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There are seemingly countless HR management software solutions available, so figuring out which is best for you is tough. You want to centralize employee data, and simplify processes like recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance management, and benefits administration—but now need to figure out which tool is the best fit. In this post, I make things simple, leveraging my experience as an HR expert and using dozens of different HR management tools to bring you this shortlist of the best HR management software overall.

What is HR Management Software?

HR management software is a digital solution designed to handle various human resource functions within an organization. It centralizes employee data management, streamlines processes such as recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance evaluations, and benefits administration.

The purpose of HR management tools is to facilitate the efficient handling of HR tasks, reducing manual workload and improving data organization. It aids in compliance with labor laws and provides analytical tools for informed decision-making.

Overviews Of The 10 Best HR Management Software

Here’s a brief description of each HR management software to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give you a snapshot of the user interface. Keep reading to find additional bonus picks at the bottom of the list.

HR management software for worldwide compliance, payroll, and HR in 150+ countries

  • Free demo available
  • Flat rate user pricing, with free HR tool for businesses
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Rating: 4.8/5

Deel is a cloud-based HR management software that offers solutions for human resources, payroll, and compliance. With Deel, you can easily manage your entire HR operations from one place.

Deel offers many features to help streamline your HR processes. You can use it to track employee leave time and keep accurate records of attendance and performance reviews. It allows you to automate onboarding, offer employee benefits packages, manage training programs and more. With its intuitive interface and easy-to-use dashboard, Deel is ideal for companies of any size or sector who want to ensure efficient HR operations. 

In addition to its powerful features, Deel also provides robust security measures so that all data remains secure at all times.

Features include global payroll, automations, contractor payments, invoice generation, payslips, taxes, accounting software integration, and compliance.

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 to automate and sync data across your HR tech stack.

Deel offers flat rate pricing details upon request, as well as a free demo.

Best for integrated HR and payroll management

  • 90-day free trial + free demo available
  • From $5/employee/month + $99/month base fee
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Rating: 4.1/5

Paycor is a comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) platform that provides businesses with integrated solutions for HR and payroll management.

Paycor stands out for its ability to automate key HR functions, offer insights into workforce management, and simplify compliance, positioning it as a top choice for businesses seeking an integrated approach to managing their human resources and payroll needs.

What makes Paycor different is its focus on automating routine tasks and mitigating compliance risks, which can significantly improve organizational efficiency. I believe Paycor is best suited for integrated HR and payroll management due to its unified platform that simplifies processes, minimizes errors, and delivers real-time data for informed decision-making.

Key features include payroll automation that handles calculations, tax filings, and employee access to financial documents; HR software for managing employee records and compliance; and time & attendance tracking for accurate payroll.

Integrations include HireTech, Emburse Certify, Zillion, Points North, FMLA, Tapcheck, Instant Pay, Sterling, Wageworks, Ignite, and other digital workforce tools.

Paycor costs from $5/employee/month + $99/month base fee. They offer a 90-day free trial + free demo available.

Technologically savvy HR management software with a wide range of tools to support distributed organizations

  • Free demo available
  • From $8/month/user
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Rating: 4.8/5

Rippling has packaged their HR management software into three distinct bundles: Workforce Platform, HR Cloud and IT Cloud. All three of their products operate seamlessly or can be purchased independently, depending on your business needs. Due to their sophisticated IT and global features, their software is well-suited to support distributed workforces.

Rippling’s Workforce Platform offers strong workflow automations and process improvement tools for workforce management, including tools for onboarding & offboarding and document approvals using e-signatures.

Their HR Cloud includes a suite of flexible modules for core HR tasks, including full-service payroll software with time-tracking and benefits administration data automatically synced to payroll to improve productivity and payroll accuracy. They even offer professional employer organization (PEO) services for organizations interested in hiring international talent, including international benefit plans, compliance tracking, and global payroll processing.

Still within their HR Cloud, their talent management and recruitment module features one-click job postings to multiple job boards, an applicant tracking system to organize candidates, and automatic interview scheduling through calendar integrations. To round that all out, their HR Cloud also includes a flexible learning management system (LMS) with 1,000+ pre-built courses and tools to build your own, plus automations to assign, remind and track course completion.

