The Best Employee Handbook Software List
Here’s my shortlist of the best employee handbook software I’ll cover in this article, with detailed summaries of each system below:
- 1. SixFifty Employee Handbook — Best employee handbook software for USA-based organizations in compliance heavy industries
- 5. Handbooks.io — Best employee handbook software for pre-loaded policies using HR-approved language
- 6. SHRM Employee Handbook Builder — Best employee handbook software with a drag-and-drop policy builder tool
- 9. Waybook — Best employee handbook software for managing policies, training, and onboarding in one place
Choosing the right employee handbook software is an important decision for any organization. It’s essential that all workers are on the same page, understand your company’s core values, and work towards the same goals.
An employee handbook is a critical tool for achieving this, compiling all the necessary information into one document that can be shared with all stakeholders. But old-school handbooks have limitations. Whether paper-based or in PDF form, they become quickly outdated and are often forgotten and overlooked.
Employee handbook software solves that problem by making it much easier to create, update and share company manuals. For this article, I evaluated the top software tools in this niche to see which ones made the grade. I’ve also summarized their features and strengths to help you find the right software product for your organization.
Selection Criteria
Wondering how I selected the best employee handbook software for this list? Here’s a summary of my selection criteria:
- User Interface (UI): I selected employee handbook software with a modern user interface that people can use without special training.
- Usability: I chose tools that are easy to use and understand, even for non-technical employees.
- Integrations: I expect to see ready-made connections to other popular business tools.
- Price: I’ve prioritized employee handbook solutions that are affordable for organizations of all sizes.
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Overviews of the 10 Best Employee Handbook Software
Here’s a brief description of each employee handbook software system that made my top 10 list, with an additional 10 software suggestions below. For my top 10 choices, I've highlighted each system’s noteworthy features, and pros & cons. I've also included some screenshots to give you a snapshot of their user interface too.
SixFifty Employee Handbook
Best employee handbook software for USA-based organizations in compliance heavy industries
SixFifty Employee Handbook is an innovative document management platform that allows HR teams to quickly draft, customize, and distribute employee handbooks that are legally compliant without requiring legal expertise. It includes a comprehensive template library covering a wide range of HR policies, including anti-discrimination, harassment, workplace safety, paid time off, attendance, dress code, health, and many more.
The software automatically monitors for any changes in federal laws and industry regulations to ensure your policies are always up-to-date with any relevant legal changes, minimizing liability risks for your organization. You can also use their platform to track which employees have received the policy and which have read it, eliminating the need for mundane, manual compliance tracking.
SixFifty Employee Handbook Standout Features and Integrations
Features include customizable policies, intuitive policy creation tools, built-in legal compliance monitoring, and easy digital distribution tools. Their user interface is straightforward and easy to use, requiring no technical or legal expertise from the end user. Your HR professionals will be able to easily navigate the platform, access content, and customize your employee handbook using their guided question & answer workflow.
Integration details are currently not available.
SixFifty Plans and Pricing
Pricing for SixFifty Employee Handbooks starts at $100/month for unlimited users. You can also request a free demo through their website.
Pros
- Includes a helpful Policy Comparison Chart so you can understand key differences between policies easier
- Includes a State Addenda tool that generates a list of policy requirements if you expand your business into a new state
- Large volume of HR policy and other templates, including employee agreements and other legal documents
Cons
- Designed for USA-based organizations only
- Software integration details are not transparent
Trainual
Best employee handbook software for a wide selection of templates
Trainual helps organizations systemize and scale through software that helps with employee onboarding, training, process documents, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and employee handbooks.
The app includes 140+ employee handbook templates, making it easy to update employees on every process, procedure, policy, or even the company’s mission. The resulting handbooks are instantly accessible, searchable, and trackable, eliminating the many hours wasted searching for information that’s hard to find.
You can embed videos directly into handbooks or use the in-app screen recorder to capture processes. Plus, you can test knowledge and boost accountability using tests or track logins to monitor user progress and offer help when needed.
Trainual Standout Features and Integrations
Features include an activity dashboard, news feed, tracking, notifications, and asynchronous learning.
Integrations are available natively with Loom, Namely, Quickbooks Payroll, Slack, TriNet, and many other popular application providers.
Trainual Plans and Pricing
Plans begin at $124 per month for 10 users. A 7-day free trial is also available.
