17 Best Free HR Software of 2025 for SMBs on a Budget
Best Free HR Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 17 tools reviewed.
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Managing HR on a limited budget is no small feat. You’re juggling processes like recruitment, payroll, performance tracking, and benefits administration—often with outdated systems or manual processes that eat up precious time and resources. With so many free HR software options to consider, it’s hard to know where to start or which tool truly fits your needs.
As someone with experience navigating HR challenges firsthand, I’ve evaluated the top free HR solutions to help you simplify your decision-making and streamline your HR processes. In this guide, you’ll find trusted recommendations to save time, reduce administrative burdens, and focus on what matters most: your people.
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Best Free HR Software: Comparison Chart
This comparison chart summarizes basic details for my top HR software selections that also offer free plans to help you find the best option for your budget and business needs. As you’ll learn, some advanced HR features are worth paying for!
| Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best for small businesses | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $29/month (for up to 30 users, billed annually) + $0.5/user/month for each additional user | Website | |
| 2 | Best for all-in-one HR management | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
| 3 | Best for customizable video interviewing | 30-day free trial | From $75/month | Website | |
| 4 | Best for employee well-being and feedback | 14-day free trial | From $4.50/user/month | Website | |
| 5 | Best for customizable apps and workflows | 30-day free trial | From $15/user/month (billed annually) | Website | |
| 6 | Best for iOS and Android | Free plan available (up to 4 employees) | From $2/employee/month | Website | |
| 7 | Best for digital document management | Free plan for 6 months (up to 4 users) + 14-day free trial | From $6/employee/month | Website | |
| 8 | Best for multilingual organizations | Free to use | Free to use | Website | |
| 9 | Best for candidate sourcing and hiring | 15-day free trial + free demo | From $169/month, with up to 20 seats | Website | |
| 10 | Best for contractor management | Free demo available | From $25 - $199/user/month | Website |
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Rippling
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Guru
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6 -
Absorb LMS
Visit WebsiteThis is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.6
Best Free HR Software Reviews
Here are my detailed summaries of the best free HR software that made it into my top 10 list, including notes on why I picked them. Each review offers a detailed look at the key features, integrations, ideal use cases, and actual features that are included in their free plan to help you find the best tool for you.
Connecteam is a versatile HR software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, offering an all-in-one solution for time tracking, scheduling, and employee management.
Why I picked Connecteam: I included Connecteam for its robust free plan, which supports remote and hybrid teams with essential features like mobile time tracking. Employees can clock in and out via mobile, while managers track real-time location, task progress, and active workers.
The communication tools enable managers to send messages, notifications, and alerts, while the built-in chat keeps teams connected—whether remote or on-site. Connecteam’s HR hub offers document storage, a company news feed, directory, and peer recognition tools, all designed to support small businesses.
Connecteam’s training and onboarding module helps new hires get up to speed on company policies and allows businesses to deliver customized training, supporting varying skill levels and learning styles.
Connecteam Features & Integrations:
Features include training, onboarding, document storage, recognition, a quiz app, time-off management, and a social media-like news feed. Managers can store employee data, track progress, and streamline tasks with customizable forms and checklists.
Integrations include Paychex, Xero, Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll (online + desktop), Zapier, Google Calendar, API access, and others.
What's Free: Connecteam's free plan contains a little bit of everything from each module. You'll get basic functionalities, like a single time clock, unlimited projects, payroll integration, a shift schedule view, checklists and forms, task management, and 30 admin seats.
Visit their pricing page for a full breakdown of what's included in the free and paid plans.
Deel is a powerful HR software platform that has a lot to offer for small businesses with international teams. In fact, its HR features are completely free for businesses with fewer than 200 workers. With a range of essential features for effective HR management, it’s a perfect all-in-one tool to build and grow a startup.
Why I picked Deel: Its comprehensive and accessible self-service platform is a convenient and time-saving feature that helps streamline HR processes. Employees and contractors can securely login to view their own information and make updates as needed.
You can also make use of Deel’s integrations to automate many common HR workflows, from background checks to equipment management.
