10+ Best Free HR Software for Startups & SMBs in 2025

Deel has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. The 24/7 chat feature is helpful whenever I have questions. Creating background checks through Deel is straightforward.

We purchased Deel in the spring of 2024. Our company was expanding its contractor base and needed payroll software to streamline the process. Our goals included simplifying contractor onboarding and payment while allowing contractors to upload their timesheets.

We needed a platform that could support these tasks, answer questions along the way, and assist with tax filing. We used Deel for about two months before deciding to switch to a different platform.

I’m not a fan of the pricing model, as it charges for all contractors added, even if they haven’t been paid. It feels as though there is a fee associated with nearly every action. Contractors also often seem confused when uploading their timesheets.

I appreciate Deel’s customer service, especially the 24/7 chat feature. Other tools require calling during business hours, which can be inconvenient.

I suggest prioritizing ease of use, price, and potential hidden costs. Ask whether the tool charges for customer service inquiries, monthly fees, and how pricing is structured for each contractor or employee. Personally, I prefer not to pay for a contractor I haven’t actually paid yet.

The home page and navigation were recently updated and look improved, though I don’t find this to be a significant change.

Deel is suitable for established small businesses.

It makes it easy to sign in anywhere. It is easy to track how many hours you worked. It is easy to guide through the website/app.

I used Homebase for about 3 years. One of the main reasons our company bought Homebase was because everyone kept forgetting to clock-in through a machine at work so our company wanted to make clock-ins more convenient. I liked it when we transitioned to it, we were able to clock-in whether we were in office or remote. It helped track everyone's work time accurately. It also sent in our hours to payroll according to the scheduled pay time.

Sometimes people still forget to clock in with the app. When I used it about 2 years ago, I wish it sent us notifications to remind us to clock-in or out. The platform does go down sometimes.

I like Homebase because it is made for everyone to use. It is extremely easy to navigate Homebase.

I have more pros than cons for Homebase. I highly suggest the platform. It is organized and easy to navigate.

It is easier for managers or bosses to manage employee hours through the dashboard. It has more visibility on who is on time and who is late.

Medical offices, small organizations, remote workers

Scheduling is clear and easy to understand. Communication between umpires has improved. The knowledge area is helpful for storing rule books and other documents.

I purchased Connecteam for a client. The client is a regional softball umpire organization affiliated with USA Softball and local recreational organizations. The scheduler was creating handwritten schedules for 100 umpires and more than 500 games per season (across three seasons).

After manually creating the schedules, he would text pictures of them to the umpires. Mistakes often occurred, and the process was time-consuming and prone to error. Connecteam helped streamline scheduling and communication.

Connecteam refers to all users as "employees" with no option to change that label, which is not accurate for independent contractors like umpires. It would be helpful to have a way to customize role terminology. I found the scheduling feature easy to use, but the umpire in charge had some difficulty with it initially.

I have not used other tools like Connecteam. I reviewed several options before selecting Connecteam and chose it because it offered a free plan for the first 30 users, which allowed us to test the tool before committing.

Make a list of the specific features you need before committing. Connecteam charges additional fees for some modules, so it can end up costing more than expected if you do not review the pricing details. Understanding what’s included in each tier is important to avoid unexpected costs.

I have only used Connecteam for 1.5 years, so I’m unsure of changes.

Connecteam is ideal for groups with offsite or field-based workers who need schedules and may need to clock in at job sites.

1. Zoho People helped us manage all employee data in a single location and made it easier to track employee records.
2. Zoho People has features for employee self-service, performance tracking, and goal setting, which have helped our employees stay engaged and motivated in their work.
3. Zoho People automates a lot of HR processes we used to do manually including attendance tracking, leave management, and payroll processing.

There are many reasons why my organization chose Zoho People: it has customizable features, it’s easy to use, and also cost-effective. It helped us to improve our HR operations and create a more engaged and efficient workforce. I must say Zoho People is worth buying as it streamlines all HR processes. I have been using the tool for 8 months.

1. Zoho People could benefit from a more intuitive interface to make it easier to use.
2. While Zoho People does have a strong mobile app, there’s room for improvement in functionality and speed.
3. Zoho People does offer online documentation and support but it doesn’t cover everything so we do end up reaching out to the support team now and then.

While there are several competitors in the HR software space, Zoho People has several advantages that set it apart from the competition in my opinion.

1. Zoho People integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps, such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, and Zoho Books, which is great if you happen to use their other products too, and can keep virtually all of your employees on a single platform.
2. It is competitively priced and quite affordable for businesses of all sizes.

