ATS vs CRM: Which Recruitment Software is Right for You?

If you’re considering reviewing new recruitment software for your business, you’ll know a wide range of solutions are available in today’s market. From Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to Client/Candidate recruitment management (CRM) to Recruitment Management Software (RMS), deciphering what’s right for your business can feel like cracking a recruitment code. 

In 2023, the global recruitment software market reached a value of more than $2.20 billion and is expected to grow by 6.3% by 2032, reaching a value of $ 3.8 billion*. So, you know that hundreds of recruitment software providers promoting different products are to be expected in the market. 

How do you know which is right for your business? Are they all the same? We know it can be overwhelming, so we’re here to assist you and clarify the acronyms, the different types of products and what to expect from them. 

ATS (Applicant Tracking System) 

ATS is a type of recruitment software that enables you to manage applicants more effectively. Your recruiters can manage staffing and hiring requirements for your clients. Applicant Tracking Software usually has the following key functionality: 

• Vacancy recording and searching 
• Job ad posting and recording of candidate applications 
• Record candidate information and interactions, CV and compliance documents 
• Candidate searching 
• Applicant tracking through the interview to the hiring process 
• Website and HR software integration 
• Reporting 
• Generally, a browser-based software application 

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) 

CRM is Software that enables you to manage your agency’s relationships and interactions with existing and potential customers/clients. It aims to improve your business relationships and help grow your business. Customer Relationship Management usually has the following key functionality: 

• Record prospect and acquired customer information 
• Record and track customer interactions 
• Record and track customer meetings, demonstrations and presentations 
• Customer marketing activity 
• Reporting 
• Browser-based or on-premise applications 

Recruitment CRM, Recruitment Software or RMS (Recruitment Management System) 

If you combine the functionality of an ATS and CRM into one recruitment software solution, you get an RSM. It helps recruiters organise the entire recruitment process, from hiring and onboarding to filling open roles with quality talent. An RMS comes with the following key functionality: 

• Record prospect and acquired customer information 
• Record and track customer interactions 
• Record and track customer meetings, demonstrations and presentations 
• Customer marketing activity 
• Record candidate information and interactions, CV and compliance documents 
• Candidate searching 
• Vacancy recording and searching 
• Job ad posting and recording of candidate applications 
• Candidate tracking through the customer interview to the placement process 
• Website and third software integration 
• Reporting 
• Browser-based or on-premise applications 

A Recruitment Management System is precisely what Eclipse Core recruitment software is. By combining the strengths of both our ATS and CRM competitors, Eclipse Core offers an envied wealth of native functionality to provide a comprehensive solution that empowers recruiters to manage the entire recruitment process efficiently, builds stronger relationships and gains valuable insights for informed decision-making.  

Even within the Recruitment CRM, Recruitment Software or RMS market, a wide range of additional solutions are available for different requirements that can benefit your agency. Below is an overview of the other market offerings: 

Front and Middle Office Solutions 

• Temporary recruitment functionality only 
• Permanent recruitment functionality only 
• Combined permanent and temporary recruitment functionally 

Back Office Solutions 

• Temporary worker timesheet processing 
• Temporary and permanent client invoicing 

End-to-End Fully Integrated Solutions 

• Combined permanent and temporary recruitment functionally 
• Temporary worker timesheet processing 
• Temporary and permanent invoicing 

Which Recruitment Software is Right for You? 

An ATS is an ideal investment if you are an in-house recruitment function or if you already have CRM and back office software and only require a partial integration between all your software solutions. ATS software is generally less expensive than a Recruitment CRM, but so is the functionality to deliver both temporary and/or permanent recruitment services. 

An ATS caters to in-house recruitment teams or those with existing CRM and back-office systems, offering hiring management without complete software integration. While budget-friendly for standalone recruitment needs, an ATS doesn’t provide the broader client management and temporary worker features found in Recruitment CRMs. 

A Recruitment CRM is a more considerable investment but provides an all-in-one powerhouse for streamlined processes and increased productivity. Get a lot more functionality for your investment – manage clients, candidates, and invoices across temporary and permanent recruitment in one platform.  

So, depending on your budget, what functionality your business requires, and if your business objective is to drive productivity by having all your data and functionality within one solution, the investment will certainly pay off. 

To assist you with deciding on the right recruitment software for your business, we suggest you take some time and answer the following questions: 

• Why are you looking for new Software? 
• What are your pain points with your current Software? 
• What does your existing Software need to provide? 
• What is essential and non-essential functionality for your new Software? 
• Do you need your Software to support future growth plans? 

• What is your budget (upfront and recurring)? 

By answering these questions and understanding the different software options, you can make an informed decision and choose the recruitment software that empowers your business to thrive.