Top 5 ATS Tools That Offer Free Trials (And What to Look for in Each)

Choosing an ATS can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options out there. Every platform promises smarter hiring, faster workflows, and better results. But how do you know which one truly fits your team? That’s where a free trial becomes valuable.

A trial lets you test the software with your real hiring needs, without having to commit upfront. You can explore how the platform handles job postings, candidate communication, and team collaboration before investing time and money.

This blog highlights five ATS tools that offer full-featured trials. Each one gives you the flexibility to experience key features, see how the interface works for your team, and compare performance across platforms. Whether you’re hiring for the first time or upgrading from a basic system, these trials help you make a more confident decision.

What This Blog Covers

Before you choose an ATS, it helps to know what to expect from a trial, and which tools give you the best chance to evaluate them properly. This blog is built to guide that process.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• A short overview of five popular ATS platforms offering free trials
• What’s included in each trial, from job post limits to feature access
• Which type of team does each tool work best for – tech startups, agencies, remote teams, or growing companies
• Key features to test during your trial period
• A few practical tips to help you make the most of your test run

By the end, you’ll have a clear shortlist of ATS tools worth trying—and the confidence to choose the right one for your hiring goals. Whether you’re hiring your first employee or optimizing a high-volume hiring process, this guide keeps your selection process focused and efficient.

Evaluate Key Features That Matter

A free trial is your chance to go beyond the surface and see how the Applicant Tracking System actually performs on features that impact your day-to-day hiring. Here are four core areas to test during the trial:

Automation

Automation is where you’ll save the most time—if it works well. During the trial:

• Set up automated responses when candidates apply
• Try rules that trigger actions, such as moving a candidate to the next stage after completing an assessment
• Measure how much manual work the system can handle on your behalf

Look for flexibility. Can the rules be customized for different roles or stages?

Pipeline Customization

Your hiring process isn’t one-size-fits-all, and your ATS shouldn’t be either.

• Recreate your actual pipeline
• Add or rename stages to reflect your hiring flow
• Test how easy it is to move candidates across stages and collaborate with your team

Customization should feel intuitive and scalable as your team grows.

Candidate Messaging

Timely, professional communication helps keep candidates engaged throughout the process.

• Use templates to send emails or texts for interview invites and updates
• Test how replies are received—whether within the platform or your email
• Check if you can schedule or automate communication based on candidate status

Try sending messages to yourself or a colleague to see how it feels from the candidate’s side.

Integrations with Your Current Tools

A strong ATS integrates smoothly with the tools you already rely on.

• Connect your calendar to test interview scheduling
• Sync with tools like Slack, Zoom, Gmail, or HR platforms
• See how well job postings push to external boards

The easier these integrations are to set up and use, the more value you’ll get from the software.

ATS Tools for Free Trial

Workable

Overview

Workable is a comprehensive hiring platform designed for teams seeking streamlined recruitment processes with robust features. It combines job distribution, AI-powered sourcing, and easy-to-use collaboration tools in one system. Built for speed and simplicity, it helps teams hire at scale without adding overhead.

Free Trial Details:

• Duration: 15 days
• Includes: Full access to the platform’s features, including job posting to over 200 job boards, candidate sourcing, and collaboration tools. No credit card required.

Best For:

• Small to medium-sized businesses
• Teams aiming for efficient and collaborative hiring processes

Key Features to Explore During Trial:

• AI-powered candidate sourcing
• Interview scheduling and calendar integrations
• Customizable hiring pipelines
• Team collaboration tools
• Integration with job boards and HR systems

Things to Check During Trial:

• Does the platform accommodate your current hiring volume?
• Is the user interface intuitive for your team?
• Are the integrations compatible with your existing tools?
• Does the reporting feature provide actionable insights?

Free Trial CTA:
Start your 15-day free trial without a credit card at Workable’s website.

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Recruitee

Overview

Recruitee offers a collaborative recruitment platform that empowers teams to streamline their hiring processes effectively. It’s built for teamwork, offering features that support structured hiring workflows and clear visibility across roles. From posting jobs to evaluating candidates, every step is designed to support hiring managers and recruiters working together.

Free Trial Details:

• Duration: 18 days
• Includes: Access to all features, including job posting, pipeline management, and team collaboration tools – no credit card required.

