enterprise integrations compared to more expensive platforms.

• Customer support is listed as 24/5, not 24/7.

Website: https://www.manatal.com

9. Greenhouse

Greenhouse is a titan in the recruiting world, often associated with large enterprises, but its structured hiring philosophy makes it one of the best applicant tracking systems for small business teams aiming for fairness and scalability. It excels at helping you define roles, build consistent interview processes, and make data-driven decisions. The platform guides you to create structured scorecards and interview kits, ensuring every candidate is evaluated against the same criteria.

Its strength lies in its ecosystem and robust analytics. Greenhouse boasts a massive marketplace of integration partners, allowing you to connect your favorite HR tools seamlessly. This power means you can build a best-in-class tech stack around a core, reliable ATS without being locked into a single vendor's suite.

Key Features & Pricing

Greenhouse uses quote-based pricing that scales with your company size, starting with its "Essential" tier for smaller businesses. This approach ensures the package is tailored to your specific needs but may require a direct conversation with their sales team to get exact numbers.

• Pricing: Quote-based, tailored to company size and feature requirements.

• Best For: Ambitious small businesses that prioritize structured, unbiased hiring and want deep analytics to optimize their recruiting process.

• Standout Feature: The comprehensive structured hiring toolkit, including interview kits and scorecards that enforce consistency and reduce bias. For teams planning a move to such a powerful system, a smooth transition is key; this ATS data migration guide can be an invaluable resource.

Pros:

• Deep integration ecosystem and mature feature set.

• Excellent analytics and reporting capabilities.

• Scales effectively as your company grows, preventing the need to switch platforms.

Cons:

• Quote-based pricing can be higher than other entry-level SMB tools.

• Some advanced capabilities may require purchasing partner add-ons.

Website: https://www.greenhouse.com

10. Ashby

Ashby is an all-in-one recruiting platform that has rapidly become a favorite among data-driven startups and scaling tech companies. It masterfully combines an applicant tracking system, powerful scheduling automation, and deep analytics into a single, cohesive interface. For small businesses that want to build a sophisticated hiring engine from day one, Ashby offers a level of insight that many competitors reserve for enterprise clients, making it one of the best applicant tracking systems for small business teams that prioritize metrics.

The platform’s real strength is its analytics suite, which provides customizable dashboards and reports that help you track everything from sourcing effectiveness to diversity metrics. This allows small teams to make strategic hiring decisions based on real data, not just gut feelings, and to optimize their process for speed and quality as they grow.

Key Features & Pricing

Ashby offers a "Foundations" plan specifically for companies with 100 or fewer employees, providing transparent pricing to help small businesses get started with enterprise-grade tools.

• Pricing: Contact Ashby for a quote on the "Foundations" plan for companies under 100 employees.

• Best For: Data-conscious startups and tech SMEs that need advanced analytics and a unified recruiting workflow.

• Standout Feature: The incredibly deep and customizable analytics and reporting suite, which provides insights on par with much larger, more expensive systems.

Pros:

• Transparent entry-level pricing for small teams.

• Exceptional analytics and reporting capabilities.

• Offers features that compete with leading mid-market ATS platforms.

Cons:

• The starting price point is higher than many basic ATS options.

• Its full value is best realized by teams committed to a data-driven hiring process.

Website: https://www.ashbyhq.com

11. G2 — Applicant Tracking Systems Category

While not an ATS itself, G2's category hub is an indispensable research tool for any small business on the hunt for the perfect system. It acts as a massive, real-time marketplace of software reviews, allowing you to see what actual users are saying about different platforms. This makes it a crucial first stop to validate marketing claims and understand the real-world performance of any tool you’re considering, solidifying its place as a top resource for finding the best applicant tracking system for small business.

The platform’s power lies in its detailed filtering and comparison tools. You can drill down into lists based on company size, user satisfaction scores, specific features like interview scheduling, and even regional popularity. This allows you to build a highly relevant shortlist and avoid wasting time on demos for systems that don't fit your specific needs.

Key Features & Pricing

G2 is a free resource for buyers, monetizing through vendor listings and market intelligence reports. Its value comes from aggregating verified user feedback and presenting it in an easily digestible format.

• Pricing: Free for users to browse and compare software.

• Best For: Any small business owner or HR manager in the initial research phase, looking to create a data-backed shortlist of potential ATS vendors.

• Standout Feature: The robust filtering system and side-by-side comparison grids that let you directly contrast features, user ratings, and pricing information from multiple vendors at once.

Pros:

• Access to thousands of up-to-date, verified user reviews.

• Excellent for shortlisting vendors based on SMB fit and specific needs.

• Grid view makes direct feature-for-feature comparison incredibly easy.

Cons:

• Some vendor placements are sponsored, which can influence visibility.