If anyone wants to buy a subscription to Zoho People, here are a few points to take into consideration:

1. Determine business requirements and the features you need from the HR management software to choose the appropriate subscription plan.
2. Check the pricing plans and select the one that fits the budget.
3. Before subscribing to Zoho People, take advantage of the free trial to test the software and its features to evaluate whether it meets your requirements or not.

When Zoho people was first released, it was only used by small-size organizations as this software was limited to employee database, leave, and time tracking. Zoho People has evolved over time to become a comprehensive HR management software that offers a wide range of features to businesses of all sizes. The software's integration with other Zoho applications and its focus on mobile accessibility and analytics have helped it stand out in the crowded HR management software market. It also added a few features recently like an onboarding management system and integration with Zoho Analytics.

Zoho People is a cost-effective HR management software that is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that may not have fully staffed HR departments. Zoho People is also a great choice for remote-working employees to collaborate, track time, handle scheduling, and more.

Solid visuals of project progress. Great automation features, which saved us time and reduced entry errors. Integrated well with other tools the client was using.

I used it for six months as a freelancer, and based on my knowledge, the client used monday.com because it's a cloud-based system that allowed for customizations and automation. I am unsure which software they used before that, but my conversations centered around the time it saved the client. I remember enjoying the time-tracking feature and how it integrated with other tools the client was already using.

Overwhelming at first, as there are many features. The learning curve is steep due to the extensive features.

I have used both Asana and Jira (currently use both), and the visuals are more appealing, and the integrations are more in-depth on monday.com. Also, the customization options cater to someone who likes more control over their work.

Consider the cost and how it will make your employees' jobs easier/save time.

I did not use it prior to this client, so I am unsure of the adaptations it has undergone. However, it is very relevant, so it appears to meet industry needs, as I enjoyed using it for my contract.

I think any organization can benefit from monday.com as its customizability and flexibility allow it to be used by various users and companies.

I like that BambooHR is user-friendly. It offers good value for the money. It includes strong workflows and automation features.

My clients purchased BambooHR, and I use it daily as I support them with system management and general human resources. They needed a centralized place to store all people data and manage payroll. They also required an automated onboarding process with checklists and reminders.

I have used BambooHR for eight years, and I appreciate how user-friendly it is. BambooHR has allowed my clients to report on their dispersed workforces and share important documents and resources with employees within one system. It has also greatly improved both onboarding and offboarding.

Some integrations could be improved (e.g., enabling two-way data syncing rather than just one-way). Built-in scheduling functionality would be a helpful addition. I also recall the initial implementation being relatively expensive.

BambooHR is one of the most user-friendly tools in its category. You do not need to be an expert or complete extensive training to use it effectively. Training is available, though, for those who prefer structured learning over hands-on experience.

Buyers should consider how many employees they have and whether they are planning for rapid growth. They should assess their onboarding and payroll needs. BambooHR is a good fit for small to medium-sized businesses but may not be ideal for large enterprises.

BambooHR added payroll functionality a few years ago, which was a valuable improvement.

BambooHR works well for small to mid-sized businesses.

1. Mobile friendly: Users can access Bitrix24 on the go through its mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
2. Diversity: Bitrix24 offers a wide range of features and tools, including project management, CRM, HR management, communication and collaboration, and more.
3. Cost effective: Bitrix24 offers affordable pricing plans and also has a free version.

Our organization acquired Bitrix24 approximately three months ago as a complementary solution to our existing program. Due to some technical challenges, our previous program had been non-functional for an extended period, and we urgently needed a dependable tool to support our operations during that time.

After researching several alternatives, we opted for Bitrix24, impressed by its comprehensive functionality and intuitive interface. We were able to quickly create and manage tasks, projects, and communication channels, which were essential for effective collaboration within our team.

Although we have only been using Bitrix24 for a relatively short time, we have already noticed significant improvements in our workflow and productivity. We appreciate the platform's adaptability and flexibility, which enable us to tailor it to our particular requirements.

1. Complex: New users may face a significant learning curve due to the complexity of the software.
2. Integration: there might be restrictions on which apps can be integrated and the ease of integration.
3. It could be restrictions on the extent of customization to tailor the platform according to your particular requirements.

Bitrix24 distinguishes itself from other similar tools in several ways. Its main strength lies in providing a comprehensive set of tools for project management, collaboration, communication, and customer relationship management, all in a single platform. This makes it an efficient and convenient solution for businesses and teams of all sizes.

Bitrix24 offers a unique social intranet feature, enabling team members to communicate and collaborate in a social media-like environment, which can be more engaging and intuitive than conventional project management tools.

