Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses in 2025 (Top 5 Compared)

If you're still using Google Forms and spreadsheets to manage hiring, you're not alone—but you're also losing great candidates to disorganization. The job market is more competitive than ever, and small businesses need professional hiring tools to compete with larger companies.

An applicant tracking system (ATS) transforms your chaotic hiring process into an organized, professional workflow. And 94% of recruiters agree that their ATS has had a positive impact on their organization's hiring processes.

But here's the problem: enterprise ATS tools like Workable and BambooHR cost $99-$500/month and take weeks to set up. Small businesses need something simpler and more affordable.

This guide compares the 5 best applicant tracking systems for small businesses in 2025, with real pricing, features, and honest pros/cons. Whether you're hiring your first employee or scaling to 50+ people, you'll find the perfect ATS to streamline your hiring process without breaking the bank.

#Quick Comparison: Best ATS for Small Businesses

#Benefits of Using Applicant Tracking Systems

Before diving into specific tools, let's understand why small businesses need an ATS instead of spreadsheets and Google Forms.

#Efficiency and Time-saving

ATS automates manual tasks like resume screening, candidate communication, interview scheduling, and workflow management. This frees up 5-10 hours per week for more strategic hiring activities.

#Improved Candidate Sourcing and Selection

ATS allows you to reach a wider pool of qualified candidates through multi-platform job posting and advanced search. Automated filtering and ranking based on pre-defined criteria ensures you focus on the most relevant profiles first.

#Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

ATS provides a centralized platform for recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates. This facilitates seamless communication, feedback sharing, and real-time updates—no more "Can you forward me that resume?" emails.

#Data-driven Decision Making

ATS gathers data throughout the recruitment cycle, providing insights into candidate performance, recruitment channel effectiveness, and hiring trends. Use this data to optimize your hiring strategy and resource allocation.

#Fairer and Unbiased Hiring

ATS can help reduce unconscious bias by relying on automated screening based on objective criteria, ensuring a more equitable hiring process.

#Cost Savings and Resource Optimization

Automating tasks and streamlining recruitment with ATS leads to significant cost savings. Plus, you allocate resources more efficiently by focusing on high-impact activities instead of manual data entry.

#Enhanced Employer Branding and Candidate Experience

A professional, user-friendly ATS creates a positive candidate experience, leading to better employer branding and attracting top talent.

#5 Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses

After testing dozens of ATS tools, here are the top 5 for small businesses in 2025:

1. JuggleHire (Best for Google Forms users)
2. Zoho Recruit (Best all-around value)
3. BambooHR (Best full HR suite)
4. Recruitee (Best for collaborative hiring)
5. Pinpoint (Best candidate experience)

Let's dive into each one.

#1. JuggleHire — Best Google Forms Alternative for Hiring

JuggleHire is specifically built for small businesses and startups currently using Google Forms or spreadsheets for hiring. It combines the simplicity of Google Forms with professional applicant tracking features—all at a fraction of enterprise ATS costs.

The #1 reason to choose JuggleHire: It's as easy to set up as Google Forms, but gives you a complete hiring system with candidate pipeline, team collaboration, and interview scheduling.

#Key Features of JuggleHire

Custom Job Posting & Application Forms

• Create branded job application forms as easily as Google Forms
• Drag-and-drop form builder with custom questions
• Professional career pages with custom domain support (careers.yourcompany.com)
• Multi-language support (English, Portuguese, Arabic with RTL)

Visual Candidate Pipeline (Kanban Board)

• See your entire hiring process at a glance
• Drag-and-drop candidates between stages (Applied → Screening → Interview → Offer → Hired)
• Multiple view options (Kanban, List, Pipeline)
• Customizable stages per job

Interview Scheduling Integration

• One-click Google Calendar and Google Meet integration
• Auto-create meeting links and send calendar invites
• Schedule interviews in 2 clicks instead of 10 emails

Team Collaboration Tools

• Unlimited team members (10-100 depending on plan)
• Shared candidate reviews, ratings, and comments
• Assign candidates to specific reviewers
• All candidate communication in one place

Email Communication & Templates

• Send emails directly from JuggleHire
• Reusable templates for common scenarios (rejection, interview invite, offer)
• Bulk email sending to multiple candidates
• Gmail integration or custom SMTP

Talent Pool Management

• Browse and search all past candidates
• Never lose a good candidate from previous job postings
• Organize candidates into custom groups
• Re-engage candidates for new roles

White-Label & Branding (Professional/Scale Plans)

