Best Free ATS Tools for Small Businesses Hiring in 2025

Why Free ATS Tools Matter for Small Businesses

Reduce Manual Work and Save Time

Small businesses don’t always have large HR departments. As a result, already-busy employees often need to manage hiring as well.

A free ATS (Applicant Tracking System) can handle many recruiting tasks such as posting job ads, filtering resumes, and communicating with candidates. This saves time and allows teams to focus on their core work. It can also help speed up hiring and improve the candidate experience.

Make Hiring More Efficient

Manually handling resumes and emails can easily cause candidates to be missed or receive late responses. ATS tools help make workflows more consistent and improve candidate tracking.

Features like keyword search within resumes, automated responses, and interview scheduling make the overall process more accurate and efficient.

Better Organization and Tracking of Candidates

Keeping all applicant data in one central place helps hiring managers choose the right people. Tagging, candidate scoring, feedback tracking, and communication history can make the hiring process more transparent and help teams collaborate more effectively.

Many free ATS systems offer these capabilities at no cost, making them an excellent fit for small recruiting operations.

Top 10 Free ATS Tools for Small Businesses in 2025

HRplan

HRplan is an all-in-one HR management platform that helps small businesses hire and retain employees more easily. HRplan supports onboarding and hiring by adding feedback, 1-on-1s, and surveys. This makes it easier to manage candidates and the hiring process quickly.

CVscanr

CVscanr is an AI-powered tool used to scan resumes and publish job postings. It helps small businesses find the best candidates quickly. It supports resume parsing and ranking, and works with job boards to keep the hiring process moving smoothly.

Zoho Recruit (Free Version)

Zoho Recruit is a strong option for small businesses. It allows one recruiter to hire for only one job opening at a time. Key features include resume parsing, candidate tracking, and building custom career pages. Small teams can easily manage essential hiring activities without paying for a plan.

Recooty

Recooty is a great tool for startups and early-stage hiring. It includes multi-platform job posting, an easy-to-use dashboard, and basic candidate tracking. The free plan allows up to three job postings at the same time and includes drag-and-drop candidate pipelines, making hiring easier to view and manage.

JobScore (Basic Plan)

JobScore’s basic plan is a solid option for small groups. It offers an online application form that works on all devices, customizable templates, candidate tracking, and standard reporting. You can manage job descriptions, assign roles, and collaborate by collecting feedback from your team before making a hire.

MightyRecruiter

MightyRecruiter makes recruiting easier by allowing one-click job posting, access to a resume database, and tracking candidates who apply to your job listings. The free version includes core recruiting and tracking tools that can support the HR needs of small businesses.

SmartRecruiters SmartStart

SmartRecruiters SmartStart is a free ATS for companies with fewer than 250 employees. It allows up to 10 job postings and offers tools to collaborate on hiring, communicate with candidates, and easily publish to job boards. Its user-friendly interface makes it a great choice for growing small businesses.

Breezy HR (Free Plan)

For small teams, Breezy HR’s free plan covers the essential hiring needs. It is easy to use and powerful for its price. It includes visual workflows, team collaboration, and job board posting. It also includes email templates and ways to schedule interviews and score candidates.

OpenCATS

OpenCATS is a strong free and open-source option for businesses that need customization. It requires some technical setup, but it offers useful recruiting features. Because it is open-source, there are no strict limits on job postings or features. Its flexibility makes it helpful for technical teams looking for a tailored solution.

Freshworks Freshteam (Free up to 50 employees)

Businesses with up to 50 employees can use Freshteam for free. It includes key ATS features such as a basic HRIS, job posting, and applicant tracking. Freshteam’s interface is easy to use, making it a good fit for new HR professionals and busy managers.

Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Free ATS

Ease of Use for HR and the Team

A small business ATS should be easy to use and require minimal training. Even non-HR team members should be able to manage hiring.

With visual dashboards and built-in automation, teams can complete tasks quickly and easily. Prioritize tools that require limited setup and work well with tools your team already uses.

Integration with Other Platforms

A good ATS works well with job boards, email, calendars, and HR systems. If your business uses tools like Google Workspace, Slack, or Zoom, choosing an ATS with ready integrations can make collaboration easier and speed up recruiting.

Potential for Future Growth

Even if the tool meets your current needs, it should be able to grow with your business. Many free ATS options offer paid versions that unlock features like deeper analytics, more job postings, and recruiting support. Choose a platform with a clear upgrade path.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) What does “free ATS tool” mean?

A free Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is software that small businesses can use to make hiring easier and more efficient. These tools typically allow you to manage resumes, schedule interviews, and generate reports.

2) Can small businesses rely only on free ATS tools?

Yes. Many small businesses can successfully run hiring processes using free ATS tools. They typically provide enough core features to post jobs, track applicants, and communicate. However, for long-term scalability, you may need to upgrade to a paid version.

3) Which free ATS is easiest for beginners?

Many people find Recooty and Breezy HR easy for beginners because their interfaces are clean and their hiring workflows are simple to understand. Their templates and drag-and-drop features are especially helpful for teams that are new to recruiting technology.