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10+ Best HRMS Software Systems in 2025

An expert-led guide on top Human Resource Management Software review and comparison. Find out HRMS price, pros & cons, key feature, and more below.

Rodrigo Vázquez-Mellado
Written by
Rodrigo Vázquez-Mellado
HR and B2B software analyst and advisor, tech writer and editor, former conversational designer
Contributing Experts
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Last Updated: Apr 15, 2025
TOP
Comprehensive HRMS system for SMBs, highly customizable
BambooHR
4.5
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Comprehensive HRMS system for SMBs, highly customizable
BambooHR
4.5
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best for integrated US payroll and HRMS at midsized businesses
Paylocity
4.2
Popularity Score
4.3
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for integrated US payroll and HRMS at midsized businesses
Paylocity
4.2
Popularity Score
4.3
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Free HRMS software from a leading global payroll software company
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Free HRMS software from a leading global payroll software company
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Comprehensive HR software starting at $5 per employee monthly
GoCo
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Comprehensive HR software starting at $5 per employee monthly
GoCo
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best for distributed teams
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for distributed teams
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
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Top HRMS Software

CeridianData-driven, highly customizable HRMS for large enterprises
NetchexPayroll-focused HRMS platform for US small businesses
HiBobPeople-centric HRMS for midsized organizations worldwide
WorkDayHR management suite for enterprises with multiple global branches
SAP SuccessFactorsHRMS software with employee experience focus
UKGLong-standing HRMS and workforce management system
Zoho PeopleFlexible, well-priced HRMS product for small businesses
NamelyTop midmarket HRMS system with excellent reporting features

Paycor

: Top HRMS vendor with excellent US payroll management capabilities

Rippling

: Mighty HRMS company for teams with under 2,000 employees

TOP
Comprehensive HRMS system for SMBs, highly customizable
BambooHR
4.5
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Comprehensive HRMS system for SMBs, highly customizable
BambooHR
4.5
Popularity Score
4.5
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best for integrated US payroll and HRMS at midsized businesses
Paylocity
4.2
Popularity Score
4.3
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for integrated US payroll and HRMS at midsized businesses
Paylocity
4.2
Popularity Score
4.3
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Free HRMS software from a leading global payroll software company
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Free HRMS software from a leading global payroll software company
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Introduction to HRMS (Human Resource Management Systems)

Are you in the market for a world-class HRMS to streamline employee onboarding, payroll, benefits management, and talent acquisition? This guide will help you make a well-informed and confident selection (though, if you'd like personalized assistance, you can book a free call with an HR tech expert on our staff who can build a custom vendor shortlist for your organization). We are experts on HRMS software, and this guide provides a highly developed and unbiased appraisal of the HRMS options on the market. We’ll walk you through every step and help you avoid common mistakes. But before we get too deep, let’s define what “HRMS” means.

Sometimes, it helps to understand something by defining what it is not. An HRMS differs from a Human Resources Information System (HRIS) or Human Capital Management (HCM) software. The distinctions are nuanced because there are many overlapping features, and some vendors use this confusion to their advantage, claiming that their software is all three.

This guide defines HRMS software as a system designed to streamline HR administrative tasks like payroll and timekeeping, increase efficiency, reduce or eliminate manual tasks, and provide strategic insight through data analytics. An HRIS offers many of the same features, but the scope is restricted to data entry and basic processing of employee information. An HCM software is substantially dissimilar to both because it represents a fully integrated management philosophy.

We strongly advise you to move forward only when you understand the difference well enough to recognize when a vendor is stretching the truth. If it’s still a little fuzzy, this article on the difference between HCM, HRMS, and HRIS may help.

If you’re feeling confidwent in your understanding, then keep reading! Our product-by-product evaluation covers critical factors like customer success, user experience, support quality, and implementation.

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Our Criteria: Here's How We Chose The Top HRMS Software

Our experts conduct product demos with each vendor to choose the top HRMS systems, incorporate user research, and gather feedback from HR tech leaders. When judging HRMS software, we focus on three key areas: data management security, compliance and reporting, and employee experience.

Employee Data Management Security

Though known as “all-in-one” tools, the scope and scale of each HRMS system’s data management vary significantly, as does the dedication to security hygiene. Our top picks are security-focused companies with a good track record who use two-factor authentication, encryption, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) compliance.

Compliance and Reporting

Recordkeeping and documentation are critical, so we chose HRMS software that offers various compliance and reporting features.

To make it onto this list, we require vendors to cover, at minimum, tax set-up and reporting, state and federal employment laws, wage and hour compliance, anti-discrimination and harassment prevention, and benefits regulations. Some tools below also offer global payroll and compliance features.

Employee Experience

As self-service options become more common in HRMS tools, the employee experience becomes more critical. In our experience, good UX/UI and overall ease of use are the most vital elements of this feature, keeping employee frustration low and data accuracy high.

Our mission is to make it easy for HR and TA teams to buy, implement, and love their new software. If you want to learn more about our methodology, we invite you to explore our article on editorial guidelines.

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Compare the Top HRMS Software

Popularity Score
Best for
Key Differentiator
Pricing
Free Trial
Customers
Users Score
Product Score
4.5
SMBs in need of a highly customizable tool, remote-friendly
HR management + a comprehensive recruiting suite
Custom Pricing
Get pricing info
Yes
33,000+ companies
4.5
4.4
4.2
US-based mid-sized companies looking for payroll + HR platform
Comprehensive HR and payroll platform with great customer support
Custom Pricing
Get pricing info
No
40,000+ companies
4.3
4.1
4.4
Remote-first, global teams with basic HR needs
Free core HR on top of global payroll tools
No
35,000+ companies
4.6
4.5
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

Need Help? Get Custom Recommendations for Top HRMS Software

Talk to An Advisor

Detailed Reviews of the Best HRMS (Human Resource Management Systems)

BambooHR

Visit Website
BambooHR
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Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked BambooHR

BambooHR is a top-notch HR software known for its flexibility, user-friendliness, and reliability. It offers numerous features, including ATS, payroll, and performance management.

PROS

  • Flexible packaging and custom pricing options based on user requirements
  • Intuitive design ensures a user-friendly experience, simplifying HR processes for HR pros, managers, and the entire team.
  • Regular updates and customer support, BambooHR continuously strives to enhance its offerings.
  • Flexible packaging and custom pricing is the way they roll. You can pick out one or two packages and pick other modules as add-ons based on your needs. 
  • Very simple and straightforward tool, easy to use.

CONS

  • The payroll functionality is limited to U.S. companies.
  • Customer success hours only suitable for U.S. time zones
  • Core HR tools must be purchased to use features like time & attendance,  surveys, and performance assessment.
  • Payroll is only available for US-based employees 
  • Customer support is only offered during US business hours.
  • Some modules like time tracking, performance management, and surveys are only available as add-ons.
BambooHR dashboard screenshot - one of the best human resource management system software

BambooHR Review

BambooHR offers flexible plans and a comprehensive platform that covers the entire employee lifecycle with full HRMS functionality, including recruiting, performance management, and many more. The platform also provides an integrated app marketplace for HR and recruiting vendors and a handy Human Resources glossary.

BambooHR Customers

Among the 20,000+ companies that use BambooHR, you’d find names like Quora, Universal Group, Reddit, Asana, Change.org, University of Maryland, Grammarly, Stance, Postmates, Wistia, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and ZipRecruiter.

BambooHR Pricing

Pricing is not disclosed upfront, but they do offer a free trial of their all-in-one software and then go out of their way to find a version that will suit you. Before they come up with a personalized quote that will align with your budget, however, they are also likely to extend your free trial upon request or even give you a free demo of the advanced features.

Best For

BambooHR is an excellent choice for companies seeking a highly customizable HR product with pricing options that accommodate their specific requirements. It is worth mentioning that it is favored by partially and fully remote teams.

BambooHR in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

We use BambooHR as our central HR management system. It helps us manage employee records and track time off. We use it for onboarding, benefits management, and U.S. payroll. Managers use it to approve time-off requests and run reports.

Employees use the self-service portal to update personal information, request time off, and view pay and benefits information. HR teams and leadership rely on BambooHR's reporting tools for headcount, attrition, and other workforce analytics.

Overall, it supports both daily operations and strategic HR headcount forecasting and planning.

What do you like about this tool?
  • BambooHR is intuitive and easy to navigate for both HR teams and employees.
  • It streamlines onboarding and automates new hire paperwork and onboarding checklists.
  • It centralizes employee data and keeps all HR information secure in one accessible system.
  • Its robust time-tracking simplifies PTO requests, approvals, and accrual tracking.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our organization implemented BambooHR to streamline and improve our HRIS processes, including time tracking, benefits management, and payroll. The platform is intuitive and user-friendly for both HR teams and employees.

We valued its ability to centralize all HR functions in one place, which significantly improved our onboarding process for both exempt and non-exempt employees. As we expanded across the U.S., Canada, Belgrade, and LATAM, BambooHR proved to be a scalable solution.

Employees also appreciate the self-service capabilities, which promote transparency and efficiency. Headcount and attrition reports are easy to access and analyze, supporting better data-driven decision-making.

