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10 Best Free HR Software Tools for Startups & SMBs (2024)

The best free human resources software tested, reviewed, and compared by SelectSoftware Reviews' HR tech experts. Find details on features, subscription plans, and more below.

Rodrigo Vázquez Mellado
Written by
Rodrigo Vázquez Mellado
HR and B2B software analyst and advisor, tech writer and editor, former conversational designer
We are a reader supported site with strict editorial standards, clicks may earn a fee which supports our testing. Learn More
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024
TOP
Global Payroll Leader Offering Free Plans
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
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TOP
Global Payroll Leader Offering Free Plans
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
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TOP
Free HR Tool for Hourly Work
Homebase
4.6
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.7
Product  Score
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TOP
Free HR Tool for Hourly Work
Homebase
4.6
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.7
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Free HR Tool for Deskless Workers
Connecteam
4.0
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
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TOP
Free HR Tool for Deskless Workers
Connecteam
4.0
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
Learn More
Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Introduction to Free HR Software

Finding the best free human resources software is a decision that will have an impact on virtually every member of your organization, including future hires. Whether it’s for onboarding, payroll management, benefits management, or time-off requests, your next Human Resources software will become an integral part of your company’s day-to-day operation.

But what if you’re on a budget and can’t flesh out a high fee for every user just yet? Thinking of companies in this scenario, we decided to put together a list of 11 HR software solutions that have a completely operational free version. These are mostly not free trials but free software options that you can use for unlimited time and for a wide variety of HR purposes. They’re also tools that we would use ourselves and have a strong reputation with the HR managers in several industries that we've interviewed.

We are currently collecting HRIS pricing data through a quick and anonymous two-minute survey. By participating and contributing to the community, you will gain access to the complete data set!

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Top Free HR Software

Deel

: Global Payroll Leader Offering Free Plans

Homebase

: Free HR Tool for Hourly Work

Connecteam

: Free HR Tool for Deskless Workers

BambooHR

: Free Plans Offered by Well-Known Vendor

Bitrix24

: Numerous Free Features in a Comprehensive Suite

Odoo

: Free HR Tools Offered as Standalone Apps

Orange HRM

: Addresses Standard HR Needs, No Cost

Sentrifugo

: Open-Source, Free HR Software

WebHR

: Free & Low-Cost Scalable Tool for HR Operations

Zoho People

: Free HR Solution, Adaptable & Cloud Based

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

We found the best free HR software by evaluating more than 30 tools on these key performance factors: payroll processing, recruitment and onboarding, performance reviews, employee management, and time-off management. Our real-world experience tells us that the first three of these elements matter most to teams looking for free HR software.

Our editorial team, all seasoned HR pros advised by industry leaders, led the research. We also gathered data from hands-on, user research.

  • Payroll Processing

Payroll is usually the first process that growing teams need to automate, so we scrutinized this feature on each free platform we evaluated. Specifically, we collected data about integration partners to assess each tool's ability to connect with common HRIS software (time-keeping, attendance, etc). We also compiled user feedback and integrated notes from their experience, and we looked into each platform’s flexibility in payment options (hourly, salary, contract, etc.).

  • Recruitment and Onboarding

This feature is critical for growing companies, so we consulted four thought leaders for their take on each platform’s approach. In addition to this “gut check,” we also evaluated for ease of integration (again, testing against common HRIS software), and we had our user research team run simulations of employee experience scenarios.

  • Performance Reviews

Growing businesses often underestimate the importance of performance assessment, and many regret not adopting a system early on. For our evaluation we asked our HR experts with the most extensive knowledge of innovations and best practices to weigh in on the 30+ companies we assessed for this guide.They graded each on a pass/fail basis, assessing the software’s approach to goal setting, analytics/reporting, feedback/coaching, and overall UX/UI.

When researching a product, we gather and assess every data point available, from broad historical context to individual user feedback. Guides like this one are unique: our methodology is refined, scientific, and rigorous. To learn more about our process, read this blog on how we evaluate HR tech vendors.

