The Best HCM Solutions List
Here’s a shortlist of the HCM platforms that made my top 10 list, with detailed summaries below:
Human capital management software (HCM software) can be a game-changer for your organization. They're built to help you manage your greatest asset — your human capital (a.k.a. your employees) — with ease.
In this article, I'll walk you through the best HCM software solutions on the market today. I'll highlight the key features of each system to help you make the best choice for your budget and business needs.
If you have general questions about how HCM software works, pop down to my FAQ section below. Or, if you'd like to know how I built this list, see How I Selected the Best HCM Software below. Otherwise, let's dive right into the details.
What is HCM Software?
HCM software is a type of HR software solution that acts as a framework for HCM processes. They act as a single source of truth for all your employee data, with integrated modules that reduce the burden of data entry for HR teams.
With all your employee data digitized, it will be easier for your HR professionals to stay up-to-date on any employee changes. Beyond that, HCM solutions also offer advanced metrics that can help you identify top talent. This can help your team with important decision-making initiatives, such as compensation, promotions, and succession planning.
Overviews of the 10 Best HCM Software
Here’s a brief description of each HCM software that's featured on this list. I've highlighted each system's noteworthy features and included a screenshot for each to show you their user interface too.
Deel
Best integrated HR management for global teams
Deel is a highly advanced HCM system that enables powerful, integrated HR functionalities for an international workforce.
Deel has a clean web interface, making it easy for users to navigate and find what they need. It’s easy for both employers and workers to manage tasks through the self-serve interface. 24/7 support is also available to ensure that users have assistance whenever they need it.
In terms of features, Deel offers advanced management capabilities that are compatible with over 150 countries. Its global-first design lets managers see full worker details for their entire workforce, which is great for getting a true overview of payroll costs and workforce capacity. Deel covers international payroll, PTO tracking, benefits administration, engagement tools like pulse surveys, and ongoing global compliance.
Deel also excels in analysis and reporting, offering customizable reporting features that can deliver actionable insights. It also allows employees to access self-service features, including the ability to update and view their own information, such as pay stubs and contact details.
Deel has an extensive integrations feature, so it’s easy to integrate with other tools your company may already be using for finance or accounting purposes. It offers pre-built integrations to make it easy to connect data sources, or you can build your own integrations using the Deel API. Key native integrations include Ashby, BambooHR, Expensify, Greenhouse, Hibob, Netsuite, Okta, OneLogin, Quickbooks, SCIM, Xero, Workday, and Workable.
Overall, Deel offers great value for its price as a comprehensive and effective solution for all HR management needs. It offers clear, simple per-user pricing with no hidden fees or extensive contracts.
Eddy
Best HCM software to simplify customized onboarding
Eddy is an all-in-one HR Suite built for local businesses that streamlines tedious HR processes and improves the employee experience. Founded in 2017 by former professional basketball player turned entrepreneur, Travis Hansen, Eddy has grown rapidly due to its simple but powerful product, highly-rated customer service, and focus on local businesses with deskless workforces.
With Eddy, businesses can hire, onboard, manage, and pay employees with one easy-to-use software. Key features include job posting management, tracking incoming candidates, and a full-scale applicant tracking system (ATS). Their onboarding system lets HR managers create custom onboarding packages, assign tasks, and easily collect digital signatures.
A core function of Eddy is people management—users can access company directories and store important employee documents, add notes on employee performance, and track training and certifications in employee profiles. You can also create custom paid time-off (PTO) policies and approve or deny requests; tap into their time tracking tool, which allows employees to easily clock-in and clock-out; and navigate payroll processes using Eddy’s in-house, full-service system that includes support for multiple pay periods and end-of-year W-2 preparation, filing, and distribution.
Oracle HCM Cloud
Best HCM software for AI and machine learning insights
You have probably heard of Oracle, as they are a big name in the software business. Oracle HCM Cloud is their answer to a complete HR solution to engage your workforce and optimize operations that include workforce modeling, an HR help desk, and talent acquisition.
Oracle Integration and Oracle SOA Suite can integrate any SaaS or on-premise HCM application. In addition to application adapters, Oracle offers many other integration options including technology adapters for REST, SOAP, LDAP, FTP, and file-based access. Thus, they scored highly in the Integrations section of the evaluation.
One con to note is that their payroll solutions are supported only for a limited number of countries, which may prove challenging if you have remote workers around the world.
eXo Platform
Best HCM system for employee engagement and internal knowledge management
eXo Platform is an all-in-one digital workplace solution that helps you connect, align, and engage your teams around a single interface. It is designed to fit the needs of enterprises of all sizes and industries that are looking to improve the company and peer-to-peer communication, boost collaboration, and manage company knowledge.
eXo Platform has a rich set of features to improve the working experience, including enterprise social networking features such as user profiles, activity streams, and more. Users can easily navigate through the platform and interact with their peers through a built-in chat application and the ability to like, comment on, and share various pieces of content.
