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.








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.
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.

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.

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.
40,000+ businesses use Paylocity’s solutions including Weigel’s, ILC, Upward, and HMC.
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.
We use Paylocity every day. It is integral to our recruiting process, allowing new employees to apply and enabling us to send offer letters through the platform. We also use it for onboarding new employees, where they complete tasks like filling out I-9 forms, tax forms, direct deposit information, and signing off on policies.
Employers complete their portion of the onboarding process before employees are moved to HR and payroll. Paylocity is also used for timekeeping and scheduling, with employees punching in and out through the time clock, allowing us to track attendance and tardiness.
Additionally, we use it for payroll and benefits management, including open enrollment and eligibility tracking. It serves as our primary communication tool, with a community page for announcements and chats with employees. The survey module is another valuable feature, helping us conduct satisfaction surveys.

I like it is an all in one system and is easy to use. I have used a few other payroll systems and this one is by far the easiest to use. I also like that there is an app for employees to use. Most of the functions are available through the app and Paylocity is constantly improving the app and system to meet our needs.
I also like that I have one main customer service contact with any issues. There is an email to our dedicated rep and a phone number. If our rep is unavailable there is a team that can help assist.
We needed an all-in-one system, and this was the best option. It includes all the tools we required, such as onboarding, recruiting, timecards, schedules, payroll, and benefits. It is user-friendly and easy to use. We have been using it for three years. When I first joined the company, HR and payroll were outsourced, and we used at least two different programs.
Paylocity provided an excellent solution by integrating all the systems we needed into one login. It was also cost-effective since Paylocity charges per employee per month, and we can run as many payrolls as needed without incurring additional charges.
We recently experienced issues with PTO not calculating correctly, which took some time to resolve, requiring manual adjustments for employees. Some onboarding documents are not readily accessible, as they should automatically transfer to the HR and payroll profiles for easy access.
Paylocity is actively working to resolve this issue. We also encountered problems with double-time payments, which removed some regular hours, but this was addressed with Paylocity’s assistance.
I have used ADP and Paycom in the past. Paylocity stands out by providing a dedicated customer service contact, whereas ADP only offers a general number to call. I also find Paylocity to be more intuitive and easier to use than both ADP and Paycom. Overall, I prefer Paylocity over other systems I’ve used.
Some key questions to consider include whether the tool will meet most or all of your needs, how long the company has been in business, and whether similar industries use the software. Evaluate its ease of use and affordability to ensure it fits within your budget.
I recommend asking for references from current users to gain insight into their experiences. Watching a demo can also confirm whether the software aligns with your company’s requirements.
Paylocity has introduced new modules, such as the rewards and recognition module, which consolidates anniversaries, birthdays, and employee achievements in one place. The app has also been significantly improved since we started, offering more features and functionality than before.
I think any organization could benefit from using Paylocity. My industry is healthcare, and it works exceptionally well for us. I am part of an HR group where members from industries like manufacturing and professional services also use Paylocity successfully.
I can’t think of any. Having worked in various organizations, I believe Paylocity would be a good fit for all.

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 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.
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.
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.
I primarily used the ATS within BambooHR. I was able to identify key applicants quickly and move them to the appropriate stage in the interview process. I could also leave notes that the entire team could see and relay to the hiring manager. Navigating through each section, role, and candidate was easy and intuitive. Hiring became that much easier thanks to the easy-to-use platform.
It was easy to learn how to use. The ATS had a clean and organized layout. Notifying candidates and other team members through BambooHR was seamless.
I used BambooHR while working at The Sourcery. When I arrived, it was already in use. I am unaware of what was used prior to this. It was easy to use and especially beneficial for the ATS. I appreciated that any member of the recruiting team could log in to view candidates, track where they were in the recruiting process, and review shared notes. Overall, it was a solid product for our needs.
I did not have any specific dislikes related to the ATS system.
BambooHR stands out from competitors primarily due to its user-friendly design and intuitive interface. Compared to other HRIS systems I've used (such as Paycor, Paycom, and Gusto), BambooHR feels simpler and less cluttered, which speeds up onboarding for new team members and managers.
Make sure the system is intuitive for both HR and staff to minimize training time. Confirm whether it includes your required features (ATS, onboarding, payroll, etc.). Evaluate the quality of customer support—are they responsive and knowledgeable?
Mobile access has improved, making it easier to handle HR tasks on the go.
Smaller organizations can benefit from BambooHR.
BambooHR is best suited to small and mid-sized businesses that prioritize ease of use over highly customized, enterprise-grade functionality.
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Deel
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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 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.

