Best Open-Source ATS Tools in 2025 for Freelance Recruiters

For solo recruiters or boutique agencies trying to stretch every dollar, open-source applicant tracking systems (ATS) can seem like a goldmine. No monthly fees, full control over your data, and the freedom to customize. But if you've ever tried to spin up your own ATS, you know it's not always plug-and-play.

This guide breaks down what open-source ATS tools actually offer in 2025, who they work best for, and when you might be better off with something hosted and simple.

What Is an Open-Source ATS?

Open-source ATS platforms are applicant tracking systems with source code that's publicly available. You can download, install, and modify the software on your own servers. The trade-off? You take on hosting, updates, and support yourself or pay someone to do it.

This setup appeals to recruiters who want autonomy and the ability to build something tailored. You're not locked into a vendor's roadmap, pricing tiers, or limitations. But it does mean taking on more technical responsibility, especially around uptime, backups, and data privacy.

Who Should Use an Open-Source ATS (And Who Probably Shouldn't)

If you're a recruiter who knows their way around Docker containers or has access to a developer, an open-source ATS gives you total freedom. You can tweak workflows, build integrations, and keep everything in-house.

It’s also a decent option for recruiting teams embedded inside tech startups, where developers are readily available to help.

But if you're a solo recruiter or a non-technical team, these tools can become time sinks. Hosting, maintenance, and customization require ongoing attention. And when something breaks, you're on your own.

If what you really need is fast candidate search, easy outreach, and minimal setup, you’re probably better off with something like Glozo - where sourcing and outreach are baked in.
* Explore our Best ATS for Small Recruiting Teams and Freelancers guide.

Key Factors When Choosing an Open-Source ATS

Before diving into tools, here’s what actually matters:

• Ease of installation - Some tools need a DevOps engineer. Others are much simpler.
• Customization options - Can you adapt it to your workflow without rewriting half the code?
• Community support - Are there recent updates? Active forums or GitHub issues?
• Compliance readiness - Does it help you stay compliant with hiring laws?
• Integration potential - Can it plug into your job boards, email, or CRM?

Also consider whether the project is still maintained. Many open-source ATS platforms get abandoned after a few years.

Top Open-Source ATS Tools in 2025

1. OpenCATS

Still hanging on in 2025, OpenCATS is a legacy favorite for recruiters who want a basic, no-frills ATS they can self-host. It handles job postings, resume parsing, and candidate tracking.

• Pros: Proven, stable, well-documented
• Cons: Outdated UI, requires some tech setup

2. Jobberbase

More of a job board engine than a full ATS, Jobberbase is great if you’re posting public roles and want to build a custom job site. It’s simple and lightweight.

• Pros: Fast to deploy, easy to theme
• Cons: Lacks candidate pipeline and communication tools

3. SimpleRecruit

A newer entrant focused on clarity and speed. Ideal for recruiters who want a minimal, modern interface. It supports candidate tracking, tags, and basic notes.

• Pros: Clean UI, light setup requirements
• Cons: Smaller user base, fewer integrations

4. Odoo HR (ATS module)

Part of the larger Odoo suite, this module brings powerful tracking and analytics, but at the cost of complexity. You’ll need a developer to get the most out of it.

• Pros: Robust feature set, great for internal HR
• Cons: Heavy setup, requires technical help

5. SmartJobBoard (Community Edition)

Often used for niche job boards, this open-source version is ideal if you’re building a targeted hiring site. Think freelancers recruiting for very specific roles or industries.

• Pros: Focused job board functionality
• Cons: Less useful as a day-to-day ATS

Open-Source Drawbacks That Matter

Most open-source tools don't include what freelance recruiters actually need today:

• No built-in sourcing from multiple platforms
• No candidate messaging or outreach workflows
• No AI to help prioritize or predict response rates
• No integrations with LinkedIn or other candidate pools

They also don’t handle compliance out of the box. GDPR? EEO? You’ll need to set that up manually.

And let's not forget usability. Some open-source systems still look and feel like early 2000s software. For recruiters who care about speed, clunky interfaces can mean lost hours every week.
*Need something more modern? See our Best AI Recruiting Tools for 2025 guide.

When Hosted Tools Make More Sense

If you’re a recruiter who:

• Wants fast results
• Doesn’t have a tech team
• Needs a built-in database of candidates
• Prefers not to worry about updates or bugs

Then hosted tools like Glozo, Loxo, or Tezi will get you further, faster. Glozo, for instance, removes the guesswork. You type what kind of candidate you’re looking for, it searches a curated talent pool, and you can message right there.

Plus, tools like Glozo help you avoid context-switching. Instead of jumping between spreadsheets, inboxes, and ATS software, everything from search to outreach is in one place. That’s a huge win when you're managing dozens of roles solo.
* Read: How to Build a Modern Recruiting Workflow with Free Tools

Final Thoughts

Open-source ATS platforms are great if you want full control and have time to tinker. They’re also budget-friendly for teams who know their tech. But they rarely include what modern freelance recruiters actually need: sourcing, AI insights, and outreach - all in one place.

You shouldn’t need to be a sysadmin just to track applicants.

If you’re spending more time setting up your tools than talking to candidates, it might be time to go hosted.

Glozo was built to eliminate that gap. It’s sourcing, search, and outreach in one place - so you can just recruit.

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