Best HR Software

Total Rating	4.5
Pricing3.7
Ease Of Use4.9
Features4.8
Customer Service4.3
User Reviews4.2

Payroll Processing Time

Next day-4 days

Pricing Range

$49/month + $6/person - $180/month + $22/month per person

Business Size

Small-medium sized businesses with up to 650+ users

Pros

Built-in time tracking
Upfront pricing information
Simple interface
Solid feature set

Cons

Advanced features not available on all plans
Limited reporting

Why We Chose Gusto

Gusto is a strong overall HR and payroll choice for small businesses that want payroll, benefits, onboarding, and employee management tools in one platform. It’s ideal for businesses that want HR features without moving into a more complex enterprise HR system.

Gusto’s interface is easy to use on both the employer and employee sides, and its HR tools may include onboarding, employee self-service, document storage, benefits administration, time tracking, hiring tools, and compliance support, depending on the plan.

For small businesses that want payroll and HR in one place, Gusto offers a simple, well-rounded solution that can reduce the need to juggle multiple systems.

Gusto Pricing

Gusto Plans	Price	When To Use
Simple	$49/month + $6/person	If your small business needs reliable, basic payroll software
Solo	$49/month + $6/person	If you’re a solopreneur that needs S corp compliance support and need to pay contractors
Plus	$80/month + $12/person	If your business needs tools to handle complex payroll and team management needs
Premium	$180/month + $22/month per person	If your medium to large-sized business needs advanced HR and compliance tools
Contractor Only	$35/month + $6/person per month	If your growing business needs basic payroll and only pays contractors

Gusto’s pricing is refreshingly transparent, as most providers on this list require you to get a custom quote.

In addition to your monthly plan, you can also opt to add on certain additional HR features like background checks, talent management, and more.

Gusto Features

Gusto Features	Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking	Plus plan and up
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration
Number Of Reports	17+
Number Of Integrations	185+
Number Of Users Supported	Unlimited

While Gusto is best known for payroll, its HR tools are strong enough for many small businesses that want payroll, benefits, onboarding, and employee management in one platform. Here’s what you can expect:

New-hire reporting
Employee self-service portal
Self-managed employee onboarding
Document storage
Benefits administration
Contractor payments
Employee profiles
Time off management
Gusto mobile app for employees

At higher tiers or with add-ons, you also get access to other features, including:

Time tracking
Multistate payroll
PTO requests and custom time-off policies
Employee directory and org chart
Custom reports
Performance reviews
Employee surveys
Compliance alerts
Certified HR experts
Dedicated support on Premium

Who Would Benefit From Gusto

Businesses that need combined payroll & HR software
Businesses that need easy benefits administration options & integrations
Businesses that want transparent, competitive pricing

Get Started With Gusto

ADP Payroll: Best scalable HR software

ADP Payroll

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Get Started With ADP Payroll

Total Rating	4.0
Pricing1.8
Ease Of Use4.6
Features4.6
Customer Service3.7
User Reviews3.3

Payroll Processing Time

2-5 days

Pricing Range

Custom pricing

Business Size

Small to enterprise-sized businesses with 1,000+ employees

Pros

Robust feature set
Extensive onboarding
Highly scalable

Cons

Non-transparent pricing
Additional fees can drive up pricing

Why We Chose ADP

ADP is one of the biggest names in payroll and HR, and its product lineup makes it a strong, scalable HR software option. Small businesses can use RUN Powered by ADP, while growing and larger businesses can move into ADP Workforce Now or ADP’s PEO services for more advanced payroll, HR, benefits, compliance, and workforce management support.

ADP’s HR tools may include employee management, onboarding, hiring support, background checks, HR documents, benefits administration, time tracking, reporting, and access to HR support, depending on the package selected.

