Recruiting top talent in 2025 requires more than just posting jobs and scanning CVs—it demands smart, automated, and compliant systems that streamline every stage of the hiring process. As businesses across the UK face growing competition for skilled candidates, applicant tracking software (ATS) has become a vital tool for HR professionals and recruiters. Whether you’re hiring in-house or through agencies, a good ATS improves collaboration, reduces time-to-hire, and helps identify the right talent faster.
Modern ATS platforms have evolved well beyond basic resume sorting. Today’s top tools offer features like AI-driven candidate screening, multi-channel job posting, automated interview scheduling, and compliance with UK labour and GDPR regulations. These platforms also improve the candidate experience through branded career pages, status updates, and mobile-friendly applications—all while helping HR teams remain organised and data-driven.
In this article, we present the Top 15 Best Applicant Tracking Software in the UK in 2025, curated based on feature strength, ease of use, pricing transparency, scalability, and market adoption. Whether you’re a growing startup hiring your first few team members or an enterprise with hundreds of open roles, this list will help you find the ATS that fits your hiring needs.
Top 15 Applicant Tracking Software in UK in 2025
Here’s a snapshot of the most trusted and widely used applicant tracking platforms available in the UK this year:
- Greenhouse – A data-driven ATS with structured hiring workflows.
- Workable – Easy-to-use software ideal for growing UK businesses.
- Breezy HR – Visual, drag-and-drop pipelines for modern hiring teams.
- SmartRecruiters – Enterprise-grade ATS with AI-powered tools.
- Recruitee – Collaborative hiring for startups and scaleups.
- Teamtailor – Employer branding meets recruitment automation.
- Pinpoint – UK-focused ATS built for in-house hiring teams.
- JobAdder – Cloud-based ATS popular with recruiters and agencies.
- iCIMS Talent Cloud – Enterprise solution with robust integrations.
- Lever – Combines CRM and ATS for candidate nurturing.
- JazzHR – Affordable and intuitive platform for small businesses.
- Ashby – Analytics-driven ATS for tech companies and scaling teams.
- Manatal – AI-assisted ATS for fast-growing businesses.
- Occupop – Simple, GDPR-friendly hiring software for UK SMEs.
- Tribepad – UK-built ATS trusted by public sector and enterprise employers.
How This Top 15 List Was Compiled
To help you choose the best applicant tracking software in 2025, we evaluated platforms using the following criteria:
- Candidate Experience – How smooth and mobile-friendly is the application process?
- Automation & AI – Tools for screening, interview scheduling, and resume parsing.
- Integration – Compatibility with UK job boards, HRIS, payroll, and calendar tools.
- Ease of Use – Intuitive dashboards, drag-and-drop pipelines, and simple workflows.
- Data & Analytics – Hiring reports, diversity tracking, and funnel insights.
- Scalability – Ability to handle growing candidate volumes and teams.
- UK Compliance – GDPR features, equal opportunity tracking, and local support.
- Customer Feedback – Reviews from UK-based users on G2, Trustpilot, and Capterra.
The final list reflects solutions that are highly trusted by UK businesses, whether you’re hiring 5 or 500 new employees a year.
Pricing Breakdown by Business Type
ATS for Startups & Small Businesses
Smaller UK teams typically need affordable ATS solutions with essential features like resume tracking, job posting, and interview coordination. Simplicity, mobile access, and ease of onboarding are key at this stage.
Best options:
- JazzHR – Low-cost with powerful customisation.
- Occupop – Built for UK SMEs with GDPR-first design.
- Breezy HR – Visual hiring pipelines and great user experience.
- Recruitee – Scalable and team-friendly interface.
- Manatal – Budget-friendly with AI candidate scoring.
These platforms offer smart tools at a low cost and are designed to grow with you.
ATS for Growing Companies
As companies expand, they need more robust applicant tracking tools with role-based permissions, multi-department workflows, branded career pages, and deeper integrations.
Recommended platforms:
- Workable – Scales easily and integrates with UK job boards.
- Greenhouse – Structured hiring with data-rich insights.
- Teamtailor – Combines branding, automation, and team collaboration.
- Pinpoint – Strong UK support and hiring campaign features.
- Ashby – Perfect for tech-savvy growth teams and recruiters.
These tools support collaborative hiring, offer real-time dashboards, and make the recruitment process faster and more transparent.
Enterprise-Grade ATS Software
Larger UK employers, public sector entities, and global organisations need advanced ATS platforms that support thousands of applications, complex workflows, reporting compliance, and integrations with enterprise HR systems.
