Best applicant tracking systems in 2026: Top platforms ranked by use case

The best applicant tracking systems (ATS) for 2026 are Pinpoint, Greenhouse, Workday Recruiting, Lever, Workable, and iCIMS. These popular applicant tracking systems consistently appear in independent rankings and earn strong ratings based on analysis of customer reviews and ratings across sites including SelectSoftware Reviews, Capterra, and G2.

Of these 6 top ATSs, Pinpoint currently has the highest ratings (4.7 on Capterra, 4.6 on G2, 4.6 on SelectSoftware Reviews), making it the pick for best applicant tracking system in 2026. These independent review scores put Pinpoint at the top of this bunch, so yes, we’ve ranked ourselves first—but we’ll keep an eye on the scores if they change.

1. Pinpoint

Ratings: Capterra: 4.7, SelectSoftware Reviews: 4.6, G2: 4.6

Summary of Pinpoint:

Pinpoint is a modern, flexible applicant tracking system built for in-house talent teams managing complex hiring—whether that means early career and executive hiring, high-volume and niche roles, or global and local recruitment. Reviewers highlight its intuitive interface, advanced automation, AI-assisted screening, and branded candidate experience tools. Pinpoint is a popular ATS, best suited to mid-market and enterprise organizations that need a system capable of handling complex workflows without adding administrative overhead.

Pros

• Highly flexible and customizable features across the recruitment lifecycle (and hundreds of integrations) to support all your hiring in one ATS
• Innovative automation and AI tools to reduce manual admin
• Branded, customizable candidate experience and advanced careers site tools
• Fast implementation and consistently high user adoption
• Customer support rated the best in the ATS category (winner of G2 Best Support Fall 2025)

Cons

• Designed primarily for in-house teams, not recruitment agencies
• Not the cheapest on the market and may be too feature-rich if you only want a basic ATS or simple job posting tool
• No free tier and less suited to very small teams

Recent G2 reviews

“Pinpoint has transformed our hiring process—and we’re just getting started!”

“Pinpoint has revolutionized the way we recruit and brought us huge success”

2. Greenhouse

Ratings: Capterra: 4.5, SelectSoftware Reviews: 4.5, G2: 4.4

Summary of Greenhouse:
Greenhouse is an established applicant tracking system known for a structured approach to recruiting. The system includes interview kits, scorecards, and reporting tools for consistency across the hiring process. Greenhouse integrates with HR and recruiting tools and is commonly used by growing technology and services companies.

Pros

• A focus on structured hiring with interview kits and scorecards
• Integrations across HR, sourcing, and assessment tools
• Tools for equitable hiring practices, like anonymized applications and reporting dashboards
• Often adopted among scaling organizations

Cons

• Users report that Greenhouse can be complex to set up and navigate
• Hiring managers may require significant training to get up to speed
• Customizing workflows for different hiring approaches can be challenging, meaning its rigidity and complexity can slow you down
• Priced at the higher end, which may not be cost-effective for all organizations

Recent G2 reviews

“Robust ATS”

“A reliable ATS for end-to-end hiring”

3. Lever

Ratings: Capterra: 4.6, SelectSoftware Reviews: 4, G2: 4.3

Summary of Lever:
Lever combines applicant tracking with some lightweight candidate relationship management functionality, allowing teams to build and nurture pipelines, manage outreach, and organize interview feedback. It’s commonly adopted by organizations that focus on a standard way of hiring, and prioritize talent relationship management features.

Pros

• CRM-style features to support sourcing and pipeline building
• Universal hiring stage setup for simple hiring workflows
• Centralised communication and outreach tools
• Suited to teams focused on talent relationship management
  

Cons

• Workflow flexibility and automation features are more limited than in newer ATSs
• Users report issues with customer support turnaround times
• As hiring becomes more complex, Lever’s “one-size-fits-all” workflows and reports are harder to scale
  

Recent G2 reviews

“Pretty intuitive and easy processes. And Managers love the visibility.”

