Finding an affordable applicant tracking system (ATS) can feel like a balancing act. You want a tool that streamlines your hiring process and improves collaboration — but without the enterprise-level price tag.

For small recruitment agencies and in-house HR teams, this is a real challenge. You can’t afford to waste money on bloated software you’ll barely use. At the same time, going without an ATS means messy spreadsheets and missed candidates.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what to look for in an affordable ATS, share the top budget-friendly options, and answer your most pressing questions — so you can make the right choice for your team and budget.

Why “Affordable” Matters — But Functionality Still Counts

It’s tempting to jump at the cheapest option you find. But when it comes to applicant tracking systems, cutting costs shouldn’t mean cutting corners.

✅ The pain point:

Small agencies and HR teams often have tight budgets and limited time. But they still need a tool that works — not just a price point.

✅ Key takeaway:

The goal isn’t just “cheap.” It’s about finding an ATS that’s affordable and powerful enough to actually improve your hiring workflows.

 What Makes an ATS Affordable — And What to Look For

Affordability isn’t just about the monthly price. Here’s what to keep in mind:

🔎 Transparent pricing

• Look for clear monthly or annual costs — no hidden fees or forced upgrades to unlock core features.

• Be cautious of per-seat pricing if you have a team or want to invite client-side users.

🔎 Core features included

• Even budget-friendly ATS options should cover the essentials: candidate tracking, pipeline management, job postings, and basic reporting.

🔎 Unlimited or generous user invitations

• If you’re a small agency, you may want to invite clients to the platform. Some “affordable” tools get expensive quickly if you’re paying per user.

🔎 Easy to use

• Complexity can cost you time (and money). Look for an ATS that your team can learn quickly, without endless tutorials or IT support.

Top 5 Affordable ATS Options for Small Companies

Here’s a curated list of some of the most affordable ATS options that don’t skimp on functionality:

1 - Hirefly

Overview: Hirefly is designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a user-friendly interface and essential ATS features.

Key Features:

• Branded career pages

• Job posting to multiple boards

• Candidate pipeline management

• Unlimited team members

Pricing:

• Essential Plan: $29/month

• Full Plan: $59/month

Pros:

• Affordable pricing

• Quick and Intuitive setup and navigation

• Multi Company support, suitable for teams collaborating with clients

  
  

Cons:

• Limited integrations with external platforms

• Fewer advanced features compared to competitors

2 - Jobsoid

Overview: Jobsoid offers a comprehensive solution for automating recruitment processes, from job posting to candidate onboarding.

Key Features:

• Customizable recruitment pipeline

• Automated workflows

• Built-in email and SMS communication

• Mobile applications for on-the-go recruitment

Pricing:

• Lite: $49/month

• Standard: $119/month

• Pro: $299/month

Pros:

• Robust feature set for the price

• Many communication tools

  
  

Cons:

• Some users report that the design feels a bit dated.

• Limited customization options for branded career pages — may not be ideal for agencies focusing heavily on employer branding.

• Learning curve with advanced features.

3 - ApplicantStack

Overview: ApplicantStack is tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, focusing on simplifying the hiring process.

Key Features:

• Customizable workflows

• Candidate scorecards

• Integration with job boards

Pricing:

• Starter: $29/month (only 1 open job)

• Growth: $49/month

• Recruit: $99/month

• Recruit & Onboard Bundle: $150/month

Pros:

• Intuitive user interface

• Efficient applicant management

• Customizable to fit specific hiring needs

Cons:

• User interface is less modern compared to newer ATS platforms.

• Limited options for visual branding, which can make it harder to present a polished, professional image to candidates — not ideal for employer branding.

• Limited seats in most plans

4 - Zoho Recruit

Overview: Zoho Recruit offers a cloud-based ATS solution suitable for both in-house recruiters and staffing agencies.

Key Features:

• AI-powered candidate matching

• Resume parsing

• Customizable dashboards

• Integration with various job boards and social media platforms

Pricing:

• Forever Free Plan: Limited to one active job opening

• Standard Plan: Starting at $30/month

• Professional Plan: Pricing varies based on features

Pros:

• Comprehensive feature set

• Scalable for growing businesses

• Strong integration capabilities

Cons:

• Free plan has significant limitations

• User interface may feel dated to some users

• ZoHo products are somewhat known for "one size fits none"

5 - JazzHR

Overview: JazzHR is designed for small businesses, offering a range of features to streamline the hiring process.

Key Features:

• Customizable workflows

• Job posting to multiple boards

• Collaborative hiring tools

• Reporting and analytics

Pricing:

• Hero Plan: $79/month

• Plus Plan: $239/month

• Pro Plan: $359/month

Pros:

• User-friendly interface

• Flexible pricing plans

• Strong customer support

Cons:

• Some features require additional fees

• Pricing can escalate with add-ons

Comparison Table

Note: While Jobsoid and ApplicantStack both offer limited free or low-tier plans (such as Jobsoid’s free plan and ApplicantStack’s plan with only one active job), these plans are generally too restrictive for most businesses seriously looking to manage recruitment at scale. That’s why we’ve excluded these minimal plans from our main comparison — focusing instead on realistic options that provide the core ATS features and flexibility small teams actually need.

How to Choose the Right Affordable ATS for Your Team

Here’s a step-by-step to make sure you pick a tool that’s truly worth it:

1️⃣ List your absolute must-haves.

• Multi-client support?

• Branded career pages?

• Ease of use?

• Appealing application forms?

2️⃣ Try before you buy.

• Most ATS tools offer free trials — have your team test them out to see what’s intuitive (and what’s not).

3️⃣ Calculate the real cost.

• Factor in per-user pricing if you have multiple collaborators.

• Don’t forget setup time and training — a simple tool that saves time is worth it.

4️⃣ Stay flexible.

• As your agency or team grows, you may need more features. Look for tools that let you scale without locking you into expensive plans too early.