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Compare the Top Free HR Software

Popularity Score
Best for
Key Differentiator
Pricing
Free Trial
Customers
Users Score
Product Score

Deel

Most Popular
4.4
Global teams needing free HRIS
Integration for global payroll software
Starts at $49/month
No
15,000+
4.6
4.5

Homebase

Most Popular
4.6
Small business with hourly workers
Time tracking, in-app messaging for employees
$14/mo/user
Yes
400+ companies
4.6
4.7

Connecteam

Most Popular
4.0
Fully remote teams
User feedback drives features
Free up to 10 users
Yes
20,000+ customers
4.7
4.3

BambooHR

Most Popular
4.6
Cost-conscious SMBs
Well-known company with good UX/UI
Custom Pricing
Yes
30,000+
4.5
4.4

Bitrix24

Most Popular
4.1
Hyper-growth teams looking for all in one tool
Massive array of operational functions for business needs
$61/mo/user
Yes
8,000,000+ companies
4.1
4.0

Odoo

Most Popular
4.3
A-la-carte options good for tight budgets
Multiple languages offered
$7.25/mo/user
Yes
N/A
3.9
4.2

Orange HRM

Most Popular
4.1
Tech-savvy teams with a DIY attitude
Open-sourse, completely free
Custom Pricing
Yes
180+ companies
4.1
4.1

Sentrifugo

Most Popular
4.0
Teams who prioritize self-customization
Free, highly configurable, open source
Custom Pricing
Yes
17+ companies
4.3
4.2

WebHR

Most Popular
4.0
Scales well for small teams with basic needs
Per-feature pricing after 5 free users
$2/mo/user
Yes
25,000+ companies
4.3
4.0

Zoho People

Most Popular
4.0
Small teams with minimal needs
Free forever for up to five employees
Starts at $1.25/month
Yes
50m+ customers
4.3
4.1
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

Need Help? Get Custom Recommendations for Top Free HR Software

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Detailed Reviews of the Best Free HR Software

Deel

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

Why we picked Deel

Deel recently launched their free HRIS which comes with many features you may only find in a more robust system such as 1:1's, pulse surveys, and more.

PROS

  • Free to get started HRIS
  • Integrates with best in class global payroll solution
  • Full stack HR solution for global teams
  • One of the best features of Deel is its customer service. They offer 24/7 in-app support and the fastest-in-class onboarding speed of 2-3 days. Users get access to local payroll experts in each jurisdiction, and support is available for contractors facing challenges setting themselves up as an LLC.
  • Integrates seamlessly with common platforms like Quickbooks, Bamboo, Greenhouse, and more. They also offer custom integrations to automate and sync processes.
  • Self-service approach; tech-enabled features so customers can jump in quickly and easily. Our user researchers found it quite easy to set up: the identity verification process consistently took less than 24 hours, and in some cases, it took mere minutes.
  • Automated invoices, which are a breeze to do as long as they’re in English, both on the company and the contractor or employee’s side.

CONS

  • The cost of global payroll compliance is out of reach for many teams
  • Further, the HR portion of the tool is only offered as part of their global payroll products. You also have to set up a demo with their team to get started with the HR tool.
  • Some of Deel’s best and most powerful services, like onboarding automation, appear to be add-ons, which might be too costly for some companies
  • There is little to no flexibility when it comes to altering their contracts or service agreements, so many changes would require an addendum.
  • There is a $5 fee per payout
  • As far as we’ve seen, it’s not possible to generate invoices in another language.

Deel Review

If you're looking for a free HR software suite, this may be the best fit.  Deel's free HRIS is a great new addition to this global payroll company's offering. No, it's not going to have all the bells and whistles of a $10/employee/mo solution. And, it's new so will be buggy, we're sure.

That said, Deel has a long track record of putting together great solutions in the very complex world of paying international contractors/employees. It's not surprising that they are offering their HRIS for free either.  This is a great way to lock customers into their payroll offering, where they make more than enough money to stay afloat.

Overall, we'd recommend taking a look at this solution, especially if you're a global team that will need help with payroll/immigration/compliance in the future.

Deel Customers

  • Brex
  • Doogle
  • Duffel
  • Andela
  • HomeLight
  • Makerpad

Deel Pricing

Pricing for Deel's HRIS is completely free! Here's how they support this offering through payroll:

  • Contractors: At $49 per contractor per month, Deel takes care of payroll and compliance for contracts in 150 countries. 
  • Full-time: From $500, this plan lets you hire full-time employees in a new country without having to set up a legal entity there. Deel becomes an Employer of Record and hires the employee for you.

