10+ Best Free HR Software for Startups & SMBs in 2025
The best free human resources software tested, reviewed, and compared by SelectSoftware Reviews' HR tech experts. Find details on features, subscription plans, and more below.


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Top Free HR Software
Finding the best HR software for your startup is a decision that will impact virtually every member of your business, including future hires. Whether it's for onboarding, payroll management, benefits administration, or time-off requests, your next HR tool will become an integral part of your company's day-to-day operations.
But what if you're on a budget and can't shell out a high fee for every user just yet? With companies like yours in mind, we decided to put together a list of top HR software for startups and budget-conscious teams that either have a generous free trial or even a free-forever plan; you can opt for one with no credit card info required. Check them out!
We found the best free HR software by evaluating more than 30 tools on these key performance factors: payroll processing, recruitment and onboarding, performance reviews, employee management, and time-off management. Our real-world experience tells us that the first three of these elements matter most to teams looking for free HR software.
Our editorial team, all seasoned HR pros advised by industry leaders, led the research. We also gathered data from hands-on, user research.
Payroll Processing
Payroll is usually the first process that growing teams need to automate, so we scrutinized this feature on each free HR tool we evaluated. Specifically, we collected data about integration partners to assess each tool's ability to connect with common HRIS (time-keeping, attendance, etc). We also compiled user feedback and integrated notes from their experience, and we looked into each platform’s flexibility in payment options (hourly, salary, contract, etc.).
Recruitment and Onboarding
This HR software feature is critical for growing companies, so we consulted four thought leaders for their take on each platform’s approach. In addition to this “gut check,” we also evaluated for ease of integration (again, testing against common HRIS), and we had our user research team run simulations of employee experience scenarios.
Performance Reviews
Growing businesses often underestimate the importance of performance assessment, and many regret not adopting a system early on. For our evaluation, we asked our HR experts with the most extensive knowledge of innovations and best practices to weigh in on the 30+ companies we assessed for this guide. They graded each on a pass/fail basis, assessing the software’s approach to goal setting, analytics/reporting, feedback/coaching, and overall UX/UI.
Our guides are created using a unique and refined process that involves gathering and analyzing all available data, including historical context and user feedback. We evaluate every data point to ensure that our methodology is scientific and rigorous. For further information about our evaluation process, please refer to our editorial guidelines and this blog post on how we evaluate HR tech vendors.

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Homebase

Homebase was built to manage hourly workers and keep track of their work. They're also used for hiring, onboarding, HR & compliance, health & safety checks, and labor cost controls.
PROS
- Separate dashboards for managers and employees
- Real-time communication features allow for schedule changes on the move
- Requesting and approving paid time off is easy
- Great scheduling templates help managers streamline work
CONS
- Limited third-party integration support
- Additional features are somewhat expensive

This is a comprehensive HR tool that specializes in hourly work. While their time tracking tools are quite refined, their free version also offers team messaging, an app for employees, a hiring tool, and integrations with POS & payroll software. Their basic plan is free for unlimited employees, as long as the team is limited to one location.
PokPok Restaurants, D'Amore's Pizza, Stella Taco, Blush Tea & Coffee, Legacy Farms
After the Basic free plan, Homebase starts at $14 per month.
Best For
Homebase is used by a wide array of small businesses in several industries, from restaurants and bars to retail, health, and hospitality.
We use Homebase on a daily basis. We use it to schedule our staff. We also use the time tracker to track staff working hours. We use the time clock, which is an app that works on mobile and desktop devices. Additionally, we use the more traditional timesheet module. Both of these link into the payroll module, allowing us to calculate salaries through the system.

I really love the time-clock app, which makes time recording more efficient and reduces time theft. I love that Homebase is highly expandable—we started with just the rota and expanded to include the time clock, timesheets, and payroll. I think it is well-priced, and you get a lot of value for your money.
We were using an Excel-based rota to manage staff hours, but as staff numbers increased, it became cumbersome. The rota had macros that were proving unreliable on different platforms. We wanted an online system to manage our rotas. The key benefits Homebase provided were a lot of automation, including staff shift-swapping. I have used Homebase on and off for about five years.
The geolocation on the time clock can be glitchy at times. It's only suitable for US employees, as you can only pay in dollars, and customer service is US-centric. The mobile app seems to be somewhat limited on iOS.
I think Homebase offers more expandability compared to its competitors. It is also reasonably priced in comparison. The pricing model suited us better than others because we have just a few locations with quite a few staff, and Homebase's pricing is driven by the number of locations rather than the number of employees.
Since it's primarily a scheduling tool, it needs to have a high-quality rota with plenty of automation and shift-swapping as a minimum. Rotas, timesheets, and payroll are closely linked workflows, so it's best to look for software that includes all three areas of functionality to maximize efficiency.
Homebase has gradually expanded its service offerings, allowing users to treat it as a one-stop shop for HR functionality. While this can be more expensive than using separate tools, the convenience of available add-ons is beneficial for those who want an all-in-one HR solution.
Homebase is ideal for US-based organizations with a tech-savvy workforce.
Due to the pricing model based on locations, Homebase might not suit companies with many locations but only a few staff at each location.
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Deel
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Deel recently launched its free HRIS, which comes with many features you may only find in a more robust system, such as 1:1s, pulse surveys, and more.
PROS
- Deel HR is totally free for its payroll users.
- Full stack HR solution for global teams, including payroll services in 100+ countries and contractor management in 150+ countries.
- Offers APIs and has native integrations with over 100 popular HR tools.
- Local country experts provide 100% in-house support with a 1.25-minute first response time.
- Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
- Deel HR is free for companies of all sizes.
- Seamless integration with platforms like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Greenhouse, plus custom integration options.
- User-friendly, self-service features enable quick setup; identity verification often takes under 24 hours.
- Automated invoices simplify payments, provided they're in English.
CONS
- The cost of global payroll compliance is out of reach for many teams.
- Further, the HR portion of the tool is only offered as part of their global payroll products. You also have to set up a demo with their team to get started with the HR tool.
- Key features like onboarding automation are add-ons, which may increase costs.
- Limited flexibility in modifying contracts or service agreements; changes often require an addendum.
- Invoices cannot be generated in languages other than English.