Best-fit enterprise tools:
- SmartRecruiters – Powerful hiring suite with AI and CRM features.
- iCIMS Talent Cloud – Enterprise-grade ecosystem for talent acquisition.
- Lever – Best-in-class for nurturing passive candidates.
- JobAdder – Great for staffing agencies and multi-brand recruiting.
- Tribepad – Built in the UK, used by BBC, NHS, and local authorities.
These platforms bring unmatched automation, customisation, and integration for large-scale recruitment operations.
1. Greenhouse
Overview
Greenhouse is one of the most widely adopted ATS platforms globally, and it’s increasingly popular among UK companies for its data-driven hiring approach and scalable workflows. Built with structured hiring in mind, Greenhouse streamlines everything from candidate sourcing to onboarding. It’s a top choice for fast-growing companies that want to make evidence-based hiring decisions and maintain consistency in the recruitment process.
Features
- Structured interview kits and scorecards
- Built-in DEI features and bias-reducing tools
- Advanced analytics and funnel reports
- Multi-channel job posting
- Offer management and approvals
-
300+ integrations including Slack, LinkedIn, and Workday
Review
UK-based HR teams appreciate Greenhouse for its consistency and the ability to scale hiring processes across multiple departments and hiring managers. While onboarding can take some time, once set up, the system is incredibly effective in creating a structured, repeatable hiring process.
Pros
- Highly customisable workflows
- Powerful data and analytics tools
- Excellent candidate experience
- Strong focus on DEI and structured hiring
- Scales well with high-volume hiring
Cons
- Premium pricing for smaller teams
- Setup requires time and training
- Some users report reporting dashboards can feel overwhelming
Final Verdict
Greenhouse is ideal for UK businesses looking to scale their recruitment process with structure, data, and best-in-class integrations. A perfect fit for high-growth and mid-enterprise organisations.
2. Workable
Overview
Workable is a cloud-based ATS that has become a favourite among UK small to mid-sized businesses due to its ease of use, built-in job advertising, and smart automation. Designed for speed and collaboration, Workable offers an intuitive dashboard where HR managers and hiring teams can move candidates through the pipeline with drag-and-drop simplicity.
Features
- One-click posting to 200+ job boards including Reed and Indeed UK
- AI-powered sourcing tool and resume parsing
- Interview scheduling with calendar sync
- Customisable pipelines and templates
- Mobile app for hiring on the go
-
GDPR-ready with UK data hosting options
Review
Workable earns high marks from UK users for its clean interface and seamless job advertising. The platform strikes the right balance between automation and simplicity, making it a solid choice for teams without dedicated recruiting departments.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Excellent job board integration
- Good value for money
- Mobile-friendly and collaborative interface
- Quick onboarding and responsive support
Cons
- Limited custom reporting on lower tiers
- Some features (like assessments) are paid add-ons
- Basic CRM features compared to Lever or Greenhouse
Final Verdict
Workable is a fantastic choice for UK businesses that want a modern, fast, and affordable ATS with great job posting reach and minimal admin overhead.
3. Breezy HR
Overview
Breezy HR is a visually driven, drag-and-drop applicant tracking system loved by startups and design-conscious teams. With its focus on simplicity, transparency, and candidate experience, Breezy HR makes hiring fun and accessible—even for teams with no formal HR background. It’s a great fit for small UK businesses and creative agencies.
Features
-
Visual drag-and-drop candidate pipelines
- Branded career pages and candidate messaging
- Video interviewing and automated interview scheduling
- Employee referral portal
- Background checks and offer management
- Slack and Zapier integrations
Review
UK users highlight Breezy HR’s friendly UI and visual candidate pipeline, which makes collaboration across hiring managers smooth. It’s also praised for giving small teams the branding and tools they need to look and feel professional.
Pros
- Beautiful, intuitive interface
- Strong candidate experience features
- Ideal for startups and small teams
- Customisable workflows
- Free plan available with basic tools
Cons
- Reporting is limited on lower plans
- No native HRIS or payroll features
- Not built for enterprise-scale hiring
Final Verdict
Breezy HR is a perfect match for small UK businesses looking for a visually appealing, modern, and collaborative hiring tool that doesn’t require a steep learning curve.
4. SmartRecruiters
Overview
SmartRecruiters is a powerful, enterprise-grade talent acquisition suite trusted by major UK brands and global enterprises. It combines an ATS with a full recruitment marketing and candidate relationship management (CRM) platform. With a focus on scalability, AI automation, and employer branding, SmartRecruiters helps large teams manage high-volume recruitment campaigns efficiently.
