Hiring is one of the most critical processes for any small business, but it often becomes overwhelming. Between posting jobs, reviewing resumes, scheduling interviews, and keeping communication clear with candidates, the entire process can eat up valuable time that small teams simply don’t have. That’s where applicant tracking systems (ATS) come in.
An ATS helps streamline the recruitment process by centralizing applications, automating repetitive tasks, and providing clear visibility into each candidate’s progress. For small businesses, the right ATS means faster hiring, better candidate experience, and less manual work for managers who already wear multiple hats.
Below, we explore the ten best applicant tracking systems designed for small businesses. Each combines user-friendliness with powerful features that help you scale hiring without adding unnecessary complexity.
1. Workable
Workable is an all-in-one hiring platform that has gained popularity with small and mid-sized businesses for its balance of simplicity and depth. It allows you to create job postings quickly and publish them across multiple job boards in a single click. The centralized dashboard makes it easy to manage candidates, review resumes, and assign tasks to team members.
For growing small businesses, Workable shines because it’s built to scale. As your company expands, you can use additional features like video interviews, automated assessments, and employee referrals. Its clean design ensures even first-time users can navigate without steep learning curves, while the automation tools save hours every week.
2. Greenhouse
Greenhouse is a powerful applicant tracking system designed to help businesses create structured, consistent, and fair hiring processes. It provides everything from sourcing tools and interview scorecards to onboarding features and advanced analytics, making it a complete solution for companies looking to optimize their recruitment strategy. The platform also emphasizes inclusivity with tools that support unbiased evaluations and enhance the candidate experience. With integrations across hundreds of job boards and HR systems, Greenhouse enables small businesses and scaling companies to run efficient, data-driven hiring operations.
While Greenhouse offers advanced capabilities, it may feel complex for teams without dedicated HR staff. The platform comes with a learning curve, and its pricing can be on the higher side for smaller businesses. However, for organizations willing to invest the time and budget, Greenhouse provides long-term value by delivering insights that improve hiring outcomes, strengthen employer branding, and streamline collaboration across teams.
3. Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit is a versatile system that integrates seamlessly with the larger Zoho ecosystem of business applications. It offers resume parsing, job board posting, and customizable hiring pipelines. For small businesses already using Zoho CRM, the integration is especially powerful, ensuring smooth handoffs from recruitment to onboarding.
The software caters to both in-house HR teams and staffing agencies, but small companies benefit most from its corporate edition. Zoho Recruit provides analytics, reporting, and automation features that help managers understand where bottlenecks occur and how to improve the process. The affordable pricing and modular design make it a great entry point for growing teams.
4. VIVAHR
VIVAHR is a user-friendly and affordable applicant tracking system built with small and mid-sized businesses in mind. It simplifies the recruiting process by allowing companies to post jobs across multiple job boards in just a few clicks, create branded career pages, and manage candidates with ease. The platform also supports team collaboration, letting hiring managers rate candidates, share notes, and stay aligned throughout the hiring process. With additional features like resume parsing, analytics, and communication tools, VIVAHR helps businesses stay organized and efficient without unnecessary complexity.
What sets VIVAHR apart is its focus on delivering the essential tools small businesses need at a price point that fits their budget. It balances simplicity with functionality, offering features like e-signatures, SMS messaging, and reporting dashboards that make recruitment faster and more transparent. For companies looking for an ATS that is easy to set up, easy to use, and supportive of collaborative hiring, VIVAHR stands out as a smart and practical choice.
5. Breezy HR
Breezy HR takes a visual approach to applicant tracking, with a Kanban-style pipeline that makes it easy to move candidates through stages with drag-and-drop simplicity. It includes one-click job postings, branded career pages, and even candidate texting for faster communication.
Small businesses benefit most from Breezy HR’s automation features. Email templates, auto-messages, and self-scheduling links reduce manual coordination. It also supports video interviews and team scorecards, which make collaborative hiring seamless. The platform is designed to cut down on admin work so owners and managers can focus on running their business while still hiring effectively.
6. JazzHR
JazzHR is built with small businesses in mind, offering a robust yet affordable ATS solution. The software helps you customize hiring workflows, track candidate progress, and manage approvals with ease. It’s highly flexible, so you can tailor it to your unique hiring process rather than being forced into rigid templates.
What sets JazzHR apart is its budget-friendly pricing combined with enterprise-level functionality. Small businesses can set up screening questions, automate candidate ranking, and schedule interviews directly within the platform. With collaborative features like shared feedback forms and role-based access, JazzHR ensures that every team member stays aligned without cluttering inboxes.
7. Recruitee
Recruitee is a collaborative hiring platform designed to make recruitment a team activity. With its intuitive interface, you can easily build pipelines, automate workflows, and keep track of every candidate stage. The platform also includes a CareersHub that lets you create attractive, branded career pages to showcase your company.
For small businesses, Recruitee reduces the friction of team collaboration. Hiring managers, HR, and even department heads can leave notes, rate candidates, and work together without confusion. Automation features, like reminders and bulk actions, prevent delays and keep hiring momentum steady, which is vital for small businesses working with tight timelines.