Best For

This is a great solution for companies that need a free HRIS, and may want to expand globally (or already have a global team). We see more and more teams starting remote first, and this is really an ideal solution for them.

Deel in action
No items found.

Homebase

Visit Website
Homebase
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.6 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.7 / 5

Why we picked Homebase

Homebase was built to manage hourly workers and keep track of their work. They're also used for hiring, onboarding, HR & compliance, health & safety checks, and labor cost controls.

PROS

  • Separate dashboards for managers and employees
  • Real-time communication features allow for schedule changes on the move
  • Requesting and approving paid time off is easy
  • Great scheduling templates help managers streamline work

CONS

  • Limited third-party integration support
  • Additional features are somewhat expensive

Homebase Review

This is a comprehensive HR tool that specializes in hourly work. While their time tracking tools are quite refined, their free version also offers team messaging, an app for employees, a hiring tool, and integrations with POS & payroll software. Their basic plan is free for unlimited employees, as long as the team is limited to one location.

Homebase Customers

PokPok Restaurants, D'Amore's Pizza, Stella Taco, Blush Tea & Coffee, Legacy Farms

Homebase Pricing

After the Basic free plan, Homebase starts at $14 per month.

Best For

Homebase is used by a wide array of small businesses in several industries, from restaurants and bars to retail, health, and hospitality.

Homebase in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

You can use it on a website or an app. Overall, it is the same technique on the website or app. You sign into your company schedule and find your name. Once you find your name, you can click on start shift. When you want to take a break, there is an option for that too. Then you can log back in to end your shift.

What do you like about this tool?

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

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

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

What do you dislike about this tool?

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

How is this tool different than their competitors?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Medical offices, small organizations, remote workers

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

Huge corporate offices with over 200+ employees

Connecteam

Visit Website
Connecteam
Learn More
Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked Connecteam

If you’re tackling human resources with a high number of deskless employees, Connecteam is an essential tool to consider. Not only is it great for remote teams, it has a free version for small businesses.

PROS

  • Stands out as one of the only fully-mobile HR tools for deskless workers in this category
  • Well-priced, providing substantial value to the needs of SMBs
  • Highly receptive to feedback, as evidenced by its track record of incorporating user suggestions as new features in the past
  1. One of the only fully-mobile HR tech tools for deskless workers
  2. Very adequately-priced for all it entails, SMB-friendly
  3. Quite open to feedback, having implemented user suggestions as features in the past.

CONS

  • The communication hub lacks confirmation for sent and/or seen messages, leaving users uncertain about the status of their messages.
  • Essential features like GPS tracking, valued by some teams, are only available in the higher-tier pricing plans.
  1. In the communication hub, the app offers no confirmation that messages were sent and/or seen. 
  2. Certain features that some teams consider essential, such as GPS-tracking, are only available in the higher-tier pricing plans.

Connecteam Review

Established in 2014, Connecteam stands out as a leading HR app dedicated to deskless workers. Recognizing a significant portion of the global workforce is now remote, Connecteam seized the opportunity to address this underserved segment. While most HR management tools cater to white-collar employees, Connecteam saw the need to provide tailored solutions for deskless workers and has been filling this gap effectively over the years.

So, if you’re looking for a straightforward yet powerful and intuitive tool for managing employees that may not even have an email address (and has a free plan!) Connecteam is a tool you should demo.

From the Connecteam mobile app (iOS and Android), HR managers can handle tasks like staff scheduling, attendance management, timesheets, training, employee onboarding, and much more. Workers can interact with their side of this via their mobile devices as well, where they can create an account with nothing but a phone number.

Now, all this being said, Connecteam is a great tool for HR in general, used by many desk-based companies as well. For instance, among the users we interviewed for this piece, we had HR managers from a data migration company (Relokia), and an IT services firm (PhotoAiD).

Connecteam Customers

Connecteam Pricing

Connecteam’s free plan is geared towards small businesses, since it allows up to 10 users only. It’s free for life and includes features like the time clock, shift planning, checklists, as well as task and document management.

Of course, it’s worth mentioning that, should your team grow beyond 10 individuals, Connecteam’s plans are modestly priced and include more features as you level up. Also, each paid plan has a 14-day free trial you can take. For more information on their paid plans, and Connecteam in general, we recommend checking out our full review.

Best For

SMBs with up to 10 employees, with most of them being deskless workers.

