# 9 Best Free Applicant Tracking Software 2026 | Capterra

> Learn about and compare the 9 best free Applicant Tracking software in 2026. Understand the pros and cons and cost of each tool to narrow your choices.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software/s/free

---

# Best Free Applicant Tracking Software in 2025

Last updated on September 15, 2025

Written by [Brian Westfall](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bwestfall/)

Writer

Edited by [Caroline Rousseau](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/)

Editor

Need help?

Tell us your requirements and get a personalized shortlist of the best software.

Operating on thin margins, small businesses often lack the resources necessary to find and hire the best employees. Free applicant tracking system software helps by giving these businesses digital tools to support their hiring needs without adding cost. Available as either forever free or free trial versions, these solutions offer basic functionality to manage job applicants through recruiting and hiring workflows.

To help you find the right free applicant tracking software with either a free plan or free trial, we analyzed nearly 9,000 verified user reviews and 453 products, to identify the most important features, benefits, and limitations of free solutions.[\[1\]](#footnotes)

## 9 best free or free trial applicant tracking software

[

Zoho Recruit

](#16fd484f-fdcc-440e-b91e-a6d200b7a22f)

Highest rated

4.5 (1202)

[

Workable

](#c960ddcf-5d9f-436a-a845-a6d200b77ff8)

Highly rated for Application Management

4.4 (661)

[

ApplicantStack

](#3fd8b461-f60e-44e6-8b55-a6d200b2b406)

Highly rated for Job Posting

4.4 (1555)

[

CEIPAL ATS

](#bc1990eb-6a6d-40c1-9a19-a6d200b3246c)

Highly rated for Candidate Profiles

4.6 (1261)

[

Recruit CRM

](#9ac8d32b-f025-4299-9131-a87800990c0f)

Highly rated for Functionality

4.9 (464)

[

Loxo

](#3f10303b-9387-4b3d-b1a8-a7ae0060fec7)

Highly rated for Customer Support

4.6 (131)

[

Breezy

](#2a9b23f9-5a03-4869-be37-a6d200b2fce1)

Highly rated for Ease of Use

4.5 (1419)

[

JazzHR

](#bd53e341-2f0c-4860-9420-a6d200b4bc5a)

Highly rated for Resume Storage

4.3 (491)

[

Recruiterflow

](#6705bb91-8c5c-42e1-9b23-a7bd00b2b6ba)

Highly rated for Candidate Tracking

4.7 (332)

[Explore our full Applicant Tracking solutions](https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software/)

### How we picked the software on this list

All the tools listed below are featured in the [2024 Capterra Shortlist for Applicant Tracking](https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software/shortlist/). To qualify, each tool offers either a forever free plan or free trial, at least 20 user reviews in the past two years as of November 2024, and an overall rating of 4 and above. Preference is given to products that are always free over those simply offering a free trial.

Our analysis of thousands of user reviews highlights key insights about user experiences with these platforms, offering valuable feedback on functionality, ease of use, customer support, and value for money.

* * *

[4.5 (1202)](https://www.capterra.com/p/125768/Zoho-Recruit/reviews/)

Highest rated

Highest rated

Starting Price:

$30.00

Per User,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 44 reviews

User rating:

59% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Zoho Recruit automates the hiring process by finding candidates from multiple sources and then helps you find the right candidate with a data-driven tracking system. This cloud-based platform is part of the Zoho suite of applications, making it a good fit for businesses that already use some of those tools. Out of the most popular free applicant tracking tools on Capterra, Zoho Recruit is the highest rated.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Email templates**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 5 out of 5. They appreciate Zoho Recruit's email templates for their customizability and ease of use. They report that these templates help streamline communication with candidates, allowing for automatic email sending to both accepted and non-accepted candidates. Users find that email templates assist in reaching out to more profiles efficiently, which is particularly valuable in the digital age, where email communication holds significant influence.

**Applicant tracking**

Reviewers rate this feature 4.8 out of 5; they indicate that Zoho Recruit's applicant tracking capabilities are highly efficient and user-friendly. They find the system helps keep data organized by tracking applicant status and using filters. Users appreciate the integration with popular job boards, collaboration tools, and customizable options. They say it simplifies managing job postings and tracking applicants, making the recruitment process less time-consuming and more effective.

**Candidate tracking**

Users give this feature a rating of 4.7 out of 5. They report that Zoho Recruit's candidate tracking is highly useful for monitoring the status of candidates throughout the recruitment process. They find it saves time and ensures efficiency. Reviewers highlight the ability to keep records, track documentation, and manage communication history. They appreciate the automated notifications and the ease of moving candidates through different stages, including the final hire, with simple drag-and-drop functionality.

Pros & Cons

Marrien T.

Marketing and Advertising, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: I used a free trial

"After setting up automation, custom fields, templates, and pipelines, our workflow became significantly faster and more organized. While there’s still room for UI improvement and quicker support, it remains a reliable and cost-efficient tool for managing continuous recruitment."

CS

Carlos S.

Staffing and Recruiting, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: I used a free trial

"The visual appearance and easy integration of the "Career Site" and "Candidate web forms" with your own website in Zoho Recruit, are among the best I found when benchmarking similar software."

Syed A.

Computer Software, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"Lastly, for high-volume recruitment or staffing agencies, scaling workflows and managing large datasets can sometimes feel less seamless compared to more specialized enterprise ATS solutions."

DT

David T.

Management Consulting, Self-employed

Used the software for: I used a free trial

"The only feature that is currently missing for me is setting job postings on the career site to automatically be hidden after the closing date."

Pricing

Zoho Recruit’s forever free version allows for one active job at a time and offers basic features for freelancers and startups. Upgrading to the Standard plan gets you 100 active jobs at a time for $25 per user per month (billed annually). The Professional tier ups the job limit to 250 and costs $50 per user per month.

[Learn more about Zoho Recruit pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/125768/Zoho-Recruit/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Slack** is a messaging and collaboration tool. Zoho Recruit integrates with Slack to automatically share candidate details and status updates with your recruiting team.
    
