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Best HR Software

These HR software options offer great HR features and tools for a variety of business sizes and price ranges.

    Erica Seppala
  • UPDATED

Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.

We evaluated popular HR software platforms based on features, pricing, ease of use, payroll and benefits tools, employee self-service, integrations, customer support, and overall value. These are our top picks.

Compare Our Top Picks

ProviderBest ForPricingIncludes PayrollNext Steps
Overall Best Software$49/month + $6/person - $180/month + $22/month per person
Best Scalable HR SoftwareCustom
Best For Workforce ManagementCustom
Best For Global Teams$0/month - $699/month per employee
Easiest HR Software$10 - $25/month per employee
Show More Options
Best Mobile HR Software$49/month + $6/month per person
Best For OnboardingCustom pricing
Show Fewer Options

Gusto

Best Overall

Overall Best Software

Gusto is an HR and payroll platform for small businesses that want payroll, benefits, onboarding, and employee management in one system.

Gusto includes payroll, employee self-service, onboarding, document storage, benefits administration, contractor payments, time off tools, and employee profiles. Higher-tier plans and add-ons may also include time tracking, multistate payroll, hiring tools, performance reviews, employee surveys, compliance alerts, and access to HR experts.

HR Support
Higher-tier plans or add-on
Mobile App
Includes Time Tracking

PROS

  • Built-in time tracking
  • Transparent pricing
  • Solid feature set

CONS

  • Advanced features on higher tiers
  • Limited reporting

ADP Payroll

Best Scalable HR Software

ADP is a scalable HR and payroll platform for businesses that want room to grow.

Small businesses can start with RUN Powered by ADP, while larger teams can move into ADP Workforce Now or ADP’s PEO services for more advanced payroll, hiring, onboarding, benefits, time tracking, training, compliance, and HR support.

HR Support
Varies by plan
Mobile App
Includes Time Tracking

PROS

  • Robust feature set
  • Extensive onboarding
  • Highly scalable

CONS

  • Non-transparent pricing
  • Additional fees can drive up pricing

Paylocity

Best For Workforce Management

Paylocity is an HR and payroll platform for growing businesses that need stronger workforce management tools.

The platform combines payroll, time tracking, scheduling, employee self-service, benefits administration, onboarding, compliance tools, reporting, employee engagement, and workforce analytics. It’s a good fit for businesses that have outgrown basic payroll software and need more visibility into labor costs and employee data.

HR Support
HR Edge or add-on
Mobile App
Includes Time Tracking

PROS

  • Strong payroll and HR management
  • Built-in workforce management
  • Time tracking and scheduling

CONS

  • Non-transparent pricing
  • Not ideal for very small businesses

Remote

Best For Global Teams

Remote is an HR platform for businesses that hire and manage international employees or contractors.

Remote offers employer of record services, global payroll, contractor management, international onboarding, localized benefits, compliance support, employee self-service, time-off management, HR document storage, reporting, and workforce data. It’s best for businesses that need global HR tools rather than basic domestic HR software.

HR Support
Global compliance support
Mobile App
Includes Time Tracking

PROS

  • Free HR management software
  • Supports international workforce
  • Local currencies

CONS

  • Expensive for small businesses
  • Limited support hours

BambooHR

Easiest HR Software

BambooHR is HR software for small businesses that need an easy way to manage employee records, hiring, onboarding, time off, reporting, and employee experience.

The platform includes employee records, custom reports, workflows, applicant tracking, offer letters, onboarding, e-signatures, time-off management, benefits tracking, employee satisfaction tools, and performance management. Payroll, time tracking, and benefits administration are available as add-ons.

HR Support
Self-service HR tools
Mobile App
Includes Time Tracking
Trax integration

PROS

  • APIs
  • Strong employee records
  • Easy to use

CONS

  • Limited benefits administration
  • Add-ons can drive up cost

OnPay

Best Mobile HR Software

OnPay is payroll and HR software for small businesses that need mobile-friendly employee management tools.

OnPay’s mobile app supports built-in messaging, employee reminders, PTO management, employee and contractor portals, onboarding, offer letters, new-hire reporting, HR documents, benefits administration, and pay-as-you-go workers’ comp options. It’s a solid choice for business owners who need to manage payroll and HR tasks on the go.

HR Support
HR tools included
Mobile App
Includes Time Tracking

PROS

  • Competitive pricing
  • Strong HR features
  • Integrated workers' comp

CONS

  • Limited integrations

Paycor

Best For Onboarding

Paycor is HR and payroll software for small and midsize businesses that need stronger onboarding tools.

Paycor includes full-service payroll, reporting, tax filing, Paycor Mobile, administrator support, and onboarding tools such as mobile-optimized onboarding, automated new-hire tasks, e-signatures, compliance forms, and onboarding workflows. Higher-tier plans may add HR guidance, hiring tools, and advanced analytics.

HR Support
Higher-tier plans
Mobile App
Includes Time Tracking

PROS

  • Built-in payroll in all plans
  • Cloud-based software
  • Easy to use and set up

CONS

  • Non-transparent pricing
  • Limited benefits administration

Our Rating Methodology

Each provider gets 10–15 hours of research, is scored by a subject-matter expert, and is reviewed by a second expert before publication. Ratings are not influenced by our referral partnerships.

Features
40%
Ease Of Use
20%
Customer Service
20%
Pricing
10%
User Reviews
10%

The 5 Best HR Software Options for Small Businesses

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HR software for small businesses?

HR software helps small businesses manage employee-related tasks like hiring, onboarding, time tracking, benefits, performance, and employee records.

Many HR platforms also include payroll or connect with payroll software, so you can manage more of your team from one system.

What is the best HR software for small businesses?

The best HR software depends on whether you need payroll, HR tools, or both.

Gusto is a strong choice for businesses that want payroll and basic HR in one easy platform. BambooHR is better for businesses focused mainly on HR, while Rippling, ADP, and Paychex are good options for growing businesses that need more advanced tools.

What features should small business HR software have?

Small business HR software should help you manage employee records, onboarding, time off, documents, and basic compliance tasks.

Depending on your business, you may also want performance reviews, applicant tracking, benefits administration, payroll integrations to pay employees and contractors, or learning tools.

How much does HR software cost for small businesses?

HR software costs vary based on the provider, features, and number of employees. Basic plans may start around $8 to $12 per employee per month, while more advanced HR platforms typically use custom pricing.

Some payroll providers include basic HR tools in their payroll plans. Standalone HR software may charge per employee and require an annual contract.

Do I need separate HR and payroll software, or can I use one platform?

Many platforms combine HR and payroll, which can reduce duplicate data entry and keep employee records in one place.

If you already like your payroll software, a standalone HR platform can still work well as long as it integrates with your payroll system.

Erica Seppala

Erica Seppala

Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
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