Deel Features & Integrations:
Features include comprehensive reporting and analytics tools so you can make quickly make informed decisions about your entire workforce. If you decide to run payroll with Deel’s in-house experts, they'll take care of benefits and compliance administration in over 150 countries, so you can hire anywhere with confidence.
Overall, Deel is a great choice for small businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective HR software solution. Its global support and comprehensive features make it an excellent choice for businesses of all sizes.
Integrations are available natively with Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, SCIM, Xero, Workday, and Workable.
What's Free: Their free HR tool is available to organizations. Included are onboarding and offboarding tools, payroll processing, benefits, a time-off tracker, expense management tools, a document management system, and government declarations.
If you need more features you can scale up to one of their flexible paid plans. Deel offers clear, simple per-user pricing with no hidden fees or extensive contracts. You can also request a free demo through their website.
Hireflix is an HR tool designed to enhance the hiring process through customizable one-way video interviews. It allows HR teams to create a set of questions for candidates to answer via video at their convenience, eliminating the need for scheduling live interviews in the early stages.
Why I picked Hireflix: While Hireflix doesn’t offer broader HR functionalities like payroll or employee data management, it stands out for its targeted approach to video interviewing.
The platform is especially useful if you prioritize high-volume hiring or are looking to enhance your interview processes. The customizable interview questions and the ability to review responses at any time can help you zero in on candidates who are the best fit before investing in further interviews.
Another significant feature of Hireflix is its scalable candidate invitation system, which allows you to send interview invites to multiple candidates simultaneously, therefore eliminating scheduling conflicts. This capability is crucial for efficiently managing large volumes of applications and ensuring that the recruitment process is not delayed due to logistical issues.
Hireflix Features & Integrations
Features include automated candidate reminders, which help reduce interview no-shows, the ability to review candidate performance across teams by sharing responses with colleagues, and multi-language support.
Integrations include Lever, BambooHR, Teamtailor, Greenhouse, Zoho Recruit, JazzHR, SmartRecruiters, Ashby, Workable, Loxo, and Recruitee.
What's Free: Hireflix offers a one-month free trial with access to all features.
Factorial is an affordable HR software solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers an all-in-one platform for time tracking, leave management, performance evaluations, and employee onboarding. Its user-friendly interface and scalable features make it ideal for growing companies.
Why I picked Factorial: There are a few standout features that really make Factorial shine. First off, the time tracking and leave management tools are top-notch. They're intuitive and straightforward, making it easy to keep track of who's in, who's out, and who's on vacation.
The performance evaluation feature is also a big plus. It allows you to easily track and assess your team's performance, which is a huge help when it comes to things like promotions and raises.
The software offers a suite of essential HR tools that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of small businesses, from streamlined employee onboarding and efficient time tracking to simplified performance management.
Factorial Features & Integrations:
Features include a secure module for anonymous feedback and concern reporting, supported by sentiment analysis for proactive issue addressing. This engagement fosters a sense of belonging, elevating engagement and creating a positive workplace culture.
Another thing I love about Factorial is its document management system. It's a secure place to store all your important HR documents, from contracts to payslips. This improves data management and ensures that all your sensitive information is safe and secure.
Integrations include Sage, Gmail, Payflow, Dynamics 365, LinkedIn, TravelPerk, PowerBI, Indeed, Recruitee, Slack, and others.
What's Free: Factorial offers a 14-day free trial. Paid plans are flexible with clear per-user pricing, no hidden fees, and you can request a free demo directly through their website.
Apptivo is a business management software solution that offers a wide range of apps to streamline operations. It caters to small businesses seeking an all-in-one platform to manage tasks like CRM, project management, and HR functions.
Why I picked Apptivo: The software stands out for its flexible and customizable apps that adapt to your team’s workflows. You can modify fields, layouts, and processes to match your unique needs.
The platform supports offers modules for HR service delivery, a CRM, field services, and customer-focused campaigns. This makes it a versatile solution for businesses that want an adaptable HR workflow system with additional capabilities. With its integrated design, your team can access everything they need in one place.