ADP Pricing

ADP Payroll Plans	Price	When To Use
RUN Powered By ADP Essential	Custom	If you need basic payroll for up to 49 users
RUN Powered By ADP Enhanced	Custom	If you need basic payroll and advanced hiring and onboarding tools for up to 49 users
RUN Powered By ADP Complete	Custom	If you need basic payroll and HR support for up to 49 users
RUN Powered By ADP HR Pro	Custom	If you need advanced payroll and HR support for up to 49 users
ADP Workforce Now Payroll Essentials	Custom	If you need basic payroll for 50+ users
ADP Workforce Now Plus	Custom	If you need payroll and enhanced HR tools for 50+ users
ADP Workforce Now Hiring Advantage	Custom	If you need advanced recruitment and hiring support for 50+ users
ADP Workforce Now Performance Plus	Custom	If you need performance analytics and improvement tools for 50+ users

The biggest drawback is pricing. ADP does not publish standard pricing online, so businesses need to request a custom quote.

That makes ADP harder to compare against more transparent HR software providers, but it also gives businesses more room to build a package around their specific payroll and HR needs.

ADP Features

ADP Payroll Features	Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking	Add-on only
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration	Add-on only
Number Of Reports	17+
Number Of Integrations	Varies by product
Number Of Users Supported	1-1,000+

While ADP thrives in the world of payroll, its HR offerings are also robust and can help out nearly any business size. Here’s what you can expect:

New-hire reporting
Self-managed new-hire onboarding
Employee discounts
Employee access portal
Contractor hiring through WorkMarket integration

At higher tiers, you also get access to other features, including:

ZipRecruiter
Background checks
Employee handbook tool
HR help desk
Employee tracking
Training toolkit
Company training courses
Harassment prevention courses

Who Would Benefit From ADP

Businesses that want combined HR & payroll
Mid-size businesses or rapidly growing businesses that want a scalable HR solution
Businesses that need extensive HR features
Businesses that want a ZipRecruiter integration

Paylocity: Best HR software for workforce management

Paylocity

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Total Rating	4.4
Pricing1.8
Ease Of Use4.7
Features4.8
Customer Service4.7
User Reviews4.1

Payroll Processing Time

As soon as next-day

Pricing Range

Quote-based

Business Size

Small to enterprise-sized with 1,000+ users

Pros

Strong payroll and HR management features
Built-in workforce management tools
Time tracking and scheduling options
Employee self-service and mobile app

Cons

Non-transparent pricing
May be more than very small businesses need

Why We Chose Paylocity

Paylocity earns its spot on this list because it goes beyond basic HR and payroll. The platform combines payroll, time tracking, scheduling, employee self-service, compliance tools, reporting, and workforce management features in one system.

That makes Paylocity a strong fit for growing businesses that need more visibility into labor costs, schedules, employee data, and day-to-day workforce operations. It’s especially useful for businesses that have outgrown simple payroll software but don’t want a disconnected stack of separate HR, time tracking, and employee management tools.

Paylocity Pricing

Paylocity doesn’t publish its pricing online, so you’ll need to contact the company for a custom quote. Pricing can vary based on company size, selected features, payroll needs, implementation requirements, and any add-ons.

Paylocity Features

Paylocity Features	Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration
Number Of Reports	Custom
Number Of Integrations	350+
Number Of Users Supported	Unknown

Paylocity offers a strong mix of HR, payroll, and workforce management tools for growing businesses. Here’s what you can expect:

Payroll processing
Payroll tax support
Time tracking
Scheduling
Employee self-service
Mobile app
Benefits administration
Onboarding
Document management
Compliance tools
Employee engagement
Workforce analytics

Who Would Benefit From Paylocity

Growing businesses that need payroll, HR, and workforce management in one platform
Businesses that want stronger HR, compliance, and workforce analytics
Businesses that need time tracking, scheduling, and employee self-service tools

Remote: Best for businesses with global teams

Remote

Total Rating	4.0
Pricing3.9
Ease Of Use4.2
Features4.2
Customer Service3.3
User Reviews4.4

Payroll Processing Time

4 days

Pricing Range

$0/month - $699/month per employee

Business Size

Good for small-medium-sized businesses

Pros

Free HR management software
Great for businesses with an international workforce
Pay employees in their local currency

Cons

Expensive for small businesses
Limited customer support hours

Why We Chose Remote.com

Remote.com is a workforce management tool designed for companies with remote employees or companies with a global workforce. It aims to assist businesses with managing their global employees across multiple countries, and it offers everything from onboarding and offboarding to payroll and human resources management.

