Top 10 Applicant Starter Alternatives

Choosing the right applicant tracking system (ATS) or human resources (HR) software can be daunting, especially when every business has its own unique hiring and HR management needs. While Applicant Starter has been a popular choice for many, it may not be the perfect fit for every business’s diverse needs and priorities.

Some companies look for alternative tools due to the limited customization, lack of integrations with certain third-party tools, or the need for more advanced automation. Others may prioritize a more intuitive user experience, stronger customer support, or industry-specific compliance features. 

Exploring different options helps businesses find a solution that truly aligns with their needs—whether it’s better functionality, ease of use, or improved regulatory compliance. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the top 10 alternatives to Applicant Starter, breaking down their pros, cons, and what makes them a great fit for different organizations. 

What Is Applicant Starter? 

Applicant Starter is a hiring and recruitment tool designed to help businesses of all sizes streamline their hiring process. It automates job postings, manages candidate applications, and tracks each step of the hiring workflow. Some of its standout features include resume parsing, interview scheduling, customizable workflows, collaboration tools, and others. It also offers reporting and analytics to help businesses track their hiring performance and identify any bottlenecks. 

While Applicant Starter has its advantages, it may not be the best fit for every business. Some users find its lack of third-party integrations limiting, making it difficult to sync with their existing HR and payroll systems. Others feel that its automation tools are too basic, especially when compared to AI-powered hiring solutions that can help speed up and improve the recruitment process. Another concern is scalability—Applicant Starter may not be ideal for fast-growing companies with more complex hiring needs, which is why some enterprises look out for a higher utility Applicant Starter alternative.

What To Look For In Applicant Starter Alternatives? 

When searching for a better alternative to Applicant Starter, businesses should consider several pain points such as: 

• Effortless Integrations: Find a tool that easily connects with HR systems, payroll tools, and job boards for a smoother hiring process 
• Flexible And Scalable: Choose software with customizable workflows, role-based access, and compliance features to fit any business size or industry 
• Easy-to-use Interface: Opt for a system having a clean, intuitive dashboard and mobile-friendly design, making usability hassle-free 
• Powerful Reporting And Compliance: Select the platform that has built-in analytics and support for labor regulations to keep workflows on track 

Now, let’s explore the top 10 alternatives to Applicant Starter, highlighting their strengths, key features, and potential drawbacks. 

Our Best Applicant Starter Alternatives For Your Business 

1. ApplicantStack 

Right for: Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) 

ApplicantStack is a cloud-based applicant tracking system (ATS) designed to make recruitment and onboarding easier for businesses. It provides a centralized platform where HR teams can post job openings, manage applicants, collaborate on hiring decisions, and stay compliant with hiring regulations. The platform also includes tools like pre-screening questionnaires, automated interview scheduling, and others to help businesses meet hiring standards. It is mostly utilized by companies in retail, education, healthcare, and other industries.

Compared to Applicant Starter, which offers basic reporting, ApplicantStack stands out with its advanced reporting and analytics. It gives HR teams valuable insights into hiring efficiency and helps pinpoint any bottlenecks in the recruitment process, making it one of the top Applicant Starter alternatives.

Key Features

• Flexible hiring workflows
• Candidate screening tools
• Reporting tools
• Job posting

Pros

• Enhances efficiency of the recruitment teams through automations 
• Offers extensive onboarding mechanism
• Ensures regulatory compliance adherence 

Cons

• Lacks advanced third-party integrations
• Limited interviewing abilities

Pricing

It offers the following pricing options:

• Starter: $29.99 per month
• Growth: $49.99 per month
• Recruit: $109.99 per month
• Bundle: $159.99 per month

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

2. Gusto HR Software 

Right for: SMBs 

Gusto is a cloud-based HR software built to make payroll, benefits, and HR management hassle-free for small and mid-sized businesses. It offers a comprehensive platform that automates payroll processing, tax filings, benefits management, and employee onboarding. Moreover, it helps HR teams reduce manual work and aids businesses in staying on top of HR tasks effortlessly. Many companies across various industries, such as IT, finance, professional services, and others, use it to enhance their efficiency.

Gusto’s automated payroll tax filing ensures that federal, state, and local taxes are calculated and submitted accurately and on time—something missing in Applicant Starter. This makes it a more comprehensive HR solution, helping businesses manage both employee compensation and well-being in one seamless platform. Hence, positioning it as one of the finest Applicant Starter alternatives.

Key Features

• Direct deposits
• Benefits management
• Self-service portals 
• Employee onboarding 

Pros

• Easy to setup
• Automates payroll and tax filings, reducing manual work errors
• Offers a wide variety of customer support resources

Cons

• Some users have highlighted issues with the benefits platform
• Limited customization options 

Pricing 

It offers three pricing plans:

• Simple: $40 per month plus $6 per month per person
• Plus: $80 per month plus $12 per month per person 
• Premium: $180 per month plus $22 per month per person

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

3. ADP Workforce Now 

Right for: Medium to large-sized businesses 

ADP Workforce Now is a powerful HR management system built for mid-sized and large businesses. It offers an all-in-one solution for payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, compliance, and talent acquisition. With features like multi-state tax filing and regulatory compliance support, ADP Workforce Now is especially useful for companies with employees across different locations. Many enterprise level firms in manufacturing, IT, healthcare, finance, and others utilize it as their HR tool.

