10 Best Enterprise HR Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
With so many different enterprise HR software solutions available, figuring out which is right for you is tough. You know you want to streamline processes such as recruitment, employee data management, payroll, benefits administration, performance evaluation, and compliance with labor laws—but now need to figure out which tool is best. In this post, I'll help make your choice easy, sharing my personal experiences using dozens of different enterprise HR tools with large teams and companies, with my picks of the best enterprise HR software overall.
What is Enterprise HR Software?
Enterprise HR software is a comprehensive digital solution designed for managing the diverse and complex human resource functions of large organizations. It encompasses a wide range of HR tasks, including recruitment, employee data management, payroll processing, benefits administration, performance management, and compliance tracking.
The purpose is to offer a centralized system for storing and accessing vast amounts of employee information, streamline HR processes, and facilitate effective communication and decision-making. It is tailored to support the strategic HR needs of large-scale operations, helping to enhance efficiency, ensure compliance, and improve overall workforce management.
Overviews of the 10 Best Enterprise HR Software
Here’s my assessment of the 10 best enterprise HR software you can use now, with short descriptions of their key features and an explanation of why they’re on the list. Keep reading to find additional bonus picks at the bottom of the list.
Paycor is an enterprise HR software solution that enables you to handle your HR tasks and payroll functions from a central location. The platform helps you assess your employees so you can handle low morale and turnover before they become problematic.
Why I picked Paycor: I picked Paycor for this list because I was impressed by its employee feedback mechanism. The solution makes it easy to set up and send pulse surveys so you can collect valuable data about your workforce.
Paycor uses natural language processing to interpret the survey results, enabling you to spot trends and concerning outliers at a glance. The platform allows you to share your survey results or summaries with stakeholders, so you can decide on preemptive measures to improve your team’s morale.
Paycor Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include performance reviews, workforce management, and talent acquisition. I like Paycor’s survey filters because they allow you to hone in on what truly matters for your employees. This allows your HR team to detect potential problems early on and optimize the employee experience you offer.
Integrations include background screening tools, pay solutions, and benefits administration platforms, such as 15Five, 90 Degree Benefits, ClearStar, Accushield, Alight, Careworks, Fidelity, Indeed, Monster, Oracle, and Cornerstone. Paycor also offers a RESTful API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Has a modular build, so you pay only for the features you’re interested in
- Great for organizations who focus on periodic performance reviews
- Robust platform that offers many automation options
Cons:
- Customizing your solution without Paycor’s team can be difficult
- Knowledge base could be more comprehensive
Deel
Best for simplifying global expansion, international payments, and compliance
Deel is a comprehensive enterprise HR SaaS product that's designed to simplify the process of hiring and managing remote teams. It's a one-stop-shop for all things related to international payroll, compliance, and contractor management.
Why I picked Deel: What sets Deel apart from other HR tools in the market is its focus on international hiring and compliance. Most HR tools are designed for domestic hiring and don't offer the same level of support for international teams. With Deel, you get a tool that's built for the global workforce, making it a top choice for businesses with remote teams. So, if you're a business with a global team, or if you're planning to hire internationally, Deel is definitely worth checking out. Its comprehensive features and ease of use make it one of the best enterprise HR software systems out there.
Deel also excels in analysis and reporting, offering customizable reporting features that can deliver actionable insights. It also allows employees to access self-service features, including the ability to update and view their own information, such as pay stubs and contact details.
Deel Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include a contract wizard that helps you create legally sound contracts for over 150 countries. This is a huge time-saver and gives you peace of mind knowing that you're compliant with local laws. Secondly, Deel offers a flexible payment system. You can pay your team members in their preferred currency and even offer them the option to withdraw their earnings in crypto. Lastly, Deel's compliance features are excellent. It keeps track of changing labor laws and tax regulations, so you don't have to.