Last but not least, their IT Cloud offering really sets them apart from other traditional HRIS platforms. Within it, they offer advanced device & inventory management features to track, update, lock and wipe devices, manage security threats, and organize software (including purchasing apps and hardware) for new employees. In addition, they have app & identity management tools for password management, software lifecycle management, provisioning & deprovisioning of software licenses, multi-factor authentication, and single sign-on services too.

Rippling has 500+ native integrations available through their App Shop. If needed, you can also set up custom integrations through their API too. They do have two mobile apps as well: “Rippling - Time Clock” for clocking in/out, and “Rippling - Simplify HR & IT” for viewing pay stubs, managing time-off, accessing the employee directory, and managing passwords and apps.

Pricing for Rippling starts at $8/employee/month. You can also request a free demo through their website.

Comprehensive all-in-one HRMS software, well-suited for shift-based, remote and mobile workforces

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $1.50/user/month
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Rating: 4.3/5

Zoho People is a cloud-based human resources management system (HRMS) that aims to simplify HR operations and the employee experience. Their HRMS software covers all the core HR functions you’d expect, including employee data management, recruitment and onboarding, integrated payroll and expense management features, time-off requests, and system-wide HR analytics.

Their employee database software is used in over 45 countries, and scales easily as your organization grows. Even at their lowest pricing level, Zoho People users will benefit from workflow management tools, module-based reports, and “Zia” - their AI bot which answers employee questions across the entire system.

Zoho People works well for businesses with hourly, shift-based, field-based, or remote workforces due to the depth of their attendance tracking, shift-scheduling, and mobile check-in features. Their platform includes geo-fencing capabilities that allow organizations to mark geographic locations (such as field offices or work sites) using GPS points. This improves the accuracy of recorded work hours since it ensures that employees can only check-in for work when they arrive in the work area, and not before. Zoho’s People Kiosk is also a sophisticated version of a traditional punch-clock that uses AI-based facial recognition to track in and out times for remote workers.

Zoho People has native software integrations with a handful of popular software applications, with more accessible through a paid Zapier plan too. They also have a whole suite of custom Zoho apps that work seamlessly with Zoho People as well. In addition, they have a full-feature mobile app for Android and iOS devices as well.

Pricing for Zoho People starts at $1.25/user/month. You can also request a free demo or a 30-day free trial through their website.

Flexible HR tool for managing employee data, including automated workflow tools to increase productivity.

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $2.88/employee/month
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Rating: 4.4/5

Personio’s HR management system offers solutions for workforce management, people data, recruiting, performance management and training, and preliminary payroll. Their recruiting features include the ability to post vacancies to 600 job boards with just a few clicks, plus tools for candidate sourcing and applicant tracking that also link up with onboarding processes.

Their software is well-known for their people workflow automations (PWA) that speed up typical people processes by automating tasks and linking systems together. This includes approval workflows, automated reminders for key tasks, and more.

Personio integrates with 130+ popular software applications available through their Personio Marketplace, including candidate sourcing and applicant tracking systems, and performance and employee engagement systems. They also have an Android and iOS mobile app for absence requests, time tracking, and accessing the company directory & employee profiles.

Pricing for Personio starts at $2.88/employee/month. You can also request a free demo or a 14-day free trial through their website.

Best for its free forever learning hub

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 4.3/5

Kallidus, formerly Sapling, is a people operations platform that has the capacity to automate workflows, from onboarding and upskilling to performance reviews and employee farewells.

The HR software gives you the ability to create automated workflows for talent recruitment and onboarding. You and your team can automatically assign employee workflows based on their employment status, the department they’re assigned to, and their location.

Kallidus also enables HR team members to manage and store employee information and design color-coded organizational charts. End users also have the capability to create their profiles with customizable prompts, which supports the culture that the company is trying to nurture. Some of Kallidus’s key benefits include better decision-making, streamlined people data changes, robust security, and seamless integration. The best part? You and everyone around you can upskill for free thanks to its forever free learning hub.

