Articles | Lift HCM

9 Best Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for 2025

Written by Caitlin Kapolas | November 8, 2024 8:51:50 PM Z

Is your hiring process a never-ending cycle of missed deadlines, hundreds of resumes, and not enough qualified candidates? You’re not alone. Many HR professionals today find themselves buried under endless applications, struggling to keep up in a fast-moving market where top talent is snatched up almost instantly. And without the right system in place, it’s easy to feel like you're always playing catch-up, stuck in a process that’s chaotic, time-consuming, and inefficient.

At Lift HCM, we get it. We’ve worked with countless organizations that were drowning in recruitment chaos until they found the right tools to streamline the process. With our extensive experience in the Human Capital Management and payroll industry, we’ve seen firsthand how an efficient Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can transform the way businesses hire. The right ATS isn’t just a software—it’s the key to managing your recruitment pipeline with ease, speed, and precision. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through the top 9 Applicant Tracking Systems for 2025. You’ll discover which systems stand out for their user-friendly features, scalability, and ability to improve hiring outcomes. By the end, you’ll have the insights you need to choose the best ATS for your organization and start hiring smarter, not harder.

Table of Contents


We have already explained what an applicant tracking system is, the benefits of an applicant tracking system, and the challenges of hiring without an applicant tracking system. Now, let's explore the best applicant tracking systems for 2025!

At Lift HCM, we offer isolved's ATS, Attract & Hire, to streamline hiring with automation, collaboration, and reporting. It integrates with over 5,000 job boards, offers branded career sites, mobile applications, and AI tools for recruitment efficiency. Explore our free resources for more information!


Workday Recruiting

Best for Large Enterprises with Advanced Intrgation Features

  • Part of the larger Workday suite with robust features for large enterprises.
  • Includes advanced candidate search capabilities, automated interview scheduling, and comprehensive reporting tools.
  • Integrates seamlessly with HR functions like payroll, benefits administration, and performance management.
  • User-friendly interface and customizable workflows for smooth hiring processes.
  • Adapts to the unique needs of large organizations, enhancing HR efficiency.



Greenhouse

Ideal for Growing Tech Companies and Structured Hiring

  • Popular among tech companies and startups due to its user-friendly interface.
  • Emphasizes structured hiring processes to reduce bias and improve hire quality.
  • Offers customizable interview kits, scorecards, and task management tools.
  • Integrates seamlessly with HR tools and job boards for comprehensive recruitment pipeline management.
Greenhouse is popular among tech companies and startups because of its user-friendly interface and strong emphasis on creating a structured hiring process.

BambooHR

Best ATS for SMBs Focused on Employee Data and Internal Communication

  • Comprehensive HR platform that simplifies employee data tracking, onboarding, and performance management.
  • Features enhanced internal communication tools for better team collaboration.
  • Offers functionalities for transparent compensation practices, building trust and satisfaction among employees.

 

JazzHR

Affordable ATS Solution for Startups and Growing Businesses

  • Designed for startups and small companies, focusing on connecting recruiting to overall performance.
  • Provides customizable job postings, automated resume screening, and interview scheduling tools.
  • Includes analytics and reporting capabilities to track recruitment metrics such as time-to-hire and candidate quality.
  • Aligns recruitment strategies with broader business goals for improved organizational performance.

Lever

Collaborative ATS for Relationship-Building and Engaging Top Talent

  • Emphasizes collaboration and candidate relationship-building in the hiring process.
  • Features personalized communication templates and automated follow-up reminders.
  • Centralized database for tracking all candidate interactions.
  • Collaborative tools enable seamless sharing of notes and feedback among hiring teams, fostering informed decisions.

