10+ Best Employee Management Software Solutions (2024)
Our experts reviewed and rated the best employee management tools on the market in 2024. Read on to learn about their capabilities, pros, cons, pricing, and more.
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![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63b3cd4541ebb18aa5246ec6_Gusto-%20Logo.png)
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![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/609f0becf5cef7eaf10934ca_Leapsome%20icon.jpeg)
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Top Employee Management Software
Employee management software solutions store and retrieve employee data, track time and attendance, manage leave requests, schedule shifts, monitor performance, and much more. When such tasks are automated, you can save money, boost productivity, and increase employee satisfaction whether you’re a small business or a large company.
Our expert researchers have compiled a curated list of the best employee management systems, including must-have features, key benefits, pricing info, and other considerations to help guide your selection process.
To choose the best employee management software, we conducted demos with vendors, sought the expertise of HR tech leaders, tested the products ourselves, and chatted with other end users. Factoring all that in, we think the features that make an employee management system stand out are easy onboarding and self-service, data management and security, and reporting and analytics.
- Easy onboarding and self-service: The best employee management systems offer seamless onboarding for new hires to complete paperwork, access important documents, and familiarize themselves with your company’s policies fairly quickly, shaping a positive employee experience early on. There’s often an employee self-service portal too, enabling employees to access and update their personal information, view pay stubs, submit time-off requests, and more.
- Data management and security: This is perhaps the most important function of an employee management system, and getting it right is vital. Your employee management software should act as a centralized repository for storing and organizing employee information. It should also protect that information with a host of security measures such as authentication, role-based permissions, encryption, and compliance with data protection regulations.
- Reporting and analytics: We’ve looked for employee management tools with robust reporting and analytics capabilities. Besides pre-built reports, the best tools in this space let you customize your own and give you insights on various HR metrics, including employee turnover, attendance patterns, and performance trends.
The above is just a summary of what our team does. If you want to learn more, we have a detailed guide explaining our editorial guidelines and review methodology.
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Need Help? Talk to an HR Software Advisor!
Tell us more about your company & an HR Software Advisor will help you find the right software
![Connecteam](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/66471393ad74f9bcfc630709_2eb9cf79-d85e-4c42-b830-38b3ba6e5ea1.png)
Connecteam
![Connecteam](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/66471393ad74f9bcfc630709_2eb9cf79-d85e-4c42-b830-38b3ba6e5ea1.png)
As an all-in-one platform for deskless employees, Connecteam covers communication, scheduling, task management, core HR, and more. Its aim is to connect unanchored workers at small and large companies alike with an easy-to-use mobile app.
PROS
- Connecteam offers a user-friendly, mobile-first platform that’s tailored for deskless employees.
- With a variety of features for team management, communication, training, and engagement, the platform provides a comprehensive solution.
- Connecteam offers transparent pricing for all modules, including free plans for small businesses.
- A 14-day free trial without requiring a credit card allows potential users to test the platform's capabilities.
- 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
- There’s a bit of a learning curve simply because of the many features there are on the platform.
- While the platform's scalability is commendable, several important features are only accessible on higher pricing plans.
- We would have liked to see more integration options with third-party tools such as calendar sync. Payroll integrations are also limited at this time to just Paychex, Xero, Gusto, and Quickbooks.
- 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.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/66432c9c95e5766e1fa747e0_Connecteam-employee-management.png)
Connecteam offers comprehensive employee management software that stands out for its mobile-first approach - everything inside is built with non-desk workers in mind. We’ve had a tour of its HR & Skills hub and were particularly impressed by the training and onboarding features within. The software allows managers to create custom courses tailored to each position within the company, and these courses can be completed directly from employees’ mobile devices. The addition of quizzes ensures that trainees have a solid grasp of the material, while progress tracking provides managers with real-time insights into each employee's development.
Another notable feature is Connecteam's ability to digitize and centralize employee documentation. By gathering all paperwork in one secure location, the platform simplifies the onboarding process and ensures compliance with expiration date reminders for important documents and certifications. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of regulatory issues.
Connecteam also excels in managing time off requests. Employees can easily submit absence requests through the app, while managers gain a clear overview of these requests and can effortlessly update balances. The software further simplifies the process by allowing the creation of policies for various types of absences and automating notifications to prevent compliance issues.
Recognizing and rewarding employees is yet another thing made easy with Connecteam's built-in features. Managers can publicly or privately acknowledge individual and team achievements, fostering a culture of appreciation. The platform also offers the ability to reward employees with their favorite gift cards, providing a tangible incentive for going above and beyond.
