Best Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Reviewed & Compared

Introduction to Applicant Tracking Systems

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a vital software solution for companies hiring more than 20 employees annually, streamlining and automating the recruitment process. This page offers expert reviews and comparisons of top ATS systems, backed by research since 2018 and regular updates.

Our Selection Criteria: Identifying Top Applicant Tracking Systems

Our list of leading ATS solutions is continuously refined through product demonstrations, user and expert feedback analysis, and leveraging our team's industry expertise. We evaluate each system's core functionalities, including job posting distribution, candidate screening, interview scheduling, and analytics/reporting. We prioritize three key components for best-in-class ATS software: UX/UI, candidate experience, and integration/compatibility.

• UX/UI: We believe posting a job should be quick and easy (under 30 seconds), job board syndication should be seamless, and applicant viewing should be as intuitive as using platforms like Trello.

• Candidate Experience: Features such as personalized communication, streamlined interview scheduling, and self-service portals for application status updates are crucial. Recognizing that your talent acquisition team contributes to your public image, we emphasize tools that help maintain a positive reputation among all candidates.

• Integration and Compatibility: We assess each platform's integration capabilities within a typical HR technology ecosystem. Limited integrations can significantly hinder ROI, as manual data entry or CSV uploads are inefficient.

To cater to diverse company sizes, we've included all-in-one solutions. Our experience suggests that companies with smaller HR/TA teams (under 500 employees) often benefit from platforms that combine applicant tracking with CRM, HRIS, or payroll functionalities.

For a detailed understanding of our evaluation process, please refer to our article on HR tech vendor assessment methodology.

Detailed Reviews of the Best Applicant Tracking Systems

1.BambooHR

Why We Chose BambooHR

We're impressed by BambooHR's ATS, particularly its integration within the broader BambooHR suite. The seamless workflows between the applicant tracking system and other core HR functionalities enhance ease of use and ensure compliance.

Pros:

• Flexible Pricing: Offers month-to-month pricing, a valuable option for many businesses.

• Free Trial: Provides a free 7-day trial, with potential for extension.

• Mobile Accessibility: The mobile app is effective, offering built-in features for application review, communication, and collaboration.

• Exceptional Customer Support: Boasts remarkably fast response times to customer inquiries (under 2 minutes in our experience).

Cons:

• Support Overages: Exceeding allotted customer support time incurs extra charges.

• Limited Support Hours: Customer support is restricted to U.S. business hours, potentially delaying assistance for international users with urgent issues.

• Add-on Modules: Features like time tracking, performance management, and surveys are available only as add-ons, requiring additional investment for expanded HR functionality.

BambooHR In-Depth Review

BambooHR's ATS, integrated within its HR suite, addresses the problem of siloed employee data. We were particularly impressed with several specific features.

We tested the mobile app on both Android and iOS devices and found it easy to manage workflows such as posting jobs, reviewing resumes, communicating with candidates and hiring managers, and scheduling. Recognizing the on-the-go nature of recruiting, the well-designed app is a significant advantage.

The cloud-based web version also stood out. We were guided seamlessly through each step of a standard hiring process, and we found it easy to customize workflows by creating our own. The easy access to other suite elements highlights a key benefit: enhanced productivity and improved data security. Keeping all employee data in one place minimizes manual data transfer across platforms, reducing the risk of human error.

2.Greenhouse

Why We Chose Greenhouse

Greenhouse is a robust ATS packed with features, making it ideal for mid-sized to large teams. Beyond its advanced scheduling capabilities, workflow customization options, and extensive HRIS integrations, the platform boasts a popular onboarding feature.

Pros:

• Onboarding Module: Facilitates a smooth transition from candidate to new employee.

• Extensive Integrations: Offers 300+ integrations with third-party solutions to address various people operations needs.

• Collaboration Features: Distributes the hiring workload effectively across multiple stakeholders.

• Customization and Templates: Provides ample customization options alongside convenient template workflows.

Cons:

• Lack of Transparency: Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and there is no free trial available.

• Reporting Challenges: The reporting feature can be difficult to navigate.

• Cost Considerations: May be too expensive for teams with limited budgets.