We have been using BambooHR for over five years, and it has significantly improved the overall effectiveness of our HR operations.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • BambooHR payroll is only available in the U.S., which is not ideal for global teams.
  • Add-ons like time tracking and performance management increase the cost and are not included in the base price.
  • It is more suitable for small teams, as it lacks advanced recruitment features.
  • BambooHR’s customer support can be slow to respond at times and provides limited help with more complex issues or customizations.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

BambooHR is widely recognized for its clean, intuitive user interface, making it easy to use for both HR teams and employees. Unlike competitors like ADP or SAP SuccessFactors, which offer more features but can be complex to navigate, BambooHR is designed specifically for small to mid-sized businesses—typically 25–500 employees.

It is a simple and agile solution that doesn’t require a dedicated HRIS team, unlike enterprise-level tools like Workday or Oracle HCM. One of its key strengths is strong employee self-service capabilities for managing time off, pay information, documents, and updates.

While platforms like Rippling and Gusto offer broader feature bundles, including IT management and payroll, BambooHR focuses on providing a solid, affordable core HR system that works well for organizations with straightforward HR needs.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When buying an HRIS tool like BambooHR, several important criteria should be considered. First, evaluate whether the system covers your core HR needs, such as employee data management, time-off tracking, and compliance features.

Ease of use is critical—both HR staff and employees should be able to navigate the platform easily. Scalability matters if your company plans to grow or expand internationally. Make sure the tool integrates with your existing software, such as payroll, applicant tracking, or communication tools.

Payroll and benefits administration are also key if you're looking for an all-in-one solution. Reporting and analytics should allow for useful insights into workforce trends and performance. Employee self-service features save time by allowing staff to update information and request time off independently.

Understand which features are included in the base price and which require add-ons. Lastly, reliable customer support and strong security features are essential.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

In late 2024, BambooHR launched the Ask BambooHR AI assistant, a smart tool that uses company data to provide employees with quick and accurate answers to common HR questions. This feature enhances employee self-service and reduces the workload on HR staff.

BambooHR also improved the paystub experience by allowing employees to download multiple paystubs at once, filter by date range, and easily access year-to-date totals. To help HR teams stay organized, the platform introduced advanced document management features such as multi-level folder organization, drag-and-drop file uploads, and enhanced search functionality.

Reporting capabilities were expanded with a “Recent” section for quick access to frequently used reports, a “Favorites” feature to bookmark key reports, and improved options for sharing and managing custom reports.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

BambooHR is well-suited for small to mid-sized organizations, typically those with 25 to 500 employees, looking for a straightforward and easy-to-use HR management system.

It works best for companies that want to streamline core HR tasks like employee data management, time-off tracking, and onboarding without the complexity or cost of enterprise-level software.

It’s ideal for businesses that value employee self-service and need a platform that supports remote or distributed teams, especially across the U.S., Canada, and other growing international locations.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

BambooHR may not be suitable for organizations that require complex, enterprise-level HR solutions. Large companies with over 1,000 employees often need more advanced features, deeper customization, and extensive integrations than BambooHR offers.

Businesses with global payroll and compliance needs outside the U.S. and Canada may also find its payroll and benefits support limited. Companies looking for a comprehensive platform that includes IT management or learning management systems may prefer tools that bundle these features.

Lastly, organizations with specialized or complex HR workflows requiring high levels of automation and customization might find BambooHR too limited in flexibility.

Paylocity

Visit Website
Paylocity
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Paylocity

Paylocity's HRMS solution provides a host of features designed to support the full employee lifecycle. Its emphasis on automation, customization, and compliance makes it a compelling choice for organizations seeking to optimize their HR operations.

PROS

  • Paylocity provides a comprehensive platform that streamlines the management of payroll, HR, benefits, and more.
  • The UI is quite clean and easy to navigate. There’s lots of online help docs to guide you through it too.
  • There’s a mobile app for both employees and managers that enhances accessibility and convenience.
  • Paylocity’s customer support is highly rated for always being available to answer questions.
  • Global payroll support for 100+ countries.
  • Provides free and unlimited training modules on the website.
  • Paylocity’s mobile app has a good UI and functionality
  • The tool is easy to use for both employees and employers.
  • Has 350+ pre-built integrations.

CONS

  • Pricing isn’t publicly shared and there is no free trial or free plan available.
  • There is a bit of a learning curve due to Paylocity's extensive feature set.
  • Report customization could be improved.
  • Undisclosed pricing.
  • It doesn’t have a free trial or free plan.
  • Support is available in English only.
  • It isn’t the best solution for remote teams looking for a tool to manage payroll and benefits for their contractors.
Paylocity HRMS

Paylocity Review

Beyond payroll solutions, Paylocity offers an all-in-one HR suite that simplifies the management of people data and processes. The platform particularly excels at information collection and task automation. With pre-built templates for common tasks like address changes and the ability to create custom workflows, Paylocity makes it easy to automate repetitive tasks and reduce administrative burden.

The platform is easily accessible both for employees and managers. There’s a self-service portal employees can log into either via desktop or mobile app and access all sorts of documents, request time off, update personal information, and collaborate with colleagues. Managers can also access the platform on desktop or mobile devices and benefit from full visibility into employee data, configure new positions, assign skills and certifications, predict vacancies, manage budgets, and more.

Compliance is another top priority for Paylocity, with an intuitive dashboard that provides quick access to crucial information such as work authorizations, EEO and FLSA compliance data, and industry news. For additional support, Paylocity's HR Edge service offers expert resources, including an account manager, to help minimize risk and implement best practices.

Lastly, Paylocity's powerful reporting and analytics capabilities allow you to gain valuable insights into your workforce. With real-time, visualized data, you can track key metrics, identify trends, improve HR strategies, and drive organizational success.

Paylocity Customers

40,000+ businesses use Paylocity’s solutions including Weigel’s, ILC, Upward, and HMC.

Paylocity Pricing

The cost of Paylocity's services varies depending on the specific features required and the size of your organization. To obtain a personalized estimate, it's recommended to schedule a demonstration with their Sales team. This allows for a tailored discussion of your needs and a more accurate assessment of the associated costs.

Best For

Paylocity's solutions cater to businesses of all sizes across various industries, but their ideal target market comprises medium and large enterprises. These companies are best suited to fully utilize the platform's capabilities and leverage its benefits effectively.

Paylocity in action
Reviewer's Rating
3/10

I used Paylocity primarily for daily timekeeping and bi-weekly payroll processing when I took over as admin. I also began saving documents in employee files and explored options to better utilize the system.

The tool sent reminders for required filings. For payroll, my workflow involved verifying timesheets for accuracy, running the primary employee payroll, and a separate payroll for the doctor-owners, whose compensation varied monthly. After running payroll, I reviewed the reports to confirm that all expenses were accurately entered by the bookkeeper before final submission.

What do you like about this tool?

It was simple to enter time. Running pre-payroll was straightforward. The reports were easy to review.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The organization I consulted for initially bought Paylocity for payroll management when it had about 50 employees. I have personally used it as a contractor for receiving payments and later as an administrator. Most recently, I was an administrator for five months before transitioning the company to ADP.

A primary benefit was the ease for employees to log their time, and payroll processing was fairly simple. Although the tool offered additional features, these were not activated, limiting its functionality for other HRIS tasks.

It also lacked an active e-verify setup, although that option was available, indicating the person who selected the product did not receive adequate guidance from the implementation specialist.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Companies with fewer than 100 employees did not have a dedicated contact person. When I reached out with questions, the answers varied depending on who responded, with some being incorrect.

No one provided guidance on how to implement additional features, such as HRIS and e-verify, for a more robust system. It was also much more expensive than the full ADP system, which I later implemented and found more comprehensive.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I found the lack of customer service frustrating, and the previous HR person, who hadn’t managed implementations, received inadequate support. Getting questions answered was challenging, with email inquiries often redirected to someone who never responded.

Personally, I prefer ADP, and for small companies with only payroll needs, Gusto is a good, user-friendly option.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Budget is critical; evaluate the value provided for the cost. Confirm that the features you’re paying for are activated. This tool is not recommended for companies with fewer than 100 employees.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

The company appears to have expanded too quickly, and high employee turnover suggests they may struggle to meet the needs of complex organizations like ours, which involved unique requirements for doctor-owners.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

It is best suited for organizations with over 100 employees and simple payroll needs.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

It is not ideal for companies with fewer than 100 employees or for HR/payroll staff who may lack extensive experience.

Deel

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Deel
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5

Why we picked Deel

Global teams big and small will appreciate a free HRMS that was built by a global team. Yes, their core HR solution is free, along with many useful modules like 1:1s, virtual networking, and pulse surveys.

PROS

  • Unified platform for free HRIS and payroll services in over 100 countries and contractors in over 150 countries.
  • Automated invoicing feature available in English for both companies and contractors or employees.
  • Full in-house support from local country experts and a first response time of only 1.25 minutes.
  • APIs and native integrations with over 100 popular HR tools.
  • Self-service approach and tech-enabled features allow for quick and easy adoption.
  • Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
  • Deel HR is free for companies of all sizes.
  • Seamless integration with platforms like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Greenhouse, plus custom integration options.
  • User-friendly, self-service features enable quick setup; identity verification often takes under 24 hours.
  • Automated invoices simplify payments, provided they're in English.

CONS

  • Not suitable for budget-conscious teams that don't hire internationally.
  • Lacks advanced features found in more established HR solutions.
  • Limited flexibility to change contracts or service agreements.
  • Currently cannot generate invoices in languages other than English.
  • Key features like onboarding automation are add-ons, which may increase costs.
  • Limited flexibility in modifying contracts or service agreements; changes often require an addendum.
  • Invoices cannot be generated in languages other than English.

