Gusto
Best all-in-one payroll and ATS software for small business
Overview
Gusto is a top choice as the best ATS software for small businesses that want to combine hiring, onboarding, payroll, and compliance in one user-friendly platform. While its ATS isn’t as robust as standalone systems, it’s included in the Plus plan—making it a cost-effective solution for teams that want integrated hiring without juggling multiple tools.
Key Features
AI-powered job descriptions
Free syndication to 100+ job boards
Candidate scorecards & notes
Seamless onboarding & e-signatures
Background checks via Checkr
State-level compliance built in
Dedicated HR support available
Hundreds of third-party integrations
Pros and Cons
Pros
Streamlined, all-in-one platform
Transparent, predictable pricing
Excellent onboarding experience
ATS included in mid-tier plan
Cons
ATS not available on entry-level plan
No standalone ATS option
Fewer custom workflows than competitors
Pricing
Simple: $49 per month + $6 per person per month (no ATS)
Plus: $80 per month + $12 per person per month (includes ATS + onboarding)
Premium: Custom quote
Free Trial? Yes
Free Plan? No
Transform your HR processes with Gusto, a platform that’s already the choice of over 500,000 businesses.
Greenhouse
Best ATS software for mid-size businesses
Overview
Greenhouse is a feature-rich ATS designed for fast-growing teams with complex hiring needs. With structured interview kits, customizable workflows, and powerful collaboration tools, it’s a favorite among midsize businesses building high-volume pipelines. Greenhouse also prioritizes candidate experience and DE&I, though its price and complexity may be overkill for smaller teams.
Key Features
Custom workflows and structured interview kits
Access to 1,000+ job boards
Candidate scorecards and automated reminders
Collaborative hiring dashboard
DE&I and anti-bias tools
Native onboarding with goal setting
GDPR compliance and mobile access
400+ software integrations
Pros and Cons
Pros
Highly customizable
Built-in tools for inclusive hiring
Excellent candidate experience
Powerful reporting and analytics
Cons
No transparent pricing
High learning curve
Expensive for small teams
Greenhouse offers three tiers (Essential, Advanced, and Expert), but pricing is not publicly disclosed. Onboarding tools are sold separately under Greenhouse Welcome and Greenhouse Onboarding.
Free Plan? No
Free Trial? No
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JazzHR
Best ATS recruitment software for beginners
Overview
JazzHR is a beginner-friendly ATS that helps small businesses simplify hiring without breaking the bank. It offers collaborative tools, branded communication, and candidate tracking with minimal setup. While the entry-level plan is limited, higher tiers unlock automation and assessment tools that scale with your team.
Key Features
Customizable hiring workflows and templates
Branded job postings and email messaging
Built-in background checks and skill tests
Candidate ranking and evaluation tools
Preloaded interview questions and scorecards
18 job boards included
Reporting for workflow, compliance, and pipeline
Dozens of HR/payroll integrations
Pros and Cons
Pros
Easy to learn and set up
Transparent pricing structure
Collaborative hiring tools
Great entry point for small teams
Cons
Entry plan lacks ATS features
Big price jump between tiers
Some tools only available as add-ons
Pricing
Hero: $49/mo (3 job postings, no ATS)
Plus: $239/mo (ATS, interviews, assessments)
Pro: $359/mo (adds offers, e-signatures, reporting)
Free Trial? Yes, 21 days
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BambooHR
Best ATS/recruitment software for full-stack HR
Overview
BambooHR offers an integrated ATS within a full HR platform, ideal for small to midsize businesses seeking a long-term HR solution. Its recruiting tools include collaborative workflows, automated messaging, and a top-rated mobile hiring app. The ATS is only available in the Advantage plan, but it comes bundled with Bamboo’s robust onboarding, e-signatures, and people management tools.
Key Features
ATS, onboarding, and HR management in one
Job board syndication + social media posting
Interview scorecards, email templates, and alerts
Mobile app for hiring on the go
Employee self-service and document storage
E-signatures and custom offer letters
Advanced onboarding workflows
350+ software integrations
Pros and Cons
Pros
Fully integrated HR + recruiting suite
Intuitive, people-centered UX
Excellent onboarding experience
Strong customization and mobile tools
Cons
ATS only available on Advantage plan
No transparent pricing
Separate app for hiring
Limited support on lower-tier plan
Pricing is quote-based and varies by employee count. The Advantage plan is required for ATS access. Add-ons include payroll, time tracking, benefits, and performance tools.
