How To Choose The Best HR Software: Features, Pricing & More

Noel Ceta

November 28, 2023 - Updated on February 19, 2025

Have you ever wondered what lies at the heart of business success? The answer might surprise you. The entire business world, full of diverse ambitions, capabilities, and needs, is unified by the development of HR software.

HR software has not only recognized a multitude of HR issues but also seamlessly bridged the gaps between businesses and employees. It facilitated the connection between the two of them, enabling the organization to identify both business requirements and the growth and needs of its employees.

In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide on HR software and its types, with a detailed HR software list of tools and the benefits they offer.

Let’s begin!

What is HR Software?

HR software, known as Human Resources software, is a digital tool that simplifies various HR tasks, such as managing employee data, processing payroll, tracking attendance, reviewing employee performance, and handling recruitment.

A pretty long list, right? Well, there are several compelling reasons why companies should consider using HR software. Firstly, it lightens the administrative workload for HR professionals, allowing them to focus on more strategic aspects of their work. It also reduces errors in data entry and payroll calculations, ensuring greater accuracy.

Additionally, HR software promotes employee self-service, enabling staff to access and update their information conveniently. It is very important for the legal side of business that this technology can help improve compliance with labor laws and regulations, reducing the risk of costly legal issues.

According to recent statistics, around 80% of organizations use HR software to enhance their HR system and operations. As the workplace continues to evolve, HR software is starting to become essential for businesses of all sizes, as it simplifies HR processes and guarantees smoother workforce management.

Types of HR Software

Let’s explore different types of HR software, such as HRIS, HRMS, and HCM, and learn more about their key functions:

HRIS

HRIS, also known as the Human Resource Information System, is a solution that acts as the central database for all employee-related information. It includes data from basic personnel to attendance records, payroll, and benefits.

This helps HR team members access and analyze information with ease and make well-informed decisions.

HRMS

HRMS, or Human Resource Management System, offers what HRIS does but also adds modules for recruitment, performance management, and talent management systems. It assists in the entire employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to performance evaluation and career development.

HCM

HCM, which stands for Human Capital Management, is a more strategic approach to HR software. It integrates HR and talent management processes to align the workforce with an organization’s strategic goals.

That implies that HCM software combines features of HRIS and HRMS with tools for workforce planning, learning and development, and succession planning.

Other Types

In addition to HRIS, HRMS, and HCM, there are various specialized HR software tailored to specific HR functions, such as:

ATS (Applicant Tracking System) makes hiring and recruiting simple by keeping tabs on job applicants, managing resumes, and automating candidate evaluations.
Onboarding Software automates paperwork, orientation, and training, making the onboarding process smoother.
Learning Management System (LMS) supports team growth by delivering, managing, and tracking learning materials and courses.
Employee Self-Service (ESS) gives easy access to employees’ personal HR info.
Performance Management Software helps evaluate and improve employee performance by offering features for setting goals easily, providing feedback, and evaluating performance.

14 Best HR Software

Explore the top 14 HR software tools that will transform your HR management and streamline workforce processes.

#1. Rippling

Rippling is an HR software solution with various recruiting and performance management capabilities that help streamline HR tasks and offer excellent user support.

Features:

Global Payroll: A modern payroll system with 100% accuracy guaranteed.
Benefits: Health insurance and retirement plan management are integrated into a single system.
Performance Management: Efficient management of goals, employee performance reviews, feedback, and compensation.
Time & Attendance: Hourly employees can easily clock in and out, and their hours automatically sync.

Pros:

User-friendly with both computer and mobile app access.
Simplified tasks and reduced disruption for employees.
Seamless transition and easy-to-make changes within the program

Cons:

The software service has limitations in filling out forms, like tax or benefit enrollment forms, directly within the Rippling software.
Lack of artificial intelligence (AI) system for providing automated time-tracking reminders.

Rippling suits businesses looking to streamline HR, IT, and finance processes. Its pricing starts at $8 per month per user. Custom quotes are available based on the specific services your organization requires.

#2. Gusto

Gusto HR software, known as “the people platform,” is a highly rated HR platform for payroll, benefits, and more. It empowers businesses by providing an easy-to-use platform to manage employees and drive success.

