Discover the Best HR Software: 16 Top Tools to Bring out the Best in Your Team

If you run the human resources department at your company, you likely have a lot to juggle at once. The right HR software can simplify your life and make your job much easier by streamlining onboarding, managing benefits, processing payroll, and so much more.

Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, investing in the best HR software can make a significant difference in your day-to-day and long-term operations. Proper HR software is a must for businesses of any size that are focused on growth and ensuring that they are getting the most out of their teams every day.

Finding the best option, however, isn’t always easy. So, we’ve done all the research and compiled the best HR software available for businesses of any size. In this list, you’ll find 16 top-rated tools selected based on specific industry features, pricing, support, integrations, and reviews.

Read on to discover the best HR software solutions aimed at bringing out the absolute best in your team in 2024.

What HR managers and execs should be looking for in HR software in 2024

HR software is not a one-size-fits-all solution in 2024.

As companies grow and evolve, their HR departments become complex engines, offering specialized tools to address specific challenges within their respective organization.

HR teams should be on the lookout for software that provides targeted solutions to distinct HR problems, ensuring a comprehensive and tailored approach to managing their workforce.

By understanding the differences between HR software options, including their strengths, managers and execs can assemble the necessary library of HR tools tailored to specific needs and growth opportunities.

Whether it’s enhancing employee engagement through recognition software or streamlining payroll and hiring, or managing benefits —through both remote and in-office work— the right software can transform your HR operations and serve as the backbone for your company’s growth and success. 

The Best Human Resource Software in 2024

We’ve curated a list of the 16 best HR software tools to help you streamline your HR processes. Each tool is categorized by its standout feature, making it easier for you to find the perfect match for your business needs.

Applauz: Best for Employee Recognition

Employee recognition software is crucial as it helps foster a positive workplace culture and boosts employee morale. Recognizing and rewarding employees for their contributions can lead to higher engagement, increased productivity, and improved retention rates.

Applauz Features:

• Recognition and Rewards: Easily recognize employees with rewards, badges, and points to acknowledge their achievements and contributions. You can also personalize your employee rewards by offering custom company perks. 
• Employee Engagement Surveys: Conduct regular surveys and polls to gauge employee satisfaction and help identify areas for growth and improvement.
• Communication Tools: Facilitate open and transparent communication with company-wide announcements and social features.
• Goal Setting and Tracking: Set individual and team goals, and track progress to ensure alignment with company objectives.
• Analytics and Reporting: Access detailed analytics and reports to measure the effectiveness of recognition programs and overall employee engagement.
• Custom Perks: Personalize your employee rewards by offering custom company perks.

Applauz Pros

• Enhanced Employee Engagement: Applauz can help to increase employee motivation and morale through regular recognition and rewards.
• Improved Retention Rates: Encourages loyalty and reduces turnover by acknowledging and valuing employee contributions.
• Comprehensive Analytics: Provides insightful data to measure the impact of recognition programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Customizable Rewards: Offers a wide range of rewards that can be tailored to suit individual preferences and company culture.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easy-to-use platform that simplifies the process of recognizing and rewarding employees.

Applauz Cons

• Initial Learning Curve: Setup and training might require time and resources, especially for organizations new to employee recognition software.
• Limitations: While rewards can be tailored, some aspects of the platform might not be fully customizable to fit unique company cultures or specific needs.

Applauz Pricing

Applauz pricing starts at $ 3.75 USD per license, per month. Full pricing details can be found here.

Folks HR: Best All-in-One HR Software

Folks HR software automates and streamlines workforce management, helping to maximize employee productivity. It simplifies the onboarding process, keeps critical employee documents and policies updated and accessible, and supports the entire employee experience from onboarding and performance management to evaluations and exiting.

Folks HR Features

• Automated Onboarding Checklists: Streamline the onboarding process with customizable checklists to ensure every step is completed.
• Secure Document Management: Securely store and manage employee documents, such as contracts, tax forms, and identification.
• Training and Development: Tracks training hours and costs, provides automated reminders, ensures compliance, and integrates with LMS to make sure new hires receive the necessary training and development.
• Welcome Kits: Provide new employees with digital welcome kits containing company information, policies, and resources.
• Progress Tracking: Tracks the onboarding progress of new hires, ensuring they complete all necessary steps.