Best For:

• Growing companies
• Teams emphasizing collaborative hiring

Key Features to Explore During Trial:

• Customizable career sites
• Automated workflows
• Interview scheduling tools
• Integration with over 120 apps
• Reporting and analytics dashboards

Things to Check During Trial:

• How well does the platform support your team’s collaboration?
• Is the customization flexible to match your brand?
• Are the integrations aligning with your current tools?
• Does the reporting meet your analytical needs?

Free Trial CTA:
Begin your 18-day free trial at Recruitee’s website.

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Manatal

Overview

Manatal is an AI-powered recruitment software combining AI in ATS with smart automation to improve hiring processes. It’s ideal for teams seeking speed and efficiency without sacrificing control, offering AI features that support faster decision-making. The platform enables rapid sourcing, enriched candidate profiles, and complete pipeline visibility.

Free Trial Details:

• Duration: 14 days
• Includes: Access to features like AI recommendations, resume parsing, and pipeline management. No credit card required.

Best For:

• Recruitment agencies
• Companies seeking AI-driven hiring solutions

Key Features to Explore During Trial:

• AI-based candidate recommendations
• Resume parsing and enrichment
• Customizable recruitment pipelines
• Collaboration tools for hiring teams
• Integration with job boards and social media platforms

Things to Check During Trial:

• How effective are the AI recommendations for your roles?
• Is the resume parsing accurate and efficient?
• Does the platform integrate seamlessly with your existing tools?
• Are the collaboration features enhancing your team’s workflow?

Free Trial CTA:
Start your 14-day free trial at Manatal’s website.

Confused about Ashby vs Manatal? Check this blog on Ashby vs Manatal: A Founder’s Guide to Choosing the Right ATS

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Zoho Recruit

Overview

Zoho Recruit is a versatile ATS that caters to both in-house recruiters and staffing agencies, offering a range of customizable features. It stands out for its deep automation capabilities, broad integration support, and flexible workflows. For companies already using Zoho products, it fits naturally into the existing hiring stack.

Free Trial Details:

• Duration: 15 days
• Includes: Full access to enterprise features, including resume parsing, workflow automation, and reporting tools. No credit card required.

Best For:

• Staffing agencies
• Businesses seeking customizable recruitment solutions

Key Features to Explore During Trial:

• Resume parsing and candidate matching
• Workflow automation
• Customizable career pages
• Integration with the Zoho ecosystem and other third-party apps
• Comprehensive reporting and analytics

Things to Check During Trial:

• Does the automation streamline your recruitment process?
• Is the integration with other tools seamless?
• Do the customization options meet your specific needs?
• Does the reporting provide valuable insights?

Free Trial CTA:
Initiate your 15-day free trial at Zoho Recruit’s website.

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Breezy HR

Overview

Breezy HR offers a user-friendly ATS designed to simplify the hiring process with intuitive features and automation. Its drag-and-drop interface and built-in messaging tools make it a great fit for fast-moving teams. It’s particularly effective for remote-friendly hiring with strong video interviews and scheduling support.

Free Trial Details:

• Duration: 14 days
• Includes: Full access to features like drag-and-drop pipeline management, automated smart scheduling, and team collaboration tools—no credit card required.

Best For:

• Small to medium-sized businesses
• Teams seeking an intuitive and automated hiring process

Key Features to Explore During Trial:

• Visual pipeline management
• Automated interview scheduling
• Candidate messaging and communication
• Integration with job boards and HR tools
• Reporting and analytics features

Things to Check During Trial:

• Is the pipeline management enhancing your workflow?
• Does the automation reduce manual tasks?
• Are the communication tools effective for candidate engagement?
• Does the reporting provide the insights you need?

Free Trial CTA:
Commence your 14-day free trial at Breezy HR’s website.

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How to Evaluate an ATS During a Free Trial

Free trials and features give you more than a head start—they reveal how well an ATS aligns with your structured hiring process, team setup, and future goals. To make a confident decision, don’t stop at the feature list—use the trial period to evaluate these critical aspects in action.

Automation

• Can you reduce repetitive work like interview reminders or rejection emails?
• Are automation rules easy to set up without technical help?
• Do automations run reliably and as expected?
• How does automation in ATS improve candidate experience?

Pipeline Customization

• Does the ATS allow flexible stage naming and order adjustments?
• Can you build different workflows for different roles or departments?
• Is it easy to filter or sort candidates by stage, tag, or hiring manager?