If you're looking for free HR software for your startup, Deel may just be the best fit. Deel's free HRIS is a great new addition to this global payroll company's offering. No, it's not going to have all the bells and whistles of a $10/employee/mo solution. And it's now, so it will be buggy, we're sure.
That said, Deel has a long track record of putting together great solutions in the very complex world of paying international contractors/employees. It's not surprising that the platform offers its HR software for free either. This is a great way to lock customers into their payroll offering, where they make more than enough money to stay afloat.
Overall, we'd recommend taking a look at this solution, especially if you're a global team that will need help with payroll/immigration/compliance in the future.
35,000+ companies, including Brex, Duffel, Andela, HomeLight, and Makerpad.
Deel's HRIS is free. For contractors, Deel handles payroll and compliance in over 150 countries for $49/contractor/month. For full-time employees, Deel becomes an Employer of Record for $499, allowing you to hire in a new country without a legal entity.
Best For
Deel’s free HRIS is among the best HR software for startups and remote-first companies with global teams.
I utilized Deel due to its international capabilities for hiring remote workers without needing a physical presence. It assisted in managing expenses, payroll, benefits, PTO, and ensuring compliance with labor laws in different countries such as India, China, and England. Replit also engaged contractors through the platform and hired in that way. This helped organize us while Replit was on a few different HR platforms such as Justworks, Culture Amp, and Rippling. I enjoyed using Deel as it was straightforward, and the key workflows made sense to me. It was easy to understand, and if I had any questions, I could chat with the representative right away.
- I appreciated Deel for its user-friendly interface and straightforward usability.
- It was easy to navigate and intuitive, which made managing tasks efficient.
- The sales representative I interacted with was highly competent and responsive, which enhanced the overall experience of using the platform.
Replit bought Deel because of its global capacities, and I have used it for six months. It helped with the global side of payroll and compliance. It assisted in managing expenses when people onboarded, traveled, and took paid time off or leaves of absence. Other considerations included hiring contractors on their platform, which made it easier to hire people from different countries. This greatly diversified the workforce.
- I found Deel somewhat costly, and accessing the backend could be challenging if you weren't familiar with its setup.
- It takes time to get familiar with different systems.
- Keeping up with international laws was occasionally problematic and required multiple communications to align everyone. I appreciate that Deel is actively expanding its platform to address these issues.
Deel stands out due to its strong innovation and proactive market presence. Compared to Rippling, they were more responsive, which led me to believe that we should have onboarded everyone onto their platform. Deel's proactive approach to innovation kept them ahead in the market, offering solutions that were more responsive and tailored to our needs compared to Rippling. Their platform's capabilities and customer service exceeded expectations, making the transition smooth and efficient. Deel proved to be a valuable partner in streamlining operations and enhancing our business processes.
When considering Deel as an HR person, think about the specific needs of your organization, such as managing remote workers across different countries and ensuring compliance with international labor laws. Evaluate Deel's platform for its user-friendliness, scalability, and ability to handle payroll and contractor management efficiently. Consider the responsiveness and support provided by their customer service team, especially in resolving issues related to backend access and legal compliance. Assess Deel's pricing structure to ensure it aligns with your budget and provides value for the services offered.
Deel has continually adapted to meet users' evolving needs by enhancing its platform's functionality and user interface, making it more intuitive and user-friendly. They have expanded their global capabilities, allowing businesses to manage remote teams across diverse jurisdictions seamlessly. Deel's responsiveness to customer feedback has led to improvements in customer support and backend accessibility, ensuring smoother operations for HR professionals managing payroll and compliance tasks internationally. These advancements highlight Deel's commitment to evolving alongside the needs of modern businesses, facilitating efficient and compliant workforce management worldwide.
Deel is well-suited for small and medium-sized companies, offering capabilities that cater to their needs effectively. One standout feature is the ability to update people's compensation promptly, which proves beneficial for companies planning growth and scalability. This feature ensures that organizations can adapt quickly to changing circumstances and reward their workforce dynamically, fostering a supportive environment for ongoing expansion.
Deel may not be ideal for very large companies that require highly complex and customized HR solutions. Its streamlined approach and user-friendly interface are more suited to smaller and medium-sized businesses. Larger enterprises with extensive and intricate HR needs might find Deel's capabilities less flexible or scalable compared to enterprise-level solutions that offer more robust customization and integration options.

Connecteam

If you’re tackling human resources with a high number of deskless employees, Connecteam is an essential tool to consider. Not only is it great for remote teams, it has a free version for small businesses.
PROS
- Stands out as one of the only fully-mobile HR tools for deskless workers in this category
- Well-priced, providing substantial value to the needs of SMBs
- Highly receptive to feedback, as evidenced by its track record of incorporating user suggestions as new features in the past
- One of the only fully-mobile HR tech tools for deskless workers
- Very adequately-priced for all it entails, SMB-friendly
- Quite open to feedback, having implemented user suggestions as features in the past.
CONS
- The communication hub lacks confirmation for sent and/or seen messages, leaving users uncertain about the status of their messages.
- Essential features like GPS tracking, valued by some teams, are only available in the higher-tier pricing plans.
- In the communication hub, the app offers no confirmation that messages were sent and/or seen.
- Certain features that some teams consider essential, such as GPS-tracking, are only available in the higher-tier pricing plans.

