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The 2025
ATS gap report

The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) market is not a monolithic entity. It is a segmented battlefield where user frustrations differ dramatically based on the platform's target customer. This report analyzes the specific functional gaps in 11 major platforms and how AI can bridge them.

Report Updated 18 Dec 2025 10 min read

Overview: The Segmented Battlefield

Our analysis reveals three distinct tiers of ATS platforms, each with unique "pain points":

  • Enterprise (HRIS-First): Dominated by Workday and SAP. Users struggle with rigidity and poor candidate experience.
  • Mid-Market (Recruiting-First): Led by Greenhouse and Lever. Users face customization limits and specific workflow bottlenecks.
  • SMB/Startup (Usability-First): Players like BreezyHR and Workable. Users encounter critical bugs and missing basic features.

The ATS Pain Point Matrix

A consolidated view of the most critical limitations identified in our research.

Platform
Primary Pain Point
Deep Dive
Workday
Candidate Experience "Black Hole" (60% drop-off)
SAP SuccessFactors
Crippled Reporting & Analytics
Greenhouse
"Write-Only" Database (Search Limits)
Lever
Scheduling Time Zone Traps
Ashby
Boolean Search Limitations
TeamTailor
Privacy Gaps (No Anonymous Email)
Workable
Customization Ceilings
BreezyHR
Workflow Speed Bumps
SmartRecruiters
Manual Reporting Workload
SparkHire
Shallow ATS Features
Pinpoint
Scalability Risks

Enterprise Goliaths

Platforms like Workday and SAP are purchased for data integration, often at the expense of recruiter efficiency and candidate experience. Mokka acts as an intelligence layer, bypassing these clunky interfaces to engage candidates directly.


Mid-Market Leaders

Greenhouse and Lever offer structure but often lack the flexibility for modern, agile sourcing. Mokka complements these tools by handling the "discovery" phase that they struggle with.


Modern Challengers

Newer entrants like Ashby and TeamTailor bring innovation but can be over-engineered or lack specific privacy features. Mokka fills these specific gaps without requiring a platform switch.


SMB Specialists

Tools like Workable and BreezyHR are great for starting out but often hit a "ceiling" of functionality. Mokka brings enterprise-grade AI screening to these platforms, extending their lifespan as you scale.