Folks HR Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy-to-navigate interface for both HR personnel and new hires.
• Time-Saving: Automates repetitive tasks to save time for HR staff and ensure a smooth onboarding experience for new hires.
• Communication Tools: Facilitates communication between new hires, HR, and managers to address any questions or concerns quickly

Folks HR Cons

• No SSO: Doesn’t offer SSO (single sign-on) support.
• No Freebies: Doesn't offer a free trial.

Folks HR Pricing

Folks HR’s pricing is based on specific needs per client. More information can be found here.

Archie: Best for Remote/Hybrid Workspace Management

Remote/hybrid management software is beneficial for companies that need to coordinate and manage distributed teams effectively. In particular, it helps bridge the gap between remote and in-office employees.

Archie Features

• Task Management: Allows managers to assign, track, and manage tasks across remote teams.
• Real-Time Collaboration: Provides tools for real-time collaboration on projects and documents.
• Centralized Communication Hub: Facilitates seamless communication between remote and in-office team members.
• Time Tracking: Tracks time spent on tasks, helping to monitor productivity and manage work hours.
• Scheduling and Availability: Helps manage schedules and availability, ensuring that remote team members are synchronized.
• Security and Compliance: Ensures data security and compliance with remote work regulations.

Archie Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive design that makes it easy for both managers and employees to use.

Archie Cons

• Pricey for Smaller Teams: May require a higher initial investment for small businesses or teams with limited budgets.
• Initial Configuration Effort: Setting up and customizing the software to meet specific needs can be time-consuming.

Archie Pricing 

Pricing for hybrid offices and co-working spaces starts at $159 per month. More details are available here.

Workstaff: Best for Staff Scheduling 

Staff scheduling software allows teams to efficiently manage workforce allocation and ensure that the right number of employees are scheduled to meet business demands.

Workstaff Features

• Automated Scheduling: Automatically generates optimal schedules based on employee availability, skill sets, and business needs.
• Shift Swapping: Allows employees to easily swap shifts with approval from managers, reducing scheduling conflicts and ensuring coverage.
• Contractor Invoicing: Easily allows workers to create and submit invoices from the mobile app for the shifts they have worked.
• Time Tracking: Monitors employee clock-in and clock-out times and integrates with payroll systems for accurate wage calculation.
• Mobile Access: Employees and managers can access schedules, request changes, and receive notifications through a mobile app.
• Reporting and Analytics: Provides detailed reports and analytics on labor costs, hours worked, and scheduling efficiency.
• Customizable Templates: Offers customizable scheduling templates to cater to specific business needs and recurring schedules.
• Real-Time Updates: Provides real-time updates and notifications for any schedule changes, ensuring everyone is informed promptly.

Workstaff Pros

• Efficient Scheduling: Workstaff automates scheduling processes, saving time and reducing scheduling errors.
• Real-Time Updates: Real-time notifications and updates make schedule changes easier and facilitate communication among employees.
• Employee Satisfaction: More predictable work hours enhance overall operational efficiency satisfaction among temporary staff.
• Compliance Management: Ensures schedules comply with labor laws, including overtime, break periods, and maximum working hours.

Workstaff Cons

• Learning Curve: Due to its robust feature set, Workstaff may have a learning curve for new users and administrators, requiring time for training and familiarization
• Cost: Depending on the size of the organization and the specific features required, Workstaff may be more expensive than simpler scheduling solutions like spreadsheets, potentially impacting budget allocation.

Workstaff Pricing

Workstaff offers free access to some scheduling features and its more prominent features starting at $99 per admin seat per month. More pricing details can be found here.

BambooHR: Best for Recruitment

Recruitment software automates and streamlines the hiring process, saving time and resources. With this tool, you can manage job postings, track applications, screen candidates efficiently, and collaborate seamlessly with hiring managers. 

