Recent reports show that just 47% of larger organizations use HR software to manage and optimize their human resources tasks.
With the ability to help you automate HR tasks, sync with other platforms, and streamline both HR and payroll processes, it’s surprising that the number isn’t higher. Our guess? Businesses simply don’t know how to search for the right HR software or haven’t found a good fit yet.
Is that you? Are you looking for the best HR management software to help manage your workforce in 2023? You’re in luck!
We’ve compiled a list of the top HR software suites that are sure to meet your needs. Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive solution or something specific, we’ve got you covered.
Factors to Consider When Comparing HR Software
Assuming you’re already (hopefully) sold on the benefits of using this kind of software, what should you be looking for as you scroll through our reviews below?
To start, you’ll want to think about what features are most important to you. Do you need something that can track employee attendance? Or do you need something that can help with onboarding new hires?
Once you’ve got a good idea of your must-haves, you can start narrowing down your options. The next step is to take a closer look at each option’s pricing model. Some software providers charge a monthly subscription fee, while others require a one-time payment.
And finally, be sure to read user reviews before making your final decision. By taking the time to do your research, you can be sure to find the best HR management software for your business.
Remember to always request a demo before you pay full price for any software!
The Best HR Management Software of 2023
The Best HR management software is designed to help organizations keep track of employee data, streamline communication, and manage payroll and benefits.
With so many different options on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your business. Here are some of the best HR management software programs of 2023, broken down by features and pricing for different types of businesses and entrepreneurs.
For the best on this list, feel free to scroll down to the bottom to meet Top Echelon!
Freshteam
If you’re a growing business interested in smart HR software then Fresteam might be an option to look into. Freshteam software is a cloud-based solution that helps businesses manage their human resources. It includes a variety of features, such as applicant tracking, onboarding features, and the ability to manage time off requests.
Freshteam is designed to be user-friendly and is suitable for small businesses with up to 50 employees. The software has received positive reviews from users, who appreciate its ease of use and flexibility. However, it is lacking in some core features you’d expect out of an HR management platform of this caliber.
Freshteam Features
Some of the standout features of Freshteam that businesses seem to enjoy include:
- Applicant tracking
- Employee information system
- Time off management and tracking
- Employee onboarding
- Employee offboarding
- HR reports
Likewise, if you manage your business or HR tasks on the go then you will enjoy the Fresteam mobile app and integration with other platforms that make automation easier. What’s lacking here compared to other HR software, though?
Freshteam does not allow you to manage time tracking, payroll, or employee benefits. In this case, the platform is better suited to smaller teams in need of streamlining their application process and the process of onboarding new employees.
Freshteam Pricing
What makes Freshteam one of the best HR software for small business owners is the fact that they do offer a free version of their software. With the free version, you’ll have basic access to employee tracking information and databases. You’ll also have the ability to customize your hiring workflow and post up to three active job listings.
Other plans start at $71 per month plus $1.20 per employee. However, if you’re interested in a paid plan then do note that Freshteam offers a 21-day trial we recommend you take advantage of.
Rippling
Rippling is an HR software option that’s best for tech-heavy businesses or for businesses that want to manage financial tasks as well as HR and payroll tasks.
This all-in-one HR software includes everything from onboarding to performance management. Rippling is designed to be simple and user-friendly, with a focus on automating HR processes. Rippling integrates with your existing payroll and benefits systems, and it can be used to manage both full-time and part-time employees.
The best part? It’s easily scalable. This means that whether you have two or 2,000 employees, you can customize your software, plan, and features to fit your unique business needs.
Rippling Features
Compared to Freshteam, Rippling offers many more features. Ultimately, this software is a better solution for larger teams and HR departments that manage everything from applicant tracking and benefits administration to compliance courses and employee feedback.
The main feature categories of Rippling include:
- Full-service payroll (US and global)
- Time and attendance
- Benefits administration
- Flex benefits: FSA, HSA, and commuter
- ACA & COBRA Administration
- Applicant tracking
- Learning management
- Employee surveys
- HR help desk
- PEO services
Add-on services include IT cloud services such as remote software updates and financial services. This is perhaps one of the most unique add-on services offered as it allows you to easily issue and manage corporate cards as well as track and report business expenses.
As you can see, Rippling is quite a comprehensive option. While this is great for large organizations, many smaller businesses find the features and cost to be too robust to justify the investment. It’s also important to note that their PEO services aren’t currently IRS-certified.
Rippling Pricing
Rippling’s pricing structure is unique in that it’s highly scalable. Their core plan costs $35 per month plus $8 per employee. If you need more than what’s offered in the core plan then you can add on features in an a la carte manner.