Its base product is an Employer of Record service that helps your company hire and manage payroll in numerous countries. By using Remote.com, you can hire from a country without having an entity there.

Remote.com Pricing

Remote Plans	Price	When To Use
HR Management	Free	If you need basic HR tools for onboarding, offboarding, expense management, time off, and employee records
Employer Of Record	$699/month per employee	If you want to hire employees internationally without opening local entities
Payroll	$29/month per employee	If you already have legal entities and need global payroll support
Contractor Management	$29/month per contractor	If you want to onboard, manage, and pay international contractors
Contractor Management Plus	$99/month per contractor	If you want added misclassification protection, indemnity coverage, and compliance support
Contractor Of Record	$325+/month per contractor	If you want Remote to directly engage and pay contractors with added compliance protection
Professional Employer Organization	$99+/month per employee	If you want to hire and manage employees across the US
Equity	$39+/month	If you want to offer equity compensation for a global workforce.

Remote.com has transparent pricing plans and a commitment to no extra/undisclosed fees, so you know what your monthly bill will look like before you sign your contract.

For smaller businesses, the Employer Of Record services might be a bit expensive, but rates are on par with comparable services from its competitors.

Remote.com Features

Remote Features	Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration
Number Of Reports	4+
Number Of Integrations	100+
Number Of Users Supported	Unlimited

Remote is built for businesses that hire and manage international employees or contractors. Its HR features focus on global hiring, payroll, compliance, benefits, and workforce management across countries.

Here’s what you can expect:

Employer of record services
Global payroll
Contractor management
Contractor of record services
International onboarding
Localized benefits administration
Compliance support
Employee self-service
Time-off management
HRIS tools
Global HR document management
Reporting and workforce data

Who Would Benefit From Remote.com

Businesses that want to hire globally
Businesses that want to streamline remote and global teams
Businesses that need an Employer Of Record to establish entities in other countries
Businesses that want an easy UI experience for both employers and employees

Get Started With Remote

BambooHR: Easiest HR software to use

BambooHR

Get Started With BambooHR

Total Rating	4.1
Pricing2.5
Ease Of Use3.7
Features4.6
Customer Service4.4
User Reviews4.2

Payroll Processing Time

2 days

Pricing Range

Undisclosed

Business Size

Best for small businesses with 10+ employees

Pros

APIs integrate with HR software vendors
Simple interface
Easy to use

Cons

Non-transparent pricing
Limited benefits administration
Essential features only available as add-ons

Why We Chose BambooHR

BambooHR is a good fit for small businesses that need easy-to-use HR software for employee records, onboarding, time off, hiring, reporting, and employee management. It’s especially useful for businesses that don't have a dedicated HR team but still need a centralized system for managing people data and HR tasks.

BambooHR’s biggest strength is usability. The platform is built to simplify everyday HR work for both employees and administrators. Payroll, benefits administration, and time tracking are also available through BambooHR’s platform and add-ons.

BambooHR Pricing

BambooHR Plans	Price	When To Use
Core	Undisclosed	Has HR data and recording; hiring and onboarding help; time off and benefits tracking; help with the employee experience.
Pro	Undisclosed	Everything included in the Core plan, plus performance management and an employee community.

BambooHR doesn’t publish pricing details online. You’ll need to request a personalized quote for the package that fits the needs of your business.

BambooHR Features

BambooHR Features	Availability
Payroll Tax Support	Add-on
Auto-Schedule Payroll	Add-on
Bonus Payroll	Add-on
Off-Cycle Payroll	Add-on
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking	Add-on
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration	Add-on
Number Of Reports	32+
Number Of Integrations	125+
Number Of Users Supported	Unlimited

BambooHR excels as an easy-to-use HR platform for managing employee data, hiring, onboarding, time off, benefits tracking, reporting, and employee experience. Here’s what you can expect:

Employee records
Custom reports
Workflows and approvals
Applicant tracking
Job postings
Offer letter templates
New-hire onboarding
E-signatures
Time-off management
Benefits tracking
Employee satisfaction tools
Performance management
Payroll, time tracking, and benefits administration add-ons