ADP Workforce Now offers a more comprehensive HR solution compared to Applicant Starter. While Applicant Starter focuses mainly on applicant tracking, ADP Workforce Now goes beyond recruitment by providing a full suite of HR tools, including payroll processing, compliance management, and talent development. This makes it a better fit for businesses looking forward to an all-in-one solution, which is why we have placed it as an Applicant Starter alternative. 

Key Features

• Global payroll management
• Recruitment tools
• Advanced analytics
• Self-service options

Pros

• Makes timely and accurate payroll processing
• Boosts data-driven decision-making through real-time analytical insights
• Helps in creating and editing reports comprehensively 

Cons

• May require training for the initial setup
• Users have highlighted slight improvements in the customization abilities 

Pricing 

It offers three plans at customized rates:

• Simple 
• Plus
• Premium 

4. Calamari HR Software 

Right for: SMBs 

Calamari is a cloud-enabled HR software designed to streamline leave management and time tracking for both remote and in-office teams. It simplifies attendance tracking, vacation requests, and employee scheduling, making workforce management more efficient. Unlike traditional HR systems, Calamari focuses on automation, offering features like automated leave tracking, biometric integrations, and remote work monitoring. It is primarily serving several firms in healthcare, education, retail, and other sectors.

For businesses focused on time tracking and attendance management, Calamari is the better option. Unlike Applicant Starter, which is mainly an applicant tracking system, Calamari offers real-time absence tracking, shift scheduling, and leave management features that help companies stay organized while ensuring compliance with leave policies. Thus, making it a viable Applicant Starter alternative.

Key Features

• Automated leave management
• GPS-enabled attendance tracking
• Workforce scheduling
• Integrated team communication tools 

Pros

• Specialized time tracking helps businesses prevent fraud practices
• Integrates with external team communication tools
• Customer support is frequently appreciated by users 

Cons

• Limited payroll administration features
• Lacks in-built performance management abilities 

Pricing 

It offers a module-based pricing structure available for businesses with a minimum of 10 employees: 

• Time Off: $2.5/month/person
• Time & Attendance: $3/month/person
• Core HR: $2.5/month/person 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

5. UZIO 

Right for: Medium-sized businesses

UZIO is an employee management platform that brings HR, payroll, and benefits administration together in one seamless platform. It helps businesses streamline their HR processes, reduce paperwork, and comply with labor laws. One of UZIO’s key strengths is its employee self-service portal, which gives staff easy access to their benefits, pay stubs, and tax details. It is popular among businesses competing in manufacturing, IT, professional services, and other spaces.

While Applicant Starter is primarily an applicant tracking system, UZIO offers a complete HR solution that goes beyond hiring. Features like payroll processing, compliance tracking, and real-time tax calculations help businesses manage their workforce more efficiently. As a result, we have placed it on our Applicant Starter alternatives list.

Key Features

• Compliance tracking 
• Workers' compensation management
• External integrations
• Attendance management

Pros 

• Helps with onboarding of new hires
• Allows customization of workflows
• Users have appreciated it for its quick customer service 

Cons

• Lacks performance management abilities 
• Limited abilities outside of the US 

Pricing 

It offers the following pricing packages:

• Core: Free 
• Basic: $50/month/EIN 
• Essential: $100/month/EIN 
• Premium Add-Ons: Custom Pricing 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

6. Zenefits 

Right for: Startups

Zenefits (now TriNet) is a cloud-based HR platform that automates key HR tasks, benefits management, and compliance tracking. With its centralized dashboard, businesses can easily handle employee benefits, time tracking, and payroll integration. The platform streamlines onboarding with digital offer letters, e-signatures, and automated benefits enrollment, making the hiring process smoother. It is a well-known solution in technology, finance, retail, and other industries.

Zenefits uses AI-powered automation to simplify administrative tasks, cutting down on manual work for HR teams. Plus, its user-friendly mobile app allows businesses to manage HR tasks on the go—an advantage that Applicant Starter doesn’t offer. That is why it is made part of our Applicant Starter alternatives recommendations.

Key Features

• Benefits management
• Shift scheduling
• Document handling
• Analytical insights

Pros

• Automates repetitive tasks to boost efficiency 
• Connects with external apps for streamlining broader HR tasks
• Helps HR managers to onboard new employees smoothly 

Cons

• Limited advanced payroll features 
• Lacks effective learning management tools 

Pricing 

It follows a per employee per month (PEPM) pricing model, with different plans based on selected services. Detailed pricing information is available upon request. 

7. JazzHR 

Right for: Startups 

JazzHR is an applicant tracking system (ATS) built to help businesses find, track, and hire top talent with ease. It offers customizable workflows, automated job postings, and collaboration tools to streamline the hiring process. Additionally, features like automated interview scheduling, resume parsing, and pre-screening questionnaires help recruiters quickly identify and connect with the best candidates. It is currently assisting businesses to recruit in various industries such as retail, IT, finance, etc.

