If you’re part of a small recruiting team or you’re working solo as a freelance recruiter, you know the feeling of “spinning plates while juggling fire.” One minute you’re creating job postings, the next you’re filling out candidate emails, booking interviews, chasing down references - all while staying on top of tight deadlines and budgets.

How can you bring order to this chaos without burning out?

Add an ATS to your work life (if you haven’t already). An applicant tracking system (ATS) helps you manage every step of the hiring process, from job postings and applications to feedback and interview analytics. For small teams, it’s not just useful, it’s transformative.

But here's the real question: how do you choose a powerful, budget-friendly system that's actually right for you?

This guide offers a curated overview of the best ATS tools designed for small teams and freelancers, with features, pricing, and comparisons to help you make a wise choice.

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What Makes an ATS “Small-Team Friendly”?

Before we dive into the tools, here are the things that matter most when working with ATS:
·  Ease of use: You don’t need special training or complicated plans to get started.
·  Automation: Streamline repetitive tasks like follow-ups, scheduling, or posting.
·  Customization: Your workflow adapts to your rules.
·  Affordability: Multiple pricing plans to suit different budgets.
·  Integration: Works smoothly with email, calendars, video calls, and other tools.
·  Scalability: Start small, grow as you go.

Top ATS Picks for Small Teams & Freelancers

1. Workable

Why it works: Built-in tools like scorecards and interview scheduling keep everything in sync.
Best for small teams planning to scale fast.
From ~$299/month
Workable Pricing

2. Breezy HR

Slick visuals, drag-and-drop pipelines, and automation galore.
Why it works: Great for recruiters who want flexibility with minimal tech complexity.
Best for solo recruiters who value visual workflows.
There's a free plan, paid plans start at around $189/month
Breezy HR Pricing

3. Teamtailor

Focuses on brand, experience, and automation.
Why it works: Ideal for companies that want to stand out to candidates.
Best for startups looking to build a recruitment brand.
~$249/month (via contact)
Teamtailor - Request Pricing

4. Recruitee

Collaborative and analytics-friendly with a clean interface.
Why it works: Combines ease of use with smart insights.
Best for teams who track and optimize hiring workflows.
From ~$216/month
Recruitee Pricing

5. Zoho Recruit

A highly customizable and affordable ATS that’s part of the larger Zoho ecosystem. 
Why it works: Fully functional free plan (for 1 recruiter), solid automation, and custom workflows.
Best for freelancers and small teams just starting out.
There is a free plan feature; Standard plan ~€25/user/month
Zoho Recruit Pricing

6. Recruit CRM

ATS + CRM combo made for freelancers and recruiting agencies. Which makes it especially attractive for freelancers and small recruiting agencies that work with both candidates and clients.
Why it works: Lets you manage both candidates and clients in one place.
Best for freelance and agency recruiters juggling B2B relationships.
From €79/user/month
Recruit CRM Pricing

Comparison: Which ATS Should You Choose? 

When choosing, focus on your personal preferences and budget. In general, all the ATS platforms described above are user-friendly, efficient, and well-equipped, they all cope with almost any task perfectly. Based on this analysis, we can suggest platforms according to the main focus:

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Think of your hiring process like a story: do you need control, clarity, automation, or personality? The right ATS will support, not dictate your unique narrative.

Integrate With Anything: GLOZO’s Flexibility

No matter which ATS you choose, GLOZO offers seamless integration with any applicant tracking system. Whether you're managing data from multiple tools or just getting started with your first ATS, GLOZO can help you:
·       Sync candidate info and workflows
·       Create custom dashboards and reports
·       Maintain data consistency across platforms
·       Automate actions based on ATS status updates

Already using an ATS? GLOZO adapts to your system - not the other way around.

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Final Thoughts: Tools That Free You to Focus on People

Recruiting at a small scale demands clarity, speed, and adaptability. The right ATS helps you move beyond spreadsheets and inbox chaos and gives you time to do what matters most: connecting with people, making smart matches, and building great teams.

Start small. Test a few platforms. Don’t be afraid to switch if the rhythm’s off. In the end, your ATS should be more than a tool: it should be a quiet partner that makes your work smoother, more strategic, and maybe even more meaningful.

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