7 Best hiring software for startups in 2026

Choosing hiring software has become surprisingly difficult for startups. Most small teams are only hiring for a few key roles, already have an established brand, and want a simple way to post those roles on their website so candidates can apply directly. And this matters now more than ever, according to the Novorésumé job seekers survey, 64% of respondents prefer applying for jobs directly through company websites. Yet the market is filled with complex tools built for large enterprises, making it hard for startups to find something that actually fits their needs.

Startups don’t need bulky enterprise systems—they need a simple, professional hiring tool with the right features and essential integrations. Tools like SubPage make it easy to build a branded careers page, embed jobs on your website, and track applicants through a clean, intuitive ATS.

In this guide, we’ve identified the 7 best hiring software options for startups in 2026, highlighting their strengths and the types of teams they serve best.

The best hiring software empowers startups to attract, manage, and hire top talent without the complexity of enterprise-level systems. These platforms offer applicant tracking, collaborative hiring features, and seamless integrations that streamline recruitment workflows—while their capabilities and depth of features vary depending on pricing.

Whether you're looking to build a careers page, track candidates, or automate hiring processes, the right software makes recruitment efficient and organized. With features like AI-powered job descriptions, application forms, and team collaboration tools, these platforms help startups compete for talent while staying lean and agile.

Below, we break down the leading options for you:

1. SubPage

SubPage is a user-friendly hiring platform designed specifically for startups and small teams that need to launch recruitment quickly without technical complexity and post jobs easily, saving time and effort. Unlike heavy enterprise systems that require extensive setup and training, SubPage focuses on providing a clean, straightforward solution where even non-technical HR team members can create a functional careers portal and start receiving applications in minutes.

SubPage works well for fast-growing startups, lean HR teams, collaborative hiring across departments, and companies that need a professional online presence for recruitment without investing in complex infrastructure.

Key Features:

1. Build a functional careers page in minutes: SubPage offers professionally designed career page layouts that help startups establish a credible hiring presence instantly. You can switch between layouts at any time to match your brand.
2. Complete job portal features: It includes job search functionality, customizable applicant forms, email notifications, and all the essential features of a careers portal. Once created, you can start receiving qualified applicants immediately.
3. Embeddable job widgets: Embed entire job listings anywhere on your existing website, maintaining brand consistency while expanding your reach. You can also add an automatically updating open-positions counter next to your careers page listing in the footer or anywhere on the website.
4. Seamless automation with Zapier and LinkedIn: SubPage integrates seamlessly with HR-friendly tools like Zapier and LinkedIn, allowing you to automate key hiring workflows with ease. For example, once you publish a job in SubPage, it can be automatically shared across your connected platforms—saving you time and manual effort.
5. Built-in applicant tracking system: Team members and HR managers can track, filter, and process applications using SubPage’s integrated ATS, removing the need for separate tools or scattered spreadsheets.
6. Collaborative hiring across teams: Anyone from the HR team or other departments can participate in hiring decisions through SubPage's collaborative hiring features, along with easy-to-use candidate management tools.
7. AI-powered job descriptions: Generate compelling, professional job descriptions using AI assistance, saving time and ensuring your postings attract the right candidates.

Best For: Startups and small businesses that need a simple, effective hiring solution with professional features, fast setup, and collaborative capabilities without the complexity or cost of enterprise platforms.

Price - SubPage offers a free plan to get started, allowing you to post up to 3 job openings, with paid plans starting at just $20 per month.

Why SubPage Is the Best Choice for Startups:

1. Designed for speed and simplicity: SubPage removes unnecessary complexity, giving startups a clean platform that supports both quick job posting and comprehensive candidate management without overwhelming users.
2. Optimized for lean teams: With automation, collaboration features, and intuitive design, small HR teams can manage hiring efficiently without needing dedicated recruitment specialists.
3. Powered by AI for better job postings: Startups can create professional, compelling job descriptions in seconds using AI assistance, ensuring they attract quality candidates without hiring copywriters.
4. Built for scalability: As your startup grows, SubPage grows with you, offering features that work for both your first hire and your fiftieth, with pricing that remains startup-friendly.
5. Cost-effective pricing: SubPage offers a free plan to get started, with paid plans beginning at just $20/month, making it an extremely affordable choice for budget-conscious startups compared to enterprise platforms.

