HR Management

The Top 10 Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to Streamline Your Hiring Process

Wraps up in 17 Minutes

Author: Gavin Altus

Published On August 7, 2025

Let’s be honest – hiring is tough. Really tough. You’re drowning in resumes, juggling interview schedules, and trying to remember which candidate impressed you three weeks ago. Sound familiar?

Whether you run a small startup or manage recruitment for a large company, the right applicant tracking system can be your lifeline. Think of it as your hiring assistant who never sleeps, never forgets, and doesn’t need coffee breaks.

But here’s the thing: not all ATS platforms are created equal. Some are perfect for small businesses just starting. Others shine when you’re dealing with hundreds of applicants. And a few are built explicitly for recruitment agencies who live and breathe talent acquisition.

So, which one’s right for you? Let’s dive in.

1. Sentrient Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

Sentrient has been quietly helping Australian businesses hire better for over a decade. They’re not flashy, but they get the job done. What sets them apart? They understand Australian employment laws and compliance requirements, which matters more than you might think.

Key Features

Here’s what you get with Sentrient:

Smart resume filtering – No more reading through 200 resumes manually
Automated candidate communications – Because nobody likes waiting for updates
Powerful search tools – Find that perfect candidate buried in your database
Useful analytics – Numbers that help you hire better
Career page integration – Make your jobs page look professional
Easy interview scheduling – Stop playing email tag with candidates
Document management – Keep all the paperwork organised

Integrations

Sentrient plays well with other HR systems. They’ve got API connections for custom setups, plus they’ll hook into your existing career pages without much fuss.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Covers everything from start to finish
Knows Australian employment regulations
Been around long enough to work out the kinks
Solid candidate screening tools

The Not-So-Good:

You’ll need to ask for pricing (no window shopping)
Integration details aren’t super clear upfront

Best Suited For

It is perfect for Australian businesses – from growing startups to established companies – who want something that just works without the headaches.

Pricing

After a demo, they’ll give you a custom quote. Think of it like buying a car – the price depends on what you need.

Conclusion

Sentrient won’t win any flashy design awards, but it’s reliable, local, and does what it promises. Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

2. Employment Hero Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

Here’s something different: Employment Hero gives you access to 1.5 million job seekers right out of the box. It’s like having a massive talent pool in your backyard. Plus, it handles HR, payroll, and benefits too – everything except making your morning coffee.

Key Features

Instant access to 1.5M+ candidates – No more posting jobs into the void
Post everywhere at once – Hit all the major job boards with one click
Smart candidate matching – AI does the heavy lifting
Team collaboration tools – Get everyone on the same page
Automated reference checks – Because checking references is tedious
Quick onboarding – Turn candidates into employees fast
Custom career pages – Look professional without the designer fees
Bulk messaging – Communicate with multiple candidates efficiently

Integrations

They connect with pretty much everything: Xero, QuickBooks, Slack, Microsoft 365, and 50+ other tools you’re probably already using.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Built-in candidate database is genuinely useful
Everything’s connected – no juggling multiple systems
Automation saves time
Great for getting new hires started quickly
Pricing is straightforward

The Not-So-Good:

Monthly minimums can sting for smaller teams
Might be overkill if you need basic hiring tools
Some users find the recruitment features limited

Best Suited For

Small to medium businesses that want one system to handle hiring, HR, and payroll. This is especially good if you hate switching between different platforms.

Pricing

Lite: $9.50 per employee/month (minimum $190)
Plus: $14.50 per employee/month (minimum $290)
Unlimited: $24.50 per employee/month (minimum $490)

Conclusion

Employment Hero is like the Swiss Army Knife of HR tools. It does many things well, even if it’s not the absolute best at every single one.

3. JobAdder Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

JobAdder was built by recruiters who got tired of clunky software. The result? A system that 26,000+ users enjoy using, with a 99% satisfaction rate that’s hard to argue with.

Key Features

Visual pipeline management – Drag and drop candidates like you’re organising your desk
Smart resume parsing – Automatically fills in candidate details
Interview scorecards – Rate candidates consistently
Full mobile app – Recruit from anywhere (beach office, anyone?)
200+ job board connections – Cast a wide net
AI matching – Let the computer find good fits
Custom workflows – Make it work how you work
Detailed reporting – See what’s working

Integrations

Expect 100+ integrations, including LinkedIn, Indeed, Seek, plus all the background check and video interview tools.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Made by people who recruit for a living
Users genuinely love it (that 99% satisfaction rate)
Tons of integrations available
Mobile app that works well
Can cut hiring time in half

The Not-So-Good:

No upfront pricing (you’ll need to talk to sales)
Might be too much system for simple hiring needs
Early AI features needed some polishing (though they’ve improved)

Best Suited For

Recruitment agencies, staffing firms, and companies with dedicated talent acquisition teams need serious recruiting power.

