6 free ATS software packages that do the job for your recruitment (+ alternatives)
As we all know, recruitment is a job in its own right, but with the right tools you can turn this challenge into a piece of cake.
For many small and medium-sized businesses, the idea of investing in recruitment software may seem excessive. They prefer to do it the hard way, thinking they'll save time and money. But that's not a good idea!
☝️ We've got the solution for you: free ATS software. They're out there, accessible, and ready to simplify your life for nothing. But be warned, there are limits to free software - more on that later... For now, we're going to give you our top 6 best tools that won't cost you a penny.
Why use ATS software for recruitment?
The acronym ATS, for Applicant Tracking System, doesn't sound very sexy. But what it conceals is a real revolution. Imagine a single platform where all your applications are centralised, sorted and analysed. No more copying and pasting job offers from 50 different sites, no more manual tracking of candidates. ATS software allows you to automate everything: from posting advertisements to scheduling interviews.
In short, it's the tool that will :
- save you an incredible amount of time
- improve the candidate experience
- and help you find the best talent.
Not only does it free you up from repetitive tasks, it also gives you a clear view of your recruitment process. You can see where candidates are in the process, assess the quality of candidate sources and work more seamlessly with your team.
Comparison table of our selection
1 of 5
 Beehire |  ATSii |  Breezy HR |  Giig Hire |  Zoho Recruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| For all companies | For companies with more than 250 employees | For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about Beehire | Learn more about ATSii | Learn more about Breezy HR | Learn more about Giig Hire | Learn more about Zoho Recruit |
6 really free ATS software packages
Most solutions offer "restricted" free versions or limited trials. But if you have a small volume of recruitment, these versions can be more than enough. We've selected 6 platforms that will let you do the job, and sometimes even more.
Atsii
Atsii is positioned as a simple, but devilishly effective ATS. Its promise is to help you recruit like a pro, even if you've never used this type of tool before.
The tool is designed for SMEs that want an intuitive solution for managing their applications, without getting lost in a ton of unnecessary functionality.
Atsii concentrates on the essentials: publishing adverts, tracking candidates and team collaboration. Its interface is uncluttered and highly visual, making it much easier to follow the various hiring processes. It's a powerful ally for companies that are new to ATS and want to get to grips with it quickly.
💡 The platform offers:
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publication of advertisements on job boards: disseminate your offers in one click on several job sites ;
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application management: centralise all CVs and covering letters in a single interface;
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a visual dashboard: track the progress of each candidate using clear statuses;
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simplified collaboration: share profiles with your team and leave comments.
Free conditions: Atsii has no limit on the number of jobs you can create, but certain features such as advice on writing your job offers and external application integration (Slack, API, etc.) are reserved for the paid version.
ATSii
Breezy
With its light-hearted name, Breezy promises a smooth and enjoyable recruitment experience. Its strength lies in its modern interface and its approach geared towards productivity and collaboration .
💡 Breezy isn't just application management software: it's a genuine teamwork tool. The platform offers internal communication and task automation features that simplify group work, not to mention :
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customisable recruitment pipelines: create stages tailored to each position ;
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internal communication: exchange messages and comments on profiles;
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automatic publication: post your adverts on the main job sites with a single click;
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shared calendar: schedule interviews directly in the tool.
Free of charge: the free ("Bootstrap") plan allows you to manage one job at a time, ideal for testing the platform.
Breezy HR
Giig Hire
Giig Hire stands out for its skills-based approach. The tool is aimed at recruiters who want to go beyond the CV and assess candidates' true potential.
It allows you to create personalised assessments, quizzes or skills tests that are directly integrated into the application process. It's an asset for companies recruiting for technical or specialist positions and wanting to ensure the quality of talent.
💡 Giig Hire's strong points are:
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its personalised questionnaires: assess technical skills and soft skills ;
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its online tests and assessments: validate candidates' qualifications ;
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its scoring system: rank candidates according to their results;
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its streamlined interface: easily follow each profile through the pipeline.
Free conditions: Giig Hire offers a free plan with an unlimited number of positions and candidates, and reserves for its paying versions features such as a personalised domain name or the use of AI to generate summaries.
Giig Hire
JOIN
JOIN is a modern ATS that positions itself as a 'one-stop shop' for recruitment.
The tool focuses on simplicity and speed: you can publish an advert in just a few clicks and distribute it instantly on numerous job boards.