BambooHR Features

• Applicant Tracking System (ATS): HR teams can track candidates throughout the hiring process, from application submission to onboarding.
• Job Posting Management: Easily create and manage job postings across multiple platforms directly from BambooHR's interface.
• Candidate Communication: Streamline communication with candidates through automated emails and notifications.
• Interview Scheduling: Schedule interviews seamlessly with integrated calendar functionalities that sync with popular apps.
• Candidate Evaluation: Evaluate candidates collaboratively through shared notes and feedback, facilitating informed hiring decisions.
• Onboarding Integration: Deliver a smooth transition from recruitment to onboarding by transferring candidate data seamlessly into BambooHR’s onboarding module.

BambooHR Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: BambooHR’s intuitive interface makes it easy for HR professionals to complete all recruitment tasks.
• Customizable Workflows: Tailor recruitment workflows to match your company’s specific hiring processes and needs.
• Integration Capabilities: Integrates with various HR tools, applicant assessment platforms, and job boards.
• Compliance: Helps maintain compliance with employment laws and regulations through built-in features and updates.
• Candidate Experience: Improves the candidate experience with a user-friendly application portal and timely communication.

BambooHR Cons

• Cost: Concrete pricing can be tough to find and is considered high for smaller businesses or startups with limited hiring needs.
• Customization Limitations: Some advanced customization options may be limited compared to more specialized recruitment software.
• Reporting Complexity: Generating custom reports may require some learning curve and familiarity with the software’s reporting capabilities.

BambooHR Pricing 

BambooHR’s software is priced per employee, per month. Visit the company’s website for more details. 

Pave: Best for Compensation Management

Compensation management software enables organizations to effectively strategize and administer their compensation practices. This type of software ensures fairness and transparency in salary structures, aligns compensation with organizational goals and industry benchmarks, and facilitates accurate tracking and management of incentives, bonuses, and other forms of employee rewards. 

Pave Features

• Compensation Management: Streamline the entire compensation process, from budgeting to distribution, with an intuitive and user-friendly interface.
• Market Benchmarking: Access comprehensive market data to ensure competitive and equitable pay structures.
• Equity Management: Manage stock options, grants, and vesting schedules efficiently.
• Performance Integration: Align compensation with performance metrics to reward top performers and drive organizational goals.
• Employee Access: Provide employees with a clear view of their total compensation, including salary, bonuses, and equity.

Pave Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: HR professionals and managers can easily navigate and utilize Pave’s software.
• Customizability: Highly customizable to fit the specific needs and workflows of different organizations.
• Employee Transparency: Provide clear visibility into your employee’s total compensation package.

Pave Cons

• Cost: May be expensive for smaller businesses or startups with tight budgets.
• Learning Curve: Some users may find the software complex initially and require training to fully leverage its capabilities
• Customer Support: The degree of customer support is dependent on the package to which the business is subscribed. 

Pave Pricing

Pave's pricing is contingent on the selected tools and employee count of a company. More details can be found here. 

Rippling: Best for Payroll

Rippling ensures accurate and timely payment of wages, which directly impacts employee satisfaction and trust. It automates complex calculations, reducing the risk of errors and saving significant time and resources for HR departments.

Rippling Features

• Automated Payroll: Rippling offers fully automated payroll processing, including calculation of wages, taxes, and deductions.
• Direct Deposit: Easy options are available for both direct deposit to employees' bank accounts and issuing paper checks.
• Employee Self-Service: Employees can access pay stubs, tax forms, and update personal information through the Rippling platform.
• Integration: Integrates with other HR functions such as benefits administration and time tracking for streamlined processes.

Rippling Pros

• Comprehensive Platform: Rippling provides an all-in-one solution for HR, payroll, benefits, and IT management, reducing the need for multiple software platforms.
• User-Friendly Interface: Known for its easy-to-use interface, Rippling is accessible to both HR professionals and employees.
• Customizable: Offers customizable features and workflows tailored to specific organizational needs.

Rippling Cons

• Cost: Pricing can be relatively higher compared to some competitors.
• Complexity: The extensive features may be more than what smaller organizations need.
• No Freebies: Rippling does not offer any kind of free trial.