Features
- AI-driven candidate matching and screening
- Multi-brand, multi-location job management
- Career site builder with full branding
- Collaborative hiring and feedback loops
- CRM functionality for candidate nurturing
-
API access and integrations with HRIS systems
Review
Large UK organisations value SmartRecruiters for its scalability and customisation options. It’s often chosen by enterprises running complex hiring campaigns across departments and geographies. Implementation is typically handled with vendor support due to its advanced setup.
Pros
- End-to-end hiring solution
- Powerful AI and automation tools
- Strong CRM and marketing integration
- Suitable for global hiring and compliance
- Comprehensive analytics and audit logs
Cons
- High setup cost
- Overkill for smaller companies
- Requires training for full use
Final Verdict
SmartRecruiters is best for UK-based enterprise organisations and global brands seeking a robust, all-in-one talent acquisition platform that blends ATS, CRM, and marketing into a single ecosystem.
5. Recruitee
Overview
Recruitee is a collaborative hiring platform popular among UK startups and scaleups looking for flexibility, transparency, and branding tools. It’s designed to simplify team-based hiring with role-based permissions, visual pipelines, and built-in automation. Recruitee also supports multi-language posting and GDPR compliance, making it perfect for European hiring needs.
Features
- Customisable hiring pipelines
- Multi-user collaboration with roles and permissions
- Custom-branded careers pages and referral portals
- Automated email templates and workflows
- Reporting dashboard with funnel metrics
-
Integration with Slack, Google Workspace, and more
Review
Recruitee gets glowing feedback from UK teams for being intuitive, collaborative, and easy to customise. Many users appreciate how hiring managers can take part in the process without getting overwhelmed. It’s also budget-friendly and scalable.
Pros
- Highly collaborative and team-friendly
- Quick to implement and easy to use
- Great branding tools
- Affordable pricing tiers
- UK and EU-compliant features
Cons
- Lacks some advanced sourcing tools
- Limited CRM capabilities compared to Lever
- Reporting is useful but not deeply customisable
Final Verdict
Recruitee is a fantastic option for UK startups and scaleups looking for a highly collaborative, customisable ATS that grows with your team without overwhelming them.
6. Teamtailor
Overview
Teamtailor blends powerful ATS features with modern employer branding tools, making it a popular choice among UK companies that care about their public-facing hiring image. Its visual design and automation features make it easy to build attractive career pages, automate communications, and manage the hiring pipeline in one place.
Features
- Custom-branded career sites
- Automated triggers for emails, tasks, and workflows
- Candidate nurture campaigns and messaging
- GDPR-compliant data handling
- Analytics on candidate behavior and sourcing
Review
UK hiring teams appreciate Teamtailor’s sleek interface and how easily they can create branded hiring campaigns without technical skills. It’s especially valuable for companies that want to showcase culture and employer brand while maintaining recruitment efficiency.
Pros
- Excellent career site builder
- Easy automation with no-code workflows
- Great for employer branding and culture
- GDPR-ready and user-friendly
- Strong customer support
Cons
- Limited reporting customisation
- Not ideal for enterprise workflows
- Pricing may increase with usage
Final Verdict
Teamtailor is ideal for UK companies that want to stand out in the market through branding and automation. It’s a strong fit for mid-sized businesses focused on candidate experience.
7. Pinpoint
Overview
Pinpoint is a UK-built ATS designed specifically for in-house hiring teams. Known for its clean interface, top-notch support, and focus on UK compliance, Pinpoint simplifies the hiring process while ensuring data privacy and DEI tracking.
Features
- GDPR-compliant candidate management
- Equal opportunity monitoring and reporting
- Campaign management for jobs and talent pools
- Email automation and interview scheduling
- DEI tools and inclusive language checker
Review
Pinpoint resonates with UK users due to its localised features and commitment to UK hiring needs. Its onboarding is smooth, and the support team is frequently praised for responsiveness and guidance.
Pros
- Made for UK hiring teams
- Inclusive, fair hiring tools
- Fast implementation and support
- No hidden pricing
- Excellent for employer branding
Cons
- Limited integrations with non-UK job boards
- Fewer global features
- Lacks built-in assessments
Final Verdict
Pinpoint is a top-tier choice for UK organisations prioritising data compliance, fair hiring, and internal recruitment efficiency.