Collaborative groups allow users to communicate, collaborate on projects, and easily find what they are looking for. Document management features allow users to share content easily through drag-and-drop, organize content in rich document libraries, and share information with the click of a button in the activity stream or the chat application.
eXo Platform has a number of integrations with third-party applications including Salesforce, Microsoft Office, and Google Suite. Built-in add-ons include eXo Wallet, gamification, kudos, chat, and more.
Sage People
Best HCM software for advanced people analytics
Over 10 years, the Sage Business Cloud People system has grown into a respected and progressive company operating in the HR management software sector with a full suite of people analytics tools. Sage People is the #1 rated HR and People management system according to Salesforce.
Sage People excels in quick implementation, out-of-the-box automations, and streamlined and flexible reporting features. Additionally, if you check out their workforce engagement tools, you are bound to find something you love.
Sage People lost a few marks in the UX section of the evaluation criteria. An analysis of organization and navigation finds the tool lacking here and there, as the design feels a bit outdated and could use some modernization or fine-tuning.
Workday
Best HCM software for user experience and user interface design
Used by Airbnb and Netflix, Workday HCM is a solution for all things finance, human resources, and capital management planning. They were named a leader for 4 years in a row as a part of the “Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites for 1,000+ Employee Enterprises” report.
Workday, as a newer platform on the market, absolutely nailed the user interface with a clean, modern, and intuitive layout on both the web browser version and the mobile app. This scored them favorably in the UI category of the evaluation criteria.
A few negative points of the software are 1) interacting with equity data (note: vesting data in particular) was rather weak and 2) the business processes may come across as a bit disconnected for some users, depending on their experience level with this type of tool.
UZIO
Best HCM software for managing employee benefits
UZIO HRIS solution is an all-in-one platform that’s best for small and medium sized businesses and comes with employee onboarding features, HR automation, time off tracking, and allows for easy PTO approvals by schedule managers. UZIO ensures federal and state law compliance and accounts for any year-over-year changes in this regard. UZIO lets you pick and choose what tool you need so you only pay for what you actually use.
UZIO’s all-in-one package is probably the most bang for your buck ($10/month/employee + $30/month flat rate) and it encompasses all your human capital management basics: onboarding, offboarding, benefits syncing, payroll tax management, garnishments, time tracking, and ACA compliance.
One thing to note is that UZIO HRIS is only available for use within the US.
SAP SuccessFactors
Best HCM software company for their scalability of add-ons
SAP was founded in 1972 in Walldorf, Germany and now has offices around the world. SAP stands for “Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing” and SuccessFactors is one of their many enterprise-grade solutions for employee management and administration.
SAP SuccessFactors has great flexibility in pricing, as you can add or subtract tools as needed. A very basic plan will cost you under $10 per user per month and you can easily scale upwards from there. This scored them well in the Value for Cost evaluation section.
One con to note is that training can involve quite a bit of work on this software, as it has a lot of nooks and crannies to explore. The learning curve may be a bit steep for some, even if the payoff is worth it.
Viventium
Best HCM software for health services professionals
From applicant tracking to onboarding, to time & attendance to payroll, to business intelligence to human resources–Viventium provides intuitive software to make it easier to engage your team. Viventium was named a high performer in G2′s Fall 2019 “Best Payroll Software Report.”
This software has a user-friendly interface and real-time updates that capture every change or addition. The customer service is attentive and training materials are robust enough to answer most questions. This all accounted for their high evaluation in the Usability category.
One downside of this tool is that reporting is not as flexible as it could be and more modification options would be welcome. The filters for different reports can be a bit cumbersome to manage.
PeopleGuru
Best HCM system for mid-market, US-based organizations
PeopleGuru is an all-in-one HCM system designed to help mid-market organizations manage their entire employee lifecycle efficiently. Their HCM solution is comprehensive, with integrated functions for core HR data, payroll, time & labor, talent management, and more.
Using PeopleGuru's recruiting tools, high-growth companies can attract, retain, and engage their people, while driving efficiency within their HR operations. Other features include a learning management system, social engagement tools, a health check feature, and modules for scheduling, onboarding, performance, and compensation.
Each PeopleGuru client receives a dedicated account management team focused on helping them achieve their business objectives. PeopleGuru is available for US-based companies only, though they can accommodate US companies with Canadian employees too.
Need Expert Help Selecting The Right HCM Software?
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The 10 Best HCM Software Systems Comparison Chart
Here’s a comparison chart that summarizes basic details about each of my top HCM software selections. You can view pricing details and the availability of free trials or demos side-by-side to help you find the best HCM software solution for your budget.
Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Deel Best integrated HR management for global teams | Free demo available | Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people | Visit Website |
2 | Eddy Best HCM software to simplify customized onboarding | Free demo available | From $8/employee/month + a $49 base fee/month | Visit Website |
3 | Oracle HCM Cloud Best HCM software for AI and machine learning insights | Free demo available | From $13/user/month for a minimum of 1000 employees | Visit Website |
4 | eXo Platform Best HCM system for employee engagement and internal knowledge management | Free demo available | From $5/user/month | Visit Website |
5 | Sage People Best HCM software for advanced people analytics | Free demo available | From $10/user/month | Visit Website |
6 | Workday Best HCM software for user experience and user interface design | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
7 | UZIO Best HCM software for managing employee benefits | 30-day free trial | From $4/month/employee | Visit Website |
8 | SAP SuccessFactors Best HCM software company for their scalability of add-ons | Free trial available | From $2.18/user and has software packages starting from $1000+/package | Visit Website |
9 | Viventium Best HCM software for health services professionals | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
10 | PeopleGuru Best HCM system for mid-market, US-based organizations | Free demo available | Price upon request | Visit Website |
Other Human Capital Management Solutions To Try
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best HCM software list. If you need additional suggestions for handy HCM software, check these out:
- Rippling
Best all-in-one HCM software for small businesses
- ADP Workforce Now
Best HCM software for integrating with other HR software systems
- Paycor
Best HCM software for managing employee retention
- SyncHR
Best HCM software for customizing human resource management processes
- Zoho Recruit
Best HCM software for a combined talent acquisition and application tracking system
- Ceridian Dayforce
Best cloud-based human capital management software for HR service delivery
- BambooHR
Best HCM software for simplifying your employee lifecycle and building company culture
- Workforcethrive HCM
Best HCM software for integrated benefits management
- UKG Pro
Best HCM software with advanced talent management tools and AI-backed employee feedback sentiment analysis
- Purley HR
Best HCM system for performance management and professional development initiatives
Selection Criteria for HCM Software
I'm happy to explain my software selection process if you'd like to know how I created this list.
I started out by creating a long list of the top-ranking HCM systems based on user ratings and market share data. I then assessed each HCM vendor's website in fine detail to ensure their software covered all the basic features and modules an HR department would need.
Next, I dug into the core functionalities and key features below to sharpen my selections even further. Using the details below as a standardized framework for comparison allowed me to really analyze how each system compared to the others.
I also drew on my nine years of previous experience using an HCM software solution on a daily basis. And, for the record, that experience included the entire software implementation and user onboarding process as well.
Core Functionality
To assess the core functionalities of each HCM system, I asked myself the following questions:
- User Interface (UI): Is it clean and attractive? Are the modules and menus easy to navigate? How does the UI for the employee self-service portion look?
- Usability: Is it user-friendly, and easy to learn and master? What is the user experience like? Does the company offer good tech support, user support, tutorials, and training?
- Software Integrations: Is it easy to connect with other HR systems? Are there any pre-built software integrations or an API to support custom tool connections?
- Value for Price: How appropriate is the price for the features, capabilities, and use case? Is pricing clear, transparent, and flexible? Do they offer a freemium plan, a free trial, or a free demo?
Key Features
Here's a summary of the core features you can expect to find within the best HCM systems:
- Robust Employee Profiles - The crux of every HCM system is the data, so you want a system with robust employee records that include fields you can customize for your own unique business needs. Any changes to your employee data should also populate across all system modules in real-time, so everyone on your HR team is always accessing up-to-date information.
- Advanced Payroll Management Features – The best systems can handle payroll processing, including automated deductions and compliance monitoring. More advanced systems can even handle global payroll across multiple currencies for international workforces too.
- Benefits Management - An integrated module for benefits administration is helpful since it will sync monthly health plan charges directly to payroll. This helps reduce manual data entry and eliminates the possibility of errors.
- Recruitment & Onboarding – This includes tools to help attract new candidates, and automated workflows to get them up-to-speed on their new position once they start.
- Performance & Evaluation – Full-feature HCM systems should offer modern performance management features in addition to standard performance reviews. This includes features like 360-degree performance reviews, continuous feedback, and tools for measuring employee morale, motivation, engagement, and productivity.
- Analysis & Reporting – One of the biggest benefits of digital HR systems is the built-in reporting & analytics capabilities. HCM systems should include customizable reporting features that deliver actionable insights, making decision-making easier for all involved.
- Employee Self-service – The software should allow employees to view and update their own employee information, as needed. This includes contact details, emergency contacts, shift schedules, pay stubs, and more.
HCM Software: FAQ
Do you have general questions about human capital management and how it works? These answers to frequently asked questions are a good place to start:
What is HCM?
What does HCM software do?
What's the difference between an HRIS, HCM and HRMS?
Other Resources for Managing Your Human Capital
Looking for some other ways you can manage your human capital like a pro? Here are some links to other types of top-rated software to save you some time:
- Workforce Planning Software for Executive Teams
- Remote Employee Monitoring Software Systems
- Succession Planning Software to Develop Future Leaders
- Workforce Management Software
- Strategic Planning Software for Planning Ahead
- Training Management Software for Skill Building
- Best ERP Software (+Free ERP Options)
- Staffing Software for Recruiting & Staffing
- Performance Management Tools Every HR Pro Should Know
- HRIS Systems for Employee Data Management
- HR Management Software for Core HR Tasks
What Do You Think About This HCM Software?
Are there any human capital management tools that you think we have missed but should be on this list? Let us know in the comments. And subscribe to the People Managing People newsletter for more tools and tips!