Human resources (HR) professionals are a busy bunch. The task of onboarding, offboarding, training, monitoring, and retaining an entire workforce is a heavy caseload, which is why businesses—even small businesses—need HR management software (HRMS) to help their people management processes run efficiently.
But not all HRMS systems are the same. For example, many of today's all-purpose HR platforms began life as systems with specialized purposes, such as payroll, performance management, or benefits administration. Depending on your specific needs, the same software that works for one organization might not be a good fit for yours.
That's why when we test and rank HRMS systems, we look at multiple factors, including their core strengths. Our top picks, listed with links to our detailed reviews, should be your entry point to navigate the broad market of HR software. If you need more assistance before making your decision, check out our buying advice below.
Table of Contents
BambooHR
Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Many HR systems focus heavily on one key area, such as employee onboarding or HR reporting, but BambooHR covers everything from hiring to retiring. It has a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features, such as applicant tracking, benefits administration, payroll, time tracking, and performance management. Because it meets the needs of most HR professionals, it's our Editors' Choice winner for all-inclusive HR management systems.
Who It's For
If you're looking for an HR system that can help your business with every HR function it might need, all while providing a consistent UI, BambooHR is the ideal solution. Be aware, however, that it's hardly the least expensive package we tested. If you're more interested in automating a particular area of the HR process, you might be better served to look into a more specialized system.
PROS
- BambooHR brings a wholistic and thorough approach to human resources (HR) management software.
- It is easy to get up and running with open APIs that offer lots of potential for integration with HR tech vendors.
CONS
- Pricier than competing products.
- Lacking in benefits administration (BA) features compared to rival solutions.
- Lack of benefits data in mobile app.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | Unlimited |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
Deputy
Best for Shift Scheduling
Why We Picked It
Deputy is top-notch employee scheduling software that lets you create shifts, track time, and manage your staff with ease. It has an attractive user interface, a powerful mobile app, and a long list of integrations that make it compatible with your existing tools. Deputy also offers 24/7 support and customization options to suit your needs. That's why it's our Editors' Choice pick for employee scheduling and shift planning.
Who It's For
Deputy is a perfect choice if your small business needs a simple and effective way to schedule and manage your staff. It's more than just a scheduler; it has general human resource tools that can help you with payroll, performance, and compliance. However, you might want to look at other options with more robust features if you need a full-fledged HR solution.
PROS
- Uncluttered and intuitive user interface
- Great mobile solutions
- Extensive third-party integration system
- Offers open shifts and easy shift swapping
CONS
- Not robust enough to be a comprehensive human resources (HR) management tool
- Website and mobile apps are available in English only
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | Unlimited |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
Gusto
Best for Payroll Processing
Why We Picked It
Whether you need help with state tax registration, global payments, or user support, Gusto has you covered. It also has a user-friendly interface that makes payroll management a breeze, even for beginners. Upgrade to an advanced pricing tier, and you gain advanced hiring and onboarding tools, time and project tracking, performance reviews, PTO management and policies, workforce costing and reports, and next-day direct deposit capabilities.
Who It's For
Gusto is an excellent choice for small businesses that need a reliable and easy-to-use payroll service. It offers a range of features that cover the most common payroll needs, such as tax filing, direct deposit, and contractor payments. However, its general HR tools cost extra and are not as robust as the features found in more general-purpose HR packages. Still, that may be just what you're looking for if you're looking to avoid excessive complexity.
PROS
- Exceptional user experience
- Flexible, thorough employee records
- Clean, understandable payroll processing
- Excellent employee-side apps
- Comprehensive admin mobile access
CONS
- No time tracking or PTO management in Simple plan
- Contractors and time off require separate pages during payroll
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | Unlimited |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
SAP SuccessFactors
Best for Performance Management
Why We Picked It
SAP is best known as a provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and databases, but it also offers SAP SuccessFactors, a cloud-based HR package designed for SMBs. SAP SuccessFactors has a long history in the HR software market, and it shows in its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. However, SAP SuccessFactors excels most in performance management, which is its core strength and where it started as a product.
