20 Best Cloud HR Software: Reviewed & Compared for 2024

Deel is an excellent cloud-based HRIS for businesses that need to manage employee data and handle payroll tax compliance. It’s used by companies like Dropbox and Shopify to handle their global workforces. Deel's platform can hire employees or contractors in over 150 countries on your behalf as an employer of record, eliminating the need to set up a new entity or understand foreign payroll requirements. Companies can use Deel to offer international benefits, offer stock options, and track equipment in a streamlined manner.

The platform is easy to use and provides a variety of features that make it a great choice for businesses of all sizes. Deel integrates several functions, including contract management, expense reimbursements, and off-cycle adjustments. Employees can also self-manage their pay and personal data, which reduces admin load.

The platform does not provide tools for screening candidates or tracking applications but integrates with applicant tracking systems like Ashby and Greenhouse. Users can directly import qualified candidate data into Deel to initiate onboarding and use Deel’s built-in Veriff integration to validate users.

The company provides 24/7 client support and live chat. Any company considering hiring an international worker should evaluate Deel for their workforce.

Paycor is a cloud-based HR software to streamline HR processes and improves team collaboration. The system includes a robust suite of tools for managing employee data, tracking time off and absences, and creating and managing employee onboarding processes. Using Paycor, you can manage employee records, create custom reports, and set permissions for those who can access the system. The system offers a built-in audit trail that tracks all changes to employee records.

Paycor's process automation feature can automatically generate payroll reports, create invoices and performance reviews, and send reminders for upcoming deadlines. This feature can also automate repetitive tasks such as scheduling employee shifts or ordering supplies. Businesses can free up resources to focus on more strategic goals by automating time-consuming tasks.

Its web and mobile HR app allows employees to access their HR information and perform various tasks independently through the self-service portal. Employees can update their profiles, access and sign documents, and view and print their payslips. Paycor provides users with a comprehensive knowledge base of HR best practices, including toolkits and manuals.

The software offers templates and tools for creating well-organized, comprehensive reviews, ensuring that all relevant employee information is included and that the review process is as efficient as possible. Additionally, Paycor's software has a built-in rating system that objectively evaluates employee performance, making the review process fairer and more accurate.

Paychex Flex is an all-in-one solution that caters to the needs of HR, payroll, and benefits management. It is designed to serve businesses of all sizes, providing a single platform for various HR-related tasks. This tool offers customized payroll packages, online payroll services with round-the-clock support, and valuable tax credits. It allows businesses to pay employees in various ways, automate tax payments, and assists with hiring, onboarding, managing, and developing employees. It offers retirement plans and employee health benefits. This comprehensive approach to HR, payroll, and benefits management makes Paychex Flex a suitable choice for businesses seeking a unified solution for these critical operations.

I selected Paychex Flex as a cloud HR software due to its comprehensive suite of features that cater to various HR needs. It stands out as an all-in-one platform that combines HR, payroll, and benefits management, making it a versatile tool for businesses of all sizes. What differentiates Paychex Flex is its ability to automate complex HR processes, thus simplifying administration tasks. It offers a range of features including payroll services, time and attendance tracking, retirement services, recruiting and applicant tracking, benefits administration, hiring and onboarding services, and a professional employer organization (PEO) solution. 

The tool also enables businesses to track employee time and attendance through various methods, including time clocks, mobile apps, and web-based time entry. The onboarding feature provides a digital platform for new hires to complete necessary paperwork, review company policies, and access training materials. Paychex Flex also offers robust reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing businesses to gain insights into their HR data. It assists businesses in managing payroll taxes by calculating and filing federal, state, and local taxes, and offers retirement services, including 401(k) administration and compliance support.

I believe Paychex Flex is best suited for comprehensive HR, payroll, and benefits management due to its extensive feature set and user-friendly interface. It not only simplifies complex tasks but also provides access to a dedicated HR professional for real-time guidance.

ClearCompany is a cloud-based talent maximization platform that's designed to help HR teams support their staff across the full employee lifecycle. Their platform covers many features, including applicant tracking, employee onboarding, performance management, employee engagement, and related analytics.

What sets ClearCompany apart from other HR software systems is its focus on transparency and alignment. It's designed to help you create a clear, aligned workforce where everyone understands their role and how it contributes to the company's overall goals. It achieves this alignment, in part, through its performance management module that includes advanced goal-planning tools. Using this module, you can set goals for your employees, track their progress, and provide feedback. It's a great way to keep your team motivated and focused on their objectives.

Another one of ClearCompany's standout features is its applicant tracking system, which offers you more than just a portal for posting job ads and collecting resumes. Instead, it uses powerful automation features to help you screen candidates, schedule interviews, and even conduct background checks. It's a huge time-saver and makes the entire recruitment process much more efficient.

Integrations are available with numerous skill assessment platforms, background-checking tools, payroll systems, and benefits providers. Key systems to note include ADP, BambooHR, Ceridian, Checkr, eSkill, Office 365, Okta, OneLogin, Paychex, Paylocity, UKG Pro, and others.

Zoho People is a cloud-based HR software solution that helps simplify HR operations and the employee experience. Their employee database scales easily and is used in over 45 countries. Their platform streamlines core HR functions such as employee onboarding, time off management, HR file management, and employee database management.

Even at their lowest pricing level, users will benefit from module-based reports, workflow management tools, and “Zia” - their AI bot which answers employee questions and can be accessed from any screen within their system.

Technically an HRMS, this is a great choice for businesses with hourly, shift-based, field-based, or remote workforces due to the depth of their attendance tracking, shift-scheduling and mobile check-in features. By enabling Zoho People’s geo-fencing capabilities, companies can mark geographic locations such as client offices or field sites using GPS points. GPS-based attendance improves the accuracy of reported work hours by ensuring mobile staff can only log in when they arrive in the area, and not before.