Lastly, Connecteam's employee lifecycle tracking is also worth highlighting. The timeline view provides a comprehensive picture of each employee's journey, from onboarding to performance reviews and salary raises. This information, along with the ability to attach related files to each event, empowers managers to make informed decisions based on a holistic understanding of their team members.
Over 35k businesses use Connecteam’s solutions, including Chick-fil-A, Ihop, and The UPS Store.
Connecteam’s pricing ranges from free-for-life to up to $99 per month for up to 30 users. The final amount will depend on how many users and modules you choose. Visit Connecteam’s pricing page for the full breakdown of each plan.
Best For
Companies of all sizes looking for a mobile-first employee management platform.
![Gusto](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63b3cd4541ebb18aa5246ec6_Gusto-%20Logo.png)
Gusto
![Gusto](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63b3cd4541ebb18aa5246ec6_Gusto-%20Logo.png)
SMBs can use Gusto to manage employees in all states, 1099 workers, and contractors worldwide. The platform offers full-service payroll, plus HR and benefits administration, at budget-friendly pricing.
PROS
- Premium plans give you access to workflows, performance reviews, and development resources.
- The UI is modern-looking and easy to use.
- Payroll deductions are automated.
- You can process payroll for U.S. W2 employees as well as domestic/international contractors.
- The customer support team is responsive both via phone and email.
- All plan users can reach out to Gusto’s team of licensed benefits advisors for help.
- Employees can access a self-service portal to check information and perform tasks on their own.
- The dashboard feature keeps tabs on compliance tasks
- The hiring and onboarding sequence is nicely streamlined between HR and the new hire
- Post-offer, pre-start tasks are made easy with integrations like CorpNet (state tax set up) Checkr (background checks)
- Easy payroll for U.S.-based W-2 folks, domestic, and international contractors
- Person-to-person phone support, email, and other customer service resources
- The business model is responsive to customer needs
CONS
- No international employee payroll, only contractors.
- No native accounting for financial tracking.
- The analytics dashboard is rather basic, compared to similar platforms.
- No native time tracking for the Simple plan.
- Compliance alerts and insurance integration can only be accessed by Premium plan users.
- No free plan or trial.
- Gusto can support payments for international contractors, but not employees
- No native accounting feature to keep earning and spending under the same roof
- Analytics dashboard is simplistic
![Gusto dashboard - Simplify HR management with the best employee management software](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/60c80e481894d436f1732eea_gusto%20screenshot.jpg)
We have tested Gusto's employee management software and found it a comprehensive solution for SMBs. With the ability to manage employees across all states, 1099 workers, and contractors worldwide, Gusto offers full-service payroll, HR, and benefits administration at affordable prices.
The Premium plan (the highest tier) provides additional value with access to performance features like automated workflows, self-evaluations, manager reviews, and career development resources for better employee engagement and professional growth.
In addition to its functional capabilities, Gusto boasts an eye-catching interface that is visually appealing and user-friendly. Navigating through the platform is intuitive, making it easier for users to manage employee-related tasks efficiently.
We also found automatic payroll deductions and payroll services available for U.S.-based W-2 employees and domestic and international contractors. Gusto's employee self-service portal is also available, reducing administrative burdens and allowing employees to handle tasks independently.
However, we couldn’t help but notice Gusto doesn’t support payments for international employees. Native accounting for comprehensive financial tracking is missing. We also found that the Simple plan lacks several features, such as time tracking, compliance alerts, and broker integration. And regrettably, Gusto does not offer a free trial option.
American Canning, Matchless Builds, Citizen Pilates, Pain Clinic, Distant Moon.
Here are the pricing options offered by Gusto:
- Simple Plan: Starting at $40 monthly, with an additional $6 per person.
- Plus Plan: Currently on a limited-time sale at $60 per month, with an additional $9 per person.
- Premium Plan: Customized plan options available upon contacting sales.
- Contractor Only Plan: Designed for businesses with no W-2 employees, priced at $6 per person per month.
Best For
Gusto's basic plan is budget-friendly, making it accessible even for cash-strapped startups. The premium plan is highly recommended for companies that have the funds to invest in human capital, especially those with just one HR employee. The premium features are worthwhile for such companies.