Lever emphasizes collaboration and relationship-building throughout the hiring process. It features personalized communication templates, automated follow-up reminders, and a centralized database to track candidate interactions. By nurturing ongoing engagement with candidates, Lever helps recruiters keep top talent interested throughout the recruitment journey. Additionally, Lever’s collaborative tools enable seamless sharing of notes and feedback among hiring teams, fostering informed decision-making.

iCIMS Talent Cloud

Comprehensive ATS and Talent Management Platform



  • Full talent acquisition platform with ATS, CRM, onboarding solutions, and advanced analytics.
  • Streamlines hiring from sourcing to onboarding with strong integration capabilities.
  • Suitable for organizations of all sizes due to its user-friendly and customizable features.
A comprehensive talent acquisition platform that includes ATS functionality along with other recruitment tools.

Jobvite

Best ATS for Social Recruiting and Mobile-Friendly Features

  • Known for leveraging social media networks to engage and attract candidates.
  • Mobile-friendly design supports both recruiters and candidates for on-the-go management.
  • Advanced analytics and reporting tools for tracking recruitment strategy effectiveness.
  • Offers a seamless experience across devices and supports all recruitment stages, from sourcing to onboarding.
Offering a complete talent acquisition suite, Jobvite is known for its social recruiting capabilities and mobile-friendly features.

SmartRecruiters

Flexible ATS with Extensive Integration Options

  • User-friendly, cloud-based ATS ideal for organizations needing flexibility.
  • Extensive marketplace of third-party integrations, such as background checks and onboarding solutions.
  • Intuitive interface that is easy to navigate, even for those with minimal technical expertise.
  • Enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of the recruitment process.




Bullhorn 

Top ATS for Staffing Agencies and Complex Recruitment Needs


While primarily known for its use in staffing and recruiting agencies, Bullhorn also offers ATS solutions for corporate HR teams.
  • Popular with staffing and recruiting agencies; also serves corporate HR teams.
  • Features automated resume parsing, candidate tracking, and interview scheduling tools.
  • Strong reporting and analytics capabilities for data-driven recruitment decisions.
  • Integrates with CRM and other HR tools for streamlined workflows and improved HR efficiency.

 

Applicant Tracking System (ATS) Comparison Chart

ATS Platform Pricing Model Best For Key Features
Workday Recruiting Custom Pricing Large enterprises Advanced integration with HR functions
Greenhouse Starts at $6,000/year  Tech startups Customizable interview kits, structured hiring
BambooHR Custom Pricing SMBs Employee data tracking, communication tools
JazzHR Starts at $39/month  Startups Automated resume screening, customizable job postings
Lever Starting at $120/user/month Growing businesses Collaboration tools, candidate engagement
iCIMS Talent Cloud Custom Pricing Mid-large enterprises CRM, advanced analytics
Jobvite Starts at $500/month SMBs Social recruiting, mobile-friendly
SmartRecruiters Custom Pricing Various sizes Marketplace of integrations, user-friendly
Bullhorn Custom Pricing Staffing agencies Resume parsing, CRM integration

Choose the Best ATS and Improve Your Hiring Process for 2025

Previously, your hiring process might have been overwhelming, with missed deadlines and lost opportunities due to outdated methods. Today, we've highlighted top ATS platforms for 2025 to address these issues. The right ATS can streamline recruitment and enhance your team's agility.

Focus on features that match your business needs, whether it's scaling efforts or improving candidate experience. At Lift HCM, we offer tailored ATS solutions to fit your organization. Reach out to us and learn more now! 


Candidates may load their resumes with job-related keywords, knowing that the ATS is scanning for these terms. While this might boost their ranking, it doesn't necessarily mean they're the best fit for the job.
Keyword stuffing: Candidates may load their resumes with job-related keywords, knowing that the ATS is scanning for these terms. While this might boost their ranking, it doesn't necessarily mean they're the best fit for the job.


 Some applicants use white font to include extra keywords that aren't visible to the naked eye but are picked up by the ATS. This tactic can result in unqualified candidates appearing more qualified than they are.


 Certain resume formats can confuse an ATS, causing it to misread or overlook critical information. Candidates might exploit this by using complex formats that make their resume stand out in ways that don't reflect their actual qualifications.