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10 Best HRMS For Small Business In 2023

The Best HRMS For Small Business

Here’s the list of the best HRMS for small business that I’ll cover in this article.

  1. 1. Trinet — Best for its robust mobile app
  2. 2. Deel — Best free all-in-one HRMS for small businesses
  3. 3. monday.com — Speed up your recruitment with a flexible all-in-one solution
  4. 4. Eddy — Stay on top of your company data with a detailed employee directory
  5. 5. Justworks — Best for small businesses starting an HR team
  6. 6. Freshteam — Empower your workforce with paperless employee self-service options
  7. 7. Breezy HR — Attract the right candidates with an end-to-end applicant tracking system
  8. 8. ZenHR — Improve employee experience with a mobile app for attendance tracking
  9. 9. Qandle — Create company policies with a flexible HR software
  10. 10. WorkforceHub — Track your team’s activity with a simple solution

Many small businesses don’t worry about HR until it’s too late. They manage to get by using spreadsheets or paper files to keep track of their human resources and payroll. 

But the problem with this basic management system is that it doesn’t offer any insights into your team’s performance, employee satisfaction, and employee lifecycle. Instead of relying on data to make smart business decisions, you guess your way to a more profitable organization.

Human resources management systems (HRMS) help small business owners with recruiting, onboarding, performance tracking, compensation, employee development, and succession planning. They collect and interpret data from a variety of sources, and provide all the information you need to make calculated business decisions. 

Read my review to discover the best HRMS for small business in 2022. My review includes a short description of each solution that made the list, screenshots, as well as a comparison chart outlining the differences between the solutions so you can determine which would be a good addition to your company. 

Comparison Criteria

What do I look for when I select the best HRMS for small business? Here’s a summary of my evaluation criteria: 

  1. User Interface (UI): I look for solutions that offer a clean interface. You shouldn’t go through a series of unnecessary steps to access the right HR functions. 
  2. Usability: I look for tools that are easy to use. You should be able to understand how the software works after going over the tool’s documentation or watching a series of training videos. 
  3. Integrations: I look for software that integrates with your existing solutions so you’ll be able to simplify your work processes. 
  4. Value for $: I look for tools that help you achieve a variety of HR goals, so you get the most out of your investment.

HRMS For Small Business Key Features

  1. Payroll management: The solution should help you manage the payroll process, so you can focus on other aspects of your business.
  2. Employee management: The tool should enable you and your team to forecast and manage workload, handle benefits, and schedule PTO in a self-service portal. 
  3. Employee performance tracking: The software should enable you to identify top performers in your organization so you can reward them accordingly. 
  4. Talent management: The solution should create a database for all your employee-related data and help with applicant tracking and employee onboarding. 

Overviews Of The 10 Best HRMS For Small Business

Here’s a brief description of each HRMS for small business to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.

1

Trinet

Best for its robust mobile app

TriNet is a cloud-based HR technology platform that offers a suite of HR solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. It covers everything from payroll and benefits administration to compliance and risk management.

It's great for companies that are growing and need an all-in-one solution to manage their HR processes efficiently. It also has a user-friendly interface and robust feature set. What sets TriNet apart from other HRMS tools is its focus on compliance and risk management. The platform includes a team of HR professionals who stay up to date on the latest regulations and can help businesses navigate complex HR issues. This added layer of support is invaluable for small businesses that may not have a dedicated HR department.

Its standout features include payroll processing, benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, HR compliance, onboarding and offboarding, performance management and an employee self-service portal.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, BambooHR, Lattice, Greenhouse Software, Carta, and Xero. This makes it easy to connect your HR data with other systems you may be using.

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

2

Deel

Best free all-in-one HRMS for small businesses

Deel is a global HRMS solution designed for businesses of all sizes. Deel’s HR tools are completely free for small businesses, so it’s a powerful platform to manage additional help from anywhere in the world.

The Deel platform has a clean and straightforward user interface that makes it easy to manage employees and contractors without having to juggle several tools. Features include contract and stock option management, expense reimbursements, and compliance tracking. In addition, their automated onboarding with compliance document collection is a great time saver. 

Employees and contractors can self-manage their pay and personal data, which reduces admin load. The platform provides a polished and consistent payment experience, making it easy to update their own data and set up withdrawals.

Deel has positive online reviews from clients and their workers. The company offers 24/7 online chat support.

Deel integrates with a handful of popular HR and accounting software systems, including Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, SCIM, Xero, Workday, and Workable.

Deel’s HR management tools are free for businesses with under 200 workers. They offer flat rate pricing for their hiring and payroll services, so you can simply scale up or down depending on your situation. You can request a free demo through their website to discuss your hiring needs.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 679

Free demo available

Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people

3

monday.com

Speed up your recruitment with a flexible all-in-one solution

monday is a flexible cloud-based platform you can configure to work as an HRMS software. The platform comes with 200+ HR-related templates and adaptable dashboards. With monday, you can set up employee management processes, applicant and performance tracking systems, recruitment and onboarding roadmaps, and payroll automation.