Features:

Time & Attendance: It includes mobile time tracking with geolocation, overtime alerts, time-off requests and approvals, and project tracking.
Hiring & Onboarding: This software has functions for creating and managing job postings for open positions within the company and for customizing onboarding checklists.
Talent Management: It provides automated feedback requests and performance review templates, and it boasts learning and development tools.

Pros:

Easy setup and user-friendly, ideal for daily task management.
Detailed instructions and guides for state laws compliance.
Comprehensive employee information storage with quality customer support.

Cons:

Per-person pricing can become costly at scale.
There is no mobile app expense reporting, and the support for international employees is limited.
It lacks invoicing and accounts receivable features.

Gusto is suitable for businesses of all sizes and stages but is not ideal for those with international employees. It offers straightforward pricing with a “Simple plan” at $40 per month plus $6 per person, a “Plus plan” at $80 per month plus $12 per person, and a “Premium plan” with exclusive pricing, available upon contacting Gusto.

#3. ADP Workforce Now

ADP is an HR software system that offers a range of tools to simplify HR operations, making it a valuable choice for businesses of all sizes.

Features:

Time & Attendance: Manage labor costs and ensure compliance with easy time and attendance tools.
Talent Management: ADP supports employee development and performance evaluations.
App Marketplace: ADP’s app marketplace extends the software’s capabilities by offering access to various additional applications.

Pros:

The software centralizes HR tasks and endorses the exceptional customer service provided by the professional services team.
It offers timely access to essential tax documents, making tax-related processes more efficient.
ADP places a strong emphasis on security and simplicity in online information.

Cons:

Basic functions in the software may involve multiple steps for routine tasks.
Overseas call support for tech assistance and reporting can pose challenges, especially for international users.
The software lacks workflow integration between its various components and add-on services.

ADP serves businesses of all sizes, offering four pricing packages: “Essential payroll” for basic payroll needs, “Enhances payroll” with added benefits, “Complete payroll & HR plus” with advanced features and HR support, and “HR pro payroll & HR” combining all features with extra perks.

#4. BambooHR

BambooHR is an HR software solution with robust HR data management capabilities and a user-friendly interface, which makes it a valuable tool for streamlining HR processes and an efficient employee onboarding process.

Features:

Mobile App: Bamboo HR offers a mobile app that allows employees to have on-the-go access to HR-related information and tasks.
Payroll: It aids in maintaining accurate financial records, ensuring employees are compensated accurately and on time.
Benefits Administration: The software facilitates the seamless administration of employee benefits—from health insurance to retirement plans.

Pros:

This software stands out for its intuitive and visually appealing user interface.
Its automated system expedites the hiring and onboarding processes.
The software allows for easy time-off requests and efficient time-tracking.

Cons:

Global payroll functionality is only available through integrations.
The software may encounter challenges with its timekeeping component.

BambooHR offers flexible pricing based on the number of employees, with monthly rates for larger companies, flat monthly rates for smaller organizations, and volume discounts as employee counts increase, all without annual contracts.

#5. Workday

Workday is an HR software solution designed for organizations of varying sizes and structures, thanks to its adaptability and customization options.

Features:

Organization Management: Workday’s organization charts empower effective action, and it allows for the creation of custom organizations.
Global Compliance: This software assists you in meeting compliance requirements wherever you operate. Whether it’s GDPR or ACS management, the software provides expert guidance to navigate through various regulations.
Skills Ontology: Workday Skills Cloud analyzes internal and external data to deliver intelligent results.

Pros:

This software offers flexibility and customization to adapt to your organization’s unique needs.
It seamlessly integrates with third-party applications.
Workday provides clear insights into candidate status and application progress, simplifying the hiring process.

Cons:

Workday’s pricing is not transparent, which can be challenging for businesses looking for clarity on costs.
The software does not offer a free version, which might limit accessibility for smaller organizations.
While powerful, the reporting features can be complicated to navigate.

This HR software, with its pricing structure that lacks a free version and requires businesses to contact the provider for pricing details, may be more suitable for larger enterprises or organizations with specific compliance needs.