Connecteam in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

I use the solution to connect and collaborate with the team remotely, to develop work libraries that help our new team understand how we operate, our ethics, and our code of conduct during the orientations at our workplace, I also use the tool to share documents online for the team to work and to provide feedback on through the chat channel

What do you like about this tool?
  • I like the software pricing of the tool, it is cheap to use for business purposes and hence does not affect the ROI of the company.
  • I like the chat feature which you can use to broadcast your messages amongst the team at no extra cost.
  • Event notifications make sure that our users never miss our internal meetings and events

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

Connecteam is faster and easier to use, which has helped us solve the problem of team management, team collaborations, and group work, it is helping us to share documents, and work plans with the team remotely, and, also we use it as decision-making tool where we use the chat feature of the software to chat with our team remotely to make important decision makings to our tool. I have used the solution for three years and eight months as an administrator of the software

What do you dislike about this tool?

The software has a lot of video tutorials that play automatically hence creating inconvenience, one should only play the video when needed and with his or her consent.It does not have a calendar integration which makes it hard for one to integrate a calendar within the software to track personal events and business events to prevent event conflicts, the text editor in the tool is too slow when you are creating event descriptions, it is impossible to add the ALT text on images that you add in the tool.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

They have kept the pricing relatively lower to help even smaller businesses use the solution, and they have a responsive customer support team through the live chat

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?
What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Good for HR, team leaders, and marketing teams

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

May not be a good solution for support teams

BambooHR

Visit Website
BambooHR
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.6 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked BambooHR

BambooHR is a trusted name in human resources tech. In addition to numerous perks and flexible pricing options, they offer a free trial. Note that this is not a free free version, but it’s worth checking out as their custom pricing can be quite reasonable.

PROS

  • Relatively cost-effective, with a free version that provides essential HR functionalities.
  • User-friendly platform that simplifies HR processes even for those inexperienced in the field. For instance, managing employee data, time-off tracking, and document storage is quite simple.
  • Conveniently mobile accessible. Certain HR tasks can be performed on the go with the BambooHR mobile app.
  • 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 free version of BambooHR has limitations on certain advanced features and functionalities available to the paid plans.
  • Customization options may be restricted in the free version, limiting the ability to tailor the tool to specific organizational needs.
  • Support options may be limited for free users, with priority given to paid subscribers.
  • 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 Review

This list had to include one of the top names in human resources software. Unlike all the previous contenders, BambooHR doesn’t have a free version that you can use for unlimited time. However, they’re worth mentioning because they 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 fit 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.

BambooHR Customers

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

BambooHR Pricing

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

Best For

BambooHR's free HR tool is a good choice for small businesses and startups looking for a no-cost solution to streamline essential HR processes. It provides a user-friendly interface and essential HR features to efficiently manage employee data, making it particularly suitable for organizations with limited resources.

BambooHR in action
No items found.

Bitrix24

Visit Website
Bitrix24
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.1 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is a hugely popular vendor with a massive array of tools for businesses and organizations. Some of their HR products are free, and for the same plan you can get several other business apps too.

PROS

CONS

Bitrix24 Review

While not solely HR-focused, Bitrix24 is used by more than 8,000,000 organizations all over the world. Nevertheless, the free plan also adds countless other features from the other Bitrix products. While more of a collaboration SaaS platform with a massive variety of tools like CRM, project management, and even a website builder, Bitrix24 also offers a highly reliable and intuitive HR information system. As of 2021, it includes over 25 HR tools. From those, several such as company structure, employee directory, and company knowledge base are included in the free version for unlimited users.

Bitrix24 Customers

Saigon Newport Corporation, Properters, Endelza International

Bitrix24 Pricing

Best For

Companies looking for free HR tools with a bundle of other apps for business.

Bitrix24 in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

I use Bitrix24 every day for task management and HR management, though the software offers other interesting features. It allows me to create, assign, and track tasks easily, improving productivity and collaboration. I also manage employee information such as personal details, employment history, and performance evaluations with Bitrix24.

Additionally, I track vacation time, sick leave, and other HR-related activities. Although Bitrix24 has many useful features, I focus on tasks and HR management, which have streamlined our daily operations. I continue to explore its capabilities to enhance our productivity and performance.