Apptivo Features & Integrations:
Features include integrated apps, customizable workflows, custom dashboards, customizable fields for each app, and 24/7 customer support.
Within their HR help desk module, features include an enterprise-grade ticketing portal and email ticketing system, assignment automation, workload management tools, task assignments, service level agreement features, and data visualization tools.
Integrations are available with Asterix, Dropbox, Google Suite, Microsoft Office 365, OneDrive, PayPal, RingCentral, Slack, Stripe, Quickbooks, Xero, and several others.
What's Free: Apptivo no longer offers a free forever plan. However, a 30-day free trial is available to test out their software.
WebHR helps HR departments manage the employee lifecycle, from the initial hiring process through to retirement.
Why I picked WebHR: Their all-in-one HR software includes core HR, payroll, recruitment, performance, and time & attendance modules, and is available in 30 languages.
Mobile apps are available for both iOS and Android devices so that employees can quickly log time worked with geo-tracking. Managers can monitor employee hours using the time and attendance features.
In addition, the software integrates with biometric devices such as card readers and finger scanners.
WebHR Features & Integrations:
Features include personnel tracking, payroll, benefits administration, an applicant tracking system (ATS), a learning management system (LMS), employee performance, goal management, onboarding, forms & surveys, background checking tools, and asset tracking tools.
Integrations are available with 24+ popular HR tools, including Asana, Bonusly, FreshBooks, Indeed, LinkedIn, Slack, Xero, Quickbooks, Zapier, Zip Recruiter, and others.
What's Free: Teams with less than 5 employees can use WebHR's software for free. For larger teams, they offer very affordable module-based pricing starting at $3/employee/month.
HRLocker is an integrated HRIS database that covers core human resources functionalities so companies can concentrate on strategic decisions and productivity.
Why I picked HRLocker: Their HR platform includes a digital document management system where you can publish an unlimited number of HR documents to create an easily accessible repository for your employees. Within that module, HR teams can also request digital signatures on training documents, as needed, and send out reminders to anyone who hasn't read or signed off on required documentation.
HRLocker Features & Integrations:
Features include modules for holiday and absence management, timesheets, training development, employee data, remote and dual working, performance reviews, and recruitment and onboarding.
The HRLocker database also allows users to record employee training courses and upload certificates of completion. Tasks can be assigned to employees or departments, while managers can use the applicant tracking system for recruitment, candidate search, social referral, job boards, and screening.
Integrations are available with 20+ other software systems, including CareerJet, Glassdoor, Google Calendar, Indeed, LinkedIn, Microsoft Office 365, Sage, SimplyHired, Trovit,
What's Free: HRLocker is free to use for 6 months for up to 4 employees. Their free plan includes all the features mentioned above. If you scale up to their first-level paid plan, you can also access customer support and a dedicated account manager.
HR.my is a cloud-based HR solution with payroll processing, time off and attendance management, announcements, and notice boards.
Why I picked HR.my: In addition to the default English selection, HR.my supports an additional 66 languages. You can also translate all messages or filter by entering keywords into the Search field. Using the filter function, you can also search using both the original and translated languages.
HR.my Features & Integrations:
Features include a self-service portal where employees can submit leave requests, check entitlements, and view their records. The document management feature makes importing existing timesheets, expense claims, or other paper-based documents easy. Other features include approval workflows, workforce management tools, an announcement & notification board, and team collaboration tools.
Integration details are not currently available.
What's Free: HR.my is completely free to use. They also have free mobile apps available for Android and iOS mobile devices as well.
Workable is a recruiting software and hiring platform designed to assist employers in managing the entire recruitment process.
Why I picked Workable: It offers an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) with AI-powered sourcing capabilities. This allows users to post jobs across more than 200 job boards, create customizable career pages, and access a database of over 400 million candidate profiles. It also assists in hiring management, from document signing to employee onboarding.