#6. Namely

Namely is a perfect HR software for small businesses due to its intuitive and user-friendly interface.

Features:

Open API & Custom Workflows: Namely allows for custom workflows, e-signatures, and configurable profile fields to meet various HR needs.
Benefits Administration: With benefits administration tools, Namely simplifies managing events, open enrollment, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting.
Compliance: It ensures compliance with features like a handbook builder, state-mandated training, and expert advisors.

Pros:

Namely provides easy access to essential functions, making it a user-friendly interface.
Its integration capabilities with platforms, such as Lever and Papaya Global, among other third-party solutions, enhance its adaptability and functionality.
This software’s friendly support staff and ease of PTO submissions empower team management, benefit administration, and organizational connectivity.

Cons:

ACA support may involve longer communication processes.
Better suited for less complex organizations regarding payroll.
Task assignment lacks reminders and overdue notifications.

Namely offers various packages with different prices based on features, including Namely Now, Namely Plus, Namely Plus People, and Namely Complete, each with varying pricing depending on the selected features.

Its pricing structure starts at $9 per employee per month, with prices varying depending on the selected package and features.

#7. ApplicantStack

ApplicantStack is a software tool that helps businesses manage their hiring process, allowing them to post job openings, collect job applications, and track the progress of applicants, among other functions.

Features:

Recruiting and Hiring: ApplicantStack streamlines hiring by allowing you to post job listings, track applicants, automate the hiring process, collaborate with your team, and access reporting and analytics.
Onboarding: This feature helps manage onboarding by storing documents, assigning tasks, enabling e-signatures, and ensuring compliance and training for new employees.
Candidate Management: ApplicantStack provides a centralized database for all applicants, automates candidate communication, allows for talent pool creation, and simplifies interview scheduling.

Pros:

Allows for ease of use.
Tailors the recruitment process to specific needs.
Supports users in different locations.
Enables customization of emails with numerous templates.

Cons:

Lacks advanced features like AI-powered recruiting, video interviews, and advanced reporting found in some competitors.
Is unavailable for Android and iPhone users.
May not be suitable for large enterprises with complex recruitment needs.

ApplicantStack provides four pricing plans, including the Starter plan, which costs $29 and is great for small businesses, and the Growth plan, priced at $49 per month and suitable for those with up to three active job postings.

If you need unlimited job postings and support for growing organizations, the Recruit plan is available for $99 per month, and you can choose the Bundle plan at $150 per month.

#8. Deel

Deel is a comprehensive platform that empowers businesses to streamline international hiring and HR processes, enabling teams to work seamlessly across borders.

Features:

Hire Anywhere: Deel offers a range of solutions, including Employer of Record services, for hiring employees abroad and hiring contractors globally.
Manage Your Team: This feature enables you to efficiently oversee your entire workforce, and they offer Slack plugins for improved team engagement. Additionally, you can automate HR workflows through various integrations and APIs.
Pay Globally: Deel simplifies global payroll processes, allowing you to run patrol in over 100 countries. It also offers Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services to manage payroll, benefits, and HR needs for your US teams.

Pros:

Small businesses with fewer than 200 employees can use a free version.
The PEO serves as a co-employer for global operations.
Enterprise clients receive dedicated support.

Cons:

Plans tailored for US-only companies can be pricey.
No mobile app.
Offers fewer third-party integrations compared to competitors.

Deel offers a range of pricing plans. The EOR plan starts at $599 per month and is ideal for hiring employees in 100+ countries. If you want to manage international contractors with compliance, the Contractors plan starts at $49 per month. Deel HR automates HR admin and reporting for teams of up to 200 people for free.

For multi-country payroll in 100+ countries, you can request a tailored quote for the Global Payroll plan, and if you need assistance with immigration and visa sponsorship in 25+ countries, the Immigration plan offers tailored quotes.

#9. RecruiterBox (Hire)

RecruiterBox, now known as Hire, is a recruitment and applicant tracking system designed to streamline the hiring process for businesses.