• Limited HR Functionality: Focuses primarily on ATS and onboarding, lacking core HR features.

Greenhouse: A Detailed Review

The dashboard, aptly named "greenhouse," is visually appealing and provides a clear overview of candidates requiring attention. The entire hiring team can easily view upcoming interviews, applications needing review, and task status updates.

In our recent experience with an updated version, we were particularly impressed with the enhancements to the "interview kit." Standardizing the interview process is a significant aid in mitigating bias. Clearly defined qualification criteria for each interview stage boost employee confidence in decision-making and provide valuable insights for process improvement.

We appreciate the pre-built templates for creating and posting jobs. Even users with minimal experience can post a job in approximately one minute.

Experienced users who have established their own hiring workflows can complete this task in seconds. Even creating custom workflows is a streamlined, drag-and-drop process.

With over 300 partners, Greenhouse likely integrates with any tool or service you require. Its established position among top HR tech tools ensures smooth, well-supported integrations. However, some businesses prefer the simplicity and security of an all-in-one platform, which Greenhouse is not. There's no universally "right" choice, so we encourage careful evaluation of your team's specific needs.

Based on information from our network, Greenhouse's starting price is approximately $6,000 annually. Standard contracts require a one-year prepayment, with discounted rates available for those who prepay for two or three years.

3.Pinpoint

Why We Chose Pinpoint

While many applicant tracking systems claim to be user-focused, Pinpoint truly delivers. Its sophisticated, sleek design and intuitive interface demonstrate a clear understanding that great software combines form and function.

Pros:

• Best-in-Class Automations: Offers top-tier automations that save recruiting teams valuable time.

• Highly Customizable and Collaborative: Emphasizes customization and collaborative hiring practices.

• Unlimited Users and Jobs: Provides unlimited job postings and team members across all plans.

• Career Site Builder: Helps teams attract and convert the right talent through its career site builder.

Cons:

• Onboarding Costs Extra: The employee onboarding module is an additional expense.

• Cost Considerations: May be too expensive for teams with limited budgets.

• No Free Options: Lacks a free version or free trial offer.

Pinpoint: An In-Depth Review

Our team, particularly our writers and editors with extensive TA experience, found the career site builder to be a major highlight. They emphasized the critical need for companies to stand out to potential candidates, and this unique approach was particularly compelling.

We found the site builder feature so intuitive that a first-time user could complete the setup for a custom site in approximately 30 minutes.

This ease of use is intentional: Pinpoint is known for its emphasis on user experience, and the visual clarity and sequential logic of its workflows are carefully designed.

Users report receiving attentive customer support via email, chat, or phone.

The platform also prioritizes the employee referral experience by offering a streamlined process. Current employees receive automated emails informing them of open positions, along with a link to share with their network. The platform also tracks employee referrals.

With an open API and over 100 built-in integrations, Pinpoint integrates seamlessly with other systems. However, bespoke integration is exclusively available for Enterprise plan users.

Pinpoint Customer Base

Pinpoint's clients include CoinShares, Pathways Global, Grant Thornton, Icario, and Pivot Energy.

Pinpoint Pricing

Pinpoint's pricing starts at $345 per month when billed annually.

Enterprise features, such as multi-page career sites, multi-lingual support, custom integrations, and assistance with data migrations, start at $1,200 per month.

Discounts are available for startups with fewer than 50 employees.

4.VidCruiter

Why We Chose VidCruiter

VidCruiter is primarily recognized for its video interviewing capabilities, but the platform also provides a robust ATS solution and the popular Quick Apply feature, which benefits both TA teams and candidates.

Pros:

• Fully Customizable: VidCruiter can be completely tailored to meet specific recruiting requirements.

• User-Friendly: Easy to use for both job seekers and recruiters.

• Cross-Device Compatibility: Works seamlessly on all devices without requiring app installation.

• Quick Apply Feature: Allows candidates to apply directly from Indeed and LinkedIn, automatically syncing their information to the user's existing ATS.

• Comprehensive Support: Offers a dedicated client success manager, 24/7 applicant support, and assistance via phone, email, and live chat.

Cons:

• Implementation Time: Some users have reported that implementation can be time-consuming.