Pricing

Custom pricing with different tiers (Lite, Essential, Pro, Business) depending on your needs. You’ll need to chat with them for specifics.

Conclusion

JobAdder is what happens when recruiters build software for recruiters. It shows.

4. Springboard Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

Springboard focuses on making recruitment workflows work for your business instead of vice versa. They’re big on customisation and eliminating the boring admin stuff.

Key Features

Flexible workflows – Set it up how you want it
Automation everywhere – Less clicking, more hiring
Candidate screening – Filter out the maybes
Interview coordination – No more scheduling nightmares
Multi-channel communication – Email, SMS, whatever works
Built-in assessments – Test before you hire
Compliance tracking – Stay on the right side of regulations

Integrations

They’ll connect with your existing systems, though the specifics aren’t clear from what’s publicly available.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Highly customisable to your specific needs
Strong focus on automation
Compliance features are solid
Cuts down on manual work

The Not-So-Good:

Light on publicly available details
Pricing isn’t transparent
Might need significant setup time

Best Suited For

Companies that need their hiring process to work in particular ways, with strong automation and compliance requirements.

Pricing

You’ll need to contact them for pricing details.

Conclusion

Springboard seems solid for businesses with specific workflow needs, but the lack of readily available information makes it hard to evaluate thoroughly.

5. Bullhorn Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

Bullhorn is the big player in staffing agency software. Over 10,000 recruitment firms worldwide use it, so they’re doing something right. It’s built specifically for agencies that live and breathe placements.

Key Features

AI-powered workflows – Smart automation that helps
Combined ATS and CRM – Manage candidates and clients together
Cloud-based everything – Access from anywhere
Comprehensive reporting – Numbers that matter to your business
Email integration – Keep all communications in one place
Mobile access – Full functionality on your phone
Global compliance – Work across borders without headaches
Workflow automation – Customise how things work

Integrations

They have extensive connections with job boards, social media, background checks, and business tools. API is available for custom integrations.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Trusted by thousands of agencies globally
AI features that work
Strong client relationship management
Security and compliance are top-notch
Proven in the staffing industry

The Not-So-Good:

Designed for agencies, not in-house teams
Can be overwhelming for smaller operations
No public pricing
Might need serious training to use well

Best Suited For

Staffing agencies and recruitment firms that need serious CRM capabilities alongside their ATS.

Pricing

Custom pricing based on your size and needs.

Conclusion

Bullhorn is the professional’s choice for recruitment agencies. Powerful, but probably overkill for simple hiring needs.

6. WebHR Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

WebHR takes a different approach. They give you a full HR system and throw in applicant tracking almost as a bonus. At $2.50 per employee per month, it’s hard to beat on price.

Key Features

Team-based hiring – Get everyone involved in decisions
Mobile everything – Recruit from your phone
GDPR compliant – European data protection covered
Multiple languages – Hire globally
Job board connections – Post widely
Reporting and analytics – See what’s working
Candidate scoring – Rate and compare applicants
Interview scheduling – Coordinate calendars automatically

Integrations

There are over 50 integrations, including the usual suspects: Asana, Gmail, LinkedIn, Microsoft 365, QuickBooks, Slack, Xero, and many more.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Incredibly affordable starting price
Full HR system included
24/7 support with real people
Works in multiple languages
Good integration options

The Not-So-Good:

Basic recruitment features compared to specialised systems
May lack advanced recruiting tools
Smaller player in the ATS space

Best Suited For

Small to medium businesses that want affordable HR management with basic recruiting capabilities thrown in.

Pricing

It costs $2.50 per monthly employee and gets cheaper as you add more people.

Conclusion

WebHR wins on value. It’s not the fanciest recruiting tool, but it covers the basics and won’t break the bank.

7. QJumpers Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

QJumpers has been in the recruitment tech game for 15+ years. Their big selling point? Unlimited users. No matter how many people need access, you don’t pay extra.