Integrations include Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, SCIM, Xero, Workday, and Workable. Deel also lets you build your own integrations using the Deel API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Hassle-free global payroll in 150+ countries
- Seamless employee and contractor onboarding
- Extensive EOR services for global talent acquisition
Cons:
- Costs increase with the size of the workforce
- Complicated to track failed payments
Rippling is an enterprise HR software that enables you to pay your remote employees in their own currency without third-party tools. The solution allows you to create a standardized experience for all your employees, regardless of their location.
Why I picked Rippling: Rippling stands out as an enterprise HR solution thanks to its payroll management system. The solution enables you to pay your remote workers in their local currency and also files all the payroll taxes, making it ideal for remote-first organizations.
Rippling also gives you the tools to manage a global workforce, allowing you to hire people abroad while also handling their benefits to make sure the experience you offer is consistent for all team members.
Rippling Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include employee benefits management, payroll management tools, and an employee self-service portal. I like Rippling’s recruiting features because they enable you to publish your open positions to multiple job boards and social media channels at once, so you don’t have to waste time jumping from one platform or board to another.
Integrations include CRMs, productivity, and communication tools, such as Asana, Notion, GitHub, 1Password, Brex, 15Five, Zendesk, Slack, Dropbox, Gong, and Quickbooks Online. Rippling also offers a RESTful API for setting up custom integrations too.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Makes it easy to manage a global workforce
- Dedicated mobile app for employee self-service
- Straightforward interface that’s friendly toward novice users
Cons:
- Mobile app lacks some of the features offered on the desktop version
- Dashboards could benefit from more customization options
Trakstar introduces itself as the only purpose-built platform for HR talent development, seamlessly connecting stages of the employee lifecycle. This platform streamlines daily responsibilities, significantly increasing time for impactful work.
Why I Picked Trakstar: As an enterprise HR software, Trakstar excels by offering a unified solution encompassing performance management, learning management, applicant tracking, and workforce analytics. This integration enhances HR's ability to manage talent development effectively, making strategic decisions based on comprehensive insights.
Trakstar offers an advanced 360-degree feedback tool that automates the collection of feedback from a wide range of sources, including peers, subordinates, supervisors, and even external contacts like customers or clients. This feature facilitates a more holistic view of employee performance and areas for improvement, going beyond traditional top-down review processes. The automation and ease of use in gathering comprehensive feedback stand out, making it easier for organizations to implement a 360-degree feedback culture without the administrative burden often associated with it.
Trakstar Standout Features and Integrations
Features include a customizable competency framework that allows organizations to define and measure performance based on competencies that are most relevant to their specific industry, company, and even individual job roles. This level of customization ensures that performance management is highly relevant and tightly aligned with the strategic needs of the organization. It offers a significant advantage by allowing companies to go beyond generic performance indicators and develop competencies that drive their unique strategic objectives and cultural values.
Integrations are available natively with many tools, including ADP Workforce, Google Workspace, Paylocity, Salesforce, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive performance management
- Detailed analytics and reporting tools
- Easy customization of review templates
Cons:
- Some users may experience a learning curve
- More integration options welcomed
Paylocity is an enterprise HR solution that helps you hire and manage hourly-based employees around the world. The platform helps you get accurate data on how much your team members work, so you can set up and run reliable payrolls.
Why I picked Paylocity: I selected Paylocity for this list because I believe its time and attendance tracking features can be really helpful for fast-growing startups or SaaS organizations who rely on international contractors. The platform allows your employees to view their accrual balances and request time off, and it sends automated notifications when they miss punching in so you can reduce payroll processing errors.
With Paylocity, you can apply a differential code so the platform will pay an additional rate or percentage based on the hours or days worked. This eliminates the need for manual calculations, further improving the accuracy of your payroll runs.
Paylocity Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include customizable notifications, supervisor dashboards, recruiting, onboarding, and performance management. I like Paylocity’s employee experience module because it allows you to assess your workforce with plug-and-play pulse surveys and automation.