What do you like about this tool?
  1. Mobile friendly: Users can access Bitrix24 on the go through its mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
  2. Diversity: Bitrix24 offers a wide range of features and tools, including project management, CRM, HR management, communication and collaboration, and more.
  3. Cost effective: Bitrix24 offers affordable pricing plans and also has a free version.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

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

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

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

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. Complex: New users may face a significant learning curve due to the complexity of the software.
  2. Integration: there might be restrictions on which apps can be integrated and the ease of integration.
  3. It could be restrictions on the extent of customization to tailor the platform according to your particular requirements.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In some cases, larger enterprises may not find Bitrix24's customization options and integrations suitable for their specific needs. Due to its limitations, more specialized software solutions may be required to meet their unique requirements adequately.

Odoo

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Odoo
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Odoo

Oddo offers a massive variety of HR & business solutions that can cover many needs for a company. Plus, they do it in several languages.

PROS

CONS

Odoo Review

The interesting thing about Odoo is that they divide nearly all their feature offerings into stand-alone applications. Any of these is free for unlimited users and unlimited time until you either need more space or add another application. This is an excellent choice if you only need, say, time off tracking or a payroll app, and can be quite cost-friendly if you require only a few additional applications. It’s also comforting to know that, with Odoo, you only pay for what you use.

Odoo Customers

Odoo is used by companies like Southern Wine Group, BizTech College, and XB Press Buyer.

Odoo Pricing

Best For

Companies looking to fulfill a specific use case for free, or those that would like many of their business tech tools to come from the same vendor.

Odoo in action
No items found.

Orange HRM

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Orange HRM
Learn More
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.1 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Orange HRM

OrangeHRM takes the time to understand your business and tend to be flexible enough to find an iteration of their solution that fits you. Their tools are used by thousands of users worldwide.

PROS

CONS

Orange HRM Review

This is one of the most trusted and more established names in human resource management software. They offer all the necessary features to run an HR department in the modern era, except for payroll management. Their open-source version is completely free and quite scalable, but it does require you to manage your own servers.

Orange HRM Customers

Thousands of companies use one version or another of OrangeHRM. Some remarkable names include Johnny Rockets, Duke University, and RedHat.

Orange HRM Pricing

Best For

Orange HRM in action
No items found.

Sentrifugo

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Sentrifugo
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Sentrifugo

We love Sentrifugo because it is a fully-fledged open-source HRMS that's completely free, making it a good choice for small and medium sized businesses.

PROS

CONS

Sentrifugo Review

Sentrifugo is a great option if your company would like to pursue the open-source route, but this HRMS is more clearly aimed at small-to-medium-sized businesses. It’s completely free, except for the fact that, since it’s open-source, you have to maintain your own servers. That being said, the Sentrifugo platform is easy to configure and extremely customizable.

Sentrifugo Customers

Sentrifugo Pricing

Sentrifugo is completely free, but you need to take into consideration the cost of hosting it yourself.

Best For

SMBs that would like an open-source HRMS.

Sentrifugo in action
No items found.

WebHR

Visit Website
WebHR
Learn More
Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked WebHR

WebHR is completely free for teams with 5 or fewer employees. A perk of this product is that if you decide to upgrade, you can do it on a per-module basis instead of buying a whole suite.

PROS

CONS

WebHR Review

While not the prettiest-looking software out there, WebHR is a good solution for SMEs that need a social tool and would like to be able to add or delete modules as they go. WebHR is free if you have less than 5 employees and, depending on the modules added, it can be as little as $1 a month per staff member. The base modules that it bundles together are enough for most HR departments and include a built-in messenger and discussion forum. Other modules such as Payroll and Recruitment can be added for meager fees that don’t exceed $2 per employee per month.

WebHR Customers

According to their website, some of the companies that use WebHR include Nissan, WaterAid, zameen.com, and Budget.

WebHR Pricing

WebHR's pricing after the free version depends on the amount of modules you add. As mentioned above, it can be as little as $2 per user per month for all the base modules.

Best For

Companies looking for a free tool that would like the option of upgrading at any time to be low-cost.

WebHR in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

WebHR has plenty of convenient features. Firstly, we can download the HR manual for our reference through it. Furthermore, we may raise requests for staff loan, whistleblower, and hospitalization claims. WebHR also has an integrated chatbot which offers assistance in addressing a wide range of HR-related inquiries.