Pros
- Intuitive and easy to use
- Tracking progress is simple
- Navigation is well-organized
Cons
- Needs more levels of user access
- Limited format flexibility
Slite
Best employee handbook software for remote team collaboration
Slite helps organizations collect all their documents in one place, making it easier for remote teams to work together.
You can centralize your knowledge base, projects, and processes in Slite Docs, then use discussions to decide on subsequent actions. The connection between docs and discussions makes decision-making more efficient, transparent, and contextualized, regardless of where team members are located.
Team members can start topics that connect key stakeholders, assign deadlines, and reach a consensus that the whole team shares. The software also includes templates to get you up and running quickly.
Slite Standout Features and Integrations
Features include collaborative cursors, drag-and-drop editing, markdown, and inline comments.
Integrations natively available include Loom, Slack, Vimeo, and YouTube.
Slite Plans and Pricing
Plans begin at $8 per user, per month. A free plan with limited features is also available.
Pros
- Well organized and intuitive
- Large number of integrations
- Taking notes is fluid and easy
Cons
- Limited range of features
- Occasional software glitches
AirMason
Best employee handbook software for automatically importing your existing policies
AirMason is a digital employee handbook builder that helps you design manuals creatively, update them quickly, and distribute them to all your employees.
You can auto-import your existing content or begin with one of their many existing templates. Then use their handbook creator to add images, GIFs, and videos to personalize the handbook. You can also invite colleagues to collaborate, giving them customized access and version control.
Once you’ve published your handbook, AirMason helps you track electronic signatures, notify employees of updates, and download activity reports. If employees are slow to sign, you can send customized reminders at the frequency of your choice.
AirMason Standout Features and Integrations
Features include easy handbook building, pre-built templates, instant updates with version control, and signature reporting.
Integrations available natively include ADP Workforce Now, BambooHR, Microsoft Azure, Okta, Workday HCM, OneLogin, Paylocity, and UKG Pro.
AirMason Plans and Pricing
Plans begin at $149 per user, per month. A 7-day free trial is also available.
Pros
- Creates great employee engagement
- Visually compelling
- Completely customizable
Cons
- Limited frame design options
- No export-to-PDF option
Handbooks.io
Best employee handbook software for pre-loaded policies using HR-approved language
Handbooks.io is an employee handbook creator that helps any organization create a company manual quickly and easily. Handbooks can be built with HR-approved language, ready to use in all 50 US states.
Completed handbooks can be saved and edited as Word documents for easy distribution to employees wherever they’re located. The software includes a questionnaire to help tailor the handbook to your company’s needs.
The acknowledgment page feature allows employees to sign their handbook. They can state that they understand and will comply with the policies.
Handbooks.io Standout Features and Integrations
Features include 28 pages of essential policies, guidelines, and standards, HR-vetted language, and a satisfaction guarantee.
Integrations are available through Zapier.
Handbooks.io Plans and Pricing
A comprehensive handbook can be built for a one-time fee of $39.95. A free option with limited features is also available.
Pros
- No subscription required
- Employees can download in Word format
- HR-vetted language
Cons
- Limited integration options
- Not interactive
SHRM Employee Handbook Builder
Best employee handbook software with a drag-and-drop policy builder tool
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, aims to create better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. It also provides tools for organizations to build comprehensive employee handbooks.
The SHRM Employee Handbook Builder simplifies the task of creating and maintaining an employee reference manual. Their drag-and-drop editor tool helps managers build a complete handbook quickly, no matter how complex their organization is. Employees can access their handbooks either digitally or in print form.
The step-by-step builder includes state-specific builders and customizable fields, plus pre-populated staff policies and procedures. All standard policies, vetted by a legal partner, reflect the latest federal and state workplace compliance guidance. In addition, customers receive alerts when relevant state or federal employment laws change.
SHRM Standout Features and Integrations
Features include the ability to add logos and custom policies, online access to handbooks, and browser-based handbook building.
Integrations are available through Zapier.
SHRM Plans and Pricing
You can build a customized employee handbook for a one-time fee of $400. A free sample version is also available.
Pros
- No subscription required
- Covers all 50 US states
- Always up-to-date with current laws
Cons
- No native integrations with HR tools
- More expensive than many competitors
Adobe Express
Best employee handbook software with high-quality design features
Adobe is the #1 choice for professional design software, so using Adobe Express to build employee handbooks is an obvious choice.