Who It's For
If performance management is your chief concern, SuccessFactors has the best feature set for that purpose of any of the solutions we've reviewed. Still, its Goals and Performance modules, while extensive, could be overkill for companies that put less time and effort into the review process. Although it also supports numerous other HR functions, they come at a substantially higher cost than you would pay for rival software.
PROS
- Superb feature set for small to midsize businesses (SMBs)
- Intuitive setup wizard and video tutorials
- Outstanding performance tracking features
CONS
- Costs more than competing small business human resources (HR) software
- Lacks add-on options offered by competitors
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | Unlimited |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
Zenefits
Best for Benefits Administration
Why We Picked It
Zenefits is a comprehensive HR software solution for startups and small businesses, but where it really shines is in benefits administration. In that category, it stands out as the most complete solution for benefits administration for typical SMBs. Notably, its benefits reporting features are superior to any other solution we tested. It also offers a number of other advantages, such as easy administration, flexible add-on services, and access to actual human advisers when you need help.
Who It's For
You can't go wrong by choosing Zenefits if benefits administration is where you need the most help. Not only does it stand out in that area, but it also offers a comprehensive set of HR features. Still, it may be a bit much for payroll administrators. If you don't need the full menu of HR and benefits administration functions and just want to focus on getting employees paid correctly, submitting payroll taxes, and managing basic benefits, then another package might suit you better.
PROS
- Comprehensive benefits administration and plan-building functionality.
- Good user experience.
- Thorough employee records.
- Strong business intelligence (BI) reporting.
- Exceptional employee mobile app.
CONS
- May be overwhelming for very small businesses.
- Mobile app doesn't support all admin tasks.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | Unlimited |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
BerniePortal
Best for Employee Onboarding
Why We Picked It
Unlike other platforms that are often complex and confusing, BerniePortal features an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. For example, onboarding can be a huge headache for employers, but BerniePortal makes even this process straightforward. Wrapping up something as complicated as an HR platform in such a streamlined package is an impressive feat.
Who It's For
Very small businesses will best appreciate what BerniePortal has to offer. When managers or even business owners find themselves doing double duty as de facto HR personnel, the software must be easy to use, and BerniePortal certainly is that. There's a trade-off for that convenience; it lacks some of the features found in more robust general-purpose HR systems. Also, calculating its actual cost can be a complicated affair, since its pricing varies across 200 independent brokers.
PROS
- Quick to set up and easy to figure out
- Great core features cover most small to midsize business (SMBs) needs
CONS
- Has some functionality limitations that can be found in competing products
- Subgroup organization can be confusing
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | Unlimited |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
Cezanne HR
Best for Global SMBs
Why We Picked It
Cezanne HR is designed to be an affordable solution for midsize companies seeking to manage various HR processes globally. It supports multiple languages and currencies. What's more, while it targets SMBs, it looks and feels like a platform that's capable of handling a much larger workforce. According to Cezanne, it targets companies with several hundred to several thousand employees.
Who It's For
Cezanne HR is an excellent choice for growing businesses that have a global presence. However, small companies that operate in a single country may prefer a more user-friendly and straightforward design. Moreover, other all-in-one HR systems offer a smoother user experience and a deeper range of benefits management and customization features than Cezanne. In particular, Cezanne's payroll and benefits management features are weaker than other options.
PROS
- Handles various functions like personnel files, directories, and org charts.
- Main dashboard has different views for managers and employees.
- Global support for 10 languages and various currencies.
- Integrated benefits and payroll.
CONS
- Can be complicated to navigate because of non-intuitive command structure and functions that might befuddle small to midsize businesses (SMBs).
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | 5000 |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
Namely
Best for Customization
Why We Picked It
Namely offers benefits administration (BA), payroll, and other HR features, but what sets it apart from other HR solutions is its user-friendly interface that allows a high degree of customization. This means system administrator-level users can tailor the platform to fit a company's specific people processes, rather than being forced to adapt to a vendor's view of how HR should work. In addition, its user experience is optimized for mobile devices, meaning users can even access custom components and processes from their handhelds.