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

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.
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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.
Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Detroit Zoo, The Cincinnati Bengals, The YMCA.
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.
My core tasks included managing the training, recruiting, onboarding, and compliance of new employees. I used it daily, all day, as my tasks were directly tied to areas within Paycor.
I also added training as needed, due to the company's lack of necessary training modules. In some cases, I added the tests only; in others, I utilized either company-approved YouTube video training or created and recorded training myself to meet compliance and regulatory requirements.
I developed the onboarding process so that all forms were consistent, error-free, and used current language in accordance with federal and state laws.
I liked working with the onboarding module because it was easy to navigate and ultimately saved hours of human resources’ time each week, allowing staff to focus on other tasks.
The training module was good and could have been even better had the implementation team properly trained staff on how to create the tests and set them up correctly. I liked some of the reporting features and the ability to schedule repeated reports for delivery; however, it was sometimes confusing when the reports did not include the information I expected.
The company wanted to upgrade its HRIS and decided Paycor would be the best fit, which was about six months prior to my taking a contract with them. My time working with Paycor was about four months after I had worked six months on another similar program, which gave me a great opportunity to compare the two.
The pain points the company wanted to solve, including those present when I was brought in to assist, started with employee documentation management being a key problem. Even after the implementation, the company struggled to move older files from long-term employees into the system, as they were scattered throughout different units.
Another issue was the ability to easily test and complete core competency assessments on employees, not only at the beginning of their employment but also during annual testing. The company also wanted to present a more professional, polished image to new executives.
According to other staff in human resources, the implementation was rushed, which resulted in a scattered and unpolished system.
One con of the training system was that it took an extremely long time to get the tests set up correctly for the appropriate job titles. I didn’t like the navigation in the employee section, as there were multiple paths to access information, but none of them reliably produced the data I needed.
I also had a poor experience with customer service; it was often unavailable, and when I asked questions, our representative frequently could not answer them. His response was often, “Let me get the trainer,” but he would sometimes fail to follow up.
Paycor was similar in many ways to the recent competitor I had worked with, but customer service was the deciding factor that would prevent me from working with them again. All the other issues could have been resolved.
It differs from inferior products that are not all-in-one packages. Products such as this will be the future of HR, given their ability to manage an employee’s entire lifecycle, from application to termination.
People should thoroughly read reviews from other users about the pros and cons of this company. I suggest contacting a recent client—something Paycor should offer—to understand why their customer service may be lacking.
Compare Paycor’s offering to similar products in terms of integration and implementation, and ask whether they will provide on-site assistance throughout the initial implementation until it is fully complete.
Compare costs and inquire about any additional fees required for support once the official implementation period has ended (according to their terms).
I don’t believe I worked with Paycor long enough to observe any evolution, but I would like to see improvements in their customer service department and a greater level of product knowledge among their employees.
Paycor could be a good fit for companies with between 100 and 1,000 employees. It would likely be too much for smaller companies, and I recommend that companies with over 1,000 employees carefully review current feedback on Paycor’s handling of system glitches, payroll issues, and customer service before making a decision.
As mentioned above, very large companies should not consider Paycor at this time. Smaller companies or startups should consider alternatives such as a PEO or ADP for their payroll needs and use a dedicated ATS and onboarding system.

