Best Applicant Tracking System for Smarter Hiring in 2025

Hire the right talent faster with an applicant tracking system built for smarter organization and powerful automation.

Overview

Applicant Tracking System Overview

Every successful company starts with the right people. But finding and hiring them can be challenging in a competitive market. The right applicant tracking system makes hiring easier, faster, and more organized.

Did You Know?

78% of recruiters report that ATS tools make hiring easier and more productive.

65% of candidates favor applying through smooth, intuitive applicant tracking system platforms.

ATS-powered companies fill roles 55% faster, saving time and increasing efficiency.

What is an Applicant Tracking System?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is a tool that helps businesses streamline and simplify their hiring process. It automates key recruitment tasks such as posting jobs, screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and tracking candidates. With an applicant tracking system, companies can save time, cut hiring costs, and make smarter, data-driven hiring decisions.

Why Use an Applicant Tracking System?

Hiring the right people is never easy. Sorting through loading resumes, scheduling interviews, and keeping track of candidates can feel stressed. That is where a best-in-class applicant tracking system (ATS) comes in, helping your team work smarter, faster, and more efficiently. Here is why every US business should use one:

1.No More Resume Overload:
Instead of drowning in hundreds of resumes, an applicant tracking system filters and ranks candidates automatically, so you focus only on the people who truly fit the role. Spend less time sorting and more time connecting with top talent.

Set up keywords and skill filters for each role to instantly highlight your best candidates.

2.Move Beyond Spreadsheets:
Spreadsheets are hard to manage, easily break, and can cause errors. An applicant tracking system keeps everything organized in one central system of resumes, interview notes, candidate communications, and feedback making your hiring process smooth and error-free.

Use the ATS dashboard to see all your open jobs and candidates in one place. No more switch between tabs.

3.Faster Hiring, Less Waiting:
Automate repetitive tasks like job postings, interview scheduling, and candidate follow-ups. Filling positions quickly keep your business running smoothly and ensures you do not lose top candidates to competitors.

Use automated reminders for interviewers and candidates, a small step that prevents delays and no-shows.

4.Teamwork Made Easy:
Recruiting is a team effort. With an ATS, hiring managers, HR teams, and recruiters can collaborate seamlessly, share feedback instantly, and make decisions in real time. Keep everything in one place, no more missed messages.

Assign roles and permissions in the applicant tracking system, so everyone knows who handles each step of the process.

5.Job Posting in One Click:
Reach thousands of candidates with one simple click. Post your job openings instantly to LinkedIn, indeed, Glassdoor, and other top job boards. Stop wasting time on manual posting and spend more energy on connecting with talent.

Use pre-built posting templates in applicant tracking system to ensure consistent messaging across all channels.

6.Candidates Love It:
A smooth, mobile-friendly application process that keeps candidates happy and engaged. When applying is easy, top talent is more likely to complete applications and stay excited about your company.

Happy candidates mean better first impressions; your hiring process becomes part of your employer’s brand.

7.Smart Hiring with AI:
AI-powered tools in an applicant tracking system match candidates to jobs based on skills, experience, and potential, helping you make better, data-driven hiring decisions. This reduces bias, improves accuracy, and ensures you are connecting with the best fit for your team.

Use AI suggestions as a guide but always include human judgment for final decisions with the perfect balance of speed and insight.

8.Stay Legal & Secure:
Hiring in the US comes with compliance rules and data privacy requirements. A modern ATS keeps your processes legal, secure, and audit-ready, protecting both your business and your candidates.

Enable automatic compliance reminders and data security settings with less stress, fewer risks.

Benefits of Applicant Tracking:

Hiring the right people is hard. Endless resumes, back-and-forth emails, and handling multiple tools can slow your team down. That is why a modern applicant tracking system (ATS) is a game-changer for businesses helping you hire faster, work smarter, and create a better experience for candidates. Here is how an ATS makes a real difference:

1.Speeds Up Hiring: An ATS automates repetitive tasks like sorting resumes, scheduling interviews, and tracking applications. That means less time for manual work and more time connecting with top candidates.

Use automated reminders for interviewers and candidates to keep the hiring process moving smoothly.

Every day you save could mean landing that perfect candidate before a competitor does.

2.Keeps Everything Organized: Forget scattered spreadsheets, emails, and sticky notes. An ATS stores all applications in one easy-to-access system, making it simple for recruiters to find, review, and manage candidates without losing important details.

Use tags or folders to categorize candidates by role, experience, or skill. One click, everything you need.

Organized hiring = less stress for your team and focus more on finding the right people.

