2. Zoho Recruit
Zoho Recruit offers a blend of applicant tracking software and CRM-style features, making it useful for both internal HR teams and staffing agencies. It covers essentials like interview scheduling, candidate communication, and customizable workflows so teams can shape the system around their hiring process.
Its flexibility and automation tools help cut down repetitive tasks, but setup can be time-consuming. Some users also note a learning curve, and integrations or support can be slower than expected.
✅ Pros
- Clean interface with strong resume parsing and candidate tracking
- Highly customizable workflows for different recruitment styles
- Works well for both corporate hiring and agency recruiting
⚠️ Cons
- Setup and configuration take time
- Support responses can be inconsistent
- Certain integrations require extra setup or third-party tools
3. Recooty
Recooty simplifies recruitment by automating key tasks like posting jobs to boards, career pages, and social media. Its cloud-based dashboard helps teams review candidates, manage applications, and create shortlists with ease.
The platform also streamlines interview scheduling by automatically sending details via email. Covering multiple stages of hiring, Recooty focuses on efficiency for small and growing teams.
✅ Pros
- Quick job posting with easy website embedding
Strong ATS features with AI support to speed up hiring
User-friendly dashboard with smooth status updates
⚠️ Cons
- Limited integrations with communication tools, requiring manual tracking of conversations
- Free application credits are hard to access, and the interface could be more polished
- Occasional performance slowdowns may interrupt workflows
4. Manatal
Manatal is designed to streamline the hiring process end-to-end, from sourcing candidates to onboarding. It centralizes multiple recruitment channels in one platform, making it easier for teams to manage hiring efficiently. Best suited for mid-sized and larger organizations, it balances affordability with advanced functionality.
Key features include AI-powered candidate matching, social media enrichment, remote collaboration tools, and compliance support for regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and PDPA. Its reporting suite also helps track hiring performance across teams.
✅ Pros
- Comprehensive training resources for new users
- Responsive and knowledgeable customer support
- Strong value for money compared to many competitors
⚠️ Cons
- Interface could be more intuitive, with room to improve search functions
- Career page templates limited to English and Spanish
- Fewer customization options for career page layouts and design
5. Breezy HR
Breezy HR helps automate core hiring tasks like job postings, job board distribution, and interview scheduling. Its drag-and-drop interface and visual pipelines make setup straightforward, giving teams a clear view of every stage of the process.
Standout features include Candidate Match Score for identifying top applicants, resume parsing, scorecards, and Interview Guides to support structured evaluations. Breezy also offers built-in reporting and GDPR compliance, plus mobile apps for iOS and Android.
✅ Pros
- More affordable than many enterprise-level ATS platforms
- Comprehensive solution for small teams, reducing reliance on multiple tools
- Responsive and helpful customer support
- Mobile app available for both Android and iOS
⚠️ Cons
- Calendar function can be clunky, leading to double-booking issues
- Limited customization options for careers pages
- Lacks some advanced automation compared to higher-priced competitors
Let’s Explore Pricing Models
AvaHR
- Standard Plan: $83/month (5 job postings)
- Growth Plan: $125/month (unlimited job postings)
- Premier Plan: $299/month (AI-powered Hiring Assistant & recruiting tools)
- Autopilot: For teams ready to automate hiring completely – let us handle your hiring needs.
- Free Trial: Yes ✅
- Notable Features: Post jobs to over 50 boards with one click, deliver a hiring experience that matches your brand, and shape workflows to match how your team hires in real life. ✨
- Ideal For: Startups and growing teams that want a simple, affordable way to showcase their culture from the start. ✨
- Check out our Pricing page for more details!
Zoho Recruit
- Free Plan: A basic version is available, making it a good fit for solo recruiters or small teams just getting started.
- Starting Price: Paid plans begin at $25 per user/month, unlocking advanced features and integrations.
- Free Trial: Yes ✅
- Notable Features: User-friendly interface, flexible pricing options, and straightforward integrations with other tools.
- Ideal For: Small teams that need a budget-friendly ATS with room to scale.
Recooty
- Starting Price: $79 per month
- Free Trial: Yes ✅
- Notable Features: Simplified job distribution to multiple platforms, AI-assisted resume screening, and an intuitive dashboard for tracking candidates.
- Ideal For: Small to mid-sized businesses seeking an easy-to-use recruitment tool powered by AI.
Manatal
- Starting Price: $15 per user/month
- Free Trial: Yes ✅
- Notable Features: AI-powered tools, social media enrichment, and a centralized platform that covers everything from sourcing to onboarding.
- Ideal For: Companies that want to streamline hiring and enhance collaboration across remote teams.