Deel Review

Deel was originally a global payroll offering, that has since expanded their product to be a full-fledged HRMS. While it's probably best for global teams that have international colleagues, their functionality could also be used by companies operating in just one country.

Deel HRMS software

One of our favorite features of this HRMS is "connections" - a product where teammates can connect virtually to bond and learn more with one another. HR teams will also appreciate the onboarding workflows (including the ability to provision equipment globally!), background checks, remote location management, and perks.

Deel Customers

35,000+ organizations have used Deel’s HR and payroll solutions, including Makerpad, Andela, and Brex.

Deel Pricing

Deel HR offers its HR services for free, but charges for its global payroll services, which start at $19 per month.

Best For

Deel HR is best for organizations that hire internationally.

Deel in action
No items found.

Paycor

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Paycor
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked Paycor

Paycor is popular among small and medium-sized businesses across states for managing payroll, budgeting, and time and labor management. While the greatest strength of Paycor is payroll, the platform is also known for being a well-established HRMS with positive employee experience features and scalability.

PROS

  • Paycor payroll solution and mobile app are both straightforward to use.
  • Intuitive self-service employee portal.
  • Offers multiple modules for small businesses and custom plans for teams with 50-1000 employees.
  • Unlimited payrolls.
  • Offers discounts frequently. Though not listed on their site, a free trial is available to those who contact the support team directly.
  • On-demand pay is available for all plans.
  • With the acquisition of the people development platform Verb, it has improved its employee learning experience.
  • Paycor payroll solution and mobile app are both straightforward to use.
  • Intuitive self-service employee portal.
  • Offers multiple modules for small businesses and custom plans for teams with 50-1000 employees.
  • Unlimited payrolls.
  • Offers discounts frequently. Though not listed on their site, a free trial is available to those who contact the support team directly.
  • On-demand pay is available for all plans.
  • With the acquisition of the people development platform Verb, it has improved its employee learning experience.

CONS

  • Undisclosed pricing.
  • Customer support is reported to be slow at times.
  • It is not a good fit for teams with 1000+ employees or those requiring advanced customization to meet their unique requirements.
  • Undisclosed pricing.
  • Customer support is reported to be slow at times.
  • It is not a good fit for teams with 1000+ employees or those requiring advanced customization to meet their unique requirements.
Paycor dashboard screenshot - one of the best HR Management System

Paycor Review

Aside from being one of the most well-established HRMS, Paycor stands out for its payroll capabilities. Running payroll on the platform is straightforward. We are a team with members of multiple contract types and nationalities, so we appreciate that it services both hourly workers and full-time employees, U.S.-based or otherwise.

The platform lets users choose their pay intervals (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc.) and allows our team members to select their payment methods (on-demand pay, direct deposit, Paycor wallet). The best part is that these features, autorun, and off-cycle payroll runs are accessible to all users, including the Basic ones.

Self-service is another pro of Paycor. Through the portal, employees can access their onboarding, payroll, work schedules, and benefits enrollment (what could be better than autonomy?) They can also update their contact and banking information; then, notifications about changes are sent to admin users in real-time.

Paycor didn’t disappoint us with its latest mobile app version. It used to be very limited, but now we can access the whole self-service suite on mobile devices. Plus, all Paycor Scheduling subscriptions can access Team Chat — a real-time communication tool that lets members message individuals, groups, or channels within the app.

There are still parts we don’t like. While Paycor offers several support channels, the support team is sometimes slow to respond. We’d also love to see improvements in reporting and analytics. The lower-priced plans have minimal reporting capabilities, and even the enterprise plan users may still find the tool lacking.

Paycor Customers

Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Detroit Zoo, The Cincinnati Bengals, The YMCA.

Paycor Pricing

Paycor doesn’t publish its pricing on the website. You need to get in touch with customer support to get a quote.

Best For

Small and medium-sized companies in the U.S. that are looking for a one-stop shop for their HR needs. Particularly, businesses in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverage, nonprofits, and professional sports organizations are likely to make the most out of Paycor’s features.

Paycor in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

We use all of Paycor's functionalities, including payroll, workers' compensation, recruitment, onboarding, HRIS, and seamless transitions from payroll to Sage. The ATS system is excellent for follow-ups. There is no excuse for not sending out a status email to every candidate.

The ATS integrates smoothly with the Payroll and HRIS systems. These workflows help us maintain efficiency across departments.

What do you like about this tool?
  • Seamless integration between HRIS, Payroll, and Recruitment.
  • Employees being able to recognize other employees company-wide is great for morale.
  • Easy access to information and registration for employee benefits.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We bought Paycor because of my prior experience using the program. We also appreciated the integration of the ATS system with the payroll and HRIS systems. The benefits platform is efficient and comprehensive.

I have personally used Paycor on and off for about six years. The tool addressed our need for a unified platform to manage various HR functions effectively.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • I dislike the lag in upgrades to the mobile app.
  • It isn't as consistent as I would like.
  • Some mobile features lack the reliability of the desktop version.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Each HR/payroll module you purchase comes with a team of experts who work with your teams to develop a system that suits your company and its processes. Much of the system is customizable, and clients have access to back-office tools they can configure themselves. It performs more like a dynamic system rather than a static one, where upgrades are difficult.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Paycor works better for larger organizations. If your company has varied pay plans or union payroll, Paycor is excellent for customizing non-standard payroll needs. Need to know whether employees have clocked in, clocked out, or are on lunch? The system provides real-time status reports. Looking for better management tools? Paycor delivers key information throughout the day, updating continuously.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Yes, definitely. They keep you informed about updates and changes and are open to suggestions you may have for improvements.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Medium to large organizations with unique payroll needs. Companies that want to improve the delivery of recruiting information to hiring managers and candidates. It is highly effective in these areas.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Small, standard businesses with straightforward payroll and HR needs.

Rippling

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Rippling
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Rippling

Rippling is a mighty HRMS solution for growing teams, ideally medium-sized, to handle payroll, budgeting, and time and labor management with efficiency and autonomy. The ability to integrate with 500+ apps makes Rippling a strong bet for teams looking to share data between all of their business software.

PROS

  • Rippling provides an end-to-end HCM with great automation features.
  • Supports both US payroll and global payroll in over 100 countries.
  • Auto-translates receipt line items and converts their currencies for the reviewer.
  • Robust integration capabilities.
  • The benefits module enables users to collaborate with their preferred broker and choose from 4,000 options.
  • Modules are available for individual purchase or as part of a suite, but the Core HR module is mandatory in any package.
  • All-in-one platform for employee management + PEO services offered, and even a suite of other IT products 
  • With 500 integrations, it’s very likely that they integrate with other key tools from your tech stack.
  • Operates globally with any currency
  • Workflow automation
  • Analytics opportunities
  • Provides a holistic view of company outflows—headcount costs included

CONS

  • Payroll automation not available.
  • No complimentary trial.
  • Support not provided 24/7, additional charges for phone support.
  • Not suitable for businesses with 2,000+ employees.
  • Total buy-in to Rippling is essential 
  • Very SMB-oriented, in case you’re a larger company. 
  • New features tend to be buggy in ways that tech teams are not accustomed to fixing
Rippling dashboard screenshot - one of the best HRMS Software Company

Rippling Review

Rippling has emerged as a leading HRMS platform, providing an extensive array of HR management functionalities.
Since its launch in 2016, it has continuously evolved to prioritize efficiency, autonomy, and a user-friendly interface.

Rippling Customers

Vox, Maximum Games, Superhuman, Compass Coffee, Highnoon.

Rippling Pricing

Rippling pricing starts at $8 per employee per month. For a personalized quote, you need to reach out to their sales team.

Best For

Rippling is an excellent choice of an HRMS for US-based and international teams that don’t have more than 2,000 employees.

Rippling in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

When I was using Rippling, I used it daily. Employees interacted with Rippling tools and features from their hiring date. From signing forms to background checks and benefit enrollment, Rippling handled multiple onboarding tasks.

When an employee was terminated, this also triggered specific actions in Rippling. A helpful feature was Rippling’s ability to assist with state-based tax rules. Leave management was also streamlined through Rippling.

What do you like about this tool?

Leave management and payroll functions made Rippling’s cost worthwhile. Hiring administrators for those functions would have been more expensive. I-9 and W-4 compliance became a much easier process and saved time and effort.

Rippling also offered background checking, training reminders, and anniversary reminders, which helped improve employee satisfaction.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My former company used Rippling for about three years, and I used it for one year. Rippling provided a solution for streamlining payroll and onboarding processes. The main attraction was that it replaced several software tools that were previously used.

The integration into the work cycle was easy and user-friendly. The automation and consolidation of systems eased the burden on different departments that needed to stay in constant communication.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Some of the workflows were not intuitive and were complex to set up. While the cost was reasonable at the time, it has been rising. Support tickets did not always receive fast responses.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Many departments could use Rippling. Most competitors only offer payroll or HR solutions.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Compare the cost of Rippling to the cost of hiring individuals to perform each function manually. Consider the organization’s overall goals. If the goal is to integrate departments and streamline processes, Rippling is a strong option.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Customization has improved and is helpful.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

A large workplace. A small or midsized company may not find Rippling worth the cost.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

A fully international company could struggle with using Rippling.

