Best Recruiting Tools for Small Businesses in 2025

Small businesses face a hiring paradox: you need great people to compete with larger companies, but you don't have dedicated recruiters, enterprise budgets, or time to figure out complex tools.

The good news? In 2025, there are excellent recruiting tools for small businesses that rival enterprise software at a fraction of the cost. The right stack can help you post jobs, screen candidates, schedule interviews, and make offers—all without hiring a full-time recruiter.

This guide covers the 15 best recruiting tools across every category, with honest pricing and recommendations based on your budget and hiring volume.

TL;DR: Start with JuggleHire ($19/month) as your ATS foundation, add Indeed or LinkedIn for job posting, and use Calendly for scheduling. This three-tool stack handles 90% of small business recruiting needs for under $100/month.

#The Essential Small Business Recruiting Stack

Before diving into individual tools, here's how they fit together:

Minimum viable stack: ATS + 1 job board + scheduling = ~$50/month

#Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Your ATS is the hub of your recruiting process. It's where you'll spend 80% of your hiring time.

#1. JuggleHire — Best Overall for Small Business

JuggleHire is purpose-built for small businesses. It has everything you need, nothing you don't, and costs less than a team lunch.

Why It's Best for Small Business:

• 10-minute setup: No training needed
• Visual Kanban board: See all candidates at a glance
• Team collaboration: Share notes, feedback, evaluations
• Career page builder: Professional careers site included
• Email templates: Stop rewriting the same messages

Pricing:

• Starter: $19/month (1 active job)
• Pro: $49/month (5 active jobs)
• Business: $99/month (unlimited)

Best For: Companies with 1-50 employees making 1-25 hires/year.

Try JuggleHire Free →

#2. JazzHR — Best Budget ATS

JazzHR offers full ATS functionality at lower prices than most competitors.

Key Features:

• Job posting to multiple boards
• Candidate pipeline management
• Interview scheduling
• Basic reporting

Pricing:

• Hero: $75/month (3 jobs)
• Plus: $269/month (unlimited)

Best For: Budget-conscious teams who need core ATS features.

Related: JazzHR Alternatives

#3. Workable — Best for Growing Companies

Workable adds AI-powered sourcing and more automation for companies with higher hiring volume.

Key Features:

• AI candidate sourcing from 200+ sites
• One-click posting to 200+ job boards
• Built-in video interviews
• Advanced analytics

Pricing:

• Starter: $149/month (2 jobs)
• Standard: $299/month (unlimited)

Best For: Companies hiring 20+ people per year who want AI assistance.

Related: Workable Alternatives

#Job Posting Platforms

You need to get your jobs in front of candidates. These platforms do that.

#4. Indeed — Best Free Job Board

Indeed is the largest job site globally. Basic posting is free, and you can pay for visibility.

Why It Works:

• Free basic posting: $0 to post jobs
• Massive reach: 250M+ monthly visitors
• Sponsored posts: Pay for more visibility ($5-15/day)
• Indeed Assessments: Free skills testing

Pricing:

• Free to post
• Sponsored: $5-25/day per job

Best For: Any small business. Start with free posts, sponsor if you need more applicants.

#5. LinkedIn Jobs — Best for Professional Roles

LinkedIn is essential for professional, management, and specialized roles.

Why It Works:

• Professional audience: 900M+ members
• Targeted reach: Show jobs to qualified candidates
• Easy apply: Candidates apply with LinkedIn profile
• Company page: Build employer brand

Pricing:

• Free posting (limited visibility)
• Promoted: $5-25/day

Best For: Professional roles, B2B companies, any position requiring experience.

#6. ZipRecruiter — Best for Fast Hiring

ZipRecruiter uses AI to match candidates to your jobs and actively invites them to apply.

