ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System. It's software used to post job openings and track, compare, and evaluate candidates consistently — instead of managing applications through an inbox and a mental scorecard.
Hiring by email thread works until you have more than a couple of applicants. An ATS keeps every candidate's resume, notes, and evaluation in one place, so you're comparing people fairly against the same criteria rather than judging whoever emailed back first most favorably.
Our vetted pick, Tellent, covers this exact need through its Recruitee product — useful once hiring becomes a repeated activity rather than a one-time event. See our full guide to hiring your first team member for the complete process, including how an ATS fits alongside compliant payroll.
Applicant Tracking System — software for posting job openings and tracking candidates through the hiring process.
Not strictly — a simple posting and spreadsheet works for one hire. It earns its cost once hiring is repeated.