Workable Features & Integrations:
Features include candidate evaluation tools, automation of repetitive recruiting tasks, insights and reporting, compliance management, organization structure management, and onboarding workflows.
Integrations include Indeed, BambooHR, HiBob, Checkr, Certn, ADP, Deel, LinkedIn, SoftOne, Trainual, Metaview, Papaya Global, HirePort, HeroHunt.ai, SeekOut, Learningbank, BrightHire, nPloy, and Process Street.
What's Free: Workable offers a 15-day free trial. After that, paid plans start from $189/month for up to 20 employees.
Remofirst is an HR and payroll solution that provides a secure, cloud-based platform for managing contractor data, tracking time, and invoicing.
Why I picked Remofirst: The software is a subscription-based service, with pricing plans based on the number of employees; however, it lets you onboard contractors for free.
Remofirst Features & Integrations:
Features include a simple, user-friendly interface that makes it easy for inexperienced users to navigate and use the software. The software also allows contractors to access their account information and perform self-service tasks such as updating their personal information or viewing invoice status.
Integration details are not currently available on their website.
What's Free: Remofirst's contractor management plan is free to use. With the free plan, you can onboard new contractors quickly using forms and templates, automate payment processing across 150+ countries with a wide range of currency options, upload and manage your contact list, and generate new invoices with a single click.
Other Free HR Software
Here are a few more worthwhile options that didn’t make my shortlist for the best free HR software, but are still worth checking out:
- Homebase
Employee management for hourly teams
- Oyster HR
For global employment
- Bitrix24
Free open-source HR software
- OrangeHRM
For employee performance management
- Zoho People
For scalability
- WaypointHR
HR software for staff redundancy evaluations
- Sentrifugo
Free HR software for an employee self-service portal
Related HR Software Reviews
If you still haven't found what you're looking for here, check out these other related tools that we've tested and evaluated:
- HR Software
- Payroll Software
- Recruiting Software
- Employer of Record Services
- Applicant Tracking Systems
- Workforce Management Software
Selection Criteria for Free HR Software
Selecting the best free HR software for this list required a thorough understanding of common HR needs, pain points, and the specific functionalities that can solve those challenges. My approach to building this list is grounded in my 9 years of HR administration experience combined with in-depth research into these tools.
Here’s a summary of the selection criteria I used to make my final picks for this list:
Core HR Software Functionalities (25% of total score): To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases first:
- Employee data management, i.e., human resource information systems (HRIS)
- Leave and attendance tracking
- Recruitment and applicant tracking
- Performance evaluations
- Payroll integration
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score): To help me find the best software out of numerous available options, I also kept a keen eye out for unique features, including the following:
- AI-driven analytics for predicting employee turnover
- Mobile apps that offer a comprehensive HR solution on the go
- Customizable reports that cater to unique organizational needs
- Integrations with third-party apps to streamline workflows
- Advanced security features ensuring data protection and compliance
Please note that many of these advanced features are not available in free plans. However, it's still useful to know which features are available if you decide to scale up to a more robust subscription.
Usability (10% of total score): To evaluate the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive design that simplifies navigation
- Role-based access that's easy to configure
- User interfaces that support drag-and-drop functionality for easy scheduling
- Aesthetic appeal that enhances the user experience
The system needs to be easy enough for employees to use without constant help from HR, but also provide the functionality that HR teams need to manage things efficiently.
Onboarding (10% of total score): To get a sense of each software provider's customer onboarding process, I considered the following factors:
- Availability of training materials, such as videos and templates
- Interactive product tours and chatbots for immediate assistance
- Webinars and detailed documentation for deeper understanding
- A straightforward setup process that allows teams to quickly realize value
Customer Support (10% of total score): To evaluate the level of customer support each vendor offered, I considered the following:
- Responsiveness and availability of support channels
- Quality of assistance provided for both technical and user experience issues
- Community forums or user groups for peer-to-peer support
- The provision of dedicated account management for complex inquiries
Value for Price (10% of total score): To gauge the value of each software, I considered the following factors:
- A comparison of feature sets against the cost for premium upgrades
- Evaluation of scalability options without significant price jumps
- Assessing whether the free version meets basic needs without the immediate need for an upgrade
Customer Reviews (10% of total score): Evaluating customer reviews is the final element of my selection process, which helps me understand how well a product performs in the hands of real users. Here are the factors I considered:
- Overall satisfaction ratings from a broad user base
- Feedback on specific features like ease of use and customer support
- Reviews that highlight how the software has improved HR processes
- Negative reviews to identify common issues and deal-breakers
Using this assessment framework helped me identify the free HR software that goes beyond basic requirements to offer additional value through unique features, intuitive usability, smooth onboarding, effective support, and overall value for price.