-   **Mailchimp** is an email marketing platform that can synchronize applicant names and email addresses with Zoho Recruit.
    
-   **Google Workspace** is an online productivity suite. Zoho Recruit’s integration with Workspace allows you to sync contacts, users, and calendars between the two platforms.
    

[Learn more about Zoho Recruit](https://www.capterra.com/p/125768/Zoho-Recruit/)

* * *

[### Breezy](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/)

[4.5 (1419)](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/reviews/)

Highly rated for Ease of Use

Highly rated for Ease of Use

[View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/)

Starting Price:

$189.00

Flat Rate,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 19 reviews

User rating:

ST

61% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Breezy simplifies the hiring process for small and midsize businesses with drag-and-drop candidate pipelines. Among the most popular free applicant tracking tools on Capterra, Breezy is the highest rated for ease of use. It covers everything from job posting and screening to interview scheduling and onboarding.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Resume storage**

Reviewers rate this feature 5 out of 5. They appreciate Breezy's resume storage capabilities. They report that it is easy to upload resumes and find them when needed. Users indicate that resumes are stored securely within Breezy and can be accessed anytime. They find the resumes easy to read and reference quickly, which they say is a valuable aspect of Breezy.

**Mobile access**

Users give this feature a rating of 4.6 out of 5. They report that Breezy's mobile access is convenient and easy to use. They indicate that the mobile platform offers many of the same functionalities as the desktop version, allowing them to check job boards and applicants from anywhere. Reviewers feel that mobile access is critical for high-volume hiring businesses, although some mention that the mobile app is not as good as the desktop version.

**Social media integration**

Reviewers rate this feature 4.6 out of 5. They appreciate Breezy's social media integration capabilities. They report that adding social media accounts with one click is very easy and helpful for marketing company culture and recruiting efforts. Users indicate that Breezy does a good job finding users and auto-populating social links, making life easier. They also find it easy to set up promotions through Breezy's social media integration.

Pros & Cons

MH

Michael H.

Information Technology and Services, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"I’d never used it before. Once I logged in and adjusted my notification preferences (to avoid getting emails for every application), the experience was great and I was able to quickly start reviewing applicants."

SQ

Samantha Q.

Food & Beverages, 1,001-5,000 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"There’s still room for improvement in reporting and integrations, but overall it’s a reliable and efficient tool for managing candidates."

SQ

Samantha Q.

Food & Beverages, 1,001-5,000 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"Occasionally, integrations with other HR tools or calendar systems can be a bit inconsistent."

EB

Elio B.

Management Consulting, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"The software does not allow unsending of emails at any point of implementation."

Pricing

The forever free version of Breezy provides basic features for recruiting one position. The Startup plan costs $157 per month when billed annually and supports more job postings. The Growth tier adds automated reference checking and other advanced features for $273 per month.  Larger companies can get management features with the Business plan for $439 per month.

[Learn more about Breezy pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Google Workspace** is an online productivity platform. Breezy can sync user data like names and email addresses with Workspace.
    
-   **Google Analytics 360** helps measure your web presence. It can integrate with Breezy to help you analyze the reach of job postings and find more candidates.
    
-   **Indeed** is a career-focused site with job listings. Breezy users can post jobs and find candidates with Indeed.
    

[Learn more about Breezy](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/)

* * *

[### Loxo](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/)

[4.6 (131)](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/reviews/)

Highly rated for Customer Support

Highly rated for Customer Support

[View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/)

Starting Price:

Not provided by vendor

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Resume Storage

Based on 11 reviews

User rating:

RT

79% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Loxo is a talent intelligence platform that incorporates AI to automate the recruiting process. It includes an applicant tracking module, a recruiting CRM tool, and a campaign-focused approach to recruitment. Out of the most popular applicant tracking tools on Capterra, Loxo is the highest rated for customer support.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Candidate management**

Reviewers appreciate Loxo's candidate management capabilities, rating them 4.5 out of 5. They highlight the automation and drip-marketing aspects, which help maintain communication and ensure candidates don't slip through the cracks. Users report an improved candidate experience and find everything easily accessible. They say the drag-and-drop process initiates seamless communication appropriate for each stage. However, some reviewers mention that Loxo is not an end-to-end recruitment service.

**Candidate tracking**

Reviewers indicate Loxo's candidate tracking capabilities are valuable for managing the hiring process; they give them a feature rating of 4.5 out of 5. They appreciate the clean and modern UI/UX, customizable job stages, and the ability to track candidates easily. Users find it simple to manage the candidate funnel and identify where to focus. They mention the drag-and-drop functionality throughout the recruitment cycle as helpful. However, some note the inability to schedule interviews or format CVs within the system.

**Job posting**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.5 out of 5. They report that Loxo's job posting capabilities are easy to use and integrate well with their websites. They appreciate the seamless integration for creating a careers page and the ability to post to job boards with one click. Reviewers find it convenient to duplicate and update job postings. They mention that Loxo syndicates postings to popular job boards, though some note it primarily posts to Zip Recruiter unless additional fees are paid.

Pros & Cons

Thais C.

Staffing and Recruiting, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: 6-12 months

"The integration allows setting up outreach searches and tasks outside regular hours, which is super helpful as I recruit across multiple time zones."

Lexi J.

Accounting, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"Recruiting is a grind, and they do a great job at making it as simple as possible. Whether it's the layout and applicant tracking features, or the lists that shave off days to fill when working on a new req."

Sean M.

Staffing and Recruiting, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: 1-2 years

"Very expensive for what the platform delivers, w/ 5% increases every yr and high integration costs, transferring my old DB was a shit show and rushed to review it, but the errors showed up months after- too late at that point to get them to fix unless u want to pay."

Sean M.

Staffing and Recruiting, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: 1-2 years

"Weak results from job board postings, especially free boards"

Pricing

Loxo offers a free version with ATS and CRM features for up to 5 seats and unlimited jobs. The Starter tier costs $119 per user per month and adds the AI-enabled Source, Outreach, and Connect features for automating the candidate pipeline.

