The more time I’ve spent working alongside HR teams, the more I realize hiring is a lot like marketing. You need to attract the right audience (candidates), nurture them through a pipeline (interview process), and ultimately convert them into loyal brand advocates (employees).
But just like marketing, the process quickly falls apart without the right tools (resumes slip through the cracks, communication breaks down, and top talent moves on).
That’s why I wanted to take a closer look at G2’s top-rated applicant tracking systems (ATS). These platforms promise to help recruiters and talent teams stay organized, automate repetitive tasks, and make hiring seamless. But which ones actually deliver?
After putting over 25 tools to the test, here are the eight best ATS platforms that can transform your hiring. Let’s get into it!
*These ATS software are top-rated in their category, according to G2 Grid Reports. I’ve also added their monthly pricing to make comparisons easier for you.
Hiring isn’t just about finding the right people; it’s about managing the entire process without losing momentum. A slow or clunky ATS system can cost you top talent, which is why choosing the best ATS software is a big deal for recruiters and HR teams.
But not all applicant tracking systems get it right. Some help you track candidates, schedule interviews, and keep hiring managers in sync. Others? They make things harder than they need to be.
I reviewed the best ATS options to find the ones that offer everything, from automated resume screening to custom hiring workflows, and these tools stood out for all the right reasons.
I didn’t just want to round up the most talked-about applicant tracking systems; I tried to find out which ones help recruiters and HR teams hire smarter. That meant digging into honest user feedback, testing features, and looking beyond marketing claims.
I started by analyzing G2’s latest Grid Reports, focusing on usability, automation, and how well each ATS system supports hiring teams at different stages. This gave me a solid baseline of which platforms consistently performed well and which had recurring issues.
To go deeper, I used AI-driven analysis to sift through thousands of user reviews, picking up patterns in what people genuinely liked and what caused the most frustration.
Beyond rankings and reviews, I compared core ATS features, paying close attention to candidate tracking, interview scheduling, reporting, and collaboration tools. When I couldn’t test a platform hands-on due to limited access, I turned to HR professionals who use these tools daily, validating their insights with real user feedback from G2.
The screenshots in this article include both images from my testing and verified visuals from vendor pages on G2.
I considered the following factors when evaluating the best applicant tracking systems.
The list below contains genuine user reviews from the applicant tracking software category page. To be included in this category, a solution must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Greenhouse simplifies recruitment workflows across different industries. It provides tools for candidate tracking, team collaboration, and integrations with various HR software.
One of Greenhouse’s biggest strengths is its ease of use. The interface is clean and logically structured, making it easy for hiring managers and recruiters to navigate. Tracking candidates across different hiring stages feels seamless, and I didn’t have to dig through layers of menus to access critical information. It’s also great for collaboration, letting multiple team members leave structured feedback without cluttering the process.
Another standout feature is its robust integrations. Greenhouse connects with a wide range of HR tools, from background check providers to scheduling software. The best part? The integration process is straightforward, with no excessive configurations or workarounds. This makes it a great fit for companies that rely on multiple tools to handle different aspects of recruiting.
I also found reporting and analytics to be a major plus. Greenhouse offers customizable reports that provide deep insights into hiring trends, recruiter performance, and candidate pipelines. Access to clear, data-driven metrics helps improve recruitment strategies over time. Whether you want a quick overview or detailed reports, the system makes it easy to pull the numbers needed.
That said, customization is an area where Greenhouse feels a bit limited. While the platform covers all the basics, certain features like workflows and automated actions don’t offer the level of flexibility that I expected. If you’re looking for a fully tailored ATS, you may need to work within Greenhouse’s constraints.
I also noticed some challenges with candidate management. The system does a good job of keeping applicants organized, but managing more complex hiring pipelines isn’t always smooth. Additionally, the search and filtering functions could be improved, particularly when dealing with large applicant pools.