How to Choose Free HR Software
As you work through your own unique tool selection process, keep the following points in mind:
- What HR challenges are you trying to solve? Identifying your current challenges will help you understand the features and functionalities your new HR software needs to provide.
- What outcomes are important and how will you measure success? Being clear on your desired outcomes upfront is crucial to avoid wasting valuable time. For example, you may want a tool to automate portions of your payroll, scheduling, or performance management processes, so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Who are your main users? Consider your different user groups — power users, administrators, managers, employees, etc. — and their unique needs, to ensure they're all met. For free HR software, you'll likely want employee-level access for your entire workforce, with special access for your HR administrators and managers.
- What is your budget? Are you truly limited to a 100% free tool, or do you have any wiggle room for a low-cost HR system that still meets your needs? Determining a realistic budget for your new HR software up-front is crucial, so you don't waste time considering software that's out of your price range.
- Do you require specific software integrations? Clarify whether your new HR software will replace any existing tools or need to integrate with them, such as time tracking systems, learning management systems, or project management tools.
- Does the software satisfy your technical requirements? Consider the software selection alongside your existing workflows and systems. Evaluate what's working well, and any problem areas that need to be addressed.
Remember, every business is different — don’t assume that free HR software will work for your organization just because it's popular.
Trends in Free HR Software
The current landscape of HR software continues to change, shaped by technological advancements and evolving organizational needs. These changes are reflective of a broader shift in the way businesses approach human resources management, as well as trends in B2B SaaS offerings and product-led approaches that include freemium plans and extended free trials.
Here are several developments that highlight key trends in the functionality, demand, and evolution of features within free HR software:
- Integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML integration has become a significant trend, with software increasingly leveraging these technologies for predictive analytics, automated decision-making, and personalized employee experiences. This includes AI-driven recruitment tools that improve candidate matching and ML algorithms that forecast employee turnover rates, addressing the need for advanced data analysis in HR decisions.
- Enhanced Employee Self-Service Portals: There's a clear trend towards expanding the capabilities of employee self-service portals. These now often include access to pay stubs, leave requests, and even performance management tools, allowing employees greater control over their HR-related tasks and reducing the administrative burden on HR departments.
- Decline in Manual Data Entry Features: As automation and integration capabilities improve, the need for manual data entry and the features supporting it are becoming less important. This shift indicates a move towards more efficient, error-free HR processes.
- Focus on Data Security and Compliance: With increasing concerns about data privacy and security, features that ensure compliance with global data protection regulations are becoming more crucial. This includes enhanced encryption, regular security audits, and compliance tracking functionalities.
HR has access to enough personal information to duplicate an employee three times over… It’s a lot of trust, and companies need to take data security seriously. You can’t sacrifice security for efficiency.
These trends collectively illustrate a movement towards more intelligent, user-centric, and secure HR software solutions. By adopting these emerging technologies and functionalities, free HR software tools are not only improving the efficiency and accuracy of HR processes but also enhancing the overall employee experience.
What is Free HR Software?
Human resources (HR) software are digital tools for managing employee-related activities. They streamline various HR processes like hiring, payroll, performance management, and benefits administration. The purpose of HR software is to facilitate and automate certain human resource tasks, improving efficiency and accuracy in managing employee-related processes.
Free HR software does all or some of the above either completely free, or by offering an extended free trial. Many providers offer both free and paid plans, with certain feature limitations in freemium plans.
