Free ATS Trials: Read Before Using

When you’re a recruiter looking at ATS systems to choose from, both free ATS and paid ones, the number of options can be overwhelming. Most choose an ATS based on real usage when they try out the free ATS trial offers available from most providers

These free trials allow you to test-drive an ATS for a limited period of time, usually 7 or 14 days, without paying anything upfront. You can explore the features, see how it fits your needs, and evaluate its performance and user-friendliness.

But before you sign up for a free trial, there are some factors to be considered. Not all free trials are created equal. Usage limits, hidden fees, and other hindrances may affect your experience and decision.

In this article, we will help you learn how to make informed decisions when using free ATS trials and what limitations/features you should consider.

Features You Can Expect from a Free ATS Trial

A free trial is a great way to test out an ATS before committing to a paid subscription. However, not all free trials offer the same features or functionalities. Some may have more or fewer features than others. Some may have restrictions or limitations on certain features or aspects of the system.

Here are some common features that you can expect from a free ATS trial:

• Job posting: This feature allows you to create and publish job ads on various channels such as your website, social media accounts, job boards, etc.
• Resume parsing: You can collect and store resumes from various sources such as email attachments, online forms, etc. The system will automatically extract the relevant information from the resumes such as name, contact details, education, work experience, skills, etc.
• Candidate management: With this feature, you can organize and manage your candidates in one place. You can filter, sort, rank, tag, label, and search your candidates based on various criteria such as status, source, score, etc. You can also track the progress and history of each candidate throughout the hiring process.
• Communication: The communication feature enables you to communicate with your candidates via email, phone, text, or video. You can send personalized and automated messages to your candidates such as confirmation, reminder, feedback, offer, etc. You can also schedule and conduct interviews with your candidates using the system’s calendar and video conferencing tools.
• Reports and analytics: You can generate and access various reports and analytics that can help you measure and improve your hiring performance and efficiency. You can also see metrics such as time to hire, cost per hire, source of hire, quality of hire, etc.

Why You Should Use the Free ATS Trial First

Using a free trial can have many benefits for you and your hiring process. Here are some of them:

• Save money: A free ATS trial allows you to use an ATS without paying anything upfront. You can save money that you would otherwise spend on a paid subscription or a one-time purchase. You can also avoid wasting money on an ATS that does not meet your expectations or needs.
• Save time: You can use ATS without spending too much time on installation, configuration, or training. You can also quickly and easily set up and use the system without any hassle. This saves you time that you would otherwise spend on manual and repetitive tasks such as posting job ads, screening resumes, scheduling interviews, etc.
• Gain experience: With a free trial, you’ll be able to use an ATS without any commitment or obligation. You can gain experience and knowledge about how an ATS works and what it can do for you. You can also compare different ATS platforms and see which one suits you best.
• Make informed decisions: A free trial allows you to use an ATS without any bias or pressure. You can make informed decisions about whether to continue using the system or not. Plus, you can evaluate the features, benefits, and costs of the system and see if they match your budget and needs.

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Free ATS Trials: What You Get in the Package

Most leading ATS solutions come with a free trial in one form or another; usually with usage based limits, time-based trials or a combination of both.

Manatal's free ATS trial is a 14-day trial allows you to access all the features of the platform, such as AI recruitment software, candidate sourcing, applicant tracking, recruitment CRM, and more There is no free plan offered by Manatal once the trial is over.

Here’s the usage allowed during Manatal’s Free ATS Trial:

During the trial, non-subscribers have access to all the features that are available in the professional and enterprise packages apart from free and premium job board posting. The free ATS trial includes access to the following features:

• Sending emails using the Manatal domain
• Mass emailing
• Email automations
• AI generated job descriptions
• GDPR consent request tool
• Reporting & Analytics
• Resume Parsing
• Recruitment CRM
• and more…

Alternative Solutions that Include a Free Trial:

In case you’re looking for alternatives that fit your specific needs, the following recruitment solutions also offer free trials:

• Workable
• Zoho Recruit
• BambooHR
• RecruitCRM

Now that we’ve gone through what kind of features to expect in a free ATS trial, let’s review our evaluation strategy.

What to Look for When Choosing an Applicant Tracking System

Choosing an ATS is not a one-size-fits-all decision. You need to find an ATS that suits your specific hiring needs and goals. Here are some factors that you should consider when choosing an ATS:

• Ease of use: An ideal ATS should be easy to set up, use, and maintain. It should have a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to navigate through the system without any hassle. It should also have clear and comprehensive documentation and support that can help you troubleshoot any issues or questions that may arise.
• Customization: An ATS you select should be flexible and adaptable to your hiring workflow. It should also allow you to customize the features and settings according to your preferences and requirements. For example, you should be able to create custom job ads, application forms, screening questions, email templates, scoring criteria, reports, etc.
• Integration: It should be compatible and integrable with other tools and platforms that you use for your hiring process. For instance, you should be able to connect the ATS with your website, social media accounts, job boards, email providers, calendar apps, video conferencing tools, etc.
• Scalability: Your ATS should be able to grow with your business and handle your increasing hiring volume and complexity. It should have enough storage space and processing power to accommodate your data and activities. It should also have different plans and pricing options that can match your budget and needs.
• Security: Last but not least, an ideal ATS should be secure and reliable in protecting your data and privacy. It should comply with the relevant laws and regulations regarding data protection and security. It should also have backup and recovery systems in case of any emergencies or disasters.

Conclusion

Using a free trial is a smart way to test out an ATS before committing to a paid subscription. It can help you save money, save time, gain experience, and make informed decisions about your hiring process. However, it is essential to approach free trials with caution. Not all trials are created equal. Some may come with hidden fees or limitations that could impact the overall effectiveness of the software. It is a good idea to thoroughly research and evaluate the terms and conditions of the trial before making a final decision.