[Learn more about Loxo pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Mailchimp** is an email marketing platform. Loxo can sync candidate data, such as names and email addresses, with Mailchimp.
    
-   **Gmail** is a free web-based email app. Loxo’s Gmail integration syncs candidate data with the CRM module.
    
-   **ZipRecruiter** is a hiring site. Loxo can automatically post job listings to ZipRecruiter and manage candidates found on the site.
    

[Learn more about Loxo](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/)

* * *

[### Recruit CRM](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/)

[4.9 (464)](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/reviews/)

Highly rated for Functionality

Highly rated for Functionality

[View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/)

Starting Price:

$100.00

Per User,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 33 reviews

User rating:

JM

90% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Recruit CRM is an applicant tracking system and a CRM application designed for executive search and general recruiting needs. Among the most popular applicant tracking tools on Capterra, Recruit CRM is the highest-rated for functionality. Recruit CRM uses AI to automate resume parsing, candidate matching, and other everyday tasks, helping small teams do more with less.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Candidate management**

Reviewers appreciate Recruit CRM's candidate management capabilities; they rate this feature 4.6 out of 5. They highlight the ability to store all critical information in one place, customize hiring pipelines, and track candidate progress effectively. Users report that the system supports frequent communication with candidates and reduces errors due to manual recording. They find the customizable fields and Kanban-style workflow particularly valuable. Reviewers indicate that the tool is user-friendly and provides a clear overview of candidate stages, making it easier to manage the recruitment process end-to-end.

**Job posting**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 3.6 out of 5. They indicate that Recruit CRM's job posting capabilities are helpful for managing staffing and recruiting. They appreciate the integration with websites and external job boards, including Logic Melon, which simplifies the posting process. Users report that the system allows for automatic job postings on important job boards, resulting in immediate applications. They find the initial setup easy and the API useful for creating a great UI. However, some reviewers feel that more options for posting jobs would be beneficial.

Pros & Cons

SG

Sasha G.

Staffing and Recruiting, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: 1-2 years

"You can easily customize all fields and features for managing candidates and positions based on your needs -the level of customization is truly outstanding."

Nicky C.

Staffing and Recruiting, Self-employed

Used the software for: 6-12 months

"Also, there is a monthly rolling contract option which is refreshing when everyone else seems to want 12 months commitment. Since I've been with RecruitCRM, the development is huge and the new features just keep coming, they clearly have a drive for continuous improvement and it's needed in this era of AI."

IP

Isabelle P.

Staffing and Recruiting, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"Not being able to accurately detect duplicate candidate profiles, no prompts to suggest what step or what features we should take"

TR

Tony R.

Staffing and Recruiting, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"I thought we received two free credits each month with the Organic job posting plan, but they didn’t show up."

Pricing

Recruit CRM offers an unlimited free trial. Pricing starts at $85 per user per month when billed annually for the Pro plan. The Business plan adds more automation features and provides developers access to Recruit CRM’s API for $125 per user per month.

[Learn more about Recruit CRM pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Google Workspace** is an online productivity platform. The Recruit CRM integration can sync users and appointments with Workspace.
    
-   **Microsoft 365** is a cloud-based productivity suite that can integrate with Recruit CRM to share users and calendars.
    
-   **Zoho CRM** is a cloud-based customer relationship management tool that can sync candidate data with Recruit CRM.
    

[Learn more about Recruit CRM](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/)

* * *

[### Recruiterflow](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/)

[4.7 (332)](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/reviews/)

Highly rated for Candidate Tracking

Highly rated for Candidate Tracking

[View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/)

Starting Price:

$119.00

Per User,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 58 reviews

User rating:

KT

76% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Among the most popular applicant tracking tools on Capterra, Recruiterflow was the most requested by users looking for candidate tracking features. With features like social sourcing, email automation, and job board integration, Recruiterflow aims to relieve recruiters of repetitive tasks.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Candidate tracking**

Reviewers appreciate Recruiterflow's candidate tracking capabilities, giving the feature a rating of 4.5 out of 5. They find it easy to track candidates' progress through various stages, with features like Kanban view and drag-and-drop functionality. Users report that email integration and candidate tagging help keep everyone informed. They highlight the ease of storing and searching candidate data, and the intuitive interface. However, some users wish for a portal to view only their candidates, which would improve organization and workflow.

**Candidate profiles**

Users report that Recruiterflow's candidate profiles are easy to manage and navigate; they rate this feature 4.4 out of 5. They appreciate the ability to import profiles from LinkedIn using the Chrome extension, which saves time. Reviewers indicate that custom fields and bulk upload options enhance usability. They find the profiles visually appealing and easy to review, with all necessary information available at a glance. However, some users would like improved keyword search capabilities within profiles.

**Applicant tracking candidates**

Reviewers highlight Recruiterflow's applicant tracking capabilities, noting the customizable stages of the hiring process; they rate this feature 4.4 out of 5. They find it easy to move applicants through stages and appreciate the clear marking of candidate progress. Users report that the system integrates well with job boards and keeps all information in one spot. They also mention the ease of use and visual clarity of the pipeline reporting. However, some users desire better integration with clients' systems.

Pros & Cons

GW

Geo W.

Financial Services, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: 1-2 years

"There are many features, linkedin chrome extenstion, and automations freely available which other Recruitment Platforms incurr high fees."

Daniel M.

Human Resources, 201-500 employees

Used the software for: 1-2 years

"The AI and automations save my recruiting team a ton of time."

NJ

Noel J.

Human Resources, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: 6-12 months

"I also wish we had more ability to delete activity - I will often move a candidate to the wrong stage and cannot delete it, which messes up reporting."

Tirzah K.

Hospital & Health Care, 1-10 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"Some basic bugs/feature requests of ours have not been listened to at all, which has impeded our performance."

Pricing

Recruiterflow offers a 14-day free trial. The Base plan costs $85 per user per month when billed annually and offers unlimited jobs and candidates. For $90 per user per month, the Pro plan adds API access and several customization options. The Advanced tier offers full recruitment automation for $99 per user per month.