Who It's For
If you absolutely need HR management software that's tailored to your company's unique needs, Namely offers a level of customizability that surpasses most of the competition. The downside is that the sheer number of configuration options it provides means setting it up can be time-consuming, taking days or even weeks to roll out a company-wide implementation. Companies that lack time and resources might be better served by a more turnkey solution.
PROS
- A comprehensive human resources (HR), payroll, and benefits solutions designed around the needs of small to midsize businesses (SMBs).
- Strong employee management and performance review features.
CONS
- An expensive option for larger businesses.
- Compensation section feels limited in tracking salary changes after performance reviews.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | 3000 |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
Sage Business Cloud People
Best for Multinational Businesses
Why We Picked It
Unlike many of the products we tested, Sage Business Cloud People caters best to larger companies with employees outside the US. It's highly flexible, and it integrates with multiple third-party payroll platforms and other outside vendors. That's partially because it's built on the Salesforce platform, and while you don't have to be an existing Salesforce customer to use it, admins familiar with Salesforce will have a shorter learning curve.
Who It's For
Midsized and larger companies will get the most benefit from Sage Business Cloud People, especially if they operate globally, but smaller companies may find it expensive and time-consuming to set up. Sage says it can take up to 90 days to implement the system and get analytics, core HR, payroll, and reporting up and running. SMBs and start-ups with smaller workforces will want to weigh these factors against competing products that are cheaper and easier to implement.
PROS
- An end-to-end human resources (HR) solution with a slant towards multinational companies.
- Built on top of Salesforce's platform.
- Good support and integration with third-party payroll vendors.
CONS
- Setting it up can take a long time, especially for multinational users.
- Expensive option for smaller businesses.
- Salesforce foundation is a mixed bag that may alienate non-Salesforce shops.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | 13000 |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
APS OnLine
Best for Enterprise-Style HR
Why We Picked It
APS is one of a few vendors that sell core HR tech with built-in payroll, which isn't surprising considering the 20-year-old business started out as a payroll processor. Having evolved into a full HR platform, APS OnLine aims to deliver enterprise-level HR management features to SMBs, with its sweet spot being customers with between 100 and 3,000 employees. It still lacks some enterprise bells and whistles, but SMBs will find its feature set to be generous compared with other SMB-focused options.
Who It's For
Resource-strapped companies where managers do double duty as HR staff often like their HR software to be streamlined and simple, even at the expense of features. But if you're looking for a solution that does almost everything that a product for large enterprises can, APS OnLine may be it. Just be aware that being treated like a big company carries a price. Be sure you're ready for near enterprise-level complexity and cost before going all-in.
PROS
- User-friendly interface.
- Payroll functionality is built in.
- Highly configurable.
CONS
- Can get expensive for SMBs.
- Does not offer a news feed.
- System admins and employees need to use separate portals.
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Number of Users | Unlimited |
| iOS App | |
| Android App | |
| Applicant Tracking | |
| Benefits Administration | |
| 401(k) Management | |
| Payroll | |
| Performance Management | |
| Time and Attendance | |
| Shift Scheduling | |
| Time Off Tracking | |
| Trial Version | |
| Live Chat/Phone Support |
What Is HR Software?
At their heart, these HR tools let you manage employee records from within a desktop application, a web browser, or even a smartphone app. Some offer you the ability to tie into applicant tracking (AT), benefits administration, and performance management tools so that you can follow your employee's success from recruitment to retirement.
When selecting HR management software (HRMS), you'll want to consider several key elements. Does its user interface (UI) offer an intuitive experience that doesn't necessitate a heavy training burden? Does the tool tie into your legacy software packages, especially when it comes to data feeds? Can it scale as your company grows? Does the vendor offer the kind of service you'll need should the software fail at any point? Once you've determined your requirements and preferences, you can approach any of these vendors with a wish list. Test the solutions that meet your needs and choose the one that fits your ideal combination of price and utility.