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 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.
Vox, Maximum Games, Superhuman, Compass Coffee, Highnoon.
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.
We mainly used it for W2 and 1099 payroll, onboarding, offboarding, and reporting. For an added fee, you can utilize some of their workflow automation tools to optimize some of the more manual workflows.
- Domestic U.S. payroll: Rippling is recommended for a predominantly salaried workforce. There is a very basic timekeeping system that we utilized for our hourly non-exempt workforce for time off tracking and 1099 contractors. The salaried payroll is very easy to use; however, the state registration for payroll can be a bit complex. Reaching a payroll support person can also be a bit of a headache, especially during a payroll crunch, but there are also many helpful payroll support people. You can utilize chat, or they can call you to resolve issues. One of the biggest challenges we have faced was opening a payroll ticket and taking days, up to weeks, for it to close if it was a complicated issue. You do not get a dedicated customer support representative so definitely take that into consideration.
- International payroll: International Payroll: International Payroll is not supported, however, you can store HR Information for international employees. It's a bit more of a hassle to keep their information and turn off their payroll info, but helpful for having a full scope of the employee base.
- Onboarding / offboarding: The integration for onboarding with greenhouse ATS was a bit clunky. Names and basic information would transfer over from Greenhouse, but you would have to search the name on the Rippling end. Creating the onboarding packet was not too difficult, the user interface is pretty basic, but easy to set-up and administer for e-signature. Offboarding can be done in advance of a departure, and access points, notifying IT, etc. can be set up in an easy to use workflow. Departed employees can still access a limited version of their employee portal to see their W2s and Paystubs via Rippling after they've departed the company which is extremely useful.
- Laptop Inventory Management: We originally had paid for this service as we were a small HR team of 2 with no IT department at first. It's helpful to have as a service, but unfortunately it over promises and under delivers. There are frequent inventory shortages for laptops, so the best thing to do is purchase in bulk or purchase laptops to have on-site and send them out to new employees outside of the system. If you have your own IT department, in-house is a better way to go since this does cost a significant amount of additional charge.

- I liked that Rippling provides robust reporting across their different functionalities.
- Rippling does a great job at making a user-friendly interface to navigate.
- I like that it has all the bells and whistles you need for a small to medium sized business.
We started off using Gusto as our Payroll/HRIS. Our team grew from under 50 to about 110 in 6 months. Unfortunately, we quickly outgrew Gusto's Benefits, Reporting, and HRIS capabilities.
A nearly all-in-one system is difficult to find. Coming from Gusto, we knew we wanted to keep our benefits, payroll, and HR information in one system, with great functional reporting across these data points. This cross functional data helped us create great reports that helped us visualize our YoY growth, retention rates, benefit enrollment data, headcount, and much more.
- They nickel and dime every part of the platform, so you'll end up with hidden costs for unlocking parts of the platform that are usually included in others, and you'll end up with a larger cost than you originally thought. Ask for an upfront detailed overview of the costs of all the modules.
- Subpar customer service with not a lot of dedicated support.
Overall, it's a good competitor for small to medium-sized HRIS solutions because it includes HRIS/Payroll capabilities. They extend into all facets of HCM, but they do payroll, benefits, and reporting best. I appreciate they delve into different avenues, but a perfect all-in-one is impossible, so it's best to stay with what you're best at. In terms of an "all-in-one" solution, if your team is under <500 employees, it's a decent solution. The platform and company is still growing, so be patient with changes and bugs. But overall, 7/10 experience utilizing Rippling. They do listen to customers, advocate for change within the system, and move quickly.
- Budget - Rippling can start off inexpensive, but when you add the bells and whistles, it can get quite expensive. Make sure to ask what each module costs independently.
- Payroll Audience - If your population includes a significant population of hourly time keeping needs, this may not be the best platform. You can also integrate various time tracking tools as well.
- All-in-One - Unfortunately, there still isn't a perfect solution. It's important to know which modules to prioritize. If you care about your payroll, HRIS, and benefits admin in one, this is a good system for a small to medium-sized company.
- Customer Support - If you need significant customer support, Rippling may not be the best fit. It was a challenge getting a hold of our reps at times. For payroll support, you don't get a dedicated person so it can be a challenge. If you prefer to have white-glove service here, this may not be the best unless things have changed.
- App Integrations - Rippling is a closed environment, meaning you cannot create your own integrations. However, they do have a lot of APIs available for many of the largely popular apps/tools. Most of our tech stack was already aligned to what we used within Rippling so it wasn't too difficult, but it's a serious point to consider for things like your accounting system, time tracking system, expense management, etc.
Since the time we started utilizing Rippling, they have implemented significant changes to their platform. They added PEO services, global payroll, LMS, pulse surveys, and a few other new functionalities. They truly are innovating to become the all-in-one mid-enterprise platform.
I believe Rippling is great for companies under 500 employees with a predominantly salaried workforce. This tends to be more common in tech centered environments. Also when you have a lean team around Payroll/HR, it can be a great system to utilize.
A predominantly hourly non-exempt workforce. I think the platform would not be great for 500+ or <50 employees. It would be expensive for <50 employees, and be too manual for 500+, even with its workflow automation because of the integrations not working properly.