Features of Free HR Software
Free HR software provides a range of features and functionalities that can help small to medium-sized businesses streamline various elements of their HR processes. This might include hiring, payroll, performance management, and benefits administration. Because of the broad scope of what these tools may support, I have a wide range of features I look for when evaluating them.
However, while I understand the importance of finding a cost-effective tool, remember that free software will only offer you the bare basics. Below are the most important HR software features to look out for, which I've broken down depending on whether you'll be able to get them for free or not:
Typically free HR software features:
- User-friendly Interface: A software with an intuitive design simplifies navigation and reduces the learning curve for HR staff. This improves the overall efficiency of managing HR tasks.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Employees can manage their personal information, benefits, and leave requests, significantly reducing administrative workload for HR.
- Time and Attendance Tracking: Allows for efficient tracking of employee hours, attendance, and leave, which is essential for payroll accuracy and labor compliance.
- Mobile Accessibility: Ensures that the software can be accessed from anywhere, providing flexibility for both HR staff and employees to perform tasks on-the-go.
- Basic Data Security and Compliance: Guarantees the protection of sensitive employee data and compliance with relevant labor laws and data protection regulations, which is fundamental in maintaining trust and legal integrity.
Security is often overlooked when choosing HR tools… You’re handling employees’ sensitive personal information, so you need to ensure the platform is secure and can protect that data from breaches.
These advanced features are often only available in paid plans:
- Payroll Integration: Seamlessly integrates with payroll systems to ensure accurate and timely payment processing. This feature is crucial for maintaining employee satisfaction and compliance with financial regulations.
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS): Streamlines the hiring process by organizing candidate information and stages of recruitment. This enables faster and more effective decision-making in hiring.
- Performance Management Tools: Facilitates continuous performance assessment and feedback, helping to align employee objectives with organizational goals.
- Benefits Administration: Simplifies the management of employee benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, ensuring employees receive their entitled benefits effortlessly.
- Reporting and Analytics: Tools to generate insightful reports and analytics on various HR metrics, aiding in strategic decision-making and identifying areas for improvement.
Selecting free HR software with the right combination of these features can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of managing employee-related processes. So consider which features align most closely with your business needs.
Benefits of Free HR Software
Free HR software is a valuable tool for businesses looking to optimize their human resources management without incurring additional costs. Here are five primary benefits of leveraging free HR software for users and organizations:
- Cost Efficiency: Significantly reduces the financial burden on businesses. By adopting free HR software, organizations can allocate their resources to other critical areas, enhancing overall operational efficiency without compromising on HR functionality.
- Improved Data Management: Centralizes and simplifies employee information storage and access. This software provides a single repository for all HR-related data, making it easier to manage, update, and retrieve employee information, leading to better decision-making and compliance management.
- Enhanced Productivity: Automates routine administrative tasks. By automating processes such as payroll, leave management, and employee onboarding, HR departments can focus on strategic tasks, thereby increasing productivity and improving employee satisfaction.
- Scalability: Easily adapts to the growing needs of a business. Free HR software often comes with scalable features that can be customized to fit the evolving requirements of an organization, ensuring that the HR system grows in tandem with the business.
- Accessibility and Flexibility: Offers remote access to HR functions. With features that support mobile access, employees and HR professionals can perform HR-related tasks from anywhere, providing flexibility and ensuring continuous operation, regardless of location.
These benefits not only enhance the operational capabilities of the HR department but also contribute to the overall success and growth of an organization. By choosing the right free HR software, businesses can enjoy the advantages of advanced HR management tools without incurring significant expenses.
There’s always room for negotiation on HR software pricing. Ask for a volume discount! I always recommend trying to get a better deal based on your needs.
Costs & Pricing for HR Software
Believe it or not, free HR software does exist, and many systems offer the basic tools required to manage certain human resources tasks effectively. However, these free plans, also known as freemium plans, always come with limitations. To access more advanced features and functionalities, you'll need to sign up for a paid software subscription.
