Best ATS for Startups in 2026
An honest comparison of Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Workable, and Prepzo. We built Prepzo, so we'll be upfront about that—but we'll be fair about the others too.
Choosing the right Applicant Tracking System is critical for growing teams. According to Capterra's research, 75% of recruiters use an ATS. But with over 200 options on the market, how do you choose? We evaluated the top platforms for startups based on pricing, ease of use, and AI capabilities. Whether you're hiring your first engineer or scaling to 100+ employees, this guide will help you decide.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Greenhouse | Lever | Ashby | Workable | Prepzo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI resume screening | Add-onAdd-on | Add-onAdd-on | PartialPartial | true | true |
| AI interviews | false | false | false | PartialPartial | true |
| Custom workflows | true | true | true | PartialPartial | true |
| Calendar integrations | true | true | true | true | true |
| Transparent pricing | false | false | PartialPartial | true | true |
| Free tier | false | false | false | false | true |
| Self-service setup | false | false | PartialPartial | true | true |
Detailed Reviews
Enterprise standard
From ~$6,000/year · Best for companies with 200+ employees
Pros
- Most comprehensive features
- 500+ integrations
- Strong DEI tools
Cons
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
- Weeks to implement
CRM + ATS
From ~$4,000/year · Best for companies doing proactive sourcing
Pros
- Strong CRM
- Nurture campaigns
- Clean UI
Cons
- CRM adds complexity
- Limited mobile app
- Opaque pricing
Modern & opinionated
From ~$4,800/year · Best for series a-c startups (50-500)
Pros
- Best analytics
- Fast modern UI
- All-in-one
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem
- Less customizable
- Newer company
Quick & practical
From $149/month · Best for smbs wanting simplicity
Pros
- Transparent pricing
- Same-day setup
- Video interviews
Cons
- Limited customization
- Basic reporting
- Fewer integrations
AI-native
From $99/month · Best for teams wanting ai screening
Pros
- AI interviews included
- Free tier available
- Quick setup
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem
- Newer platform
- Less enterprise features
The Bottom Line
Enterprise with budget? Greenhouse is the gold standard.
Growing startup with resources? Ashby is excellent.
Building talent pipelines? Lever's CRM is unmatched.
SMB wanting simplicity? Workable is solid.
Want AI to do the heavy lifting? That's where we built Prepzo.
Resources & Further Reading
Learn More About Hiring
- How to Hire Your First Engineer
Complete hiring process guide
- How to Write Job Descriptions
Attract better candidates
- Software Engineer Interview Questions
50+ questions with scoring guides
- Prepzo ATS Features
See our pipeline management tools
Industry Resources
- Capterra ATS Directory
Reviews from verified users
- G2 ATS Rankings
Enterprise software reviews
- SHRM Talent Acquisition
HR industry best practices
- Select Software Reviews
Independent ATS buyer guide