It’s advisable for any type of business, large or small, to consider using human resources software. Indeed, with clear and powerful benefits for your organization and with functionality that is getting ever better, HR technology can not only make things more productive but also provide a comprehensive and consistent HR service for your people.
This guide introduces you to HR software and why it’s important, as well as answers some FAQs. We also select our top 25 picks for HR software in 2025, along with a rating and explanation for each one.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What is HR software?
HR software is a specialized tool designed to perform a vast array of HR management functions such as managing payroll, hiring talent, managing employees’ information and tracking their performance.
HR systems can be split into three distinct categories: HRMS, HCM and HRIS systems.
An HRMS (short for human resources management system) is a comprehensive system used by employers to manage and work with employee data. An HRIS (or a human resources information system), meanwhile, is a simpler database where information is stored. Finally, human capital management or HCM systems offer additional workforce tools to HRMS and HRIS programs which go beyond simple data storage and utilization.
How do they work?
HR software automates different HR processes within the organization through digital programs. Employees’ information can be entered into and saved in the system, and the software can be used for paying employees, marking their attendance and producing various reports. HR software can benefit from AI in analyzing workforce patterns and development needs, which is very useful for effective talent management.
HR software supports recruitment functions by publishing job vacancies, sifting applications and engaging with candidates. It supports hardworking employees by providing self-service areas for them to update their details, request leave and retrieve their pay slips. Meanwhile, it integrates with accounting and enterprise applications to ensure that the whole organization works efficiently.
Additionally, as remote work is increasingly becoming more popular, cloud-based HR software makes it easier for geographically diverse teams to manage HR from the comfort of their homes or offices.
Overall, HR software enhances efficiency, improves employee morale and ensures compliance with labor laws by eliminating error-prone manual processing.
Our selection methodology
To come up with an HRAddict rating for our list of top 25 HR software options, we awarded them individual scores out of 5 for the following 10 factors and then averaged them for an overall rating:
- Amount of features
- Ease of use
- Free plan availability
- Free trial availability
- Level of customization offered
- Mobile app availability
- Plan affordability
- Quality of customer support
- Reported user satisfaction
- Software design quality
The benefits of using HR software
HR software is beneficial for all kinds of businesses, as it provides the convenience of centralized data, simplified workflows and better insights. Here are five key benefits:
- Better employee experience: Employees can receive their pay slips, request leave and change their details through self-service portals, which enhances employee engagement and satisfaction levels.
- Data-driven insights: HR teams can use AI-powered analytics to determine workforce patterns, enhance the recruitment process and reduce turnover.
- Improved compliance: HR software ensures organizations are up to date with labor laws, tax regulations and company policies through keeping accurate records and providing compliance reports.
- Scalability and integration: HR software can be combined with accounting, performance tracking and other enterprise systems, making it suitable for organizations as they expand.
- Time and cost saving: HR software automate processes such as payroll, absence control and recruitment, which reduces the need for administration and, therefore, expense.
25 best HR software options to consider
There are various HR software choices available, and these top 25 are the best examples for managing your workforce. Find out about their HRA score and what makes each one unique to help you choose the one the best suits your employees’ and your organization’s needs.
1. ADP Workforce Now
HRAddict score: 4.1
Pricing: Varies depending on company size; starts from ∼$100/month plus $8/user/month
ADP Workforce Now is a reliable HR solution for all kinds of companies, featuring customizable payroll, benefits and compliance management. Accurate, compliant and scalable, it’s an especially good choice for growing organizations.
Key features:
- Payroll and tax compliance
- Benefits administration
- Time and attendance tracking
- Talent management
- HR analytics and reporting
2. BambooHR
HRAddict score: 4.3
Pricing: Starts from $9/user/month (custom quotes available)
BambooHR is a sleek HR software made for small and mid-sized businesses and features a simple interface as well as powerful employee management tools. It’s a favorite for growing companies because of its focus on employee experience and seamless self-service options.