[Learn more about Recruiterflow pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Indeed** is an online job search platform that integrates with Recruiterflow for finding candidates.
    
-   **Glassdoor** is an employer review and job search site. Recruiterflow can integrate the candidate tracking process with Glassdoor.
    
-   **Google** compiles job listings from job boards around the web. Recruiterflow’s applicant tracking features can sync with Google’s job listing data.
    

[Learn more about Recruiterflow](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/)

* * *

[4.6 (1261)](https://www.capterra.com/p/226634/CEIPAL-ATS/reviews/)

Highly rated for Candidate Profiles

Highly rated for Candidate Profiles

Starting Price:

$25.00

Per User,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 129 reviews

User rating:

SK

69% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Ceipal ATS is an AI-powered talent acquisition platform that automates much of the recruiting process, from candidate identification to hiring and onboarding. Ceipal’s AI generates interview questions based on applicant resumes for a more personalized experience. For this and other features, Ceipal ATS was the most requested by Capterra users looking for candidate profile management out of the most popular tools.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Resume parsing**

Reviewers appreciate CEIPAL ATS's resume parsing capabilities, giving the feature a rating of 4.8 out of 5. They find bulk parsing helpful for saving time, though some mention a limitation of parsing only 150 resumes per day from email. Users report that the system automatically fills out necessary details, making the process user-friendly and efficient. They say it integrates well with sources like LinkedIn and email, ensuring accurate and safe storage of documents. They highlight options for manual and bulk parsing as particularly valuable.

**Candidate management**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.7 out of 5. They indicate that CEIPAL ATS enhances recruitment efficiency and candidate experience. They appreciate the comprehensive candidate management capabilities, including tracking profiles, resumes, and communication history. Users report that the system simplifies sourcing, screening, and onboarding, with access to multiple job boards and advanced search options. They find it useful for finding experienced candidates and matching profiles to job requirements. They also mention that it supports data-driven decision-making and ensures compliance.

**Recruitment management**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.6 out of 5. They report that CEIPAL ATS centralizes and automates the hiring process, making recruitment management efficient and hands-on. They appreciate the ability to track and monitor all activities, from sourcing to onboarding. Reviewers indicate that the system is user-friendly and supports both large and small teams. They find it easy to post jobs, send emails to candidates, and manage the entire recruitment lifecycle. They say it helps in identifying opportunities and improving decision-making.

Pros & Cons

Ms

Madhura s.

Human Resources, 201-500 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"CEIPAL ATS offers a comprehensive suite of tools for applicant tracking, resume parsing, job posting, and candidate communication"

Sv

Satish v.

Staffing and Recruiting, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"user friendly dashboard and interface, once logged in there you can see the dashboard with pie chart for the submissions of profiles you make and list of interviewed candidates placed candidates and so on, then you can find the integrated search where you can use job boards like carrier builder, monster and dice apply the boolean and start searching profiles all the profiles are shown in algorithm with ranking system helps me to find the qualified candidate easily and can send inmail via ceipal and mail merge upto 999 which is very helpful when there a common requirement like java, python with mail merge and through responses getting the profile is very easy they'll check the JD and respond back submitting the qualified candidates to the client and getting interviews and placements through ceipal qualified candidates"

Gopal B.

Human Resources, 501-1,000 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"Updating process,, We will not get the dashboard real time, the parsing of profiles needs some customisation."

PG

Pooja G.

Computer Software, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: 1-2 years

"The user interface is obviously very outdated and has far too many clicks before you are even able to pull off a simple report."

Pricing

Ceipal is priced at $24 per user per month and offers a free demo.

[Learn more about CEIPAL ATS pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/226634/CEIPAL-ATS/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Google Drive** is an online storage platform that can integrate with Ceipal ATS for storing resumes and other candidate data.
    
-   **Dropbox Business** is a web-based document sharing solution that integrates with Ceipal ATS for sharing files with candidates.
    
-   **Microsoft 365** is an online productivity suite that can sync users and calendar data with Ceipal ATS.
    

[Learn more about CEIPAL ATS](https://www.capterra.com/p/226634/CEIPAL-ATS/)

* * *

[4.4 (661)](https://www.capterra.com/p/130175/Workable/reviews/)

Highly rated for Application Management

Highly rated for Application Management

Starting Price:

$299.00

Usage Based,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 71 reviews

User rating:

55% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Workable is an employee management system that aids the recruiting and onboarding processes. Its application management features include customizable profiles and secure document storage. Out of the most popular applicant tracking tools on Capterra, Workable was the most requested by users looking for application management features.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Candidate management**

Reviewers rate this feature 4.7 out of 5. They appreciate Workable's robust candidate management capabilities. They highlight the automatic record-keeping of emails, documents, and timings. Users report that Workable helps in developing and maintaining connections with both active and passive job seekers. They find it easy to message and communicate with candidates, especially with integrations to Microsoft and Google office products. Users also mention the ability to link Workable to internal HR systems and mail systems, facilitating direct communication with HR and candidates.

**Applicant tracking**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.5 out of 5. They indicate that Workable's applicant tracking capabilities are highly valuable. They appreciate the vertical interface that allows easy ranking of candidates by qualifications. Users find the timeline feature helpful for tracking all communications and actions with candidates, ensuring smooth follow-ups. They report that the system is intuitive, with easy workflows for moving candidates through stages. However, some users mention occasional issues with the system getting stuck, potentially due to internet problems. Overall, they find it easy to manage and track applicants.

**Candidate profiles**

Reviewers rate this feature 4.2 out of 5; they feel that Workable's candidate profiles are very useful. They appreciate the detailed display of applicant information and the ability to add comments for hiring needs. Users report that profiles are easy to navigate and review, with an accurate timeline for audit purposes. They find the candidate profile section helpful for sending emails to applicants. Although some information may need to be entered manually, reviewers still find this aspect of Workable beneficial for maintaining relevant candidate information.

Pros & Cons

Mai M.

