Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Startups

When you’re just getting started, it’s tempting to rely on spreadsheets and emails to manage your hiring process. After all, when your team is small, it feels like overkill to invest in extra tools. But as your startup begins to scale, this system becomes chaotic, and critical candidate information starts slipping through the cracks.

Hence, spreadsheets are NOT suited for startups.

That’s where an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) comes in. Startups need to move fast, and an ATS helps streamline the entire process, from sourcing candidates to onboarding them. 

It’s not just about storing resumes—it’s about automating repetitive tasks, tracking progress, and ensuring no top candidate falls through the cracks.

Why does this matter? 

Early-stage companies are constantly in a state of flux, and hiring isn’t always predictable. Whether you’re hiring for multiple roles at once or just trying to grow a lean team, an ATS offers structure to the chaos.

What to Look for in an ATS as a Startup

Finding the right ATS for your startup means zeroing in on the features that will make your life easier without overwhelming you. Unlike big corporations with dedicated HR teams, startups need lean, flexible systems that can grow with them.

Here are a few key features that every startup should look for in an ATS:

  • Automation: You don’t have time to manually update candidate pipelines or send hundreds of emails. Your ATS should automate job postings, email responses, and interview scheduling.
  • Ease of Use: The last thing you want is a system that’s too complex to manage. A startup ATS should have a clean interface and intuitive features so your team can hit the ground running.
  • Affordability: Startups have to be smart about where they invest. You want an ATS that provides value without breaking the bank.
  • Scalability: You’re not just hiring for today—you’re building for tomorrow. Make sure the ATS you choose can grow as your company grows.

Use Our Short Startup ATS Checklist

  1. Job posting automation
  2. Easy-to-use collaboration tools for team members
  3. Customizable hiring workflows
  4. Integration with existing tools like email and calendar
  5. Analytics and reporting to track your hiring progress

The Price Factor: Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck

Startups often operate on a lean budget, so finding an affordable ATS is critical. But as you sift through all the “free” options, remember: “free” often comes with limitations. Your ATS might cap the number of job postings, limit automation features, or lack customer support unless you pay for an upgrade.

Instead of focusing solely on what’s free, think about the long-term investment

The right ATS should offer enough functionality in the basic plan to meet your immediate needs, with room to grow as your hiring scales up. Investing in the right system early on can save you from costly mistakes—and prevent headaches down the line.

Budgeting for growth: While many startups are tempted to opt for the cheapest system, it’s important to consider future needs. 

  • Will this ATS be able to handle a growing team? 
  • Can it support higher volumes of candidates as you scale? 

Picking the right system now will save you from having to switch later, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Read more: How to Build an Exceptional Job Portal

6 Awesome Applicant Tracking Systems for Startups

1. Recruiteze: Best for Simplified and Scalable Recruiting

Recruiteze is designed for startups looking for a modern, efficient way to manage their hiring process without the hassle of juggling spreadsheets or manual tracking. 

As a cloud-based Applicant Tracking System (ATS), Recruiteze allows you to streamline your entire recruitment pipeline—from job posting to candidate tracking—within a single, user-friendly platform.

With Recruiteze, you can broadcast your job postings to a wide audience across multiple job boards like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and more, all with just a single click. 

This means less time spent manually posting jobs and more time focusing on finding the right candidates. 

Recruiteze also provides the tools to track and organize hundreds of applications, allowing you to easily manage and review resumes as they flow into your customized applicant database.

Key Features:

  • Job Broadcasting: Publish jobs to multiple boards with a single click and receive applications directly into your database.
  • Customizable Hiring Workflow: Tailor your hiring process to your startup’s unique needs with flexible workflows and tagging systems.
  • Bulk Emailing: Send personalized messages to candidates en masse to save time and keep everyone in the loop.
  • CRM Integration: Manage clients, hiring managers, and vendors in one place to ensure seamless communication.
  • Accessibility: As a cloud-based platform, Recruiteze can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, giving you flexibility on the go.

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, Recruiteze grows with you. It’s built to reduce the time spent hiring, cut costs, and make the hiring process effortless, allowing you to focus on growing your business.

Why Startups Love Recruiteze:

  • Easy Setup: No complicated installations or configurations—just sign up and start hiring.
  • Cancel Anytime: Flexibility without long-term commitments.
  • Free 15-Day Trial: Experience the full power of Recruiteze before making a decision.

“Recruiteze is an amazing Applicant Tracking System all around, from the user-friendly platform to the pricing.” — Sara Richarde, HR & Onboarding Specialist, The Experts Bench

2. iReformat: Best for Resume Formatting Efficiency

iReformat eliminates the headache of manual resume formatting, making it the go-to solution for startups and recruiters looking to save time.