“Intuitive Interface, But Reports Need Improvement”

4. Workable

Ratings: Capterra: 4.4, SSR: 4.3, G2: 4.5

Summary of Workable:

Workable is an accessible applicant tracking system designed for smaller organizations that want a straightforward way to run day-to-day hiring. It includes job templates, job board distribution, and simple features that allow teams to get up and running without technical support.

Pros

• Fast setup with easy job posting to job boards
• Simple interface suited to smaller teams and first-time ATS users
• Straightforward tools for scheduling and communication
• Good value for organizations hiring for the first time

Cons

• Limited flexibility for more complex hiring environments
• Reporting capabilities restricted compared to enterprise-grade ATSs
• Branding and customization options are limited
• May require upgrades or migration as hiring needs scale

Recent G2 reviews

“Easy to use platform”

“Workable: Streamlining Recruitment with Ease”

5. Workday Recruiting

Ratings: Capterra: 4.5, SelectSoftware Reviews: 4, G2: 3.7

Summary of Workday Recruiting

Workday Recruiting is the talent acquisition module within the broader Workday ecosystem, which combines hiring tools with HR, payroll, and finance functionality. It is typically adopted by global organizations already operating on Workday as their central HR platform.

Pros

• Unified HR, finance, and recruiting data in one ecosystem
• Compliance, auditability, and governance tools
• Suitable for organizations standardizing processes globally
• Joined-up reporting and analytics within the Workday suite

Cons

• Not a stand-alone ATS, meaning typically less product innovation than a best-in-breed solution 
• Configuration and administration can be complex and resource-intensive
• Less agile for teams that need flexible workflows or custom feature requests
• Often requires dedicated Workday specialists to maintain

Recent G2 reviews

“Optimizing Talent Acquisition”

“Simplicity of Workday Recruiting”

6. iCIMS

Ratings: Capterra: 4.3, SelectSoftware Reviews: 4, G2: 4.1

Summary of iCIMS:

iCIMS is an established applicant tracking system that includes tools for job advertising, candidate tracking, communication, and reporting, along with options to configure workflows to different hiring processes. iCIMS also provides a marketplace of integrations and compliance tools to support organizations with varied technology setups.

Pros

• Feature coverage across the recruitment lifecycle
• Good ecosystem of integrations with HR and recruiting tools
• Workflows that can support different hiring models
• Well-established platform with long-term market presence
  

Cons

• Can be a steep learning curve to adopt, especially for some hiring managers 
• Users can experience longer wait times for support 
• Set up and implementation can take longer and requires additional support
• May require more administrative oversight than simpler ATSs

Recent G2 reviews

“A great ATS for reporting”

“Rich in features and integrations, but implementation and ease of use need improvement.”

Recruitment agencies have their hands full staffing multiple clients with diverse hiring needs. They often manage complex workflows, juggling multiple stakeholders and requirements across a broad range of roles, industries, and geographies.

The key to managing this complexity is an ATS that handles client and candidate relationships in one place, from candidate communication to client invoicing. Simplifying your HR tech stack with a single tool saves time on searching and gets you back to hiring quality candidates.

• Bullhorn
  Bullhorn provides an ATS and CRM in one platform, with tools for sourcing, activity tracking, and managing client communication. It’s widely used in the staffing industry and integrates with job boards, VMS platforms, and payroll systems.

• Crelate
  Crelate offers an all-in-one agency environment with applicant tracking, CRM features, and customizable pipelines. It’s adopted by staffing teams that want flexibility without heavy configuration.

• Recruiterflow
  Recruiterflow includes ATS, CRM, and automation tools to support sourcing and outreach in a single workspace. It suits smaller agency teams that want a streamlined system with built-in workflows.

A great candidate experience is table stakes in 2026. Along with your employer branding, it’s how you attract and hire the best candidates.

To deliver that experience, you need an ATS that facilitates fast application processes, personalized communication, and timely feedback. You also need a great careers site with consistent messaging. Relying on marketing or a third party to update your careers site can be slow—having control within the talent function can make things easier.