What do you like about this tool?
  • We initiate requests on the WebHR portal and we are able to see the progress status, whether the requests were approved or pending; In short, we like its transparency.
  • There is a chatbot where we can directly communicate with HR employees for guidance.
  • The HR manual and all circulars are easily available and can be searched by text or date.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I don't think any organization will dislike this platform as it improves alot of processes for employees and HR.

Zoho People

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

Why we picked Zoho People

Zoho People has a free plan that any business can sign up for. It is permanently free for up to five users, and provides essential tools such as a mobile app, employee database, and time off management. It has proven a solid starting point for many growing startups.

PROS

  • Free plan includes essential HR features like employee data management and leave management.
  • Available in multiple languages.
  • All core HR features in a single dashboard 
  • Wide array of integrations 
  • User-friendly UI, constantly updated 
  • Available in multiple languages

CONS

  • Free plan is limited to five users and 250MB of storage.
  • The mobile app is occasionally buggy and slow to load.
  • 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.

Zoho People Review

Zoho is a software company that makes everything from CRM to bookkeeping tools. The platform also offers a cloud-based HRMS that’s bound to check most boxes in any HR manager’s requirement list.

To test the product, we signed up for Zoho free plan and found that, while it has some limitations, it provides a strong set of basic features that are good for small business.

There is a five-user cap on the free plan (including one administrator), and storage is limited to 250MB. It includes basic HR functions like leave management and also some more exotic features like an AI chatbot.

“Zia” the chatbot, is a unique feature that helps employees find solutions to HR questions without requiring one-on-one help from an HR rep.

Employees simply ask a question, and the bot uses keywords to search the existing FAQs. If there are no matches, Zia automatically creates a new case that will be handled by an HR rep, and the database of FAQs grows.

Though the free plan features are basic, many users comment on the convenience of having multiple aspects of employee data available in one place. The mobile apps are also well-liked overall but are reported to lag occasionally.

However, 250MB of storage can be a deal-breaker for some teams. Additionally, customers on the free plan do not have access to 24/7 customer support, though they are offered support during normal business hours.

Zoho People Customers

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

Zoho People Pricing

Zoho People is free for up to five users. They also offer the following plans, billed annually,

  • Essential HR: $1.25 per user per month.
  • Professional: $2 per user per month.
  • Premium: $3 per user per month.
  • Enterprise: $4.5 per user per month.

Best For

The free version is a sound starting point for startups and budget-minded teams to take advantage of essential HR tools.

Zoho People in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

I initially signed up for a free trial of the plan that I thought suited our organization’s needs best. After checking its suitability, I created my account as an HR partner and uploaded all employees’ data into the system. The platform has helped us automate a lot of our daily HR processes. I used Zoho People to manage employee records, track their attendance, monitor their performance as per KRA, and generate various reports. It streamlines the recruitment cycle starting from job posting to onboarding new talents. The tool has great features in terms of processing employees’ payroll. It has also helped us follow compliance, labor laws, and regulations by providing tools to manage legal documents, track compliance, and generate compliance reports.

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

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

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

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

  1. Zoho People integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps, such as Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, and Zoho Books, which is great if you happen to use their other products too, and can keep virtually all of your employees on a single platform.
  2. It is competitively priced and quite affordable for businesses of all sizes.
What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Large organizations: While Zoho People is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses, it may not be robust enough to meet the needs of large organizations with complex HR requirements. Zoho People's reporting capabilities may not be as advanced as other HR management software so it is not suitable for those organizations or businesses looking for advanced reporting capabilities.

Pro Tips on Free HR Software

Pitfalls of Choosing Free HR Software Systems

The benefits of using HR management software are substantial, but there are many common mistakes when buying and implementing a new tool that you should consider at every step of your search. We list them below along with ways to avoid them: 