You can sign up and start using SubPage for free to launch your careers page and begin receiving applications immediately.

2. JazzHR

JazzHR is a recruiting software platform that provides applicant tracking and job posting capabilities designed for growing companies. It offers tools to streamline the hiring process with customizable workflows and integration options.

Key Features:

1. JazzHR provides a comprehensive applicant tracking system (ATS) that helps teams organize candidates, track their progress through hiring stages, and maintain communication throughout the recruitment process.
2. It offers tools to create and publish job postings across multiple job boards and platforms, helping companies expand their reach and attract diverse candidate pools.
3. The platform includes integration capabilities with various HR tools and platforms, enabling teams to connect their hiring process with existing systems and workflows.
4. JazzHR supports collaborative hiring by allowing team members to review candidates, share feedback, and participate in hiring decisions through the platform.
5. It provides customizable hiring workflows that can be adapted to different roles and departments, ensuring consistency while maintaining flexibility.

Best For: Growing companies and mid-sized businesses that need a structured ATS with customization options and integration capabilities.

Pricing: JazzHR offers paid plans starting from $75/month (pricing varies by plan and features).

3. BreezyHR

BreezyHR is a hiring platform that combines applicant tracking with candidate management and team collaboration features. It provides tools to create branded careers pages and manage the entire recruitment pipeline.

Key Features:

1. BreezyHR allows companies to create customized careers pages that reflect their brand and culture, providing candidates with a professional application experience.
2. The platform offers robust candidate management features, enabling teams to organize applicants, schedule interviews, and track communications in one centralized location.
3. It integrates with various HR applications and tools, allowing teams to connect BreezyHR with their existing tech stack for seamless workflow management.
4. BreezyHR supports collaborative hiring by enabling team members to review candidates together, share evaluations, and make collective hiring decisions.
5. The platform includes automation features for repetitive tasks like interview scheduling and candidate communications, saving time for HR teams.

Best For: Teams that prioritize collaborative hiring and need a platform that combines candidate management with branded recruitment experiences.

Pricing: BreezyHR offers a free plan for basic features; paid plans start from $189/month.

4. GoHire

GoHire is a hiring software solution that provides job board creation, candidate management, and applicant tracking features designed for small to medium-sized businesses.

Key Features:

1. GoHire enables companies to create custom job boards that can be embedded on their websites, providing a centralized location for all open positions.
2. The platform offers integration capabilities with various HR applications, allowing teams to connect their hiring process with existing tools and workflows.
3. It provides candidate management features that help teams organize applicants, track their progress, and maintain communication throughout the hiring process.
4. GoHire includes tools for posting jobs across multiple platforms and channels, helping companies reach candidates wherever they're looking for opportunities.
5. The platform features an applicant tracking system that streamlines the recruitment process by organizing candidate information and hiring stages in one place.

Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses looking for straightforward hiring software with job board creation and basic ATS functionality.

Pricing: GoHire offers a free trial and paid plans starting from $99/month.

5. Recooty

Recooty is a hiring platform that provides career page creation, applicant tracking, and AI-powered tools to simplify recruitment for small teams and startups.

Key Features:

1. Recooty enables companies to create professional careers pages that showcase their employer brand and open positions in a visually appealing format.
2. The platform provides embeddable widgets for job postings, allowing companies to display current openings anywhere on their website with automatically updating content.
3. It includes an applicant tracking system that helps teams organize candidates, manage applications, and track progress through hiring stages.
4. Recooty supports collaborative hiring by enabling team members to participate in candidate evaluation and share feedback throughout the recruitment process.
5. The platform offers AI-powered job description generation, helping teams create compelling job postings quickly without starting from scratch.
6. Recooty provides candidate management tools that streamline communication, scheduling, and decision-making throughout the hiring process.

