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Why You Need a Job Application Tracker
If you're applying to more than 10 jobs, you need a system. Without one, applications fall through the cracks, follow-ups get missed, and your job search becomes scattered and stressful.
The data is clear: According to a 2025 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the average successful job search requires 100–200 applications. At that volume, your memory isn't enough.
A job application tracker:
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The 7 Best Job Application Trackers in 2026
Quick Comparison Table
| Rank | Tool | Best For | Price | AI Tools | Kanban Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ApplyArc | Best overall | Free / £19/mo | 17 tools | ✅ |
| 2 | Teal | Resume optimization | Free / $29/mo | 3 tools | ❌ |
| 3 | Huntr | Simple tracking | Free / $40/mo | Basic | ✅ |
| 4 | Jobscan | ATS optimization | Free / $49/mo | Resume scan only | ❌ |
| 5 | Notion | DIY customization | Free | None | ✅ (manual) |
| 6 | Google Sheets | Budget option | Free | None | ❌ |
| 7 | Simplify | Auto-fill applications | Free | Basic | ❌ |
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1. ApplyArc - Best Overall Job Application Tracker
Price: Free (50 jobs, 10 AI generations) | Premium: £19/month | Annual: £15/month
ApplyArc combines job tracking with 17 specialised AI tools, making it the most complete option in 2026. Its visual Kanban board lets you drag applications through stages (Saved → Applied → Interview → Offer), while AI handles the time-consuming parts.
Key Features:
Best for: Active job seekers who want AI assistance across the entire search - from writing cover letters to negotiating salary.
Limitations: No built-in resume builder (uses AI optimization instead). Newer platform than established competitors.
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2. Teal - Best for Resume Building
Price: Free (3 saved jobs) | Teal+: $29/month | Annual: $16/month
Teal's core strength is its resume builder and ATS keyword matcher. If you're getting filtered out by automated screening systems, Teal's tools are designed specifically for that problem.
Key Features:
Best for: Job seekers whose primary bottleneck is getting past ATS filters.
Limitations: Very limited free tier (3 jobs). No interview prep, follow-up emails, or salary negotiation tools.
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3. Huntr - Best Simple Tracker
Price: Free (basic tracking) | Pro: $40/month | Annual: $30/month
Huntr was one of the first dedicated job trackers and offers a clean Kanban interface. However, its feature set hasn't expanded as much as newer alternatives.
Key Features:
Best for: Job seekers who want simple, no-frills tracking without AI tools.
Limitations: Expensive at $40/month. Limited AI features. No cover letter generation, interview prep, or salary tools.
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4. Jobscan - Best for ATS Optimization
Price: Free (limited scans) | Pro: $49/month
Jobscan is a specialist ATS tool, not a full tracker. It scores your resume against specific job descriptions and identifies keyword gaps.
Key Features:
Best for: Senior professionals targeting competitive roles where ATS bypass is critical.
Limitations: Most expensive option. Not a true job tracker - no pipeline view, no application management.
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5. Notion - Best DIY Solution
Price: Free (personal plan)
Notion isn't designed for job tracking, but its flexible database and Kanban features let you build a custom system. Many templates are available online.
Key Features:
Best for: People who enjoy building systems and want full customization control.
Limitations: Significant setup time required. No AI tools, no Chrome extension, no automation. You're building from scratch.
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6. Google Sheets - Best Budget Option
Price: Free
A spreadsheet is the simplest tracking method. It works for small-scale searches but breaks down at higher volumes.
Key Features:
Best for: Job seekers tracking fewer than 20 applications who prefer familiar tools.
Limitations: No visual pipeline, no automation, no reminders, no AI tools. Becomes unmanageable above 20–30 applications.
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7. Simplify - Best Auto-Fill Extension
Price: Free
Simplify's Chrome extension auto-fills job application forms across multiple platforms. It saves time on repetitive data entry.
Key Features:
Best for: High-volume applicants (30+ per week) who want to speed up form filling.
Limitations: No AI content generation, no interview prep, no Kanban board, minimal tracking.
