Best Applicant Tracking System in India: Complete Guide for 2025

Recruiting top talent in India is highly competitive, and manual hiring processes are no longer enough to keep pace. Companies need smarter tools to streamline applications, screen candidates efficiently, and ensure compliance with labor regulations. This is where an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) comes in.

An ATS helps businesses automate job postings, track applications, and manage the end-to-end hiring process all while improving candidate experience. In India, where remote and hybrid work models are on the rise, an ATS not only simplifies recruitment but also ensures integration with payroll and Employer of Record (EOR) solutions for global companies.

This guide explains why businesses in India need an ATS in 2025, what features to look for, and the 7 best applicant tracking systems available today.

Table of Contents

• What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?
• Why Do Companies in India Need an ATS in 2025?
• Key Features to Look for in an ATS
• Top 7 Applicant Tracking Systems in India (2025)
• How to Choose the Right ATS in India
• Benefits of Using Asanify for ATS + Payroll in India
• Conclusion
• FAQs

What is an Applicant Tracking System (ATS)?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is recruitment software that automates the hiring process. It allows HR teams to post jobs across multiple platforms, screen resumes, schedule interviews, and manage candidate pipelines.

Manual hiring vs. ATS-powered hiring:

• Manual hiring relies on spreadsheets and emails, which are error-prone and time-consuming.
  
• An ATS centralizes all candidate information, reduces bias in screening, and ensures a smoother recruitment process.
  

A well-integrated ATS in India can also sync with payroll and onboarding systems, ensuring compliance and faster employee lifecycle management.

Why Do Companies in India Need an ATS in 2025?

Recruitment in India is rapidly evolving, and companies require technology to stay competitive.

Compliance with Indian Hiring Laws

• Indian labor regulations require transparency in recruitment processes.
• Companies must maintain proper record-keeping of hiring activities.
• An ATS structures and stores all hiring data in a centralized, auditable format.
• This reduces the risk of non-compliance and legal penalties.

Faster and More Accurate Hiring

• AI-driven screening helps filter out unqualified resumes automatically.
• The system highlights the most relevant candidates for the role.
• This significantly reduces hiring time by cutting manual effort.
• Companies see an improvement in quality of hire with better matches.
• Recruiter productivity increases as focus shifts from admin tasks to engagement.

Improved Candidate Experience

• Today’s workforce demands a seamless and hassle-free application process.
• ATS platforms provide automated responses to keep candidates informed.
• Interview scheduling is streamlined through built-in workflows.
• Status updates ensure candidates know where they stand in the process.
• These features enhance employer branding and build candidate trust.

Integration with Remote & Global Hiring

• Global companies are increasingly hiring talent in India.
• ATS tools integrated with EOR solutions streamline the process.
• They simplify compliance with Indian labor laws.
• Payroll and onboarding are automated and error-free.
• This makes it easier for businesses to scale hiring across borders.

Suggested Read: Staffing Agencies in India 2025: Scalable & Efficient Hiring Partner

Key Features to Look for in an ATS

Before choosing the right ATS in India, HR leaders should prioritize:

• AI-driven resume screening & ranking.
  
• Job posting integrations with portals like Naukri, LinkedIn, and Indeed.
  
• Automated workflows for interview scheduling and approvals.
  
• Collaboration tools for recruiters and hiring managers.
  
• Compliance tracking with Indian labor laws.
  
• Integration with HRMS, payroll, and EOR platforms.
  
• Analytics & reporting for time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and diversity insights.
  

Top 7 Applicant Tracking Systems in India (2025)

1. Asanify

Asanify offers a complete hiring ecosystem, combining ATS functionality with payroll automation and Employer of Record (EOR) services. It allows businesses to post jobs, track candidates, and onboard employees while staying compliant with Indian labor laws. Global companies especially benefit from its EOR features, which simplify hiring in India without entity setup. Its AI-driven screening saves recruiters hours by shortlisting top candidates, while seamless payroll integration ensures smooth transitions from candidate to employee.

Key Features:

• AI-powered resume screening and ranking.
  
• Job posting integrations with Indian job portals.
  
• Payroll and EOR integration for global companies.
  
• Analytics dashboards for recruiter productivity.
  

Best For: Global employers and SMEs looking for an all-in-one hiring + payroll + compliance solution.

2. Zoho Recruit

Zoho Recruit is part of the Zoho business suite and is widely used by Indian SMEs. It offers job posting, candidate management, and interview scheduling in a clean, easy-to-use interface. Being cloud-based, it integrates seamlessly with Zoho’s HR and finance tools, making it a scalable option for growing businesses.

Key Features:

• Job postings on multiple platforms.
  
• Customizable workflows.
  
• Resume parsing and candidate pipelines.
  
• Integrations with Zoho HR & CRM tools.
  

Best For: SMEs and startups seeking affordable, scalable recruitment software.

3. Keka ATS

Keka HR extends its popular HRMS platform with ATS functionality tailored for Indian businesses. Its strength lies in integrating recruitment with payroll and employee management. Recruiters can create custom hiring workflows, track candidate status, and ensure quick onboarding once a hire is made.

Key Features:

• Custom hiring workflows.
  
• Payroll integration.
  
• Candidate communication tools.
  
• Compliance support for Indian hiring laws.
  

Best For: Mid-sized companies needing HRMS + ATS in one system.

