Personio Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing
Personio is a HRMS that simplifies HR processes for small to medium-sized businesses. It best serves industries like tech startups and service-based companies needing streamlined employee management. Personio offers real value by reducing admin workload, ensuring compliance, and improving team efficiency.
In this article, you'll find a thorough review of Personio's features, pros and cons, best and worst use cases, and pricing. As an HR Manager, you'll see how Personio aligns with your goals of creating a more organized and efficient workplace.
Personio Evaluation Summary

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Why Trust Our Software Reviews
Personio Overview
In my opinion, Personio stands out as a robust HRMS platform for small to medium-sized businesses, particularly in Europe. Its comprehensive HR management capabilities, from recruitment to payroll, make it a reliable choice. Users appreciate the intuitive interface and effective time tracking features. However, the software could improve in areas like pricing transparency and reporting functionalities. It's best suited for businesses that value strong employee management tools and are willing to navigate a slightly steep learning curve to fully leverage its capabilities.
pros
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Ensures compliance with European HR regulations.
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You can manage payroll and time tracking efficiently.
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Simplifies HR tasks with an intuitive interface.
cons
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Customization options are limited compared to some competitors.
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Some users find the learning curve steep at the start.
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Reporting features could be more robust for advanced analytics.
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Rippling
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8 -
Paylocity
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.5 -
Willo
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.8
How We Test & Score Our Tools
We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (25% of final score)
The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.
Standout Features (25% of final score)
Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Ease of Use (10% of final score)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final score)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final score)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Customer Reviews (10% of final score)
Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final score)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.
Core Features
Core Features
Employee Management: Personio lets you handle all employee data in one place. This makes it easy for your team to access and update information as needed.
Payroll Processing: You can automate payroll calculations, ensuring accuracy and saving time. It's particularly useful for European compliance.
Time Tracking: Personio's time tracking helps your team log hours effortlessly. It's integrated with payroll, so you don't have to manually input data.
Recruitment: Manage job postings and candidate tracking from start to finish. It streamlines your hiring process, saving your team valuable time.
Performance Management: Set goals and track employee performance in one system. This helps your team align personal goals with company objectives.
Leave Management: Employees can request leave, and managers can approve it online. This simplifies the approval process and reduces paperwork.

Ease of Use
Personio is user-friendly, thanks to its intuitive interface that allows your team to navigate easily. Even those new to HR software will find it straightforward to manage employee data and processes.
The clear layout and logical organization make tasks like payroll and time tracking simple. While there’s a slight learning curve initially, most users quickly adapt and appreciate the streamlined experience. This ease of use sets it apart from many other HRMS solutions.

Personio Specs
- 2-Factor Authentication
- API
- Application Tracking
- Attendance Tracking
- Batch Permissions & Access
- Compliance Tracking
- Dashboard
- Data Export
- Data Import
- Data Visualization
- Employee Database
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Incentive Management
- Employee Onboarding
- Employee Training
- Expense Tracking
- External Integrations
- Feedback Management
- Multi-User
- Notifications
- Payroll
- Scheduling
- Self-service Portal
- Timesheets
- Travel Management
- Vacation & Absence Calendar
Personio FAQs
How does Personio handle data security and compliance?
Can I customize Personio to fit my HR processes?
How easy is it to migrate existing HR data to Personio?
What kind of support does Personio offer after implementation?
How does Personio help with employee performance management?
Is Personio suitable for remote teams?
How does Personio assist with recruitment and onboarding?
Can Personio handle international HR management?
What's Next?
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