3.Improves Teamwork: Hiring is not a one-person job. An applicant tracking system lets hiring managers, recruiters, and HR teams collaborate smoothly. Share candidate info, leave feedback, and make decisions together, all in one place.

Assign roles and permissions so every team member knows their part in the process.

A connected team means faster decisions and better experience for candidates, and everyone feels in control.

4.Saves Time by Filtering Candidates: An applicant tracking system automatically screens resume and highlights top candidates, so recruiters do not have to go through every single application manually. Focus on your energy where it matters most.

Customize screening criteria for each role to find your best-fit candidates instantly.

Spend less time sorting and more time meeting people who could change your business.

5.Provides Useful Hiring Insights: An ATS gives you real-time reports and analytics, so you can see what is working on your hiring process and make smarter decisions for future openings. Know which job boards, sources, or strategies to bring the best candidates.

Track metrics like time-to-hire, candidate drop-off rates, and source effectiveness to continually improve your process.

Data-backed hiring means fewer mistakes and better outcomes for your team and your business.

6.Makes Applying Easier for Job Seekers: A good ATS creates a smooth, mobile-friendly application process. Candidates can apply quickly, get updates on their status, and feel valued throughout the hiring journey.

Send automated notifications to keep candidates engaged and informed at every stage.

Happy candidates are more likely to accept offers and speak positively about your company, boosting your brand effortlessly.

7.Helps Follow Hiring Laws: Businesses must follow hiring laws and data protection rules. An ATS helps ensure compliance, keeps records organized, and avoids potential legal issues.

Use built-in templates and alerts to meet local, state, and federal hiring regulations.

Protect your business while focusing on what matters most, building your dream team.

Key Features of the Best Applicant Tracking System

A top-tier applicant tracking system is not just software; it is your hiring teammate. It helps businesses save time, hire smarter, and create a better experience for candidates. Here is what to look for in the best ATS and how it can transform your recruitment process:

1.Resume Screening & Parsing: Sorting through hundreds of resumes can feel impossible. Resume screening and parsing automates the process, highlighting the best candidates for your jobs.

Extracts candidate details automatically: Pulls work history, education, and skills from resumes into an easy-to-read format.

Matches resumes with job descriptions: Uses AI to find candidates who fit your role best.

Saves valuable time: Cuts hours of manual review, letting recruiters focus on interviews and hiring decisions.

Improves hiring accuracy: Helps you catch all the top talent.

Set custom filters for skills and experience to instantly highlight top candidates.

Why it matters: Focus on people, not paperwork. The faster you find the right applicants; the sooner you build a strong team.

2.Job Posting & Distribution: A strong ATS makes sharing jobs fast, easy, and wide-reaching. Post one job and reach thousands of candidates across multiple platforms instantly.

Posts jobs everywhere with one click: Career sites, job boards, and company websites all at once.

Connects with top platforms: LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and more.

Expands reach on social media: Automatically shares jobs on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.

Attracts top talent smoothly: Find skilled candidates faster without extra work.

Use templates to standardize postings across platforms, save time, and keep your messaging consistent.

Why it matters: Reach more people, connect faster, and never miss your next star hire.

3.Interview Scheduling & Communication: Scheduling interviews manually is time-consuming and stressful. An applicant tracking system automates scheduling and communication, making life easier for recruiters and candidates.

Sends automatic interview invites: Keeps everyone informed instantly.

Syncs with calendars: Works with Google Calendar, Outlook, and other tools to avoid conflicts.

Reduces no-shows: Sends reminders to candidates and interviewers.

Eliminates back-and-forth emails: Candidates pick slots themselves, making scheduling hassle-free.

Enable automatic notifications for both interviewers and candidates; no more missed appointments.

Why it matters: A smoother interview process creates a better candidate experience and speeds up hiring.

4.Customizable Workflows: Every company hires differently. A good ATS lets you tailor your hiring process to match your needs.

Create custom hiring stages: Adjust reviews, interviews, and approvals.

Use drag-and-drop tools: Rearrange steps easily without technical skills.

Adapts to any hiring strategy: Works for high-volume hiring, executive searches, and everything in between.

Keeps hiring organized: Ensures every candidate moves through a clear, efficient process.

Map your hiring workflow once, then reuse it for future roles to save time and reduce mistakes.

Why it matters: Control your process, stay organized, and make sure every candidate gets a fair chance.

5.Analytics & Reporting: Good hiring decisions need data. An applicant tracking system provides real-time reports and insights to help HR teams understand what works and what does not work.

Tracks key metrics: Time-to-fill, cost-per-hire, and applicant sources.