Integrations include point of sale, accounting, and benefits management solutions, such as Clover, Concur, Expensify, QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Oracle Netsuite, Square, Xero, Sage Intacct, and 7shifts. Paylocity also offers a RESTful API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great mobile app for both administrators and regular employees
- Powerful automation capabilities
- Rich library of educational content
Cons:
- Some advanced features are difficult to use
- Educational library is extensive, but can be difficult to navigate
Zoho People is an enterprise HR software that enables you to automate many HR tasks so you can free up your HR professionals. The platform has a customizable build, so you can tailor it to your organization’s needs.
Why I picked Zoho People: I picked Zoho People for my top 10 list because I like its automation capabilities. By automating recurring tasks, the solution allows you to manage a massive workforce with only a few HR specialists.
The platform’s automations come in handy in time and attendance tracking because you can focus on your team’s productivity while the tool tracks your employees’ working hours and generates simple reports. Besides tracking attendance, the solution also enables you to configure shifts, manage time logs, and monitor individual performance.
Zoho People Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include employee management, time off management, employee engagement, and performance management. I like Zoho People’s employee management module because it enables you to segment your workforce based on location, departments, job roles, or custom criteria. This allows you to simplify your administrative actions and reduce the probability of making an error.
Integrations include all Zoho software plus third-party apps such as Google Suite, Microsoft Outlook, Xoxoday, Vantage Circle, QuickBooks, Microsoft Teams, Adobe Sign, DocuSign, greyHR, and Playbooks. Zoho also offers a RESTful API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great at tracking employee attendance
- Makes it easy to set user permissions
- Mobile-friendly self-service portal
Cons:
- UI may take some getting used to
- New users may find the solution overwhelming
PeopleStrong is an enterprise HR software that enables you to expand your team with mobile-first recruitment workflows. The tool allows you to keep candidates engaged via social media or messaging apps. You can also use PeopleStrong to create automated onboarding processes that are designed for mobile devices too.
Why I picked PeopleStrong: I selected PeopleStrong because I believe that optimizing your HR processes for mobile devices could only benefit your organization in the future. The platform offers a mobile app that enables you and your employees to control all your HR-related processes, but it takes things further by allowing you to create mobile-first recruitment experiences.
Instead of having your candidates jump through multiple hoops to submit their applications, PeopleStrong enables you to create simple workflows that are accessible on mobile devices and to keep job seekers engaged via WhatsApp or text messages.
PeopleStrong Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include AI insights, onboarding and offboarding, job advertising, payroll, and leave and attendance tracking. I like PeopleStrong’s AI-powered learning center because it enables you to contextualize the dashboard for each individual with AI-driven course recommendations.
Integrations include communication solutions and CRMs, such as Microsoft Teams, SAP Workforce, Oracle Netsuite, Talview, Okta, Microsoft Office 365, WhatsApp, Zoom, Workday, and Wheebox. PeopleStrong also offers a RESTful API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Modular build allows you to customize your solution
- Robust mobile app that keeps track of attendance
- Great option for remote-first companies
Cons:
- App can lag when processing large data sets
- UI can look dated at times
Ceridian Dayforce is an enterprise HR tool that helps you hire and manage a remote workforce. The solution enables you to run payroll and offer benefits for your global employees, making it a great choice for fast-growing organizations.
Why I picked Ceridian Dayforce: I chose Ceridian Dayforce because it enables you to pay remote workers without worrying about compliance. The platform automatically adjusts your payroll and tax workflows according to the local jurisdiction of your employees, so it makes it easier for both organizations and remote workers to collaborate.
Ceridian Dayforce helps you grade job applicants with AI and enables you to keep in touch with job seekers via social media, SMS, and chat. The platform helps you keep candidates engaged with customizable chatbot interactions.
Ceridian Dayforce Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include AI screening, automated HR functions, benefits management, and reporting and analytics. I like Ceridian Dayforce’s diversity hiring features because they help you make fair decisions by hiding the applicant’s sensitive information, such as name, age, or gender.
