Startups often need hiring software that is easy to adopt, flexible as the team grows, and supportive of collaborative decision-making. This list highlights seven applicant tracking systems that are worth knowing, based on what each vendor says about its product. The order is a plain list, not a quality ranking. Each entry describes what the system does and who it may suit, using only facts from the provided source pages.
How We Picked These Tools
We included systems that are described on their own websites as serving startups, small businesses, or growing teams, or that offer features relevant to early-stage hiring such as collaborative tools, automation, and customizable workflows. We did not evaluate pricing, performance, or popularity. Every fact is quoted directly from the source pages, and no company is presented as better than another.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Greenhouse | Startups seeking an all-in-one hiring ecosystem |
| Lever | Startups that want ATS and CRM together |
| Ashby | Startups wanting an all-in-one platform that scales |
| Workable | Startups looking for an agentic ATS with HR features |
| JazzHR | Small businesses and startups seeking simplicity |
| Breezy HR | Startups that want to automate hiring tasks |
| Recruitee | Startups seeking customizable collaborative hiring |
The 7 Tools in Focus
#1 Greenhouse
A screenshot of the Greenhouse website.
Greenhouse presents itself as an orchestrated hiring ecosystem that combines sourcing, interviewing, and ATS solutions. It offers AI-powered tools such as Voice AI interviews, Notetaker, and scheduling, along with reporting and analytics. The platform is designed for employers that want a single place to manage the full hiring lifecycle. It may suit startups that are building a structured hiring process and want access to a broad set of integrated tools.
#2 Lever
A screenshot of the Lever website.
Lever is a modern applicant tracking system and recruiting CRM that helps companies attract, nurture, and hire talent. It combines candidate relationship management, automation, analytics, and collaborative hiring tools in one platform. Lever embeds AI across the hiring journey, from screening to reporting, and offers fraud prevention and scalability features. It may suit startups that want to manage both active applicants and passive candidates in a single system.
#3 Ashby
A screenshot of the Ashby website.
Ashby offers an all-in-one recruiting platform that includes ATS, scheduling, CRM, and analytics with AI embedded throughout. It provides a specific offering for startups, described as easy to use and designed to scale. The platform aims to support structured hiring end-to-end and offers custom reporting. It may suit early-stage companies that want a single system that can grow with them.
#4 Workable
A screenshot of the Workable website.
Workable is a talent management platform that combines an AI recruiting agent with a complete applicant tracking system. The agent sources, screens, and engages candidates inside the ATS, while the platform also covers job board posting, career site building, and interview scheduling. Workable extends into HR features such as onboarding and performance management. It may suit startups that want to automate information-heavy recruiting tasks and keep HR data in one place.
#5 JazzHR
A screenshot of the JazzHR website.
JazzHR is recruiting software built for small businesses, with an applicant tracking system that covers job posting, candidate sourcing, interviews, and offers. It emphasizes ease of use and affordability, and includes automation and AI-powered fit recommendations. The platform also offers reporting and integrations with payroll and HR systems. It may suit startups that need a straightforward ATS without the complexity of enterprise platforms.
#6 Breezy HR
A screenshot of the Breezy HR website.
Breezy HR provides hiring software that covers advertising jobs, automating screening, and managing offers. It includes a custom career site builder, automated workflows, and collaborative hiring tools. The platform also offers HRIS integrations and performance review features. It may suit startups that want to automate repetitive hiring tasks and present a branded careers page.
#7 Recruitee
A screenshot of the Recruitee website.
Recruitee is customizable hiring software that helps teams streamline and automate hiring, build an employer brand, and collaborate on decisions. It includes a career site builder, applicant management, interview scheduling, and analytics. The platform also offers AI-driven features and integrations. It may suit startups that want a flexible system to align their team and present a strong employer brand.
Which One Should You Choose?
Start by mapping your startup's hiring volume and process complexity to the features each system emphasizes. Consider whether you need an all-in-one platform, a dedicated ATS with CRM, or software that automates specific tasks. Look at how each vendor describes its ideal customer, such as small businesses, startups, or growing teams. Check for the integrations you rely on, such as HRIS or job boards, and evaluate the level of customization and collaboration support. Request demos and trials to see which interface feels manageable for your team.
Final Thoughts
The applicant tracking systems in this list each take a different approach to helping startups hire. Some focus on being an all-in-one ecosystem, while others emphasize simplicity, automation, or customization. There is no single best choice; the right fit depends on your team's size, workflow, and priorities. Use the quoted facts and your own evaluation to decide which system aligns with your hiring needs.
Know a company that belongs on this list? Email us at editorial@peekwire.com.