We used Gusto to manage payroll, streamline benefits administration, and centralize HR tasks. The platform simplifies payroll processing, ensures compliance with tax regulations, and automates various HR functions. Additionally, Gusto facilitates employee self-service, allowing individuals to access their pay stubs, tax forms, and benefit information conveniently. Its reporting tools provide valuable insights for strategic decision-making. Overall, Gusto plays a pivotal role in enhancing our HR efficiency and employee experience.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/658297cc1abfe056a34d1ae6_gusto-dashboard.png)
Gusto offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate various tasks. Their system consolidates our processes and reduces the need for multiple platforms. Additionally, they provide excellent customer support, offering timely assistance whenever needed.
We chose Gusto due to its comprehensive payroll, benefits, and HR solutions, streamlining our administrative processes. The user-friendly interface and automation features enhance efficiency. Overall, Gusto has been a valuable asset to our HR team.
- While Gusto is comprehensive, we have encountered some challenges with integrating it with other existing HR tools. Also, there are instances where we wished for more customization options within Gusto.
- Periodic updates to the platform have previously disrupted our workflow.
Gusto is a bit more user-friendly. Also, their comprehensive approach distinguishes them from competitors that may offer specialized services but not the same breadth of integrated solutions.
Ensure it aligns with your organization's specific needs and growth objectives. Also, look for a platform that is intuitive and requires minimal training for your team to navigate and operate effectively.
Given the dynamic nature of tax regulations and HR compliance, Gusto has demonstrated platform update agility. Over time, they have refined the platform's interface, making it more intuitive and user-friendly.
It seems to be best fit for smaller organizations.
A small team that is looking to grow and provide more impact for their organizations.
![Leapsome](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/609f0becf5cef7eaf10934ca_Leapsome%20icon.jpeg)
Leapsome
![Leapsome](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/609f0becf5cef7eaf10934ca_Leapsome%20icon.jpeg)
With easy onboarding, customizable performance reviews, employee training, recognition, and engagement features as well as OKRs setting and tracking, Leapsome has everything you need for you to manage your employees, listen to their feedback and keep them happy and productive.
PROS
- Leapsome offers a comprehensive range of features, including modules for employee onboarding, learning management, engagement, performance management, and goals tracking, among others.
- Users find Leapsome's user interface (UI) to be friendly and easy to navigate.
- The platform provides numerous third-party integration options, such as Slack, which users appreciate for enhanced connectivity.
- Leapsome's pricing is flexible, allowing users to pay only for the modules they require.
- Besides English, Leapsome is available in 12 additional languages, catering to a diverse user base.
- Leapsome is quite feature-rich; the platform packs modules for employee onboarding, learning management, engagement, performance management, goals tracking and much more.
- The majority of users find Leapsome’s UI to be friendly and easy to navigate.
- There are lots of third party integrations options to choose from, including Slack, which many users appreciate.
- The platform has transparent pricing, and you only pay for the modules you need.
CONS
- There currently isn’t a way to post or upload images or files within your feedback.
- Due to the platform's extensive capabilities, users may need some time to adapt to its various functionalities, and the implementation process can also be time-consuming.
- Leapsome currently lacks a dedicated mobile app, limiting on-the-go access for users.
- While a free 14-day trial is available, users need to schedule a demo with the sales team to sign up, as self-registration is not possible.
- There is currently no way to post or upload an image or file into your feedback.
- Since Leapsome can do so many things, you may need some time to get used to it. The implementation process can also take some time.
- There currently isn’t a mobile app that users can download and access Leapsome quickly on-the-go.
- Free 14-day trials are available but you need to book a demo with the sales team first to sign up for one; you can’t do so on your own.
![Leapsome Employee Profile Dashboard Screenshot - one of the best employee engagement system](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/60c7fa9c1351ed899a2cbe53_Leapsome%20screenshot.jpg)
Besides hosting your employee data, Leapsome gives you several tools to manage your employees, from performance tracking to sentiment analysis and skills development.
Managers can provide performance feedback to their team members either publicly or privately. The platform also enables peer-to-peer reviews and for employees to provide feedback back to their managers on what can be done to improve leadership styles and collaboration.
The employee engagement and training tools help you pay even more attention to the experience of your employees. You can routinely do surveys and pulse checks to gauge employee sentiment and take necessary actions to improve the workplace environment, while the training module helps you create and deliver learning content, unique to what skills your employees want to be better at.
Leapsome is used by many well-known companies, including Spotify, +Babbel, Unity, PayFit, Learnerbly, Modus Create, Spryker, DCMN, and more.