Ceridian

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

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.
- Guitar Center
- Danone
- Spirit Aerosystems
- El Pollo Loco
- Crescent Bank
Pricing for the Dayforce HCM suite is not provided up front.
Best For
Enterprises with over 1,000 employees.
Ceridian is a tool we rely on every day for our hourly employees in our plants. It serves as a convenient platform for them to log their time and manage their calendars. Each employee can easily input their time, authorize it, and save the entries without any hassle. What makes Ceridian even more impressive is its self-troubleshooting capability. If any issues arise, the system promptly identifies the problem and provides instructions on how to correct it. This feature is particularly valuable to us, as it eliminates the need for us to individually assist employees over the phone when they encounter time inputting issues. The timekeeping sheet functionality is the primary aspect of Ceridian that we heavily utilize and rely on.
I like the features of Ceridian Dayforce. It's a very user-friendly HR tool that our hourly employees can maneuver effortlessly. The system troubleshoots itself if there's an error.
Our organization was in need of a more user-friendly timekeeping software for our hourly employees located across various plants in our US campuses. We required a consistent payroll and time management system that could be seamlessly implemented across all offices. After exploring multiple HR tools, we ultimately chose Ceridian. The impressive functionality and user-friendly features of Ceridian caught our attention, allowing us to streamline timekeeping processes for all employees nationwide without any issues. Specifically, we opted for the Ceridian Dayforce version, and the transition to this HR tool has been highly satisfactory. In fact, we have enthusiastically recommended it to several partners and clients who collaborate with our individual plants.
Occasionally, the troubleshooting function of Ceridian can be somewhat perplexing when attempting to identify the root cause of an issue. In the past, we have encountered login problems where employees have had difficulties logging in correctly. Another minor inconvenience we have noticed is that when inputting time, the screen does not automatically display the current day but rather defaults to the beginning of the month.
Ceridian stands out as a highly user-friendly timekeeping software compared to many of its competitors. What sets Ceridian apart is its exceptional customer service, with its team readily available to address any inquiries or issues that may arise. Personally, I have a strong preference for Ceridian over other alternatives we have tested primarily due to its superior functionality.
The primary factors that influence our purchasing decision are the user-friendly nature of the software and its comprehensive features related to timekeeping. Additionally, the troubleshooting function performs effectively, even when dealing with a large group of hourly employees simultaneously logging in.
While I'm not entirely certain, I don't recall the HR tool having the troubleshooting function from the beginning, but I could be mistaken. It appears that Ceridian recognized the importance of addressing the timekeeping challenges faced by larger companies operating on a nationwide scale. They dedicated efforts to meet the specific requirements of such corporations and enhance their capabilities to effectively manage timekeeping across the entire country.
I think it fits larger organizations best.
Maybe smaller companies due to its high monthly cost.
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Netchex
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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.

