What is applicant tracking system software?
An applicant tracking system is software that helps employers organize and manage recruiting tasks. Features vary by platform, but many ATS tools include:
- Resume storage and management
- Job posting tools
- Resume screening using keywords, skills or screening criteria
- Candidate ranking or sorting
- Interview scheduling
- Email automation
- Onboarding features
An ATS may reduce repetitive recruiting tasks and can help your hiring team review applications more efficiently. You still make the final hiring decisions.
Indeed offers employer tools that can help you manage applications, use screener questions to sort candidates and review applicants in one place. If you already use an ATS, Indeed ATS Sync integrations may help connect your existing workflow with Indeed.
7 free ATS platforms to consider
If you’re ready to try a free option, these ATS platforms and hiring tools with applicant management features may be worth comparing:
1. Indeed
Price: Applicant management tools are included with a job post on Indeed, and sponsored jobs or optional upgrades may cost extra.
Key features:
- Screener questions to help you identify applicants who meet your criteria
- Candidate filters and statuses to organize and track applicants
- Employer dashboard for candidate management and interview scheduling
While Indeed is a hiring platform rather than a standalone ATS, its built-in applicant management tools can help you manage the hiring process without adopting a separate system. You can add screener questions to your job post, filter applicants, track candidates through different stages of the hiring process, communicate with applicants and schedule interviews from your dashboard.
Indeed also integrates with many ATS platforms, giving you the option to connect your existing system as your hiring needs evolve.
2. BreezyHR
Price: The BreezyHR Bootstrap plan is free. It covers one active open job position and one active candidate pool.
Key features:
- Posting on more than 50 job boards
- Resume parsing
- Candidate sourcing tools to expand your applicant pool
BreezyHR is cloud-based software that provides an online knowledge base, video tutorials and weekly webinars, and you can get customer support via email. The software offers standard and customized tags for its resume parsing features to help with candidate selection.
Because the free version only allows one job opening and one candidate pool, BreezyHR’s Bootstrap plan may suit small businesses with limited hiring needs. Many of the advanced features and automation options are available with paid plans.
3. Dover
Price: This ATS is free for unlimited jobs, users and candidates.
Key features:
- All-in-one platform with built-in sourcing, scheduling, careers page and application review
- Quick review page that allows you to see candidates in one place
- AI-powered resume screening to help save time identifying strong matches
Dover’s free ATS is designed to streamline recruitment for startups and in-house recruiting teams at companies with between one and 250 employees. Dover can automatically rank applicants, helping you identify strong matches for open roles. It also integrates with Slack, allowing you to receive candidate notifications within your existing workflow.
Dover also provides tools for tracking and scheduling candidates as well as a candidate profile view that includes interview stages, notes and communication history to help you monitor progress throughout the hiring process.
4. iKrut
Price: A free version is available or you can opt for a four-week free trial of the upgraded version.
Key features:
- Job and candidate management tools
- Unlimited job board postings
- Basic reports
This software includes core ATS functions, such as management tools and customer support. You can post an unlimited number of jobs and have unlimited users. It also lets you post to social networks to reach more candidates.
iKrut is mobile-compatible and features an online interview scheduling tool. Premium options provide automation features, additional reports and advanced communication tools.
5. Jobsoid
Price: The Beginner plan is free and includes one user account and unlimited candidates.
Key features:
- One-click job board postings
- Branded career site
- Compatible with iOS and Android
The Jobsoid Beginner applicant tracking system is a free option for startups and small businesses. You get one user account and one job posting with this version. The branded career portal can help support your employer brand, and integration with your website is available.
Jobsoid offers limited online support for free customers. It does not include a resume scanner in its free plan, though that feature is available in paid versions.
6. OpenCATS
Price: Free
Key features:
- Works on local computers or a local network with customized access for multiple users
- Allows unlimited job openings, candidates and users
- Ability to brand OpenCATS with your company logo, career pages and emails
OpenCATS is open-source software, which means users can modify the software for free. This can make it a flexible option for employers with technical support in place.
Because it’s open source, you’re responsible for managing security and maintenance. OpenCATS does not have a dedicated customer support department, so troubleshooting and updates are handled independently.
7. Zoho Recruit
Price: Zoho Recruit is free for managing one active job.
Key features:
- Simple resume search
- Access to five email templates
- Supports 26 languages
Zoho Recruit offers a free, cloud-based ATS plan with limited functionality. Basic candidate management, email management, interview scheduling and contact management are part of its main features.
Upgrading to paid plans provides access to more features, such as resume parsing, automated emails and expanded capacity for various tools.
What to look for when choosing applicant tracking system software
Free ATS software varies in design, features and limitations. When comparing options, focus on the features that matter most to your hiring volume, team size and workflow.
1. Screening and sorting tools
If your main challenge is reviewing a large number of applications, start here. Look for features such as screener questions, candidate filters, resume parsing and sorting tools that help you identify relevant applicants faster.
2. Resume parsing and search
Resume parsing can save time by extracting and organizing candidate information. If a free plan doesn’t include parsing, check whether search tools still make it easy to find candidates by skill, title or keyword.
3. Filters and tagging
Tagging helps you organize candidates by skills, experience, role fit or hiring stage. Strong filtering tools can make a bigger difference than a longer feature list if your goal is fast application review.
4. Job posting and candidate sourcing
Some ATS platforms let you distribute job posts across multiple job boards from one dashboard. Others support career sites, sourcing tools or social sharing that can help build a more relevant candidate pipeline.
If you use an ATS that integrates with Indeed, your jobs may be included in Indeed search results through ATS Sync integrations.
5. Communication
Regular and clear communication with job seekers helps you build relationships with leads. Communication tools such as interview scheduling, email templates and automated follow-ups can help keep the hiring process moving.
6. Collaboration
If multiple people review candidates, look for shared notes, role-based access and workflow visibility. Collaboration features can reduce back-and-forth and help hiring teams stay aligned on candidate status.
7. Report generation and analytics
Reporting tools can help you understand where candidates are coming from, how long hiring stages take and where applicants drop off. Even basic analytics can help you improve hiring efficiency over time.
8. Career pages
Many ATS platforms offer branded career pages that automatically update with open roles. This can help you present a more consistent hiring experience while making openings easy to find.
9. Mobile access
Mobile-friendly ATS tools can help you review applicants, respond to candidates and move hiring forward when you’re away from your desk.
10. User-friendliness and support
A simple interface can save time, especially for smaller teams without a dedicated recruiter or ATS administrator. Also, compare the level of customer support included with a free plan, since some tools offer only self-service documentation.
Free ATS tools can help small businesses and growing employers automate early hiring tasks such as application sorting, candidate tracking and interview coordination. If your top priority is sorting a large number of applications, focus on screening, filtering and workflow tools first, then compare limits on jobs, users and support.