8. JobAdder
Overview
JobAdder is a versatile, cloud-based ATS widely used by staffing agencies and in-house recruiters across the UK. It simplifies multi-brand, multi-role hiring with strong CRM, pipeline tracking, and candidate communication tools.
Features
- Job board multiposting
- Resume parsing and candidate shortlisting
- Candidate pipeline and task tracking
- CRM and recruitment marketing
- Mobile app for hiring on the go
Review
UK recruiters—especially in agencies—commend JobAdder for reducing admin time and enabling team collaboration. The CRM features are helpful for talent pooling and managing clients as well as candidates.
Pros
- Great for agencies and recruiters
- Easy job board integrations
- Efficient task management
- User-friendly mobile experience
- Good recruitment CRM
Cons
- UI could use modernisation
- Custom reporting options are limited
- Slight learning curve for new users
Final Verdict
JobAdder is a go-to platform for recruitment firms and multi-brand employers needing a reliable, all-in-one hiring and CRM system.
9. iCIMS Talent Cloud
Overview
iCIMS is an enterprise-grade talent acquisition suite that offers robust tools for high-volume hiring, integrations, and workflow automation. It’s widely used by UK corporations for its configurability and security features.
Features
- Global applicant tracking
- Advanced reporting and compliance
- AI-powered candidate recommendations
- Integrations with SAP, Oracle, Workday, etc.
- Video interviewing and onboarding
Review
iCIMS stands out in the UK market for its enterprise-ready infrastructure and configurability. While complex, it offers unmatched control for large organisations managing thousands of candidates.
Pros
- Enterprise-level configurability
- Scalable and secure infrastructure
- Robust analytics and compliance
- Wide range of integrations
- Trusted by multinational UK employers
Cons
- High price point
- Long implementation time
- Steeper learning curve
Final Verdict
iCIMS is best suited for large UK corporations and government entities needing advanced, compliant, and integrated hiring workflows at scale.
10. Lever
Overview
Lever combines an ATS with strong CRM capabilities, allowing UK employers to build relationships with passive talent while managing active applicants. It’s designed for organisations that hire continuously and care about nurturing long-term candidate pipelines.
Features
- ATS + CRM in one platform
- Smart candidate tagging and pipeline nurturing
- Analytics dashboards
- Structured interviewing tools
- Diversity and inclusion tracking
Review
UK recruiters love Lever’s ability to manage active and passive candidates in one place. It’s highly collaborative and ideal for teams focused on long-term talent acquisition.
Pros
- Strong CRM features
- Beautiful, intuitive interface
- Excellent sourcing and tagging
- Great for collaborative hiring
- Good DEI tools
Cons
- Reporting could be more flexible
- May require admin training
- Higher cost than some mid-market tools
Final Verdict
Lever is the right choice for mid to large UK companies looking to combine long-term relationship building with active recruitment in one smart platform.
11. JazzHR
Overview
JazzHR is a budget-friendly ATS tailored for small UK businesses that need powerful tools without the complexity. With custom workflows and job posting tools, JazzHR makes professional-grade recruitment accessible for lean HR teams.
Features
- Unlimited users on flat pricing
- Job board syndication
- Interview scheduling and calendar sync
- Custom workflows and pipelines
- Offer letter templates and e-signatures
Review
UK SMBs enjoy JazzHR’s affordability and feature depth. It’s intuitive, quick to learn, and offers tools that rival enterprise platforms at a fraction of the price.
Pros
- Low, flat-rate pricing
- Feature-rich for small teams
- Easy to learn and use
- Strong job board distribution
- No user limits
Cons
- Limited reporting options
- No built-in assessments
- Integrations require setup effort
Final Verdict
JazzHR is an ideal pick for small UK businesses seeking powerful yet affordable applicant tracking with minimal training.
12. Ashby
Overview
Ashby is a modern, analytics-focused ATS designed for tech-savvy companies that value structured hiring and data-driven decisions. With powerful automation and visual dashboards, it’s quickly gaining traction in the UK startup ecosystem.
Features
- Pipeline analytics and performance dashboards
- Interview calibration tools
- Scheduling automation
- Sourcing and outreach templates
- Unified hiring data platform
Review
UK startups and VC-backed teams favour Ashby for its clean design, powerful insights, and time-saving automations. It’s especially useful in technical hiring environments.
Pros
- Rich data and analytics
- Modern UI and UX
- Smart automation
- Ideal for tech hiring
- Scalable and modular
Cons
- Fewer integrations than legacy tools
- Not ideal for agencies
- Higher-tier pricing for full features
Final Verdict
Ashby is perfect for UK tech companies and growth-stage startups that want structured, intelligent hiring backed by real-time data.