Free Plan? No
Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
Learn more about BambooHR
Rippling
Best ATS HR software for tech-forward teams
Overview
Rippling is a powerful, modular platform built for tech-savvy teams that want to automate everything—from recruiting to device provisioning. Its ATS posts to 25,000+ job boards, syncs with your calendar, and automates offer letters, onboarding, and IT access. With deep customization and global HR support, Rippling is a top-tier choice for fast-growing businesses—though pricing can climb quickly.
Key Features
One-click job posting to 25,000+ boards
Automated interview scheduling and workflows
Branded careers page and e-signature offers
Onboarding support in 50+ countries
Role-based permissions and policy automation
500+ integrations across HR, finance, and IT
Built-in compliance tools
Headcount planning and compensation banding (add-ons)
Pros and Cons
Pros
Unmatched workflow automation
Global hiring support (employees + contractors)
Modular pricing—pay for what you need
Deep integration ecosystem
Cons
No transparent pricing
Monthly costs rise quickly with add-ons
HR support costs extra
Overkill for small teams
Starts at $8/user/month (core Unity platform). ATS, onboarding, payroll, and other modules sold separately. Pricing varies based on selected features.
Pricing
Free Trial? No
Free Plan? No
Learn more about Rippling.
Zoho Recruit
Best ATS software for staffing agencies
Overview
Zoho Recruit is a powerful ATS designed for staffing agencies and high-volume hiring teams. It combines AI-powered candidate matching, CRM features, and deep customization to streamline recruiting across industries. While it's more than most small businesses need, its price-to-feature ratio makes it a standout for fast-paced hiring environments.
Key Features
AI-powered resume screening and matching
Resume parsing from LinkedIn, Gmail, PDFs & more
75+ job boards and internal referral tracking
Candidate assessments and background checks
Custom workflows, reports, and branded careers page
Staffing agency and corporate HR versions available
Mobile app + integrations with 50+ tools
DE&I and bias-reduction features
Pros and Cons
Pros
Built for recruiters and high-volume hiring
AI tools improve speed and accuracy
Affordable, scalable pricing
Strong CRM-style candidate management
Cons
Can be overwhelming for small teams
24/7 support not available
Best features only on higher plans
Pricing
Corporate Plans:
Staffing Agency Plans:
Free Trial? Yes, 15 days
Free Plan? Yes (1 job posting)
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BreezyHR
Best free ATS software for small business
Overview
BreezyHR is an intuitive ATS with a generous forever-free plan—perfect for small businesses that hire occasionally but want pro-level features when needed. It offers drag-and-drop pipelines, team collaboration tools, and automated candidate messaging. While HRIS integrations and advanced features are locked behind higher tiers, BreezyHR is a great starting point for lean teams.
Key Features
Drag-and-drop pipelines and automated workflows
Built-in resume parsing and branded careers page
Candidate matching, interview guides, and scorecards
Internal referrals and background check integrations
Team collaboration tools and scheduling
Anti-bias and DE&I features
Integrates with Gusto, BambooHR, and more (top plan only)
Unlimited users and candidates
Pros and Cons
Pros
Forever free plan
User-friendly interface
Powerful suite of automated tools
Transparent, straightforward pricing
Unlimited users and candidates on all plans
Cons
No phone support
Large price jump to paid plan
No integration with HRIS on lower-tier plans
Pricing
Free: 1 job, unlimited users and candidates
Startup: $157/mo
Growth: $273/mo
Business: $439/mo (adds integrations, advanced automation, and custom workflows)
Free Trial? Yes, 14 days
Free Plan? Yes
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Recruit CRM
Best ATS with built-in CRM for recruiters
Overview
Recruit CRM is a hybrid applicant tracking system and customer relationship manager designed for recruitment agencies and executive search firms. It merges candidate tracking with sales pipeline features, allowing teams to manage clients, contacts, job orders, and placements—all in one place. It’s best for recruiting businesses that need full-funnel control, from sourcing to client invoicing.