Established in 2014, Connecteam stands out as a leading HR app dedicated to deskless workers. Recognizing a significant portion of the global workforce is now remote, Connecteam seized the opportunity to address this underserved segment. While most HR management tools cater to white-collar employees, Connecteam saw the need to provide tailored solutions for deskless workers and has been filling this gap effectively over the years.
So, if you’re looking for a straightforward yet powerful and intuitive tool for managing employees that may not even have an email address (and has a free plan!) Connecteam is a tool you should demo.
From the Connecteam mobile app (iOS and Android), HR managers can handle tasks like staff scheduling, attendance management, timesheets, training, employee onboarding, and much more. Workers can interact with their side of this via their mobile devices as well, where they can create an account with nothing but a phone number.
Now, all this being said, Connecteam is a great tool for HR in general, used by many desk-based companies as well. For instance, among the users we interviewed for this piece, we had HR managers from a data migration company (Relokia), and an IT services firm (PhotoAiD).
Connecteam’s free plan is geared towards small businesses, since it allows up to 10 users only. It’s free for life and includes features like the time clock, shift planning, checklists, as well as task and document management.
Of course, it’s worth mentioning that, should your team grow beyond 10 individuals, Connecteam’s plans are modestly priced and include more features as you level up. Also, each paid plan has a 14-day free trial you can take. For more information on their paid plans, and Connecteam in general, we recommend checking out our full review.
Best For
SMBs with up to 10 employees, with most of them being deskless workers.
I use the solution to connect and collaborate with the team remotely, to develop work libraries that help our new team understand how we operate, our ethics, and our code of conduct during the orientations at our workplace, I also use the tool to share documents online for the team to work and to provide feedback on through the chat channel

- I like the software pricing of the tool, it is cheap to use for business purposes and hence does not affect the ROI of the company.
- I like the chat feature which you can use to broadcast your messages amongst the team at no extra cost.
- Event notifications make sure that our users never miss our internal meetings and events
Connecteam is faster and easier to use, which has helped us solve the problem of team management, team collaborations, and group work, it is helping us to share documents, and work plans with the team remotely, and, also we use it as decision-making tool where we use the chat feature of the software to chat with our team remotely to make important decision makings to our tool. I have used the solution for three years and eight months as an administrator of the software
The software has a lot of video tutorials that play automatically hence creating inconvenience, one should only play the video when needed and with his or her consent.It does not have a calendar integration which makes it hard for one to integrate a calendar within the software to track personal events and business events to prevent event conflicts, the text editor in the tool is too slow when you are creating event descriptions, it is impossible to add the ALT text on images that you add in the tool.
They have kept the pricing relatively lower to help even smaller businesses use the solution, and they have a responsive customer support team through the live chat
Good for HR, team leaders, and marketing teams
May not be a good solution for support teams

Zoho People

Zoho People has a free plan that any business can sign up for. It is permanently free for up to five users, and provides essential tools such as a mobile app, employee database, and time off management. It has proven a solid starting point for many growing startups.
PROS
- Free plan includes essential HR features like employee data management and leave management.
- Available in multiple languages.
- All core HR features in a single dashboard
- Wide array of integrations
- User-friendly UI, constantly updated
- Available in multiple languages
CONS
- Free plan is limited to five users and 250MB of storage.
- The mobile app is occasionally buggy and slow to load.
- Since they offer so many modules, some may be not as robust as other products that have been more specific about covering certain needs. For instance, some teams have found their payroll offering to be quite basic.
- Not all that’s available in the web platform is available in the app
- Some users reported that the platform can be slow to load every now and then.

Zoho is a software company that makes everything from CRM to bookkeeping tools. The platform also offers a cloud-based HRMS that’s bound to check most boxes in any HR manager’s requirement list.
To test the product, we signed up for Zoho free plan and found that, while it has some limitations, it provides a strong set of basic features that are good for small business.
There is a five-user cap on the free plan (including one administrator), and storage is limited to 250MB. It includes basic HR functions like leave management and also some more exotic features like an AI chatbot.
“Zia” the chatbot, is a unique feature that helps employees find solutions to HR questions without requiring one-on-one help from an HR rep.
Employees simply ask a question, and the bot uses keywords to search the existing FAQs. If there are no matches, Zia automatically creates a new case that will be handled by an HR rep, and the database of FAQs grows.
Though the free plan features are basic, many users comment on the convenience of having multiple aspects of employee data available in one place. The mobile apps are also well-liked overall but are reported to lag occasionally.
However, 250MB of storage can be a deal-breaker for some teams. Additionally, customers on the free plan do not have access to 24/7 customer support, though they are offered support during normal business hours.
ZPE Systems, Cloudfronts Technologies, Zomato, SpiceJet, Foresight CFO.
Zoho People is free for up to five users. They also offer the following plans, billed annually,
- Essential HR: $1.25 per user per month.
- Professional: $2 per user per month.
- Premium: $3 per user per month.
- Enterprise: $4.5 per user per month.
Best For
The free version is a sound starting point for startups and budget-minded teams to take advantage of essential HR tools.
I use Zoho People for tracking time and leaves. Besides, it is great to chat with other team members. The platform includes an organizational chart, compensation, and training modules. It has great reporting features as well. I can easily check all my records, such as my pay stub for every month of the year, company employee list, and vacation schedule. etc.

It is affordable and user-friendly. The customer support that is available in the software is good and always active in responding to customers. The application is easy to use for most users. Zoho People is a great option for storing employee information and tracking time.
5 years ago our company started to use Zoho People to deliver exceptional digital HR experiences to our employees while managing the entire employee life cycle on a single platform. I like its simplicity and integration with other Zoho tools like Zoho Payroll, Zoho Books, Zoho Expenses, etc. I love that the request permission, approval, and tracking features are so helpful. I like that the interactive form builder allows us to create different forms that meet our needs and help our HR team.
Sometimes I run into difficulties in terms of data integration between other integrated programs. Zoho People software does not integrate with other similar applications. They only provide a limited number of administrators for Standard and Premium pricing plans. The system is cloud-based only and not flexible to use.
Zoho People comes with an employee portal, organization chart, self-service, performance appraisal, employee leaves management, and salary tool features. All the HR processes can be managed from a central location which can help users to save time and reduce costs. The software offers a fully-mobile self-service that can help employees to get easy access to their HR data from anywhere, anytime. It can help employees have better control over their work.
The price of the solution is low and most people can afford it. Customer support includes online and email user support. Easy to learn and use.
They offer cloud-based hosting, which means IT resources are retrieved through web-based tools and applications and you don't need to buy servers and additional hardware equipment.
It is very good for small and medium size companies.
It would be a bit challenging for big corporations as Zoho People doesn’t offer unlimited employee profile support.