Look for an ATS that delivers a seamless experience from application to hire, with the option to build and customize your careers site, workflows, and communications.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint provides end-to-end tools for creating a branded, consistent, and high-quality candidate experience. Teams can build custom careers pages, personalize communication, automate updates, and manage every stage of the journey without relying on marketing or technical resources. Pinpoint also supports multi-region hiring and complex workflows while keeping the experience fast and intuitive for candidates.

• Workable
  Workable offers an intuitive application process, simple scheduling tools, and easy-to-configure templates that support a smooth candidate journey. Its clean interface helps small and mid-sized teams deliver quick responses and clear communication.

• Homerun
  Homerun focuses on visually appealing job pages and straightforward collaboration tools that help small teams communicate their culture. Its application flows are designed to feel approachable and human, which supports positive candidate interactions.

Some in-house recruitment teams work with limited budgets, particularly small or early-stage teams that need structure without the cost of a full enterprise platform.

If you’re in this boat, it’s a good idea to look for an ATS that offers core functionality, simple workflows, and enough flexibility to get started, even if you plan to upgrade later. Lower-cost options often reduce feature depth, so it helps to focus on ease of use and essential capabilities.

• Homerun
  Homerun offers a simple, people-first ATS for small teams that want an easy way to organize roles and collaborate on hiring. It includes basic applicant tracking, simple careers pages, and lightweight communication tools at an accessible price point.

• Zoho Recruit
  Zoho Recruit provides an affordable ATS with candidate tracking, basic automation, and job posting tools. Its flexible pricing and integration with the larger Zoho ecosystem make it a practical option for teams that need value and quick setup.

• OpenCATS
  OpenCATS is a free, open-source ATS that gives teams full control over hosting and configuration. It suits organizations with technical support available and very limited budgets, though it requires more manual setup and maintenance.

Teams that want recruiting and onboarding in one place benefit from an ATS that supports the transition from candidate to employee without switching systems.

Onboarding features such as document collection, task management, and branded communication help reduce administrative work and create a more consistent experience for new hires. An integrated setup also improves data accuracy across hiring and HR workflows.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint includes built-in onboarding that lets teams manage the post-offer process directly within the ATS. Recruiters can collect documents, automate onboarding tasks, and maintain a consistent brand experience from application through start date. Pinpoint’s configurable workflows also help teams keep onboarding fast, organized, and aligned across departments and regions.

• SmartRecruiters
  SmartRecruiters offers onboarding tools that support document collection, offer management, and early-stage task assignments. It helps teams keep communication centralized by connecting recruitment and onboarding processes in one platform.

• Greenhouse
  Greenhouse provides structured onboarding features that standardize forms, checklists, and communication across departments. Its setup supports teams that want predictable onboarding workflows and early employee data continuity.

If you hire for both corporate roles and large numbers of frontline, regional, or seasonal positions, you’ll need an ATS that can handle very different workflows without creating extra admin.

You’ll also want strong visibility across teams and locations so everyone stays aligned, even when volumes spike. Flexibility, automation, and a consistent candidate experience are essential for keeping both sides of the hiring operation running smoothly.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint supports both high-volume and specialized hiring in a single system through configurable workflows, automation, and branded candidate experiences. Teams can tailor processes by role type or region, manage large applicant pools efficiently, and maintain consistency across hiring teams. Pinpoint also provides structured collaboration tools that help keep corporate and frontline hiring aligned.

• iCIMS
  iCIMS offers configuration options, compliance tools, and analytics features that suit organizations with varied hiring needs. Its workflows and integrations help support multi-region operations and high-volume recruitment programs.

• SmartRecruiters
  SmartRecruiters provides automation and tools that help teams manage large pipelines, schedule faster, and streamline communication. It supports organizations that run frequent or high-volume hiring alongside other role types.

If you run a small in-house recruitment function and want hiring and HR workflows in one place, an all-in-one HRIS can help you simplify operations.

