Why Use Applicant Tracking Software?
Applications via email, feedback from line managers, Excel spreadsheets, data protection requirements, and multiple job platforms quickly lead to confusing recruiting processes at many Swiss SMEs. That’s why applicant tracking software helps centralize the management of applications, standardize workflows, and significantly simplify collaboration between HR, recruiters, and line managers. At the same time, a digital applicant tracking system ensures that application files, communication, and internal feedback are consolidated in a structured manner in one place.
Applicant Tracking Software: Key Criteria for SMEs
Choosing the right recruiting software depends heavily on the size of the company, the number of open jobs, the recruiting process, and internal responsibilities. The following criteria, in particular, can help you compare potential providers in a structured way:
- Ease of Use: Small HR teams often have limited time and resources to implement complex rollouts.
- Collaboration with the department: Department heads should be able to easily review and give ratings to applications.
- Data Protection: Applicant data is particularly sensitive and must be processed securely.
- Multiposting: Ideally , job advertisements can be published efficiently on multiple platforms.
- Careers Page: Jobs should be presented professionally on your own website and make it easy to apply.
- Automation: Templates, status updates, and automated emails help save time.
- Scalability: The solution should be a good fit for today’s SMEs, but also allow for growth.
- Swiss Market Focus: For many SMEs, local support, data storage in Switzerland, and integrations with Swiss systems are important.
- Value for the money: Especially when there are few open positions, the costs, benefits, and feature set must be well-balanced.
For additional comparison criteria and a step-by-step guide to finding the best applicant tracking system for your company, see the article“Recruiting Tools Comparison – Tips for Choosing.”
An Overview of 10 Applicant Tracking Systems
This overview presents ten well-known applicant tracking systems that are relevant for Swiss SMEs or organizations operating in the Swiss market. This selection is intended to provide an initial guide and is based on publicly available information from the providers. However, it is not a substitute for an individual evaluation and should not be interpreted as a ranking. To conduct your own assessment, you can also download our free requirements checklist and compare the most important criteria in a structured manner.
1 Dualoo
Brief description: A Swiss all-in-one applicant management solution for SMEs and training companies that covers the entire recruiting process and offers various integrations, including with job platforms.
Software Category: Recruitment/ATS
Benefits for SMEs: Intuitive operation, best-practice templates, attractive value for money, and additional features for recruiting students and trainees
Possible limitations: No comprehensive HCM suite for all HR processes
Pricing: starting at CHF 36 per month
Trial Option: Try it for free for 30 days right away
Data Hosting: Switzerland
Ideal for: Swiss SMEs, training companies, and HR-Managers looking for an intuitive, cost-effective applicant tracking system
2 jobalino
Brief description: Swiss recruiting suite for small and medium-sized businesses, featuring applicant tracking, multiposting, and collaboration features
Software Category: Recruitment/ATS
Benefits for SMEs: Quick and easy implementation, supplementary onboarding module
Possible limitations: Does not offer a complete HCM suite for all HR processes; can be costly if there are few hires
Pricing: starting at CHF 100 per month
Trial Option: Try it for free for 30 days right away
Data Hosting: Switzerland
Ideal for: SMEs that want to quickly get started with a simple e-recruitment process.
3 Ostendis
Brief description: Swiss e-recruitment solution focused on the easy management of applications, jobs, and communication
Software Category: Recruitment/ATS
Benefits for SMEs: Usage-based pricing model, CVDropper, and an extended trial period
Possible limitations: With regular hiring, this can end up being more expensive than fixed monthly plans
Pricing: starting at CHF 150 per month per user
Trial Option: 100-day free trial
Data Hosting: Switzerland
Ideal for: Companies that want to manage job applications flexibly and do not prefer a fixed monthly plan.
4 Refline
Brief description: Swiss e-recruitment software for startups, SMEs, the public sector, and large enterprises
Software Category: Recruitment/ATS
Benefits for SMEs: Talent pool with automatic matching, multiposting, and four languages integrated
Possible limitations: Pricing based on the number of active jobs; for smaller SMEs, the pricing and functionality may be more extensive than necessary
Pricing: starting at CHF 99 per month for one active job
Trial Option: Try it for free for 30 days right away
Data Hosting: Switzerland
Ideal for: SMEs, public organizations, and companies with predictable hiring needs
5 Abacus Umantis
Brief description: Swiss HR suite featuring applicant tracking, recruiting, onboarding, and other ERP modules
Software Category: All-in-One
Benefits for SMEs: Integration with HR Suite and ERP
Possible limitations: Particularly suitable for higher recruitment volumes; resource-intensive implementation
Pricing: No public prices listed
Test option: Not clearly visible to the public
Data Hosting: Switzerland or Germany
Ideal for: Mid-sized companies, public sector organizations, and larger SMEs with more extensive HR needs
Compare applicant tracking software more easily with the free requirements checklist.
