If you’ve decided to go it alone and start your own recruitment company, have you thought about which ATS/CRM is best for you? In this blog, we highlight 5 Free Applicant Tracking Systems for recruiters going solo and starting their own agencies.
There are a lot of things to be wary of when starting your own recruitment agency and keeping costs down is going to be high on that list. Here you can find five very affordable, if not free applicant tracking systems with excellent features to help streamline your workflow and support your new business.
Challenges of Starting Your Own Recruitment Agency
Starting a recruitment agency is an exciting venture, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the primary hurdles is managing costs effectively. As a new business, every penny counts. Investing in the right tools can significantly impact your operations, but it’s essential to find solutions that fit your budget.
This is where choosing the right Applicant Tracking System (ATS) becomes crucial. By opting for a free or affordable ATS, you can streamline your recruitment process without breaking the bank.
5 Free Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruiters Starting Out:
Giig Hire is a free recruitment software platform specifically designed for independent recruiters and small recruitment businesses. The Giig Hire platform includes a CRM, ATS, and Website Builder all in one platform and includes various features that help streamline workflow. It’s an excellent option for start-up recruitment agencies and independent recruiters.
Key Features:
- Email integration
- CV/Resume parsing
- Mass resume parsing
- Free website builder
- Drag and drop pipelines
- Data Analytics
- AI Integration
- Email Templates
- Bulk Email
- Talent Pools
Cost:
- Forever Free plan available
- Paid-for plans are from $12.75 per month
- Pricing link here
Pros:
- Free: No upfront or ongoing costs to use the free version of the platform.
- Free Forever: You are not locked into any sort of contract even with the paid-for packages.
- Easy to use: The platform is designed to be user-friendly, even for those new to recruitment software.
- Website builder: Helps recruiters establish a professional online presence.
- Affiliate program: Offers the opportunity to earn commission by referring other recruiters to the platform.
- Customer Support: The Giig team is on hand to support.
- Time-saving: Automated features and intelligent candidate matching.
Cons:
- Limited features: As with most software the free version helps get things up and running but there may be a need to upgrade to one of the paid-for packages at some point to make most of the more sophisticated feature set.
MightyRecruiter is a cloud-based Applicant Tracking System (ATS) designed to streamline the hiring process. It offers features for job posting, candidate sourcing, management, and hiring, with a focus on efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Key Features:
- Job posting and distribution
- Career site builder
- Mobile compatibility
- Data Analytics
- Candidate management
Cost:
MightyRecruiter offers a free plan with basic features. Paid plans are available with additional functionalities like advanced candidate search, employer branding tools, and priority customer support.
Pros:
- Cost-effective: Free core features and affordable paid plans.
- User-friendly: Intuitive interface and easy setup.
- Time-saving: Automated features and intelligent candidate matching.
- Comprehensive: Offers a range of features for the entire hiring process.
Cons:
- Limited customization: Customization options might be restricted in the free plan.
- Customer support: The quality of support might vary depending on the plan.
- Features: Some advanced features might be limited compared to premium ATS solutions.
SmartRecruiters is a cloud-based Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Talent Acquisition Suite designed to streamline the hiring process. It offers a collaborative platform for recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates, emphasizing efficiency and candidate experience.
Key Features:
- Pipeline management
- Collaboration: Real-time collaboration among hiring teams, including feedback sharing and approvals.
- Integration: Seamless integration with other HR systems and tools.
- Analytics and reporting: In-depth data on hiring metrics and performance.
Cost:
SmartRecruiters do not advertise their pricing plan. To understand their pricing you have to speak with them.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface and intuitive navigation.
- Strong focus on candidate experience and engagement.
- Robust feature set for efficient recruitment processes.
- Scalable to accommodate growing businesses.
- Excellent customer support.
Cons:
- Pricing can be higher compared to some competitors.
- Customization options might be limited for complex organizations.
- The steep learning curve for full utilization of all features.
Recooty is an all-in-one recruiting software designed to streamline the hiring process for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It focuses on simplifying tasks such as job posting, candidate management, interview scheduling, and hiring.
Key features:
- Job posting
- Interview scheduling
- Talent pool
- AI-Powered recruiting tools
- Branded careers page
- Resume parsing
- API integration
Cost:
Recooty offers a 14-day free trial before jumping to their starting price of $170 per month.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Streamlined hiring process
- Cost-effective for SMEs
- Integration with popular platforms
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to enterprise-level ATS
- Potential limitations for larger organizations
- Reliance on third-party integrations for some functionalities
Breezy HR is an applicant tracking system (ATS) designed to streamline the hiring process for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers features for automating tasks, managing candidates, and improving the overall recruitment experience.
Key features:
- Email Automation
- Collaboration features
- Branded Career Site
- Interview Self-Scheduling: Allows candidates to book interviews at their convenience.
- Real-Time Analytics
- Integrations: Connect with other tools like email, calendar, and background checks.
Cost:
Breezy HR offers a free plan with limited features and paid plans starting at $189 per month.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable pricing options
- Strong focus on automation
- Positive user reviews for customer support
Cons:
- Limited features compared to enterprise-level ATS
- May not be suitable for large companies with complex hiring processes
- Some users report limitations on the free plan
Conclusion
This blog highlights the best free applicant tracking systems for recruiters starting their own agency whilst emphasising the challenges and importance of keeping things like costs down. From reading it you will see that it examines five free or affordable Applicant Tracking Systems for recruiters that can help streamline the recruitment process for new businesses.
The Key Applicant Tracking Systems for Recruiters:
- Giig Hire: Offers a free forever plan for their all-in-one recruitment platform that includes a CRM, ATS, and website builder. Ideal for independent recruiters and small agencies.
- MightyRecruiter: Cloud-based ATS with a free plan, focusing on job posting, candidate management, and hiring.
- SmartRecruiters: Cloud-based ATS and Talent Acquisition Suite with a strong focus on candidate experience. Pricing is not publicly listed.
- Recooty: All-in-one recruiting software designed for SMEs, offering features like job posting, interview scheduling, and talent pools.
- Breezy HR: ATS focused on automation and improving the recruitment experience, with a free plan and paid options.
The blog provides a brief overview of Applicant Tracking Systems for recruiters, including key features, pros, and cons. This will hopefully help new recruiters setting up on their own compare options and choose the best fit for their business.