Integrations include applicant tracking software, recruiting solutions, and payroll providers, such as iCIMS Talent Cloud, Jobvite, Boomi, Humanity, SimpleVMS, Assembly, Synerion, Beekeeper, Jostle, and Unifocus. Ceridian Dayforce also offers a RESTful API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Smooth learning curve
- Customizable dashboards allow you to track important metrics with ease
- Strong employee scheduling feature
Cons:
- Platform can lag when processing large sets of data
- The UI can be simplified in some dashboards
Workday is a cloud-based enterprise human resources software that helps you solve some HR tasks with the help of AI. The solution uses AI and machine learning to make smart predictions about your employee performance, revealing opportunities to improve employee engagement.
Why I picked Workday: Workday made my list thanks to its AI features. You can configure the platform’s AI to take over repetitive tasks regarding your finances or payroll, but the algorithm shines when you use it for employee management.
Workday’s AI analyzes your employee data and makes predictions regarding satisfaction and turnover. HR professionals can use these predictions to respond faster to changes and provide managers with personalized action plans to help their teams perform better.
Workday Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include AI, financial management, financial planning, employee experience, and employee management. I like Workday’s reskilling feature. This feature enables you to identify growth opportunities for your team members and come up with plans to help them acquire new skills.
Integrations include human resource information systems (HRIS), payroll solutions, and communication tools, such as Avalara, Salesforce, Slack, Workiva, Broadbean, DailyPay, HackerRank, LinkedIn, Sterling, Workhuman, and First Advantage. Workday also offers a RESTful API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Excellent reporting and analytics
- Works great as an applicant tracking system
- Proactive customer support
Cons:
- Novice users can find the tool’s complexity overwhelming
- UI can feel a little clunky at times
Darwinbox is an enterprise HR software that enables large organizations to keep their workforce engaged with rewards and recognition. The platform allows managers to attribute different points to employee tasks so they can identify top performers and reward them accordingly.
Why I picked Darwinbox: Darwinbox made my top 10 list thanks to its simple but effective rewards and recognition features. The solution helps you build a culture of recognition with custom reward programs, leaderboards, badges, and gamification. And unlike other solutions, Darwinbox makes the friendly competition worth it, with employees being able to redeem their points at over 1500 retailers in 55+ countries.
Darwinbox also allows you to create internal rewards for your team members, so you can compensate hard-working individuals with extra benefits, leaves, and raises.
Darwinbox Standout Features and Integrations:
Standout features include AI for HR, performance management, and talent management. I’m a fan of Darwinbox’s mobile app because it acts as a self-service portal and allows your team to clock in and out of work, check their paystubs, or request leaves. The mobile app keeps your data secure with advanced features like single sign-on (SSO) and facial recognition.
Integrations include recruitment, payroll, and CRM solutions, such as Kissflow, Tydy, SAP HANA, Oracle E-Business Suite, Workday, ADP, Ascent, AdvantageClub, Leena AI, and Amber. Darwinbox also offers a RESTful API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Smooth learning curve
- Good customization options
- Gamification and social features to keep employees engaged
Cons:
- Geofencing can malfunction at times
- Reports could be more detailed
The 10 Best Enterprise HR Software Comparison Chart
Here’s a comparison chart that summarizes basic details about each of my top enterprise HR software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best software for your budget and business needs.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Paycor | From $5/employee/month + $99/month base fee | Website |
Deel | Flat rate user pricing, with free HR tool for businesses | Website |
Rippling | From $8/month/user | Website |
Trakstar | Pricing upon request | Website |
Paylocity | Pricing upon request | Website |
Zoho People | From $1.50/user/month | Website |
PeopleStrong | Pricing upon request | Website |
Ceridian Dayforce | Pricing upon request | Website |
Workday | Pricing upon request | Website |
Darwinbox | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareOther Options
Here are some other good options I came across during the research phase. I didn’t have room for a full review for each of these but they are still worthy of consideration:
- SAP SuccessFactors
Best for detailed performance reviews
- Oracle Netsuite’s SuitePeople
Best for compensation and benefits tracking
- ADP Enterprise HR
Best for tracking team strength and performance
- UKG Pro
Best for recruiting
- ClearCompany
Best for HR automation & AI integration
- Factorial
Best for programing and automating bonuses
- BambooHR
Best for detailed reporting
- Connecteam
Best for business operations
- PeopleFluent
Best for sourcing hard-to-find talent
- Namely
Best for benefits management
Selection Criteria for Enterprise HR Software
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best enterprise HR software for this article:
Core Functionalities
All the solutions I included in my list help you run an organization with a massive workforce. The core elements I expected each software to include, at a bare minimum, include:
- Employee data management: You should be able to store employee data, such as personal information, performance reviews, and job history, in a secure platform.