Monday.com

Monday.com offers customizable templates, automations, and a user-friendly interface for streamlining HR workflows and employee management. While not a complete HR solution, its flexibility and collaboration features make it a valuable tool for HR teams looking to optimize their processes.
PROS
- Monday.com is highly customizable with automations that enable HR professionals to tailor the tool to their specific needs.
- There are already over 200 pre-built templates you can use right away for different processes.
- The free plan offers a range of beneficial features, such as unlimited documents, up to 3 boards, and access to the pre-designed templates mentioned above.
- Free plan available, and affordable, scalable plans for small to midsize businesses
- Easy to learn and use
- Customizable dashboard
- Collaborative document creation with the ability to turn content in docs into tasks in projects with a few clicks
- Gamified progress tracking with visual celebrations for users
- Workflow automation for repetitive tasks
- Built-in communication tools reduce reliance on email
- Customized forms for in-house or client use that can be easily turned into projects
CONS
- Because Monday.com isn’t a traditional HR software, it does take some time to learn, customize and fully it up.
- Upgrading to the Standard plan is necessary to access all the integrations and automation capabilities.
- 3+ users are required to get on any of the paid plans
- Limited storage on the Basic plan
- Could be too complex for simple project management needs
- No phone customer support
- Tracking different conversations can be difficult because of all the clutter

While Monday.com isn’t your typical HR software, it offers a range of customizable templates and automations that make it a compelling choice for HR teams looking to streamline their workflow and employee management processes. Among its key strengths is the ability to centralize and organize employee data. From recruitment pipelines to employee performance reviews, the platform provides a single, easy-to-navigate hub for all HR-related information. This centralization not only improves efficiency but also enhances visibility for HR teams to make decisions more effectively.
Another area where Monday.com shines is in its employee engagement features. The platform offers a set of HR templates designed to simplify the process of conducting employee surveys, such as well-being and engagement assessments. By automating these processes and keeping all collected information in one place, Monday.com helps HR teams stay on top of employee sentiment and take proactive steps to improve retention.
Collaboration is at the heart of Monday.com, and this is evident in its HR offering as well. The platform's boards and dashboards make it easy for team members to work together, manage tasks, and stay updated on progress. Customizable automations further streamline processes by ensuring that timelines are met and tasks are assigned without manual intervention.
While Monday.com may not offer the full suite of HR functions like payroll and benefits administration, it compensates with a wide range of templates that cover most other HR processes. From employee lifecycle packages to time off requests and HR service management, the platform's template library provides a solid foundation for HR teams to build upon.
The user-friendly interface and extensive customization options make Monday.com an attractive choice for organizations looking to complement their existing payroll software with a powerful HR workflow management solution. The platform's versatility extends beyond HR, with applications in project management, marketing, sales, and more, making it a valuable asset for businesses of all sizes.
Monday.com is used by 225,000+ companies including Lionsgate, Glossier, and Oxy.
The pricing of Monday.com’s platform ranges from $9 to $19, depending on the chosen plan. Additionally, there is a free plan that allows up to 2 user seats and 3 boards. For a detailed breakdown of pricing options, please visit the Pricing page on Monday.com.
Best For
Companies across different verticals can use Monday.com’s platform and customize it to their needs. The pricing is also scalable with a free plan for small businesses/startups.
I use Monday to manage talent acquisition and talent relations. Monday makes it easy for business groups to work together regardless of where an individual might be located. This is especially important when a project crosses multiple departments - for example, a salesperson can work with IT to better determine the likelihood of success on a particular project and work with accounting to better develop pricing. Monday also makes it very easy to take a close look at an employee’s performance, KPIs, and other metrics. For an HR person, this functionality is vital to ensure that training is effective, that talent acquisition is on-point, and that compensation and evaluations are more effective. Monday is essential to building an effective corporate culture.

Monday is highly visual, which makes it easy to use. The dashboards are intuitive, which, again, shortens the time to ramp up and become productive. Monday is also incredibly flexible. I use it for talent acquisition and management, but it’s also very effective in sales development and project management.
As an HR Consultant, I’ve found Monday to be very helpful in addressing a variety of issues. For example, I’m able to collaborate with different teams on talent acquisition and talent management. Monday lends itself well to encouraging a collaborative work environment even for remote employees. By making it easy to collaborate, Monday helps to encourage employee engagement, which, in turn, strengthens corporate culture and improves retention. For these reasons, I encourage all my clients to use Monday.com.
I recommend Monday to my customers, and the complaint that they commonly have is that the pricing is confusing. Also, the trial day is only fourteen days when the industry standard is thirty - that alone turn some customers off. Finally, time tracking is only available on pro accounts.
Monday is very easy to use, and it’s easy to use effectively and quickly. In other words, onboarding and training are literally a breeze with Monday.
Monday is perfect for remote teams, especially those in different time zones. Because of the ability to track project progress, it’s a big help for remote management.
Monday has become very customizable and can meet a huge variety of business cases. As of now, there are over 200 templates for creating boards and building automations. It’s hard to imagine needing more than that.
Monday is a natural choice for medium-sized companies with remote teams, especially those who have teams overseas, or at least in different timezones.
I don’t think Monday would be as useful to a co-located team, particularly if there are asynchronous processes.