Why It Works:

• AI matching: Automatically finds relevant candidates
• Invite to apply: Proactive outreach
• Distribution: Posts to 100+ job boards
• Mobile app: Manage hiring on the go

Pricing:

• Starting at $299/month (unlimited jobs)
• Pay-per-applicant options available

Best For: Companies that need to hire quickly and have budget for paid distribution.

#7. Wellfound (AngelList Talent) — Best for Startups

Wellfound is where startup-minded candidates look for opportunities.

Why It Works:

• Startup focus: Candidates want to work at startups
• Equity-friendly: Easy to post equity compensation
• Free basic posting: $0 to start
• Investor visibility: VCs see your hiring activity

Pricing:

• Free basic posting
• Premium: $249/month

Best For: Funded startups hiring for tech and business roles.

#Interview Scheduling Tools

Back-and-forth scheduling emails waste hours every week. These tools eliminate that.

#8. Calendly — Best Free Scheduling

Calendly lets candidates book interview slots directly on your calendar.

Why It Works:

• Self-service booking: Candidates pick available times
• Calendar integration: Syncs with Google, Outlook, etc.
• Timezone handling: Automatic conversion
• Reminders: Reduces no-shows

Pricing:

• Free: 1 calendar, basic features
• Standard: $12/user/month
• Teams: $20/user/month

Best For: Any company that schedules interviews. The free tier is enough for most.

#9. Cal.com — Best Open-Source Alternative

Cal.com is like Calendly but open-source with more flexibility.

Why It Works:

• Open source: Self-host for free if you want
• Generous free tier: More features than Calendly free
• Customizable: Brand it to match your company
• Integrations: Connects with popular tools

Pricing:

• Free tier available
• Teams: $15/user/month

Best For: Tech companies who want more control or have developer resources.

#Skills Assessment Tools

Resumes don't prove skills. These tools do.

#10. TestGorilla — Best Skills Testing

TestGorilla offers 300+ pre-built tests to evaluate candidates objectively.

Why It Works:

• Pre-built tests: Coding, language, cognitive, role-specific
• Anti-cheating: Webcam, screen monitoring
• Custom tests: Create your own assessments
• Candidate ranking: Automatic scoring

Pricing:

• Free: 5 candidates/month
• Starter: $26/month (25 candidates)
• Pro: $115/month (unlimited)

Best For: Companies hiring for roles where skills matter more than credentials.

#11. Codility — Best for Technical Hiring

Codility specializes in assessing developers and technical roles.

Why It Works:

• Real coding challenges: Actual programming, not multiple choice
• 40+ languages: Test in any tech stack
• Plagiarism detection: Ensures honest submissions
• Live interviews: Pair programming mode

Pricing:

• Starting at $500/month
• Custom enterprise pricing

Best For: Companies hiring developers where coding skills are critical.

#12. Google Forms + Sheets — Best Free Assessment

Sometimes simple is enough. Google Forms can screen candidates for free.

Why It Works:

• Completely free: $0 cost
• Easy to create: No learning curve
• Automatic collection: Responses in Sheets
• Customizable: Any question type

Best For: Basic screening questions, culture fit surveys, simple knowledge tests.

#Video Interview Tools

Remote hiring requires video. These tools make it seamless.

#13. Zoom — Best Free Video Interviews

You probably already have Zoom. It works fine for interviews.

Why It Works:

• Universal familiarity: Candidates know how to use it
• Reliable quality: Works well on most connections
• Recording: Save interviews for review
• Free tier: 40-minute meetings

Pricing:

• Free: 40-minute limit
• Pro: $15.99/user/month (unlimited)

Best For: Companies already using Zoom who don't need dedicated interview software.

#14. BreezyHR — Best Built-In Video

BreezyHR is an ATS with video interviews built in—no separate tool needed.

Why It Works:

• All-in-one: ATS + video in one platform
• Live + async: Both interview types
• Candidate-friendly: Easy for applicants
• Cost savings: No separate video tool

Pricing:

• Free tier (very limited)
• Startup: $157/month

Best For: Companies wanting ATS + video without multiple subscriptions.