Best For: Fast-growing teams, an AI-powered hiring solution with collaborative features.

Pricing: Recooty offers a free plan available; paid plans starting from $99/month.

6. BambooHR

BambooHR is a comprehensive human resources platform that includes hiring and applicant tracking as part of a broader HR management system covering employee data, onboarding, payroll, and workforce management.

Key Features:

1. BambooHR provides an integrated applicant tracking system that allows teams to manage the entire recruitment process from job posting to offer acceptance within the platform.
2. The platform offers robust candidate management tools that help teams evaluate applicants, schedule interviews, and track communications in an organized system.
3. It includes HR data analytics and reporting features that provide insights into hiring metrics, time-to-fill, and recruitment effectiveness.
4. BambooHR integrates hiring with onboarding, payroll, and employee management, creating a seamless transition from candidate to employee in one unified system.
5. The platform provides tools for managing employee information, benefits, time tracking, and performance management, making it a complete HR solution beyond just hiring.

Best For: Companies that need an all-in-one HR platform combining hiring, onboarding, payroll, and employee management in a single system.

Pricing: BambooHR offers custom pricing available on request; typically $6–$8 per employee/month for core HR, with additional costs for add-on modules

7. Greenhouse

Greenhouse is a hiring platform designed for structured, data-driven recruitment processes. It provides advanced applicant tracking and integration capabilities for companies focused on optimizing their hiring strategies.

Key Features:

1. Greenhouse offers a sophisticated applicant tracking system that enables teams to create structured hiring processes with defined stages, evaluation criteria, and decision points.
2. The platform provides tools to create and manage job boards that can be integrated with company websites, along with the ability to post across multiple external job boards simultaneously.
3. It includes extensive integration capabilities, connecting with numerous HR tools, assessment platforms, and background check services to create a comprehensive hiring ecosystem.
4. Greenhouse supports detailed candidate management with features for organizing applicants, tracking interactions, and maintaining comprehensive candidate profiles.
5. The platform emphasizes structured hiring methodologies, providing tools for scorecards, interview guides, and standardized evaluation processes to reduce bias and improve hiring decisions.

Best For: Companies that prioritize structured, data-driven hiring processes and need advanced analytics and integration capabilities for optimizing recruitment.

Price - Greenhouse offers custom pricing on request.

To sum up, these platforms represent the best in hiring software for startups, each offering unique features to suit different recruitment needs and company sizes. As you evaluate which solution fits your startup's hiring goals, keep in mind the specific features that will help streamline your recruitment and accelerate team building.

As the global recruitment software market continues to expand, projected to reach $3.85 billion by 2028, the importance of choosing the right hiring platform has never been more critical for startup success.

Key Features to Look for in Hiring Software

Startups especially need tools that maximize efficiency without overwhelming small teams.

In this section, we'll explore the key features that make hiring software effective for startups.

1. Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

An effective ATS is the foundation of modern hiring software, helping teams organize candidates and maintain consistent recruitment processes.

1. Candidate organization: The system should track candidates through various hiring stages, from application to offer, keeping all information accessible in one place.
2. Application management: Tools for reviewing, filtering, and sorting applications help teams quickly identify qualified candidates and move them forward in the process.
3. Status tracking: Clear visibility into where each candidate stands in the hiring pipeline ensures nothing falls through the cracks and maintains a professional candidate experience.

2. Collaborative Hiring Features

Modern hiring is a team effort, and software should facilitate input from multiple stakeholders across departments.

1. Shared candidate profiles: Team members should be able to access candidate information, review applications, and provide feedback within the platform.
2. Role-based permissions: The ability to control what different team members can view and edit ensures security while enabling collaboration.

3. Careers Page Creation & Customization

Your careers page is often a candidate's first impression of your company, and hiring software should make it easy to create a professional presence.

1. Pre-designed templates: Ready-to-use layouts that are professionally designed save time and ensure a polished appearance from day one.
2. Brand customization: The ability to add your logo, colors, and company messaging ensures consistency with your overall brand identity.
3. SEO optimization: Built-in SEO features help your job postings rank in search results, attracting more organic traffic and qualified candidates.