Who Would Benefit From BambooHR

Business owners who don’t have an HR department or manager
Business owners who value ease of use and simplicity
Businesses that don’t have time to learn complicated software

OnPay: Best mobile HR software

OnPay

Total Rating	4.3
Pricing3.0
Ease Of Use4.4
Features4.5
Customer Service4.1
User Reviews4.7

Payroll Processing Time

2 - 4 Days

Pricing Range

$49/month + $6/month per person

Business Size

Small to mid-sized businesses (1-500 employees)

Pros

Competitive pricing
Strong HR features
Solid mobile app
Integrated workers’ comp

Cons

Limited integrations

Why We Chose OnPay

OnPay is an award-winning payroll software with built-in HR support at no extra cost, making it a cost-effective all-in-one payroll and HR software.

One of OnPay's biggest advantages is a high-functioning mobile app that makes managing HR on the go easier. HR features include built-in PTO tracking, employee and contractor portals, in-app messaging, performance reviews, and more. The ability to not only manage HR on the go but also message employees and send reminders in the app is a big plus for busy business owners.

OnPay Pricing

OnPay Plans	Price	When To Use
OnPay Monthly Plan	$49/month + $6/month per person	If you need essential payroll and basic HR features for up to 500+ employees

OnPay’s pricing is competitive, especially since its HR support is built into its payroll plan and isn’t an extra add-on.

You can add pay-as-you-go workers’ comp policies as well, but you’ll need to contact OnPay directly for pricing.

OnPay Features

OnPay Features	Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off
Time Tracking
HR Support
Onboarding Support
Benefits Administration
Number Of Reports	7+
Number Of Integrations	20+
Number Of Users Supported	5 – 500

OnPay offers an impressive number of HR features, especially considering these features don’t come at an extra cost. You’ll find:

PTO management & time-off requests
Employee and contractor portals
Onboarding
In-app offer letters
New hire reporting
HR document & resource library
Benefits administration
Integrated worker’s comp with pay-as-you-go plans
Mobile app with built-in messaging

Who Would Benefit From OnPay

Businesses looking for affordable HR
Businesses that need combined payroll & HR support
Businesses looking for integrated, pay-as-you-go worker’s compensation insurance
Businesses that need a strong mobile app for managing employees & time off requests on the go

Get Started With OnPay

Paycor: Best for customer support

Paycor

Total Rating	4.0
Pricing1.5
Ease Of Use3.7
Features4.7
Customer Service4.5
User Reviews4.1

Payroll Processing Time

Same-day - 4 days

Pricing Range

Custom pricing

Business Size

Small to large businesses with 1,000+ users

Pros

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

Cons

Non-transparent pricing
Limited benefits administration

Why We Chose Paycor

Paycor is a great one-stop shop for payroll and HR. It’s a solid choice for small and midsize businesses that want more HR functionality than basic payroll software provides. Paycor also offers support options for administrators, including phone, live chat, case creation, and a support center.

Paycor’s onboarding tools are a standout. The platform supports mobile-optimized onboarding, automated new-hire tasks, e-signatures, compliance forms, and onboarding workflows. Paycor also offers support options for administrators, including phone, live chat, case creation, and a support center.

Paycor Pricing

Paycor Plans	Price	When To Use
Basic	Custom	If you need basic payroll features and tax filing for up to 50 users
Essential	Custom	If you need PTO management, onboarding support, and strong reporting options for up to 50 users
Core	Custom	If you need strong HR features and one-one-on guidance from an HR professional
Complete	Custom	If you need advanced analytics and talent management for up to 50 users

Unfortunately, Paycor no longer discloses pricing information. For businesses with fewer than 50 employees, Paycor offers four pricing plans. The more expensive the plan, the more features you can access.

For businesses with 50+ employees, custom packages are available. You’ll need to contact Paycor to get a price quote.