HR software specifically designed for small businesses tops out at 1,500 or 2,000 users, while software like Deputy, Namely, and Sage Business Cloud People can accommodate workforces of 3,000 to 10,000 people (or more). Grow bigger than the maximum on most platforms, and you'll migrate to an enterprise-level system. SAP SuccessFactors is one exception; the division of HR tech giant SAP uses the same base software code as its enterprise-level software, so small businesses that outgrow it can switch up without needing to re-enter any data.
HR software and management systems are a welcome step up from the Microsoft Excel spreadsheets that many businesses—especially small ones—may still rely on to store and analyze employee data. Many cloud-based services sweeten the pot by offering a lot of extras along with basic functions at starting prices that won't break the bank. When it comes to picking the best one for your business, consider your budget, location, and what HR software you're already using so you don't pay for duplicate services.
How Much Does HR Software Cost?
Fortunately, HR software systems won't bankrupt your company. As cloud-based HR software became popular, it motivated more vendors to enter the business. The result is that features, functions, and configurability that previously only appeared in platforms for larger companies trickle down to core HR software for SMBs.
Not only are modern software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings cheaper than traditional on-premises HR solutions, but they're also usually intuitive software platforms that are easy to use and can easily integrate with other back-office SaaS tools, such as accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) apps.
The field is so the costs wildly vary. At the bottom are free services, such as those from Zenefits. Paid services typically charge per employee per month, and range from $2 per employee per month (Cezanne HR's plan) to $12 per employee per month (Namely's basic plan). Many vendors charge extra for add-on modules for hiring, payroll, and the like, as well as for implementation. They also offer volume discounts and special packages to companies with larger workforces.
Still, other vendors have taken a page from consumer software by offering simple-to-use HR software that's essentially free. A prime example is Zenefits Z2, which has a freemium business model that revolutionized the category and attracted millions in venture capital (VC). Customers subsidize the platform's costs by paying Zenefits fees to act as their employee benefits broker, as well as fees the company charges for ancillary services.
What Should You Look For in HR Software?
How your company manages HR can be a highly individual affair, but there are certain key capabilities and features you should look for in any solution to make sure it evolves along with your organization's needs. We've described key capabilities below:
Applicant Tracking (AT). Includes the ability to manage job postings, apps, and even onboarding of new employees.
Benefits Administration. This is critical for most HR operations. What HRMS software makers offer vary from simply managing employee enrollment all the way to offering specific benefit plans.
Scheduling and Shift Planning. These are often dedicated tools, but they also show up as part of larger HRMS platforms (or those that focus on businesses where this capability is important).
Performance Management. This could be the ability to simply keep a record of employee goals, or it can track goals down to the task level and tie success directly to compensation and payroll.
Online Learning. This may appear as another offshoot of performance management, letting managers provide the training that employees need to achieve their goals and keep the company in compliance if certifications are required for certain jobs.
eLearning Authoring. Lets your company build its own training materials for internal or external use.
Regardless of its target audience, here are some other key features to look for in any HRMS system:
Integration. Most of these players (though not all of them) offer either canned integrations or open APIs. For example, Zenefits offers integration with platforms that include Expensify, Google's G-Suite, Microsoft Office 365, Salesforce, and Slack. Canned integrations are simply a list of partner apps with which the HRMS vendor has built direct integration capability that you can opt in to by either paying extra or downloading a connector. Open APIs let your build integrations between whichever systems you like as long as they both support the API.
Mobility. This still isn't a must-have feature for a successful HRMS implementation, but it's getting there. HR data tends to be information that employees need to access on the fly, especially things such as benefits information and time-off requests. Providing the ability to do that easily and securely on mobile devices means making sure the solution offers client software for both Android and iOS devices at a minimum.
Security. Make certain that you investigate how the solution protects customer data. Most of these systems are cloud-based software, which means your employee data—including personal information and financial data—ends up stored online. So, it's critical that you ensure that the security tool's adequately protected with role-based access controls and at least the option to encrypt data.