Rippling Pricing

Rippling's pricing is customized based on the specific needs of each organization but starts at $8 USD per month, per user. More details on pricing can be found here. 

Deel: Best for International Hiring 

For companies seeking to expand their global footprint, international hiring software streamlines the complex process of recruiting talent across different countries and jurisdictions.

Deel Features

• Global Payroll: Automated payroll management for international teams, including tax compliance and local regulations.
• Contractor Management: Tools to manage, onboard, and pay contractors globally.
• Compliance: Ensures compliance with local labour laws, tax regulations, and legal requirements.
• Benefits Administration: Offers localized benefits and perks packages tailored to each region.
• Payment Methods: Multiple payment options are available, including bank transfers, cryptocurrency, and digital wallets.

Deel Pros

• Comprehensive Global Reach: Supports hiring and payroll in over 150 countries, making it ideal for international expansion.
• Freebie: Deel has a free subscription option for its global-first platform.
• Flexible Payment Options: Supports multiple currencies and payment methods, perfect for diverse global teams.

Deel Cons

• Integration Limitations: May have limited integration capabilities with some niche or less common HR tools.
• Customer Service: The company’s 24/7 support has slow response times.

Deel Pricing

Deel’s international payroll pricing starts at $29 per month. More details about the company’s pricing plans can be found right here. 

Hubstaff: Best for Employee Tracking

Use Hubstaff to maintain and enhance resource management,  and allocation, and optimization, particularly in remote or hybrid work environments. It provides valuable insights into how resources are being utilized, helping to identify areas for improvement and ensuring efficient use of time and assets. Additionally, it helps safeguard sensitive company data by monitoring for any unauthorized access or suspicious activities, promoting overall operational efficiency and security.

Hubstaff Features

• Time Tracking: Automatically tracks time spent on tasks and projects.
• Activity Monitoring: Monitor screenshots, keystrokes, and mouse movements to gauge team productivity.
• GPS Tracking: Location tracking for mobile and remote teams.
• Project Management Integration: Integrates with tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira for seamless project management.
• Reporting: Detailed reports on productivity, project progress, and time usage.
• Invoicing: Generate and send invoices directly from the platform.

Hubstaff Pros

• Straightforward UX: Detailed activity monitoring including screenshots in a very simple, easy-to-use format.
• Freebie Opportunity: Hubstaff offers a free version and trial.
• Customizable Reporting: Flexible reporting options to fit specific business needs.

Hubstaff Cons

• Privacy Concerns: Some employees may feel uncomfortable with the level of monitoring.
• Cost: Can be expensive for smaller teams or startups.
• Limited Offline Tracking: May not fully track activities when the internet connection is unstable or offline.
• Must-Have App: Stopwatch time tracker requires an app on the desktop.

Hubstaff Pricing

Hubstaff’s starter pack starts at $4.99 per seat, per month. More pricing details can be found here. 

ClickUp: Best for Project Management 

Project management software helps teams organize, plan, and execute projects efficiently by providing tools for task management, scheduling, and collaboration.

ClickUp Features

• Multiple Views: Offers a variety of project tracking views, including list, board, calendar, and Gantt charts.
• Customizable Task Statuses: Provides flexibility with customizable task statuses and templates.
• Goal Setting: Facilitates goal setting and tracking for team objectives.
• Collaboration Features: Includes comments, mentions, and task assignments for improved collaboration.
• Integrated Docs: Supports creating and sharing documents and wikis within the platform.
• Over 1,000 Integrations: Connects with a wide range of tools and apps to enhance productivity.

ClickUp Pros

• Comprehensive Free Plan: Offers essential project management features at no cost.
• Highly Customizable: Adapts to various team needs and workflows with extensive customization options.
• Detailed Time Tracking: Provides comprehensive time tracking and reporting capabilities.

ClickUp Cons

• Can be Overwhelming: Might be too complex for new users to get used to.
• Occasional Performance Issues: Users may experience slowdowns with larger projects or extensive data.
• No Phone Support: ClickUp only provides email and chat support, which can be tiresome for users needing immediate assistance.