8. Manatal
Manatal is a modern ATS that combines affordability with advanced functionality. It offers a drag-and-drop pipeline, AI-powered candidate recommendations, and integrated communication tools. Its interface is clean, making it easy for small teams to adopt without heavy training.
For small businesses, Manatal provides excellent value by combining applicant tracking with lightweight CRM features. Teams can collaborate on candidate reviews, preview profiles efficiently, and manage resumes in one place. The automation options, such as email follow-ups and job board posting, help cut down on manual work while keeping processes organized.
9. BambooHR (ATS Module)
BambooHR is well-known for its HR software, but its ATS module is equally strong. It streamlines hiring by letting you post to job boards, track applicants, and move candidates through custom workflows. Integration with the core BambooHR system ensures new hires transition seamlessly into employee records.
Small businesses benefit from having both HR and recruitment in one system. BambooHR allows for offer letter templates, mobile access, and candidate evaluations, making it easy for small teams to hire efficiently. Because it’s tied into the HR side, you save time on administrative work and avoid duplicate data entry.
10. Teamtailor
Teamtailor focuses heavily on employer branding while offering strong ATS functionality. It helps you design eye-catching career sites that highlight your company culture, values, and open positions. The application process is designed to be candidate-friendly, which improves your chances of attracting high-quality applicants.
For small businesses competing with bigger brands, Teamtailor levels the playing field by giving you tools to look professional and appealing. It also includes automation for moving candidates through the pipeline, sending messages, and keeping track of progress. If creating a positive first impression is a top priority, Teamtailor delivers.
11. Freshteam
Freshteam by Freshworks is a lightweight HR software that includes a capable applicant tracking module. It allows you to post jobs, manage candidates, schedule interviews, and keep all communication centralized. The platform also supports onboarding features, making it easier to handle the transition from candidate to employee.
For small businesses, Freshteam is particularly attractive because it combines recruitment with basic HR functions like leave management and employee data tracking. This means you don’t have to juggle multiple tools as your business grows. Its user-friendly interface and reliable customer support make adoption smooth even for non-technical users.
12. Workstream
Workstream is built specifically for businesses that hire hourly workers in industries like retail, hospitality, and food services. It focuses on mobile-first communication, allowing applicants to apply via text and complete the process quickly. The software also supports self-scheduling and automated reminders, making it ideal for high-volume hiring.
For small businesses that rely on shift-based staff, Workstream is a game-changer. It centralizes hiring, scheduling, and even payroll functions, reducing the administrative load on managers. Its emphasis on speed and simplicity ensures that positions get filled quickly, which is essential in industries with high turnover.
Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners
- Match tools to your business model – If you hire hourly staff, look at systems like Workstream. If you need broader HR support, BambooHR or Freshteam might be better.
- Prioritize ease of use – Small businesses can’t afford lengthy training. Choose a platform with a clean, intuitive interface.
- Leverage automation – Automate emails, screening, and scheduling to save time and reduce candidate drop-off.
- Focus on branding – A professional careers page, like those from Recruitee or Teamtailor, can make even small companies look appealing.
- Think long-term – Pick a system that scales with your business. What works for three hires a year should also support you if that grows to thirty.
Quick Comparison Table: Best ATS for Small Businesses
| Software | Key Features | Best For | Starting Price* |
| Workable | Multi-job board posting, video interviews, templates, automation | All-rounder for small teams that want scalability | ~$129/month |
| Breezy HR | Kanban pipelines, candidate texting, video screening, self-scheduling | Visual, collaborative hiring with automation | ~$189/month |
| JazzHR | Custom workflows, screening questions, ranking, approvals | Budget-conscious small businesses | ~$75/month |
| Zoho Recruit | Resume parsing, pipelines, reporting, Zoho integrations | Teams already using Zoho apps | ~$25/user/month |
| Recruitee | Custom pipelines, CareersHub, automation, collaboration | Small teams that need sleek UI & teamwork | ~$199/month (10 jobs) |
| Manatal | AI recommendations, drag-and-drop pipelines, CRM features | Affordable modern ATS for SMBs | ~$15/user/month |
| Freshteam | Job postings, interview scheduling, onboarding, leave tracking | Small businesses wanting ATS + HR basics | ~$71/month (50 users) |
| BambooHR | ATS + HRIS, offer templates, employee records integration | Hiring + HR in one place | Custom pricing |
| Teamtailor | Branded career sites, candidate-friendly flows, automation | Employer branding & candidate experience | Custom pricing |
| Workstream | Mobile-first, text-based hiring, scheduling, payroll integration | High-volume hourly hiring (retail, hospitality, services) | ~$99/location/month |
*Prices are approximate and depend on plan tiers.
Conclusion
The right applicant tracking system doesn’t just help you fill roles—it helps you compete for talent, improve candidate experience, and save time for the people running your business. Whether you want simplicity, branding power, or built-in HR features, there’s an ATS tailored to your needs.
For most small businesses, Workable and Breezy HR offer excellent all-around solutions. For budget-conscious teams, JazzHR and Manatal deliver strong features without overspending. If you want hiring and HR in one platform, Freshteam or BambooHR are smart choices. And if you hire hourly, high-volume staff, Workstream is purpose-built for you.
By choosing the right ATS, your small business can transform hiring from a stressful chore into a streamlined, strategic process that supports growth.