Reporting. The best HR software takes advantage of the personnel data they store to let company owners, HR executives, or HRIS managers run myriad workforce reports. These include standard reports on headcount, turnover, payroll costs, and staffing allocation. They also include options for creating custom reports that can saved or generated on a regular basis. BambooHR, for one, creates Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) reports on job applicants by race, gender, and veteran status. Many platforms can turn report data into charts and graphs that can be printed, emailed, or downloaded in Microsoft Excel or other file formats.
Top platforms offer a surfeit of help, including setup wizards, video tutorials, 24/7 live chat, and phone support. Vendors catering to enterprise-level and midsize companies also walk customers through the implementation process (and charge extra for it). Some offer clients dedicated project managers, account executives, or support teams.
What Is Applicant Tracking Technology?
This software type makes sure you don't let your best candidates slip through your fingers because of mismanaged onboarding. The best applicant tracking (AT) tools let you follow your candidates from the first interaction until the day they leave your company. Before you choose a system, it's important to consider your team's specific needs. Do you want AT as part of a larger software ecosystem? Do you want something that can handle an unlimited number of users and job openings? How important is it to you that your system integrates well with your corporate website and email client?
Most of the AT systems we reviewed automatically post newly created jobs to free job websites and premium job websites for which you have paid a small fee. If you regularly hire people, then you'll want to purchase a tool that ties back to your corporate careers page. This enables your system to automatically feed candidate data from the app page directly into the AT software. The best tools available, including Editors' Choice winner Bullhorn Staffing and Recruiting, offer social buttons that let you share postings on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Even the most barebones AT software comes with a robust reporting platform. Typical reports include hiring velocity, candidate sourcing, and pipeline reports. These reports are more valuable for staffing firms than for in-house recruiters, but it doesn't hurt to find a system that provides ultra-detailed reporting on attractive dashboards.
Do You Need Benefits Administration in HR Software?
Benefits administration is a core element in any good HR organization. Some businesses may be satisfied with the features provided by some of the highlighted HR management systems, but others have more complex BA requirements and need specialized software. After all, flush benefits packages are a major selling point in attracting top talent to your start-up, small to midsize business (SMB), or enterprise. The ease and efficiency through which your business administers its various benefits packages is how you keep those employees happy, and show them they're valued.
BA software should do two things: It should make it easy for HR administrators to choose and customize plans, and it should make it even simpler for employees to register for those benefits via an automated enrollment process (as well as easily access their benefits and insurance information). The standalone BA capabilities you choose within your HR suite should be able to handle basic medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability, with customizable plans.
On top of that, leading all-in-one BA and HR platforms such as Zenefits, the Editors' Choice winner in this category, also add the ability to manage payroll and retirement benefits such as a 401(k), plus additional perks for start-ups such as a stock option module. BA software should make people's lives easier when enrolling in the plans that best suit their needs. It should also add enough special features via an intuitive interface to keep employees confident that their employer is taking good care of them.
What Are the Essential Performance Management Features?
Businesses tend to look at a solution's performance management features when deciding which HR management platform to adopt. That's because there are various popular methodologies for measuring employee performance. Software makers have created a range of packages to suit business needs. Evaluating employees for bonuses and compensation and crediting them for certifications, as well as skill advancement, are all key features to look for.
Our Editors' Choice winner in this category is SAP SuccessFactors, which did a great job of providing effective mechanisms for assigning and tracking goals, feedback, and coaching, and then examining those criteria during the performance review process. Although it lacks a payroll module, SAP SuccessFactors can effectively communicate employee performance results to your existing payroll system. Data integration should be a key feature no matter what system you wind up choosing, as is the ability to define your own custom workflow for the performance review process. This means the system can use email, document routing, and internal workflow routing to let you design an initial performance review, followed by the right number of subsequent approvals and evaluations necessary in your organization.
The Best Online Learning Platforms for Business
A big part of helping employees do well on performance evaluations is to make sure their skills are up to par by using effective training. Enterprise online learning platforms typically fall into two distinct categories: tools designed for training companies that sell courses to third parties, and tools designed for companies that conduct training with staff. How you plan to use your software determines the type of solution you'll need, how you'll be charged, and the available integrations. Enterprise online learning platforms for training companies tend to offer more flexibility in terms of how much content you can store within the system, how many courses and quizzes you can create, how many separate portals (or dashboards) you can create, and how many people can access your content. Conversely, online learning platforms for enterprises and small businesses that conduct their own internal training tend to offer limited access.