For example, you can add app, device, and computer inventory management for just $5 per employee per month. Alternatively, you can add benefits administration features to your basic plan. The pricing for this feature varies, though, and the best way to get an accurate idea of the cost is to request a free quote.
Gusto
Is your focus more on payroll and less on general HR tasks? If so, Gusto is a great option for small and mid-sized businesses. Gusto offers a simple way to keep track of employee information, and its payroll features help to automate the process of paying employees.
In addition, Gusto offers a suite of tools to help businesses manage employee benefits, including health insurance and 401(k) plans. Gusto’s combination of simplicity and automation makes it a valuable tool for small businesses struggling to keep up with the administrative demands of managing employees.
Gusto Features
As mentioned above, Gusto shines as a payroll management software more than it does as a comprehensive HR solution. One of the main features businesses use includes the ability to file and pay federal, state, and local payroll taxes straight from the software. You can also benefit from automatic deductions, direct deposits, and tax filing.
However, Gusto offers a variety of features designed to make HR management easier, including:
- Employee self-service portal
- Onboarding tools
- Support for time tracking and attendance
Gusto also integrates with several third-party applications, making it easy to connect all of your HR data in one place. Likewise, users who use Gusto note that they love the numerous HR templates available. You can access everything from law labor policy templates to an employee handbook builder.
Overall, it’s these little features that make the platform great for small businesses. If you’re just starting to build out your HR department and need access to templates that can help you get started, Gusto might be for you.
Gusto Pricing
Unfortunately, Gusto’s most basic plan doesn’t come with HR features or support. This means that if you’re interested in accessing their unique templates and HR software you’ll have to upgrade to their Plus plan, which is currently $60 per month and $9 per month per employee.
You then have to pay an additional $6 per employee per month to access HR features. In this case, Gusto’s pricing simply isn’t justified given the features they offer. If you’ll use all of the features available, it’s worth asking about enterprise pricing or opting for another HR software on this list.
BambooHR
Just as Gusto shines as a payroll platform more than anything else, BambooHR is an especially great software if you’re looking for employee management tools. Seeing as this is a big part of human resources, we understand the appeal of these kinds of features.
From hiring and onboarding to payroll and employee culture, BambooHR offers basic features on a platform that is easy to use and intuitive. The software includes features for tracking employee performance, managing payroll and benefits, and storing employee records.
BambooHR also integrates with at least 50 third-party apps. This makes it a great solution for small but growing teams interested in simplifying all HR processes.
BambooHR Features
BambooHR offers five product pillars which include:
- Hiring
- Onboarding
- Compensation
- Culture
- People data and analytics
Within each product pillar are the standard features you would expect from any great HR software. Features include:
- Employee records
- HR workflows
- Applicant tracking
- Onboarding
- E-signatures
- Time tracking
- Paid time off
- Payroll
- Performance management
While these aren’t necessarily features of the software itself, BambooHR offers several great HR resources for growing HR departments to learn from. Their resources include a podcast, an HR 101 course, guides, ebooks, and a helpful glossary for newbies in the business.
Likewise, BambooHR offers specialized solutions for businesses in the industries of construction, health, finance, and technology. If your business is in one of these industries and you need a niche solution, it’s worth requesting a demo of BambooHR.
BambooHR Pricing
What’s most important to note is that BambooHR offers free price quotes. However, their two main pricing plans are their Essentials and Advantage plan. The Essentials plan is best suited for small businesses in need of basic HR and payroll features.
Their pricing is entirely custom, but other users report that the Advantage plan comes with a price of $8.25 per month for a business of up to 15 employees. Keep in mind that this can vary and that it’s best to reach out directly to them for an accurate quote based on your needs.
Paychex
Are you a solo entrepreneur or a small business owner with just a few employees? If so, Paychex might be the best option for you. Paychex is a software company that provides online payroll and human resources services to small and medium businesses.
Whether you’re a business owner looking for a comprehensive solution for managing your HR and payroll needs, or an employee who wants to be able to view your pay stubs and benefits information on the go, Paychex has you covered. That doesn’t mean it’s without flaws, though.
Features are basic enough for a solo entrepreneur or small business owner. However, the pricing structure makes it confusing as to which features you can access (we’ll get into this below!).
Paychex Features
The Paychex software suite includes tools for:
- Managing employee records
- Tracking time and attendance
- Calculating taxes
- Processing payroll
Paychex also offers a mobile app that allows employees to view their pay stubs, request time off, and view benefits information. You can also integrate the app with programs such as QuickBooks, Sage Intact, and Xero.
In addition, the Paychex website provides a range of resources for employers, including how-to guides, video tutorials, and customer support. You will find that it lacks comprehensive applicant tracking and data-driven recruitment capabilities, though.
