10 Best Open Source Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for 2024

The best open source applicant tracking systems can be a great way to improve your hiring process. By using an open source system, you can save money and have more control over the features and functionality of the software.

Likewise, open source systems are often more customizable than commercial systems and free ATS, making it easy to tailor the software to your specific needs.

There are a number of open source applicant tracking systems available, so it is important to do your research to find the best one for your organization. Once you have selected a system, be sure to develop a plan for how you will use it to streamline your hiring process and improve your overall recruiting efforts. To help you get started, we’ve compiled below some of the best open source applicant tracking systems (ATS) today.

Things to Consider with Open Source Software

There are a number of things to consider when choosing the best open source applicant tracking systems (ATS), such as reliability, community support, documentation, compatibility, technical resources, development model, and license. The best open source applicant tracking systems should have high marks in all of these areas in order to be considered a good choice for your business.

• Community support. When it comes to reliability, you want to be sure that the software will work as advertised and that there is a community of users who can help you troubleshoot if necessary. Community support is also important for getting answers to questions about using the software and for finding bug fixes and upgrades.
• Documentation. Documentation is vital to understanding how the software works and for troubleshooting errors. Experts recommend it to be your primary task in code development.
• Compatibility. Compatibility is another important consideration, especially if you plan on integrating the software with other programs.
• Technical resources. Technical resources should also be readily available in case you need help installing or using the software.
• License terms. Lastly, be sure to check the license agreement to ensure that you are able to use the software in accordance with its terms. There are problematic open source licenses out there. So be sure to read the terms of the OSS you’re using.

By considering all of these factors, you can be sure to choose the best open source software package for your needs.

Top Open Source Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

1. ZipRecruiter

ZipRecruiter is an applicant tracking system open source used by many large companies and has a wide range of ATS features. The system is designed to help you track and manage your job applicants. It has a simple user interface and is very easy to use.

ZipRecruiter allows employers to post job openings and track applicants through the hiring process. The system also offers a variety of features, such as resume parsing and candidate screening. In addition, ZipRecruiter makes it easy to post jobs to multiple job boards with one click.

The software has 113 repositories on GitHub to date. They include documentations for upgrades, database integration, automation and build scripts.

2. Ejobsitesoftware

Ejobsitesoftware automates many of the tasks associated with recruitment, including job postings, candidate screening, and interview scheduling. It also offers a powerful search function that makes it easy to find candidates who match the desired skills and qualifications.

Furthermore, Ejobsitesoftware integrates with many popular job boards, making it easy to post jobs and receive applications from a wide variety of sources.

This open source job board software allows owners to download the software and receive full source code. They can then modify the code as per their choice using several versions of open source license, like Apache License, GNU General Public License and MIT License.

3. OpenCATS

OpenCATS is a popular open source ATS that features PHP support. It is developed and maintained by a dedicated community of developers on GitHub. The software is a good ATS for small business for entrepreneurs with the technical skills.

The software is designed to help recruiting agencies and HR professionals manage their recruitment process. It enables job postings, candidate tracking, and resume parsing. OpenCATS is constantly being improved and new features are regularly added. The software is used by companies of all sizes, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

The latest release of OpenCATS includes significant improvements and new features, such as support for MySQL 8, the ability to bulk import data, and enhanced candidate search. While OpenCATS is ready for production use, it should be noted that some features are still in development. These include resume parsing and automatic email responses. In terms of supported operating systems, OpenCATS runs on Linux, Windows, and MacOS.

It is important to note that OpenCATS stems from the development of CATS as open source, with the latter having been stopped in 2008. However, OpenCATS continued the development, but it focused mainly on OSATS. On this note, the project has been continued from OpenCATS 0.9.1.

4. Recruity

Recruity is an open-source recruitment platform that helps companies source and hire the best talent. It offers a powerful suite of tools to help organizations post job openings, track applicants, and manage their hiring processes.

Recruity is used by thousands of organizations around the world, including some of the largest companies in the world. Its technology and knowledge bank are constantly expanding, thanks to the contributions of thousands of developers.

Recruity’s open source model allows for transparent communication between developers and users. When users have questions or need help, they can post on a forum and often receive useful answers from a community of Recruity users themselves.

In addition, the open source model makes it easy for developers to collaborate and contribute code to the project, lending to Recruity more user experience-based functions. Some of its open source components include GroupOffice, MySQL, PHP and Google Code.

