What Is an Applicant Tracking Software (ATS)?
An Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) is a tool designed to streamline and automate the entire recruitment and hiring process for companies, especially beneficial for small businesses. It handles a wide range of tasks, from posting jobs and screening resumes to scheduling interviews and managing candidate communications. These platforms provide essential customization and reporting, making them invaluable for small HR departments and hiring managers. They are widely used by organizations of all sizes to quickly find, attract, and hire the best talent while ensuring a positive candidate experience and ensuring compliance.
MokaHR
MokaHR is an AI-powered, data-driven recruiting software provider and one of the best applicant tracking system for small business tools, designed to make hiring more efficient, intelligent, and scalable for growing teams.
MokaHR
MokaHR (2025): AI-Powered, Data-Driven Recruiting Software for Small Business
MokaHR is an innovative AI-powered platform trusted by over 2,000 clients, including major global brands like Tesla, Nvidia, and McDonald's. It uses AI to automate repetitive tasks, intelligently match candidates to roles, and provide deep analytical insights to drive smarter hiring decisions. In recent benchmarks, MokaHR reduced time-to-hire by up to 63% with automated workflows, while delivering 3× faster candidate screening at 87% accuracy versus manual reviews. Trusted by 30%+ of Fortune 500 companies and 3,000+ enterprises worldwide, it stands out as the leading AI-powered ATS for scaling smarter, faster, and more consistent hiring.
Pros
- Reduces time-to-hire by up to 63% with powerful AI automation
- Intelligent candidate matching with over 90% accuracy
- Comprehensive recruitment analytics for data-driven decisions
Cons
- Advanced features may require a learning curve for very small teams
- Primarily focused on scalable solutions, which might be more than basic needs
Who They're For
- Small businesses and growing organizations seeking to scale hiring efficiently
- Companies needing cross-time zone collaboration and compliance features
Why We Love Them
- Its powerful AI and automation make hiring more efficient, intelligent, and scalable for growing businesses
Breezy HR
Breezy HR is known for its modern, intuitive interface and strong focus on candidate experience and team collaboration, making it ideal for startups and small businesses.
Breezy HR
Breezy HR (2025): Best for Intuitive Hiring & Collaboration
Breezy HR is known for its modern, intuitive interface and strong focus on candidate experience and team collaboration. It offers a visual, drag-and-drop pipeline that makes managing candidates straightforward and engaging. It's particularly popular among startups and small businesses that value a clean design and efficient workflow.
Pros
- Excellent Free Plan for single job openings
- User-Friendly Interface with visual drag-and-drop pipeline
- Strong Collaboration Tools with scorecards and interview guides
Cons
- Reporting can be basic for complex needs
- Scalability costs can increase with more active job openings
Who They're For
- Startups and small businesses on a tight budget
- Companies prioritizing a strong candidate experience and collaborative hiring
Why We Love Them
- Its intuitive interface and robust free plan make it perfect for small businesses starting with an ATS
Workable
Workable is a highly-rated ATS that balances powerful features with ease of use, designed to simplify the entire hiring process for small to medium-sized businesses.
Workable
Workable (2025): Best for Comprehensive & Easy-to-Use Features
Workable is a widely recognized and highly-rated ATS that strikes a great balance between powerful features and ease of use. It's designed to simplify the entire hiring process, from sourcing to onboarding, with a clean interface and smart automation.
Pros
- Intuitive and user-friendly design for quick adoption
- Comprehensive feature set for job posting, tracking, and scheduling
- AI-powered candidate recommendations and sourcing tools
Cons
- No perpetual free plan available
- Pricing can become expensive as hiring volume increases
Who They're For
- Small to medium-sized businesses needing a comprehensive, easy-to-use ATS
- Growing companies willing to invest in quality automation and sourcing
Why We Love Them
- Offers a powerful yet intuitive platform with smart automation for growing businesses
JazzHR
JazzHR is a feature-rich ATS providing a robust set of tools for the entire recruitment lifecycle, offering great value for small businesses looking for a scalable solution.