BambooHR

BambooHR is a trusted name in human resources tech. In addition to numerous perks and flexible pricing options, they offer a free trial. Note that this is not a free free version, but it’s worth checking out as their custom pricing can be quite reasonable.
PROS
- Relatively cost-effective, with a free version that provides essential HR functionalities.
- User-friendly platform that simplifies HR processes even for those inexperienced in the field. For instance, managing employee data, time-off tracking, and document storage is quite simple.
- Conveniently mobile accessible. Certain HR tasks can be performed on the go with the BambooHR mobile app.
- Flexible packaging and custom pricing is the way they roll. You can pick out one or two packages and pick other modules as add-ons based on your needs.
- Very simple and straightforward tool, easy to use.
CONS
- The free version of BambooHR has limitations on certain advanced features and functionalities available to the paid plans.
- Customization options may be restricted in the free version, limiting the ability to tailor the tool to specific organizational needs.
- Support options may be limited for free users, with priority given to paid subscribers.
- Payroll is only available for US-based employees
- Customer support is only offered during US business hours.
- Some modules like time tracking, performance management, and surveys are only available as add-ons.

This list had to include one of the top names in human resources software. Unlike all the previous contenders, BambooHR doesn’t have a free version that you can use for unlimited time. However, they’re worth mentioning because they offer a free trial of their all-in-one software and then go out of their way to find a version that will suit you. Before they come up with a personalized quote that will fit your budget, however, they are also likely to extend your free trial upon request or even give you a free demo of the advanced features.
Among the 20,000+ companies that use BambooHR, you’d find names like Quora, Universal Group, Reddit, Asana, Change.org, University of Maryland, Grammarly, Stance, Postmates, Wistia, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and ZipRecruiter.
Pricing is not disclosed upfront, but they do offer a free trial of their all-in-one software and then go out of their way to find a version that will suit you. Before they come up with a personalized quote that will align with your budget, however, they are also likely to extend your free trial upon request or even give you a free demo of the advanced features.
Best For
BambooHR's free HR tool is a good choice for small businesses and startups looking for a no-cost solution to streamline essential HR processes. It provides a user-friendly interface and essential HR features to efficiently manage employee data, making it particularly suitable for organizations with limited resources.
I frequently used the hiring and onboarding workflows. I used the system to post jobs, track candidates, and coordinate with hiring managers. It was helpful that hiring managers could leave feedback on candidates directly in the platform.
Tracking candidate progress through hiring stages was simple and transparent. Interview scheduling was streamlined with calendar sync capabilities. Email templates also supported quick follow-ups and added efficiency to the recruitment process.
- BambooHR automates many tedious HR tasks, saving time for higher-value work.
- The system supports seamless collaboration across departments, keeping everyone aligned.
- The onboarding experience for new hires is smooth and creates a welcoming impression.
At the time, the organization was experiencing challenges with recruitment and was using an outdated HRIS. They adopted BambooHR, which was extremely helpful due to its built-in ATS. This enabled faster and more streamlined recruitment processes.
Over time, the organization transitioned away from the previous HRIS entirely, as BambooHR proved to be an effective all-in-one solution. It handled several key HR functions efficiently, which added value across the organization.
- More customization options would be beneficial, as there are limitations on the number of workflows that can be created.
- The ATS is fairly basic and lacks features like resume screening, which is a drawback.
- Pricing became a concern as the organization grew—while manageable at first, costs increased significantly with scale.
BambooHR is a strong option for small to mid-sized businesses that don't require complex systems. The simplicity and ease of use make it accessible and easy to adopt.
Scalability and customization are two important factors to consider. For small businesses needing a basic, user-friendly system, BambooHR is a great option that’s cost-effective and easy to learn.
I am unsure, as I have not used BambooHR recently.
BambooHR is well suited for small organizations and users with limited HRIS experience.
BambooHR may not be suitable for large organizations with complex HR processes or those requiring advanced functionality for experienced HR professionals.

Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is a hugely popular vendor with a massive array of tools for businesses and organizations. Some of their HR products are free, and for the same plan you can get several other business apps too.
PROS
CONS

While not solely HR-focused, Bitrix24 is used by more than 8,000,000 organizations all over the world. Nevertheless, the free plan also adds countless other features from the other Bitrix products. While more of a collaboration SaaS platform with a massive variety of tools like CRM, project management, and even a website builder, Bitrix24 also offers a highly reliable and intuitive HR information system. As of 2021, it includes over 25 HR tools. From those, several such as company structure, employee directory, and company knowledge base are included in the free version for unlimited users.
Saigon Newport Corporation, Properters, Endelza International
Best For
Companies looking for free HR tools with a bundle of other apps for business.
I use Bitrix multiple times a week. Some of the key workflows I use it for include:
- Manage projects. We are able to create projects and assign them, set deadlines and be able to track the progress.
- Instant communication. It has various messaging tools such as video calls, instant messaging, and group chats so one can be able to see and respond to them quickly and at everyone's convenience.
- The document-sharing feature enables members to share various documents as well as being able to work on a single document with multiple team members simultaneously. This is by far the best feature for me!
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has made marketing processes easier and led to better customer relationships.

- Better communication through instant messaging, group chats, and video calls. One is in the loop of whatever is going on and gets updates quickly.
- Document sharing option. Every member can share a document, and other members can work on the same document simultaneously.
- Better collaboration. This can mainly be attributed to enhanced communication.
My company was mainly trying to solve issues in relation to collaboration and communication. This has led to increased productivity and improved efficiency. We are able to share documents and properly manage our projects better than before. The tools being offered have streamlined our operations a great deal. I have been using Bitrix for 1.5 years now.
- It can be a bit expensive compared to other similar tools out there. Having regular discounts would go a long way.
- Someone who's not familiar with it will have a really hard time navigating through it. A short introductory video of how it works would really help.
- Technical support varies with the different plans available, and this may cause agitation since the responses they are getting aren't necessarily the ones they're hoping for. I feel like the support should be the same regardless of the package one is using.
It has an inclusive tool where one can do product management, CRM and communication. This means that my organization wouldn't have to use different software to achieve the same results.
Pricing. Because there are different plans, one needs to be sure they get a plan that's within their budget.
Ease of use. One needs to make sure that learning how to use it wouldn't be a problem for its members and they'll navigate easily.
I can confidently say that the enhanced features have improved communication and productivity for its members.
Small-sized business, project management, and customer relationship management.
Organizations that don't rely on technology to carry out their operations.