5. Appliview

Appliview provides a centralized platform for storing and tracking job postings, candidate applications, and interview records. The software also includes features for sourcing and screening candidates, conducting video interviews, and extending job offers.

Likewise, Appliview offers tools for tracking hiring progress and performance metrics.

Appliview’s open source model helps you combine recruitment and applicant tracking systems for a smoother web-based recruitment process. This combination helps with branding and employment marketing while providing more control of your talent pool.

Not only will this improve the experience for the HR team, but it will also give prospective candidates a better understanding of your organization. This, in turn, could lead to more applications and a higher quality pool of applicants. When optimized, Appliview can help you build a strong web-based recruitment system.

6. Trakstar Hire

Trakstar Hire is a cloud-based solution that helps businesses find and hire top talent. The software enables users to post job openings, track applicants, and manage the hiring process from start to finish.

Trakstar Hire also offers a variety of features designed to help businesses identify the best candidates, including resume parsers, skills assessment tools, and interview scheduling capabilities. In addition, the software provides users with access to a library of resources, such as job descriptions, interviewing tips, and salary data.

Its developer documentation includes options to customize career pages and API references to manage job openings and candidate data.

7. Open HRMS

Open HRMS is an open source human resource management system designed to help businesses track and manage employee data. On top of applicant tracking, features include payroll, performance management, and leave tracking.

Open HRMS is available in both cloud-based and on-premises versions. The cloud-based version offers greater flexibility and scalability, while the on-premises version offers more control over data security.

The recruitment module in Open HRMS is a powerful tool that can help you find the best candidates for your open positions. With this module, you can post job openings on popular job boards, search through resumes, and track applicants through the hiring process. You can also use the recruitment module to create custom assessment tests for your candidates.

8. WP-HR Manager Software

WP-HR Manager Software is a WordPress plugin that provides you with the ability to create employee profiles, track vacation and sick days, and manage payroll. The plugin is easy to use and can be customized to fit the needs of any business.

With this free plugin, you can record and manage employee HR information via any browser, and take advantage of employee self service features to reduce admin and improve accuracy. You can also retain control of your data (and host your site/data in the location of your choice), helping with GDPR compliance.

Likewise, there are no incremental/per employee charges, so you can manage as many employees as you wish.

WP-HR Manager is also fully editable, meaning that you can add features and plugins as you need them. It also has three inbuilt user levels–admin, HR manager and employee–so that you can control access to data and capabilities.

9. TimeTrex Community Edition

TimeTrex Community Edition is a leading open source time and attendance solution that is developed and supported by a network of volunteers from over 50 countries around the world. TimeTrex is used by businesses of all sizes to track employee time and attendance, manage payroll processes, and comply with labor laws.

TimeTrex Community Edition is free to download and use, and offers a comprehensive set of features for businesses of all sizes. TimeTrex also offers a paid Enterprise Edition with additional features and support options.

With TimeTrex, you can keep track of employee hours, job costing, and expenses. The software also makes it easy to schedule employees and manage leave requests. In addition, TimeTrex integrates with popular payroll solutions to make processing paychecks a breeze.

10. CandidATS

CandidATS assists recruiting firms in their recruitment life cycle. Its search engine helps to identify keywords in resumes. In addition, it provides comprehensive reports that can be exported to Excel. This software is also customizable and can be integrated into any company’s website. CandidATS provides firms with greater visibility over the pipeline for a position.

The software was first introduced as an open source program. In 2007, the solution was released as a cloud-hosted version.

Today, you can still find CandidATS GitHub repositories but a pro version is available for subscription. The paid web-based app helps organizations manage recruitment processes and includes features such as job postings, resumes, candidate tracking, and interview scheduling.

What Are the Key Benefits of Using Open-Source Applicant Tracking Systems?

Open-source applicant tracking systems (ATS) offer several unique benefits to businesses looking for cost-effective recruitment solutions:

• Cost Savings: Open-source ATS software typically costs less than proprietary options since there are no licensing fees. Companies can access many features without committing to high recurring expenses, making it ideal for startups and small businesses.
• Customizability: Open-source platforms allow for extensive customization, enabling organizations to modify the software to meet specific needs. This flexibility benefits companies with unique recruitment workflows or industry-specific hiring requirements.
• Enhanced Candidate Management: Many open-source ATS solutions include robust tools for managing applicant information, tracking candidate progress, and storing resumes. These features make it easy to stay organized and efficiently manage large candidate pools.
• Integration Options: Open-source ATS systems are often compatible with various HR tools, such as payroll and onboarding systems, creating a seamless HR ecosystem. This integration streamlines hiring processes and improves data flow across platforms.
• Community Support and Development: Open-source software benefits from active user communities that contribute improvements and provide support. Companies can access shared resources and updates, ensuring the system remains efficient and up-to-date.

