ATS Market 2025: The SAP-SmartRecruiters deal is reshaping HR tech—here’s what recruiters in small and mid-sized companies need to know.

In August 2025, SAP acquired SmartRecruiters, marking a significant disruption in the HR tech market. For many DACH companies, the ATS space is undergoing another reshuffle. When an agile company like SmartRecruiters joins a large enterprise, agility and customer focus often face uncertainty.

Quo Vadis ATS market?

It's an ideal time to review the market: What alternatives exist, especially for SMBs lacking large budgets or enterprise structures?

The answer: plenty. Several lesser-known, affordable ATS options with AI features excel in the DACH market. Excitingly, you can also build a lightweight ATS using no-code tools.

Market Overview: 20 ATS Solutions With AI Features for DACH

(List not exhaustive—there are now thousands of vendors globally.)

System	Features (AI & ATS)	Drawbacks / Limits	Integrations / ERP	Cost ($–$$$$)
Ashby	Data-first ATS, advanced analytics, AI forecasting	Expensive, geared toward scale-ups	API, HRIS	$$$
Breezy HR	Kanban-style ATS, automation, video interviews	Limited branding, weaker AI	API, Zapier	$–$$
Greenhouse (Lite)	ATS with AI add-ons, collaboration features	Lite version lacks deep analytics	HRIS, API	$$–$$$
hireEZ	AI sourcing, talent intelligence, outreach automation	US-centric, less DACH focus	API, CRM	$$$
Homerun	EB-focused design, ATS-light, multiposting	Minimal AI, designed for SMEs	API	$–$$
Jobylon	Strong EB features, candidate journey, multiposting	High price	API, HRIS	$$$–$$$$
JOIN	Free multiposting tool + ATS-light	Very limited features	API, Zapier	$
Lever	CRM + ATS, automation, pipeline analytics	Higher costs, complex setup	API, HRIS	$$$
Manatal	AI matching, CV parsing, social sourcing, pipeline mgmt	Basic reporting, limited branding	API, Zapier	$–$$
Occupop	SME-focused ATS, multiposting, interview scheduling	Limited analytics, fewer integrations	API	$$
Personio Recruit	ATS module within Personio HRIS	ATS focus weaker	Fully integrated HRIS	$$–$$$
Pinpoint	ATS + EB, AI-powered screening	Smaller community, less known	API	$$–$$$
Onlyfy	multiposting, GDPR-compliant pools	Focused on DACH, less international	API	$$–$$$
Recruitee	Collaborative ATS, AI sourcing, automation, EB features	Stronger reporting needed	API, Zapier, Slack	$$–$$$
softgarden	ATS, multiposting, EB widgets, referral program	Lower AI depth, more traditional	SAP, API	$$–$$$
Taylormade ATS	DACH-oriented, AI matching, GDPR focus	Less international, mid-priced	SAP, API	$$–$$$
Teamtailor	ATS + career sites, EB optimization, automation	Rudimentary AI	API, HRIS	$$–$$$
TRAFFIT	Unlimited users, automation, candidate CRM	Minimal AI	API	$$
Workable	AI for job ads & matching, video interviews, multiposting	Expensive for larger volumes, weaker DACH visibility	API, HRIS	$$–$$$
Zoho Recruit	AI matching, automation, multiposting	Indirect ERP integration, complex UI	Zoho Suite, API	$–$$

(Cost indicator: $ = very low / free, $$ = budget-friendly, $$$ = mid-market, $$$$ = enterprise.)

But: Not Every Company Needs a Full ATS

A full ATS has value, but smaller teams often hit budget or complexity limits. Building a simple ATS is a smart alternative. No-code and low-code tools, such as Lindy, Airtable, or Zapier, now make automating workflows that once required large systems easy.

A simple example: CVs are automatically uploaded to an Airtable board. A Zapier flow sends personalized confirmation emails. Lindy acts as a “recruiting agent,” coordinating interviews or extracting candidate insights.

With this approach, you gain complete customization, cut costs compared to commercial ATS solutions, and adapt the system as your team grows. Voilà: a custom-made mini-ATS—flexible, affordable, and perfect for lean teams.

Conclusion

Good news: Even after the acquisition, the market remains broad. Options range from lightweight solutions like JOIN or Manatal, to mid-market options such as Recruitee, Workable, or Ashby, to DACH-focused solutions like Prescreen or softgarden.

Adventurous teams can utilize tools like Lindy, Airtable, or Zapier to craft a DIY mini-ATS tailored to their specific needs.

DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with one of the platforms mentioned and have not received any consideration or payment for this post.