Key Features

AI talent sourcing – Search through 370+ million profiles
Unlimited team access – No per-user fees
Custom workflows – Make it work your way
Mobile and collaboration tools – Hire as a team
Talent database – Build your candidate pool
Approval workflows – Route job requests properly
Advanced analytics – Understand your hiring data
Integration ready – Connect with other tools

Integrations

Connects with job boards, social media, assessment tools, background checks, email systems, and HR platforms.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

No limits on users (huge cost saver for larger teams)
15+ years of recruitment experience show
Pay per job, not per person
AI sourcing capabilities
Highly customisable

The Not-So-Good:

Monthly plan pricing isn’t clear upfront
Lots of features might overwhelm smaller teams
Premium features need consultation

Best Suited For

Growing companies with multiple hiring managers who need collaborative recruiting with advanced automation.

Pricing

Casual: $129 per job
Core: Monthly plan (need to ask for pricing)
Premium: Custom pricing

Conclusion

QJumpers is great for teams that need collaborative hiring without paying per-user fees. The unlimited access model can save serious money.

8. TalentVine Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

TalentVine does something completely different. Instead of just tracking applicants, they connect you with recruitment specialists while giving you tools to manage the whole process. Think of it as Uber for recruiters.

Key Features

Multi-recruiter management – Work with several agencies at once
Recruiter marketplace – Find specialists for specific roles
Interview coordination – Manage scheduling with recruiters
Offer management – Handle negotiations and counteroffers
Recruiter ratings – See who delivers results
SmartRecruiters integration – Enhanced ATS connectivity
Broadbean connection – Extended job posting reach

Integrations

Works with SmartRecruiters, Broadbean, and various recruitment platforms.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Completely free for employers
Access to Australia’s biggest recruiter network
A unique model can reduce recruitment costs
Pay only when you hire
Compare recruiters transparently

The Not-So-Good:

Only works with recruiter-sourced candidates
Different from traditional ATS systems
Depends on recruiter availability
Not ideal if you prefer direct hiring

Best Suited For

Companies that prefer working with external recruiters but want to maintain control and oversight.

Pricing

Free for employers – TalentVine takes a cut from the recruiter’s fee.

Conclusion

TalentVine flips the script on recruitment if you like working with recruiters but want more control.

9. Access Group Applicant Tracking System (ATS System)

The Access Group offers a recruitment software solution for Australian businesses as part of its broader HR software suite. With over 35 years of presence in Australia’s workforce management and payroll space, Access Group’s ATS is designed to handle complex pay, compliance, and candidate management requirements.

Key Features

Job Posting & Campaign Creation: Easily post jobs to your branded career page and manage external job ads.
Candidate Tracking: Streamline management of applicants through each hiring stage with searchable records.
Interview Scheduling: Schedule interviews and manage communication with candidates directly through the system.
Reporting & Analytics: Generate reports on recruitment performance, time-to-hire, and candidate sources.
Resume Parsing: Automatically extract and organise candidate information for screening.
Assessment Management: Assessments and skills testing should be included in the workflow.
Document Management: Store, send, and receive candidate files and onboarding documents.
Mobile Access: Manage recruitment tasks on the go.

Integrations

Payroll and HR Suite: Integrates with Access Group’s payroll solutions Definitiv and MicrOpay, enabling unified employee records from hire to payroll.
Time & Attendance and Rostering: Link recruitment with schedule management and rostering platforms within the Access ecosystem.
Reporting & BI: Pull recruitment analytics alongside broader HR and financial insights.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Deep local compliance and award interpretation for Australian businesses
One vendor for recruitment, HR, payroll, rostering, and workforce management
Suitable for all business sizes, from SMEs to large organisations
Mobile-friendly and supports remote workflows

The Not-So-Good:

Interface may feel dated compared to newer, specialist ATS products
Support quality can vary, as noted in selective user feedback
Pricing is custom and requires a direct quote (not openly listed online)

Best Suited For

Australian businesses (from small enterprises to large organisations) who want one system for HR, payroll, rostering, and recruitment, especially those needing strong compliance and payroll integration alongside hiring functions.

Pricing

Custom/Quote-Based: You must contact The Access Group for an exact price. Their solutions are modular, so costs depend on features and modules chosen for your business size and structure.

Conclusion

Access Group’s ATS excels if you want to keep hiring, HR, payroll, and compliance under one roof with a core provider focused on Australian requirements. While it might not have some of the flashiest features or interface of boutique ATS competitors, its integration with payroll, compliance, and broader HR makes it a practical, scalable choice for many local employers.

