The Top 4 Applicant Tracking Systems

An Applicant Tracking System, or ATS, can automate and streamline various tasks for a hiring and talent team. ATS technology can manage job postings, track candidate applications, and manage the overall hiring process.

The four top ATS tech suites on the market, along with their pros and cons, are listed below.

1. Greenhouse:

Pros:

- Customizable and scalable, allowing organizations to tailor the system to their specific needs.

- User-friendly interface with intuitive workflows, making it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to navigate.

- Provides a high level of reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling data-driven decision-making.

- Integrates with various third-party tools and platforms, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

Cons:

- Can be costly, especially for small to medium-sized businesses.

- Requires a learning curve for new users due to its extensive features and customization options. 

2. Workday:

Pros:

- A comprehensive suite of HR and talent management tools, including applicant tracking.

- Provides a seamless integration with other Workday modules, ensuring a unified HR system.

- Offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive workflows, making it easy for recruiters and hiring managers to navigate.

- Provides reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling data-driven decision-making.

Cons:

- Can be complex to implement and configure, requiring dedicated resources and expertise.

- May not be as customizable as some other ATS options.

- Pricing can be high, particularly for smaller organizations.

3. Lever:

Pros:

-Utilizes a modern and intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and use.

- Allows for seamless communication between team members through its collaborative hiring platform.

- Offers sourcing capabilities, including passive candidate sourcing and integration with LinkedIn.

- Offers reporting and analytics features for data-driven decision making.

Cons:

- Not as feature-rich as some other ATS options, so may not be enough for larger organizations with complex hiring needs.

- Pricing can be on the higher side, especially for organizations with a high volume of hires.

4. BambooHR:

Pros:

- Easy for small and medium-sized businesses to adopt due to its friendly user interface and simple workflows.

- Utilizes a centralized database for candidate information, enabling efficient candidate management.

-Allows organizations to track key metrics through customizable reporting and analytics features.

- Provides integrations with various third-party tools and platforms, enhancing productivity. 

Cons:

- May lack some advanced features and customization options compared to other ATS options.

- May not be as suitable for larger organizations with complex hiring needs.


While the top ATS options mentioned above have their pros and cons, it's important to consider your organization's specific needs, budget, and scalability requirements.

Take the time to evaluate different systems, request demos, and gather feedback from users before deciding. The right ATS can and will significantly enhance your recruitment efforts, so choose wisely to optimize your ability to acquire excellent candidates.  

Pro tip- when evaluating a potential ATS, get feedback on demos from someone outside the talent team, such as a potential hiring manager. Recruiters and Coordinators are familiar with ATS’s, but getting someone in your organization unfamiliar with ATS use can provide insights into ease of use.