Breezy HR
- Free Plan: Basic features included
- Starting Price: $157/month
- Free Trial: Yes ✅
- Notable Features: Automated job postings, visual pipeline management, Candidate Match Score, advanced resume parsing, and built-in analytics.
- Ideal For: Teams that want a streamlined recruiting tool to automate manual tasks and manage hiring through a user-friendly interface.
FAQ About Cheap Applicant Tracking Systems
What does “cheap ATS” actually mean?
A cheap applicant tracking system is one that delivers essential hiring tools at an affordable, predictable price. Instead of paying for enterprise-level features you’ll never use, affordable recruiting software focuses on core functions like job posting, candidate tracking, and reporting.
AvaHR, for example, offers these features for $83/month, giving small teams advanced tools without enterprise costs.
Are free ATS safe and reliable for SMBs?
Free ATS tools can be helpful for very small teams, but they often come with limits: weaker security, fewer integrations, and only one active job at a time.
If you’re hiring regularly or storing sensitive candidate data, a low-cost paid solution like AvaHR is more secure, reliable, and scalable than staying on a free tier.
How much should small businesses expect to pay for an ATS?
Most affordable ATS platforms range from $20 to $150 per month, depending on whether they charge per user, per job, or a flat fee. With AvaHR, pricing is simple and transparent at $83/month, which includes multiple jobs and features that many other systems lock behind higher tiers.
What should I look for when choosing a cheap ATS?
Prioritize these four things:
- Transparent pricing (no hidden per-seat fees)
- Easy setup and a clean interface
- Integrations with job boards and daily tools like email or calendars
- Responsive support for SMBs
AvaHR was built with these exact needs in mind. It’s designed to stay simple for small teams but flexible enough to scale as you grow.
Can a budget ATS still help with employer branding?
Yes. Many low-cost ATS platforms include basics like branded career pages and customizable job posts. AvaHR goes further by offering custom landing pages and branded candidate communications, helping small businesses showcase culture and attract talent without paying for premium add-ons. An ATS doesn’t need to be expensive to be the best applicant tracking system for your needs.
Will a cheap ATS limit how far my job ads reach?
Some budget tools only connect to a few job boards. AvaHR, on the other hand, posts your jobs to 50+ boards with one click, making it easier to reach candidates quickly without extra costs.
Which Cheap Applicant Tracking System Is Right for You? 💡
Some applicant tracking systems are built for enterprise-level hiring, packed with complex workflows and heavy customization.
Others keep things simple and affordable, exactly what SMBs need to stay organized, move quickly, and give candidates a positive experience without paying for features they’ll never use.
That’s why we compared five leading cheap Applicant Tracking System options: AvaHR, Zoho Recruit, Recooty, Manatal, and Breezy HR. ☑️
Quick Recap:
- AvaHR: Affordable, collaborative ATS with one-click posting to 50+ job boards, branded candidate experiences, and transparent pricing from $83/month.
Con: Best suited for small to mid-sized teams. Very large enterprises may require more advanced customization.
- Zoho Recruit: Forever Free plan makes it a strong entry point for startups; flexible paid tiers start at $25/user/month.
Con: Free plan is limited to one active job, and scaling often requires upgrades.
- Recooty: Flat-fee pricing from $79/month with AI-powered tools and a simple dashboard.
Con: Starter plan caps jobs and team members, interface can occasionally lag.
- Manatal: Low-cost per-user pricing from $15/month, with AI candidate matching and compliance tools.
Con: Interface feels less intuitive, and career pages are limited in customization.
- Breezy HR: Free Bootstrap plan for one active job; paid tiers start at $157/month with visual pipelines and Candidate Match Score.
Con: Paid upgrades are expensive compared to other budget-friendly tools.
Why AvaHR Is a Go-To Affordable ATS for SMBs ✨
AvaHR is an all-in-one ATS that helps small and growing teams hire with speed, simplicity, and confidence, without the hidden fees, steep learning curves, or clunky interfaces that often come with larger platforms.
Here’s what makes AvaHR a favorite for SMBs:
- ✅ Post jobs to 50+ boards with one click
- ✅ Create branded career pages that reflect your culture
- ✅ Transparent, predictable pricing starting at just $83/month
- ✅ Easy setup and intuitive workflows designed for small teams
From the first job post to a signed offer, AvaHR makes hiring faster, easier, and more collaborative for both your team and your candidates. 💚
Ready to Try a Cheap Applicant Tracking System That Works?
Start your free trial or book a quick demo today to see how AvaHR can simplify your hiring process.
Powerful, easy to use, and built for SMBs who want to hire better, faster, and more affordably. 🚀
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