Kallidus’ HR software offers native integrations with various third-party systems within a company’s existing tech stack, including time-tracking tools, payroll software, and applicant-tracking systems. The software also comes with an API and webhooks, and it integrates with more than 40 different platforms, which includes G Suite, Xero for accounting, TriNet, and 15five for employee performance and engagement.

Pricing is available upon request, and you can request a free demo from their website.

Enterprise-level HCM software with advanced skill assessment capabilities to support talent development

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 4/5

Workday is a human capital management (HCM) system with a broad suite of features. Their wide range of software solutions work seamlessly together, making them well-suited for large or enterprise-level organizations who have a lot of sophisticated workforce and data management needs. Workday’s HCM includes classic modules for managing employee data, time tracking, a paid time-off tracker, administering employee benefits, and payroll processing, including global payroll and pay-on-demand capabilities.

Their talent development suite is also more advanced than many systems, and includes tools for learning & development, performance management, and a skills cloud of 55,000+ skills that uses machine learning to run skill gap analyses and identify opportunities for internal mobility. Other advanced features include customizable process flows with configurable conditional logic settings, and workforce planning and analysis tools that help with strategic growth and succession planning, including “what if” scenarios and flexible organizational charting tools.

Workday also offers advanced reporting and analytics features including data dashboards, scorecards and retention analysis tools. In addition, their compensation management module includes metrics for analyzing diversity and pay equity, and tracks other helpful financial details such as employee rewards & bonuses and executive compensation plans.

Workday comes with 600+ pre-built software integrations with commonly used tools. On the off chance that your programs of choice aren’t already in their list, additional software integrations are available through their custom API. They also have a full-feature mobile app that syncs data in real-time, making it easy to access information from anywhere.

Pricing details for Workday HCM are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo through their website.

HR management software with modern features for performance management, employee recognition and engagement

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 3.9/5

Namely’s HR solution covers the full employee lifecycle from recruiting to retiring. Their simple onboarding process walks new hires through typical HR administrative requirements, which feed into their system’s rich employee profiles. New staff details are automatically delivered to E-Verify to maintain compliance, and employees can use e-signatures to sign off on key forms as they work their way through their orientation paperwork.

Namely also includes integrated payroll and time-tracking modules, with data automatically synced to avoid any need for dual data entry. In addition to their regular payroll processing—which includes garnishment administration, configurable general ledger (GL) exports, and automatic tax calculations—Namely also supports unlimited payroll runs, including off cycle (in-between) payroll runs for unexpected situations. Employee benefits costs are also automatically synced with payroll too, which is a huge time saver for HR team members who’ve been tasked with transferring the data from one system to another.

In addition to their classic employee management features, Namely also includes modern talent management capabilities within their HR system. These include goal alignment and tracking features, continuous feedback mechanisms, and customizable performance review cycles including 360 degree feedback from managers, peers, and employees themselves (self reviews). Namely also tracks employee milestones and promotes employee recognition through public announcements and shout-outs (called @Appreciations).

Users will appreciate Namely’s robust, out-of-the-box analytics and data dashboards that can be used as is, or customized to your business needs, plus tools to create an unlimited number of custom and ad hoc reports. All the classic report templates you can think of are already loaded, including reports for turnover analytics, burnout analysis and DEI tracking.

Namely includes integrations with 65 common HR software solutions, including many applicant tracking systems, single sign-on programs, learning & development platforms, and employee recognition & engagement solutions. They also have an open API that supports additional custom integrations, as well as a mobile app for viewing pay stubs, submitting time off requests, and managing your employee profile.

Pricing details for Namely are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo through their website.

Enterprise-level HR management software suite focused on human experience management.

  • Free trial + free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 3.8/5

SAP SuccessFactors is a human capital management (HCM) software system focused on strategic solutions that help employees reach their full potential, while improving the employee experience. Their platform takes HR processes one step further with their ultimate focus on human experience management (HXM). Their software suite—recently renamed SAP SuccessFactors HXM Suite—is used by more than 218 million people in more than 200 countries around the world.

Their HCM/HXM solution covers four key areas: employee experience management, core HR including integrated payroll processing, talent management, and workforce planning, including HR analytics.

SAP SuccessFactors integrates natively with the whole suite of SAP software applications, and has an API to support additional custom integrations as well. They also have a mobile app for Android and iOS mobile devices to promote employee self-service access.

