Choose the best ATS + CRM software for your company: Complete guide

What is an ATS + CRM software, and why has it become an essential tool in modern recruitment?

In the digital age, recruitment software has become a strategic lever for recruitment agencies , IT services companies , and any growing business . Among the most popular tools are ATS ) and recruitment CRM . When combined, they unify sourcing , application management, client relations, and overall recruitment management.

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) centralizes applications and automates the screening process. A recruitment CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system structures interactions with clients, partners, and talent pools. All of this can be integrated into a recruitment ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system , which also includes invoicing, reporting, and sometimes HR management.

Good software for recruitment agencies or IT services companies allows you to:

• Managing a pool of candidates intelligently
• Ensure smooth and automated candidate tracking
• Optimize collaboration between recruiters and sales representatives
• Structuring the recruitment process , from sourcing to contract signing
• To offer a secure and scalable recruitment database

Who uses ATS + CRM software?

An ATS CRM recruitment software is designed for several types of stakeholders:

• Recruitment agencies , to centralize their commercial and HR activities
• IT services companies and consulting firms, to manage their talent and their missions
• Companies with a structured HR department , seeking better candidate tracking
• Startups structured recruitment
• Executive search firms , which have to manage highly qualified talent pools

Whether you are a recruitment agency in Paris , a recruitment consultancy in Nantes or a multi-site company , a good recruitment tool will help you structure your business.

How to choose the best recruitment tool for your organization?

Here are the criteria to consider when choosing an ATS + CRM software that meets your needs:

1. Ease of use

The tool must be intuitive, easy to use, accessible on mobile devices, and designed for recruiters , salespeople , and managers . A user-friendly interface ensures rapid adoption by your teams.

2. Recruitment automation

Prioritize software that allows you to create personalized workflows , automate follow-ups , candidate scoring , and even distribute job offers across multiple platforms . Artificial intelligence in recruitment becomes a real asset here.

3. CRM and ERP integration for recruitment

A CRM software for recruitment agencies integrates both sales and HR functions. A recruitment ERP adds contract management , invoicing , and recruitment KPI tracking into a single tool.

4. Connectivity with the ecosystem

Ensure that the software is compatible with:

• job boards , social networks , LinkedIn ,
• electronic signature solutions ,
• scheduling tools (Google Calendar, Outlook),
• HRIS or payroll tools (for HR consulting firms, IT services companies, or SMEs).

5. Safety and conformity

Systems (ATS) must comply with the GDPR , with secure hosting (in France or Europe), granular access control data encryption . The confidentiality of candidate information is crucial for any headhunting firm , recruitment consultancy , or recruitment agency in Paris, Nantes, or elsewhere .

6. Reporting, analyzes and management

Monitoring conversion rate , recruitment time , satisfaction rate , number of applications received or activated talent pool : a good tool gives you a clear view of your performance and your recruitment ROI.

7. Support, onboarding and scalability

Responsive support , training resources , and onboarding assistance are prerequisites. Also, verify that the software is modular and can scale with your growth.

Integration: what criteria for a successful transition?

For a digital recruitment agency , an IT services company , or a multi-agency structure, seamless integration into the existing ecosystem is key. Check:

• Technical compatibility with your current tools
• The ease of importing your databases (Excel, CV databases, legacy ATS...)
• Support from the publisher (training, configuration, migration, hotline...)
• Customizing processes (candidate profile, pipeline, reporting)

Evaluate the return on investment of recruitment software

A good ATS + CRM software is not a cost, but a strategic investment for your firm. It allows you to:

• A time saving on manual tasks
• A reduction in sourcing and distribution costs
• An improved candidate experience (fast communication, transparency)
• Optimizing performance (more good profiles, faster)
• Better management of the candidate pool for future recruitment

Key features to look for in ATS + CRM software

• CV parsing and semantic matching
• Multi-distribution and publication planning
• Sales dashboard and customer pipeline
• Customizable candidate profiles
• Interview tracking and automatic reminders
• Integrated electronic signature
• Advanced Reporting and Statistics
• Customer records and contact history

Feedback on ATS CRM software

"Thanks to the CRM, I have complete visibility into my customer base, and the ATS enables multi-posting, which is a real advantage."
— Marvin B., Recruitment Manager

"I was frustrated spending so much time posting the same job ads 3 to 5 times on different job sites: multi-posting really saved me 1 to 2 hours a week and, above all, a lot of energy!"
— Cecilia F., Technical Recruiter at a firm

"I saved invaluable time on each of my daily tasks, thanks to clear management, streamlined processes, and especially new tools I had never used before, such as dashboards and reminders."
— Nathalie M., Manager at a recruitment agency

In summary: the steps to making a good software choice

1. Clarify your needs (volumes, roles, types of clients or candidates)
2. Identify the key functionalities (ATS, CRM, ERP, reporting, automation)
3. Compare market solutions (free trial, demonstration, customer feedback)
4. Analyze the costs (license, integration, training, support)
5. Test the software in a real-world situation with your teams.
6. Check for security and GDPR

A ATS CRM ERP recruitment software is a growth lever for any firm, regardless of its size: recruitment firm in Paris , recruitment firm in Nantes , or national recruitment consulting firm

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about ATS and CRM software

What is the difference between an ATS and a CRM for recruitment?
An ATS manages applications and the recruitment process. A CRM manages client relationships (in a recruitment agency) or internal relationships (candidates, talent pools, managers).

Is an ATS software sufficient?
No, without a CRM, the sales and relationship management aspects are often neglected. An ATS + CRM tool is recommended.

How to build an effective candidate pool?
You need a CRM recruitment software with enriched profiles, tags, scoring, follow-ups and automatic updates.

Why invest in recruitment ERP software?
To have a single tool that combines sourcing, recruitment, customer management, reporting, invoicing and compliance.

Are there any free tools?
There are free ATS software programs , but they are often limited in features or automation.

Want to go further? Check out our comparison of the best ATS for recruitment agencies, or discover user reviews in our recruitment blog.