  • Rushing the decision: Often, teams get carried away by the look of an interface, good reviews, and functionality of a product, while neglecting their own needs. They then realize that their new shiny tool is lacking a key feature when it’s too late.
    Design and reputation are important when vetting any software, but they must be considered at the service of a broader goal. Any software decision must be preceded by the proper identification of a team’s needs, past issues, the main concerns of the workforce, and the overall objectives of the company. Are you even sure than an HRIS is the tool you need?
  • Lack of awareness: This is probably not your case because you’re reading this, but some HR managers tend to choose a tool without fully understanding the kind of features available and what they do. It’s a common situation to be looking for new software systems to address one or two major pain points, without considering that the same decision could alleviate lots of other HR processes.
  • Not consulting teammates: This can be disastrous when implementing all kinds of tech tools, let alone HR software, as it's one of the main reasons tech projects fail. Employees won’t need the same features as managers, and they’ll each weigh importance on each feature differently. Checking with other employees in every department can be a painstaking process, even in a small business, but in the long run, it’s worth it. Even if the software is free, having to change vendors after implementation can be quite costly.
  • Overlooking security & support: Just because there’s a budget constraint, it doesn’t mean that these important aspects should be ignored in favor of whatever software can do the most for the least. Often, and particularly among the vendors we’ve selected for this guide, the handling of sensitive employee data and customer support can still be excellent. However, as with any other feature, it should be considered with your team’s particular needs in mind.

Benefits and ROI of HR Software Solutions

The main benefit of having the right HR software at the core of your department is that everyday processes can be streamlined or even automated, freeing up time to focus on more strategic efforts. If an HR manager is not consumed by repetitive tasks like filing paperwork or keeping track of PTO balances, he or she can focus instead on finding ways to increase employee satisfaction, improving retention rates, or working with other managers to find the best possible fit for each opening. 

In more quantitative terms, recent research from Greenhouse, an Applicant Tracking System, shows that automating the onboarding process can reduce the time usually invested by 50%. If you consider the hourly rate of this HR professional at $33 USD per hour and contemplate that an average onboarding takes 11 hours and is normally done for 30 new employees per year, you’re talking about $5,450 in annual savings thanks to the automation. 

Pricing for Each HR Software Vendor

All of the software that we’ve discussed here is completely free in some form or another. Some of them put a user cap of either 5 or 50 employees, while others have free unlimited basic plans, or cost nothing because they are open source. 

Below, you can compare each of these options according to their pricing model to see just how free are they, what’s their catch, and which one does fit your needs: 

SoftwarePricing Model
FreshteamThe Sprout version is completely free for up to 50 employees.
BitrixIt’s free among tons of other tools and for unlimited users, but the full HR features are limited until you upgrade.
Zoho PeopleFree plan for only 5 users or less.
OdooFree if you only need one application, then you pay based on the apps you add.
HomebaseTheir basic plan is free for unlimited users, as long as the team is limited to one location.
Orange HRMTheir open-source version is free.
DeelFree HRIS when using their payroll services.
SentrifugoFully open-source, so no cost except for self-hosting.
WebHRAll base modules are free for less than 5 employees.
ConnecteamFree for life for up to 10 users, good basic plan for SMBs.
BambooHRFree trial and/or free demo of their all-in-one software.

Key Features to look for in HR Management Systems

In case you’re new to HR software, what kind of features should you prioritize in your pick? Although these are free, it might not make sense to base your selection solely on the number of features, while certain options could work better in regard to user experience and integrations, for instance, even if their feature list is shorter. 

HR management software can be the difference between overstaffing the HR department, perhaps even the company, or making all HR processes as productive and efficient as they can be. However, to achieve that ideal scenario, your HR tool of choice should have all the features you need or it’s going to be back to square one. 

In that spirit, let’s take a look at the common features that most HR professionals consider must-haves: 

  1. Employee management: This feature will have the employee database at its core and is where you can keep track of most things about the relationship of an employee with the company. A high-end employee management feature should include self-service, meaning that the employee can also access and update his or her information.
  2. Performance Reviews: Since every employee’s information should already be within the HR system, it makes sense for their evaluation to be managed there as well. This tool should allow feedback to be gathered from both parts and is also where new goals can be set for workers & teams.
  3. Payroll Processing: The best HR software usually comes with a fully-functioning tool to manage payroll and keep track of salaries. However, since payroll and accounting practices can vary depending on your location, many vendors prefer to sit this one out. If your HR tool doesn’t come with this function, it’s imperative that it can integrate easily with a payroll processing system.
  4. Recruitment & Onboarding: If the idea is to concentrate all employee data in one place, why not handle recruitment from there as well? Many HRMS come with a basic Applicant Tracking System that can do everything from publish a job posting to onboarding a new employee.
  5. Time Off Management: Any HR professional knows that keeping track of employee schedules and time-off is one of the department's main functions. The HR solution should have a module or app that addresses this as well, whether it’s through time-tracking (if you need that), attendance-keeping, as well as eliminating complexities from the leave request process. Bonus points if it also comes with a calendar that every employee can consult in order to know who’s off on a given day.