4. Integration & Automation

Seamless connections with your existing tools and automated workflows save time and reduce manual data entry.

1. Third-party integrations: Look for platforms that connect with tools you already use, such as email, calendar systems, LinkedIn, Zapier, and other HR software.
2. Automated notifications: Automatic emails for application confirmations, interview scheduling, and status updates keep candidates informed without manual effort.

5. AI-Powered Features

Artificial intelligence can significantly speed up recruitment tasks while improving quality and consistency.

1. Job description generation: AI tools that help create compelling, professional job descriptions save time and ensure your postings attract qualified candidates.
2. Candidate matching: Some platforms use AI to analyze candidate profiles and suggest the best matches for open positions.

6. Free Plans & Affordable Pricing

For startups with limited budgets, cost-effective pricing is essential for making hiring software accessible.

1. Free tier availability: Many platforms offer free plans with basic features, allowing you to test the software before committing financially.
2. Transparent pricing: Clear, straightforward pricing structures help you understand costs as you scale and avoid unexpected expenses.

These key features will help you identify which hiring software aligns with your startup's recruitment needs and budget constraints. By focusing on these factors, you'll ensure your team can hire efficiently and build a strong workforce as you grow.

According to LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends report, 87% of recruiters say AI and automation have changed the way they recruit, highlighting how these technologies have become standard expectations in modern hiring software.

Now that we've covered the essential elements to consider, let's explore how to choose the right hiring software for your startup.

How to Choose the Right Hiring Software for Your Startup

Choosing the right hiring software can be challenging with numerous options available, but by focusing on your startup's unique needs and growth trajectory, you can find a platform that will accelerate your recruitment and strengthen your team.

Here are some key factors to consider when making your decision.

Company Stage & Hiring Volume

Different hiring software caters to different company sizes and recruitment volumes. Consider where your startup is now and where you expect to be.

1. Current hiring needs: If you're making your first few hires, you need simplicity and speed. If you're scaling quickly, prioritize platforms that can handle higher volumes without becoming unwieldy.
2. Growth trajectory: Choose software that can scale with you. A platform that works for five employees might not serve you well at fifty, and switching systems mid-growth is disruptive.
3. Hiring frequency: Consider whether you'll be hiring continuously or in periodic bursts. Some platforms are better suited for ongoing recruitment, while others work well for occasional hiring cycles.

Budget & Cost-Effectiveness

For startups, every dollar counts. Evaluate hiring software not just on price, but on the value it provides relative to cost.

1. Free vs. paid plans: Many platforms offer free tiers that provide basic functionality. Test these before committing to paid plans to ensure the software meets your needs.
2. Pricing structure: Understand whether pricing is per job posting, per user, per month, or based on features. Choose a model that aligns with your hiring patterns and budget predictability.
3. Return on investment: Consider time saved, improved candidate quality, and faster hiring speed. A more expensive platform might deliver better ROI if it significantly improves recruitment outcomes.

For instance, SubPage offers exceptional value for startups, providing a free plan to get started and paid plans beginning at just $20/month. It delivers professional careers pages, AI-powered features, and comprehensive hiring tools at a fraction of the cost of enterprise platforms, making it an excellent ROI for early-stage companies.

Ease of Use & Implementation Speed

Startups need to move fast, and lengthy implementation processes or steep learning curves can slow momentum.

1. Setup time: Look for platforms that can be configured quickly, ideally within hours rather than weeks, so you can start hiring immediately.
2. User interface: An intuitive interface means less training time for your team and faster adoption across departments.
3. Template availability: Pre-built templates for job descriptions, careers pages, and workflows accelerate setup and ensure professional results without starting from scratch.

SubPage excels in this area with its zero-learning-curve design that allows teams to launch a professional careers page and start receiving applications within minutes, not days or weeks. The AI-powered job description generator and ready-to-use layouts eliminate the complexity typically associated with hiring software setup.

Features That Match Your Workflow

Not every startup needs every feature. Focus on capabilities that address your specific hiring challenges.