Hospitality, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"We are a very small boutique catering and events company so we use it for job postings and are able to post instantly to multiple message boards."

Eromal R.

Computer Networking, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: I used a free trial

"From customizing pipeline stages to tailoring application forms, it allows the hiring process to adapt to each team’s needs."

JR

Jack R.

Health, Wellness and Fitness, 201-500 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"Reporting is only powerful when paired with BI tools, and it lacks flexibility for talent pooling, CRM-style outreach, and custom workflows per region."

Yvette S.

Information Technology and Services, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"I don't like that the social media links are at the bottom of the profile page; if you have a cover letter and additional fields, you have to scroll several times to get to it, then scroll back up."

Pricing

Workable offers a 15-day free trial with all the features included in the Starter plan. The Starter plan offers recruiting features, supports up to 20 employees, and allows for 2 active jobs for $169 per month (billed monthly). Some Premium tools are optional and can be included at an extra cost; a full stack of HR features can also be added for $50 a month. The Standard tier allows for unlimited active jobs and starts at $299 per month when billed annually; an extra HR suite of features costs $39 a month.

[Learn more about Workable pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/130175/Workable/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Slack** is an online collaboration platform. Its Workable integration allows users to approve or reject offers and reply to SMS communications directly in Slack.
    
-   **Trello** is a workplace collaboration tool that can integrate employee data from Workable.
    
-   **Microsoft Excel** is a spreadsheet application. With the Excel Online Integration feature, you can manage Workable candidate data in Excel.
    

[Learn more about Workable](https://www.capterra.com/p/130175/Workable/)

* * *

[4.4 (1555)](https://www.capterra.com/p/264567/ApplicantStack/reviews/)

Highly rated for Job Posting

Highly rated for Job Posting

Starting Price:

$29.00

Flat Rate,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 50 reviews

User rating:

BB

53% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

With ApplicantStack, recruiters at small and midsize businesses can reach more candidates by posting to over 20,000 job boards. Out of the most popular applicant tracking tools on Capterra, ApplicantStack was the most requested by users looking for job posting management features.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Job posting**

Reviewers appreciate ApplicantStack's job posting capabilities; they give this feature a rating of 3.2 out of 5. They find it easy to tailor postings to specific needs and ensure visibility on search engines. Users report that templates simplify the process, allowing jobs to be launched quickly. They highlight the ease of tracking current and past job descriptions. Reviewers mention the seamless integration with platforms like Indeed. They note the importance of maintaining up-to-date information and materials. Some users feel the postings could be more attractive and mention a lack of customer support.

**Resume parsing**

Reviewers rate this feature 4.8 out of 5. They appreciate ApplicantStack's resume parsing capabilities. They find it helpful for sorting through applications quickly using specific screening questions and KO answers. Users report that the ability to view resumes without clicking on the entire profile and organizing information efficiently is valuable. They say it simplifies the initial selection process through KO questions, although some users mention they do not use this aspect of ApplicantStack.

**Candidate tracking**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4 out of 5. They indicate that ApplicantStack's candidate tracking is highly valuable for organizing candidates throughout the hiring process. They report it helps monitor stages, track candidate status, and ensure no one is lost in the shuffle. Users appreciate the ability to classify candidates as active or inactive, track contact history, and move candidates through stages easily. They find it particularly useful for keeping candidates in order and noting feedback.

Pros & Cons

HT

Heather T.

Printing, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"One of the best features for me is the ability to use screening questions WITH scoring to quickly sort through applications and identify the most qualified candidates with highest scores."

HT

Heather T.

Printing, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"The platform is also very user-friendly, both for HR professionals and candidates. While we currently don't allow managers direct access to the system due to our size, I can see how this feature would be incredibly useful for larger organizations, further streamlining the hiring process. Plus there are features we don't even use like interview forms, tasks, etc. (which would really come into play if there were more users or spread out geographical locations vs they can just come to my office or vice versa)."

KC

Kimberlee C.

Hospital & Health Care, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"There is no way to integrate the schedules into our Google calendar accounts or our actual software Axiscare."

JD

Jo D.

Staffing and Recruiting, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"Sometimes inaccuracy on monthly/comparison reports due to criteria asked for not being totally collected, so I have to review, compare and redo; slight inconvenience of not being able to permanently select "All jobs" for listings - maybe there's a default I haven't found? "

Pricing

ApplicantStack offers a 15-day free trial with all features included. Its Starter plan supports one active job posting for $30 per month. The Growth tier allows for up to 3 postings at a time and costs $50 per month. The Recruit tier allows for unlimited active job postings at $110 per month.

[Learn more about ApplicantStack pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/264567/ApplicantStack/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Google Drive** is an online storage platform that integrates with ApplicantStack for storing resumes and other documents.
    
-   **Dropbox Business** is an online document sharing app that integrates with ApplicantStack for sharing files between recruiters and candidates.
    
-   **Google Workspace** is an online productivity platform. It can integrate with ApplicantStack to sync users and calendar data.
    

[Learn more about ApplicantStack](https://www.capterra.com/p/264567/ApplicantStack/)

* * *

[### JazzHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/)

[4.3 (491)](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/reviews/)

Highly rated for Resume Storage

Highly rated for Resume Storage

[View Profile](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/)

Starting Price:

$99.00

Flat Rate,

Per Month

Free Trial

Free Version

Top rated feature:

Application Management

Based on 16 reviews

User rating:

JB

51% of reviewers rated it 5 stars

Small to midsize businesses looking to replace manual applicant tracking tools like email and spreadsheets will find a solution in JazzHR. The system allows applicants to upload multiple documents to their profile, such as resumes and cover letters. Among the most popular applicant tracking tools on Capterra, JazzHR was the most requested by users looking for resume storage.

Features

Features reviewers most value

**Candidate management**

Reviewers rate this feature 4.5 out of 5. They appreciate JazzHR's candidate management capabilities. They highlight the ability to write notes and document applicant progress, which helps in tracking and connecting with potential team members. Users report that the system is user-friendly, with processes and templates that streamline moving candidates through the hiring process. They find it easy to navigate and intuitive, although some mention the user interface feels sloppy and can be messy, particularly affecting reporting.