One of the great things about monday is that you can customize it to your specific business needs. The platform’s automation features are fantastic, allowing you to connect different elements in order to create complex processes.

When properly configured as an HRMS, monday excels at tracking and managing your hiring process. You can segment the applicants into different categories, assign recruiters, send out candidate surveys, and break down referral sources.

monday integrates with a wide variety of apps, including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Zoom, Google Drive, LinkedIn, Zapier, and more.

monday costs from $8/user/month. The platform offers a free 14-day trial. You can also access a free-forever plan for up to two users.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7 8065

14-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats)

4

Eddy

Stay on top of your company data with a detailed employee directory

Eddy is an HR software that’s great for performance management. The tool acts as a database for your employee records and makes it easy to track employee engagement, run payroll and create standardized HR processes.

This human resources information system (HRIS) stands out from its competition thanks to its ease of use. Its interface is customizable and easy to navigate, and your team members should be able to learn how to use all of the tool’s features after a brief training period.

With Eddy, you can create a company directory rich with employee data, track billable time, manage time off, and store documents. The platform provides access to HR training materials and educational content, so your HR professionals can learn how to create onboarding, training, and people management processes.

Eddy integrates with a variety of tools, including QuickBooks, HelloSign, and Indeed.

Eddy costs from $8/user/month. The company offers a live demo.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.8 15

Free demo available

From $8/employee/month + a $49 base fee/month

5

Justworks

Best for small businesses starting an HR team

Justworks is a payroll, benefits, and compliance HR software that has services to support small businesses run a human resources operation.

Its user-friendly interface allows you to easily manage payroll, access employee benefits packages, and track compliance throughout the organization. This tool is particularly useful to small businesses because of the HR support services it offers. As an SMB, you sometimes lack the bodies to execute everything you want. Justworks has a 24-hour full-service support that helps you navigate your HR-related questions. Additionally, they take on the heavy lift of paying your payroll taxes for you.

Justworks also lets your employees enroll in benefit packages of your choosing without messy paperwork. Regarding payroll, you can onboard employees through the platform, letting them set up direct deposit and review company policies in minutes. Once they are set up, the system will notify them every time they get paid.

Features include payroll for salaries and hourly employees, off-cycle payments, 24/7 support, PTO management, online employee onboarding, mobile app for employees, and harassment prevention & inclusion trainings.

Integrations include 15Five, Accurate Background, Bench, Checkr, Culture Amp, Expensify, Found, JazzHR, Lattice, Pilot, Remote, Teampay, Velocity Global, and Zip Recruiter.

Free demo available

From $59/user/month

6

Freshteam

Empower your workforce with paperless employee self-service options

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.

Freshteam costs from $1.20/user/month. A 21-day free trial is also available.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 181

21-day free trial

From $1.20/user/month + $71/month base fee

7

Breezy HR

Attract the right candidates with an end-to-end applicant tracking system

Breezy HR is one of the best HR software solutions for startups and SaaS businesses that want to attract top candidates. The platform gives you actionable insight into how well your job postings are doing and enables you to identify the ideal recruiting channels for your business.

The tool has a great layout, making it easy to organize your work. You can track different job postings on your dashboard and use the app’s communication features to discuss each application you receive with your team.

The highlight of using Breezy is that it enables you to increase your volume of job applicants without adding to your workload. You can track your candidates visually, so you can get back to them without combing through spreadsheets for their contact information. The scorecard feature allows you to rank interviewees, making it easy to create candidate shortlists.

Breezy HR integrates with multiple solutions, including Zenefits, Indeed, Checkr, Google Calendar, Office 365 Calendar, Outlook, BambooHR, Rippling, Zoom, and others.

Breezy HR costs from $143/month. You can also access a free-forever version with limited functionalities.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5 416

14-day free trial

From $143/month

8

ZenHR

Improve employee experience with a mobile app for attendance tracking

ZenHR is a human capital management (HCM) platform that features a great employee self-service portal. The solution offers a mobile app version for Android and iOS devices, so your team members can clock in and out of work, check their leave balance, request time off, and store their payment slips.

Besides its time-tracking features, ZenHR also offers a configurable benefits management and payroll module. Once you set it up, the payroll process automatically calculates salaries, deductions, taxes, and social security. You can set up an additional pay structure for overtime, but you can also compensate for overtime with extra time off.

ZenHR has open APIs, so you can integrate it with other could-based solutions.

ZenHR offers customized pricing upon request. You can try out the platform for free for 14 days. The platform offers a live demo.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6 44

14-day free trial

Pricing upon request

9

Qandle

Create company policies with a flexible HR software

Qandle is an up-and-coming HR management software that features a strong employee self-service portal. The platform has a clean interface and is simple to use, so your team should be able to access all of its functions without training.