4. Zimyo ATS

Zimyo offers a simplified ATS that integrates seamlessly with its HR suite. Built for small and medium businesses, it allows companies to post jobs, screen candidates, and manage hiring pipelines effectively. Its affordability and mobile-first approach make it a strong choice for startups.

Key Features:

• Resume screening and tracking.
  
• Interview scheduling tools.
  
• Affordable pricing.
  
• Cloud-based, mobile-friendly system.
  

Best For: Startups and SMEs with limited HR budgets.

5. Freshteam (by Freshworks)

Freshteam is designed for modern, fast-growing companies that need a lightweight yet powerful ATS. It offers automated job postings, resume parsing, and collaborative hiring tools. Its intuitive design makes it popular with recruiters who want to reduce hiring complexity.

Key Features:

• Job postings across multiple job boards.
  
• Resume parsing and candidate pipelines.
  
• Collaborative hiring dashboards.
  
• Affordable SaaS model.
  

Best For: Fast-growing Indian startups and IT companies.

6. greytHR Recruitment

greytHR, known for payroll and HR automation, also includes a recruitment module with ATS features. It is ideal for companies that prioritize compliance and payroll accuracy but also want to manage recruitment in the same system.

Key Features:

• Integrated recruitment and payroll system.
  
• Compliance reporting.
  
• Candidate database management.
  
• Cloud-based interface.
  

Best For: Companies with strong payroll and compliance needs.

7. Darwinbox ATS

Darwinbox provides enterprise-grade ATS functionality as part of its HRMS platform. Built for large organizations, it supports complex hiring needs, including high-volume recruitment, custom workflows, and advanced analytics. Its AI-driven insights allow enterprises to optimize time-to-hire and improve diversity in recruitment.

Key Features:

• Enterprise-scale recruitment workflows.
  
• AI-powered hiring insights.
  
• End-to-end HR integration.
  
• Multi-location compliance support.
  

Best For: Large enterprises with complex hiring processes.

Comparison Table: Best Applicant Tracking Systems in India (2025)

Tool	Key Features	Best For	Pricing (2025 Estimate)
Asanify	AI-driven resume screening, job portal integration, payroll + EOR support, analytics	Global employers & SMEs needing ATS + payroll + compliance	Custom pricing (per employee/month, on request)
Zoho Recruit	Job postings, customizable workflows, resume parsing, Zoho suite integrations	SMEs & startups seeking affordable scalability	₹120–₹200 per employee/month
Keka ATS	Custom workflows, payroll integration, candidate communication, compliance tools	Mid-sized companies with HRMS + ATS needs	₹150–₹250 per employee/month
Zimyo ATS	Resume screening, interview scheduling, cloud + mobile support	Startups & SMEs with smaller budgets	₹100–₹150 per employee/month
Freshteam	Automated job postings, collaborative hiring, resume parsing, SaaS-based pricing	Fast-growing startups & IT companies	₹100–₹180 per employee/month
greytHR	Recruitment + payroll integration, compliance reporting, candidate database	Compliance-focused businesses	₹80–₹150 per employee/month
Darwinbox	Enterprise-scale ATS, AI-powered hiring insights, multi-location compliance	Large enterprises with complex hiring needs	₹250+ per employee/month

How to Choose the Right ATS in India

Choosing the best ATS in India depends on company size, hiring needs, and budget. SMEs may prioritize affordability and ease of use, while enterprises need advanced analytics and integrations. Always consider:

• Scalability for future growth.
  
• Integration with payroll, HRMS, and compliance systems.
  
• AI features for smarter candidate screening.
  
• EOR support for global hiring in India.
  
• Cost vs. feature balance.
  

Benefits of Using Asanify for ATS

Asanify stands apart by combining applicant tracking, payroll, compliance, and Employer of Record (EOR) services in one unified platform. Businesses can source candidates, track applications, and onboard them seamlessly into payroll while ensuring statutory compliance. Its AI-driven hiring insights boost recruiter efficiency, while global employers benefit from EOR support that enables hiring in India without setting up a local entity. For companies aiming to cut hiring costs and reduce compliance risks, Asanify provides a future-ready solution.

Key Benefits at a Glance:

• All-in-one platform: Applicant tracking + payroll + compliance + EOR.
• Seamless onboarding: Direct integration from candidate tracking to payroll.
• AI-powered insights: Improve recruiter efficiency and hiring accuracy.
• EOR support for global employers: Hire in India without entity setup.
• Compliance-first approach: Stay aligned with Indian labor laws automatically.
• Cost-efficient: Reduce hiring expenses and avoid legal risks.

Suggested Read: Labour Laws in India: A 2025 Compliance Guide

Conclusion

Applicant Tracking Systems are no longer optional in India they are a necessity for compliance, efficiency, and competitive hiring. In 2025, businesses must invest in ATS platforms that not only streamline recruitment but also integrate with payroll and compliance systems. Among the options available, Asanify emerges as the standout choice, offering an AI-driven, compliance-first, and globally scalable solution for modern hiring.

By unifying recruitment with payroll and statutory compliance, Asanify reduces HR workload and minimizes risks. Its EOR support gives global companies the flexibility to hire in India without entity setup, making expansion faster and safer. For organizations serious about building future-ready teams, adopting Asanify is both a strategic and competitive advantage.

FAQs

Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant  or Labour Law  expert for specific guidance.