Pricing details for SAP SuccessFactors are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo through their website.

Modern human resources software with extensive tools for deepening company culture and employee engagement

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Bob (sometimes referred to as “HiBob”) is a human resources information system (HRIS) known for its fun, engaging and social media-like user interface. The depth of the software’s culture building and engagement tools make it a good choice for organizations with distributed or hybrid teams. Bob’s culture building tools including internal clubs of like-minded peers, rich employee profiles where staff can express their gender identity, preferred pronoun, neurodiversity, ethnicity, languages, and hobbies, and system-wide features that make DEI&B (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging) top of mind for management staff. In addition, Bob also includes an extensive library of employee survey templates to measure different types of employee engagement, including anonymous feedback.

Their onboarding process starts new hires off on the right foot, with automated pre-boarding and onboarding flows, shout-outs/welcome messages, and personalized onboarding checklists. From there, employees will appreciate being able to track their time off requests and weekly timesheets right from the same system, with added functions to support remote or hybrid workforces. Bob also acts as a document repository for corporate documents, making it easier to share information among your workforce, with the ability to digitally sign-off on documents whenever needed too.

Bob’s advanced compensation management module tracks base pay, bonuses, equity plans, employee tenure, and employee performance in one place for easy annual salary reviews, including values in multiple currencies - another bonus for distributed workforces. On top of that, their comprehensive performance management module includes other modern elements like 360 degree feedback, regular 1:1 check-ins, actionable goals, and agile performance review cycles. To tie it all together, their system-wide HR analytics include KPI dashboards, proactive insights & trends, attrition indicators, and custom reports.

Bob integrates with 40+ commonly used HR software systems, including applicant tracking systems, e-learning platforms, payroll providers, productivity tools and more. They also have a full-feature mobile app for Android and iOS mobile devices.

Pricing details for Bob are only available upon request. You can also request a free demo or a free trial through their website.

The 10 Best HR Management Software Summary

Tools Price
Deel Flat rate user pricing, with free HR tool for businesses
Paycor From $5/employee/month + $99/month base fee
Rippling From $8/month/user
Zoho People From $1.50/user/month
Personio From $2.88/employee/month
Kallidus Sapling Pricing upon request
Workday Pricing upon request
Namely Pricing upon request
SAP SuccessFactors Pricing upon request
bob Pricing upon request
Preview Image - <h2 class="c-block__title b-summary-table__title c-listicle__title h3" > Compare Software Specs Side by Side</h2>

Compare Software Specs Side by Side

Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.

Compare Software

Other Options

Here are a few more options that didn’t make the cut for the best HR software list. I didn't have room for a full review for each of these but they are still worthy of consideration:

  1. Vault ERP

    Scalable HR management software with add-ons for budgeting, operations, asset management, client management, and more

  2. UKG Pro

    Advanced HCM software with talent management tools and AI-backed employee feedback sentiment analysis

  3. monday.com

    Build flexible & customized HR workflows with detailed task management + automations

  4. BambooHR

    User-friendly HR solution for small and medium businesses with excellent employee self-service and mobile access abilities

  5. IntelliHR

    Sophisticated HR software solution with advanced analytics capabilities and time-saving compliance management features

  6. Factorial

    Complete HR solution with affordable entry-level price perfect for SMBs

  7. Sage HR

    Adaptable HRMS software with unlimited applicant pipelines and an expense management app

  8. Cezanne HR

    Broad HR system with advanced performance management features, well-suited for multinational organizations

  9. Oracle HCM Cloud

    Enterprise-level human capital management system including a digital assistant that helps with employee self-service.

  10. Connecteam

    HR management software for deskless workers, including employee scheduling, time clocking in/out, task management, checklists and forms.

Comparison Criteria

Wondering what I look for when selecting the best HR management systems for this list? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria for comparing apples to apples: 

  1. User Interface (UI): I look for systems with clean, colourful, and visually appealing user interfaces that will ensure a positive experience when staff at all levels use the software.
  1. Usability: I chose systems that are simple and straightforward to use, which don’t require extensive training to be able to complete tasks independently.
  1. Integrations: I always keep an eye out for systems with lots of software integrations as they will have a big impact on improving the overall productivity level of your HR team. The more integrations, the better!
  1. Value for $: While I always prefer HR software with transparent pricing models, sometimes those details are only available upon request due to the modular nature of many systems (i.e., you’ll only pay for the modules you actually want). 