• Assessment Module Limitations: The advanced search and technical skills testing features within the assessment module could be improved.

• No Free Trial and Opaque Pricing: There is no trial version available, and pricing is not listed on their website.

VidCruiter: A Comprehensive Review

VidCruiter has been a prominent force in the video interviewing software market for years, though its ATS capabilities are less widely recognized. However, our research confirms that its ATS is robust enough to be considered among the top vendors in the field.

The platform effectively balances the needs of both sides of the interview pipeline. TA teams benefit from highly customizable features such as job posting, pre-screening, interview scheduling, and real-time reports, while applicants enjoy a user experience clearly designed with their needs in mind.

To showcase team culture, vision, and values, users can create a custom career site that delivers a branded digital experience to candidates. The site editor is user-friendly, and during our in-house testing, we were able to set everything up without assistance from the IT or VidCruiter support team. Notably, when a candidate accesses a career page powered by VidCruiter, the platform automatically generates recommendations for jobs available in their vicinity.

Quick Apply benefits both employers and candidates. This feature allows TA teams to accelerate the hiring process without implementing a new ATS, making it ideal for teams on a budget or those nearing the end of an ATS contract they don't intend to renew. It also offers job seekers the convenience of applying directly from platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed.

VidCruiter Customer Base

VidCruiter is utilized by over 100,000 recruiters, including those at Lowe’s, Lionsgate, Samsung, the Chicago Bears, US Foods, and the United Nations.

VidCruiter Pricing

According to our sources, VidCruiter prices start at $1,000 annually.

5.Moka

Why We Chose Moka

Moka stands out for its focus on the Asian market, offering localized features and integrations that many global ATS solutions lack. It provides a modern interface and a strong emphasis on data-driven recruiting.

Pros:

● Localized Features: Tailored for the Asian market with support for local languages, job boards, and compliance requirements.
● Data-Driven Insights: Offers robust analytics and reporting to optimize the recruitment process.
● Social Recruiting: Strong integration with social media platforms popular in Asia.
● Mobile-First Design: Designed with a focus on mobile accessibility for both recruiters and candidates.

Cons:

● Limited Global Integrations: May have fewer integrations with global HR tools compared to more established international ATS providers.
● Emerging Player: As a relatively newer ATS, it might lack some of the advanced features or extensive customer support resources of more mature platforms.
● Language Support: While strong in Asian languages, support for other languages may be limited.

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Pros:

• Localized Features: Tailored for the Asian market, with strong support for local languages, job boards, and compliance requirements.

• Global Reach: Supports multi-country, multi-language, and multi-timezone recruitment, making it ideal for cross-border hiring.

• User-Friendly Design: Prioritizes intuitive UX/UI, enhancing user experience and ensuring ease of use for both recruiters and candidates.

• Data-Driven Insights: Offers robust analytics and reporting tools to optimize the recruitment process effectively.

• Timely Support: With 24/7 customer service, MokaHR is dedicated to providing top-notch support throughout the customer lifecycle, no matter where you are.

Cons:

• Emerging Customer Base: While MokaHR is growing rapidly, it is still expanding its local customer base in some countries.

• Product Maturity: As a newer ATS, it is continuously evolving and adding advanced features to compete with longer-established platforms.

Moka: An In-Depth Review

Moka addresses the specific needs of companies recruiting in Asia, a market often overlooked by global ATS providers. The platform's localized features, such as support for regional job boards and compliance regulations, make it a compelling choice for businesses operating in this region.

The interface is modern and intuitive, providing a user-friendly experience for both recruiters and candidates. Moka's emphasis on data-driven recruiting allows companies to track key metrics and optimize their hiring processes. The platform offers a range of reports and dashboards that provide insights into candidate sourcing, interview performance, and time-to-hire.

Moka's mobile-first design ensures that recruiters and candidates can access the platform from anywhere, at any time. The mobile app allows recruiters to manage their pipelines, communicate with candidates, and schedule interviews on the go. Candidates can easily apply for jobs, track their application status, and receive updates via their mobile devices.

The platform also facilitates social recruiting through integrations with popular social media platforms in Asia. Recruiters can use these integrations to promote job openings, engage with potential candidates, and build their employer brand.