Key Features
ATS + CRM in one platform
Custom hiring pipelines and job management
Email sync and automated follow-ups
Kanban boards for deals and candidates
Resume parsing, candidate scoring, and LinkedIn sourcing
Client and candidate portal access
Reporting on placements, deals, and revenue
Chrome sourcing extension and mobile app
Pros and Cons
Pros
Ideal for agencies and executive search
Combines client and candidate tracking
Built-in communication and task automation
Strong reporting and deal tracking
Cons
Not designed for in-house HR teams
No built-in payroll or onboarding
Expensive for very small firms
Pricing
Pro Plan: $85/user/month
Business Plan: $125/user/month
Enterprise Plan: Custom quote
Free Trial? Yes, 14 days
Free Plan? No
Learn more about Recruit CRM
Compare All
| Pricing | Free Trial | Free Plan | Best Use Case | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | Small businesses wanting integrated payroll + ATS + onboarding | ||
 | Custom pricing | Mid-size teams with complex hiring workflows | ||
 | $49–$359/mo | (21 days) | Beginner-friendly recruiting and hiring tools | |
 | Custom pricing | (7 days) | Full-stack HR with ATS for midsize orgs | |
 | ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) | Tech-forward teams needing broad HR + recruiting automation | |
 | $25–$75/user/mo | (15 days) | (limited) | Staffing agencies & high-volume hiring teams |
 | Free + paid tiers | (14 days) | Small teams needing a free or simple ATS | |
 | $85–$125/user/mo | (14 days) | Recruiters needing ATS + CRM combined |
| Pricing | Free Trial | |
|---|---|---|
| Simple $49/mo + $6/user/mo; Plus $80/mo + $12/user/mo; Premium custom pricing | |
| Custom pricing | |
| $49–$359/mo | (21 days) |
| Custom pricing | (7 days) |
| ~$8/user/mo + base fee 35-$40/month + add‑ons | (varies by product) |
| $25–$75/user/mo | (15 days) |
| Free + paid tiers | (14 days) |
| $85–$125/user/mo | (14 days) |
Methodology: How we chose this list
We evaluated the ATS market to find tools that actually work for small business hiring teams — not enterprise recruiting platforms watered down for smaller audiences. Our team reviewed each product's publicly available features and pricing, then analyzed hundreds of verified customer reviews on G2 and Capterra to understand real-world performance.
We assessed each platform based on:
Ease of setup: How quickly a non-technical hiring manager can post a job, track candidates, and move someone through a pipeline without dedicated IT or HR support.
Job board reach: Native syndication to the boards small businesses actually use, without per-posting fees or manual uploads.
Candidate experience: Branded careers pages, automated communication, and a smooth application flow that reflects well on your company.
Collaboration tools: Scorecards, notes, and shared pipelines so hiring decisions aren't siloed in one person's inbox.
Onboarding integration: Whether the ATS connects to payroll and HR tools so a hired candidate moves seamlessly into your people stack.
Pricing transparency: Clear, predictable costs — not quote-only pricing that requires a sales call to evaluate.
Customer satisfaction: Verified reviews from small business owners and HR generalists, not enterprise recruiters with dedicated ATS admins.
Some platforms didn't make this list because their small business plans lacked core ATS functionality, their pricing required expensive upgrades to unlock basic features, or reviews consistently flagged poor support. The eight tools here are the ones that match how small businesses actually hire.
Gusto's editorial standard: Gusto is included on this list because it meets the criteria above. We note its limitations including that the ATS is only available on the Plus plan — just as we do for every other platform. Our content is reviewed for accuracy and updated when features or pricing change.
FAQ
What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)?
An ATS is a recruiting software that helps businesses manage the hiring process—from job postings to interviews and offers. It centralizes candidate data, automates communication, and helps teams make faster, more informed hiring decisions.
Does my small business need an ATS?
If you’re hiring even a few times per year, an ATS can save time, reduce errors, and improve the candidate experience. It keeps your hiring organized and ensures nothing falls through the cracks—even with a small team.
What features should small business ATS tools include?
At minimum, look for job board syndication, a central dashboard, candidate messaging, and collaborative notes or scorecards. Advanced features may include AI-powered matching, workflow automations, branded careers pages, and integrations with payroll or HR software.
How much does ATS software cost for small businesses?
Pricing varies widely. Some tools like BreezyHR and Zoho Recruit offer free plans, while others start around $25–$50/month. Full-featured platforms can run over $200/month. Choose based on hiring volume, team size, and how much automation you need.