HR Management Software: Key Features

Every apple is different, and the same is true for HR management software too. Yet, no matter which way you slice them, they have some common features too. 

Here’s a short summary of the main features you can expect to find within the best HR software solutions: 

  1. A central employee database: HR management systems act as a single source of employee-related information that link data from rich employee profiles across all modules automatically.
  1. Time off & attendance tracking: Tools for tracking your employee’s work hours, as well as their vacation dates and other absence requests.
  1. Linked benefits administration: A process for linking employee benefit options and costs directly with your core employee and payroll data to cut down on manual or double data entry.
  1. Payroll functions: Integrated payroll capability that automatically pulls data from other key modules, like time tracking and benefits administration modules.

Before we delve into the specifics of each HR management software, you may find it beneficial to read our complete guide on HR software, which provides a holistic view of what to consider.

  1. Performance management tools: System-wide features that support continuous performance-based feedback, including check-ins, 360-degree feedback and goal setting features.
  1. Learning & development features: A built-in system for hosting internal training modules for your staff, to help them grow and develop their skills over time.
  1. Training & compliance tracking: A way to ensure your staff are always up-to-speed on any job-specific training or certifications, including automated tools that track expiry dates.
  1. Recruiting & onboarding tools: A suite of tools that help HR teams post jobs, track and screen candidates, and turn applicants into new employees with links to onboarding processes.
  1. Self-service: The ability for employees to update their own personal information independently without relying heavily on HR staff, often achieved through robust mobile apps.
  1. Reports and analytics: The best HR software should have metrics and analytics baked right into the system, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to dig deeper into your workforce metrics. 

Are There Different Types of HR Management Software?

Yes, you bet there are! There are lots of sub-types of HR management software to choose from. The most common types include:

  • HRIS = human resource information system
  • HCM = human capital management [system]
  • HRMS = human resource management system

You may be wondering, what’s the difference between these systems? Basically, they are synonyms for different levels of HR software that help to streamline common HR tasks. Not surprisingly, as you go higher up in price, you’ll gain more comprehensive features.

different levels of hr software infographic

Typically, an HRIS will cover the core HR functions at the lowest cost, making it a great choice for a small business or startup operation. Another thing to consider when purchasing software is how scalable it is. Many tool providers offer the ability to add more modules over time, which is a budget-friendly way to hold off on paying for fancier features until you actually need them. 

HCM software is also a very popular choice, as it often incorporates payroll along with core HR features. Having payroll data within your HR management system is a big time saver for HR professionals, and I say this based on personal experience. It’s no surprise then, that the HCM software market is big and getting bigger, with an expected value of $33 billion anticipated by 2024! 

Other Resources

I hope this summary of the top-ranking HR management systems helped you get one step closer to finding the software solution you’ve been searching for. 

Since HR management systems cover a lot of ground, you may also want to consider some more niche software systems, if you’re only looking to upgrade one element of your HR process. 

Here are some other suggestions for HR management software with a more specific focus:

You may also want to pop over to our Crozdesk website, where you can dive deeper into 300+ software categories and compare your top choices side-by-side. 

I also recommend subscribing to our free People Managing People newsletter. By joining us for our weekly update, you’ll gain access to our latest content covering all sorts of useful HR-related topics, podcasts, tools, and more. 

By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR Tool Expert & Writer for People Managing People. She draws on her 9 years of human resources experience and her keen eye for systematic processes to support her analyses of the top HR tools on the market. She is passionate about maximizing efficiencies and streamlining workflows to ensure internal systems run smoothly. Kim's HR experience includes recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, policy development and enforcement, and HR analytics. She also has degrees in psychology, writing, publishing, and technical communication, and recently completed a Certified Digital HR Specialist program through the Academy to Innovate HR. When away from her desk, she can usually be found outside tending to her ever-expanding garden.