• Remove JuggleHire branding completely
• Add your logo, colors, and favicon
• 100% branded to your company

Candidate Screening & Auto-Rejection

• Add screening questions with required answers
• Automatically filter out 50-80% of unqualified applicants
• Send automatic rejection emails with templates

Job Widgets for Websites

• Embed live job listings on any website
• Auto-updates when you post new jobs
• One line of code to implement

#JuggleHire Pricing

Unlike per-user pricing that gets expensive fast, JuggleHire uses flat monthly pricing:

• Starter Plan: $19/month ($12/month billed annually)

  • 3 active jobs, 10 team members, 500 candidates per job
  • All integrations (Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Meet)
  • Custom domain for career page
  • JuggleHire branding visible

• Professional Plan: $49/month ($29/month billed annually)

  • 5 active jobs, 20 team members
  • Remove JuggleHire branding ← Key upgrade
  • Everything in Starter

• Scale Plan: $99/month ($59/month billed annually) ⭐ POPULAR

  • 30 active jobs, 100 team members, 1000 candidates per job
  • White-label features (custom logo, colors, favicon)
  • Everything in Professional

Free Trial: 14 days, no credit card required

#Pros:

• 5-10x cheaper than enterprise ATS ($19 vs $99-$500/month)
• 10-minute setup vs weeks for competitors
• Built for founders and small teams (no HR degree needed)
• Flat pricing (not per-user like competitors)
• Multi-language support including Arabic RTL
• Custom domain and white-label options
• Google Workspace integration (Calendar, Meet, Gmail)

#Cons:

• Fewer job board integrations compared to enterprise tools
• No built-in video interviewing (uses Google Meet instead)
• Best suited for teams under 100 employees

#Best For

JuggleHire is perfect for:

• Small businesses (10-50 employees) using Google Forms or spreadsheets for hiring
• Startups and founders who need professional hiring tools without enterprise complexity
• Digital agencies and tech companies hiring designers, developers, marketers
• Remote-first companies hiring globally with multi-language support
• Teams without dedicated HR who need hiring software anyone can use

Bottom Line: If you're currently using Google Forms and want to upgrade to a professional ATS without the enterprise price tag or complexity, JuggleHire is the best choice for 2025.

Try JuggleHire Free for 14 Days →

#2. Zoho Recruit — Best All-Around Value

Zoho Recruit offers a comprehensive range of features to streamline your recruitment process, from sourcing and screening candidates to scheduling interviews and managing offers.

Its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing make it a great option for small businesses just getting started with ATS technology—especially if you're already using other Zoho products.

#Key Features:

• Multi-platform publishing: Integrates with major job boards like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, and more
• Branding customization: Customizable templates and drag-and-drop interface for visually appealing job descriptions
• Easy application process: Mobile-friendly application forms and social media sharing options
• Searchable keyword database: Quickly find candidates based on specific skills and experience keywords
• AI-powered parsing: Extracts key information like skills, experience, and education with high accuracy
• Customizable parsing rules: Refine parsing accuracy by setting specific criteria for extracting relevant information
• Efficient storage: Store and manage all relevant information for each candidate, including notes, attachments, and interview feedback
• Robust reporting and analytics: Track recruitment performance with detailed metrics
• AI-powered candidate ranking: Utilizes AI to rank candidates based on their qualifications and job fit

#Pricing:

Starts at $25/user/month (costs add up quickly for teams)

#Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Part of Zoho ecosystem (integrates with Zoho CRM, Zoho Mail, etc.)
• Wide range of features
• Mobile app access
• AI-powered candidate ranking

#Cons:

• Per-user pricing gets expensive ($25 x 5 users = $125/month)
• Interface can feel dated compared to modern tools
• Customer support could be improved
• More complex than needed for simple hiring needs

#Best for

Zoho Recruit is ideal for businesses already using Zoho products who want tight ecosystem integration. Good for recruiting agencies and staffing firms more than internal hiring.

Related: Top 6 Zoho Recruit Alternatives in 2025

#3. BambooHR — Best Full HR Suite

BambooHR goes beyond just applicant tracking, providing a full suite of tools for managing your entire HR function. This includes payroll, benefits administration, performance management, time-off tracking, and more.