Ceridian

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Ceridian
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Popularity Score
4.8 / 5
User Score
3.8 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5

Why we picked Ceridian

Ceridian makes Dayforce, a modern cloud HR platform that can manage the entire employee lifecycle.

PROS

CONS

Our reviewer took screenshot of Ceridian HRMS System dashboard during the demo

Ceridian Review

Although it’s labeled as an HCM, Dayforce by Ceridian also includes a comprehensive payroll tool. Dayforce integrates data from every stage of the employee lifecycle, empowering informed decision-making and data-backed insights.

Its flexible rules engine enables efficient handling of intricate regulatory demands, delivering real-time updates and calculations.

Ceridian Customers

  • Guitar Center
  • Danone
  • Spirit Aerosystems
  • El Pollo Loco
  • Crescent Bank

Ceridian Pricing

Pricing for the Dayforce HCM suite is not provided up front.

Best For

Enterprises with over 1,000 employees.

Ceridian in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I used Ceridian for about 2 years and was a power user, as well as part of the implementation team. The main workflows were new hire onboarding, promotions with secondary approvers, leave of absence management, scheduling, attendance and offboarding. Considering that we used to do all of these processes using a paper form, the platform helped us save a lot of time and work more efficiently.

What do you like about this tool?

We selected Ceridian primarily due to the level of customization that could be done. The secondary factor was value - what we received for the cost. The third advantage was that it was easy to use and train users in a decentralized workforce.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our organization was paper-based with numerous tools and systems that didn't communicate with one another. The goal was to gain efficiency and make it easier for managers at the 200+ locations to manage workflow for the onboarding, maintenance and offboarding of over 4000 employees. Ceridian eliminated employee paperwork, consolidated payroll, HRIS, benefits, and time and attendance, not to mention the ease of approving employee changes such as promotions, transfers and terminations.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Some of the items I wish were improved with Ceridian have to do with support. During implementation, you have a high level of support but afterwards, you need to get into the ticketing system to get support and it takes a long time to resolve issues through it. The reporting feature is difficult and requires significant training, there is nothing intuitive. If you need help with a report or changing a config in your system, everything has an additional cost.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Ceridian had a skilled implementation team that was higher performing than some others I've worked with in the past. They took time to understand detailed requirements and worked with us side by side to get the customizations in. It was overall a positive experience.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

I'd suggest that you consider how your current processes can be streamlined and not just design workflow with how it's done today. Look at existing tools that might be able to be eliminated for cost savings. Lastly, make sure that you have $ in your budget for an HRIS administrator to oversee and manage the system post-implementation.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

I've seen many changes and expect that they will continue to evolve. The introduction of mobile access was a game changer, especially for a workforce like ours where the employees did not use the desktop application often. There is also a forum where users can make suggestions and the dev team will look there for features to build out in future releases. I expect that with the increased use of AI, that the tool will leverage that to improve the already efficient processes.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

I would suggest this tool for a large organization. Cerdian is not the least expensive option out there, but if you need customization and can eliminate other tools, or benefit from the integration, you'll see some savings. It is a great solution for a high turnover workforce such as hospitality as it's easy to use and handles the volume with ease.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

I'd not suggest this to a small business or company shopping on a budget. If you don't need a lot by means of customization or integrations, there are less expensive options available. I'd also not recommend this to a company that doesn't have the budget to assign a full time HRIS Manager to it. Depending on the size of the company, it may even require additional staff to support it.

Netchex

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Netchex
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Netchex

Netchex stands out as an HRMS and payroll solution for small businesses in the US due to its comprehensive, integrated platform that supports the entire employee lifecycle. Their Core plan (mainly payroll) already offers some engagement and HR tools, and each plan throws more HRMS features into the mix.

PROS

  • A La Carte Plan: For those looking for an HR and payroll tool, Netchex offers several options to tailor its offering to the exact needs of your organization. You basically start with the core package and add select features like the scheduling system and a recruiting tool—all with a custom pricing plan.
  • User-friendly interface: Both administrators and employees find the system easy to use and navigate, which is essential for small businesses with limited HR staff.
  • Comprehensive support: One of the things people praise the most is their award-winning customer service. Agents are available via phone, chat, or email, ensuring that small businesses receive the help they need when they need it.
  • Advanced features: This includes recently added tools like AskHR for immediate employee support and Netchex AI for data analysis and insights.
  • Grows with your team: With Netchex, it’s very easy to opt for a new plan and keep all your data in the same place even if you outgrow your current pricing plan. Other vendors require a switch to a new service in that kind of event.
  • Dedicated support team: Netchex are note-worthy for their award-winning and often lauded customer service. It’s all US-based and provided in real-time through email, live chat, and phone calls.
  • Pre-payroll reports: Allows for critical error checks before submission.
  • Flexible payroll grid: Easy to make changes or correct errors on the fly.
  • Versatile payment options: Includes paper checks, direct deposit, and pay cards.

CONS

  • Payroll dependency: Users must utilize the payroll feature to access other functionalities, which may limit flexibility for businesses that do not need payroll services with their HR tool.
  • No free trial: Potential users can't test the software without committing to a purchase, which could be a barrier for budget-conscious teams.
  • Requirement of payroll: Users must use the payroll module to access other functionalities, so it wouldn’t work as stand-alone HR software.
  • No free trial: Potential users can't test the software without committing to a purchase. The demo with a sales rep is the closest thing.

Netchex Review

Depending on the plan you pick, Netchex can be a fully-fledged HRMS platform tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. The payroll tool, which is their flagship product, is at the core of their offering. From there, they have slowly but surely expanded into all sorts of other HR workflows, from recruiting to performance management. Netchex also excels in employee engagement with features like Community, which encourages recognition and reward through a company forum.

Their system is truly capable of covering the entire employee life cycle. That said, smaller organizations can start with the Core module and grow from there according to their needs. Their software is well enough built (and all made in-house) to the extent that upgrading to another plan and enhancing the tool with more features is a very straightforward process. The product has always been made with smaller teams in mind, so it’s a tool that can grow with you.

Aside from how easy it is to use their product, one of our favorite things with Netchex is their customer support. They pride themselves on having very fast response times, and they have a skills-based approach to Customer Success. This means that, while you do get a dedicated customer representative, more tenured reps are ready to step in and tend to specific needs at any time.

Our only qualm about Netchex as an HRMS system is that the HR tools you might be looking for are not available as a stand-alone product. In other words, you have to use their payroll function in order for the whole system to work, but that’s very much in the spirit of what an HRMS is supposed to do (merge payroll and HR). If more on the lookout for a stand-alone HR tool, that would fall under the scope of a more basic HRIS.

Netchex Customers

Netchex’s HR software is used at companies like Xpressdocs, BK Corrosion, Regal Hospitality, and The Colony ER Hospital.

Netchex Pricing

Netchex uses a Per Employee Per Month pricing model. Costs vary based on the number of employees and the specific features used. Detailed pricing information can be found on their pricing page.

Best For

Netchex is ideal for small businesses (50-500 employees), especially those in industries such as restaurants, hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, professional services, and automotive.

Netchex in action
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HiBob

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HiBob
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Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.4 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked HiBob

HiBob made our list thanks to its standout focus on employee engagement and culture-building—two areas often underdeveloped in other HRMS platforms. While tools like Paylocity and Rippling lean heavily into payroll and compliance automation, HiBob approaches HR with a people-centric lens, making it a strong option for mid-sized teams seeking an employee-first HR system.

PROS

  • Social features like kudos, shout-outs, and a company-wide newsfeed promote employee-first experience.
  • Highly adaptable workflows across onboarding, offboarding, and internal communications.
  • Dashboards offer rich insights into engagement, performance, and DEI metrics.
  • Connects with various payroll and recruiting tech providers.
  • SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001 certified, 2FA, GDPR, and CCPA compliant.
  • Works well with several benefits providers and third-party payroll systems.
  • They have tons of modules, which makes them a real one-stop shop. Beyond Core HR, they have modules for most things People Ops-related.  
  • Bob is a fast-growing company and their product looks the part, as it has one of the sleekest-looking platforms in the HRMS space right now. 
  • Their payroll hub allows you to connect all your payroll systems, which works great if you want to pay people in multiple locations without switching providers.

CONS

  • Lacks native US payroll (for now), benefits portal, or enterprise recruiting tools.
  • Some users found the interface visually appealing but required too many clicks at times.
  • Built-in time tracking may not be ideal for hourly or frontline-heavy workforce.
  • The tool can be pricey for teams with fewer than 100 employees.
  • Customer support is only offered via a chatbot and email. 
  • As to implementation, several users commented that they felt there could be more attention via personal walkthroughs provided at the beginning. Many had to resort to reading documentation and watching videos or just figuring things out by themselves. 
  • Pricing is only custom and available upon request, so you can’t just sign up, pay, and start using the tool.

HiBob Review

HiBob has always impressed us in terms of employee experience. While more famous players like BambooHR and Rippling focus on simplicity or automation, we feel that HiBob is one of the few companies that zeroes in on culture.

From our tech tests and user interviews, it was clear that features like shout-outs, personalized profiles, and onboarding workflows felt more like an internal social network than a traditional HRMS. One user even described it as “fun and engaging,” which is rare feedback we receive on HR software. It’s also highly customizable, letting HR teams adapt workflows and data fields to fit their structure without developer support.