One of the things that make Qandle stand out is its flexibility. You can create company policies for minimum hours or late employees, facilitate mobile clock-ins for field employees with geo-fencing or geo-tagging attendance, and get real-time notifications about policy breaches.

The platform’s dashboard enables managers to review employee performance, schedule leaves, plan team activities, and create custom notifications.

Qandle enables you to link to various platforms with API integrations.

Qandle costs $38/company/month plus from $4.5 per employee/month. The company offers a free 14-day trial and a live demo.

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
5 1

14-day free trial

From $38/company/month plus from $4.5 per employee/month

10

WorkforceHub

Track your team’s activity with a simple solution

WorkforceHub is an HR software that helps small businesses with time tracking, benefits administration, paid time off management, and tax compliance. The solution has a simple interface and comes with a mobile app your team can use to clock in and out of work.

Even though WorkforceHub offers multiple HR features, it’s great at simplifying your workforce management. The tool makes it easy to track your employees’ performance, availability, and location, so you are always on top of what’s happening in your organization.

WorkforceHub integrates with Gusto, QuickBooks, Apex, Rippling, BambooHR, MPay, and more.

WorkforceHub costs from $4/employee/month. It also offers a free live demo.

Free live demo

From $4/employee/month

Need Expert Help Selecting The Right Human Resources (HR) Software?

We’ve joined up with Crozdesk.com to give all our readers (yes, you!) access to Crozdesk’s software advisors. Just use the form below to share your needs, and they will contact you at no cost or commitment. You will then be matched and connected to a shortlist of vendors that best fit your company, and you can access exclusive software discounts!

The 10 Best HRMS For Small Business Summary

Tool Free Option Price
1
Trinet

Best for its robust mobile app

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Visit Website
2
Deel

Best free all-in-one HRMS for small businesses

Free demo available

Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people Visit Website
3
monday.com

Speed up your recruitment with a flexible all-in-one solution

14-day free trial + freemium plan available

From $8/user/month (billed annually, min 3 seats) Visit Website
4
Eddy

Stay on top of your company data with a detailed employee directory

Free demo available

From $8/employee/month + a $49 base fee/month Visit Website
5
Justworks

Best for small businesses starting an HR team

Free demo available

From $59/user/month Visit Website
6
Freshteam

Empower your workforce with paperless employee self-service options

21-day free trial

From $1.20/user/month + $71/month base fee Visit Website
7
Breezy HR

Attract the right candidates with an end-to-end applicant tracking system

14-day free trial

From $143/month Visit Website
8
ZenHR

Improve employee experience with a mobile app for attendance tracking

14-day free trial

Pricing upon request Visit Website
9
Qandle

Create company policies with a flexible HR software

14-day free trial

From $38/company/month plus from $4.5 per employee/month Visit Website
10
WorkforceHub

Track your team’s activity with a simple solution

Free live demo

From $4/employee/month Visit Website

Other Options

Here’s a few more that didn’t make the top list.

  1. Rippling

    Best HRMS for small businesses needing support with HR, payroll, IT and benefits

  2. BambooHR

    Improve your HR initiatives with automation and simplified workflows

  3. eloomi

    Cultivate your team’s skills with dedicated learning packages

  4. Sage HR

    Best for planning shifts and handling timesheets

  5. Kallidus Sapling

    Simplify your work with standardized processes for every HR task

  6. Paycor

    Robust human capital management with an intuitive self-service portal

  7. Remofirst

    Best HRMS for outsourcing core HR functions to support growing international teams

  8. Rise

    Manage your workforce effectively with an intuitive HRMS solution

  9. HR Cloud

    Make the onboarding process easier with automation features

  10. Insperity

    Best comprehensive and user-friendly HRMS software for small businesses

Related Read: 10 Best Employee Evaluation Software For Performance Reviews & Recognition

Help Your Small Business Grow With HRMS Solutions

Growing a small business is complicated because there are a lot of things owners have to look out for. But HRMS solutions make the process easier. Many of them help you automate repetitive HR tasks, so you can focus on other aspects of your business. And they help you save time with recruiting, talent management, onboarding, and workforce management. 

But most importantly, HRMS software can help you and your team understand how to grow.  Mary Karamanos, Senior Vice President, Human Resources at BDC, said “A common mistake that growing companies make is not taking enough time to plan their HR needs. […] The good news is small businesses often attract top employees because they can often offer challenging responsibilities, good learning opportunities, and personal growth.” 

You can read more about human resources management systems on our blog. If you want to get tips on how to improve your small business with the help of HR, subscribe to the People Managing People newsletter

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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. When away from her desk, she can usually be found outside tending to her ever-expanding garden.