1. What is the best applicant tracking system in the UK for 2026?
The best applicant tracking system in the UK for 2026 depends on your hiring needs, team size and recruitment model. iSmartRecruit 2.0 is a strong option for recruitment agencies, staffing firms and executive search teams, while tools such as Talos360, Ashby, Longlist, Vincere and TalentLyft can support different hiring workflows.

2. Why do UK companies use Applicant Tracking Systems?
UK companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to manage applications, track candidates, automate hiring tasks, improve collaboration and reduce time-to-hire. A good ATS also helps recruiters maintain organised candidate data and improve the overall hiring experience.

3. Which ATS platforms are commonly used in the UK?
Common ATS platforms used by UK recruiters and hiring teams include iSmartRecruit 2.0, Longlist, TriSys, Elevatus, Recruiteze, Ashby, 100Hires, Talos360, Vincere and TalentLyft. Each platform is suited to different use cases, such as staffing agencies, SMEs, recruitment firms or in-house HR teams.

4. Do applicant tracking systems in the UK support GDPR compliance?
Most modern ATS platforms support GDPR-conscious recruitment through candidate data controls, consent management, access permissions and secure data handling. Before choosing a system, UK recruiters should still check the vendor’s data processing terms, hosting options and retention settings.

5. How do I choose the best ATS in the UK for 2026?
Compare platforms based on features, pricing, ease of use, <a href="https://www.ismartrecruit.com/integration">integration options</a>, GDPR support, reporting, AI automation and scalability. It is also useful to review <a href="https://www.ismartrecruit.com/best-talent-acquisition-software-pricing">pricing plans</a> and request <a href="https://www.ismartrecruit.com/request-demo">free demos</a> before making a final decision.

6. What features should UK recruiters look for in an ATS?
UK recruiters should look for candidate tracking, CV parsing, job posting, interview scheduling, AI-powered matching, automated communication, reporting, GDPR-conscious data management and integrations with email, calendars and job boards.

7. Is an ATS different from recruitment CRM software?
Yes. An ATS mainly manages active applicants and hiring stages, while recruitment CRM software manages long-term relationships with candidates, clients and talent pools. Recruitment agencies often benefit from platforms that combine both ATS and CRM functionality.

8. Do ATS platforms offer mobile access?
Yes. Many applicant tracking systems offer mobile-friendly platforms or mobile apps so recruiters, hiring managers and candidates can access key hiring workflows on the go.