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

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 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.

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.
4,000+ organizations, including Huel, JIMDO, riseUP, and VaynerMedia.
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.
I used Bob for a couple of years to support a company’s recruitment efforts. The primary modules I relied on included the recruitment module for posting job advertisements, managing candidate pipelines, and overseeing the onboarding process. It played a crucial role in organizing these workflows and ensuring a smoother hiring experience.
Bob is a very user-friendly tool for both administrators and applicants. The recruitment analytics were effective for a company of this size, which had fewer complexities in terms of organizational structure and recruitment goals. It provided a strong candidate experience for those comfortable using computers and technology.
Our medium-sized US company needed a more efficient tool to enhance the recruitment process. During peak hiring seasons, we required a more organized approach to posting job openings, managing candidate pipelines, and streamlining the onboarding experience.
Bob proved to be user-friendly, and while I have used more intuitive HRIS systems in the past, this one effectively met our needs. It was particularly useful for managing high-volume recruitment during critical times. I used this tool for a couple of years during my time with the organization.
Bob's training posed a significant learning curve for management teams who were unfamiliar with similar tools. While it worked well for employees and managers regularly using computers (e.g., in customer service, sales, and accounting), it was challenging for frontline workers in packaging and production roles due to their limited technological skills.
The tool was not ideal for smaller companies or larger, more complex organizations with global needs.
From a user-friendliness perspective, Bob ranks highly. However, in terms of functionality, other tools I have used, such as Workday, Paradox, and PeopleSoft, offer more advanced features that are better suited for larger, more complex organizational needs.
If you are looking for a system that is user-friendly and well-suited for a medium-sized company with predominantly office-based employees, Bob would be a great fit. However, for companies with a diverse workforce, including frontline employees, or those with highly complex needs, other solutions may be more suitable.
It has been a few years since I used Bob, but at the time, it effectively met the basic needs we had. That said, it lacked the advanced functionalities required by larger organizations with more complex requirements.
Bob is ideal for medium-sized organizations, especially those without highly complex or global organizational structures. It is also more suitable for companies with employees who are comfortable using technology.
Bob is not a good fit for larger corporations with more complex organizational structures or smaller companies that may find it unnecessarily costly and overly complex for their needs.

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.

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.
Quicken Loans, AstraZeneca, Target, Dell, Bank of America.
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.
I use Workday everyday. The key workflows I use Workday for are to manage all my open requisitions. I post jobs on Workday, disposition candidates and run daily reports on recruiting metrics per requisition. Workday does a good job with your dashboard. This screen will show all your open requisitions and any projects or timelines you choose to add. It is also very easy to add templates to Workday per requisition to help save time when you take action on a particular candidate. I initiate background checks, reference checks and offer letter proposals and submittals through Workday as well.

I like that Workday can be your one stop shop for all HR and recruiting needs. It is easily customizable to your organizations preferences. I love the reporting capabilities that Workday can provide. I also like the main screen user interface. I think it is very user friendly and easy to learn.
My organization implemented Workday for the reporting and metrics functionalities. Workday is so robust and can do so much, especially for a big organization like the one I am in. The key benefits are that you can personalize Workday to your company's needs. There are no shortages of capabilities and functions Workday can serve. If you want recruitment metrics and reports, Workday is your tool. I have used Workday personally for 5 years in 2 different organizations. Both companies needed better reporting metrics around hiring and Workday solved these needs.
Workday can be a lot! It offers so many functions that it can get overwhelming. I have had candidates who have not liked the Workday experience when applying for a position. Workday's customer service has been weak at times and has not been the easiest to deal with.
WorkDay has a great brand name. Some of the largest and most profitable companies in the world use Workday which I think speaks for the brand itself. Workday’s functionalities can do so much more than a lot of their competitors. I have used similar tools and Workday by far has the largest arsenal of functionalities. You can utilize anything you decide you want to utilize and can offer almost everything from an HR, Recruiting, and Benefits standpoint.
Workday can be expensive. You get what you are paying for. If you want a complex product as a one stop shop then I would recommend Workday. I would figure out what you want your Workday to function as within your organization.
Workday has continuously made adjustments to the user interface to make it more user friendly. More training is always offered to new capabilities that are added monthly.
Very big organizations who want a system that can do a lot of different things. If you are an organization who has a high requisition load, a need for high level reporting, Workday would be a great fit.
I think Workday would not be beneficial to smaller companies and startups. I think a lot of the key functionalities would not be used and it would be a waste of money for your organization.