Paycor Features

Paycor Features	Availability
Payroll Tax Support
Auto-Schedule Payroll
Bonus Payroll
Off-Cycle Payroll
Employee Management
Paid Time Off	Essential plan and up
Time Tracking	Add-on
HR Support	Core plan and up
Onboarding Support	Essential plan and up
Benefits Administration	Add-on
Number Of Reports	31+
Number Of Integrations	320+
Number Of Users Supported	1-1,000+

All plans have full-service payroll as a foundation and not an add-on. All plans also include the following:

Tax filing
Reporting
Self-service garnishments and child support
Paycor Mobile

If you upgrade to one of the higher tier packages, you can also access features, including:

Online onboarding with assistance
Full-service payroll
HR support center with 1:1 guidance
Hiring wizard
Advanced analytics

Who Would Benefit From Paycor

Businesses looking for full-service payroll
Larger businesses
Businesses that value good customer service

Get Started With Paycor

Methodology

Merchant Maverick has been researching and reviewing payroll providers since 2018. Our writers have tested more than 75 different payroll software systems, evaluating pricing, features, ease of use, customer service, and user reviewers. Read more about how we rate payroll providers.

Weighted Rating Breakdown

Features 40%

Ease Of Use 20%

Customer Service 20%

Pricing 10%

User Reviews 10%

When comparing different apps, we consider over seventy data points, including the speed and cost of payroll runs, federal and state tax filing features, HR integrations, employee management tools, time tracking, and more. Our lists of the best providers include only apps we’ve deemed worthwhile from several vantage points. The payroll apps we pick are widely available and relatively easy to train on, with robust features and reasonable pricing. We also look carefully at features such as employee and client portals, user onboarding services, PTO management, benefits administration, multistate compliance, and more.

We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure the providers included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation.

75+

Vendors evaluated

Attributes assessed per vendor

Features weighed

20+

Combined years of experience

What Is HR Software?

Human resources software, or HR software, simplifies human resources tasks. HR software makes it easy for businesses to perform various tasks, including but not limited to completing onboarding tasks, termination tasks, maintaining legal compliance, running payroll, managing benefits, and maintaining employee records.

HR Software VS Payroll Software

While some payroll software companies offer built-in HR or higher-tier plans with HR support, the two are not necessarily synonymous. Payroll software focuses specifically on paying your employees, tracking hours worked, and managing time off, while HR software focuses on managing your employees through onboarding, training, benefits administration, etc.

How Much Does HR Software Cost?

HR software pricing varies widely based on business size, features, support level, and whether payroll is included. Basic HR tools may cost only a few dollars per employee per month, while more advanced HR platforms with payroll, benefits administration, performance management, time tracking, or dedicated HR support can cost significantly more.

How To Choose A Good HR Software Company

With so many HR options on the market, it’s important for small businesses to be able to identify the good from the bad. A good HR software company should have:

Competitive pricing
Strong HR features
HR support in all states your business operates in
Multiple customer support avenues
Positive customer reviews
Strong security measures & positive uptime records
Upfront policy cancellation criteria & no long, locked contracts

The Bottom Line On Choosing The Right HR Software For Your Small Business

When it comes to picking the right HR software for your small business, it helps to know what you need.

Figure out which HR features your company needs and whether or not you need built-in time tracking, payroll, or want a fully dedicated HR manager or PEO instead.

Any HR software worth checking out should have options for syncing employee information, managing payroll, assisting with onboarding, running benefits administration, managing worker performance, and navigating all aspects of your company’s legal HR compliance requirements.

Ultimately, HR is about hiring the best people, growing the best people, and retaining the best people for your company’s growth. The best HR software for your small business should help you achieve those goals and make you and your employees’ lives easier.

No matter which HR software you choose, always remember to do your research, take advantage of free trials, and fully explore your options before making a commitment.

FAQs: Best HR Software

What is HRIS software?

Human resources information system software, or HRIS software, helps you manage and maintain information on your policies, procedures, and personnel. HRIS software may offer payroll processing, employee hour tracking, and an employee directory.

Are there any free HR software options for businesses?

There are free HR software options for small businesses, but many of them are quite limited in functionality. Start your search with our five picks for the best payroll and HR software that’s free.

Do I have to have an HR manager for my business?

It’s never a bad idea to have an HR manager for your business. If you have a smaller business, you may be able to operate without an HR manager or only use one part-time if you have the right HR software. For businesses with 50+ employees, it’s generally a good idea to have an HR manager on your staff.