ClickUp Pricing

Besides its comprehensive free option, ClickUp starts at $7 per user, per month. More pricing details can be found here. 

Workday: Best for Benefits Administration 

Benefits administration software is important for efficiently managing and automating employee benefits, ensuring compliance, and reducing administrative burdens. It streamlines the process of enrolling, updating, and communicating benefits, helping to improve employee satisfaction and retention.

Workday Features

• Comprehensive Benefits Management: Handles health, retirement, and wellness benefits with integrated tools.
• Automated Enrollment: Simplifies the benefits enrollment process for new hires and existing employees.
• Employee Self-Service: Provides a self-service portal where employees can view and manage their benefits.
• Life Event Management: Allows employees to easily report life events (e.g., marriage, childbirth) that affect their benefits.
• Mobile Accessibility: Offers mobile access for employees to manage benefits on the go.

Workday Pros

• Compliance and Reporting: Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and generates detailed reports.
• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface for both administrators and employees.
• Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations.
• Reliable Support: Provides excellent customer support and extensive training resources.

Workday Cons

• No cost transparency: Workstaff can be expensive for small businesses and lacks pricing transparency.
• No freebies: Workday does not offer a free trial.

Workday Pricing 

Workday does not present any pricing information on its website and prefers to provide a tailored quote for the company’s needs. More Workday price details can be found here.

HiBob: Best for Remote Workers

In today’s digital work climate, the proper remote work software is critical for managing distributed teams efficiently, fostering collaboration, and maintaining productivity regardless of location.

HiBob Features

• Employee Self-Service Portal: Allows employees to update personal information, request time off, and access company resources.
• Communication Tools: Integrated chat, video conferencing, and collaboration features keep remote teams connected.
• Performance Management: HiBob offers tools for setting goals, tracking progress, and conducting performance reviews.
• Time and Attendance Tracking: Automated tracking of work hours, attendance, and remote work policies.
• Onboarding and Offboarding: Streamlined processes for welcoming new hires and managing employee exits.
• Integration Capabilities: Integrates with popular tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and various project management platforms.

HiBob Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy-to-use platform for both HR professionals and employees.
• Strong Analytics: Robust analytics and reporting capabilities provide valuable insights into remote workforce management.
• Excellent Support: Known for responsive customer support and helpful resources for onboarding and troubleshooting.

HiBob Cons

• Pricing Structure: Can be expensive for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
• No Freebies: HiBob does not offer free trials or a “freemium” version.

HiBob Pricing 

HiBob offers customized pricing based on the size-specific needs of a company. Businesses must contact HiBob directly for a quote. More details about the company’s pricing can be found here. 

ADP Workforce Now: Best for Employee Self-Service

Employee self-service software empowers staff to manage their own HR-related tasks, such as updating personal information, accessing pay stubs, and requesting time off. This not only enhances employee satisfaction by providing greater autonomy but also reduces the administrative burden on HR teams.

ADP Workforce Now Features

• Employee Self-Service Portal: Allows employees to access and update personal information, view pay stubs, and request time off.
• Time and Attendance: Tools for tracking employee hours, managing schedules, and ensuring compliance with labor laws.
• Benefits Administration: Streamlines benefits enrollment, management, and communication.
• HR Analytics: Provides insights through advanced reporting and analytics tools.

ADP Workforce Now Pros

• Scalable: Suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small enterprises to large corporations.
• Strong Integration: Integrates well with other business systems and third-party applications.
• Robust Support: Excellent customer support and extensive resources for implementation and training.

ADP Workforce Now Cons

• Cost: Can be expensive, especially for small businesses or startups.
• Complexity: The extensive range of features can be overwhelming for some users.

ADP Workforce Now Pricing 

ADP Workforce Now offers customized pricing based on the size and specific needs of the organization. Interested businesses can contact ADP here for additional steps. 

TalentHR: Best for Startups

For startups, having good HR software is vital to streamline HR processes, ensure compliance, and support growth. Effective HR software helps manage recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and employee data efficiently, allowing startups to focus on what’s important: scaling their business.

