Best HR Database Software Shortlist
Here’s the list of the best HR database software systems that I’ll cover in this article, with detailed summaries below:
Tired of dealing with hardcopy forms and updating spreadsheets every time you onboard a new hire? HR database software is here to set you free from this administrative nightmare! I know, because I was once in your shoes too, and implementing a better HR database was a breath of fresh air.
A well-chosen HR database will help you stay on top of all your admin requirements, giving you more time to focus on serving your staff better. To save you hours of independent searching, I've compiled this list to help you find the best option for you. Below you'll find my detailed summaries of the best HR database software on the market today. I've explained what’s good about each one and the key features that drew me in.
What is HR Database Software?
HR database software provides a digital framework for organizing all your employee data. That includes details like contact info, emergency contacts, banking details, contracts, and more. Some may also include more advanced features like payroll, and performance management tools too.
They’re also crucial for managing compliance and adhering to local, state, and federal regulations. Many HR records are covered by laws requiring them to be stored for many years, or even decades. All this adds up to a mountain of information that must be collected, stored, and retained. It’s a big task, which is why employee record-keeping software is an essential HR tool.
Overviews of the 10 Best HR Database Software Solutions
Here’s a brief description of each HR database system to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.
Deel
Best HR database software for managing a global workforce
Deel is a powerful HR database software for companies of all sizes. It helps to store, manage, and analyze employee data with ease. With Deel, businesses get a single source of truth for their workforce data, allowing them to view all employees and contractors in one place, no matter where they’re located.
Deel provides powerful features and tools that help businesses manage their employee data more effectively. It comes with comprehensive reporting and analytics functions so employers can make informed decisions about their workforce quickly and accurately. Its intuitive user interface makes it easy for companies to organize and review employee data on an ongoing basis, and automated compliance ensures that proper documentation and licenses are always accessible.
Features include global payroll, automations, contractor payments, invoice generation, payslips, taxes, accounting software integration, and benefits management.
Integrations include Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, SCIM, Xero, Workday, and Workable. They also have an API, where you can connect Deel to tools beyond their pre-built integrations or automate and sync data across your HR tech stack.
Kallidus Sapling
Best HR database for customizations
Sapling (now part of Kallidus) is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) HCM solution designed to help with employee onboarding and managing HR operations. Core features include an employee self-service portal, an activity dashboard, and custom reporting.
Employees can complete onboarding tasks such as completing, uploading, and signing documents online. HR team members can then leverage this data to sync employee details with payroll and accounting.
Designed to be flexible, Sapling permits managers to build custom, automated workflows to reduce manual admin. They can also create custom email templates to communicate with individuals or groups.
This tool integrates with platforms such as Lever, JazzHR, and Workday.
Freshteam
Best HR database software for customizable analytics
Freshteam by Freshworks is a low-code HR system that helps you manage hiring, onboarding, time off, employee data, and HR workflows. It automates repetitive routines to reduce recruiter workload by up to 75%.
Using Freshteam, you can organize and store all employee data and files securely. You can also manage time off, track absences, and report other employee events.
Managers can hire and onboard new team members without needing paper, as well as cutting down on new hire queries. Employees can use the self-service option to access their own records and update their information.
This tool integrates with a wide range of applications, including DocuSign, Google Calendar, Google Meet, LinkedIn, and Zoom.
Breezy HR
Best HR database software for speeding up your recruitment process
Breezy HR is a recruiting solution for smaller businesses that aims to speed up the hiring process. Available functions include applicant sourcing, tracking, resume parsing, and video interviews.
Thanks to the drag-and-drop interface, users can customize their candidate pipeline and organize applicants in any order. Any HR manager can connect with candidates using custom email templates, then schedule interviews immediately.
They can also use the Chrome extension to source candidates from LinkedIn, AngelList, and other sites. Jobs can be posted to many job posting sites with a single click.
This tool integrates with BambooHR, Click Boarding, Gusto, Indeed, and UKG Pro.
Zoho People
Best HR database software for organizations needing scalability
Zoho People is a cloud-based HR system designed to help you manage your global employee data. Features include attendance management, employee self-service, time tracking, and form customization.
Their HR management software gives you a centralized view of all employee information, broken down by type, location, role, and experience level. You can create custom modules by adding new forms and tabs, using the drag-and-drop functionality. There’s also an option to customize leave types to suit the needs of your organization.