This software tool includes dozens of professionally-designed templates that you can easily update with your brand colors, logo, and company information. All designs can be resized to make either a pocketbook or a full letter-size manual. This can be read online or printed and bound for physical distribution.
You can search through templates by platform, task, aesthetic, mood, or color. Add animated stickers from GIPHY or apply text animations for short-form graphic videos. Then add collaborators to your project to get input from the whole team. You can also duplicate designs to create consistency across multiple types of assets.
Adobe Express Standout Features and Integrations
Features include thousands of templates, advanced editing abilities, multimedia options, and collaboration tools.
Integrations natively available include Flipgrid, Google Drive, OneNote, and Wakelet.
Adobe Express Plans and Pricing
Plans begin at $9.99 per user, per month. A 30-day free trial is also available.
Pros
- Professional-level designs
- Huge range of templates
- Very customizable
Cons
- Less intuitive than other tools
- Mobile app is slow
Blissbook
Best employee handbook software with built-in project management
Blissbook aims to provide everything organizations need to create, distribute, and project manage an online employee handbook.
You can design and assemble your handbook using their mobile-friendly template or have Blissbook experts create it for you. The built-in project management features help you launch your digital employee handbook quickly and easily. Changes can be made anytime and communicated automatically to employees and other stakeholders.
Blissbook Standout Features and Integrations
Features include legally binding e-signatures, approval process control, confirmation of acceptance, audit trails, policy creation, and policy metadata management.
Integrations available natively include a direct connection with BambooHR.
Blissbook Plans and Pricing
Blissbook offers customized pricing upon request.
Pros
- Enables good governance
- Updating content is easy
- Responsive customer support
Cons
- Not suitable for small businesses
- No capabilities beyond employee handbooks
Waybook
Best employee handbook software for managing policies, training, and onboarding in one place
Waybook helps you keep all your employee policies, training, onboarding, and best practices information in one place, acting as a single source of truth for employees.
You can create a centralized, searchable, and tracked employee manual that helps you share company values, increase engagement, and gauge sentiment. You can import your existing policies and SOPs or create an entirely new handbook using their extensive range of templates. Upload images, GIFs, and videos to personalize the manual, then invite your team to collaborate.
Keep your team updated with automatic notifications of changes and track employees’ progress on new information. They can search the employee handbook from anywhere to quickly get the information they need. The software also offers customizable branding, royalty-free images, and the ability to embed maps, documents, and spreadsheets.
Waybook Standout Features and Integrations
Features include revision history, drag-and-drop functionality, built-in reporting, screen recording, and a robust content editor.
Integrations available natively include Dropbox, Giphy, Google Drive, Loom, Unsplash, and Zoom.
Waybook Plans and Pricing
Plans begin at $99 per user, per month. A 7-day free trial is also available.
Pros
- Feature-rich with many options
- Employee usage tracking
- Gamification features
Cons
- Limited security features
- No library of Standard Operating Procedures
ProProfs
Best employee handbook software for on-the-go access
ProProfs has leveraged its expertise in knowledge base software to create a tool for building employee handbooks, all accessible on multiple devices.
Thanks to their built-in template, you can quickly build an effective employee handbook that educates employees on your firm, vision, policies, mission statement, and functions. Each handbook can be customized to match your brand, using a variety of fonts and themes. Employees can access their handbooks anytime from any device, including mobiles and tablets.
You can also use conditional content rules to make a page, paragraph, or folder accessible to specific users based on custom rules. It’s easy to manage IP access and keep your web-based guide private and secure. You can also create and manage employee groups and grant edit access to additional users.
ProProfs Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a selection of themes, multiple fonts, on-the-go learning, and multi-device support.
Integrations natively available include Google Analytics, Olark, Salesforce, Tidio Chat, Wufoo, and Zendesk.
ProProfs Plans and Pricing
Plans begin at $40 per user, per month. A 15-day free trial is also available.