• Pricing information is sometimes user-reported and may not reflect current vendor quotes.

Website: https://www.g2.com/categories/applicant-tracking-systems-ats

12. Capterra — Applicant Tracking Software (ATS)

While not an ATS itself, Capterra is an indispensable research hub that acts as a compass for finding the best applicant tracking system for small business needs. This Gartner-owned directory is specifically tailored for SMBs, allowing you to filter a massive list of software by features, pricing models, and deployment options. It transforms the overwhelming task of software selection into a structured, manageable process.

Capterra's power lies in its comparison tools and user reviews. You can create a shortlist of your top contenders and generate side-by-side reports to see how they stack up on key features. This, combined with authentic feedback from real users, provides a balanced view that cuts through marketing noise and helps you make a truly informed decision. For those new to software marketplaces, a comprehensive guide on what Capterra is can provide a solid foundation.

Key Features & Pricing

Capterra is free for buyers to use. Its value comes from aggregating information, saving you countless hours of individual vendor research.

• Pricing: Free for users. Vendors pay for placement and leads.

• Best For: Small business owners in the initial research phase who want to compare multiple ATS options efficiently and read user reviews.

• Standout Feature: The "Compare" tool, which generates a side-by-side feature checklist for up to four different software platforms, making it easy to spot key differentiators.

Pros:

• Strong SMB orientation with filters designed for smaller company needs.

• Helps compare entry-level pricing and core feature sets quickly.

• Direct links to vendor trials and demos streamline the next steps.

Cons:

• Its pay-per-click model can influence which vendors get the most visibility.

• Pricing snapshots can sometimes be outdated; always confirm on the vendor's site.

Website: https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software

Top 12 Small-Business ATS Comparison

Final Thoughts

And there you have it, an in-depth tour of the top applicant tracking systems designed to supercharge your small business recruiting efforts! We've journeyed from powerhouse platforms like Workable and Greenhouse to agile, user-friendly options like Breezy HR and Freshteam. Our goal was to arm you with more than just a list; we wanted to provide a strategic roadmap to help you find the perfect hiring co-pilot.

The central theme is clear: the best applicant tracking system for small business isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s the one that aligns perfectly with your unique workflow, growth trajectory, and company culture. Making the right choice now will pay massive dividends, transforming your hiring from a chaotic, time-consuming chore into a streamlined, strategic advantage that attracts top-tier talent.

Your Action Plan for Choosing the Right ATS

Feeling overwhelmed by the options? Don't be. Your next step isn't to pick a winner, but to define your needs. Let's distill this entire guide into a simple, actionable checklist to guide your decision-making process.

1. Map Your Current Hiring Process: Before you look at any software, grab a whiteboard or a piece of paper and chart out every single step of your current recruitment cycle. Where are the bottlenecks? What tasks consume the most time? This map is your treasure map, pointing directly to the features you need most.

2. Define Your "Must-Haves" vs. "Nice-to-Haves": Is multi-language support non-negotiable for your CEE expansion? Is a drag-and-drop pipeline the most critical feature for your boutique staffing team? Differentiate between essential functions and bonus perks. This will help you filter your options quickly and avoid being swayed by flashy features you'll never use.

3. Run Targeted Demos: Armed with your needs, schedule demos with your top two or three contenders. Don't just watch a generic sales pitch. Come prepared with specific scenarios from your hiring map. Ask them to show you exactly how their system would handle your unique challenges, from posting a job in multiple languages to creating a custom reporting dashboard for your investors.

4. Consider Your Ecosystem: Remember, no tool is an island. How will your chosen ATS integrate with your existing HR stack, your calendar, and your communication tools? Think about future integrations as well. For instance, how easily could you connect a relationship intelligence platform to leverage your team's network for referrals?

The Ultimate Takeaway: Invest in Your Growth Engine

Ultimately, choosing the best applicant tracking system for small business is an investment in your company's most valuable asset: its people. This isn't just about organizing resumes; it's about creating an exceptional candidate experience, empowering your hiring managers, and making data-driven decisions that will fuel your growth for years to come.

The right ATS gives you back your most precious resource, time, allowing you to focus on the human side of recruiting. It helps you build a powerful talent pipeline, ensuring you're never starting from scratch when a critical role opens up. Whether you’re a high-growth SME expanding across Europe or a founder leveraging your network to make those first key hires, the perfect system is out there. Use this guide, trust your analysis, and get ready to build the team that will take your business to the next level.

Supercharge your talent pipeline by turning your team's collective network into your most powerful recruiting tool. Yena integrates seamlessly with your hiring workflow, uncovering hidden warm introduction paths to top-tier candidates, ensuring your outreach is always personal and impactful. Discover how to fill your roles faster with trusted referrals at Yena.