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.
This blog was originally published here
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