Choosing the Best Open Source ATS

When considering from among the best open source applicant tracking systems (ATS), remember to consider your needs and what features are most important to you first. Then, take a look at a few different options we listed above and compare their features. Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, it’s time to try them out and see which one works best for you.

If you don’t have a lot of technical background, you may want to also check out the top cloud ATS options. You can further expand your research by keeping these factors in mind when subscribing to a paid ATS.

Whichever applicant tracking system you choose, make sure it meets your needs and will help you streamline your hiring process.

Key Insights

• Cost Savings and Customization: Open source applicant tracking systems (ATS) offer significant cost savings and customization options compared to commercial systems, allowing organizations to tailor features to their specific needs.
• Wide Range of Options: Numerous open source ATS solutions are available, such as ZipRecruiter, Ejobsitesoftware, OpenCATS, Recruity, Appliview, Trakstar Hire, Open HRMS, WP-HR Manager Software, TimeTrex Community Edition, and CandidATS.
• Community Support and Documentation: Community support is crucial for troubleshooting, getting answers to questions, and finding bug fixes. Comprehensive documentation is essential for understanding and effectively using the software.
• Technical and Compatibility Considerations: Ensure the chosen ATS is compatible with other programs used by the organization and that adequate technical resources are available for installation and usage.
• License Terms: Carefully review license agreements to ensure compliance with the terms and avoid potential legal issues.
• Security and Reliability: The security and reliability of the software are vital. It’s essential to choose an ATS with a good track record and strong community support to address security concerns.

FAQ

1. What is an applicant tracking system (ATS)? An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software designed to help organizations manage their recruitment process, including posting job openings, tracking applicants, screening candidates, and managing the hiring process.
2. Why should I consider using an open source ATS? Using an open source ATS can save money and provide greater control over the software’s features and functionality. Open source systems are often more customizable than commercial options, allowing you to tailor the software to your specific needs.
3. What are some of the best open source ATS options available? Some of the top open source ATS options include ZipRecruiter, Ejobsitesoftware, OpenCATS, Recruity, Appliview, Trakstar Hire, Open HRMS, WP-HR Manager Software, TimeTrex Community Edition, and CandidATS.
4. What factors should I consider when choosing an open source ATS? When choosing an open source ATS, consider factors such as reliability, community support, documentation, compatibility with other software, availability of technical resources, development model, and license terms.
5. How can community support benefit my use of an open source ATS? Community support can provide valuable assistance with troubleshooting, answering questions, and finding bug fixes and upgrades. Engaging with the community can also help you stay informed about new features and best practices.
6. What are the key features to look for in an open source ATS? Key features to look for include intuitive dashboards, job posting capabilities, candidate screening tools, resume parsing, integration with other ATS, interview scheduling, and detailed reporting.
7. Are there any security concerns with using an open source ATS? Security can be a concern with open source software, but choosing a well-supported and widely used ATS with a strong community can help mitigate these risks. It’s also important to stay updated with the latest security patches and best practices.
8. Can an open source ATS integrate with other HR software? Many open source ATS solutions offer integration capabilities with other HR software and tools. Compatibility should be a key consideration when selecting an ATS to ensure it can work seamlessly with your existing systems.
9. Is technical expertise required to use an open source ATS? Some open source ATS solutions may require technical expertise for installation and customization. If your organization lacks technical resources, consider options with strong community support or seek professional assistance.
10. How do I get started with implementing an open source ATS? Start by researching and comparing different open source ATS options based on your specific needs. Once you select a system, follow the documentation for installation and setup, engage with the community for support, and develop a plan for integrating the ATS into your recruitment process.

By Louie Andre

B2B & SaaS market analyst and senior writer for FinancesOnline. He is most interested in project management solutions, believing all businesses are a work in progress. From pitch deck to exit strategy, he is no stranger to project business hiccups and essentials. He has been involved in a few internet startups including a digital route planner for a triple A affiliate. His advice to vendors and users alike? "Think of benefits, not features."