1. Essential vs. nice-to-have: Identify must-have features (like ATS and careers page) versus features you might use eventually (like advanced analytics or AI screening).
2. Collaboration needs: If hiring decisions involve multiple team members, prioritize platforms with strong collaborative features and clear communication tools.
3. Integration requirements: Consider which tools you already use. If your team lives in Zapier or LinkedIn, choose software that integrates seamlessly with these platforms.

Support & Resources

When you're moving fast and hiring is critical, responsive support can make or break your experience.

1. Customer support quality: Look for platforms with responsive support teams, clear documentation, and helpful onboarding resources.
2. Self-service resources: Comprehensive guides, video tutorials, and FAQs enable your team to solve problems quickly without waiting for support responses.

By carefully considering these factors—company stage, budget, ease of use, feature alignment, and support—you can confidently choose hiring software that accelerates your recruitment while remaining manageable for your lean startup team.

SubPage, with its AI-powered features, collaborative hiring tools, intuitive interface, and startup-friendly pricing, offers a compelling option for companies that want to start hiring quickly without sacrificing professionalism or capability. The platform's seamless integrations with Zapier and LinkedIn ensure smooth workflows for both remote and hybrid startup teams.

Explore SubPage's pricing and see how it can streamline your hiring process from day one.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive talent market, startups need hiring software that helps them move fast and stand out. Whether you’re setting up your first careers page or scaling your team, the right tool can simplify applicant tracking, streamline collaboration, and support your growth. SubPage offers a simple, flexible, and affordable solution built specifically for startups—helping you manage candidates, launch a branded careers page, and hire quickly without the usual complexity. Choosing the right platform isn’t just about features—it’s about improving candidate experience and accelerating your hiring. Ready to get started? Sign up with SubPage for free and start building your careers page today.

FAQs: Best Hiring Software for Startups

1. What makes SubPage the best hiring software for startups?

SubPage is designed specifically for startups and small teams that need to launch recruitment quickly without technical expertise. It offers an intuitive platform where anyone can create a professional careers page in minutes, complete with AI-powered job descriptions, built-in ATS, and collaborative hiring features. With affordable pricing starting at $20/month and seamless integrations with Zapier and LinkedIn, SubPage is ideal for lean teams seeking efficient, cost-effective hiring solutions.

2. How does hiring software improve recruitment efficiency for startups?

Hiring software improves efficiency by centralizing candidate management, automating repetitive tasks like application confirmations and interview scheduling, and enabling team collaboration on hiring decisions. Features like AI-powered job descriptions and applicant tracking systems reduce time spent on administrative work, allowing startups to focus on evaluating candidates and making faster hiring decisions.

3. What are the real-time collaboration features in SubPage that enhance hiring?

SubPage offers powerful collaboration tools that allow multiple team members to review candidates, share feedback, and participate in hiring decisions within the platform. The collaborative hiring features enable cross-departmental involvement without complex permissions or workflows, ensuring everyone stays aligned throughout the recruitment process. This makes it easy to include hiring managers, team leads, and potential colleagues in candidate evaluation.

4. What are the key features of the best hiring software for startups?

The best hiring software for startups includes an applicant tracking system, careers page creation, collaborative hiring features, AI-powered tools for job descriptions, and integrations with existing workflows. These platforms should offer intuitive interfaces, fast setup times, and scalable pricing that grows with your company, ensuring lean teams can hire efficiently without overwhelming complexity.

5. How does hiring software help with creating job postings?

Hiring software simplifies job posting creation through AI-powered job description generators, pre-built templates, and easy customization options. Platforms like SubPage allow you to generate compelling job descriptions in seconds, publish them on professional careers pages, and distribute them across multiple channels, ensuring your openings reach qualified candidates quickly.

6. Is there a free version of SubPage available for startups?

Yes, SubPage offers a free plan that provides essential features for getting started with recruitment, including careers page creation, basic job posting capabilities, and access to core features. This allows startups to launch their hiring process without upfront investment. Paid plans start at just $20/month and include advanced features like enhanced AI credits, more job postings, and additional customization options.