The system is designed to scale as the organization grows, with the capability to support large enterprise businesses. Employees can access, update and modify their own records, in accordance with organizational compliance. Managers can store and share HR and company-related documents.
This tool integrates with software such as Adobe Sign, DocuSign, Paybooks, and other Zoho apps.
BrightHR
Best for simplified workflows through automation
BrightHR is cloud-based HR database software that helps companies manage and maintain employee data. The platform streamlines record-keeping through automation and simplified workflows. It has advanced features that can help automate many HR functions, such as attendance tracking, payroll management, and compliance reporting. Teams can digitize and store all their employee records without worrying about storage space, loss of documents, or security concerns. It provides a centralized location where all necessary documentation, including contracts, employee handbooks, and company policies, are readily accessible to authorized personnel, making it easier to manage and update HR policies and procedures.
The software streamlines the process of tracking employee attendance by offering real-time monitoring capabilities. It integrates with biometric attendance systems, enabling employees to clock in and out effortlessly. Additionally, the system automatically generates attendance reports, helping management monitor employee attendance and identify outliers. This feature can help users quickly identify absence anomalies and take corrective action if necessary.
BrightHR can generate customized reports on employee data, including attendance patterns, leave balances, and training history. This feature can help HR professionals stay in the know about their human resources department's performance and adjust policies and procedures accordingly. It also provides an integrated feature to assess employee performance, allowing managers to set personalized goals and metrics.
The platform prioritizes data privacy and security by offering advanced user permissions and password protection. HR professionals can set access levels for individuals or groups, ensuring only authorized personnel can access sensitive employee data. The software also implements end-to-end encryption, ensuring data remains secure in transit and storage.
Zenefits
Best HR database software for automating employee onboarding
Zenefits is a cloud-based HR software solution that supports HR processes including onboarding, benefits administration, and record-keeping. It helps employers keep accurate, up-to-date employee records, with information like contact and demographic data, employment records like taxes and benefits, and personal files.
New hires can complete all necessary forms and paperwork through the software, creating their employee record from day one. Administrators can create compensation and benefits packages, and use pre-built offer letter templates to speed up the hiring process. The software is equipped for onboarding full-time employees or freelancers, and can run background checks through its partnership with Chekr.
The software has reporting and analytics features with visual dashboards that measure important HR metrics including employee turnover and payroll expenses. AI-powered predictive insights flag which employees are likely to leave the company, giving managers a leg up in improving retention.
Paid plans start from $8/user/month, and a 14-day trial is available.
Workday
Best HR database software for enterprise-level organizations
Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) provides a skills-based solution for HR requirements. Designed for enterprise-level organizations, the software uses machine learning to understand people's current skills, then builds talent management programs to develop them.
Other tools help you listen to employee feedback and surface analytics from vast data sets. These explain what is happening in the organization and show where improvements are possible.
Workday also delivers intelligent automation across the entire HR process and eliminates manual tasks. Their compensation and benefits tools help any HR professional form plans that work for each employee.
This tool integrates with software such as Accurate, Apply with Seek, BountyJobs, and CareerBuilder.
HealthData Archiver
Best for its advanced data security features
HealthData Archiver is a cloud-based software solution that captures, stores, and manages employee medical data. It provides web-based access to employees and medical providers and is equipped with security protocols to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of employee health data. The software can be accessed remotely, making it easier for employees to retrieve and share medical records with healthcare providers, insurance providers, or other authorized parties. HealthData Archiver can be integrated with existing HR software or customized to reflect a company’s branding.
Having an easily accessible archive of employee health data assists with legal and regulatory compliance. HealthData Archiver provides an easy-to-use interface for document management, ensuring businesses can easily access essential employee records. Users can attach notes or comments to these records to provide additional context. This feature promotes transparency and encourages communication between HR departments and employees. HealthData Archiver efficiently integrates and links medical information with other HR-related data, streamlining the record-keeping process, reducing the likelihood of error, and increasing efficiency.
HealthData Archiver has a customizable reporting feature that allows organizations to generate reports per their requirements. Reports can be generated with specific data points, such as employee performance, attendance, and medical history. It also has advanced data security features that ensure the data stored in the system is secure and confidential. The software uses encryption and advanced security protocols to protect data from unauthorized access, theft, or loss. It also has backup and recovery features that ensure data is not lost during a system failure.