**Job posting**

Reviewers give this feature a rating of 4.4 out of 5. They indicate that JazzHR's job posting capabilities are streamlined and integrate seamlessly with their websites, providing a smooth user experience. They appreciate the ease of posting to multiple job boards, including major ones like Indeed and LinkedIn. Users find the process quick and simple, with the ability to automate postings and gather information in one location. They also value the software's ability to cross-post and its self-explanatory nature.

**Resume search**

Reviewers rate this feature 4.2 out of 5; they find JazzHR's resume search capabilities helpful, particularly the ability to merge old and new profiles, which is valuable for managing recurring applicants. They report using Boolean strings effectively to find resumes and appreciate the accuracy of the search function. However, some users feel that the search could be improved with more filters and better usability. They indicate that the resume search function provides detailed insights into candidates' experiences.

Pros & Cons

KC

Kate C.

Non-Profit Organization Management, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"I appreciate the candidate tracking, user interface and the ability to collaborate with both our HR Team along with the hiring managers."

NT

Nayiri T.

Leisure, Travel & Tourism, 51-200 employees

Used the software for: 6-12 months

"I like that you can add as many templates as you want so the candidate emails are quicker to send for recruiting."

RK

Rick K.

Construction, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: Less than 6 months

"The 30-day notice tied to a bill date means your “earliest cancel date” may be months away, even after you’ve clearly said you want to terminate."

LR

Lucia R.

Publishing, 11-50 employees

Used the software for: 2+ years

"Another HUGE red flag is that when you close a job on Jazz, it will not close the position on other websites it sends it to so we continue to get random calls for positions that were closed a long time ago."

Pricing

JazzHR offers a 14-day free trial with unlimited users and all features included. Pricing starts at $75 per month (billed annually) with support for 3 active job postings with the Hero plan. Additional postings can be added for $9 per job per month. Plus plan costs $269 per month and allows for up to 200 active jobs. Add-ons are available starting at $29 per month.

[Learn more about JazzHR pricing plans](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/pricing/)

Integrations

**Popular Integrations**

-   **Microsoft 365** is an online productivity platform that can sync user data with JazzHR.
    
-   **ZipRecruiter** is a job posting website. JazzHR can integrate with Indeed to manage listings and applications.
    
-   **Microsoft Teams** is a web conferencing tool. JazzHR’s remote interviews can be automatically created in Teams.
    

[Learn more about JazzHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/)

* * *

## Top free applicant tracking software at a glance

Vendor

Highly rated

Starting Price

[Zoho Recruit](https://www.capterra.com/p/125768/Zoho-Recruit/)[4.5 (1202)](https://www.capterra.com/p/125768/Zoho-Recruit/reviews/)

Rated

$30.00

Per Month

[Workable](https://www.capterra.com/p/130175/Workable/)[4.4 (661)](https://www.capterra.com/p/130175/Workable/reviews/)

Application Management

$299.00

Per Month

[ApplicantStack](https://www.capterra.com/p/264567/ApplicantStack/)[4.4 (1555)](https://www.capterra.com/p/264567/ApplicantStack/reviews/)

Job Posting

$29.00

Per Month

[CEIPAL ATS](https://www.capterra.com/p/226634/CEIPAL-ATS/)[4.6 (1261)](https://www.capterra.com/p/226634/CEIPAL-ATS/reviews/)

Candidate Profiles

$25.00

Per Month

[Recruit CRM](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/)[4.9 (464)](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/reviews/)

Functionality

$100.00

Per Month

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/174348/Recruit-CRM/)

[Loxo](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/)[4.6 (131)](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/reviews/)

Customer Support

Not provided by vendor

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/165046/Loxo/)

[Breezy](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/)[4.5 (1419)](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/reviews/)

Ease of Use

$189.00

Per Month

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/141702/Breezy-HR/)

[JazzHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/)[4.3 (491)](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/reviews/)

Resume Storage

$99.00

Per Month

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/87750/JazzHR/)

[Recruiterflow](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/)[4.7 (332)](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/reviews/)

Candidate Tracking

$119.00

Per Month

[Learn More](https://www.capterra.com/p/165636/Recruiterflow/)

Explore our 679 Applicant Tracking solutions[Browse Directory](https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software/)

## Our methodology 

Our independent and objective research is based on market demand signals along with analysis of our proprietary data, including product information and verified user ratings and reviews as of November 2024.

To be considered for this list, products had to:

-   Appear in the [Capterra Shortlist for Applicant Tracking](https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software/shortlist/).
    
-   Show evidence of offering required functionality for a given software category as demonstrated by publicly available sources, such as the vendor’s website.
    
-   Offer either a forever free version or a free trial period.
    
-   In certain cases, depending on the market, we may expand the criteria for selection of products based on our market insights to ensure we’re providing the best options for buyers. 

We took the highest-rated products in each of the listed parameters a product is “best for” unless that product already appeared on our list. In these cases, we feature the next highest-rated product. 

In our descriptions of each featured product, we include the following details: 

-   **Most valued features:** Our research team analyzed verified applicant tracking software reviews on Capterra to identify each product’s highest-rated features (among features with at least five reviews). We then summarized user sentiment using real reviews for each feature. Please note some of the highest-rated features for a given product may not be included in its free version. 
-   **Review excerpts selection**: Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, sentiment, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Capterra or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar.
    
-   **Popular integrations:** We identified integrations from our internal database and selected products considered as “most popular” based on how often they were cited by users as integrating with products in the category.
    

## What is applicant tracking software?

[Applicant tracking software](https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software/) helps businesses manage processes related to sourcing, screening, and hiring employees. Using applicant tracking software, employers can post job openings, create job candidate profiles, and track applicants through different stages of the recruiting process. Many platforms also have the functionality to schedule interviews, administer skills assessments, order background checks, and onboard new hires.