“What I love most about Greenhouse is its ease of use and the extensive marketplace of third-party applications, which give it superpowers through the many available integrations. It’s rare to find a vendor that isn’t integrated with Greenhouse. Many recruiters have worked with Greenhouse at some point in their careers, which means the ramp-up time for them is usually very short. Their support team is reliable, providing efficient solutions, and their learning center is incredibly comprehensive.”
- Greenhouse Review, Daniel M.
“Searching for candidates in the resume database is Greenhouse's greatest weakness. While you can do a Boolean search and use filters, the displayed results aren't particularly helpful. If they added AI with natural language search, it would greatly improve the experience. Additionally, the workflow for reviewing applicants is to look at one resume at a time and either reject or advance them. It would be better to narrow down the list of applicants being reviewed before going through this process.”
- Greenhouse Review, Bill B.
Related: Need pricing insights? Explore our comprehensive HR software pricing guide.
BambooHR provides a range of HR tools designed to support hiring and employee management. It features a user-friendly interface, a dedicated mobile application for on-the-go access, and an ATS that simplifies the recruitment process.
One of BambooHR's most useful features is its mobile accessibility. The well-designed mobile app allows employees to check schedules, request time off, and receive updates without needing a desktop. As someone who values efficiency, I believe having HR tools available anytime and anywhere makes managing daily operations much more convenient.
Its applicant tracking system is another highlight. It simplifies resume screening, tracking candidate progress, and scheduling interviews. I found that it organizes applicant data efficiently, reducing the need for manual tracking. For hiring teams that need a straightforward ATS, BambooHR offers a well-structured solution that helps keep recruitment processes organized.
BambooHR’s user-friendly interface also stands out. The platform makes navigation effortless, even for those who are not tech-savvy. Whether managing employee records or running HR reports, everything is structured to minimize confusion. The clean layout and logical menu design help users find what they need quickly.
That said, chat support is not the best. When facing technical difficulties or urgent queries, relying on email or phone support slows the resolution process.
Another limitation is the reporting and dashboard capabilities. While BambooHR provides basic analytics, I found that its reports lack depth. The customization options are also limited, making it difficult to generate highly specific insights.
“BambooHR is a highly user-friendly and intuitive HR system. The platform is designed for ease of use, making it simple to update and manage both candidate and employee records efficiently. It is an excellent tool for tracking and organizing HR processes. Additionally, BambooHR is easy to implement and offers great virtual event features, enhancing employee engagement and collaboration.”
- BambooHR Review, Aicha B.
“My biggest complaint about BambooHR is when I receive email replies from Customer Support, they don't include my original email to them. I'm a busy person, as most HR pros are, and if too much time goes by before I get a reply, I sometimes forget exactly what I needed help with. I really can't think of any complaints I have with the BambooHR system itself.”
- BambooHR Review, Sandy K.
Related: Assess the success of your hiring strategy. Discover how to calculate recruitment ROI.
JobDiva integrates AI-powered features with robust data management capabilities to help recruiters simplify sourcing, hiring, and tracking applicants while maintaining a centralized database.
One of JobDiva’s standout features is its AI-powered candidate matching. The platform’s algorithm scans resumes and job descriptions to suggest the best candidates, significantly reducing manual search time. I found this particularly useful when handling a large volume of applications, as it prioritizes top matches based on relevant experience and skills. This automation helps recruiters focus on engaging with the most suitable candidates rather than spending hours sifting through applications manually.
Another key strength is data management. JobDiva centralizes all recruitment data, from candidate history to job details and communication logs. Having everything in one place makes it easier to track hiring progress and revisit past candidate interactions. I like the system’s structured approach to organizing recruitment data, which ensures that important details don’t get lost.
I also appreciated JobDiva’s customer support. In my research, I came across multiple reviews from users and from my own colleagues in HR stating that JobDiva offers quick assistance when needed. Whether it’s a minor issue or a more complex technical problem, the support team is known for being accessible and helpful. This level of responsiveness is a significant advantage, especially for recruiters who rely on uninterrupted system performance.