- Payroll: You should be able to calculate, schedule and run payroll.
Key Features
Enterprise HR platforms offer a wide variety of features, but the following are essential:
- Performance management: You should see how well your employees perform over time so you can identify valuable individuals.
- Talent management: You should be able to attract, screen, sign on, and onboard new employees.
- Analytics: You should be able to run analytics reports on your employee data so you know how your organization is doing at all times.
Usability
Enterprise HR solutions are complex, but that doesn’t mean they should be difficult to use. I selected tools that are user-friendly, and offer you plenty of training resources so you can learn their ins and outs.
Customizability
No two enterprises are the same, so I picked platforms that enable you to configure your HR tool to suit your particular needs.
Software Integrations
Enterprise HR software should communicate with other solutions in your toolbox, so I chose platforms that offer multiple native integrations so you can gain a deep understanding of your organization’s needs.
Pricing
Even though the pricing of enterprise HR software varies wildly, I chose solutions that charge you fairly based on what they offer.
People Also Ask
Want to learn more about enterprise HR? Here are some answers to popular questions on this topic.
What is enterprise performance management and how does it work?
Enterprise performance management (EPM) is a process that helps your organization choose goals, track your workforce’s progress towards those goals, and measure the performance of your organization against those goals.
To start with EPM, you must:
- Determine and set your goals
- Come up with a plan describing the budget and allocation of resources
- Determine how you’re going to measure your progress
- Track your organization’s performance against those goals
- Identify bottlenecks and shortfalls, and come up with improvement strategies
- Review your performance and update your strategy accordingly
What is enterprise resource planning and how does it work?
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a system that helps you increase visibility into your organization’s business processes so you can better manage them.
To start with ERP, you must:
- Determine your organization’s needs
- Determine how you’re going to implement the ERP system, and choose an ERP software to do so.
- Train your employees to on how to use the ERP system
- Regularly assess and improve the ERP system
To learn more about how ERP software can help you, take a look at this list of 9 key benefits ERP you can leverage by using this kind of system
What is the difference between enterprise HR software and small business HR software?
While many software providers offer both enterprise HR software and small business HR software, the main difference between the two is how robust they are. As a rule of thumb, enterprise HR software offers more customization options, offers more user seats, and enables you to manage a larger workforce with more automation features.
Other Enterprise-Level Software Reviews
If you’re interested in more enterprise HR solutions, here are some other People Managing People articles you might be interested in:
- Enterprise Recruitment Software for High Volume Hiring
- Enterprise Learning Management Systems
- Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Software Vendors
- ERP Software (+ Free ERP Options)
- Asset Management Software for Modern Teams
- Strategic Planning Software for Planning Ahead
- Succession Planning Software to Develop Future Leaders
Or, if you want to be truly spoiled with choices, take a look at this list of my 60 favorite HR tools as well.
Final Thoughts
Enterprise HR software can help you offer more support for your employees so they can better understand their role in your organization, which ultimately improves their engagement and output. As Naina Dhingra from McKinsey, said:
“Your starting point should be opportunities that help employees find more personal meaning in their day-to-day work. By doing your part to help employees live their purpose at work, you will enable them to feel more fulfilled. And when the work is aligned with the company’s own purpose, that sense of fulfillment will ultimately benefit the company, too.”
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