13. Manatal
Overview
Manatal is an AI-powered ATS designed for small and mid-sized businesses. Its simple interface and smart features make it easy to track candidates, automate communication, and speed up decision-making.
Features
- AI-driven candidate recommendations
- Social media enrichment
- Pipeline automation
- Resume parsing and keyword filters
- Job board posting and integrations
Review
UK businesses appreciate Manatal’s price-to-value ratio and smart AI tools. It’s particularly helpful for first-time ATS users or teams with limited HR resources.
Pros
- Affordable pricing
- Smart AI tools for sourcing
- Easy to implement
- Supports collaborative hiring
- Integrates with job boards
Cons
- Limited reporting depth
- Lacks advanced compliance features
- Not suited for enterprise-scale use
Final Verdict
Manatal is a cost-effective ATS that brings smart hiring tools to small UK businesses looking for simplicity and efficiency.
14. Occupop
Overview
Occupop is an easy-to-use, GDPR-compliant ATS built specifically for UK and Irish SMEs. It offers all the essentials—job posting, candidate tracking, and team collaboration—without unnecessary complexity.
Features
- Job ad creation and distribution
- GDPR-ready candidate database
- Email templates and interview notes
- Candidate scorecards
- Real-time collaboration
Review
SMEs in the UK praise Occupop for making compliance simple and giving hiring managers confidence when handling candidate data. It’s particularly strong for companies hiring occasionally or seasonally.
Pros
- Made for UK and Irish teams
- Simple and compliant
- Great customer support
- Transparent pricing
- Fast implementation
Cons
- Not suitable for high-volume hiring
- Limited third-party integrations
- Fewer automation features
Final Verdict
Occupop is a strong choice for GDPR-focused SMEs in the UK looking for a simple and reliable applicant tracking platform.
15. Tribepad
Overview
Tribepad is a UK-developed ATS used by public sector bodies, enterprises, and socially responsible organisations. Known for its deep customisation, inclusivity features, and robust support, it’s a trusted partner for high-volume, high-compliance hiring.
Features
- ATS, video interviewing, and onboarding suite
- Equality monitoring and anonymised screening
- Multi-brand career site support
- Talent pooling and CRM
- Advanced security and reporting
Review
Tribepad is favoured by UK institutions such as the BBC and NHS for its focus on compliance, fairness, and social impact. It offers tailored solutions for both public and private sector hiring needs.
Pros
- UK-built and trusted by large employers
- Strong inclusivity and compliance tools
- Modular system
- Excellent for public sector needs
- Responsive UK-based support
Cons
- Can be complex to configure
- More expensive than basic ATS
- Designed for mid-large organisations
Final Verdict
Tribepad is a powerful ATS tailored for UK public sector and large enterprise employers prioritising ethical hiring and regulatory compliance.
Conclusion
In 2025, recruitment in the UK has evolved far beyond CVs and job ads. Applicant tracking software now plays a central role in how organisations attract, assess, and onboard top talent. Whether you’re a small startup or a large government body, choosing the right ATS can significantly improve time-to-hire, compliance, and candidate experience.
This guide highlights platforms suited to every business stage—from JazzHR for tight budgets to SmartRecruiters for enterprise-scale hiring. The best ATS for your business depends on your size, industry, hiring volume, and compliance requirements.
Investing in the right applicant tracking software isn’t just about making recruitment easier—it’s about hiring smarter, faster, and more fairly in an increasingly competitive talent market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is applicant tracking software (ATS)?
ATS is a software system that helps companies manage recruitment workflows, from posting jobs to tracking applicants, scheduling interviews, and onboarding new hires.
Why is ATS important in 2025?
With remote hiring, legal regulations, and high competition for talent, ATS helps ensure structured, compliant, and efficient recruitment processes.
Which ATS is best for UK small businesses?
Tools like JazzHR, Occupop, Breezy HR, and Recruitee offer affordable, easy-to-use features tailored for small UK hiring teams.
Are these platforms GDPR-compliant?
Yes. Platforms like Pinpoint, Teamtailor, Occupop, and Tribepad are specifically built with UK GDPR compliance and candidate data privacy in mind.
Do I need technical skills to use an ATS?
No. Most modern ATS platforms are built for ease of use, with drag-and-drop interfaces, templates, and training support.
Can ATS help improve diversity and inclusion?
Yes. Many platforms include anonymised screening, bias reduction tools, and equal opportunity monitoring to support fair hiring.