Odoo

Oddo offers a massive variety of HR & business solutions that can cover many needs for a company. Plus, they do it in several languages.
PROS
CONS

The interesting thing about Odoo is that they divide nearly all their feature offerings into stand-alone applications. Any of these is free for unlimited users and unlimited time until you either need more space or add another application. This is an excellent choice if you only need, say, time off tracking or a payroll app, and can be quite cost-friendly if you require only a few additional applications. It’s also comforting to know that, with Odoo, you only pay for what you use.
Odoo is used by companies like Southern Wine Group, BizTech College, and XB Press Buyer.
Best For
Companies looking to fulfill a specific use case for free, or those that would like many of their business tech tools to come from the same vendor.
I primarily use Odoo to communicate with employees and access some of their HR information and pictures. The company I work for hopes to also use Odoo for scheduling, although this hasn't been set up yet. During our orientation call with Odoo representatives, we learned that we couldn't use the system for timekeeping because it did not possess the ability to use biometrics for identifying staff when clocking in and out of shifts.
We also had the intention of using Odoo for payroll, then learned that there are limitations with this software because Odoo will not record and file taxes on the employer's behalf. The only other function I use within Odoo is the "Sign" app, which allows me to send documents to employees that require a signature.

I like that it has the ability to consolidate multiple features/apps into one software program. I enjoy the "Discuss" feature, which essentially creates a company intranet allowing employees to communicate with others privately or with groups/departments. I also like that it allows me to send documents requiring a signature without having to use another external app, such as DocuSign.
My organization chose Odoo because it is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software that promises to consolidate and automate several processes. I work for a manufacturing facility that produces food and beverage items, and the processes from creation to delivery of our products include many steps and a lot of paperwork to remain compliant with industry regulations.
We wanted a tool that could be used by several departments, including production, accounting, fulfillment, distribution, and HR. We were hoping we could use Odoo to house our timekeeping, scheduling, and payroll as well. I have been using Odoo for about three months.
I think it is a complex system that requires months of training before it can be fully functional. We cannot use it for payroll because it doesn't track and record tax payments and would require manual journal entries each time. I don't like that the timekeeping feature doesn't allow us to use biometrics (fingerprints via hardware device) when employees clock in and out of their shifts. Although it can integrate with several apps, these drawbacks keep me from recommending it as an HR solution.
Odoo has several functions that it offers to automate processes company-wide. I find the interface to be mostly user-friendly. There are some navigational difficulties when visiting one "app" and then returning to the dashboard, and their training videos could use some work. I find it about average as far as an ERP goes.
Identify exactly which processes you intend to utilize this service for and have a realistic implementation plan. If you're only using it for two or three processes, then a shorter training and implementation plan may work. If you have four or more processes you're looking to integrate, allow yourself and your team several months to meet with their implementation team and demo the trial software so that you can familiarize yourself with it before rolling it out to employees. Training is vital to understanding the full capabilities of the system.
They seem to have a lot of options for different processes that they say continually expand, such as inventory, appointments and to-do lists, project boards, discussion boards, manufacturing, shop floor, quality assurance, etc.
A mid to large-sized manufacturing facility that wants all employees using the same software to meet as many business needs as possible will find Odoo very useful.
Accounting and HR-based organizations will find it hard to get the most out of Odoo.

Orange HRM

OrangeHRM takes the time to understand your business and tend to be flexible enough to find an iteration of their solution that fits you. Their tools are used by thousands of users worldwide.
PROS
CONS

This is one of the most trusted and more established names in human resource management software. They offer all the necessary features to run an HR department in the modern era, except for payroll management. Their open-source version is completely free and quite scalable, but it does require you to manage your own servers.
Thousands of companies use one version or another of OrangeHRM. Some remarkable names include Johnny Rockets, Duke University, and RedHat.
Best For

Sentrifugo

We love Sentrifugo because it is a fully-fledged open-source HRMS that's completely free, making it a good choice for small and medium sized businesses.
PROS
CONS

Sentrifugo is a great option if your company would like to pursue the open-source route, but this HRMS is more clearly aimed at small-to-medium-sized businesses. It’s completely free, except for the fact that, since it’s open-source, you have to maintain your own servers. That being said, the Sentrifugo platform is easy to configure and extremely customizable.
Sentrifugo is completely free, but you need to take into consideration the cost of hosting it yourself.
Best For
SMBs that would like an open-source HRMS.

WebHR

WebHR is completely free for teams with 5 or fewer employees. A perk of this product is that if you decide to upgrade, you can do it on a per-module basis instead of buying a whole suite.
PROS
CONS