Their full-feature mobile app is another bonus for mobile workers as they can access company information or connect with their colleagues in just a few clicks. As well, remote workers can check-in and out of their workday using People Kiosk: a digital version of the old punch-clock system that uses facial recognition to identify workers and track in and out times.

Integrations are available with Google Workspace and Google Analytics, Office365, Slack, Zendesk, WordPress, Joomla, and payment gateways such as PayPal, WePay, WorldPay, and more.

In addition, Zoho has a whole suite of their own custom Zoho apps, including Zoho Analytics, Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, Zoho Directory, Zoho Expense, Zoho Invoice, Zoho Mail, Zoho Projects, Zoho Recruit, Zoho Sign, Zoho Vault, and Zoho Writer.

BrightHR’s cloud HRIS system allows companies to manage employee data, attendance and absences, expenses, shift schedules, and document management all within one system. It’s an excellent choice for business leaders who are constantly on the go thanks to their full-feature mobile app for Android and iOS devices.

BrightHR can also be used in conjunction with other Bright Software modules that address health and safety (BrightSafe) and employee wellness (Bright Wellness & Counselling). On top of that, HR teams will also appreciate BrightHR’s list of resources including templates and guides (through BrightBase) and HR and employment law advice (though BrightAdvice).

One feature that caught my eye is the ability to automate reminders for certain tasks. For example, as you’re onboarding a new employee, you can automatically schedule an email reminder to mark the end of their probationary period. This is really useful since the end of a probationary period typically requires additional paperwork, and it can be hard to stay on top of it manually if you have a large group of employees you’re managing.

The document management capabilities within BrightHR are also very strong. Users have the ability to update and share new documents with team members easily through their web platform or mobile app. To ensure new information is actually read by staff, you can assign a follow-up date, automate email reminders, and track completion through read receipts. These features make their document management area very useful for tracking corporate policies or internal employee training documents, since you can ensure all your employees are always referring to up-to-date information.

OrangeHRM is a human resource management system (HRMS) available through cloud hosting or on-premise hosting, depending on your needs. The cloud version of their product called OrangeHRM Starter is available for free under an open source license, making it an excellent choice for small businesses or startups.

Key features within their OrangeHRM Starter product include time tracking features like timesheets and clock-in/clock-out abilities, a time off management system, 180-degree employee performance reviews, job postings via an integration with your company website, and an employee database including a corporate directory with employee profiles.

To access additional features, you can scale up to their Advanced package, which includes an organization chart, a document manager, a disciplinary tracker, more advanced recruitment tools, and digital onboarding tools. Their Advanced level also supports performance and career development planning through customizable 360-degree reviews, goal tracking, individual development plans, and a 9-box matrix to monitor employees ready for advancement.

Though specific software integrations are not mentioned on their website, they do have an API that supports them. Their system is also mobile accessible as well.

Their OrangeHRM Starter product is free to use through an open-source license, though they have full-feature paid offerings as well.

Say “hi” to Bob, an HRIS system designed to bolster employee engagement and help link employees to your company culture, no matter where they’re logging in from.

Their cloud-based HR solution boasts a social media-like user interface that gets employees excited about engaging with other team members. From the main homepage, employees can view key details like work anniversaries, birthdays, and other facts about colleagues to help them make connections that go beyond just work tasks—an important feature for fostering team engagement in today’s hybrid work world.

Bob’s platform includes all the typical HRIS features you’d expect, including employee data management, HR analytics, culture tools, time and attendance tracking, digital onboarding tools, and a document hub with DocuSign built right in. Bob also keeps a log of where staff are (i.e., working remotely, in the office, sick, or on vacation), which is another useful feature for companies with distributed or hybrid workforces.

Bob integrates with 40+ common HR software solutions, including Google Suite, Jira, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zapier, and many others. They also have a full-featured mobile app for Android and iOS as well.

Collage is a great cloud-based HRIS software option for Canadian businesses as it comes pre-set to Canadian employment standards.

Their platform includes all the typical HR tools you’d expect in an HRIS, including employee self-service modules, a time-off management system, performance management features, a recruiting portal with an applicant tracking system, and robust HR reporting across all employee data. The performance management module includes modern, continuous feedback elements like 360-degree reviews, check-ins and customizable survey tools.

Managers and employees will appreciate the simplicity of the time-off management system, which can be accessed via their mobile-friendly app as well. Collage automatically tracks time off accruals and balances, and syncs vacation requests with a company calendar so teams always know when co-workers will be away. Vacation requests can also sync with payroll depending on how you configure your platform.

Customers can also outsource their payroll functions to Collage’s team of CPA-approved payroll managers who provide full payroll management services that are compliant with Canadian tax laws. This is a helpful option for small companies that don’t already have payroll expertise in-house. HR professionals will also appreciate the system’s ability to streamline benefits administration by syncing directly with your employee benefits provider for an additional fee of $2 CAD/user/month.

Payroll functions are not included in their Core HRIS package, but a data sync with other payroll software is available as an add-on for an additional $3 CAD/user/month.

Cloud9HR’s cloud-based software supports a wide range of functions, including digital onboarding, talent management, benefits administration, insurance, and payroll processing. Their system also includes organizational management tools, which allow you to easily transform your company directory into a straightforward organizational chart too.

Cloud9HR’s payroll functionality includes the ability to import hours from other time tracking software, or use their own built-in clocking feature. Their software also incorporates 2-way payroll integrations that allow for seamless data transfer between your favourite accounting software and Cloud9HR, to reduce the possibility of errors.