Demo Questions for Vetting HR Software

So let’s say you’ve selected 1 or 3 options for your new HR management software that will likely fulfill your business needs. Then, the next step would be to give them all a try and see for yourself which one works best. Now, while most of the tools we’ve listed here are extremely easy to get started with (as in, just create a user, a password, and use the web version), most of them also give you the option of requesting a demo.

Whether you’re asking for a demo or just using the software for the first time, it’s wise to step into it with a game plan and some key questions in mind. For this, you should first decide the needs of your organization, the key tasks and HR processes that need to be automated or managed, and any particular integrations you may require.

After doing such a self-analysis, you should come up with a list of questions like the following.

  • Which features stand out as the ones I need to try out?
  • How seamless will the integration between this tool and our current tech sack be?
  • Will other people on the team find value in using this tool?
  • In what ways can this tool enhance candidate experience?
  • What are the sticking points that would make me or my colleagues apprehensive about transitioning to this platform?
  • How well does the vendor manage information security concerns?
  • What initial insights can I draw about the quality of customer support? Does the platform provide a helpful help center with high-quality support articles?

Implementing an HR software

Once you select the HR system that is right for you, the implementation process will vary depending on their operation. If you’re talking about an open-source solution like OrangeHRM or Sentrifugo, the process will likely entail a lot of communication and collaboration with their team. On the far other end of the intricacy spectrum, a cloud-based tool like Freshteam or SnapHRM gets you up and running within minutes. Each vendor page will explain their particular process in much more detail, and many will call or email you shortly after you’ve set up an account or asked for a demo in order to address questions or solve any issues you might be having.

If you'd like to read up a bit more on what to do after implementing a new HR tech solution, including proved processes and tips from an expert, we recently put together a brief guide to an HR software implementation.

Free HR Software FAQs

What is free HR software?

Free HR software is any tool or solution that aims to improve the functionality of a company’s HR team.

What does HRIS stand for?

HRIS stands for Human Resource Information System.

What does HCM stand for?

HCM stands for Human Capital Management.

What does HRMS stand for?

HRMS stands for Human Resource Management System.

What’s the difference between HRIS, HCM, and HRMS?

On a surface level, there isn’t a huge difference between HRIS, HCM, and HRMS. They are all people management systems for companies. However, there can be some subtle differences. An HRIS is an all-encompassing in-house software for managing people, procedures and policies. An HCM has all the features of an HRIS, but often includes talent management capabilities. An HRMS has all of the features of an HRIS and HCM, but often includes payroll and time and labor management capabilities.

Why use free HR software?

Reasons to use free HR software include: saving time with automation, improving employee experience, improving employee performance, increased compliance, better organization, streamlined hiring, better business intelligence, and workforce management.

What are some key features of free HR software?

There are many key features of free HR software, such as: employee self-service portal, time and attendance management, onboarding capability, custom reporting, benefits administration, employee database, recruiting functionality, training and development management, company document storage, and compensation management.

Last advice for choosing your free HR platform

If you’ve made it this far, then it’s likely that you already have a couple of options in mind but aren’t quite sure which free software to settle on yet. The best advice we can offer here is to set up an account with them and try the tool for yourself. You really can’t tell if some of the features and user experience will work exactly as you’d like them to until you start using them. 

Fortunately, these are all free and take minutes to set up, so don’t feel bad or awkward about creating an account with several vendors, even talking to some of their sales representatives, and then sticking to one choice. In the end, this decision will probably shape a good part of every day of the following years for your HR department, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

If you're in need of a spreadsheet to help you organize this process, be sure to try our HR & Recruitment software buyer organizer. It's free ;)

Lastly, remember to check with each of your internal stakeholders, making sure that their questions are addressed as well, and even demoing the product with them. The decision will be much wiser if it's enriched by the input of the whole team.


About Us

  • Our goal at SSR is to help HR and recruiting teams to find and buy the right software for their needs.
  • Our site is free to use as some vendors will pay us for web traffic.
  • SSR lists all companies we feel are top vendors - not just those who pay us - in our comprehensive directories full of the advice needed to make the right purchase decision for your HR team.

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