Regardless of the kind of system you'll use, we recommend our Editors' Choice winner in this category, Docebo. With it, you can upload content and develop quizzes based on the information in your files. You can also use a Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) platform to create more interactive, dynamic courses that combine lessons and quizzes. Most novice technology users will be able to access, use, and master the systems we reviewed with no difficulty.
What Is eLearning Authoring?
To deliver custom training content for use with your online learning and training platform, you'll either need to hire an expert to create such courseware or do it yourself using eLearning authoring tools specific to the task. Before testing systems, you should determine how the content will be delivered to your employees or customers. For example, will your software be installed locally and run exclusively on a specific device? Or will the tool be a cloud-based managed service, making it accessible via a web browser? Cloud-based tools in this category tend to be less expensive and more flexible in terms of who uses the tool and where they'll be using it. You should also set a palatable price. Tools in this field range from free and barebones to thousands of dollars a year for nearly limitless course creation functionality.
After that, it's all about determining your must-have features. All of the tools we review in our roundup, including Editors' Choice winners Articulate Storyline 2 and Trivantis Lectora Inspire, provide basic apps that you should consider must-haves for the eLearning authoring tool you ultimately choose. For example, the ability to include video in training content is a no-brainer. You should look for a tool with drag-and-drop functionality, and a What You See is What You Get (WYSIWYG) editing platform; both of these features improve the speed with which you can create courses.
What Are Scheduling and Shift Planning?
For operations dependent on managing multiple shifts of workers, scheduling and shift planning features are must-have tools. Although this is often done by using dedicated apps separate from the HRMS, there are suites that include this capability, as well. Whether you want to opt for one of those or a dedicated shift planning solution is dependent on the features you need (and possibly whether you can integrate a dedicated solution with your overall HR software platform).
In small operations, shift scheduling is often handled using just a grid built into a spreadsheet. But opting in to a dedicated scheduling solution gives you much greater flexibility than any spreadsheet can provide. The ability to directly tie scheduling into both attendance and payroll is a basic benefit. Still, the ability to provide scheduling across mobile platforms, while allowing shift participants to pick up, drop, or swap shifts without manager or IT intervention, is something you should test to see if it really fits into your day-to-day workflow.
How to Choose the Best HR Software for Your Business
Picking HR software that's best for your small, midsize, or large business depends in part on your size, needs, and budget. Companies that are happy with their existing setups for applicant tracking, onboarding, shift scheduling, or performance reviews might not want or need a core HR platform that includes those options. Other vendors target niche industries or company types.
Zenefits' platform, for example, is especially well-suited to fast-growing, venture capital (VC)-backed start-ups because of its built-in benefits modules for health benefits, employee stock options, and 401(k) retirement savings plans. Established companies that are happy with their existing payroll provider can sign up with Zenefits or BambooHR, which are set up to share payroll data with national processors such as ADP, Gusto (previously ZenPayroll), and Paychex.
Companies with a slightly larger workforce and not a lot of time to spend rolling out new software will appreciate the free data upload service that Cezanne HR provides as part of getting started on its platform. Business owners who want a lot of hand-holding through the setup process can use the many tutorials, setup wizards, and other help functions offered by Cezanne HR, Namely, Sage, or SAP SuccessFactors. If you have employees or offices outside of the United States, you can customize Cezanne HR and Sage Business Cloud People to use specific languages, currencies, or country-specific holidays.
Many HR software platforms have companion Android and iOS apps with a limited number of mobile-friendly functions, such as looking up a co-worker in the company directory or asking for or approving time off. In fact, Namely and Sage Business Cloud People are upgrading their mobile apps to include all or almost all of the functions of their web-based services. A few others still lack apps, but they're working on fixing that. If you're comparing vendors, and giving employees mobile access is important (and it is for many companies), check out a platform's mobile apps before you commit.
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