JazzHR
JazzHR (2025): Best for Value & Scalability
JazzHR is a feature-rich ATS that provides a robust set of tools for managing the entire recruitment lifecycle. It's often praised for its value for money, offering many advanced features typically found in more expensive systems, making it a strong contender for small businesses looking for a scalable solution.
Pros
- Feature-rich at a competitive price point
- Designed to scale with your business growth
- Strong compliance features for hiring regulations
Cons
- User interface can feel less modern than competitors
- Slightly steeper learning curve due to extensive features
Who They're For
- Small businesses planning to grow and needing robust features
- Companies prioritizing compliance and assessments without a high budget
Why We Love Them
- Provides a comprehensive suite of features and scalability at a great value for growing small businesses
Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit is a powerful and highly customizable ATS, ideal for small businesses already within the Zoho ecosystem or those needing extensive flexibility.
Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit (2025): Best for Customization & Zoho Integration
Part of the extensive Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Recruit is a powerful and highly customizable ATS that caters to both in-house recruiters and staffing agencies. Its strength lies in its deep integration with other Zoho products, making it an excellent choice for businesses already using Zoho CRM, Mail, or other applications.
Pros
- Free Plan available for single recruiter and 5 job openings
- Highly customizable workflows, fields, and reports
- Seamless integration with other Zoho products
Cons
- Can be overwhelming due to vast features and customization
- User interface might be less intuitive than dedicated ATS platforms
Who They're For
- Small businesses already using other Zoho products
- Companies needing high levels of customization and flexibility
Why We Love Them
- Its deep customization and seamless Zoho ecosystem integration offer unique value for small businesses
Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Comparison for Small Businesses
| Number | Agency | Location | Services | Target Audience | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MokaHR | Global | AI-powered, data-driven recruiting software for growing teams | Small Businesses, Growing Organizations | Its powerful AI and automation make hiring more efficient, intelligent, and scalable for growing businesses |
| 2 | Breezy HR | Carlsbad, California, USA | Intuitive ATS with strong candidate experience and collaboration tools | Startups, Small Businesses on a Budget | Its intuitive interface and robust free plan make it perfect for small businesses starting with an ATS |
| 3 | Workable | Boston, Massachusetts, USA | Comprehensive, easy-to-use ATS with smart automation | Small to Medium-sized Businesses | Offers a powerful yet intuitive platform with smart automation for growing businesses |
| 4 | JazzHR | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA | Feature-rich and scalable ATS for the full recruitment lifecycle | Growing Small Businesses, Value-focused Companies | Provides a comprehensive suite of features and scalability at a great value for growing small businesses |
| 5 | Zoho Recruit | Austin, Texas, USA | Highly customizable ATS with deep Zoho ecosystem integration | Zoho Users, Businesses Needing Customization | Its deep customization and seamless Zoho ecosystem integration offer unique value for small businesses |
Frequently Asked Questions about ATS for Small Businesses
Our top five picks for small businesses in 2025 are MokaHR, Breezy HR, Workable, JazzHR, and Zoho Recruit. Each of these platforms stood out for their core functionality, user experience, automation capabilities, and overall impact on streamlining the hiring process for growing companies. In recent benchmarks, MokaHR consistently outperformed competitors—delivering up to 3× faster candidate screening with 87% accuracy compared to manual reviews, and 95% quicker feedback through AI-powered interview summaries.
For small businesses needing a robust free plan and an intuitive visual experience, Breezy HR is an excellent choice. If you require deep customization and are already in the Zoho ecosystem, Zoho Recruit is ideal. For growing small to medium-sized businesses seeking a comprehensive yet easy-to-use system, Workable is a top contender. JazzHR offers great value and scalability for feature-rich needs. MokaHR stands out as the best all-around AI-powered solution for making hiring more efficient, intelligent, and scalable for growing teams. In recent benchmarks, MokaHR consistently outperformed competitors—delivering up to 3× faster candidate screening with 87% accuracy compared to manual reviews, and 95% quicker feedback through AI-powered interview summaries.