In our testing, HiBob also performed well in compliance and reporting. The HRMS supports tax setup, wage and hour compliance, and anti-discrimination documentation. People Analytics provides real-time metrics across engagement, DEI, and team structure. While it doesn’t offer a built-in payroll module like Paylocity or Deel, HiBob’s strength lies in making data shareable across systems.

Screenshot of HiBob HRMS reporting dashboard

Security-wise, HiBob is in the same league as industry leaders. It checks every major box: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, GDPR/CCPA compliance, and two-factor authentication. Admins can create granular permissions for managers and departments, and all user activity is logged for audit purposes.

However, where HiBob starts to fall short is in its “platform scope.” Despite having modules like Time and Attendance and a Payroll Hub, it’s clear these aren’t full-service solutions.

While HiBob is marketed as user-friendly, some users we talked to found the UX “click-heavy,” particularly for non-technical users or frontline staff. Some also noted they still had to rely on external tools for timekeeping, benefits management, and payroll in the US. The good news is that US payroll is on the vendor’s roadmap for 2026, and the recently launched UK offerings have received quite positive feedback from customers.

Overall, our evaluations indicate HiBob as a flexible, engaging HR suite that fits into a larger ecosystem. It’s not ideal if you're looking for an all-in-one suite, but if your team prioritizes culture, employee self-service, and modular flexibility, this one is definitely a strong contender.

HiBob Customers

4,000+ organizations, including Huel, JIMDO, riseUP, and VaynerMedia.

HiBob Pricing

HiBob offers custom pricing only, based on your company size and exact needs. 

Best For

HiBob is best for culture-forward companies (100-5,000 employees) that already use top-tier tools for payroll, recruiting, and benefits and want their HRMS to integrate everything.

HiBob in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I use Bob mainly to enter my time off. My HR team uses it for employee tracking, salary tracking, and manually inputting employee changes. The tool includes integrations with our benefits providers for the HR team. Another key use case is goals tracking. Employees input their quarterly goals, while management and HR review whether goals are met consistently.

What do you like about this tool?
  • It allows us to easily input time off.
  • Provides easy redirects to benefits links.
  • Displays a company-wide news feed.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We bought Bob for our talent management and employee management needs. We have used it for 1.5 years. It allows employees to easily view their time off and provides redirects to links for benefits and payroll information. The main issue our organization aimed to solve was finding a more affordable talent management tool.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • Limitations in its capabilities as an applicant tracking system (ATS).
  • Limited functionality in managing the recruiting funnel.
  • Does not have its own benefits portal.
How is this tool different than their competitors?
  • Employee-Centric Approach: Unlike many HR platforms that prioritize administrative functions, Bob enhances the employee experience with tools like recognition, surveys, and social features.
  • Flexible for Modern Work Environments: Bob is tailored for hybrid and remote work setups, offering intuitive tools for managing distributed teams and fostering collaboration.
  • Cultural Insights: Bob’s "People Analytics" dashboard tracks workforce engagement and provides insights to strengthen organizational culture.
  • Global Reach: Bob supports global operations with localized compliance and multi-country payroll integrations, appealing to multinational companies.
What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Consider your company size—Bob is more suited for mid-sized to large organizations. Assess whether your industry operates remotely or in person; Bob is ideal for remote or hybrid setups. Finally, review your current integrations and tools, as Bob is focused on enhancing the employee experience rather than serving as an ATS or HRIS system.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?
  • Learning Management System (LMS): The introduction of Bob Learning equips organizations with tools for managing employee development and continuous learning.
  • UK Payroll Integration: HiBob expanded payroll functionality with a modern approach to payroll management for UK-based employees.
  • Workforce Planning Module: This feature facilitates planning for scenarios such as reorganizations and mergers, aiding strategic decision-making.
  • 1-on-1 Meeting Feature: HiBob introduced templates for onboarding, goal setting, performance reviews, career growth, and regular check-ins to strengthen manager-employee relationships.
What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?
  • Mid-Sized to Large Organizations: Bob is ideal for companies with 100 to 5,000 employees, offering advanced functionalities for managing larger teams.
  • Global Organizations: Bob’s multi-country support and compliance features make it a great fit for multinational companies.
  • Companies Prioritizing Employee Engagement: Bob’s tools for goal setting, performance reviews, and social recognition foster strong workplace culture and employee retention.
  • Tech-Savvy, Forward-Thinking Teams: Bob’s sleek, intuitive interface appeals to organizations that value modern, user-friendly platforms.
  • Organizations with Hybrid or Remote Workforces: Bob supports collaboration and communication in flexible work environments.
  • HR Teams Seeking Data-Driven Insights: Its analytics capabilities provide valuable data for decision-making regarding employee performance and organizational health.
What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?
  • Small Organizations with Basic HR Needs: Businesses with fewer than 50 employees may find HiBob too complex or costly for their simpler requirements.
  • Organizations with Highly Specialized HR Needs: Companies requiring niche, industry-specific HR tools may not find Bob customizable enough for their workflows.
  • Companies with Limited Digital Infrastructure: Organizations that struggle with adopting digital tools might find Bob’s platform challenging to use effectively.
  • Organizations with Complex Payroll Requirements: Businesses with intricate payroll setups may find Bob’s payroll features less robust than specialized providers.
  • Companies Seeking an All-in-One ERP System: HiBob focuses on HR and people management, so it may not meet the needs of organizations requiring a more extensive ERP system.

WorkDay

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WorkDay
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked WorkDay

Workday is a highly favored HRMS solution specifically designed for enterprises. It offers a single source of workforce administration, engagement, and compensation and benefits data. This approach caters to all worker types, including contingent workers, employees, contractors, and retirees, making it a versatile solution for managing diverse workforces.

PROS

  • Workday configurable process flows make it easy to scale processes to a global level while adapting them to local requirements.
  • Employee and Manager Self-Service
  • AI-driven skills cloud helps identify workers with the skills gap.
  • Has a mobile app.
  • Provides phone support, email support, community, and live chat support.
  • Compliance with SOC 2 Type 2 standards
  • Accessible customer support from the community, live chat, and telephone.
  • Compatible with 300 HR systems such as ERP/GL, CRM, HR, and PSA.
  • Configurable dashboard with AI and ML-driven insights.
  • Ability to maintain real-time alignment of budgets and workforce plans.
  • SOC 2 Type 2 compliance.

CONS

  • Lacks pricing transparency.
  • No free trial.
  • The implementation process can be very time-consuming (~5 months on average).
  • The interface may pose challenges for new users, and training may be necessary to familiarize oneself with all product features.
  • Their mobile app isn’t very user-friendly.
  • Undisclosed pricing.
  • No free trial for its talent management software.
  • Time-consuming implementation period (average 4.5 months).
  • Challenge navigating for first-time users may require training.
  • Issues with logging in were reported by users.
Our reviewer took screenshot of Workday HRMS System dashboard during the demo

WorkDay Review

Workday stands out with its impressive adaptability to individual users. Leveraging machine learning, it offers tailored recommendations based on user roles, whether they are employees, contractors, managers, recruiting agencies, applicants, or retirees.

The tool is particularly well-suited for businesses with multiple global branches. It allows for global consistency while enabling customization of workflows to accommodate local differences, ensuring a seamless experience across the organization.

Workday's reporting capabilities are also noteworthy because they sync HR data with finance and integrate with various HR tools. This can be used for analytics that provides visibility into the workforce’s capabilities, making it easier to identify gaps and develop talent.

While Workday's HRMS suite is popular among large enterprises and global teams, the mobile app needs work. Both Android and iOS users have reported issues with the time clock system, frequent crashes, and sign-in problems. Workday's implementation process also has room for improvement, having received mixed reviews from users and HR teams.

WorkDay Customers

Quicken Loans, AstraZeneca, Target, Dell, Bank of America.

WorkDay Pricing

The exact pricing details of Workday aren’t disclosed on the website. Contact Sales for a quote.

Best For

This platform is best for large, global organizations looking for an all-in-one tool. It offers insights into the workforce, fosters employee engagement, and facilitates adaptability to industry, situational, and regulatory changes.

WorkDay in action
Reviewer's Rating
6/10

I used it for recruiting, internal mobility, onboarding, and reporting. It was an excellent tool for internal mobility because it gave visibility into information like compensation, leveling, and performance reviews. This helped ensure that candidates had eligibility to apply to roles internally. The onboarding workflow was also very straightforward and configuring the to-do tasks was easy. Reporting took a little bit of time to learn and I would recommend taking the Learn Workday course if you have no experience with it because you will learn Workday's logic.

The ATS portion of Workday is a struggle. It is difficult to schedule candidates and build structured interviews.

What do you like about this tool?

Pros:

- The information you can get access to is extremely helpful

- The UI/UX is very clean

- All-in-one type solution

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Workday was selected because it offered a comprehensive people solution. Instead of having different portals for compensation, performance management, recruiting, and people analytics, Workday allowed everything to live in one system of record. This reduced costs and ramp time in some ways because it allowed everyone to be in one place.

I've used it for a combined 2-2.5 years in my career in all facets from selection to design and then every day use for reporting and recruiting.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Cons:

- The Recruiting module for recruiters and recruiting coordinators is not intuitive and user friendly

- The Recruiting module for candidates is lengthy and miserable. It does a terrible job of parsing resumes

- Job management versus position management makes data funky in some instances (for example, if you were hired into a position, it can look like you hired your whole team unless you put in specific calculated fields)

- If you don't have the right access controls, it is borderline impossible to do your job effectively.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

The Workday Recruiting Module (their ATS) is one of the most reviled in the Recruiting space. It doesn't compare well to other ATS like Greenhouse, Lever, or Ashby because the latter offers better functionality, controls, and ease of use.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

- Ease of use. Workday has the ability to be so much but you have to know exactly what to look for and how to configure it.