#Key Features:

• All-in-one solution for HR and recruiting, including payroll, benefits administration, and performance management
• Built-in job board network: Reach millions of potential candidates through BambooHR's extensive job board network
• Social media sharing: Easily share job postings across popular social media platforms
• Mobile-optimized application process: Streamline the application process with mobile-friendly forms
• Career page builder: Create branded landing pages for attracting talent
• Automatic resume parsing: Extract key information like skills, experience, and education from resumes
• Searchable database: Quickly find qualified candidates using specific keywords and criteria
• Automated notifications: Send automatic email and text notifications to candidates about application status and interview schedules
• Email and text messaging: Communicate directly with candidates from within the platform
• Performance management: Track and evaluate employee performance with integrated tools

#Pricing:

Starts at $99/month (quoted prices vary, can be $150+/month)

#Pros:

• All-in-one solution for HR and recruiting
• Robust talent pool management
• Streamlined onboarding process
• Strong customer support
• Enterprise-grade features

#Cons:

• More expensive than ATS-only solutions ($99-$150+ vs $19-$49)
• May be too complex for businesses that only need hiring tools
• Longer setup time (weeks vs minutes)
• Overkill if you just need applicant tracking

#Best for

Small and medium businesses looking for an integrated solution to manage their entire HR and recruitment process. Best if you need payroll, benefits, performance reviews, AND hiring in one platform.

Also Read: Remote Hiring Tips: How To Attract, Hire and Retain Remote Employees

#4. Recruitee — Best for Collaborative Hiring

Recruitee is designed to facilitate collaboration throughout the hiring process. Its built-in communication tools and features like candidate scoring and interview kits make it easy for teams to work together to identify and hire top talent.

#Key Features:

• Collaborative hiring: The platform enables collaboration with built-in communication tools
• AI empowered: AI-powered candidate scoring and filtering to streamline candidate assessment
• Customization: Customizable email templates and interview kits for efficient communication
• Comprehensive analysis: Extensive reporting and analytics to generate insightful reports on key hiring metrics
• Automated tasks: Automation of tasks such as sending email notifications, scheduling interviews, and assigning reviewers
• Multi-platform publishing: Integrates with major job boards and social media platforms for wider reach
• HR integrations: Integration with various HR tools like payroll, benefits, and performance management systems

#Pricing:

Starts at €39/user/month (approximately $42/user/month)

#Pros:

• Collaborative hiring platform perfect for multiple hiring managers
• AI-powered candidate scoring and filtering
• Customizable email templates and interview kits
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics
• Modern, clean interface

#Cons:

• Per-user pricing (€39 x 5 users = €195/month = ~$210/month)
• May not be suitable for teams with a large number of hiring managers
• Limited integrations with other HR and productivity tools
• More expensive than simpler alternatives

#Best for

Teams with multiple hiring managers who value collaboration and streamlined communication throughout the recruitment process. Best for companies with 20-100 employees.

Also Read: Top 7 Recruitee Alternatives in 2025

#5. Pinpoint — Best Candidate Experience

Pinpoint focuses on creating a positive candidate experience throughout the recruitment process. Its features include video interviewing, personalized communication, and background check integration.

#Key Features:

• Candidate engagement tools: Keep candidates engaged throughout the process with personalized communication tools
• Multi-platform publishing: Post jobs to major job boards, social media platforms, and your company website
• Customizable job descriptions: Create visually appealing job descriptions that showcase your company culture
• Easy application process: Streamline the application process with mobile-friendly forms and social media sharing
• Visual pipeline: Visualize the progress of each candidate through the hiring process with a drag-and-drop interface
• Detailed candidate profiles: Store and manage all relevant candidate information, including resumes, cover letters, interview feedback, and notes
• Automated workflows: Automate tasks such as sending email notifications, scheduling interviews, and assigning reviewers
• Video Interviewing: Conduct interviews seamlessly through video conferencing, saving time and resources
• Background checks: Ensure the quality of your hires with integrated background check services
• Reporting & analytics: Gain insights into your recruitment process through detailed reports and analytics

#Pricing:

Starts at $99/month

#Pros:

• Candidate engagement tools that improve employer brand
• Built-in video interviewing capabilities
• Background check integration
• Customizable reporting and analytics
• Focus on positive candidate experience

#Cons:

• More expensive than other ATS solutions ($99/month)
• May not be suitable for all industries or job types
• Video interviewing may be redundant if you use Zoom/Meet
• Fewer features compared to competitors at same price

#Best for

Pinpoint is ideal for businesses focused on attracting top talent and creating exceptional candidate experiences. Best for companies where employer branding and candidate experience are critical competitive advantages.