Cloud-based and incredibly intuitive, iReformat allows you to automatically reformat resumes to match your client’s specifications in seconds—whether you need a specific layout, format, or branding. 

With unlimited templates, you can ensure every resume looks polished and professional, perfectly aligned with your client’s requirements.

Reformatting resumes manually can be a tedious task, especially if you work with multiple clients that have different formatting needs. 

iReformat takes that off your hands, letting you focus more on candidate submissions and building relationships with your clients.

Key Features:

  • Automated Resume Formatting: Instantly reformat resumes using predefined templates tailored to different clients or job types.
  • Mobile and Office Integration: Access iReformat on the go with the iPhone app or directly within Microsoft Office for seamless workflow integration.
  • AI-Powered Enhancements: Automatically fix spelling and grammar, break up paragraphs, and improve readability with built-in AI tools to further enhance resume quality.
  • Bulk Processing: Handle large batches of resumes at once, making it easy to keep up with high-volume hiring demands.

Why Startups Love iReformat:

  • Fast, Accurate Resume Formatting: Save hours by letting iReformat handle the grunt work of resume reformatting.
  • Convenient Access: Whether you’re in the office or on the go, iReformat keeps you productive with its cloud-based and mobile functionality.
  • Custom Pricing: iReformat’s flexible pricing model scales with your needs, ensuring fairness whether you’re a startup or a growing business.

“iReformat has saved us thousands of hours, massively increasing our efficiency in formatting resumes. This means more time spent talking to clients and candidates, resulting in increased recruitment fees.” — Kevin Halligan, Director, Azon Recruitment Group

3. JazzHR: Best for Budget-Conscious Startups

If you’re looking for a cost-effective ATS that doesn’t compromise on features, JazzHR is a great option. It’s tailored for small businesses, offering a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features at an affordable price. JazzHR helps startups streamline job postings, candidate tracking, and collaboration among team members.

Key Features:

  • Unlimited job postings on popular job boards
  • Collaborative tools for team-based hiring
  • Customizable workflows for different hiring stages
  • Resume parsing to quickly sort through applicants

With pricing starting at just $75 per month, JazzHR provides an excellent balance of features and affordability, making it one of the best options for startups on a budget.

4. Freshteam: Best for Streamlining HR Processes

Freshteam by Freshworks offers a comprehensive ATS designed to not only track applicants but also handle a variety of HR tasks, from onboarding to managing employee data. This makes it an ideal choice for startups that want to centralize their hiring and HR management in one place.

Key Features:

  • Multi-channel job postings and tracking
  • Built-in tools for interview scheduling and candidate communication
  • Employee onboarding features to get new hires up to speed quickly
  • HR management tools for leave tracking and employee records

Freshteam is perfect for startups that want a versatile platform that can grow with their HR needs, without having to switch tools as they scale.

5. Lever: Best for Fast-Growing Startups

Lever is an ATS that stands out for its scalability and collaboration features, making it a great choice for startups on the verge of fast growth. Its user-friendly interface and powerful automation tools allow hiring teams to stay on top of recruitment, even when juggling multiple positions.

Key Features:

  • Candidate relationship management to build talent pipelines
  • Automation features for repetitive tasks like email follow-ups
  • Visual hiring dashboards for easy progress tracking
  • Advanced analytics to help measure recruitment success

Lever’s pricing is tailored for growing companies, and its features are designed to help scale your hiring efforts quickly and efficiently as your startup expands.

6. Workable: Best for All-in-One Recruitment Solutions

Workable is a popular ATS for startups that want a comprehensive hiring solution. It offers tools for every step of the hiring process, from sourcing to onboarding. With built-in features for automation and collaboration, Workable makes it easier for startups to handle large volumes of candidates without losing track of quality.

Key Features:

  • AI-powered candidate sourcing to find top talent quickly
  • Mobile app for on-the-go hiring management
  • Interview kits to standardize questions and evaluation criteria
  • Extensive reporting and analytics for hiring insights

Workable’s pricing model is flexible, offering a starter plan that’s well-suited to startups while allowing for growth as hiring needs increase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Recruiteze and iReformat offer startups the perfect balance of simplicity, scalability, and powerful automation. 

Recruiteze streamlines the entire hiring process, while iReformat takes the hassle out of resume formatting, allowing you to focus on what truly matters—finding and hiring the best talent.

Give it a try!

Try Recruiteze Free Today!