You’ll get the basics you need to manage applicants, employee records, and admin tasks without juggling multiple platforms. Just be aware that as your hiring becomes more complex, you may eventually outgrow this type of system and move to a dedicated ATS.

• BambooHR
  BambooHR includes a built-in ATS along with employee records, performance management, and other HR tools. It provides a central hub for small teams that want to manage the full employee lifecycle in one system.

• PeopleHR
  PeopleHR offers ATS features within its broader HR platform, supporting hiring, onboarding, and day-to-day HR administration. It suits teams that want structure without adopting separate systems for recruitment and HR tasks.

• HiBob
  HiBob provides an analytics-focused HRIS with an integrated ATS that supports early-stage hiring needs. It’s designed for small and mid-sized teams that want HR, people data, and recruitment tools connected in a single environment.

If you already rely on tools like an HRIS, payroll system, CRM, or assessment platforms, you’ll need an ATS that connects cleanly with the rest of your stack.

Strong integrations help you avoid duplicate data entry, reduce manual admin, and keep information consistent across systems. An ATS with a reliable API and a broad partner ecosystem will give you more flexibility as your tech stack evolves.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint integrates with hundreds of HR, communication, and sourcing tools, and its open API lets you build custom connections when you need them. If you want smooth data flow between systems and the ability to scale your tech stack over time, Pinpoint gives you the flexibility to do both. You can automate handoffs, sync information across platforms, and maintain a more streamlined recruitment workflow.

• Lever
  Lever offers a library of integrations that connect applicant tracking with sourcing, communication, and HR tools. If you want your hiring and outreach activity to sync neatly with the rest of your stack, Lever provides straightforward options to help you keep systems aligned.

• Greenhouse
  Greenhouse includes a large integration marketplace covering HRIS systems, assessments, background checks, and analytics platforms. If you want standardized connections without heavy setup work, it offers predictable integrations for most common HR tools.

If your hiring process involves recruiters, hiring managers, interviewers, and other internal stakeholders, you’ll need an ATS that’s easy for everyone to use.

Clear permissions, simple workflows, and intuitive interfaces help keep people engaged so you don’t end up acting as IT support for your own hiring system. A strong multi-user ATS also improves communication, speeds up feedback, and supports a better candidate experience.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint is designed for high adoption across recruiters and hiring managers, with a clean interface, simple workflows, and built-in collaboration tools. If you want an ATS that reduces friction, improves feedback turnaround, and keeps teams aligned without extra training, Pinpoint makes day-to-day hiring easier for everyone involved.

• Homerun
  Homerun offers a lightweight, visually clear interface that small teams find easy to navigate. If you want a simple way for teammates to give feedback and stay involved without complexity, it provides an approachable experience.

• Breezy
  Breezy includes drag-and-drop pipelines, straightforward communication tools, and accessible dashboards. If you want a tool that hiring managers can pick up quickly, it’s designed to keep collaboration simple.

If you’re drowning in manual admin, introducing automation is transformative. The best applicant tracking systems have advanced automation capabilities that take the pain out of overly manual processes like candidate sourcing and interview scheduling.

Automation helps you move faster, reduce repetitive work, and give candidates a consistent experience without increasing your workload. A strong automation engine keeps processes running smoothly even when hiring volumes fluctuate.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint combines flexible automation with built-in AI features that streamline screening, communication, and scheduling. If you want to reduce manual admin while keeping full control of the candidate experience, Pinpoint helps you automate repetitive steps across different roles, departments, and regions.

• iCIMS
  iCIMS offers configurable automation for communication, screening, and reporting at scale. If you manage complex or regulated hiring processes, its structured workflows help maintain consistency across teams.

• SmartRecruiters
  SmartRecruiters includes tools that support high-volume hiring, faster screening, and communication. If you want to speed up repetitive tasks during busy periods, it provides tools to help you move candidates through the funnel more efficiently.

If you’re focused on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in your hiring process, you’ll want an ATS that supports DEI initiatives with features like bias mitigation tools and diversity reporting.

