A free applicant tracking system for startups
Unlimited job postings, a stage-based candidate pipeline, and candidate messaging, scheduling, and interviews in one place. No per-seat fees, no posting credits, and no trial clock counting down while you're still writing the job description.
Last updated: August 2026
Why startups skip the paid ATS at first
Below roughly 25 hires a year, most of what a mid-market ATS charges for, approval chains, requisition workflows, and multi-level reporting, is overhead you don't have yet. What you actually need is somewhere for applications to land, a way to see who is at which stage, and a fast route to a conversation. That's exactly the surface a free ATS should cover, and it's what this one does.
The usual alternative is a spreadsheet. It's free, but it has no stage history, no messaging, and no shared source of truth, so candidates go cold between founder inboxes. A free ATS removes that failure mode without adding a line item.
What's included on the free plan
Unlimited job postings
Post as many open roles as you're hiring for on the free tier, with rich descriptions, salary ranges, tags, industry, location, and remote filters. No posting credits, no per-role charge.
Stage-based candidate pipeline
Applications land in a pipeline view. Move each candidate through stages, leave notes your co-founders can read, and see at a glance where every person sits.
Integrated candidate messaging
Message applicants directly from the pipeline. Attachments, reactions, edits, typing indicators, and read receipts are included, with no InMail credits or per-message tax.
Interviews without a second tool
One-tap voice and video calls plus calendar-ready meeting invites (.ics) mean you can schedule and run an interview without leaving the candidate record.
A reusable careers page
Your company page doubles as a careers page you can link from your site, your launch post, and every outbound message.
Sourcing built into the same account
Search candidate profiles and reach passive people through a connection request instead of buying a separate sourcing seat.
Set it up in four steps
- Create a free account. Sign up as a recruiter or founder. No credit card, no trial clock.
- Set up your company page. Add your logo, description, and location so candidates recognise you.
- Post your first role. Publish an unlimited number of open roles with salary range and remote policy.
- Work the pipeline. Review applicants, move them through stages, message them, and book interviews in one place.
Free ATS vs. paid ATS for early teams
| Tool | Typical startup cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Connecting Odds ATS | $0 | Unlimited postings, pipeline, messaging, calls, scheduling. |
| Greenhouse | ~$8k+/yr | Strong structured interviewing; priced for mid-market teams. |
| Lever | ~$5k+/yr | ATS + CRM; annual contract typical. |
| Ashby | ~$5k+/yr | Best-in-class analytics; starter tiers still annual. |
| Spreadsheet | $0 | Free, but no stage history, no messaging, and easy to lose candidates. |
Third-party prices are public list estimates for small teams as of 2026 and vary by contract.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ATS really free for startups?
Yes. Individual and founder accounts are free forever, with unlimited job postings and pipeline access. There's no credit card to create an account and no time-limited trial. Paid options exist for promoted job postings and larger recruiting teams.
How many jobs can I post on the free plan?
An unlimited number. You can publish every open role you're hiring for, keep drafts, and reuse job descriptions across future openings.
Do I need a separate tool for interviews?
No. Voice and video calls and calendar-ready meeting invitations are built in, so you don't need a paid conferencing or scheduling subscription for early hiring.
Can my co-founders use it too?
Yes. Team members create their own free accounts and can view the pipeline and leave notes on candidates, so hiring decisions aren't trapped in one inbox.
When should a startup upgrade to a paid ATS?
Most teams outgrow a free ATS somewhere past 25 hires a year, when structured interview kits, approval workflows, and deep reporting start to pay for themselves. Below that, a free ATS plus a disciplined weekly pipeline review is usually enough.
Can I export my candidate data?
Yes. Your jobs, applicants, and messages belong to you and can be exported, so choosing a free ATS now doesn't lock you out of migrating later.
Keep reading
Build a pipeline without a sourcing subscription.
The stack we'd buy by team size.
Where to search candidates for $0.
Seat fees, InMail maths, and four-year TCO.
Start tracking applicants today, for $0
Unlimited postings, a shared pipeline, and messaging built in. Upgrade only when you want a role promoted.