These systems typically integrate with [HR software systems](https://www.capterra.com/human-resource-software/) so businesses can manage the entire employee lifecycle, from hire to retire, within a single platform.

## What is free applicant tracking software?

“Free” applicant tracking software typically comes in two forms: a forever free version and a free trial version. Let’s look at these two options in more detail.

### Forever free options (free version with limited features)

A forever free applicant tracking system gives users free access to basic applicant tracking functionality without a set time limit. The tradeoff is that these systems often have limits on the features you can use, among other constraints.

For example, a forever free system will let you post job openings and track applicants through your recruiting processes for a small number of job openings, but you may have to upgrade to a paid plan if you want to continue using the system for any additional job openings after you’ve hit your limit. There can be other limits on the number of users you can have, the amount of job candidates you can track, or the amount of resumes you can store at one time, as well.

If you’re a brand new business with a small number of employees just trying to get basic recruiting needs in place, a forever free applicant tracking system can be a great solution. With 163 vendors listed on our site with forever free versions, there are plenty of options if you’re looking for truly free applicant tracking software that matches your needs.

### Free trial options (time-limited free access)

Free trials of applicant tracking software provide full availability to all of its features for free but only for a limited time (usually 14 to 30 days). With a free trial, you typically have no limits on the features you can access, the amount of storage you can use, or how many users you can have. However, once the free trial period has ended, you either have to upgrade to a paid plan or lose access to the software.

Free trials are great for those who want to get their hands on a software system before making a purchase decision. We find that successful software buyers are 25% more likely to factor trial periods in their purchase decision than those who regret their software purchase, making the trial period critical to fully understanding a given product.[\[2\]](#footnotes) We have 421 applicant tracking software vendors listed on our site with free trials, giving you a ton of options to find the best system for your needs.

## Features included with free applicant tracking software

All applicant tracking software systems have core features like job posting, candidate profiles, and candidate tracking. Forever free software may not give you access to all the features you’re looking for, however.

To help, here are features that are usually standard and those typically not included in free software offerings, along with an analysis of our user reviews to learn which features matter most to them.

### Core features available in free applicant tracking software

-   **Limited job posting**: Post and manage a handful of job openings on your careers page or other external job boards. 88% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
    
-   **Basic candidate tracking**: See the status of various job candidates in your recruiting pipeline. 94% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
    

### Common features of free applicant tracking software

-   **Basic candidate profiles**: Pull important information from resumes to keep track of information like desired role, skills, experience, and more. 91% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
    
-   **Simple resume and application management**: View and keep track of resumes/applications from candidates who have applied to your job postings. 89% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
    
-   **Basic interview scheduling**: Schedule a day and time for interviews with job candidates. 79% rate this feature as critical or highly important.
    

### Features not typically included in free applicant tracking software

-   **Onboarding**: Automates processes and paperwork related to onboarding new hires.
    
-   **Candidate sourcing**: Find potential candidates online for job openings.
    
-   **Background checks**: Order and track the status of background checks on job applicants.
    
-   **Resume parsing**: Have the system automatically find resumes and applications with important keywords or phrases.
    
-   **Assessment management**: Create and administer skills assessments to test candidates on their skills and knowledge.
    
-   **Advanced analytics and reporting**: Generate custom dashboards and reports to track important recruiting metrics.
    

## Benefits of using free applicant tracking software

Even with its limitations, free applicant tracking software can still provide a number of benefits over more manual methods like paper files and spreadsheets. When our software advisors talk to HR software buyers who are currently relying on manual methods—including those looking for applicant tracking software—over two-thirds (68%) talk about how inefficient they are.[\[3\]](#footnotes) 

Businesses that rely on manual methods are forced to do all their recruiting tasks by hand, which requires a lot of time and energy just to stay on top of their hiring needs. This results in them spending less time on other priorities or making less-than-optimal hiring decisions—both of which can have significant consequences for a growing company. Applicant tracking software can automate routine recruiting tasks and give businesses the tools to achieve better recruiting outcomes with less effort.

Our analysis of user reviews reveals some other benefits that you can get from applicant tracking software, even if it’s free:

-   **Better recruiting collaboration and communication**: Between recruiters, hiring managers, and the candidates themselves, there are many stakeholders involved in the recruiting process. Users say applicant tracking software helps keep everyone informed and allows different parties to come together more easily to evaluate candidates and make hiring decisions.
    
-   **More standardized recruiting processes**: Building consistency and a standard of expectations into the recruiting process will produce better hiring outcomes. Through customization options and templates for things like job interviews, users say applicant tracking software makes their processes more consistent and of a higher quality.
    
-   **Improved data management and security**: Job applications often include sensitive information, like Social Security numbers, that you don’t want in the wrong hands. Users say applicant tracking software not only improves data security, but makes it easier to find, sort, and filter all the applicant data they have on hand.
    

## What to look for in free applicant tracking software

When evaluating different free applicant tracking software options, here are some things to keep an eye out for:

### Hidden costs and fees

While the software itself might be free, ancillary services like customer support, user training, or data migration may cost you. It’s also important to know your specific limitations with a free software system (with users, job openings, etc.) because you could be charged if you surpass those limits by accident.

### Upgrade pathway

If you plan to adopt a paid system down the line, take note of how you can move from a free tier to a paid one. If moving to a paid tier still doesn’t give you the functionality you need, or comes at too high a cost, it’s worthwhile to seek out better free options that you might be able to grow into more seamlessly.

### Open source

Some free applicant tracking systems may be open source, which means you can download the source code and customize it to your needs. However, be aware that open source systems may require more IT resources and support on your end to maintain them over time.

## How to choose free applicant tracking software

It’s important to ensure you’re taking the right steps to land on the best free applicant tracking software for both your current and future needs. Here are some tips for how you can arrive at the right decision:

### 1\. Identify your feature needs

What are the specific parts of your recruiting process that need software support? Honing in on those features you absolutely need can help you eliminate free systems that don’t meet your requirements for your search, as well as paid products that have more features than necessary.