The pricing of Leapsome starts from $8 per user per month, which varies depending on the specific modules chosen. They also provide multi-module and volume discounts. For an exact estimate, we recommend that you contact Leapsome's Sales team directly.
Best For
Companies of all sizes can use Leapsome, though medium and large-sized companies are more likely to get the most value out of it.
![WorkDay](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63b2aae868e75f50cc93ab94_Workday-%20Logo.jpeg)
WorkDay
![WorkDay](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63b2aae868e75f50cc93ab94_Workday-%20Logo.jpeg)
Workday is robust and quite comprehensive. It can cover all of your HR and payroll needs without needing to combine it with other tech solutions.
PROS
- Workday has an intuitive, easy-to-use interface that makes it simple for employees to navigate and find what they need.
- You can integrate Workday with an impressive number of HR systems and tools.
- Users appreciated that Workday consolidates HR information into a single system, eliminating the need to access multiple platforms.
- Customers can get the support they need from Workday’s community of users, or the support team via live chat and telephone.
- Accessible customer support from the community, live chat, and telephone.
- Compatible with 300 HR systems such as ERP/GL, CRM, HR, and PSA.
- Configurable dashboard with AI and ML-driven insights.
- Ability to maintain real-time alignment of budgets and workforce plans.
- SOC 2 Type 2 compliance.
CONS
- It can take a long time to initially set up and implement Workday (avg 4.5 months).
- The reporting functionality has room for improvement, particularly with regard to customization and search.
- Workday’s pricing is on the expensive side, making it less feasible for smaller companies.
- No free plan or free trial.
- Undisclosed pricing.
- No free trial for its talent management software.
- Time-consuming implementation period (average 4.5 months).
- Challenge navigating for first-time users may require training.
- Issues with logging in were reported by users.
![Workday Employee Management System dashboard screenshot taken by the reviewer](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/60c7fee295dbab935f19e7e7_Workday%20screenshot.jpg)
Despite mixed reviews on the user-friendliness of Workday from teams that have implemented it, it is still a robust provider of a wide range of Finance, HR, and Planning solutions, made specifically with enterprises in mind. So if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution that can easily scale, checks the necessary data compliance measures, and can be implemented across large global companies, Workday is worth checking out.
- Target
- Patagonia
- Bank of America
The pricing of Workday’s solutions isn’t disclosed on their website. Contact their sales team to get a custom quote.
Best For
Large-sized companies and enterprises.
I used Workday daily to manage various aspects of our organization's workforce. The key workflows I rely on include employee data management, performance management, and reporting. For employee data, I maintain up-to-date employee records, including personal information, job titles, and reporting structures. For performance management, as a manager, we used it to track employee performance by setting goals, conducting performance reviews, and managing feedback. Workday also has robust reporting functionality.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/645a37e57b988534e244a74c_image1.png)
User-friendly interface: Workday's clean and intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need.
Scalability: This makes it an ideal solution for growing businesses that require additional functionality over time. As a company expands or needs change, Workday can be customized to meet those evolving requirements.
Seamless integration: Workday offers robust integration capabilities with various third-party applications, ensuring a smooth flow of data across different systems. This compatibility with other software tools enables organizations to maintain a connected ecosystem, streamlining processes and reducing the need for manual data entry or reconciliation.
My organization was 10k plus employees and our old HRIS system was dated and clunky. I used it for approximately 2 years. We needed better self-service for not only employees but for managers as well with built-in approval processes. Additionally, we were looking for a tool that could handle the complex requirements of our global workforce, including compliance with local labor laws and regulations. Our previous system didn't have robust reporting capabilities, and it was challenging to extract useful data for analysis. Furthermore, it made it easier to manage employee data and processes across multiple systems. It also provided built-in compliance features, ensuring that we were meeting legal requirements in all countries where we had operations.
Cost: The investment in Workday is substantial, and not a good option for smaller companies.
Learning curve: While Workday's user interface is intuitive, the platform's extensive features may require some time to master. Adequate training and onboarding are essential for users to get the most out of the software.
Limited customization: Workday offers a wide range of built-in features and functionalities, but it may not be the best fit for organizations with highly specific or unique requirements.
While Workday has a long list of impressive companies that utilize their system I find SAP SuccessFactors does just as much and for slightly cheaper.