Key features:
- Employee records and database
- Performance management tools
- Time-off tracking
- Payroll integration
- Mobile app for HR tasks
3. Cezanne
HRAddict score: 4.4
Pricing: Starts from $2/user/month (minimum monthly fee of $160)
Cezanne is an affordable and flexible HR solution for mid-sized businesses, and provides modular features to adapt to varying workforce needs. It has plenty of functions that can be bolted onto your access as needed.
Key features:
- Core HR database and employee records
- Performance and goal tracking
- Payroll integration and benefits management
- Training and development tools
- Mobile-friendly self-service portal
4. Deel
HRAddict score: 4.1
Pricing: Starts from $49/use/month
Deel is an HR software built for hiring and managing international remote employees, making it ideal for remote-first and global companies. It aims to make compliance, payroll and tax management for international teams easier.
Key features:
- Global payroll processing
- International compliance management
- Freelancer and contractor payments
- Visa and relocation support
- Automated tax calculations
5. Deputy
HRAddict score: 4.1
Pricing: Starts from $3.50/user/month
Deputy is an HR software product that excels at workforce scheduling and time tracking. It’s a great option for admin-heavy sectors such as retail, healthcare and hospitality.
Key features:
- Shift scheduling with AI optimization
- Time and attendance tracking
- Compliance and labor law tracking
- Employee self-service mobile app
- Integration with payroll and POS systems
6. Eddy
HRAddict score: 3.9
Pricing: Starts from $6/user/month
Eddy is a user-friendly HR platform for small businesses, covering recruitment, onboarding and payroll management. It prides itself on a clean user interface and excellent customer service.
Key features:
- Applicant tracking system (ATS)
- Employee onboarding tools
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Time and attendance tracking
- HR compliance management
7. Factorial
HRAddict score: 4.5
Pricing: Starts from $8/user/month
Factorial is an HR tool for small and growing companies. It boasts simple but comprehensive features in an affordable package, with a strong focus on automation and compliance.
Key features:
- Time tracking and attendance management
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Performance evaluations
- HR document management
- Automated workflows
8. Freshservice
HRAddict score: 4.6
Pricing: Free for up to 50 employees; paid plans start from $1/user/month
Formerly Freshteam, Freshservice (is a simple and affordable HR software for startups and small businesses that offers a straightforward way to handle hiring and employee information. Offered by the people behind Freshworks, it’s very easy to use and free for small teams.
Key features:
- Applicant tracking system
- Onboarding and offboarding tools
- Employee database management
- Time-off tracking
- HR reporting and analytics
9. Gusto
HRAddict score: 4.9
Pricing: Starts from $40/month plus $6/user/month
Gusto is a simple and easy-to-use HR software for small businesses, offering payroll, benefits and tax filing services in one package. Startups and entrepreneurs love its simplicity and affordability.
Key features:
- Full-service payroll processing
- Benefits and insurance administration
- Automated tax filing
- Employee self-service portal
- HR compliance assistance
10. HiBob
HRAddict score: 4.2
Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size; starts from ∼$16/user/month
HiBob is an HR platform with a focus on employees, their performance and their level of engagement, with accompanying analytics. It’s perfect for midsize companies that strive to improve their company culture.
Key features:
- Customizable employee engagement surveys
- Performance management and goal tracking
- Workforce analytics and reporting
- Payroll and benefits integration
- Remote workforce management tools
11. Namely
HRAddict score: 4.0
Pricing: Custom pricing based on business size; starts from ∼$9/user/month
Namely is a mid-market HR software that focuses on compliance, payroll and employee engagement. Its user-friendly interface and customizable features make it an ideal choice for growing companies.
