Choosing an applicant tracking system (ATS) is a high‑stakes decision because the software you adopt shapes your hiring process for years to come.
Recruiting teams at enterprises and mid‑sized companies need more than basic resume storage; they need automation, analytics and candidate‑centric workflows that enable them to compete for scarce talent.
We’re here to make things easier for you by breaking everything down so you can compare ATS systems and choose the right one for your team!
Applicant Tracking Systems Comparison | Breakdown at a Glance
| Platform | Best for | Key Features & User Feedback | Pricing / Trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zappyhire | Large enterprises across all industries | Full AI-powered recruitment automation with chatbots, screening, reporting, and integrations. Rated 4.4/5 for robust features & strong support. | Contact vendor (Trial: On request) |
| Workday Recruiting | Large enterprises needing unified HCM | Part of Workday HCM suite with AI matching, scheduling, and integration across HR functions. 3.7/5; praised for simple use but needs full HCM. | Contact vendor (No trial) |
| iCIMS Talent Cloud | Mid-to-large enterprises | End-to-end ATS + CRM with recruitment marketing, analytics, and workflows. 4.1/5; helps surface best-fit candidates and scale. | Custom quote (Trial: Not found) |
| SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting | Global enterprises & complex recruiting | Global sourcing (80+ countries), CRM tools, and SAP integration. 4.3/5; valued for seamless SAP HR suite integration. | $2.66/user/month (No trial) |
| Greenhouse | Growing tech firms & structured hiring | Structured hiring with interview kits, sourcing dashboard, and APIs. 4.4/5; loved for simplicity and reducing bias. | Contact vendor (Likely demos) |
| Lever | Mid-market companies focusing on relationships | Combines ATS + CRM with collaboration, templates, and automation. 4.3/5; users highlight clean UI and strong candidate nurturing. | Contact vendor (Likely demos) |
| BambooHR | Small & medium-sized businesses (SMBs) | All-in-one HR suite with ATS, onboarding, and communication tools. 4.4/5; intuitive but lacks advanced AI or video features. | Contact vendor (Trial: 7–14 days) |
| JazzHR | Startups & small businesses | Affordable ATS with job posting, screening, and automation. 4.4/5; praised for ease of use and quick job board posting. | $39–$79/month (Trial: Yes) |
| Bullhorn | Staffing agencies & recruitment firms | Staffing-focused ATS + CRM with parsing, tracking, and analytics. 4.2/5; strong for agencies but overkill for corporate HR. | Custom quote (No trial) |
| Zoho Recruit | SMBs & agencies needing custom workflows | Customizable ATS with parsing, job board posting, and dashboards. 4.4/5; valued for clean interface and flexible workflows. | ~$30/user/month (Trial: Yes) |
Top 10 best ATS for easy recruitment
Zappyhire – Enterprise-grade recruitment co-pilot
Zappyhire positions itself as an all‑in‑one recruitment automation platform tailored for enterprises and mid‑sized firms. The software combines automation, artificial intelligence and superior candidate experience.
- End-to-end automation – From requisitions to pre-onboarding
- AI-driven insights – 16+ data points, predictive ranking & dashboards
- Custom workflows – Drag-and-drop builder to cut manual work
- Secure & scalable – Enterprise-level integrations and encryption
Perfect for large organizations seeking scalable automation, customizable workflows and AI-backed hiring.
Workday Recruiting – Unified with Workday HCM
Workday Recruiting is part of the broader Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) suite and is designed for large enterprises. The software uses artificial intelligence to recommend candidates and centralize recruiting activities
Best for enterprises already on Workday’s HCM suite.
- Unified HR ecosystem – HCM, Learning, Payroll, Benefits
- AI & mobile recruiting – Smart candidate matching + mobile apps
- Automated workflows – Approvals, interview scheduling, reporting
- User-friendly dashboards – Compliance, collaboration, insights
Ideal for companies wanting a fully integrated HR experience.
iCIMS Talent Cloud – Comprehensive talent suite
iCIMS Talent Cloud provides a full‑fledged talent acquisition platform that includes an ATS, candidate relationship management (CRM), career‑site builder, onboarding, and analytics.
- Native recruitment marketing – Career sites, CRM campaigns, job ads
- Configurable & mobile – Flexible workflows, mobile app, e-offer letters
- Advanced analytics – Custom dashboards to track pipeline health
A top choice for mid-to-large enterprises that need CRM + marketing power.
SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting – Global reach & embedded CRM
SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting is part of the broader SuccessFactors HCM suite. It is built for multinational enterprises needing global sourcing and compliance
- Global sourcing – 4,000+ job boards across 80+ countries
- Embedded CRM – Candidate engagement via automated campaigns
- Streamlined automation – Talent pools, workflows, compliance rules
- Deep SAP integration – HCM, People Analytics, mobile access
Best for enterprises with global recruiting needs & complex workflows.
Greenhouse – Structured hiring for tech-forward teams
Greenhouse has become one of the most popular ATS platforms among tech companies and high‑growth startups. Its focus on structured hiring and candidate experience stands out
- Structured hiring – Interview kits & scorecards reduce bias
- Sourcing analytics – Channel performance & rejection insights
- Open integrations – Flexible APIs + custom career sites
Designed for teams that need structured, bias-free and agile hiring.
Lever – Relationship-driven recruiting
Lever blends applicant tracking with candidate relationship management. This makes it popular for teams that prioritize nurturing talent pools and collaboration
- ATS + CRM in one – Build pipelines, re-engage past candidates
- Collaboration tools – Notes, templates, automated reminders
- Sourcing extensions – Chrome extension + interview kits
Perfect for orgs that view recruiting as relationship-building.
BambooHR – HR suite for SMBs
BambooHR is a full HR platform with an ATS module aimed at small and mid‑sized businesses (SMBs) rather than enterprises. Its strengths lie in simplicity and employee management
- All-in-one HR – Employee data, onboarding, benefits, reviews
- ATS essentials – Multi-board postings, interview scheduling
- Built-in communication – Team collaboration & templates
Great for SMBs moving off spreadsheets into simple HR tech.
JazzHR – Budget-friendly ATS for startups
JazzHR targets startups and small businesses that need essential recruiting tools without enterprise complexity.
- Custom postings & screening – Automated resume filters
- Workflow automation – Emails & tasks between stages
- Basic analytics – Track time-to-hire & candidate quality
Best for startups that need ATS basics without enterprise complexity.
Bullhorn – ATS/CRM for staffing agencies
Bullhorn is widely used in the staffing and recruiting agency industry. Its ATS is tightly integrated with customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities.
- ATS + CRM integration – Manage candidates + client orders together
- Mobile-friendly – Access profiles, reports, interview notes on the go
- Automation & analytics – Resume parsing, scheduling, reporting
Perfect for agencies needing end-to-end staffing workflows.
Zoho Recruit – Customizable ATS for SMBs & agencies
Zoho Recruit offers an affordable, customizable ATS for small businesses and recruiting agencies.
- Resume parsing & postings – Wide job board integrations
- Workflow customization – Create fields, enable social recruiting
- Dashboards & analytics – Track candidates, jobs, interviews
Great fit for SMBs or agencies that want a low-cost, customizable ATS.
FAQ
Why should you compare ATS systems before buying?
Every ATS is built differently – some focus on SMB needs, others on enterprise-grade automation. A clear applicant tracking systems comparison allows you to match your business requirements with the right platform, ensuring long-term success.
Which ATS is best for enterprise hiring?
The best ATS for enterprise hiring is one that can handle large volumes of applications, offer deep automation, integrate with your existing HR tech stack, and scale with your growth.
Zappyhire, for example, is built specifically for mid-sized and enterprise companies, making it a strong contender alongside Zoho Recruit and Workday.
What features should large companies look for in an ATS?
Recruitment teams in large companies should prioritize automation, custom workflows, advanced analytics, compliance tools, integrations with payroll and HR systems, and multi-location hiring capabilities. These ensure your ATS supports complex hiring needs without slowing down the process.
Do all ATS platforms integrate with HR software and payroll?
Not all do. Some ATS platforms offer limited integration options, while others, like Zappyhire, support API access so you can connect with any HR, payroll, or recruitment tool you already use.
Workday Recruiting, for example, is part of the Workday HCM suite and integrates seamlessly with their own payroll and HR modules for end-to-end workflows.
Similarly, SAP SuccessFactors Recruiting provides full integration within the SuccessFactors suite, ensuring global enterprises achieve comprehensive synchronization across HR processes.
Can ATS software improve candidate experience?
Absolutely. A good ATS keeps communication timely, allows easy application tracking, and offers flexible interview options (like on-demand video interviews), all of which make candidates feel valued.
Is automated video interviewing part of an ATS or a separate tool?
Some ATS platforms have video interviewing built in, while others require an integration. Zappyhire includes automated video interview capabilities, so you don’t need a separate tool.
We hope this applicant tracking systems comparison gives you clarity on the top players. Use this guide to compare ATS systems and find the one that accelerates your hiring process!