TalentHR Features

• Schedule & Planning: Streamlines the entire end-to-end calendar and staff management process.
• Automated Onboarding: Organizes the onboarding process with customizable workflows and checklists from day one for new hires.
• Performance Management: Facilitates goal setting, performance reviews, and continuous feedback.
• Document Management: Offers a one-stop platform to upload and organize company documents.

TalentHR Pros

• User-Friendly Interface: Easy-to-navigate platform. 
• Comprehensive Features: Offers a wide range of HR functionalities, covering everything from payroll to performance management.
• Mobile Access: Provides a mobile app for on-the-go access to HR features.
• Freebies: TalentHR has a freemium option for up to 10 users.

TalentHR Cons

• Learning Curve: Initial setup and learning to use all features effectively may take time for some teams.
• Some Platform Bugs: Users have reported specific features of the platform occasionally has bugs that take a while to get fixed.

TalentHR Pricing 

Besides its free option, TalentHR starts at $2 per user, per month. More details can be found here. 

Absorb: Best for Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Learning Management System (LMS) software is essential for organizations to efficiently deliver, track, and manage training programs. It provides a centralized platform for employee education, ensuring consistent learning experiences and compliance with training requirements. LMS software supports continuous professional development, enhancing employee skills and productivity, which is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the market.

Absorb Features

• Personalized Experience: Create a completely custom look and feel and deliver course recommendations to reflect the experience you want.
• Leaderboards & Accomplishments: Enable learners to show off their badges on social media profiles to create friendly competition through leaderboards.
• AI Integration: Offers an AI component that helps ease e-learning.
• Customizable Course Creation: Enables organizations to create tailored training programs with multimedia content.
• Integration Capabilities: Integrates with various HR systems and other software to streamline workflows.

Absorb Pros

• Customer Service: Absorb offers great customer service at a 24/7/365 in-house clip.
• Fully Customizable: The platform has extensive customization options.
• Templates: Absorb has a robust library of templates to choose from.

Absorb Cons

• Difficult Pricing: Clients must fill out a form to get pricing options.
• Hard Help: Users report it is difficult to find help within the platform.

Absorb Pricing 

Absorb has customized pricing, based on specific organization needs. More pricing details can be found here.

Namely: Best for Performance Management 

Performance management software can help organizations effectively track, evaluate, and improve employee performance. It facilitates ongoing feedback, goal setting, and performance reviews, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and alignment with organizational objectives.

Namely Features

• Performance Reviews: Conduct regular performance evaluations with customizable templates and feedback mechanisms.
• Goal Management: Set SMART goals, track progress, and align individual objectives with organizational goals.
• 360-Degree Feedback: Gather feedback from peers, managers, and subordinates to provide a comprehensive view of performance.
• Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly integrates with other HR systems and business applications.

Namely Pros

• Self-Service Portal: Offers an extensive employee portal to monitor progress.
• Good UX: Various users claim the platform is easy-to-use, specifically, “like Facebook’s news feed.”

Namely Cons

• Pricing Hassle: Namely asks potential clients to schedule a call, making it tricky to determine pricing models past its basic plan.
• Limited Customer Help: Users express there is limited customer help and resources for those experiencing trouble.

Namely Pricing

Pricing starts at $9 per employee per month. More details can be found here.

The Power of Good HR Software in 2024

HR software is an integral part of modern organizations’ makeup.

Choosing the right platform can streamline processes, enhance employee engagement, and optimize workforce management.

Among these tools, recognition software stands out as a crucial support to a positive workplace culture and enhanced employee morale. By acknowledging and appreciating employee contributions, recognition software not only boosts motivation but also reinforces organizational values and aligns teams toward common goals.

Applauz emerges as an industry leader in recognition software, offering robust features like automated rewards, peer-to-peer recognition, and customizable incentives that empower organizations to celebrate achievements effectively. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive analytics, Applauz enables HR teams to cultivate a culture of appreciation that drives performance and employee satisfaction.

Elevate your workplace culture with Applauz and transform employee recognition into a strategic advantage. Start appreciating your team and watch productivity soar.