#Background Check Services

Verify candidates before making offers. These services make it easy.

#15. Checkr — Best Background Checks

Checkr provides fast, compliant background checks used by Uber, Lyft, and thousands of small businesses.

Why It Works:

• Fast results: Most in 24-72 hours
• Compliant: FCRA, state law compliant
• ATS integrations: Works with popular tools
• Transparent pricing: Know cost upfront

Pricing:

• Basic: $35/check (criminal, identity)
• Standard: $75/check (+ employment, education)
• Pro: $150/check (+ professional licenses)

Best For: Any company that needs background verification.

#How to Build Your Recruiting Stack

#For Bootstrapped Companies ($50/month)

#For Seed-Stage Startups ($150/month)

#For Growing Companies ($400/month)

#How to Choose Recruiting Tools

#Step 1: Start with ATS

Your ATS is the foundation. Get this right first. JuggleHire at $19/month is the best starting point for most small businesses.

#Step 2: Add Job Distribution

Start with free Indeed posting. Add LinkedIn for professional roles. Sponsor posts only if you're not getting enough applicants.

#Step 3: Automate Scheduling

Calendly free tier handles most small business needs. Upgrade only if you need team features.

#Step 4: Add Assessments (If Needed)

If you're hiring for skills-based roles (developers, writers, designers), add TestGorilla. Otherwise, a simple Google Form works.

#Step 5: Video + Background (As Needed)

Use Zoom for video unless your ATS has it built in. Add background checks only for roles that require them.

#Common Mistakes to Avoid

#1. Overbuying Features

Don't pay for enterprise features you'll never use. A $299/month ATS isn't 15x better than a $19/month one for small businesses.

#2. Too Many Disconnected Tools

Each tool adds friction. Prefer integrated solutions or tools that work together.

#3. Skipping the ATS

Trying to manage recruiting with email + spreadsheets works until it doesn't—usually when you lose a great candidate.

#4. Ignoring Candidate Experience

Free job boards and basic tools are fine, but make sure the application process is smooth. Test it yourself.

#5. Not Using Free Trials

Every tool on this list offers a free trial or free tier. Test before you buy.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#What's the best all-in-one recruiting tool for small businesses?

JuggleHire offers the best balance of features and affordability for small businesses. For more comprehensive features, BreezyHR includes video interviewing in addition to ATS functionality.

#How much should a small business spend on recruiting tools?

Most small businesses can manage recruiting effectively for $50-200/month. A basic stack (JuggleHire + Indeed + Calendly) costs under $50/month. Add premium features as your hiring volume grows.

#Do I need an ATS if I only hire a few people per year?

If you're hiring 5+ people per year or multiple team members are involved in hiring, yes. Even for occasional hiring, an ATS provides organization and professionalism that spreadsheets can't match.

#What's better: one integrated platform or best-of-breed tools?

For small businesses, start with an integrated ATS that covers the basics. Add specialized tools only when you have specific needs the ATS doesn't meet.

#Can I use free tools for all my recruiting needs?

Technically yes (Indeed free + Google Forms + Calendly free + Zoom free). But the free ATS options are very limited. Spending $19-49/month on a proper ATS is worth it for the time saved.

#Conclusion

Small business recruiting doesn't require enterprise budgets or dedicated recruiters. The right tools—starting with a solid ATS and adding job boards, scheduling, and assessments as needed—let you hire like a much larger company.

Start here:

1. JuggleHire for ATS ($19/month)
2. Indeed for job posting (free)
3. Calendly for scheduling (free)

This three-tool stack covers 90% of small business recruiting needs for under $20/month.

Ready to upgrade your hiring? Try JuggleHire free for 14 days—no credit card required.

#Related Resources

• Best Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses
• Best Recruitment Software for Small Businesses
• Hiring Strategies for Small Businesses
• How to Reduce Cost Per Hire
• 8 Tips for Hiring the Right Employees