Candidate Messaging

• Are message templates available and editable?
• Can you send emails or SMS directly from the platform?
• Is there a timeline or activity log for all communication?

Integrations

• Does the ATS connect to tools you already use (e.g., Gmail, Slack, Zoom, job boards)?
• Are integrations plug-and-play or do they need IT support?
• Are API options available if you want to scale or customize in the future?

Team Collaboration & Permissions

• Can team members leave feedback or ratings on candidates?
• Is it easy to assign roles or control access for each user?
• Do shared views or comments reduce the need for back-and-forth emails?

Reporting & Analytics

• What hiring data can you access—time to hire, pipeline drop-off, source quality, etc.?
• Are reports customizable and easy to export?
• Do dashboards provide value or require manual input?

Candidate Experience

• Test the application process from a candidate’s perspective
• Is the application mobile-friendly, fast, and branded properly?
• Are candidates getting timely updates and clear communication?

Customer Support During Trial

• Is there live chat, email, or phone support available while you test?
• Are help docs and videos easy to follow?
• How quickly does the support team respond to setup or integration questions?

Mobile Access

• Is there a mobile app for recruiters or hiring managers?
• Can you review applications, send messages, or schedule interviews on the go?

Scalability & Flexibility

• Will this tool still meet your needs when your hiring volume increases?
• Are features tiered in a way that supports gradual upgrades?
• Can the platform support remote teams or multi-country hiring?

How to Get the Most Out of an ATS Free Trial

An ATS trial gives you a rare window to test-drive the platform in a real and smart hiring environment, without any risk. However, the key to making the trial worthwhile is treating it like a short evaluation project. Here’s how to use this time wisely:

Post a Real Job (or a Test One)

Start by creating an actual job listing or replicating one you’ve used in the past. This lets you assess:

• How quickly your job goes live
• Where the job gets posted (e.g., free job boards, premium options)
• How easy it is for candidates to apply

By tracking the number and quality of applications received during the trial, you can gauge sourcing performance early on.

Add Your Hiring Team

Bring in your recruiters, hiring managers, or even department heads to get feedback. This helps evaluate:

• How easy it is for non-HR users to navigate the system
• Collaboration features like tagging, notes, and evaluation scorecards
• Whether the communication flow is smooth and centralized

If your team doesn’t feel comfortable using the platform during the trial, they probably won’t enjoy using it long-term either.

Use Support and Onboarding Resources

Engage with customer support, knowledge base articles, or any onboarding guides provided. Why?

• You can assess how responsive and knowledgeable their support team is
• It’s a great way to clarify setup steps, integrations, or customization options
• Vendors who help during the trial are more likely to offer strong post-purchase support

Some ATS platforms also assign a temporary success rep—take advantage of that.

Run Through Key Hiring Tasks

Don’t just explore features—use them. For example:

• Set up pipeline stages that reflect your actual process
• Automate a few actions like confirmation emails or status updates
• Schedule a test interview and send reminders

You’ll quickly spot which tasks save time and which ones may need workarounds.

Monitor Metrics That Matter to You

Use built-in dashboards (if available) or track performance manually:

• How long does it take to move a candidate from apply to interview?
• Is communication easier or faster than your current setup?
• Are you spending less time on repetitive admin work?

Even small efficiency gains can add up across multiple hires.

Test Integrations and Customization

Try connecting tools you already use:

• Google Calendar for interview scheduling
• Slack for team notifications
• Email platforms or Zoom for remote interviews

See how smoothly the integrations work—and how flexible the platform is when you want to adjust workflows or scorecards.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ATS is a big step, and a free trial gives you the freedom to test-drive features, evaluate usability, and see how well a platform supports your hiring goals, without pressure. By taking the time to run a real job post, involve your team, and explore automation, messaging, and integrations, you’ll walk away with more than just a first impression.

You’ll know whether the tool fits your workflow, your team, and your future growth. The five ATS platforms we covered—Workable, Recruitee, Manatal, Zoho Recruit, and Breezy HR—all offer valuable free trials with strong feature access.

Whether you’re a startup, a growing business, or a fast-moving agency, these tools give you a reliable starting point to make a well-informed choice. Your next hire deserves the right system behind it—and this trial period is where that decision begins.

Frequently Asked Questions