That said, I found the slow loading times to be a bit bothersome. While the platform offers many features, some pages take longer to load than expected, and when working under tight deadlines, waiting for a system to respond can become a bottleneck.
I also noticed occasional lag and glitches. Navigating certain features sometimes resulted in delays or minor bugs, which required the page to be refreshed. While not a dealbreaker, these occasional slowdowns can impact efficiency, particularly when managing multiple candidates at once.
“The aspect I appreciate most about JobDiva is its ease of finding suitable candidates from a pool of over a hundred thousand individuals. Additionally, we can update the notes section for each candidate, making information accessible to all users. JobDiva also offers excellent customer support, with responses typically received within minutes. Its straightforward implementation of rules and regulations is another reason why it has so many users.”
- JobDiva Review, Yuven B.
“When dealing with a large number of data, sometimes it becomes a little bit slow, or the site gets down, especially during the peak time."
- JobDiva Review, Sumit K.
Related: Need a payroll app? Discover the 7 best payroll software options for 2025.
Offering both functionality and ease of use, Ceipal ATS helps recruiters source candidates, manage resumes, and organize applicant data across industries.
One of the most notable features of Ceipal ATS is how easy it is to use. The interface is intuitive, making moving between different recruitment functions simple. Whether I was searching for candidates or managing job postings, everything felt accessible without a steep learning curve. The platform minimizes complexity, allowing recruiters to focus on hiring rather than figuring out the software.
Another strength is the resume parsing functionality. The platform efficiently extracts key details from resumes and automatically organizes them into structured profiles. This feature saved me time by reducing the need for manual data entry. It also ensures that candidate information is consistently formatted, making searches more effective.
I also found the candidate database to be well-organized. Ceipal ATS makes storing, searching, and retrieving candidate profiles easy. Having all candidate information in one place streamlines the workflow so I can focus on engagement rather than administrative tasks.
That said, performance speed can be an issue. Some processes, such as loading candidate profiles or running searches, took longer than expected. While not a dealbreaker, delays can be hectic when working on tight deadlines.
Additionally, customization options feel a bit limited. While Ceipal ATS covers core recruitment needs, the ability to tailor workflows, reports, and search parameters is limited.
“Ceipal is the best platform for sending mass emails to all my candidates. It is also very easy to post jobs on job boards. My favorite feature of Ceipal is how simple it is to create a job post.”
- Ceipal ATS Review, Uday K.
“Sometimes the system runs slowly, causing delays in uploading profiles. Additionally, I am uncertain about how to contact customer support if I encounter any technical issues or errors with Ceipal ATS.”
- Ceipal ATS Review, Dhivyashree J.
Lever integrates applicant tracking and candidate relationship management to effectively oversee the entire recruitment lifecycle, from sourcing and nurturing candidates to interviewing and hiring.
One of Lever’s biggest advantages is its integrations. The system connects seamlessly with key recruitment tools, such as LinkedIn RSC, allowing me to track outreach and sync notes without manually copying and pasting. The Data Explorer add-on also enhances reporting capabilities, making it easier for me to generate custom insights.
Another standout feature is the ease of implementation. Lever offers a well-structured onboarding process so the transition to the platform is quite smooth. The setup was straightforward, and customer support played a proactive role in ensuring I got up and running quickly. I didn’t need extensive training to start using the system, which was a major plus for me.
I found usability to be one of Lever’s strengths. The interface is clean, modern, and easy to navigate. This made it simple for me to manage job postings, track candidates, and review reports. Additionally, I noticed that the learning curve was relatively low.
That said, lag can be an issue. Some actions, like loading profiles or switching between views, occasionally felt slow. While it didn’t happen frequently, these delays can be disturbing.
Another limitation I noticed was the use of different terminology, which took me a while to adjust to. While this doesn’t impact functionality, I found it slightly confusing compared to standard ATS terminology.
“I find that Lever is easy to use for adding candidates from various sources, scheduling interviews, customizing interview templates, and uploading an unlimited number of resumes and documents. We also utilize it to search for candidates in the database.”