Key features:
- Payroll and benefits administration
- Compliance tracking and reporting
- Performance management tools
- Employee engagement surveys
- Custom HR workflows
12. OrangeHRM
HRAddict score: 4.3
Pricing: Free for basic version; enterprise pricing available upon request
OrangeHRM is an open-source HR software, best known for its flexibility, which enables organizations to adapt HR management to their specific business needs. It’s used by small businesses and enterprises who are seeking an affordable HR solution.
Key features:
- Employee information management
- Leave and time-off tracking
- Performance evaluation tools
- Payroll and benefits tracking
- Modular customization options
13. Paycom
HRAddict score: 4.0
Pricing: Custom pricing (generally from $25/user/month)
Paycom is HR and payroll software that is fully tailored to mid-size and large companies. It’s well known for its comprehensive compliance reporting tools and automation of the payroll function.
Key features:
- Payroll automation with real-time data
- Employee self-service tools
- Talent acquisition and onboarding
- Learning and development tools
- Workforce analytics and reporting
14. Paycor
HRAddict score: 4.1
Pricing: Custom pricing (generally from $99 plus $6/user/month)
Paycor offers a flexible HR solution that provides industry-specific features and workforce management analytics that help businesses of all sizes and types scale up. The strength of the application is in its payroll and talent acquisition modules.
Key features:
- Payroll and tax management
- Applicant tracking and hiring tools
- Benefits administration
- Learning and development tools
- AI-driven workforce insights
15. PeopleSoft
HRAddict score: 3.9
Pricing: Custom pricing based; plans start from ∼$75/user/month
Brought to you by Oracle, PeopleSoft is a very powerful HR solution for large enterprises, and offers extensively customizable HR and payroll management. Some of the biggest companies in the world prefer PeopleSoft for its ability to integrate with other enterprise systems.
Key features:
- Human capital management
- Payroll and financial integration
- Workforce analytics and reporting
- Talent acquisition and retention tools
- Cloud and on-premises deployment
16. Personio
HRAddict score: 4.1
Pricing: Custom pricing based on business needs
Personio is a good solution for small businesses, offering an all-in-one HR solution that automates recruitment, payroll and employee management in a responsive and modern interface.
Key features:
- Recruitment and applicant tracking system
- Payroll and tax compliance tools
- Employee self-service portal
- Time-off and shift scheduling
- Workflow automation for HR processes
17. QuickBooks Workforce
HRAddict score: 4.2
Pricing: Complementary with QuickBooks Payroll ($45/month plus $6/user/month)
QuickBooks Workforce is an HR and payroll solution which is useful for a small business. It’s also perfect for any company that wants to automate its payroll and tax functions and at the same time benefit from other features of the popular QuickBooks accounting software.
Key features:
- Automated payroll processing
- Direct deposit and tax filing
- Employee self-service for pay slips
- Benefits and deductions tracking
- Integration with QuickBooks accounting
18. Rippling
HRAddict score: 4.4
Pricing: Starts from $45/month plus $8/user/month
Rippling is ideal for small- to mid-sized businesses looking for automation and efficiency by integrating HR, payroll and IT into one platform. It distinguishes itself from other HR tools by being able to manage employee's devices and software access.
Key features:
- Payroll processing
- Automated onboarding and offboarding
- Employee benefits administration
- Time tracking
- Device and app management
19. Sage
HRAddict score: 4.3
Pricing: Starts from $6/user/month
Sage is a simple HR software designed for automation and performance management. It’s especially suitable for small- and mid-sized organizations in their efforts to streamline HR operations.
Key features:
- Employee self-service portal
- Time-off management
- Shift scheduling
- Performance tracking and goals
- Mobile access for HR tasks
20. SAP SuccessFactors
HRAddict score: 3.8
Pricing: Custom pricing based on business requirements (∼$6.30/user/month)
For large organizations, there is SAP SuccessFactors, an HR software with many features and an AI-powered talent management and workforce planning tools. It’s ideal for companies with complex HR needs due to its comprehensive integration with SAP products.