While not the prettiest-looking software out there, WebHR is a good solution for SMEs that need a social tool and would like to be able to add or delete modules as they go. WebHR is free if you have less than 5 employees and, depending on the modules added, it can be as little as $1 a month per staff member. The base modules that it bundles together are enough for most HR departments and include a built-in messenger and discussion forum. Other modules such as Payroll and Recruitment can be added for meager fees that don’t exceed $2 per employee per month.
According to their website, some of the companies that use WebHR include Nissan, WaterAid, zameen.com, and Budget.
WebHR's pricing after the free version depends on the amount of modules you add. As mentioned above, it can be as little as $2 per user per month for all the base modules.
Best For
Companies looking for a free tool that would like the option of upgrading at any time to be low-cost.
I use the WebHR to update/add/delete employee information related to job title / information / contract details / attendance time record / performance review etc. Onboarding and offboarding is easier now since we started using this tool.
- We can manage time and attendance records.
- We can manage onboarding and offboarding.
- We can manage the overall performance management of each employee.
Payroll, time and attendance, performance management, learning & development, recruitment - all of these were pain points that led us to buy this tool. Prior to WebHR, we were using excel sheets / doing manual work. I have been using this tool for the last 4 years.
- Limited report tracking and analysis.
- Limited customization.
- Occasionally, the system can be slow to respond.
The appealing quality of WebHR is that it can support the overall performance of each employee, both in small and large organizations.
From time to time, they roll out enhancements to their existing features.
There is no specific type of organization required to buy the WebHR. Any organization can buy this tool to enhance their overall performance and reduce manual work.
Small organizations with under 10 employees don’t need to buy this tool.
Pitfalls of Choosing Free HR Software Systems
The benefits of using HR management software are substantial, but there are many common mistakes when buying and implementing a new tool that you should consider at every step of your search. We list them below along with ways to avoid them:
Rushing the Decision
Often, teams get carried away by the look of an interface, good reviews, and functionality of a product, while neglecting their own needs. They then realize that their new shiny tool is lacking a key feature when it’s too late.
Design and reputation are important when vetting any software, but they must be considered at the service of a broader goal. Any software decision must be preceded by the proper identification of a team’s needs, past issues, the main concerns of the workforce, and the overall objectives of the company. Are you even sure that an HRIS is the tool you need?
Lack of Awareness
This is probably not your case because you’re reading this, but some HR managers tend to choose a tool without fully understanding the HR software features available and what they do. It’s a common situation to look for new software systems to address one or two major pain points without considering that the same decision could alleviate many other HR tasks.
Not Consulting Teammates
This can be disastrous when implementing all kinds of tech tools, let alone HR software, and it's one of the main reasons tech projects fail. Employees won’t need the same features as managers, and they’ll each weigh the importance of each feature differently.
Checking with other employees in every department can be a painstaking process, even in a small business, but in the long run, it’s worth it. Even if the software is free, changing vendors after implementation can be quite costly.
Overlooking Security and Support
Just because there’s a budget constraint, it doesn’t mean that these important aspects should be ignored in favor of whatever software can do the most for the least.
Often, and particularly among the vendors we’ve selected for this guide, the handling of sensitive employee data and customer support can still be excellent. However, as with any other feature, it should be considered with your team’s particular needs in mind.
Benefits and ROI of HR Software Solutions
The main benefit of having the right HR software at the core of your department is that everyday processes can be streamlined or even automated, freeing up time to focus on more strategic efforts.
If an HR manager is not consumed by repetitive tasks like filing paperwork or keeping track of PTO balances, he or she can focus instead on finding ways to increase employee satisfaction, improving retention with effective strategies, or working with other managers to find the best possible fit for each opening.
In more quantitative terms, using AI-driven HR technologies could help save HR professionals by screening unqualified candidates, who often make up about 88% of applicants, according to recent applicant tracking system statistics. Moreover, companies that are early adopters of such tools have experienced a 75% reduction in the cost per candidate screened.
Free HR Software: Pricing Models and Limitations
All of the software we’ve discussed here is completely free in some form or another. Some of them have a user cap of either 5 or 50 employees, while others have free versions or cost nothing because they are open source.
Below, you can compare each of these options according to their pricing model to see just how free are they, what’s their catch, and which one fits your needs:
- Deel lets you use its HRIS for free as long as you use its payroll services.
- Homebase’s basic plan is free for teams limited to one location and up to 20 employees.
- Bitrix24 is free for unlimited users, but limits the data storage to 5 GB.
- Zoho People offers a free plan with basic HR functions for up to 5 users.
- Odoo is free for one application, fees apply for additional apps.
- Orange HRM offers a free open-source edition available for both cloud and self-hosting, yet it lacks some key features like payroll integrations and on/offboarding.
- Connecteam offers several modules for free, including HR, but the number of users is limited to 10.
- BambooHR provides one of the best all-in-one HRIS available, but this vendor only offers a free trial instead of a free plan.
To get a more detailed look at the total cost of ownership for an HR software solution, take a look at our newest HRIS pricing report.
Key Features of Free HR Management Software
In case you’re new to HR software, what kind of features should you prioritize in your pick? Although these are free, it might not make sense to base your selection solely on the number of features, while certain options could work better in regard to user experience and integrations, for instance, even if their feature list is shorter.
HR management software can be the difference between overstaffing the HR department, perhaps even the company, or making all HR processes as productive and streamlined as possible. However, to achieve that ideal scenario, your HR tool of choice should have all the features you need, or you’ll be back to square one.
In that spirit, let’s take a look at the common features that most HR professionals consider must-haves:
- Employee Management: This feature will have the employee database at its core and is where you can keep track of most things about an employee's relationship with the company. A high-end employee management feature should include self-service for time tracking, document management, employee profiles, and leave management.
- Performance Management: Since every employee’s information should already be within the HR system, it makes sense for their performance evaluations to be managed there as well. This tool should allow feedback to be gathered from both parties and is also where new goals can be set for workers and teams.
- Payroll Processing: The best HR software usually comes with a fully functioning tool for payroll management and invoicing. However, since payroll and accounting practices can vary depending on your location, many vendors prefer to sit this one out. If your HR tool doesn’t come with this function, it’s imperative that it can integrate easily with a payroll processing system.