Access Group is a contender worth investigating if centralised management and local payroll/legal expertise are high on your wish list. Suppose you want more hands-on details (like the exact user interface or current feature additions). In that case, it is recommended that you schedule a demo or directly inquire with The Access Group.

10. Melbourne Resume Writer ATS Services

This one’s different – Melbourne Resume Writer doesn’t provide ATS software. Instead, they help job seekers beat ATS systems by optimising their resumes.

Key Features

ATS-friendly resume formatting – Make sure your resume gets through
Keyword optimisation – Use the right terms
Professional writing – Expert resume creation
ATS guidance – Learn how these systems work
Industry-specific help – Tailored for different sectors

Integrations

Not applicable – they’re a service, not software.

Pros and Cons

The Good:

Specialised in beating ATS systems
Helps job seekers succeed
Professional writing expertise

The Not-So-Good:

Not an ATS provider
Only helps from the candidate side
Service-based, not software

Best Suited For

Job seekers who want to improve their chances of getting past ATS screening.

Pricing

Contact for custom quotes based on your needs.

Conclusion

It’s not what you’re looking for if you need ATS software, but it’s helpful if you’re on the other side, trying to get hired.

Bottom line:

The right ATS can save you hours, help you find better candidates, and give you valuable data about your hiring process. Something on this list will work for you whether you’re a startup or an established company. The key is being honest about what you need versus what sounds cool in a demo. Start simple, and you can always upgrade later.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What exactly is an ATS?

Think of an ATS as your hiring inbox on steroids. It collects resumes, sorts through applications, tracks where each candidate is in your process, and helps you manage everything without losing your mind.

2. Do small businesses need this stuff?

Short answer: probably yes. About 35% of small businesses now use ATS, and that number keeps growing. Even if you’re only hiring a few people, an ATS helps you stay organised and make better decisions.

3. What’s the difference between ATS and CRM?

An ATS tracks people applying for specific jobs right now. A CRM manages relationships with potential candidates for future roles. Many modern systems do both.

4. How much should I expect to pay?

It varies wildly. WebHR starts at $2.50 per employee monthly. QJumpers charges $129 per job. Enterprise systems can run $400+ monthly. Depends on what you need and how big your company is.

5. Will these systems work with what I’m already using?

Modern ATS platforms connect with job boards, email, calendars, and HR systems. Popular connections include LinkedIn, Indeed, Microsoft 365, and Slack.

6. Can I hire remotely with these systems?

Absolutely. Modern ATS platforms handle video interviews, digital offers, online onboarding, and mobile access. This became essential during COVID and stuck around because it works.

6. How do I pick the right ATS?

Consider your company size, the number of people you hire, your budget, and what other tools you need to work with. Also, consider whether you need basic tracking or advanced features like AI sourcing.

7. Which industries use ATS the most?

Everyone can benefit, but it’s especially valuable for companies that hire a lot, have complex processes, or have strict compliance needs. Recruitment agencies, healthcare, IT, retail, and professional services use them heavily.

8. Our Recommendations

After digging through all these options, here’s what we’d suggest based on different situations:

9. Best Applicant Tracking Systems For Small Businesses

WebHR offers the most bang for your buck at $2.50 per employee monthly, including full HR features. Employment Hero works great if you want everything integrated – hiring, HR, payroll, and that built-in talent pool.

10. Best Applicant Tracking Systems For Recruitment Agencies

JobAdder is the winner with its 99% satisfaction rate and recruiter-focused design. Bullhorn works best for larger agencies needing comprehensive client management and AI features.

11. Best Applicant Tracking Systems For Growing Companies

QJumpers shines with unlimited users and job-based pricing – perfect for expanding teams. Sentrient offers solid local compliance and comprehensive features for Australian businesses.

12. Best Applicant Tracking Systems For Tight Budgets

TalentVine costs nothing upfront and connects you with Australia’s recruiter network. WebHR delivers full HR functionality at minimal per-employee cost.

13. Special Mention: Sentrient ATS

Here’s why Sentrient deserves extra attention for Australian businesses:

After a decade serving local companies, they understand what Australian employers need. They’re not the flashiest option, but they cover all the basics plus advanced features like data analytics and automated screening.

What makes them stand out:

Local knowledge – They understand Australian employment laws
Complete solution – Handles everything from initial screening to final onboarding
Proven reliability – Over 10 years of happy customers across Australia and New Zealand
Scalable – Works for small businesses and big enterprises
Smart insights – Analytics that help you hire better

Sentrient won’t win any design awards, but sometimes you need something that works reliably without the fuss.