JOIN is aimed at companies of all sizes, from start-ups to major groups, looking to maximise their visibility. The tool also offers automation and detailed tracking of applications, as well as :
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multi-platform distribution: publish your vacancies on over 100 job boards at the click of a button;
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centralised management: track all your candidates in a single dashboard;
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personalised messages: create templates to communicate effectively;
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performance analysis: measure the quality and source of your applications.
Free conditions: JOIN offers a free plan to publish 2 job ads.
Mighty Recruiter
Mighty Recruiter is an all-in-one software package designed to simplify every stage of the recruitment process. From writing advertisements to managing applications, the platform offers a wide range of functions.
In particular, it stands out for its help in writing search-engine-optimised vacancies, which increases their visibility and the quality of applications.
💡 Mighty Recruiter also includes advanced features for your recruitment, such as:
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ad optimisation: create attractive, well-referenced job descriptions ;
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profile management: add notes, tags and organise your candidate pool;
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integrated communication: send personalised emails and automatic notifications;
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reports and analyses: track the effectiveness of your recruitment actions.
Free conditions: Mighty Recruiter offers a complete free version, with job offers, CV search and unlimited user accounts.
Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit is one of the heavyweights of the ATS market. This versatile software can integrate with many tools (such as G Suite or Office 365) and meet complex needs.
💡 It's a very comprehensive solution, with advanced tracking, automation and reporting features, ideal for recruiters who want to professionalise their process. The platform also allows you to:
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distribute job offers: publish your ads on job boards and social networks;
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application tracking: customise your pipelines and dashboards;
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automation: programme emails, notifications and recurring actions;
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a talent database: build up a pool of qualified candidates for the future.
Free terms and conditions: the free plan allows you to manage 1 active position at a time, with limited functionality (candidate management, interview scheduling, etc.).
Zoho Recruit
What are the limitations of free ATS software?
We all agree that free is cool. It's even an excellent starting point. But, let's face it, free ATS software has its limits, and they can quickly turn into real obstacles to the growth of your business.
The first limitation is volume. Free versions are often limited in terms of the number of jobs opened or applications processed per month. If you're a fast-growing SME with increasing recruitment needs, you'll quickly find yourself stuck.
Then there's the lack of advanced features. The free versions concentrate on the essentials: posting and managing applications. But if you want to go further, you'll need :
- analysis and reporting tools to understand where your best talent is coming from,
- or integrations with your HRIS solution to simplify data management..,
- or a career portal to enhance your employer brand.
All these options are generally reserved for paid versions.
Finally, there's the problem of support. Customer support for a free version is often non-existent or very limited. If something goes wrong, you're on your own. If recruitment is a strategic priority for you, this lack of support can become a real brake.
The advantages of a paid TTY
If the limitations of free software are becoming apparent, it may be a sign that it's time to move up a gear. Paid ATS software is an investment that quickly pays for itself:
- Firstly, there are no volume limits: you can recruit as much as you like, without worrying about the number of positions or candidates.
- Secondly, you have access to a range of powerful functions: task automation (sending emails, scheduling appointments), advanced reporting tools to optimise your sources of applications and the associated budgets, and better integration with your day-to-day work tools.
⚒️ For example, a paid ATS like Beehire will enable you to automate the pre-selection of talent using personalised questionnaires, and even send automatic reminders to recruiters for better follow-up.
Beehire is an excellent example of what a paid solution has to offer. More than just application management software, it's a complete tool that manages the entire recruitment value chain. From publication on the platforms to talent data management and the automation of recurring tasks, the platform lets you spend more time on people and less on administration. It's the perfect tool if :
- you are an SME
- you want to professionalise your recruitment process,
- you want to create a memorable candidate experience, even if you're recruiting for high volumes.
Beehire
Paid-for software is also a guarantee of quality and performance. Customer support is generally responsive and available, and updates are regular. It's the guarantee of a tool that evolves with your needs.
Free ATS software: summary
So, what can we learn from all this? As we've seen, free ATS software is a very interesting option if you're a small organisation or if you have a one-off recruitment need. It allows you to :
- centralise the management of your applications
- and familiarise yourself with this type of system.
📌 Tools like Atsii, Breezy or Zoho Recruit do an excellent job and offer you a great opportunity to improve, without paying anything.
However, let's not kid ourselves: these tools quickly show their limitations. Volume limitations, restricted functionality and lack of support are all obstacles to long-term recruitment management.
If your company is growing and recruitment is becoming a regular activity, switching to a paid solution is the wisest choice. This kind of investment will enable you to be more efficient, improve quality and free up time to concentrate on what's important: finding the right person for the right job.
Article translated from French