What is the best way to get companies to pilot out an application? (Free)

Social Proof (customer testimonials), Press or Analyst Coverage is a key driver in checking-out new tools. Unfortunately, there is such a significant number of vendors offering recruiting solutions that it's difficult to get a customer's attention, even with a free offering.

I would focus on your messaging: Why are you better than similar solutions and what proof or anecdotal evidence can you offer?

Also, LinkedIn ads targeting just recruiters or HR execs can be effective (though expensive).

Happy to talk through this with you as I have built products in this space that have achieved product/market-fit.

Find the first company (small is fine) who might need your solution. Convince them you can help them succeed. Keep asking until they say yes. If you don't find that company, keep asking. You'll use the first "yes" to find more - don't give up!

While your application doesn't have a monetary cost, it isn't free. Even for the pilot you need time from the person you're selling to.

In my experience pitching and being pitched to, that time is often worth more to the person you're trying to work with than money. I know that is true of my recruiters who are primarily driven by finding high quality candidates quickly; cost is secondary.

Without knowing your value proposition, it is tough to give you specific tips. Generally I'd say you need to craft a pitch that not only addresses a pain point, but also doesn't require a lot of cost (including time on the buyer's part) to test out. Show them the big picture but also how they can start small. If they don't like it, make it easy to walk away. If they do like it, then you can scale.

Good luck.

If the solutions does not fit the needs for company they don't want to waste their time. You need to find your market for what you currently have and then build the product our from there.
the company will provide feedback and add this to your roadmap.