SAP HCM
Best HR database software for establishing a single source of HR data
SAP’s human capital management (HCM) solution includes HR and payroll solutions based in the cloud. Their management software covers core HR functions such as talent management, time and attendance tracking, and people analytics.
Using SAP HCM, you can increase employee engagement and productivity by delivering individualized experiences designed for how people behave and work. Plus, you can build employee skills through always-on development. The result is an improved employee experience that helps people feel more connected and supported.
This suite provides you with a single source of truth across multiple locations, so you always have accurate information at hand. You get data-driven insights into your workforce and can use powerful analytics to improve your decision-making.
The software integrates with other tools such as SAP SuccessFactors.
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The 10 Best HR Database Software Comparison Chart
Here’s a comparison chart that summarizes basic details about each of my top HR database 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.
Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Deel Best HR database software for managing a global workforce | Free demo available | Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people | Visit Website |
2 | Kallidus Sapling Best HR database for customizations | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
3 | Freshteam Best HR database software for customizable analytics | 21-day free trial | From $1.20/user/month + $71/month base fee | Visit Website |
4 | Breezy HR Best HR database software for speeding up your recruitment process | 14-day free trial | From $143/month | Visit Website |
5 | Zoho People Best HR database software for organizations needing scalability | 30-day free trial | From $1.25/user/month | Visit Website |
6 | BrightHR Best for simplified workflows through automation | Free demo available | From $4.08/user/month | Visit Website |
7 | Zenefits Best HR database software for automating employee onboarding | 14-day free trial | From $10/user/month | Visit Website |
8 | Workday Best HR database software for enterprise-level organizations | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
9 | HealthData Archiver Best for its advanced data security features | No free trial is available for this product | Pricing information is available upon request | Visit Website |
10 | SAP HCM Best HR database software for establishing a single source of HR data | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
Other Options
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best HR database software list:
- UKG Pro
Best HR database software for assessing employee sentiment using AI
- Lattice
Best HR database software for combining people management with career development
- Leapsome
Best HR database software for integrating learning with workforce management
- BambooHR
Best HR database software for managing the whole employee life cycle
- Factorial
Best HR database software for ease of use
- Connecteam
Best HR database software for a mobile-first HR platform
- Sage HR
Best HR database software for employee compensation management
- Paycor
Best HR database software for comprehensive hiring or training initiatives
- Rise
Best HR database software for intuitive people management
- Insperity
Best HR database to streamline processes for businesses of all sizes
How I Selected the Best HR Database Software
Wondering what I look for when selecting the best HR database software solutions for this list? I'm happy to explain my selection process.
To start off, I created a long list of HR software providers with positive user ratings. I then dug into the details of each system to ensure it contained all the features HR departments would need to manage their core processes.
Lastly, to make my final selections, I compared each remaining HR database against each other using my selection criteria below. This allowed me to compare each software system systematically, making it easier to identify the clear winners in the pack.
Selection Criteria
Here’s a summary of the selection and evaluation criteria I used to pick the best HR database software for this list:
- User Interface (UI): I selected HR database software that's user-friendly, meaning a busy HR professional could master it quickly and easily.
- Usability: I chose software that’s intuitive and easy to use, with all the core HR features within easy reach.
- Software Integrations: I expect good employee database software to integrate with the most popular HR and workforce management platforms. I noted the key software integrations for each system I selected to save you time too.
- Value for Price: I picked tools that offer an excellent return on investment (ROI) regardless of your company size. I also took care to note any relevant add-ons too.
HR Database Software: FAQs
Do you have general questions about HR database software and how it works? These answers to frequently asked questions are a good place to start:
What is an HR database?
What key features are included in HR database software?
How can I tell which HR database is right for my business?
What do HR databases cost?
What Do You Think About This List?
Those are my selections for the top HR database software on the market today. What are your views on the subject? If you have different ideas, let us know in the comments below. But first, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so we can keep you updated.
I also recommend checking out the many other informative articles on our website. You’ll find valuable information about the best HR software and the HR software companies we recommend. For more insights into tools, take a moment to read our post on HR software.
The world of HR is constantly changing. Yet, with the help of the right software tools, you can be efficient, organized, and stay one step ahead of your competitors.
Related Read: Best Recruiting Database Software for Hiring Teams