- Implementation time. Workday requires a focused implementation and testing period. Without it, you will run into a number of problems. If you need to roll out something quickly, Workday isn't the tool for you.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

It is difficult to tell because they release big updates every 6 months so requests for solutions might be forgotten by that point.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

HR Business Partners, HR Operations, Finance, Compensation, and C-Suite

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Recruiting, Analytics, Interviewers, Candidates

SAP SuccessFactors

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SAP SuccessFactors
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked SAP SuccessFactors

SAP SuccessFactors is one of the big names in HR software. They’re currently pushing the boundaries of the HCM category itself, calling their product an HXM suite (for Human Experience Management).

PROS

CONS

Our reviewer took screenshot of SAP SuccessFactors HRMS Software dashboard during the demo

SAP SuccessFactors Review

SAP is trying to transform traditional human capital management into a more employee-oriented endeavor. Through their HXM, they are trying to position the worker’s experience as the main filter for how companies engage with their people. Their product helps HR managers deliver experiences that resonate with employees while shaping their strategy.

Although not branded as an HRMS, SuccessFactors does cover all the features you’d expect from this category. This includes cloud payroll and benefits administration, even for a global workforce.

SAP SuccessFactors Customers

  • American Airlines
  • Ernst & Young
  • Hero Group
  • Terex
  • Watco Companies

SAP SuccessFactors Pricing

Pricing for SAP’s HXM suite is only available upon request.

Best For

Enterprises looking to improve UX

SAP SuccessFactors in action
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UKG

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UKG
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked UKG

UKG is the merger of Ultimate Software and Kronos. As such, it brings more than 7 decades of experience with HCM tech into the workforce management space. UKG Pro, their HRMS, offers features like people analytics, benefits administration, and payroll.

PROS

  • Leveraging years of experience in HCM and workforce management technology, UKG Pro and UKG Ready offer a comprehensive solution.
  • By providing UKG Pro as an HRMS solution and UKG Ready for workforce management, you can access a range of features that address diverse HR requirements through a unified set of tools.
  • You can configure user visibility within the system.
  • The Ultimate Community provides on-demand information and networking opportunities for UKG Pro users.
  • Includes an iOS app and an Android app for employees.
  • Super robust product, packing years of experience with HCM and Workforce Management technology 
  • Since they offer UKG Pro for HRMS and UKG Ready for workforce management, you could arrive at a combination of products that suits many of your HR needs from the same set of tools.

CONS

  • In comparison to more recent tools, both UKG Pro and UKG Ready might lack a clear focus or distinctive selling proposition tailored to specific types of businesses, meaning niche operations might find it challenging to adapt.
  • The Android app has some issues with logging in.
  • Not very budget-friendly with SMBs.
  • All-in-one is not ideal for teams who require only a handful of specialized functionalities.
  • Compared to newer tools, UKG Pro and UKG Ready tend to miss a unique selling point or a specific focus on a certain type of business. While they work great for bigger companies in all sorts of industries, very niche operations might have a hard time adapting to the tool. 
  • Similarly, ​​UKG offers many solutions under one umbrella, so it's not the best fit if you're looking for only a handful of specific use cases.
UKG HRMS Platform dashboard screenshot

UKG Review

UKG offers a wealth of features and expertise to support the HR needs of large enterprises. From hiring and onboarding to performance management and succession planning, this platform aims to provide a holistic solution for HR needs. UKG has utilized its 70 years of experience in the field and companies' mergers to deliver such comprehensive solutions.

In addition to its wealth of features, we found the platform configurability and the outstanding support from the Ultimate Community to be particularly noteworthy aspects of our experience with UKG.

As administrators, we can control access to specific user groups. Tailored access is a significant advantage for teams prioritizing robust data security.

Although UKG's user interface boasts an attractive aesthetic, the plethora of features can be overwhelming. However, the Ultimate Community proved invaluable, providing access to loads of information and insights from previous conversations. The ability to ask questions and seek assistance from other users was also highly beneficial.

UKG exhibits noteworthy strengths, but we did encounter a few drawbacks during our assessment. Unlike newer specialized tools, it may lack the specificity needed by niche businesses. Furthermore, some users have reported issues logging into the Android app. Finally, this product is not priced for teams looking for a low-price solution.

UKG Customers

Tesla, Marriott, Yamaha, Aramark, Puma, Sony Music, Samsung.

UKG Pricing

  • Pricing for UKG is not disclosed on their website.
  • Typically, the pricing is based on a per-employee-per-month model, with options for annual or monthly billing options.
  • UKG Pro licenses generally start at around $600.00 per year for every 5 users. For an exact quote, please reach out to a sales representative.

Best For

UKG is an excellent choice for large companies operating in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia/Pacific regions, with a minimum employee count of 1000.

UKG in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used UKG as our HRIS primary system of record to feed all other systems that relied on employee data. It was used for payroll, performance management, and compensation management. Again, a selling point of this tool for the transportation company was the multi-state tax calculations it was able to deliver.

What do you like about this tool?

UKG is a comprehensive solution when looking for an HRIS. It also has favorable integration capabilities with other systems. I also appreciate that UKG is a scalable system that allows your business to expand as needed.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I used UKG with a past employer in the transportation industry. We implemented it and used it for several years. We selected UKG due to the fact that the transportation company I worked for had a few separate subsidiaries in different states under the primary corporate umbrella. UKG was able to handle the complexity that came with managing a distributed workforce under multiple EINs. The taxation functionality was particularly helpful for their mobile and transient 1099 workforce.

What do you dislike about this tool?

UKG would benefit from expanding its reporting and data analytics capabilities. Other competitors have more robust tools and functionality In this area. The cost for this platform has also been an obstacle for smaller organizations.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

No HRIS is perfect and has the solution for all employer pain points and needs. That said, UKG is very versatile and flexible to customize and modify to the needs of different types and sizes of businesses.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

People should consider scalability, integration, cost, and ease of use. These will be critical, especially for companies planning on growing and expanding their workforce. Also important not to “over buy” modules that the business may not be ready to utilize yet. Scale its functionality as the business grows and matures.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

UKG has moved to a cloud-based platform and developed a mobile app

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

UKG would be a great HRIS platform for companies of all sizes but especially for those looking for flexibility and to scale.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Companies not looking to grow and scale would not maximize the use of a tool like UKG.

Zoho People

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Zoho People
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Zoho People

Zoho People is a complete solution for HR teams that offers a free plan in addition to other affordable options. Their tool can take on basic HR tasks like time and attendance, performance assessment, learning and development, employee engagement, and payroll management.

PROS

  • All core HR features in a single dashboard.
  • A wide array of integrations.
  • Available in multiple languages.
  • Has a free version and a free trial.
  • All core HR features in a single dashboard 
  • Wide array of integrations 
  • User-friendly UI, constantly updated 
  • Available in multiple languages

CONS

  • Payroll function was found to be too simplistic for some teams.
  • Mobile apps offer a scaled-down version of what’s available with the web version.
  • Occasional reports of slow load times.
  • Since they offer so many modules, some may be not as robust as other products that have been more specific about covering certain needs. For instance, some teams have found their payroll offering to be quite basic. 
  • Not all that’s available in the web platform is available in the app
  • Some users reported that the platform can be slow to load every now and then.
Our reviewer took screenshot of Workday Human Resource Management System (HRMS) dashboard during the demo

Zoho People Review

Overall, we were quite impressed with this tool. It’s built solid with smart features, and it scales well. The forever-free plan is a major plus, even with limitations around total users (the upper limit is five) and a scant 250MB of storage.

Zoho’s mobile apps offer on-the-go convenience, and the core HR functions are all in good working order.

One remarkable aspect is the Cases feature. This functionality empowers users to submit their support inquiries within designated HR categories, ensuring swift responses from dedicated agents. It's a straightforward and efficient solution that saves valuable time.

Equally impressive is Zoho People, which accomplishes two goals at once - fostering enhanced collaboration while bolstering security through its access control feature. Administrators are able to easily assign access permissions to members which enables both effective collaboration and robust security measures.

Announcements empowers managers to share vital company information using a wide range of content types, formatting choices, and location-specific visibility settings, ensuring that important announcements reach the right audience in the right way at the right time.

Our experience with the browser-based self-service feature was good. It provided a centralized platform for accessing employee records, leave management, timesheets, and policy documents. However, we had some challenges with the mobile app. There were occasional lags during check-ins and facial recognition processes, and certain tools, like payroll, were more basic functionally compared to other similar tools in this space. There have been user reports of loading delays, be we didn’t experience this.

This platform is a good place for a growing company to start, and this has been attested to by multiple users reporting that their team started with the free plan and grew into a higher tier.

Zoho People Customers

ZPE Systems, Cloudfronts Technologies, Zomato, SpiceJet, Foresight CFO.

Zoho People Pricing

Zoho People has five plans:

  • Free: up to 5 users and 250MB of storage.
  • Essential HR: $1.25 per user per month when billed annually.
  • Professional: $2 per user per month billed annually.
  • Premium: $3 per user per month billed annually‍.
  • Enterprise: $4.5 per user per month billed annually.