- Recruitment and Onboarding: If the idea is to concentrate all employee data in one place, why not handle recruitment from there as well? Many HRMS come with a basic Applicant Tracking System that can streamline everything from publishing a job posting to employee onboarding.
- Time Off Management: Any HR professional knows that keeping track of employee schedules and time off is one of the department's main functions. The HR solution should have a module or app that addresses this as well, whether it’s through employee attendance tracking tools, or eliminating complexities from the leave request process. Bonus points if it also comes with a calendar that every employee can consult to know who’s off on a given day.
Demo Questions for Vetting a Free HR Software
So let’s say you’ve selected 1 or 3 options for your new HR management software that will likely fulfill your business needs. Then, the next step would be to give them all a try and see for yourself which one works best. Now, while most of the tools we’ve listed here are extremely easy to get started with (as in, just create a user, and a password, and use the web version), they also give you the option of requesting an HR software demo.
Whether you’re asking for a demo or just using the software for the first time, it’s wise to step into it with a game plan and some key questions in mind. First, you should decide your organization's needs, the key HR automation, and any particular HRIS integrations you may require.
After doing such a self-analysis, you should come up with a list of questions like the following.
- Which features stand out as the ones I need to try out?
- How seamless will the integration between this tool and our current tech stack (e.g., payroll software, employee engagement platforms, recruiting CRM, etc.) be?
- Will other people on the team find value in using this tool?
- In what ways can this tool enhance candidate experience?
- What are the sticking points that would make me or my colleagues apprehensive about transitioning to this platform?
- Does the HRIS have a mobile app?
- How well does the vendor manage information security concerns?
- What initial insights can I draw about the quality of customer support? Does the platform provide a helpful help center with high-quality support articles?
Implementing Free HR Software
Once you select the right system, the HRIS implementation process will vary depending on its operation. If you’re talking about an open-source solution like OrangeHRM or Sentrifugo, the process will likely entail a lot of communication and collaboration with its team.
On the far other end of the intricacy spectrum, a cloud-based tool like Freshteam or SnapHRM gets you up and running within minutes. Each vendor page explains their particular process in much more detail, and many will call or email you shortly after you’ve set up an account or asked for a demo to address questions or solve any issues you might be having.
If you'd like to learn more about what to do after implementing a new HRIS, including proven processes and tips from an expert, we recently put together a brief guide to HR software post-implementation.
Free HR Software FAQs
What is free HR software?
Free HR software is any tool or solution that aims to improve the functionalities and workflows of a company’s HR team.
What does HRIS stand for?
HRIS stands for Human Resource Information System.
What does HCM stand for?
HCM stands for Human Capital Management.
What does HRMS stand for?
HRMS stands for Human Resource Management System.
What is the best free HR software for small businesses?
The best free HR management software for small businesses includes Deel, Homebase, Zoho People, and Odoo. But if you’re seeking a low-cost HR software option that provides a wider range of human resource features at a feasible price, then HiBob, BambooHR, and Connecteam are some top choices.
What is the best free HR software for non-profits?
Some of the best free HRIS options for non-profit organizations include OrangeHRM, Homebase, and TimeTrex.
What’s the difference between HRIS, HCM, and HRMS?
On a surface level, there isn’t a huge difference between HRIS, HCM, and HRMS. They are all company people management systems. However, there can be some subtle differences.
- An HRIS is an all-encompassing in-house software for managing people, procedures, and HR policies.
- An HCM has all the features of an HRIS but often includes talent management capabilities.
- An HRMS has all the features of an HRIS and HCM but often includes payroll and time and labor management capabilities.
Why use free HR software?
Reasons to use free HR software include: saving time with automation, improving employee experience, improving employee performance, increased compliance, better organization, streamlined hiring, better business intelligence, and workforce management.
What are some key features of free HR software?
Free HR software offers many key features, such as an employee self-service portal, time and attendance management, onboarding templates, customizable and real-time reporting, benefits administration systems, employee database, messaging, recruiting functionality, human resource development, company document storage, and compensation management.
What Has Been Changed Since Our Last Review Update?
In this content update, we have ensured that the information, particularly in the pricing section, accurately reflects the latest details from the listed vendors.
A significant change is the discontinuation of WebHR’s free plan, which previously allowed five employees to access basic modules at no charge. Now, users can only sign up to test the platform. The new base plan costs $2 per month for five employees—not quite free, but still affordable.
Additionally, we have enhanced our FAQs section to address common questions we receive about free HR software.
Last but not least, To ensure our reviews are comprehensive and provide multiple perspectives, we interviewed and surveyed HR professionals who have used the products we’re featuring. You can find their insights right beneath the detailed review of each vendor. In this update, we gathered input from:
- Nicole Bell, Sr. Human Resources Manager at Maisonetter
- Jess Tan, Recruiter at PRN Medical Staffing
- Nicole Stephens, Global Employer Brand, Senior Strategist at Catalent
- Ashley Tusa, Talent Acquisition Coordinator Team Lead at Bechtel Corporation
- Neha Baliyan, Human Resources Executive at Decipher Zone Technologies
- Amal Smouni, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Future Group Translation Services
- Sarah Wallace, Co-Founder at Gotcha Covered of The South Sound
- Ali Raza Pirwani, Manager at Trade Projects & Governance Unit at Bank Alfalah
Last Advice for Choosing Your Free HR Platform
If you’ve made it this far, then it’s likely that you already have a couple of options in mind but aren’t quite sure which free HR software to settle on yet. The best advice we can offer here is to set up an account with them and try the tool for yourself. You really can’t tell if some of the features are actually user-friendly and useful until you start using them.
Fortunately, these are all free and take minutes to set up, so don’t feel bad or awkward about creating an account with several vendors, even talking to some of their sales representatives, and then sticking to one choice. In the end, this decision will probably shape a good part of every day of the following years for your HR department, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly.
If you're in need of a spreadsheet to help you organize this process, be sure to try our HR & Recruitment software buyer organizer. It's free ;)
Lastly, remember to check with each of your internal stakeholders, making sure that their questions are addressed as well, and even demo the product with them. The decision will be much wiser if it's enriched by the input of the whole team.
About Us

- Our goal at SSR is to help HR and recruiting teams to find and buy the right software for their needs.
- Our site is free to use as some vendors will pay us for web traffic.
- SSR lists all companies we feel are top vendors - not just those who pay us - in our comprehensive directories full of the advice needed to make the right purchase decision for your HR team.