- Lever Review, Susan H.
“There is not a good way to pause a candidate's progress, especially when a job goes on hold or will be delayed but you're still sourcing candidates.”
- Lever Review, Betsy K.
Zoho Recruit offers a range of features that allow users to modify modules, automate workflows, and track candidates efficiently.
One of Zoho Recruit’s biggest strengths is its customization. I could effortlessly tailor my hiring workflows by editing modules and automating repetitive tasks. I found this really helpful for structuring recruitment processes according to specific business needs. Having the flexibility to adjust the system ensured that hiring tasks could be more efficient without requiring workarounds.
The platform also offers excellent recruitment management. Zoho Recruit centralizes candidate tracking, interview scheduling, and collaboration between hiring teams. It covers every stage of the hiring process, reducing the need for external tools. Once I became familiar with its layout, managing job postings and applicant progress became progressively simple.
I also appreciated the customer support. The support team was responsive and helpful whenever I had questions or ran into minor issues. According to my research, several G2 users also feel the same way. The ability to get quick assistance made navigating the platform much easier, especially during the initial setup phase.
However, I'll admit that there's a learning curve. While the platform offers robust features, getting comfortable with all the customization options and settings took some time. New users might need additional onboarding time before fully utilizing Zoho Recruit’s capabilities.
Another challenge I encountered was integration inconsistencies. While Zoho Recruit connects with various third-party tools, I noticed some integrations didn’t always function smoothly. Whether it was syncing with calendars or linking to other HR systems, occasional hiccups required manual adjustments or workarounds.
“Finding candidates can often be a lengthy and complex process, but Zoho Recruit has made it more streamlined and organized. From candidate searches and process tracking to interview scheduling and the final hiring stage, everything is much easier to manage.
With Zoho Recruit's reporting tools, I can access a detailed list of all candidates registered on the company's job portal. This allows me to review their profiles, understand their experience, and select the best fit for the vacancy.
The platform's setup is straightforward, and the overall user experience is highly intuitive and efficient, providing excellent support to the recruitment process and helping maintain clear organization for every candidate.”
- Zoho Recruit Review, Ray R.
“Some more advanced features may require technical knowledge, however new users can start with pre-configured templates to gradually learn and explore the more complex features.”
- Zoho Recruit Review, Paul O.
HRone provides a wide range of HR tools, from recruitment management to payroll processing, making it a versatile solution for businesses.
HRone’s intuitive interface is designed for efficiency, minimizing the learning curve for new users. Whether I wanted to manage job postings, track applicants, or handle payroll, everything felt accessible without needing extensive training. The platform’s layout makes it simple to locate key functions, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.
Another highlight is its feature-rich platform. HRone offers a comprehensive suite of HR tools that cover everything from attendance tracking to performance management. I found it useful that so many HR functions were integrated into a single system, eliminating the need for multiple external tools. This makes it easier to manage end-to-end HR operations in one place.
HRone also excels in payroll management. The system automates payroll calculations, reducing the risk of manual errors and ensuring timely salary processing.
That said, performance speed is a slight issue. Some tasks, such as loading certain reports or switching between modules, took longer than expected. While it didn’t happen consistently, occasional slowdowns could disrupt workflow efficiency.
I also couldn’t find an option to permanently delete certain data. This might concern companies with strict data retention policies or those needing more control over historical records. A more flexible data deletion and archival approach would be more helpful.
“Reduction of manual data as it is automatically captured from the app and reports are generated. Attendance data can be accessed from anywhere anytime of any employee. Location is also tracked for tracking purpose while marking attendance.”
- HROne Review, Arjan M.
“No customization is allowed in the profile section. It is difficult to create formula for the pay components and you also can't share documents more than 50 mb file size.”
- HROne Review, Gangaraju M.
Teamtailor allows recruiters to manage applications efficiently while creating an engaging candidate experience. The platform includes automated workflows that simplify communication, making moving candidates through different hiring stages easy.