To help you understand the pricing landscape for HR software, I've compiled the average price ranges for each plan level in the table below, or you can dive deeper by reading our pricing guide to HR software next.
By understanding the different available options, you'll be able to select the most suitable package for your organization's specific needs and budget.
Plan Comparison Table for HR Software
| Plan Type | Average Price Per Month | Common Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Employee self-service, basic reporting, and leave & attendance tracking |
| Basic | $2-7 per employee | Enhanced reporting, email support, payroll integration, and additional storage |
| Standard | $7-14 per employee | Performance management, onboarding tools, advanced security features, and 24/7 customer support |
| Premium | $14-30 per employee | Customizable reports, API access, dedicated account manager, and advanced analytics & forecasting tools |
Each plan offers a different set of features and functionalities tailored to various business sizes and needs. When selecting a plan, consider both the current and future needs of your organization, ensuring the chosen software can scale with your business.
Keep in mind that investing in a plan that aligns closely with your HR management requirements can significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of your HR operations.
New & Noteworthy Product Updates
Below, I've summarized the most recent release notes and product updates for my top HR software recommendations. Discover what’s now possible through new feature releases, improvements, and updates for web, desktop, and mobile apps. Learn what’s new, and why it matters for core HR functions.
2025 Q2: Human Resource Software Updates
Deel Update Notes
Deel recently introduced over 70 enhancements focused on improving their payroll and compliance functionalities. These updates collectively streamline HR operations, improve device management, and ensure adherence to compliance standards, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.
Key improvements include a new dashboard that tracks time off and automatically eliminates duplicate employee data, leading to more reliable workforce information and reducing the need for manual corrections. Furthermore, the rollout of pre-built workflow templates and a Quick Mode in the Workflow Builder automates routine tasks, enhancing operational efficiency.
These updates improve data accuracy and increase automated workflows, which collectively contribute to improved decision-making and operational efficiency. By focusing on these areas, Deel empowers organizations to manage their payroll and compliance tasks more effectively, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
Verdict: These changes reduce manual work, cut errors, and help teams stay compliant.
Workable Recruiting Update Notes
Workable recently launched a new natural language search feature to simplify candidate sourcing. This update allows recruiters to search for candidates using conversational prompts, making the process faster and more intuitive than traditional methods.
Recruiters can now type natural language queries like “Find marketing managers in Chicago with SEO experience,” and Workable will return a list of matching candidates. While Boolean search remains available, natural language search is now the default, accessible by clicking “Search with AI” from a job listing.
This update streamlines the sourcing process, saving recruiters time and making it easier to find qualified candidates. By eliminating the need for complex search syntax, Workable helps users focus more on candidate engagement and hiring success.
Verdict: This new feature leverages AI to help recruiters source talent more easily, improving their user experience significantly.
People Also Ask
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions you may have about free HR software:
What is HR software?
HR software is a software solution specifically developed to help HR professionals streamline their core processes so they can manage their workforce efficiently. This type of software can include many different subsets, including employee management software, payroll software, time-off management software, talent management software, performance management software, and many others.
HR software is designed to automate many of the administrative tasks that HR professionals deal with frequently. Some examples of this include automated onboarding workflows for your new hires, org charts that build themselves based on your active employee information, and tools to advance candidates through each stage of your hiring process.
For a broad selection of software, I recommend reviewing our list of the 60 best HR systems next.
Why is some HR software free?
Very few HR software systems are free forever. Instead, most free HR software is offered as a reduced feature plan (also called a freemium plan). Software vendors offer these free options to give potential customers a chance to get to know their software and, hopefully, lure them into purchasing a paid plan when they’re ready. It’s essentially another form of a lengthy free trial.
If you’re running a startup or small business, you may be able to get away with using the free version forever. But chances are, you’ll want to access more robust features as your operation grows.
Are there other free or affordable resources for HR professionals?
There definitely are, and luckily for you, we’ve done a lot of the leg work for you already. To save you time, here are some links to our other software round-ups for small business owners working with tight budgets.