Improves recruitment strategies: Highlights strengths and weaknesses in your hiring process.

Shows job posting effectiveness: Find out which platforms bring the best candidates.

Supports data-driven decisions: Make smarter hiring choices faster.

Review weekly reports to adjust postings, outreach, and screening for better results.

Why it matters: Data removes guesswork so you can hire faster, cheaper, and with confidence.
6.Collaboration Tools: Hiring is a team effort. The applicant tracking system makes teamwork simple, so recruiters, managers, and HR can work together easily.

Real-time feedback: Leave comments and review candidates together.

Improves communication: Keep everyone updated on candidate progress.

Speeds up decisions: Teams agree on top candidates faster.

Creates transparency: Everyone stays on the same page.

Use shared notes and ratings to make candidate evaluations faster and more objective.

Why it matters: Teamwork makes hiring faster, fairer, and more enjoyable for everyone.

7.Compliance & Security: Protecting candidate data and staying legal is essential. A modern ATS keeps your hiring process safe, secure, and compliant.

Follows hiring laws: Meets EEOC standards and GDPR guidelines.

Secures candidate data: Encryption and access controls prevent unauthorized access.

Ensures fair hiring: Reduces bias and discrimination risks.

Lowers legal risks: Helps prevent data leaks, fines, and legal trouble.

Enable compliance alerts to stay up to date with changing laws automatically.

Why it matters: Hire confidently, knowing your process is fair, safe, and legal.

How to Choose the Best Applicant Tracking System:

Finding the right applicant tracking system (ATS) can make the difference between a slow, stressful hiring process and a fast, smooth, and successful one. With so many options available, it is important to pick up a system that fits your company’s needs, supports your team, and helps you hire smarter, faster, and with confidence. Here is what to look for:

1.Ease of Use: The best applicant tracking system should be simple and easy to navigate. Recruiters and hiring managers should not need hours of training to get started. A clean, user-friendly interface makes hiring faster, reduces mistakes, and keeps your team motivated.

Test the system with a few users before buying, if they can complete tasks quickly without help, it is likely a good fit.

Why This Helps: A system that is easy to use means less stress for your team and more time connecting with great candidates.

2.Customization: Every company has its own hiring process. A great applicant tracking system should be flexible enough to match your workflows, approval steps, and job posting style. Look for features that allow you to customize:

Job application forms

Interview stages

Reporting dashboards

Create reusable templates for your most common roles to save hours of setup time.

Why This Helps: A customizable applicant tracking system makes your hiring process feel personal, organized, and professional.

3.Integration with HR Tools: Your applicant tracking system should work smoothly with your existing software, like HR systems, payroll, and job boards. Integration keeps data in one place, reduces double work, and keeps track of everything.

Check that your ATS can sync with your email, calendar, and communication tools for maximum efficiency.

Why This Helps: When all your tools work together, your team feels more in control and hiring becomes stress-free.

4.Cost and Value: Price matters, but the cheapest option is not always the best. Look at what you are getting for the cost: automation, analytics, reporting, and customer support all add value.

Compare features and not just price; an applicant tracking system that saves hours per week is worth the investment.

Why This Helps: Choosing the right applicant tracking system means spending wisely and investing in faster, smarter hiring.

5.Reliable Customer Support: Even the best software can have hiccups. Make sure your ATS offers fast, helpful support 24/7 chat, email, or a dedicated account manager can make all the difference.

Ask for a demo and check how responsive support is before committing.

Why This Helps: Knowing help is just a call or click away gives peace of mind to your HR team.

6.Scalability: Your company will grow, and your hiring needs will too. Picking an ATS that can scale with more job postings, larger teams, and an increasing number of applicants will not slow it down.

Make sure the system can add users, roles, and job postings without extra headaches or costs.

Why This Helps: A scalable applicant tracking system grows with your company, so your team never feels limited or stressed.

7.Mobile Accessibility: Hiring does not only happen at a desk. A mobile-friendly applicant tracking system lets your team review applications, communicate with candidates, and schedule interviews on the go.

Check the mobile app or mobile interface for ease of use. Your team should be able to complete tasks anywhere, anytime.

Why This Helps: Flexibility means recruiters can act fast, even when they are away from their desk. The top candidates will not wait.

8.Automation Features: A good applicant tracking system reduces manual work by automating repetitive tasks like:

Screening resumes

Scheduling interviews

Sending follow-up emails

Tracking candidate progress

Automation saves time, improves accuracy, and allows recruiters to focus on connecting with the best candidates.

Why This Helps: Automation does not replace humans; it frees them to make meaningful hiring decisions and build great teams.