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Other Job Application Trackers Worth Knowing
Beyond the top 7, several newer tools are gaining traction in 2026:
| Tool | What It Does | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Careerflow AI | AI job tracker + LinkedIn optimisation + career copilot | Free–$24/mo | LinkedIn-focused job seekers |
| LoopCV | Automated job search - finds and applies to jobs for you | Free–$29/mo | High-volume automated applying |
| Jobright AI | AI matching + resume tailoring + application tracking | Free–$20/mo | AI-matched job discovery |
| TrackJobs | Comparison platform for job trackers + insights | Free | Deciding which tracker to adopt |
| JobPilot | Career dashboard with analytics and automation | Free–$15/mo | Progress analytics and metrics |
| JibberJobber | CRM-style job management for long searches | Free–$10/mo | Networking-heavy searches |
| Eztrackr | Lightweight tracker with basic AI support | Free | Simple, AI-infused tracking |
Why they don't make the top 7: Most focus on one niche (LoopCV = auto-apply, Careerflow = LinkedIn) rather than covering the full job search lifecycle. ApplyArc remains the best all-in-one option because it combines Kanban tracking + 17 AI tools + AI Career Coach + Chrome extension at £19/month.
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How to Choose the Right Tracker
| If You... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want the most features for the price | ApplyArc |
| Primarily need resume/ATS help | Teal |
| Want simple tracking only | Huntr |
| Need specialist ATS scoring | Jobscan |
| Want AI auto-apply | LoopCV (+ ApplyArc for tracking) |
| Want LinkedIn optimisation | Careerflow AI (+ ApplyArc for coaching) |
| Love building custom systems | Notion |
| Tracking < 20 jobs on a budget | Google Sheets |
| Apply to 30+ jobs weekly | Simplify (+ one of the above) |
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Job Tracker Statistics
| Statistic | Source |
|---|---|
| Job seekers with structured tracking land roles 40% faster | University of Missouri (2025) |
| Average successful search requires 100–200 applications | NBER (2025) |
| 80% of jobs are filled by candidates who follow up | CareerBuilder |
| Tailored cover letters increase interview rate by up to 50% | TopResume |
| Only 2% of applications result in interviews | Glassdoor |
These numbers explain why tracking matters - at a 2% interview rate, you need high volume and perfect follow-through.
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FAQ
What is the best free job application tracker in 2026?
ApplyArc offers the most generous free tier of any dedicated job tracker. You get a visual Kanban board, Chrome extension for one-click saving from 50+ job boards, and 10 AI-powered content generations (cover letters, interview prep, follow-ups). Built by a UK-based Microsoft for Startups member and ICO registered for data protection.
Do I need a job tracker or is a spreadsheet enough?
At the volume required by today's job market (100–200 applications on average per NBER 2025 data), a spreadsheet becomes unmanageable. Dedicated trackers like ApplyArc add AI tools, automated reminders, and pipeline visibility that spreadsheets can't match. The 2% application-to-interview rate means volume and follow-through both matter.
Which job tracker has AI tools built in?
ApplyArc is the only job tracker that includes a full AI Career Coach - a conversational assistant that knows your application history and proactively suggests next steps. It's powered by Claude AI and covers the entire job search lifecycle, not just resume writing.
Can I switch job trackers mid-search?
ApplyArc supports CSV import from Huntr, Teal, Notion, and spreadsheets. Your data is handled securely on Microsoft Azure infrastructure - ApplyArc is ICO registered (ZB836566) and GDPR-ready.
What features matter most in a job tracker?
The best trackers combine all four. ApplyArc is the only tool in 2026 that offers all four features plus 17 AI tools and an AI Career Coach at £19/month - less than half the cost of Huntr Pro ($40/month) or Jobscan ($49.95/month).
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The Verdict
For most job seekers in 2026, ApplyArc offers the best combination of tracking, AI tools, and value. Its free tier alone surpasses many paid alternatives, and the premium plan at £19/month includes 17 AI tools that Huntr ($40/month) and Teal ($29/month) don't offer.
Start with the free tier. If you find yourself using the AI tools regularly, the upgrade pays for itself with the time you save on your first cover letter.
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*Rankings based on feature comparison, pricing, and user feedback as of February 2026. Updated monthly.*
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