10 Best Applicant Tracking Systems

Employers, staffing agencies, and recruiters benefit in multiple ways from using applicant tracking systems. Hiring managers typically use ATS platforms to speed up the hiring process, improve candidates’ experience, and streamline onboarding.

Here’s a closer look at the main reasons businesses typically use an applicant tracking system.

ATS platforms generally make it easier for both in-house teams and recruiters to manage the entire hiring process. Applicant tracking systems often have capabilities to create and post job listings, sort candidate resumes, and schedule interviews. They can also automate candidate communication, like requesting consent for background checks and sending job offers or adverse action notices. Mobile-friendly dashboards further streamline the hiring process, allowing employers and candidates to engage with the ATS on the go.

Many ATS platforms also integrate seamlessly with third-party systems, like background check service providers, to further streamline candidate screening and improve time-to-hire. Checkr, for example, easily integrates with many popular ATS platforms, facilitating quick, comprehensive background checks during the hiring process.

Modern applicant tracking systems typically use data-driven screening solutions, like machine learning and automation, to attract and engage with qualified candidates. Employers can set filters, such as keywords, skills, and other mandatory qualifications, like professional licenses or education level.

Using these employer-set criteria, the ATS automatically sifts through applications, resumes, and saved candidate lists. It elevates the best candidates for the role to a short list, disqualifying individuals that aren’t a match. Some ATS platforms can also predict candidate performance and help employers manage the background check process. With data-driven screening, employers bring on more quality hires.

Many employers use an ATS to better visualize the candidate journey. Understanding how candidates engage with the hiring process can help organizations identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. ATS solutions may also have the ability to automate candidate communications at every stage, including scheduling interviews and sending offer letters.

After hiring, many ATS solutions also help teams onboard their candidates and assist them as they transition into their new role. Most ATS platforms are able to transfer key documents, like applications, resumes, cover letters, and interview notes into an HRIS system.

When hiring, organizations must remain compliant with federal, state, and local laws that affect fair hiring, data collection, and candidate privacy. The top application tracking systems have built-in compliance capabilities, like automated candidate communication tools and secure data collection measures.

Many top ATS platforms also offer reporting tools that give organizations a more comprehensive view of the hiring process. Built-in analytics dashboards may track a wide range of recruiting data, including interview volume, acceptance rates, and candidates’ average time in the pipeline. This data can be helpful for HR teams and hiring managers as they update and improve their processes over time.

Keeping tabs on the hiring process can be a heavy lift for talent recruiters. Legacy systems, disconnected tech stacks, and tedious manual processes can result in hiring delays, compliance issues, and lost revenue. But with the right ATS, organizations of all sizes can manage each stage of the hiring journey, from sourcing and candidate screening to onboarding.

Background checks play an important role in the hiring process, helping talent recruiters make more informed hiring decisions. Checkr is a highly-ranked background check platform that integrates with 100+ ATS platforms to streamline pre-employment screenings—including the following ten best ATS systems. Checkr’s scalable background check solutions support small, medium, and enterprise organizations, delivering fast, accurate reporting.

Checkr’s platform makes it easy to sign-up and order checks the same day with several preset packages and the option to customize with add-on screenings. Additionally, Checkr offers built-in compliance tools to support adherence to local, state, and federal background check guidelines.

Best for: Organizations of all sizes that need a comprehensive background check solution

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Pricing: Customizable packages start at $29.99 per check and increase in price based on criminal search coverage and additional verifications; volume discounts are available. Add-on searches and screenings can be customized to meet your business’s needs.

Greenhouse is an end-to-end recruitment solution that’s ranked as G2’s top-rated ATS. The platform has been around for over a decade and boasts built-in AI, industry-first structured hiring, and embedded DE&I. With Greenhouse, employers can easily manage all candidate touchpoints, organize and access data, and meet compliance needs from one secure platform. Greenhouse also offers tailored support to help customers maximize their return on investment and hire candidates faster.

Best for: Early-stage businesses, scaling companies, and enterprises; companies that want a tech-forward recruitment solution

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Workable is a mobile-first HR platform trusted by over 30,000 companies. It was named Forbes Advisor’s best AI-powered recruiting platform in 2024. With Workable, employers can source, attract, and engage top talent, from recruitment to time management. The platform offers a candidate sourcing suite, comprehensive application tracking, and a flexible employee management system. The company also boasts robust security and compliance tools, plus award-winning customer support and training.

Best for: Companies of all sizes; employers looking for a turnkey recruitment solution that goes beyond hiring and onboarding

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Zoho Recruit is an end-to-hiring platform that includes an applicant tracking system and candidate relationship management (CRM). The tool is mobile-first and helps hiring managers efficiently source qualified candidates and nurture them through the entire talent pipeline. Zoho Recruit offers automated workflows, over 50 integrations with popular HR tools, and flexible pricing. Employers can also manage contingent labor through the company’s contingent workforce platform, Zoho Workerly.