Best Applicant Tracking Systems in 2025

Choosing the right applicant tracking system (ATS) can completely transform how your business attracts, evaluates, and hires top talent. The right ATS goes beyond simple resume tracking; it automates repetitive tasks, provides AI-powered insights, and integrates smoothly with your HR tools, so your team can hire faster, smarter, and more efficiently. Here are some of the top applicant tracking systems options for 2025:

1.Recruitment Management 365: A all-in-one hiring solution designed to simplify every step of recruitment.

Automated tasks: Screens resumes, schedules interviews, and keeps candidates updated automatically.

Seamless integrations: Works with job boards, HR software, and company career pages.

Mobile access: Manage applications anytime, anywhere perfect for on-the-go recruiters.

AI insights: Make data-driven hiring decisions with actionable analytics.

Secure and compliant: Protects candidate data while following industry regulations.

Why it matters: Recruitment Management 365 is perfect for businesses that want a complete, automated hiring solution, saving time while ensuring top candidates are never missed.

2.Greenhouse: Ideal for companies looking for a structured and data-driven hiring process.

Recruitment insights: Deep analytics help refine hiring strategies.

Customizable workflows: Customized hiring stages to fit your company’s process.

Focus on diversity: Tools designed to support inclusive and fair hiring.

AI recommendations: Quickly find the best candidates for each role.

Why it matters: Greenhouse is great for businesses that want smarter hiring backed by data, reducing bias and making better decisions faster.

3.Lever: A combination of ATS and CRM capabilities, designed to track and engage candidates effectively.

Strong recruitment pipeline: Helps teams track, nurture, and hire top talent.

Advanced reporting: Makes data-driven hiring easier.

Enhanced candidate engagement: Automation improves communication and follow-ups.

Long-term talent pipelines: Build a ready pool of candidates for future hiring needs.

Why it matters: Lever is perfect for teams focused on relationship-driven recruitment and long-term talent strategy.

4.JazzHR: Best for small to mid-sized businesses seeking an affordable yet powerful applicant tracking system.

Simple and intuitive: Minimal technical skills required.

Collaboration tools: Improve teamwork between recruiters and hiring managers.

Unlimited job postings: Scale your hiring easily as your business grows.

Automated resume screening: Quickly identify top candidates.

Why it matters: JazzHR is ideal for growing teams that want a budget-friendly, efficient hiring tool that does not compromise power.

5.iCIMS: A solution designed for businesses that need scalable hiring as they expand.

AI-driven automation: Streamlines tasks to save time.

HR integrations: Works smoothly with HR and payroll systems.

Video interviews: Conduct remote hiring efficiently.

Compliance support: Meets GDPR, EEOC, and other hiring regulations.

Why it matters: iCIMS is perfect for companies that want efficient, scalable, and legally compliant hiring.

6.Workday Recruiting: Best for large enterprises that need a comprehensive hiring solution.

Advanced AI matching: Finds the best candidates for your roles.

Full Workday integration: Seamless connection with HR systems.

Scalable for volume: Handles large hiring campaigns without slowing down.

In-depth analytics: Detailed reports to support smarter hiring decisions.

Why it matters: Workday Recruiting is ideal for enterprises seeking end-to-end automation, insights, and scalability.

Future Trends in Applicant Tracking Systems:

Technology is reshaping the way companies attract and hire talent. The next generation of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) goes beyond organizing applications; it is smarter hiring, better connections, and faster results. Here are the top trends defining the future of Applicant Tracking System and how they are helping businesses:

1.AI & Machine Learning – Smarter Hiring Decisions: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning are turning applicant tracking systems into powerful hiring assistants. Instead of just storing resumes, modern ATS platforms can now analyze them, predict candidate success, and help recruiters make better choices.

Automatic resume scanning: AI reviews and ranks candidates based on skills, experience, and fit.

Predictive hiring success: Uses past hiring data to suggest candidates likely to perform well.

Better job matching: Recommends roles to candidates that truly fit their background.

Fairer evaluations: Focuses on skills and qualifications instead of keywords or bias.

Why it matters: AI takes the guesswork out of hiring. It helps recruiters focus on what truly matters, finding the right person, not just the right resume.

2.Mobile-Friendly ATS – Hiring on the Go: Today’s recruiters and candidates are always connected. A mobile-optimized ATS makes hiring easier, faster, and more flexible, no matter where you are.

Easy job applications: Candidates can apply right from their phones.

Anytime access: Recruiters can review applications, send messages, or schedule interviews from anywhere.

Faster communication: Real-time notifications keep both sides informed.