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

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.
- American Airlines
- Ernst & Young
- Hero Group
- Terex
- Watco Companies
Pricing for SAP’s HXM suite is only available upon request.
Best For
Enterprises looking to improve UX

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 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.
Tesla, Marriott, Yamaha, Aramark, Puma, Sony Music, Samsung.
- 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.
We use UKG in 24 hour operations. The company I worked for used UKG for absence and time tracking system. The absence module is moderated by managers. The time keeping for hourly employee is time clocks. Salary employees manage time and absences themselves in the system.
It integrates with many systems. It is clear and nice layout. It is end user friendly.
My organization used UKG for time keeping. They wanted time clocks around the entire 7 Arce property. There were a lot of hourly staff and they wanted time to be easily captured. The goal was to have a time clock that integrated with the payroll system. The payroll system was supposed to pay incumbents accurately based on live time clock punches.
It is not easy to fix errors for end users. Tickets can take a long time to remedy. Interfaces can be buggy.
UKG is developed and large. It is used in integration with a lot of other systems. It stacks up well to similar tools.
The two criteria that people should think about when buying this type of tool is the size of the organization and the amount of user they would need to function their operation. The reason I say this is because UKG sells their product based on licenses needed for operation.
yes, their interface is more end-user friendly
I believe it is best for organizations with a lot of hourly time punch employees
I don't not believe it would be good for a lot of FLSA employees, for example, ones in corporate offices.

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.

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.
ZPE Systems, Cloudfronts Technologies, Zomato, SpiceJet, Foresight CFO.
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.
It offers several key workflows that we can leverage to enhance our HR operations.
- Employee On-boarding: Zoho People simplifies the onboarding process by automating tasks such as creating employee profiles, collecting necessary documents, and assigning onboarding tasks to relevant stakeholders.
- Time and Attendance Management: It enables accurate tracking of employee attendance, including clock-in/clock-out times, breaks, and leave requests.
- Leave Management: It ensures transparency in leave policies, simplifies the approval process, and maintains accurate leave records.
- Performance Management: It facilitates goal setting, performance evaluations, and feedback mechanisms. Managers can define objectives, track progress, conduct appraisals, etc.
- HR Analytics and Reporting: It allows us to generate reports on various HR metrics, such as employee attendance, leave utilization, performance ratings, and turnover rates. These insights enable data-driven decision-making and help identify areas for improvement.