Best For

While Zoho offers custom pricing for organizations with over 500 employees, its existing feature sets are particularly well-suited for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The tool's multilingual capabilities enable it to cater to global teams effectively, ensuring seamless collaboration and communication across language barriers.

Zoho People in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

Mostly for the HR operations (HRMS). You can get in touch with HR easily, even from the HR's end things will be pretty organised. From hiring to retaining it has most of the features and capabilities seeded into it. Pick the ones you require and drop things which you don't need.

What do you like about this tool?
  • Easily application process for leaves: You can apply for leaves according to the leaves calendar, and things are easily trackable.
  • Events can be created and notifications are broadcasted through open channels.
  • Salary slips and payroll information: Getting payslips and salary information is easy. It also provides a dashboard and shows downloadable payslips, which are easily accessible.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Not Zoho People exactly, but we purchased the full ecosystem of Zoho, called Zoho One, which consists of several tools that we wanted. From their (Zoho) demo, we liked the interface and capabilities of most of the tools. We were looking for a platform through which people can get most things under a single umbrella, so we had the demo, used it for a month, customized it to our liking, and they delivered. That’s when we decided to subscribe for a whole year.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Zoho People is full of features. The only con is the UI. Besides that, the software is really future proof. I’d suggest for the dev team to build in smarter UI features.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I have used Darwinbox and SugarCRM, but this software has way more added features to make things easy for the employees and the HR management.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

The tool is expensive, if you have a large pool of employees then it would be great if you could talk with their representatives and ask for a discount. But it's well worth it. My only suggestion is get the demo, use it, if you think it's worth the price, go for it.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Yes, I have used it before, but back then there were a lot of bugs. But now the software has become smoother and easier to use.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

If you are managing a big pool of employees.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Small startups, it would be too expensive.

Namely

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Namely
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Popularity Score
4.7 / 5
User Score
4.1 / 5
Product Score
4.6 / 5

Why we picked Namely

Namely helps you streamline many of the day-to-day HR processes, including onboarding, attendance tracking, and performance management. It also packs a robust payroll and benefits administration module and reporting functionality that gives you insights into market trends.

PROS

  • Namely’s UI is highly rated by users. It’s quite clean and easy to navigate despite how feature-rich Namely is.
  • The employee onboarding module has an easy-to-use wizard that correctly guides new hires through the steps they need to complete and tasks they need to do.
  • On top of the platform's built-in features for data management, recruiting, onboarding, time off tracking, payroll, and benefits administration, Namely offers managed payroll and benefits administration services in case you require more help.
  • The majority of users are able to navigate Namely without any issues. They find the UI to be intuitive and clean, despite the fact that the platform has lots of features. 
  • Namely’s employee onboarding module gets a alot of praise from users. It features an easy-to-follow wizard, which helps new hires get on quickly and be clear on what they need to do. 
  • Besides the platform’s built in features for data management, recruiting, onboarding, time off tracking, payroll and benefits administration, there are also managed payroll and benefits administration services you can opt for to reduce the burden on your internal teams. 

CONS

  • Namely predominantly serves U.S.-based companies, which means it isn’t a good fit for companies that you need to pay and give benefits to employees in other countries.
  • The implementation process can be lengthy, spanning a minimum of 6-8 weeks.
  • For a platform as big as Namely, we were surprised by the lack of employee development features such as skill training, career pathing, succession planning, etc.
  • Before buying Namely, you should verify whether it is compatible with your current benefits provider, as there have been a few instances reported where Namely’s team encouraged users to switch to other providers that cost more.
  • Namely primarily operates in the U.S., which means if you’re looking for a global payroll and benefits provider, this platform isn’t for you.
  • Though many praise the platform’s ease of use, it does take long to implement it. Namely’s own team says that an average implementation takes between 6-8 weeks.
  • For a platform of Namely’s size, there currently aren’t any features that focus on employee development such as skill training, career pathing, succession planning etc. 
  • You’ll need to check beforehand if Namely can work with your existing benefits provider, if you have one. There have been a few reports (but not few enough to ignore) about Namely’s team convincing customers to change their benefits provider to providers that charged them more. 
Our reviewer took screenshot of Namely Human Resource Management Software dashboard during the demo

Namely Review

Namely’s HRMS helps mid-market companies (50-1000 employees) manage several HR processes in one centralized location. For starters, it can help you store and organize your employees' info as your system of record (SOR). You can also use it to onboard new employees through an intuitive wizard and e-signatures, check and approve time-off requests, as well as customize and conduct performance reviews.

The platform has built-in features for payroll management and benefits administrations that you can use, or opt for Namely’s managed payroll and benefits services and have them take care of relevant processes on your behalf.

Namely Customers

Namely is used by hundreds of businesses, including The Channel Company, Greenhouse, OneLogin, and MacStadium.

Namely Pricing

Namely doesn’t have fixed pricing plans. They like to tailor their offering according to each customer’s needs, and as such, each customer gets a unique quote. To learn more about Namely’s pricing and to get a quote, you can reach out to their Sales team.

Best For

Namely is a great HRMS for the mid-market (50-1,000 employees).

Namely in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used Namely primarily for departmental reporting, allowing each team to access the data they needed without complication. It was also our central platform for posting internal announcements, which helped keep communication streamlined across the organization.

Our non-exempt employees frequently used the timekeeping module, and they appreciated how easy it was to transfer between job roles within the system. From an HR perspective, managing payroll was straightforward, which saved us significant time during each payroll cycle.

What do you like about this tool?

Creating reports in Namely is straightforward, even for users with limited technical experience. The time and labor module is intuitive and easy to demonstrate to employees. The visibility and layout of the homepage make navigating the system fast and user-friendly.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I worked for a small FinTech company that used Namely. They picked Namely because it was an easy-to-use tool and was perfect for our business structure. We (the HR Team) liked how it was easy to enter new employees and update existing employees' information.

We also had a few nonexempt employees, so we used their timekeeping system, which was also simple. We also used announcements like our social media, so we didn't have to design an Intranet.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The system lacks innovation and hasn’t kept up with some newer HR platforms in terms of features and design. The interface feels a bit outdated, especially compared to more modern alternatives. Customer support was sometimes difficult to reach, which could be frustrating when time-sensitive issues arose.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Namely is a smaller and more simplified platform compared to other tools like UKG or ADP. It works well for small companies that need a streamlined system without too many bells and whistles. While I prefer UKG or ADP for their broader functionality and scalability, Namely stands out for being approachable and easy to manage for less complex HR operations.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When evaluating this kind of tool, it's important to consider the size and complexity of your organization. Namely works best for small businesses that don’t require highly advanced features or custom-coded reports. If you're expecting rapid growth or need to manage complex data, you may quickly outgrow it. Simplicity and ease of use should be top considerations if you're leaning toward Namely.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

One noticeable improvement has been quicker service request response times. The company seems to have made an effort to address support speed, which enhances the overall user experience, especially during critical periods.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Namely is ideal for HR teams and general employees in small to mid-sized companies. It suits organizations that need an easy-to-use system without requiring extensive setup or ongoing technical support.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Namely is not well-suited for finance departments or organizations with complex financial and reporting needs. Larger enterprises that require deep integration and advanced functionalities may find it limiting.

Benefits of the Top HRMS Software

The evolution of Human Resource Management Systems has taken them from basic record-keeping tools (think PeopleSoft in 1987) to valuable strategic assets. In addition to the criteria mentioned above, take note of the key benefits below. Regardless of your industry, size, or location, each of the following are benefits you can expect from HRMS software.

Better employee experience: The benefits of a quality HRMS are directly enjoyed by your employees. For example, a user-friendly employee portal can allow employees to review and update their info, navigate benefits options, and request time off with ease in less time than through legacy systems and sometimes even from a mobile app. Of course, this can lead to increased employee satisfaction and engagement.

Drive employee performance: The best HRMS platforms can foster talent development through performance reviews, engagement surveys, performance management capabilities, and customizable integrations with other tools you use to build culture.

Save time with HR automation: A good HRMS can have a massive impact on efficiency. Automation can handle new employee onboarding, offboarding, benefits and payroll administration, time tracking, attendance management, and more. With fewer operational tasks, the HR department can focus its time and energy on more strategic initiatives like optimizing employee lifetime value, lowering the turnover rate, and improving employee productivity and well-being.

Increased compliance: Provided you and your team are careful with the setup and initial data entry, an HRMS can significantly improve HR’s data accuracy. A complete, accurate, and easy-to-access data collection means you can worry less about EEOC audits and wrongful termination lawsuits. If one of these worst-case scenarios actually occurs, you’ll be prepared.

These systems also help with HR’s adaptability to unforeseen circumstances. One clear example was the pandemic, where many of the top vendors in the US reacted to vaccine mandates by rapidly developing features to accommodate immunization tracking and other safety and compliance tools.

A more organized HR department: If your business, like many, started with a handful of spreadsheets and a patchwork of manual processes, an HRMS can help you graduate to a more refined set of procedures. An HRMS can substantially lighten your cognitive load by managing multiple interconnected employee info systems.

HR intelligence: As any operation grows, it becomes increasingly important to analyze its data. An HRMS lets you create custom reports, making it easier for your HR and finance teams to examine metrics like turnover rate, hiring costs, and employee engagement and use that data to make more informed decisions.