6 softgarden
Brief description: German recruiting software for applicant tracking, career sites, and multiposting
Software Category: Recruitment/ATS
Benefits for SMEs: Robust Candidate Experience Features and WhatsApp Applications
Possible limitations: Priced somewhat higher for smaller SMEs; data hosting outside Switzerland
Pricing: Start Plan starting at €199 per month or €179 per month with annual payment
Trial Option: Try it for 14 days for free right away
Data Hosting: Germany
Ideal for: Companies that place a strong emphasis on career pages, reach, and candidate experience.
7 Recruitee
Brief description: ATS for recruiting teams featuring career sites, a pipeline, collaboration, automation, and reporting
Software Category: Recruitment/ATS
Key Benefits for SMEs: Career Page Builder, Pipeline Automation, AI Features, and Numerous Integrations
Possible limitations: Advanced features such as SSO, WhatsApp Hiring, or additional modules depend on the selected plan or add-ons. Data hosting outside of Switzerland
Pricing: Not clearly stated publicly. Depends on the number of active jobs and the apps selected.
Trial Option: Free trial available
Data Hosting: EU
Ideal for: Recruitment teams focused on career sites and international scalability
8 Personio
Brief description: European all-in-one HR software with recruiting as an additional app within the HR platform
Software Category: HR Suite
Benefits for SMEs: Integrates recruiting with core HR, onboarding, absences, working hours, and other HR processes
Possible limitations: Comprehensive HR suite instead of a lean ATS, greater complexity, data hosted outside Switzerland
Pricing: No public prices
Trial Option: Try it for 14 days for free right away
Data Hosting: EU
Ideal for: SMEs that want to consolidate recruiting and other HR processes into a single suite.
9 Rexx Systems
Brief description: German HR software suite for recruiting, applicant tracking, human resources management, talent management, and onboarding
Software Category: HR Suite
Benefits for SMEs: Modular and expandable, with the option to use it for recruiting only, and scalable for larger organizations
Possible limitations: Due to its complexity, this solution is best suited for companies with approximately 100 or more employees; data is hosted outside of Switzerland
Pricing: Recruiting-only, based on the provider’s example, starting at approximately €2.10 per employee per month for 100 employees
Trial Option: 30-day free trial
Data Hosting: Germany
Ideal for: Mid-sized companies, larger SMEs, and organizations with a modular HR suite strategy
10 Infoniqa
Brief description: A DACH-based provider of HR, payroll, and finance software with features for recruiting and applicant tracking
Software Category: All-in-One
Benefits for SMEs: E-signature Features and Integration with ERP Suites
Possible limitations: More of a comprehensive HR/finance suite than a lean ATS; data hosted outside Switzerland
Pricing: No public prices listed
Test option: Not clearly visible to the public
Data hosting: DACH region; the specific locations of the data centers are not clearly publicly disclosed
Ideal for: Companies that want to integrate applicant tracking with HR, workflow, and contract processes.
Conclusion
The best applicant tracking software depends on the recruiting process.
There is no single “best” applicant tracking system that works equally well for all Swiss SMEs. Rather, the right solution depends on how often a company recruits, how many people are involved in the application process, and which features are actually needed on a day-to-day basis. That’s why it’s worth comparing applicant tracking systems not only based on price or feature set, but above all based on the specific benefits they offer for your own recruiting process.
For smaller SMEs, simplicity, a quick start, and clear processes are often important. Growing companies, on the other hand, place greater emphasis on features such as multiposting, talent pools, reporting, interfaces, and automation. Those who also want to digitize HR processes such as personnel administration, onboarding, or payroll should consider a more comprehensive HR suite.
A good evaluation therefore doesn’t start with the question, “Which software has the most features?” but rather with the question, “Which software is the best fit for our day-to-day recruiting work?”
Questions & Answers: Applicant Tracking Software in Switzerland
What is applicant tracking software?
Applicant tracking software helps companies manage job applications digitally. Typical features include job advertisements, application receipt, communication with applicants, rating, scheduling, approvals, talent pools, and reporting.
Why Is Applicant Tracking Software Worth It for SMEs?
Applicant tracking software helps small and medium-sized businesses manage applicant data in a way that complies with data protection regulations and centralizes the process, rather than relying on email or Excel. At the same time, it saves time, improves collaboration, and makes the hiring process more professional.
Which features are particularly important for Swiss SMEs?
Key features include ease of use, centralized application management, data protection, e-mail templates, evaluation options, role-based permissions, multiposting, a career portal, and easy integration of line managers.
Is an HR suite or a specialized applicant tracking system better?
That depends on your needs. Specialized applicant tracking software is usually more streamlined, more affordable, and offers more features for recruiting and the application process. An HR suite, on the other hand, covers additional areas such as personnel administration, time off, onboarding, and payroll within the same interface.
What should be kept in mind regarding data protection?
Job applications contain sensitive personal data. Swiss SMEs should therefore review the storage location, retention periods, access rights, the data processing agreement, and the technical and organizational measures. In addition, the software should comply with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and, where applicable, the GDPR.