Paychex Pricing
Pricing for Paychex starts at $35 per month and $5 per employee. Do note that if you’re using the software for payroll that there are additional fees for things such as payroll tax filing, W-2 and 1099 filing, and time tracking features. All in all, the added fees make Paychex one of the less straightforward software options on this list.
Deputy
For small businesses looking for time-tracking solutions as part of scheduling and payroll, Deputy is a great option to look into.
The software provides a platform for tracking employee time, leave, and performance. It also allows businesses to create customized reports and dashboards. Deputy HR software is designed to help businesses improve communication and collaboration between HR professionals and employees.
Deputy Features
The standout features of Deputy include:
- Scheduling
- Time tracking
- Secure time clock app
- Labor compliance tools
- Mobile app
All in all, the platform’s scheduling features are great for teams interested in optimizing and reducing labor costs. Their time-tracking features also allow you to accurately automate complex pay schedules and calculations. Finally, their integrations make it easy to easily integrate Deputy with other HR software, payroll software, and even POS.
Ultimately, Deputy is great if you’re interested in reducing labor costs and accurately managing your employees’ time and pay. However, it’s worth noting that you can’t use Deputy as a standalone HR platform. If you decide to use Deputy, you’ll need to integrate it with another HR software that offers more HR-focused features.
Deputy Pricing
Deputy allows you to customize your plans pretty easily. This means that you can choose a plan that just offers scheduling features or a plan that just offers time-tracking features. However, their Premium plan combines them both. This plan starts at just $4.90 per month per user.
Enterprise solutions are available if you want to add more users or request custom features.
Zoho People
Looking for one of the best budget-friendly HR software options of 2023? If so, Zoho People might be a great fit for you. It’s a cloud-based HR software that is designed to be agile and effective. It has several features that make it ideal for businesses that are looking to nurture their employees and quickly adapt to changes.
The software offers a centralized database that makes it easy to manage employee data, as well as an automated workflow that simplifies the process of tracking and approving leave requests. In addition, Zoho People provides real-time insights into the performance of your team, allowing you to identify issues early and take corrective action.
Zoho People Features
You can expect to enjoy all of the basic features of HR, payroll, and time-tracking with Zoho People. This includes:
- Recruitment
- Onboarding
- Employee management
- Time off management
- Payroll
- Expense management
- HR analytics
Advanced tools include learning management and performance review tools. While performance review tools are great to have, we find that most small business owners often don’t need to pay for these additional features as they’re scaling their business.
Zoho People Pricing
Similar to Freshteam, Zoho People offers a free plan for businesses with up to five users. This makes it one of the best budget-friendly options on this list. Do note, however, that the free plan only comes with the ability to access an employee database and time off management features.
To access more features, you’ll need to upgrade to at least the Essential HR plan, which is just $1.50 per month per employee. This plan comes with access to onboarding tools and unlimited administrator seats.
Top Echelon
We told you you’d find the best HR software if you scrolled to the bottom! Welcome to Top Echelon, the best HR and talent management software for businesses of all kinds.
Top Echelon software is a powerful tool that can help streamline the process of recruiting top talent. Our software enables users to post job openings on multiple job boards with just a few clicks, and it also provides access to a massive database of potential candidates.
Likewise, our platform makes it easy to evaluate candidates based on their skills and experience, and it also allows users to share candidate profiles with other members of their team. In addition, the software includes several features that make it easy to manage the recruiting process from beginning to end.
Overall, Top Echelon software is an extremely valuable tool for any company that is serious about recruiting top talent. Similar to other platforms on this list, we also offer free webinars to help you learn how to optimize your hiring and HR processes.
Top Echelon Features
As mentioned, our software focuses mainly on helping you optimize your recruiting processes. This means that our features focus mainly on these tasks. Customer-loved features include:
- Applicant tracking and pipeline management
- Resume parsing
- Advanced search features
- Recruiting CRM
- Job posting tools
- Social media integrations
- Advanced reporting features
However, our offerings extend beyond the basic talent search and hiring features you’d expect out of HR or hiring software. Top Echelon software prioritizes securing, offering data backup, multi factor authentication, and tools that help you stay compliant with the CCPA and GDPR.
Top Echelon Pricing
At Top Echelon, we pride ourselves on offering transparent pricing models. After your free 15-day trial you can opt to pay monthly or annually for your software subscription.
Request a Top Echelon Demo
We hope this comprehensive breakdown of the top HR software has been helpful! However, if you’re considering using HR management software, it’s important to request a demo before making a decision.
A demo will allow you to see how the software works and whether it’s a good fit for your needs. It’s also a good opportunity to ask questions and get more information about the features and benefits of the software.
At Top Echelon, we offer full demos of our software, so you can see for yourself how it can help you manage your HR department more effectively. Request a demo today and see how Top Echelon can help you streamline your HR and hiring processes.