Smooth experience: Ensures a quick, frustration-free process for mobile users.

Why it matters: Mobile access helps recruiters act fast and top candidates notice. In today’s world, speed and convenience can make or break a hire.

3.Predictive Analytics – Data-Driven Recruitment: Recruiting is no longer just about guessing; it is about insight. Predictive analytics gives companies the power to hire based on data, not guesswork.

Track hiring trends: Identify what is working and where to improve.

Plan ahead: Forecast future hiring needs based on company growth and turnover data.

Smart spending: Optimize recruitment budgets by spotting cost-effective hiring channels.

Improve decision-making: Use data to guide every step, from job posting to onboarding.

Why it matters: Data does not just tell you what happened; it helps you make smarter moves for tomorrow’s hires.

4.Automated Interviewing Tools – Faster, More Personal Hiring: Automation changes how interviews happen and make them easier for both recruiters and candidates.

AI chatbots: Pre-screen candidates and answer FAQs instantly.

Video interviews: Automated tools help assess candidates faster.

Less manual work: Reduces recruiter workload by handling repetitive communication.

Better experience: Creates a more personal, interactive process for applicants.

Why it matters: Automation gives recruiters time to focus on what humans do best connecting, evaluating, and hiring great people.

5.Diversity & Inclusion Features – Building Fair Hiring Practices: Diversity is not just a goal; it is a strength. Modern applicant tracking system platforms are designed to help companies create fair, unbiased, and inclusive hiring experiences.

Bias-free screening: AI focuses on skills and experience, not names or backgrounds.

Equal opportunity tools: Standardized evaluations ensure every candidate is judged fairly.

Inclusive hiring analytics: Track diversity metrics to measure progress.

Positive workplace culture: Helps build diverse teams that inspire innovation.

Why it matters: A fair and inclusive hiring process does not just attract talent; it builds trust, strengthens culture, and drives long-term success.

Conclusion:

Finding the right people should not feel complicated, it should feel exciting. The best applicant tracking system turns hiring into a smooth, organized, and meaningful experience. It helps your team stay focused, reduces time-consuming tasks, and ensures you never miss out on top talent. Whether you are a small business looking to grow or a large company hiring at scale, the right applicant tracking system gives you the power to hire faster, smarter, and more confidently. With automation, AI insights, and easy collaboration tools, you can finally focus on what really matters, building a team that drives your success.

Ready to make hiring simpler and smarter?
Book your free demo today and see how an applicant tracking system can help you find, connect with, and hire the people who will move your business forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does an ATS make hiring faster?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) speeds up hiring by doing the heavy lifting for you. It automatically sorts resumes, ranks candidates based on skills and experience, and posts job openings across multiple platforms, all in just a few clicks.

It can also schedule interviews, send reminders, and update candidates about their progress. Instead of spending hours on paperwork or manual follow-ups, your team can focus on connecting with the best candidates and making smart hiring decisions. The result? Less stress, fewer delays, and faster hires.

Can small businesses use an Applicant Tracking System?

Absolutely! ATS solutions are not just for big companies; they are perfect for small and mid-sized businesses too. Even if you have a small HR team (or none at all), an ATS keeps your hiring process organized and professional.

You can manage job posts, track every applicant, and send messages all from one simple dashboard. It helps small businesses compete for top talent by saving time, reducing hiring costs, and making the process feel effortless.

Will an ATS improve the candidate experience?

Yes, big time! A great applicant tracking system makes applying for jobs simple and stress-free. Candidates can easily apply online, get real-time updates about their status, and stay informed throughout the process.

When candidates feel valued and informed, they are more likely to stay engaged and excited about your company. That means fewer drop-offs and a stronger employer reputation. A smooth candidate experience helps your brand stand out and attract better talent.

How do I choose the best ATS for my business?

Start by thinking about what your team really needs. The best ATS should be easy to use, fit your budget, and connect with your existing HR tools. It should also let you customize workflows, automate key tasks, and access everything from your phone or tablet.

Look for features like resume screening, interview scheduling, and analytics, all of which help you work smarter, not harder. Do not forget to check reviews and request a demo before you commit. A system that fits your company’s size, goals, and culture will make hiring smoother and more enjoyable.

Does an applicant tracking system replace human recruiters?

Not at all. An applicant tracking system supports recruiters; it does not replace them. The system takes care of repetitive and time-consuming tasks like sorting resumes, posting jobs, and tracking applications.

But human judgment, empathy, and communication are still at the heart of hiring. Recruiters use applicant tracking system tools to save time and gain insights, so they can focus on what really matters about building relationships, understanding people, and finding the perfect fit for each role.