These lists contain reviews of software providers that actually offer free versions:
And these lists offer a blend of software systems with pricing plans specifically tailored to small business needs:
- Applicant Tracking Systems for Small Businesses
- Employee Scheduling Software for Small Business
- ERP Systems for Small Businesses
- HRMS for Small Business
- HR Software for Small Business
- Learning Management Systems (LMS) for Small Businesses
- Payroll Software for Small Businesses
If you’re looking for more support than just a low price-tag, perhaps a payroll service would actually be a better fit?
Are employee self-service portals important?
Yes, employee self-service portals are quite important, especially in modern HR systems. They allow employees to access and manage their personal information, view pay stubs, request time off, access benefits information, and even update their details without having to rely on HR personnel.
This not only reduces the administrative burden on HR teams but also empowers employees to take control of their information, leading to increased efficiency and satisfaction.
Are employee self-service portals worth paying for if they are not included in a free plan?
I think the answer to this depends on the nature and size of your organization. If your team is small then your HR staff (if you have them) should be able to handle the low volume of administrative requests from employees regarding contact info changes, benefits changes, etc. However, you do still need some way for your staff to view their pay stubs and request time off.
When considering whether to pay for an HR software plan that includes an employee self-service (ESS) portal, here are several factors to think about:
- If you have a large team, managing employee data manually or through email communication can be very time-consuming. In this case, paying for ESS might be worth it to streamline processes.
- Frequent Requests: If employees frequently request information such as pay slips, tax documents, or time-off balances, ESS can save significant time.
- Growth or Scaling: If your company is scaling, having an ESS portal can help maintain a smooth HR operation as the business grows.
- Compliance and Record Keeping: ESS portals can help maintain an audit trail for compliance purposes. This can be crucial for legal or regulatory reasons.
If the free HR software meets your needs otherwise, and you’re dealing with a small team with limited administrative overhead, you might get by without an ESS portal. But for larger teams, or if your goal is to reduce manual work, the cost may be worth the investment.
Does HR software offer different deployment options?
These days, most HR software is cloud-based, meaning they are systems that operate remotely via the internet. However, some systems still offer on-premise versions which run locally on a computer or company network.
The benefits of using a cloud-based HR system is that these applications are managed through a series of web servers that run applications and store data on your behalf. The original software developers are also responsible for ongoing system maintenance. Other popular terms for cloud-based software are software “on-demand” or “software-as-a-service” (SaaS), which is a popular subscription model that most modern systems now follow.
The benefits of using an on-premise system is that they can be customized for specific business needs quite extensively. However, the flip side is that your in-house IT support needs will increase since the software will run from your company network and won’t come with automatic backups from the software developer.
For HR software that’s truly free, you may end up with an on-premise version that you’re responsible for updating yourself. However, many of the software companies in this list offer their free versions in order to eventually convince users to scale up to a subscription plan using a SaaS pricing model.
To learn more, take a look at my list of the best cloud-based HR software to start.
Does free HR software offer enough security features to protect sensitive employee data?
Free HR software often includes basic security features like data encryption, password protection, and user access controls, but it may not offer the same level of advanced security as paid solutions. The adequacy of these features depends on the software provider and your organization’s specific security needs. For instance, free tools might lack compliance certifications (like GDPR or SOC 2) or robust monitoring systems for detecting and preventing data breaches.
If you’re considering free HR software, it’s essential to evaluate its security capabilities against your organization’s requirements. Look for features such as:
- Data encryption: Ensures sensitive information is protected during transmission and storage.
- User role-based access: Restricts access to employee data based on job roles to minimize exposure.
- Regular updates: Protects against vulnerabilities by ensuring the software is up-to-date.
For businesses handling highly sensitive employee data, a paid HR software solution with advanced security protocols and compliance certifications may be a better fit to ensure maximum protection and peace of mind.
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If you're also up for considering paid HR management tools, our list of the best HRMS software is also worth reading. With the right software, you’ll be set to make the most of your human capital and take your business to new heights of success.