JazzHR offers more advanced applicant tracking capabilities than Applicant Starter. Its customizable recruitment workflows and built-in interview scheduling features help streamline the hiring process, making it more efficient and organized for recruiters and hiring teams. Hence, making it a highly recommended Applicant Starter alternative.

Key Features

• Resume parsing
• Employer branding tools
• Background check software integrations
• Collaboration tools

Pros

• Automates job posting onto multiple job boards 
• User-friendly interface 
• Provides extensive support for candidate tracking

Cons

• Lacks broader HR functionalities beyond hiring 
• Limited reporting and analytics abilities

Pricing 

The vendor offers the following pricing options:

• Hero: $99 per month
• Plus: $325 per month
• Pro: $499 per month

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

8. BambooHR

Right for: SMBs 

BambooHR is a comprehensive workforce management software that simplifies everything from hiring to employee management. Its user-friendly platform makes tasks like applicant tracking, onboarding, performance management, and payroll integration more efficient. By streamlining HR processes and providing valuable insights, it helps businesses make smarter decisions while boosting employee engagement and retention. Primarily, it is a reputable tool for several IT, healthcare, retail, education, and other companies.

Unlike Applicant Starter, BambooHR goes beyond hiring with features like employee engagement surveys, e-signatures for HR documents, and a dedicated mobile app. These tools make it a complete HR solution and one of the leading Applicant Starter alternatives, helping businesses manage their workforce more effectively, from hiring to ongoing employee development. 

Key Features

• Performance management
• Feedback mechanism
• Employee engagement tools
• ATS 

Pros

• Helps businesses in enhancing employee engagement
• Full-feature mobile app functionality
• Provides addons for payroll and benefits administration 

Cons

• Some users have reported issues with conducting effective employee evaluations
• Limited payroll services outside of the US

Pricing

It offers two pricing packages at personalized rates:

• Core
• Pro 

9. Namely HR 

Right for: Medium and large-sized businesses

Namely HR is a cloud-based HR, payroll, and benefits management platform designed for mid-sized businesses that need scalability and flexibility. It offers self-service tools, compliance tracking, and performance management, making it a great fit for growing companies. Namely HR helps businesses stay legally compliant while streamlining HR operations for greater efficiency. It is famous for its robust services in various sectors, such as IT, education, manufacturing, etc.

Namely HR stands out with its compliance tools that help businesses stay aligned with labor laws and industry regulations, reducing legal risks—something Applicant Starter doesn’t offer. Hence, positioning itself as one of the finest Applicant Starter alternatives.

Key Features

• Risk management
• Analytical and reporting
• Payroll processing
• Goal tracking

Pros

• Helps in overseeing individual employee progress 
• Aids in data-driven decision-making through reporting features 
• Powerful leave management system helps in tracking paid time off

Cons

• Time-consuming initial setup
• Limited internal team communication tools 

Pricing 

It offers four pricing plans starting at $9 per month per employee:

• Namely Now
• Namely Plus
• Namely Plus People 
• Namely Complete 

10. iCIMS Software 

Right for: Large enterprises

iCIMS is a robust talent acquisition platform designed for large-scale recruitment and applicant tracking. With AI-driven hiring, automated resume screening, and seamless CRM integrations, it helps organizations streamline the hiring process at scale. Built for high-volume recruiting, iCIMS also offers employee referral management and employer branding tools, making it easier for companies to attract, hire, and retain top talent efficiently. Various companies utilize it as their primary recruitment tool in technology, finance, education, and other sectors.

iCIMS is built for large-scale recruitment and enterprise hiring, offering a more advanced applicant tracking system than Applicant Starter. With AI-powered candidate matching, automated outreach, and integrated CRM tools, it helps companies attract and engage top talent more effectively. Thus, we have considered it in our Applicant Starter alternatives list.

Key Features

• Automated candidate screening
• Candidate relationship management (CRM) 
• Video interviewing tools
• Employer branding

Pros

• Streamlines hiring pipelines by offering end-to-end recruitment tools
• Helps recruiters to enhance candidate engagement through emails
• Users have appreciated the robust customer support

Cons

• Some users have faced minor issues with the search options
• It may not be suitable for smaller companies

Pricing 

It offers tailored pricing options based on the business requirements.

Finding The Ideal Applicant Starter Alternatives 

Searching for an alternative to Applicant Starter is important depending on your business’s unique hiring and HR needs. Some platforms excel in automation, others in scalability, compliance, or seamless integration with HR tools. When choosing a solution, consider factors like your company’s size, essential features such as AI-powered screening or payroll integration, ease of use, and how well it fits with your existing systems. Reliable customer support and training resources can also make a big difference in ensuring a hassle-free transition. 

Upgrading to a better applicant tracking system can simplify hiring, improve team efficiency, and keep your business compliant. Don’t settle for software that doesn’t fully support your needs—contact us to explore free demos, compare options, and find the perfect ATS or HR tool for your team today!