Having used several project management and collaboration tools in the past, I can confidently say that Bitrix24 is one of the best. It offers a broad range of features and customization options, which can be tailored to suit the specific needs of my team.

When buying Bitrix24, it's essential to evaluate your team's needs, the level of complexity of your projects, the level of support and resources provided, and the cost. By considering these criteria, you can ensure that Bitrix24 is the right fit for your team and budget. Make sure to evaluate the pricing plans and compare them with other project management and collaboration tools to ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.

Bitrix24 has continuously improved its platform by introducing new features and functionalities to enhance its project management, collaboration, and communication capabilities. These improvements include advanced project management tools like Gantt charts, resource allocation, and time tracking, as well as collaboration features such as task assignments, file sharing, and team messaging. These upgrades have significantly strengthened Bitrix24's platform, making it a more complete and reliable solution for teams and businesses of all sizes.

Bitrix24 is an exceptional platform for teams and businesses that require a complete set of tools to manage their projects, enhance collaboration, facilitate communication, and maintain customer relationships. It is the perfect choice for organizations seeking an all-inclusive platform that can simplify their operations and boost their productivity. Additionally, Bitrix24's social intranet feature makes it an ideal solution for teams that prioritize engagement and collaboration among team members, enabling them to work seamlessly and efficiently

I like that it has the ability to consolidate multiple features/apps into one software program. I enjoy the "Discuss" feature, which essentially creates a company intranet allowing employees to communicate with others privately or with groups/departments. I also like that it allows me to send documents requiring a signature without having to use another external app, such as DocuSign.

My organization chose Odoo because it is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that promises to consolidate and automate several processes. I work for a manufacturing facility that produces food and beverage items, and the processes from creation to delivery of our products include many steps and a lot of paperwork to remain compliant with industry regulations.

We wanted a tool that could be used by several departments, including production, accounting, fulfillment, distribution, and HR. We were hoping we could use Odoo to house our timekeeping, scheduling, and payroll as well. I have been using Odoo for about three months.

I think it is a complex system that requires months of training before it can be fully functional. We cannot use it for payroll because it doesn't track and record tax payments and would require manual journal entries each time. I don't like that the timekeeping feature doesn't allow us to use biometrics (fingerprints via hardware device) when employees clock in and out of their shifts. Although it can integrate with several apps, these drawbacks keep me from recommending it as an HR solution.

Odoo has several functions that it offers to automate processes company-wide. I find the interface to be mostly user-friendly. There are some navigational difficulties when visiting one "app" and then returning to the dashboard, and their training videos could use some work. I find it about average as far as an ERP goes.

Identify exactly which processes you intend to utilize this service for and have a realistic implementation plan. If you're only using it for two or three processes, then a shorter training and implementation plan may work. If you have four or more processes you're looking to integrate, allow yourself and your team several months to meet with their implementation team and demo the trial software so that you can familiarize yourself with it before rolling it out to employees. Training is vital to understanding the full capabilities of the system.

They seem to have a lot of options for different processes that they say continually expand, such as inventory, appointments and to-do lists, project boards, discussion boards, manufacturing, shop floor, quality assurance, etc.

A mid to large-sized manufacturing facility that wants all employees using the same software to meet as many business needs as possible will find Odoo very useful.

• We initiate requests on the WebHR portal and we are able to see the progress status, whether the requests were approved or pending; In short, we like its transparency.
• There is a chatbot where we can directly communicate with HR employees for guidance.
• The HR manual and all circulars are easily available and can be searched by text or date.

Earlier, our organization’s human resource department shared the updated HR manual via email. All queries by the employees were entertained through email as well. It was a hectic exercise as many follow-ups were needed and, sometimes, we lost track of the email threads. In order to overcome this, our organization transitioned to WebHR. The platform automated the requests initiated by the employees, while tracking the changes and approvals.

• Upgrades sometimes take 2 or 3 working days of downtime which is a hurdle for employees.
• Uploading the relevant PDF documents for case submission and approval takes time.
• WebHR isn’t the most user-friendly; new users do need some guidance on how to use it. Guide book needs to read out for fresh employee to use the web HR as it is not much user friendly.

Well, earlier we were using emails for all types of queries and approvals so we have not used any other software yet.

This is a good platform where employees and HR connect with each other and communicate easily.

It is very necessary for our organization with a large number of employees. Each of our needs and requests are important, and it is HR's duty to resolve them promptly.

I am associated with the banking industry and I believe it is good for banking and other industries as well.