Tools that reduce bias, standardize interviews, and highlight representation across stages can help you build a more inclusive pipeline. The right ATS will make it easier to align your hiring practices with your DEI goals and demonstrate progress.

• Applied
  Applied is designed around evidence-based, bias-reducing hiring practices, offering anonymized applications and structured evaluations. It’s a strong option if you’re looking for a tool built specifically to support fair decision-making from the start.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint includes DEI-focused features like blind screening, structured scorecards, and consistent workflows that help reduce bias across the hiring process. You can track representation across stages, monitor progress, and ensure interviews stay aligned with your DEI standards. 

• Greenhouse
  Greenhouse offers structured interview tools, reminders, and optional demographic data collection to help teams focus on consistent and inclusive evaluations. Teams that want DEI aligned to standardized processes often find its built-in guidance useful.

If you rely on job boards to source candidates, you’ll need an ATS that posts roles quickly, keeps listings consistent, and tracks which channels deliver the best results.

Strong job board integrations save you time on manual posting and give you clearer insight into advertising performance. A system that connects to both global and regional boards will help you reach the right talent faster.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint integrates with global, regional, and niche job boards, including Indeed and LinkedIn, and offers one-click publishing across multiple channels. You can monitor source performance in one dashboard, keep postings consistent, and adjust your strategy without extra admin. Pinpoint’s trusted partnerships with major boards help ensure listings stay accurate and optimized.

• Workable
  Workable provides quick, built-in publishing to a wide range of job boards, with options for both free and premium visibility. It’s useful when you want a fast, simple way to distribute roles to multiple channels without complex setup.

• Greenhouse
  Greenhouse connects to a network of job boards and recruitment marketing tools, making it easier to manage high-volume or multi-market posting. Its structured approach helps keep job data consistent across all channels.

If you’re hiring in the UK and rely on fast, knowledgeable support, you’ll benefit from an ATS with local teams who understand regional regulations and typical hiring practices.

Access to support in your time zone helps you resolve issues quickly, stay compliant, and keep hiring moving without delays. UK-based expertise also makes it easier to navigate GDPR requirements and local job board integrations.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint was founded in the UK and provides local expertise along with responsive support for teams operating across the region. You’ll get guidance tailored to UK hiring standards, plus quick answers from a support team working in your time zone.

• eArcu
  eArcu is a UK-based recruitment platform. It suits teams that want regional hosting, familiar workflows, and direct support within the UK.

• Workable
  Workable offers global support with strong coverage across the UK, along with GDPR-friendly features and integrations with local job boards. It’s a practical option if you’re hiring in multiple locations but need reliable UK support availability.

If you’re hiring in the United States, you’ll need an ATS that supports federal and state compliance requirements, integrates with US job boards, and handles multi-location hiring. Features like EEO data collection, audit trails, and reliable integrations with HR and payroll platforms help you stay compliant and organized. An ATS with strong reporting and automation will also make it easier to manage high volumes across different states and departments.

• Pinpoint
  Pinpoint gives US teams the flexibility to manage high-volume, specialized, and multi-state hiring in one place. You can configure workflows for different regions, collect compliance data, and integrate with leading US job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter. Pinpoint’s automation and collaboration tools help keep processes aligned across departments and locations, which improves consistency and candidate experience nationwide.

• Greenhouse
  Greenhouse offers structured workflows, EEO data collection, and a library of integrations that fit common US tools. It suits teams that want standardized processes and clear visibility across different locations.

• Lever
  Lever provides ATS and CRM capabilities that help US teams build pipelines and manage communication centrally. Its integrations with common HR and productivity tools make it easier to keep recruiting activity aligned across locations.

Sources

• People Managing People
• SelectSoftware Reviews
• Zapier
• G2
• Forbes
• Capterra

Methodology

We reviewed over 60 applicant tracking systems across key criteria, including usability, automation, candidate experience, reporting, integrations, and implementation. This list represents our 2026 picks for different use cases, based on user feedback and independent reviews.