### 2\. Consider your growth trajectory

If you’re a growing business that plans to do a lot of hiring in the near future or have plans to add members to your recruiting team, you will likely outgrow a forever free software system fairly quickly—making a free trial option more appealing. On the other hand, if your hiring needs are going to be consistently minimal, a forever free software system might make more sense.

### 3\. Leverage the right tools to create your shortlist

We find that successful buyers average almost one whole product less on their researched shortlist than those who regret their purchase. Your goal when researching different free products should be to arrive at a maximum of three options, so you can engage with vendors more thoroughly.

Check out [Capterra Shortlist for Applicant Tracking](https://www.capterra.com/applicant-tracking-software/shortlist/), our [software comparison tool](https://www.capterra.com/resources/capterra-software-comparison-tool/), and read verified reviews to identify the most promising options.

## Common limitations of using free applicant tracking software

Free applicant tracking software systems typically have at least one of the following limitations:

-   A cap on the number of job openings you can recruit for at one time
    
-   A limit on the number of users you can have
    
-   A limit on the amount of resumes or job applications you can store
    

You’ll likely run into feature limits, as well. For example, a free system might let you post your job openings to your careers page, but will start charging if you want to post them to external job boards. The same goes for reporting and analytics; you may have access to basic features here, but if you want more customizable reports or more in-depth analytics features, it will cost you.

## When to consider free vs paid applicant tracking software

Free applicant tracking software is a great option for new businesses that aren’t doing a ton of hiring, and want something more useful than spreadsheets or paper files for their recruiting needs. All businesses should take advantage of free trial periods to test out applicant tracking software before they make a purchase decision.

Consider upgrading to paid solutions when you:

-   Start hiring for more than 2-3 job openings at a time
    
-   Have multiple recruiters that use the system
    
-   Need more features to automate candidate screening and evaluation
    
-   Desire more advanced and customizable data analysis tools
    
-   Want to monitor how new hires perform over time
    

You may also want to consider a more comprehensive [HR software system](https://www.capterra.com/human-resource-software/). Many of these tools, even [free ones](https://www.capterra.com/human-resource-software/s/free/), have applicant tracking functionality built-in alongside modules to support other core HR needs, like payroll and time and attendance. 

## What is the cost to upgrade from free applicant tracking software to a paid system?

If cost is the main factor driving your interest in free applicant tracking software, you should know that paid applicant tracking systems can be incredibly affordable. Most systems are priced on a per-month subscription basis that scales based on the number of users or employees you have, and how advanced the functionality is. Typical pricing looks like this[\[4\]](#footnotes):

-   **Entry-level** plans start as little as $6/month. You’ll get core features that can be used by a few people at a time.
    
-   **Mid-tier** plans start at $60/month and give you access to more users along with features like onboarding and resume parsing.
    
-   **Higher-end** plans can start around $150/month but go up to $10,000 or more depending on the number of users you need and the built-in functionality for things like candidate sourcing and advanced analytics.
    

Just over half (51%) of the buyers our advisors have talked to who have been looking for applicant tracking software in the past year budget $5 to $10 per employee per month.

## FAQs

Why do you need an applicant tracking system?

As companies grow, having an applicant tracking system becomes more important to hire the right people more efficiently. Applicant tracking systems can help market job openings, find the best candidates, and help companies make more informed hiring decisions.

What kind of free ATS options are available?

There are over 450 free applicant tracking system (ATS) options on Capterra, that either offer a free trial period or are forever free.

Who are free applicant tracking systems suitable for?

Free applicant tracking systems are great for new businesses that want a basic system to support their hiring needs. If they’re able to work within the system’s limits, a free applicant tracking system offers numerous advantages over more manual methods like paper files or spreadsheets.

What are the standard features that free ATSs offer?

Nearly all free ATSs will have core features like job posting and basic candidate tracking. Many also have common features such as candidate profiles, resume and application management, and interview scheduling.

What features are missing from a free ATS?

A free ATS is unlikely to have more advanced features, such as onboarding, candidate sourcing, skills assessments, or background checks. These systems also typically only offer very basic reporting and analytics functionality.

**Sources**

1.  **Capterra reviews data**: Capterra reviews are collected from verified users for individual software products. For this report, we analyzed reviews from the past two years of the research. Research was conducted in November 2024. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology).
    
2.  **Capterra’s 2025 Tech Trends Survey** was conducted online in August 2024 among 3,500 respondents in the U.S. (n=700), U.K. (n=350), Canada (n=350), Australia (n=350), France (n=350), India (n=350), Germany (n=350), Brazil (n=350), and Japan (n=350), at businesses across multiple industries and company sizes (five or more employees). The survey was designed to understand the timeline, organizational challenges, adoption & budget, vendor research behaviors, ROI expectations, and satisfaction levels for software buyers. Respondents were screened to ensure their involvement in business software purchasing decisions.
    
3.  **Capterra advisor call notes**: Findings are based on data from telephonic conversations that Capterra’s advisor team had with small-to-midsize businesses seeking HR tools. For this report, we analyzed phone interactions from the past year of the research. Research was conducted in November 2024. [Read the complete methodology](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#software-buyers-guides-methodology).
    

[Brian Westfall](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bwestfall/)

Associate Principal HR Analyst Experience I worked at Capterra for over a decade, becoming a trusted thought leader on all aspects of the HR technology market. I have a passion for helping organizations cultivate a great place to work, and I draw on my eye for detail, curious nature, and ability to distill information in engaging formats to help them do so. Prior to joining Capterra, I honed my writing skills doing journalism for various newspapers, creating social media content for businesses,...

[Caroline Rousseau](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/)

Caroline Rousseau is a content editor at Capterra. A former content analyst, Caroline has, for the past five years, built, written, and edited research reports about technological trends, opportunities, and challenges with a small and midsize business audience in mind. Her content has been featured in French tier 1 media including Le Monde, L’Express, and Le Figaro, among other publications. Her previous experience as a graphic designer, translator, and LQA specialist in various industries...

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Talk to a Capterra advisor for free and get results within 15 minutes.