Features:

Applicant Tracking: Track and manage all job applicants in one place, keeping their information organized and accessible.
Candidate Sourcing: Collect resumes and applications from various sources to build a pool of potential candidates for open positions.
Interview Scheduling: Easily schedule and manage interviews with job candidates.
Offer Management: Efficiently manage job offers, from creation and negotiation to acceptance.
Collaborative Hiring: Foster teamwork among hiring managers and team members by allowing them to collaborate.
Reports: Access comprehensive analytics and reports to gain insights into the recruitment process’s performance.
Career Site Management: Manage and maintain the organization’s career site to showcase job opportunities, company culture, and other relevant information for potential candidates.

Pros:

It is easy for beginners, with a straightforward interface that simplifies the hiring process.
Hire offers plans for businesses of all sizes.
The platform streamlines candidate organization by gathering data from various sources.

Cons:

Sorting profiles alphabetically or by location and merging candidates could be more intuitive.
The system may experience slowdowns when handling mass tasks involving a large number of candidate profiles.
The integration options are more limited compared to some competitors.

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMB Solutions), you pay per job posting, while Enterprise solutions target larger recruiting teams, offering scalability. Hire solutions provide unlimited job openings and hiring managers, along with customizable workflows and efficient job posting tools.

#10. Zenefits

Zenefits is a company dedicated to addressing the unique challenges that small and mid-size businesses face in the realm of HR and payroll management. The company provides specialized software and services tailored to these underserved businesses.

Features:

HR solutions: Zenefits offers a comprehensive HR solution that encompasses HR administration, onboarding, compensation management, recruiting, performance evaluation, and people analytics.
Payroll: This software provides a robust payroll system, covering payroll administration, reporting, and tax compliance.

Pros:

Zenefits boasts a user-friendly interface and self-help tools for managing employee benefits.
It offers low-cost plans with the flexibility to select desired add-on services.
It provides integration with numerous HR and general business platforms.

Cons:

The platform’s support options are limited to a knowledge base and email assistance.
The requirement for a minimum of five employees for HR base plans may be restrictive for very small businesses or startups.

Zenefits provides the Essentials plan, which is available at $8 per month per employee, offering essential HR solutions. The Growth plan, priced at $16 per month per user, provides expanded features for growing businesses.

For a comprehensive package that includes payroll, the Zen plan is available at $27 per month per user.

#11. Jazz HR

Jazz HR is a robust recruitment software designed to streamline your talent acquisition process, making it efficient and effective for finding and hiring top talent.

Features:

Customized Processes: Jazz HR allows you to build custom workflows for each job opening, making it easier to identify and hire top-notch talent.
Automated Feedback: With this software, you can gather real-time input from your hiring team, facilitating faster and more informed decision-making.
White-Labeling Capability: Jazz HR lets you offer its recruiting system as your own by incorporating your branding.

Pros:

The platform’s simplicity enables users to grasp and utilize it effectively quickly.
It offers a wide range of customizable options, giving users the flexibility to set up custom processes and communicate with ease.
Jazz HR’s customer support ensures users can get assistance when needed.

Cons:

The search function can be unreliable, particularly within specific job openings, affecting the ability to locate and manage candidates efficiently.
Setting up automatic responses needs more clarity and simplicity.
Limited templates for frequently used forms, such as Federal Tax Forms and I9, resulting in a time-consuming process of using e-templates and manual data entry for each form.

Jazz HR offers a range of pricing options to cater to different company needs. For small teams, the “Hero” plan that starts at $49 monthly when billed annually is ideal.

For larger organizations with more extensive hiring requirements, the “Plus” plan at $239 per month (on an annual plan) and the “Pro” plan at $359 per month (on an annual plan) provide limitless hiring software and advanced features.

#12. Leapsome

Leapsome is a valuable solution for companies of various sizes looking to improve employee development, engagement, and performance. Its features suit organizations seeking to create a high-performing and resilient workforce.

Features:

Goals & OKR Management: This software facilitates the tracking and collaboration of goals at all organizational levels.
Employee Engagement Surveys: It provides insights into employee perceptions, satisfaction, alignment with company values, and overall experience.
Competency Framework: Leapsome lets you create a competency framework, applying skills organization-wide or within specific teams.