Pros -
- Comprehensive HR Management: It provides a centralized platform for managing all HR-related tasks, simplifying processes, and increasing efficiency.
- Mobile Accessibility: It offers a mobile app that enables employees and managers to access HR-related information and perform essential tasks on the go.
- Scalable and Customizable: It offers scalability, allowing us to accommodate our growing needs. It's highly customizable, and allows us to tailor the software to our specific HR workflows and requirements.
We majorly use it for attendance & leave management. Zoho People helps in keeping a track record of each & every employee. Other than that it provides Efficient HR Management, Employee Self-Service, seamless collaboration between HR teams and employees, Comprehensive Analysis of key HR metrics, etc. I personally have been using it for the past 1.6yr
- Customer Support Response Time: The support response time is slower. This affects the resolution of critical issues.
- Pricing Structure: The pricing structure is relatively higher compared to other HR management software options in the market.
- Learning Curve: It has certain features, which may require a learning curve for new users. Getting familiar with the platform and understanding its functionalities might take some time, particularly for users who are not familiar with HR management software tools.
I have used Workday HCM in the past and I feel ZOHO People is better as it provides better UI at a very cheaper price. It is not possible for small or mid-size organizations to afford workday
Following things should be kept in mind while deciding on such tools-
- Size of the organization
- Goals of the organization regarding growth & increase in team size in future
- Price of the product
- Number of users it allows to access
Zoho People has evolved in the following ways -
- Continuous Feature Enhancements: Zoho People has consistently improved its feature set based on user feedback and market trends. It has undergone regular updates and enhancements to offer new functionalities and improve the overall user experience.
- Mobile Accessibility: Recognizing the growing importance of mobile devices, Zoho People has expanded its mobile capabilities.
- Integration Capabilities: It has focused on integration with other Zoho applications, such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Recruit, and Zoho Analytics, to provide a comprehensive suite of tools for businesses.
- Automation and Workflow Customization: It has placed an emphasis on automation and workflow customization features. Users can define their own workflows, set up approval processes, and automate routine HR tasks.
- Self-Service Portals: It has expanded its self-service capabilities. The software offers self-service portals where employees can access their personal information, submit leave requests, manage time and attendance, view payslips, and collaborate with their teams.
IT companies
Academic Organizations like schools & colleges

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.

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 is used by hundreds of businesses, including The Channel Company, Greenhouse, OneLogin, and MacStadium.
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).
We use Namely to manage daily core HR functions. It is used for benefits administration, processing payroll, and maintaining up-to-date employee records. Namely also helps with managing performance reviews and tracking PTO requests.
The platform allows us to improve communication across the team and maintain compliance with regulations. Its interface makes it easy to stay organized and efficiently manage tasks.
Namely has a clean, easy-to-navigate platform that is user-friendly. It is accessible for both employees and HR professionals. The tool includes compliance features like reporting and ACA tracking to help meet regulatory requirements. It integrates with third-party apps, including accounting software, which ensures smooth operations across business areas.
At my previous company, we used Namely primarily to streamline our HR processes, including payroll, benefits administration, and employee data management. Our previous system was mostly paper-based and very inefficient. We needed a centralized solution that could handle our growing business.
Namely has a user-friendly interface that has improved onboarding, HR management, and overall communication. We’ve been using it for almost two years, and it has significantly improved compliance and efficiency.
Although Namely is user-friendly, some features—such as advanced reporting and customization—have a steeper learning curve. The cost can be high compared to other HR software, especially for smaller businesses. The mobile app lacks some functionalities of the desktop version, which can hinder accessibility for HR management on the go.
Namely offers a user-friendly, all-in-one HR platform for mid-sized companies. It combines payroll, talent management, employee benefits, and compliance into one solution.
Compared to competitors like Workday and ADP, Namely is more customizable and simpler. Many users appreciate its strong customer support. While other platforms may offer more advanced features, Namely focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
Consider ease of use, integration capabilities, and scalability. An intuitive interface is important for daily operations and efficient onboarding. Scalability ensures the tool can grow with your company and adapt to changing needs. Integration with systems like performance management and payroll is important for smooth data flow. Pricing and customer support should also be considered to ensure long-term value.
Namely has continued to improve its platform to better serve mid-sized companies. It has expanded to include enhanced benefits, payroll, and compliance tools. Customization options have been improved, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs. User experience enhancements have made the software more efficient and intuitive. Namely has also focused on strengthening customer support to assist users as the platform grows.
Namely is well-suited for most mid-sized businesses, HR managers, recruiters, business owners/CEOs, payroll managers, and benefits coordinators.
Namely may not be ideal for smaller businesses, organizations with minimal HR needs, highly specialized industries, or companies with limited budgets.
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.
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.
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