Pros
- Multi-device support
- Designed for usage on the go
- Private and secure
Cons
- Offers only one template
- Limited design features
10 Best Employee Handbook Software Comparison Chart
Here’s a comparison chart that summarizes basic details about each of my top employee handbook software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or freemium version to make quick side-by-side comparisons to help you find the best software that works for your budget.
| Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SixFifty Employee Handbook Best employee handbook software for USA-based organizations in compliance heavy industries | Free demo available | From $100/month (unlimited users) | Visit Website |
| 2 | Trainual Best employee handbook software for a wide selection of templates | 7-day free trial | From $10/user/month | Visit Website |
| 3 | Slite Best employee handbook software for remote team collaboration | Freemium plan available (limited features) | From $8/user/month | Visit Website |
| 4 | AirMason Best employee handbook software for automatically importing your existing policies | 7-day free trial | From $149/user/month | Visit Website |
| 5 |  Handbooks.io Best employee handbook software for pre-loaded policies using HR-approved language | Freemium version available (limited features) | $39.95 one-time fee | Visit Website |
| 6 |  SHRM Employee Handbook Builder Best employee handbook software with a drag-and-drop policy builder tool | Free sample version available | $400 one-time fee | Visit Website |
| 7 |  Adobe Express Best employee handbook software with high-quality design features | 30-day free trial | From $9.99/user/month | Visit Website |
| 8 |  Blissbook Best employee handbook software with built-in project management | Not available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
| 9 |  Waybook Best employee handbook software for managing policies, training, and onboarding in one place | 7-day free trial | From $99/user/month | Visit Website |
| 10 |  ProProfs Best employee handbook software for on-the-go access | 15-day free trial | From $40/user/month | Visit Website |
Other Options
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best employee handbook software list:
- Employee Manual Builder
Best employee handbook software for incorporating state-specific policies
- Visme
Best employee handbook software with professional presentation features
- Confluence
Best employee handbook software for existing Atlassian users
- Igloo
Best employee handbook software for an intranet-based handbook model
- Tettra
Best employee handbook software for answering employee questions in Slack
- Guru
Best employee handbook software for customizable employee handbook templates
- Nuclino
Best employee handbook software for real-time handbook collaboration
- Notion
Best employee handbook software with a friendly, easy-to-read style
- MediaWiki
Best employee handbook software for a wiki-style structure
- MyEmployeeHandbook
Best employee handbook software for secure, cloud-based HR and Health & Safety handbooks
How to Select the Best Employee Handbook Software
To select the best company handbook tool for your needs, you must determine the needs of your organization and seek a system that offers all the necessary features and benefits.
Also, when you consider the fact that 60% of employees avoid reading their employee handbook altogether, you’ll want to pick a system with tools to help you present the information in a more fun and engaging way.
What are the main features you should look for when evaluating employee handbook software?
A good employee handbook should offer a range of features such as:
- A handbook builder: Users should find it easy to create an employee handbook from scratch using a built-in wizard.
- Templates: To save time building a handbook from scratch, the tool should offer customizable templates.
- Editing: Any employee handbook software tool should allow information to be updated quickly and easily.
- Sharing: There should be multiple ways to share the handbook with employees, including through social media.
- Notifications: All employees need to receive notifications when the handbook is updated.
What are the main benefits of an employee handbook?
A well-maintained employee handbook offers many advantages, including:
- Improved onboarding: faster, more efficient induction and briefing of all new hires
- A single source of truth: a shared source of company information that eliminates confusion
- Reference: all employees should have quick access to critical information when they need it
- Compliance: confirming precise details on essential matters such as policies and standard operating procedures
- Protection: a well thought out employee handbook reduces the risk of litigation due to ill-informed employees
What sections or key topics should an employee handbook include?
A good employee handbook will include sections covering:
- Employment basics
- Workplace expectations
- Code of conduct
- Equal employment opportunity
- Compensation and development
- Benefits and perks
- Working hours, paid time-off and vacation
- Health insurance and medical leave
- Dress code
- Remote work policies
- Employee resignation and termination
To help you get started, take a look at our articles featuring a List of Essential HR Policies & Procedures and other examples of HR policies.
Other Resources
With the right employee handbook software, you can unite your team and work together towards your common goals. So take a closer look at the tools reviewed here to find the perfect fit for your organization.
If you found this article helpful, you might also like to read similar articles on our website, such as The Case for a New Employee Handbook (and What to Include) and the Ultimate Guide to Employee Handbooks (+ a Free Template).
In addition, I also recommend familiarizing yourself with these Employee Handbook Best Practices too.
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