Best for: Companies of all sizes that need a mobile-first, easy-to-use talent recruitment software with scalable, per-user pricing

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Lever by employ is an award-winning recruitment platform that offers flexible hiring and candidate management solutions. Lever integrates with hundreds of technology partners and is designed for use by organizations of all sizes.

Lever also features built-in dashboards that help hiring managers keep tabs on sourcing, the candidate pipeline, DEI, and compliance. Additional AI-powered recruitment solutions are also available, including JazzHR by employ recruitment software and Jobvite by employ talent acquisition software.

Best for: Companies of all sizes that need a flexible, AI-powered ATS platform

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Teamtailor is an award-winning, user-friendly ATS software that helps organizations create a frictionless recruitment process. It’s used by more than 10,000 companies of all sizes, from small- and medium-sized businesses to enterprises. The platform offers more than 400 integrations, a mobile-friendly dashboard, and automation.

With Teamtailor, recruiters can seamlessly post jobs, manage the recruitment process, and nurture the candidate experience. Plus, users can access robust analytics and insights to track performance. Customer support includes a dedicated customer success manager, live chat support, and implementation onboarding.

Best for: Companies of all sizes that need a tech-forward recruitment solution and employer branding

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Pinpoint is a leading ATS that supports multiple hiring streams across regions, roles, brands, and more. The award-winning platform includes workflow automation, job requisition management, candidate communication, and reporting. Hiring managers also have access to talent management software, candidate profiles and scorecards, and offer management software. They can  schedule interviews directly from the ATS.

Pinpoint includes pre-built integrations, plus an open API for advanced setups. Implementation assistance is available to users, plus a dedicated customer success manager for ongoing support.

Best for: Companies of all sizes that need a sophisticated recruitment solution to manage multiple hiring streams

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JazzHR is an award-winning, AI-powered recruitment platform designed specifically for small businesses. The platform supports a range of tasks, including candidate sourcing, applicant tracking, offer paperwork, interview scheduling, and reporting. White label solutions are also available for HR technology partners, HR consultants, staffing firms, and franchises.

Best for: Small businesses

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EightfoldAI is a turnkey talent management platform that helps large organizations and enterprises recruit, retain, and upskill employee talent. Built-in agentic AI and AI-powered workflows help companies surface insights, usher candidates through the pipeline, speed hiring, and eliminate manual processes. The platform is flexible and scalable to accommodate evolving hiring and talent management needs. EightfoldAI is available in over 155 countries and 24 languages.

Best for: Enterprise and public sector organizations that need a full-service, AI-powered talent management system with ATS capabilities

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Ashby is an all-in-one recruiting, AI-powered platform that includes an ATS, CRM, scheduling, analytics, and more. Designed to be scalable, Ashby supports startups, growth phase companies, and enterprise organizations with over 1,000 employees. The platform has built-in solutions to assist with migration from legacy recruiting solutions, and global customer support is available 24/7. For organizations that prefer to keep using existing ATS platforms, Ashby offers a separate interactive reporting and analytics solution.

Best for: Companies of all sizes that need an all-in-one recruiting solution

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HiPeople is an award-winning recruitment tool that helps companies manage the hiring process. AI-powered capabilities allow hiring managers to quickly scan resumes, review candidates to pinpoint the best fit for the role, and run reference checks to spot red flags. Users can choose all-in-one packages or mix and match solutions. HiPeople also has dedicated solutions for certain hiring needs, like healthcare, technology, skills-based hiring, and volume hiring.

Best for: Organizations on a budget who need a simple but scalable ATS system

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The best ATS for an organization depends on a variety of factors. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, employers and hiring teams can consider the following to identify the best applicant tracking systems for your business:

In today’s increasingly crowded market, choosing the right background check partner is vital. From startups to enterprise companies, organizations of all sizes rely on comprehensive background checks during the background check process. Partnering with a background check service provider, like Checkr, may give employers more accurate reports and quicker turnaround times.

Employers that use an ATS platform to manage the hiring process further can rely on Checkr’s seamless integration with 100+ top application systems and popular HR and onboarding platforms. Checkr also features a modern, easy-to-use background check platform, built-in compliance tools, user-friendly workflows, and mobile-first candidate portal. Employers that choose Checkr can offer candidates a positive background experience while improving hiring outcomes, reducing risk, and getting accurate background check results faster.

Individuals can also order personal background checks from Checkr to understand what a potential employer may see. Checkr’s personal background checks provide candidates with the opportunity to correct errors reflected on your Checkr report and prepare to provide context when necessary. Order online.

About the author

Sarah writes about small business topics and corporate communications. She has written on a wide range of topics, including background checks, hiring trends, company culture, and employee training and development. Her work includes educational articles, press releases, newsletters, and employee onboarding collateral.