Pros:

Leapsome excels in streamlining the organization’s coordination of meetings, facilitating periodic reviews, and launching company-wide surveys.
It encourages a culture of recognition and appreciation through employee feedback and praise.
Leapsome simplifies performance monitoring and interaction within the network.

Cons:

The user interface and platform flow need improvement.
There is a lack of customization options for specific company needs.
The wording in performance evaluations needs to be clarified.

Leapsome offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. The software’s pricing varies based on the number of employees, contract duration, and the selected modules, but for detailed pricing information, you have to contact the company.

#13. Motivosity

Motivosity is an employee software platform with features that cover various aspects of the employee journey, including recruitment and hiring, onboarding, engagement, and development.

Features:

Onboarding: Motivosity emphasizes cultural onboarding, including learning to navigate the organization, understanding company values, and encouraging team connections from day one.
Engagement: This software implements recognition and rewards to create a culture of gratitude.
Offboarding: With Motivosity, the focus is on celebrating contributions during offboarding to maintain a positive employer reputation, with customizable exit surveys and on-demand turnover data access.

Pros:

This software offers a wide range of gift card rewards for employees, making recognition and rewards easy to manage.
It provides an effective way to thank and publicly acknowledge outstanding contributions from teammates and collaborators.
Motivosity encourages learning about peers through Bio and “about me” sections, fostering a sense of connection and shared interests within the workplace.

Cons:

The rigidity of one-on-one meeting schedules may not suit users who prefer more flexibility in setting them up.
Technical glitches, such as information erasure and navigation issues, hinder consistency in coaching and system usage.
The system experiences occasional challenges with recognition tracking when filters are applied and when accessing the platform via mobile.

Pricing is straightforward, with a calculator available for easy budgeting and customization.

#14. Bambee

Bambee offers dedicated HR management that streamlines your HR tasks and ensures compliance with labor laws. It utilizes modern technology to automate onboarding, HR policies, and employee training.

Features:

Expert Guidance: Bambee’s HR Manager offers expert guidance and support tailored to your specific business requirements, covering onboarding, termination, and regulatory questions.
Cabinet: It stores and secures essential HR documents in one centralized location for easy access.
Training & Certifications: With Bambee, you can ensure your staff stays up-to-date with necessary training and certifications.

Pros:

This software has time-saving features, such as electronic signatures and employee onboarding templates, that facilitate the onboarding process.
It has efficient customer support with multiple contact options, including phone, email, and live chat.
Bambee software allows you access to knowledgeable HR Managers who deliver professional services to streamline HR tasks and maintain labor law compliance.

Cons:

It has occasional delays in response times, especially during peak hours, affecting the urgency of HR matters.
Bambee has limited integration with other company tools like scheduling, payroll, and time & attendance applications.
This software needs more phone support in the 1-4 employee plan and lacks 24-7 phone support for urgent situations.

Bambee caters to small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, offering various pricing tiers based on your company’s size and needs.

4 Benefits of Using HR Software

Here, we’ll explore four key benefits that streamline HR processes, enhance accuracy, boost employee engagement, and enable strategic decision-making.

Efficiency: HR software streamlines processes by automating various tasks. For instance, it simplifies payroll calculations by automating complex salary structures and taxation rules. It also saves valuable time by organizing record-keeping for employee documentation and performance evaluations.
Data Accuracy: It centralizes employee data, serving as a reliable database for all personal information. This centralization minimizes errors caused by multiple data entry points and ensures data accuracy.
Improved Employee Engagement: This software often incorporates self-service portals that empower employees to manage their data. These portals enable employees to request time off, update personal information, access pay stubs, and retrieve important documents.

This self-service capability not only reduces administrative overhead for HR staff but also increases employee satisfaction by giving them more control over their HR-related tasks.

Strategic Decision-Making: HR software employs data analytics tools to provide valuable insight for better workforce planning. Using data implies tracking and analyzing employee performance over time to identify trends and areas for improvement.

With data-driven metrics, HR professionals can make informed decisions regarding recruitment, training, and performance management.