One of Teamtailor's most impressive aspects is its automation. The system allows recruiters to eliminate repetitive tasks while automating various aspects of hiring, from candidate screening to follow-up emails. I found the automation particularly useful in keeping communication consistent, so no candidate is overlooked. These features help save time and allow recruiters to focus more on candidate engagement.
Another standout feature is collaboration. The software makes it easy for hiring teams to work together by offering shared notes, tagging features, and structured feedback tools. I liked how hiring managers and recruiters could seamlessly communicate within the platform, eliminating the need for scattered emails or external messaging apps.
The branding capabilities are also a major plus. Teamtailor includes a career site builder that allows companies to showcase their employer brand without needing technical skills. The customization options make it easy to create an attractive and engaging careers page that aligns with a company’s identity.
That said, the mobile experience could be better. While the desktop version is smooth and easy to use, navigating the platform on a mobile device isn’t always as seamless. I found that certain tasks, like reviewing applications on the go, could be more intuitive with better mobile optimization.
I also noticed some occasional glitches. While they weren’t dealbreakers, minor issues such as delays loading candidate profiles or slight inconsistencies in CV parsing occasionally required a refresh. It could be improved to enhance workflow efficiency.
“We like how it has transformed our process tremendously, moving us from a cold, impersonal recruiter towards an agency that is enabled to be engaging (Nurture Campaign). It’s intuitive, candidate-friendly, and actually makes hiring feel like a two-way conversation rather than just filling a job. Plus, the careersite has been extremely helpful. The game changer is really the recent development of Co-pilot that allows you to screen through hundreds of CVs based on your screening criteria.”
- Teamtailor Review, Josiah L.
“My only critique would be that to access the transcription feature, the interview has to be recorded, which I find a bit costly. As a result, I had to use Tactiq for transcription and note-taking instead.”
- Teamtailor Review, Antonella S.
For recruiters focused on efficiency, Greenhouse offers structured hiring processes, while Lever combines ATS and CRM for better candidate engagement. JobDiva provides AI-driven automation for high-volume sourcing, and Ceipal ATS excels in resume parsing and vendor management. These platforms support organized hiring, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.
Greenhouse and Lever use AI to rank candidates for effective resume screening, while JobDiva and Ceipal ATS specialize in detailed parsing and keyword matching. Zoho Recruit automates resume analysis, helping recruiters focus on the most qualified applicants.
Small businesses benefit from ATS platforms that are easy to use and adaptable. BambooHR simplifies hiring with built-in HR tools, Zoho Recruit offers cost-effective automation, HROne connects hiring with other HR functions, and Teamtailor helps with branding and candidate experience. These options make hiring more manageable for growing teams.
Staffing agencies rely on ATS platforms that support high-volume hiring. JobDiva stands out with AI-driven sourcing, Ceipal ATS improves candidate tracking with VMS integrations, Zoho Recruit offers workflows built for staffing needs, and Greenhouse helps recruiters assess candidates effectively. These tools make it easier to handle large applicant pools.
Yes, all the listed ATS platforms are cloud-based. They allow recruiters and HR teams to access hiring tools from any location, offering flexibility and integration with other software.
Finding the right applicant tracking system can make all the difference in how you hire, manage candidates, and keep your team aligned. Whether you're handling high-volume recruiting, building a structured hiring process, or searching for a solution that grows with your business, the right tool can make every step easier.
From automating repetitive tasks to improving collaboration, the best ATS options listed here are designed to create a smoother experience for everyone. I’ve done the research, breaking down the pros, cons, and key features, so you don’t have to. Now, the only question left is: Which one best fits your hiring needs?
Curious about how your HR operations are performing? Explore HR analytics software.
If you’ve found yourself asking what an ATS is, it’s time to learn more about how an applicant...
by Mara Calvello
Finding the right candidates for your business’s open positions can be long and repetitive....
by Holly Landis
The talent market is a competitive place.
by Mara Calvello