Key features:
- Talent acquisition and management
- Learning and development tools
- AI-driven workforce planning
- Employee experience monitoring
- Compliance and risk management
21. TriNet
HRAddict score: 3.9
Pricing: Custom pricing based on business requirements; from $100/user/month
TriNet is a professional employer organization, offering HR, payroll and benefits services for small- and mid-sized businesses. It’s a good option for companies who want to completely outsource their HR management.
Key features:
- Full-service payroll and tax management
- Employee benefits and retirement plans
- HR compliance and risk management
- Performance and talent management
- Industry-specific HR solutions
22. UKG Pro
HRAddict score: 4.0
Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size; starts from $27/user/month
UKG Pro is a full-fledged HR suite, which is modeled for large enterprises and offers workforce management alongside AI-driven analytics. It features employee engagement tools and automation that make it a good choice for enterprise level HR operations.
Key features:
- Payroll processing
- Time and attendance tracking
- Employee engagement surveys
- Workforce analytics
- Mobile HR access
23. Workday
HRAddict score: 4.0
Pricing: Custom pricing based on business size and requirements; starts from $35/user/month
Workday is cloud-based and built for large enterprises. It provides AI-powered insights and automation to help in the workforce and human capital management planning. Because of its strong analytics and its scalability, it’s particularly popular with larger businesses.
Key features:
- Talent acquisition and management
- Payroll and workforce analytics
- AI-powered automation
- Compliance tracking
- Performance evaluation tools
24. Zenefits
HRAddict score: 4.4
Pricing: Starts from $14/user/month
Zenefits (now part of TriNet) is a cost-effective HR software with a particular emphasis on benefits management. It’s especially suitable for small- and mid-sized businesses due to its automation, and the direct carrier integrations make benefits management easier.
Key features:
- Automated payroll processing
- Health and retirement benefits tracking
- Time and attendance management
- Compliance and document management
- Employee onboarding tools
25. Zoho People
HRAddict score: 4.7
Pricing: Starts from $1/user/month
Zoho People is a cost-effective and cloud-based HR software for businesses of all sizes. It’s also noted for its simplicity, automation and integration with Zoho’s family of business apps.
Key features:
- Employee database management
- Attendance and leave tracking
- Automated workflow approvals
- Performance appraisal tools
- Integration with Zoho and third-party apps
Frequently asked questions
Choosing the right HR software for your organization’s needs can be a minefield due to the many different options out there. This section will provide answers to five common questions about HR software.
What does HR software do that HR teams cannot?
HR software supports HR departments and teams with the automation of HR functions such as paying employees, tracking employee information, scheduling workers’ working hours, managing their benefits and recruiting new staff. It enhances HR’s productivity and avoids mistakes that are likely to be made by people.
How can I choose the best HR software?
Some of the factors that should be considered include the size of your organization, your budget, desired functions, ease of use, the level of customer relations and services, and the compatibility with your current systems. Reviews and trials are also useful in making the right decisions.
Can HR software be used for small businesses?
Yes, there are many HR software products designed for small businesses, which offer reasonable prices and the ability to increase functionality as your company grows. Solutions like Gusto and Zoho People are built for small business HR needs.
Can HR software manage remote workers?
Most current HR software systems are suitable for managing remote teams. This is achieved through cloud-based technology, tracking working hours and engaging employees digitally.
Do HR software have payroll functionality?
There are many HR software solutions that incorporate payroll functionality. These tools can compute taxes, make direct deposits and prepare required reports for paying salaries.
Final thoughts
HR software can do wonders for your organization, allowing your managers to work smarter, achieve efficiency gains, and ensure your employees are looked after.
When selecting an HR system to use, consider the features they offer, the price points they’re set at and the market they are pitched towards. Measure these up against your own needs and budget, and ensure the software is implemented and trained effectively to make sure you get the most out of this critically important investment!
Which of these tools is your go-to HR software? Got any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments section below.
This article is a complete update of an earlier version originally published in 2018.