Workforce management: The best HRMS systems take a modern approach to workforce management by putting the employee experience front and center. You’ll find elements of employee engagement, like intuitive self-onboarding, easy-to-access payroll and benefits, mobile first-time tracking, smart scheduling, and payroll management, which are standard in top-tier HRMSs.

Streamline recruiting: It’s not unusual for HRMS platforms to include a lightweight Applicant Tracking System (ATS), but it is becoming common for a full-fledged ATS to be part of the standard HRMS package.

Hiring is a central element of workforce management, so if you’re already using an HRMS as an integrated information hub for employee data, it makes sense to use it to manage applicant info, too. The most advanced ATSs built into an HRMS can do everything from sourcing candidates, scheduling interviews, shortlisting or rejecting, and onboarding new employees to offboarding.

Pro Tips on HRMS (Human Resource Management Systems)

Pitfalls of Buying a Human Resource Management System

The rewards of implementing the right HRMS system are substantial, but so are the risks if you make the wrong choice. The information below is from our research of unhappy customers who bought the wrong software tool. We identified central themes across their experience, and after reading this list, you can avoid the common mistakes to watch out for.

Rushing the decision: The allure of an elegant interface, the appeal of innovative features, and the sentiment of a few glowing reviews are powerful forces. It’s easy to buy a product that doesn’t actually do what you need. We’ve all been there.

Design, feature set, and reputation are important when vetting any software, but they should not drive your decision. Make your choice with the company's overall objectives in mind. Budget ample time to identify your team’s requirements, past issues, and the primary goals you hope to achieve using HRMS software.

Lack of awareness: The fact that you’re reading this guide suggests you know the value of thorough research, but some busy HR pros lack the operational context needed to make the right choice. It’s common for these folks to limit their scope of research to one or two major pain points they experience personally. This, as you can imagine, usually ends badly.

Not consulting teammates: This can be disastrous when implementing HR software. Checking with employees in every department can be a painstaking process, even in a small business, but in the long run, it’s worth it. For more on this topic, read this article on getting buy-in from internal stakeholders.

Overlooking security and support: Security and support are not features where quality can be sacrificed for price. HRMS systems hold all your employee info, so choose a company that prioritizes security. Support is an element of security and a critical standalone feature. This is especially true during implementation when a few missteps during your initial setup can lead to big problems down the line.

HRMS Software Price

With most of the HRMS vendors listed on this roundup, pricing is per user per month. Some have an additional monthly base rate, and most offer custom pricing based on your business’s needs. Some also offer independently priced add-ons, which is excellent for small businesses who want to pay only for the features they’ll actually use. Regardless of your business size or state of growth, you may find this ROI calculator helpful for setting your budget.

We've compiled the following estimates to offer a rough idea of what to budget based on your organization’s size. This data reflects the input of HR experts, both in-house and external, but be aware that these are rough estimates, and the proposals and quotes you get will vary.

  • 1-100 employees: $12,000 per year
  • 101-500 employees: $48,000 per year
  • 501-1,000 employees: $72,000 per year

Key HRMS Software Features

Knowing the key features of HRMSs and how they can support your goals is essential to finding the right software for your team.

At the beginning of this article, we covered the fundamental differences between HRMS, HRIS, and HCM platforms. We noted that, though many features overlap, contrasts in scope and philosophy made for clear distinctions between the three. Let’s look at each of these in more detail:

Employee Information Management: An HRIS is a secure database that serves as a single system of record for employee data, including personal details, job history, performance records, and benefits information.

Payroll: This is ubiquitous among HRMS platforms. Payroll features manage all aspects of payroll processing, including salary calculation, deductions, tax withholdings, calculation for PTO, sick days, overtime, and more. Time and attendance are adjacent features that contribute to accurate pay computation.

Some of the vendors mentioned in this list offer global payroll solutions, but if this feature is essential to run your business, we recommend reading our guide on global payroll.

Budgeting: Some HRIS platforms can help create budgets for the entire human resources department by integrating them with common accounting software. This can include expenditures, forecasts, and plans for future costs. Some also provide cost analysis overview and reporting features.

Performance Management: Many HRMS platforms support performance appraisal processes, goal setting, feedback collection, and performance review cycles. Best employee development practices are constantly evolving, and performance reviews are undergoing rigorous evaluation by HR thought leaders, so be sure the performance management features match your company’s talent development philosophy.

Compliance and Reporting: The compliance management and reporting functions record and synthesize information extracted from the numerous systems of record managed within the platform. The aggregated data is used as a precise record of regulatory compliance and to generate reports that can be evaluated for possible strategic insights.

Questions to Keep in Mind When Demoing HRMS Software Tools

Advanced preparation is the key to getting the most out of software demonstrations. Come prepared with questions that investigate each vendor’s approach to addressing the specific needs you’ve already identified.

Your demo questions should be a subset of the questions you have already asked. It’s common to exchange multiple emails leading up to a demo, so make the most of your time by getting the basics out of the way beforehand.

Keep your internal stakeholders in mind as you prepare. Ideally, they were directly involved, but short of that, be sure you have cultivated a cross-department understanding of what is essential across the org. Their needs should be reflected in your questions.

With your basic questions already answered and the best interest of all departments in mind, here are the must-ask questions for an HRMS product demo:

  • Does it integrate with our current ATS, payroll, or any other systems you might have that impact workforce management?
  • Does this solution have single sign-on (SSO) capabilities?
  • Are there multiple authorization levels for different types of users?
  • Is there a maximum number of employees it will support across the workforce?
  • What types of reporting capabilities does it have?
  • Does it include features to help HR communicate with employees (i.e., mass emails, internal chat, filtering messages by criteria)?
  • What kind of tasks can we automate or streamline with this tool? How many hours can we expect to save doing so?
  • How much technical training will be required?
  • What kinds of technical support are provided?
  • What recruiting capabilities are built in?
  • How will information be exchanged with insurance brokers and carriers)?
  • Does it accommodate benefits carriers’ rules?
  • How can we import employee data into this system? (API, Excel spreadsheets, employee records, other databases, and paper documents)
  • What built-in security measures does it contain?

We get a lot of positive feedback about this software buying organizer. Readers tell us it was a useful tool throughout the process, and in the end, they were thankful they’d used it from the beginning.

FAQs on Buying HRMS Software

These are the most frequently asked questions from HR professionals when it comes to human capital management software:

What is the best HRMS system?

The big names in HRMS software are UKG, SAP SuccessFactors, Namely, and Rippling, but are they really “the best”? The answer is yes and no.

Best can only be applied to one company at a time because no single HRMS platform is a universal fit for everyone. The wide range of HRMS platforms may seem unnecessary (or even overwhelming), but the variety represents the diversity in the businesses' needs.

What is the difference between HCM, HRMS, and HRIS?

The critical distinction between HRIS, HRMS, and HCM lies in their scope and focus. HRIS (Human Resource Information System) and HRMS (Human Resource Management System) are specific software types that focus on managing human resource information and processes, including payroll in the latter case. HCM, or Human Capital Management, encompasses a broader philosophy of business practices. It involves acquiring and optimizing a business's workforce and integrating strategic elements into managing human resources.

Why do definitions of HCM, HRMS, and HRIS vary so much?

There are many ways to answer this perfectly reasonable question, but the need for more consensus is primarily the result of two factors. First, an imprecise definition offers some wiggle room for vendors who claim their tool can do it all. Second, our approach to workforce management is shifting as technology and best practices evolve, so the categories are not fixed.

Despite this moving target, the distinctions primarily lie in their features, intended applications, and the philosophical framework behind each tool’s design. Generally, industry insights suggest that HRIS is the most narrowly defined solution, concentrating on essential HR functions. HRMS expands on this with broader features, still primarily within the HR domain. In contrast, HCM encompasses these features and extends further, incorporating strategic business planning to analyze and optimize the workforce as the key element.

Final Advice on Buying HRMS software

As we wrap up, let's assume you've absorbed the information above and identified a few potential vendors for scheduling demos. That’s just the first step, but it is the biggest one! If you were thorough and diligent from the beginning, you’ve set yourself up for an easier time reaching your goal. You’ve also become familiar with the general process we recommend for making all HR tech decisions.

Since you’ve identified your needs and have a comprehensive understanding of how different feature sets can meet them, fine-tuning your demos should be a breeze.

At this point, your knowledge far surpasses the average consumer. You speak the language of the HRMS vendor, so feel confident when you ask the person running your demo to focus on the relevant features you’ve identified.

You can even supply them with test data to use in the demonstration. This “test drive” approach will help you assess intuitiveness and overall user experience.

You’re already well on your way to bringing the best HRMS platform to your workplace! If you want to further your knowledge, you should read this article about the differences between HRIS, HCM, and HRMS, or you can focus your attention on this article covering the definition, features, and benefits of an HCM.

About the Author

Rodrigo Vázquez-Mellado
HR and B2B software analyst and advisor, tech writer and editor, former conversational designer
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Rodrigo has worked in tech since 2015 across various marketing and product roles. All the while, he's stayed active as a journalist, musician, and avid traveler. He's been a writer and editor at SSR since 2020, covering software niches like payroll, HCM, workforce planning, AI Recruiting, and whatever spikes his interest. He's always on the lookout for the right software and tools—whether it's for managing business processes or to fuel his many hobbies. Rodrigo studied Journalism at the University of North Texas and Marketing and Communications at Tec de Monterrey. You can see more of his writing at: http://rvmrosas.com/

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