Also Read: Applicant Tracking System Best Practices: 12 Tips for Small Businesses

#Choosing the Right Applicant Tracking System for Your Small Business

Here's a simple decision framework to help you choose:

#Choose JuggleHire if:

• ✅ You're currently using Google Forms/spreadsheets for hiring
• ✅ You need professional hiring tools under $50/month
• ✅ You want 10-minute setup, not weeks
• ✅ You're a startup, small business, or agency (10-50 employees)
• ✅ You need multi-language support for global hiring
• ✅ You want white-label/custom branding options

#Choose Zoho Recruit if:

• ✅ You're already using Zoho products (CRM, Mail, etc.)
• ✅ You need recruitment agency features
• ✅ You want AI-powered candidate ranking

#Choose BambooHR if:

• ✅ You need a full HR suite (payroll, benefits, performance management)
• ✅ You have budget for $100-$150+/month
• ✅ You're willing to invest time in setup and training
• ✅ You need enterprise-grade HR features

#Choose Recruitee if:

• ✅ You have 5-10+ hiring managers who need to collaborate
• ✅ Team collaboration is your #1 priority
• ✅ You have budget for per-user pricing

#Choose Pinpoint if:

• ✅ Employer branding and candidate experience are critical
• ✅ You need built-in video interviewing
• ✅ You're hiring for competitive roles where experience matters

#Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses: Final Thoughts

The best applicant tracking system for small businesses depends on your specific needs, budget, and current hiring process.

For most small businesses transitioning from Google Forms or spreadsheets, JuggleHire offers the best combination of simplicity, affordability, and professional features. At $19-$99/month with flat pricing and 10-minute setup, it's specifically built for small teams who need "just enough" structure without enterprise complexity.

For businesses needing a full HR suite beyond just hiring, BambooHR provides comprehensive tools—but at a significantly higher price and complexity.

For Zoho ecosystem users, Zoho Recruit offers good value with tight integrations across Zoho products.

Remember: the right ATS should save you time, not create more work. Start with a free trial, test the platform with your actual hiring workflow, and make sure your team can actually use it before committing.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#What is an applicant tracking system for small businesses?

An applicant tracking system (ATS) for small businesses is software that helps organize and manage the hiring process. It replaces Google Forms, spreadsheets, and email chaos with a centralized system for job postings, candidate applications, interview scheduling, and team collaboration.

#How much does an ATS cost for small businesses?

ATS pricing for small businesses ranges from $19/month (JuggleHire) to $150+/month (BambooHR). Most ATS tools use either flat monthly pricing or per-user pricing. For a team of 5 people, expect to pay $19-$99/month for affordable options or $125-$300/month for enterprise tools.

#Is an ATS worth it for small businesses?

Yes. An ATS saves 5-10 hours per week on manual hiring tasks, prevents losing great candidates to disorganization, and creates a professional candidate experience. If you're hiring even one person per quarter, an ATS pays for itself in time saved. Learn more about ATS benefits.

#What's the best free applicant tracking system?

Most "free" ATS tools are extremely limited. Instead of free, look for affordable options like JuggleHire ($19/month) with a 14-day free trial. The cost is minimal compared to the time saved and candidates retained. Free Google Forms might seem cheaper, but it costs you time and lost talent.

#Can small businesses use the same ATS as enterprises?

Small businesses can use enterprise ATS like Workable or BambooHR, but they're often overkill—complex setup, expensive ($99-$500/month), and packed with features small teams don't need. Small business-focused ATS like JuggleHire offer the essential features without the enterprise complexity and cost.

#How long does it take to set up an ATS?

Setup time varies by platform: JuggleHire takes 10 minutes, Zoho Recruit takes a few hours, and enterprise tools like BambooHR can take days to weeks. Choose based on how quickly you need to start hiring.

#What features should I look for in a small business ATS?

Essential features: custom job posting forms, visual candidate pipeline (Kanban board), team collaboration (notes/ratings), email templates, interview scheduling, and talent pool. Nice-to-have: Google Calendar integration, custom domain, white-label branding, multi-language support. See our full ATS best practices guide.

#Can I import candidates from Google Forms into an ATS?

Some ATS tools allow you to import candidate data from spreadsheets and forms. This lets you maintain your historical candidate database when switching from Google Forms to a professional ATS.

Ready to upgrade from Google Forms? Try JuggleHire free for 14 days →

Related Articles:

• What is An Applicant Tracking System: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
• How to Choose the Right Recruitment Software for Your Business
• Best Recruitment Software for Small Businesses
• Applicant Tracking System Best Practices: 12 Tips