Functionality: Determine the features and capabilities that are most important to your organization. Consider aspects such as human resources, payroll, talent acquisition, time and attendance, performance management, financial management, and analytics. Ensure the tool you choose covers the required functionalities or can be easily integrated with other systems to create a comprehensive solution.
Scalability: Assess whether the tool can grow and adapt to your organization's changing needs. A scalable solution will allow you to add or modify features as your business evolves, ensuring long-term viability.
Integration: Examine the tool's ability to integrate with existing systems and third-party applications. Seamless integration is essential for streamlining processes and reducing the need for manual data entry or reconciliation.
User experience: Evaluate the tool's user interface and overall usability. An intuitive and user-friendly design will encourage adoption and make it easier for employees to effectively use the platform.
They have expanded product offerings and made some user experience enhancements.
Enterprise with large (1000k+) and global employees.
Small businesses with under 1k employees.
![BambooHR](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62be4421e96e8945bee29ff9_bamboohr-icon.jpeg)
BambooHR
![BambooHR](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62be4421e96e8945bee29ff9_bamboohr-icon.jpeg)
With over 20,000 active clients and 1.8 million employee users, BambooHR is a top provider in the HR tech space. Their Employee Management features include time & attendance, leave requests, and employee wellbeing tools.
PROS
- Customizable packaging and flexible pricing options, allowing you to select one or two packages and add modules based on your specific requirements.
- Known for its simplicity and user-friendliness.
- Straightforward tool, easy to navigate and use.
- 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
- You can only run payroll for U.S.-based employees.
- Customer support is limited to U.S. workdays and business hours.
- Several modules such as time tracking, surveys, and performance management are available exclusively as add-ons, meaning you do need to pay more to use them.
- 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.
![BambooHR Dashboard - Boost productivity and performance with the BambooHR's employee management software](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62be4f660fe65aa582e235b4_BambooHr-Employee-profile.jpeg)
Here’s a company that is a must-consider when it comes to various types of HR tech, including, of course, employee management systems. BambooHR is a well-known vendor in this space, with a host of HR tools to help companies manage employees throughout their lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding, to payroll and day-to-day management.Of course, employee management tools like time tracking and a performance module are available, but only offered as add-ons within one of the HRIS plans.
BambooHR has over 20,000 customers, including major companies such as the University of Maryland, Quora, Reddit, Universal Group, Asana, and Wistia.
BambooHR’s pricing is not disclosed upfront, but they do offer a free trial of their all-in-one software. The best way forward is to book a demo with their team, request trial access, and discuss pricing for the modules you need.
Best For
BambooHR is great for companies wanting a customizable HR product with pricing tailored to their needs. It's especially popular with partial or fully remote teams.
We mainly used it for time tracking, sourcing, shortlisting, hiring, onboarding, and performance management. Besides, it has very good functionality for Compensation&Benefit and internal communication. There is no need to fill in the new hires' details manually, it is fully integrated with its ATS, and when we send out a job offer through the system the details of the new hire are automatically added. Moreover, we used it for birthday and tenure celebrations. We used Bamboohr for Engagement surveys as well. Last but not least, we customized and get periodical reports for various data that make sense for decision-making.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/6406e37c90c7f5340c4b9c45_BamboorHR-Welcome%20To%20QuickStart.png)
Firstly, I like BambooHR for its simple and user-friendly Recruitment function. Secondly, it is a great system where you can keep all of the records, even it is possible to keep the terminated employees' details as well. Thirdly, I like it for its customizable reports. I think that there is still room for further improvement in supporting clients in the Learning&Development process.
We have been using BambooHR since 2020. The previous HRIS that we used had lots of issues that we were not able to solve as it was not possible to get an answer from the support team to our inquiries. Before choosing BambooHR we defined key criteria that would support the business and analyzed other available HRISs as well. Key benefits of BambooHR for our company are lots of functionalities that support the employee life cycle in the company; a user-friendly interface; friendly and prompt support team. It has very good functionality for welcoming new hires and sending a new hire welcome package to all personnel/users.
I think there is room for further development in the Training function. It would be great to integrate the system with one of the LMS platforms or develop its own. Moreover, I think that it would be great to receive some comments or follow-up messages from each user under each announcement sent through the platform. Besides, there is not any chat room for users. That is why the companies that use BambooHR use other tools for internal communication.
Simplicity, user-friendliness, and having more functions than others.
Clients that prefer user-friendly programs should choose BambooHR. It has a very good customer support team. They are always prompt and friendly. But they should keep in their mind that this tool doesn't provide in-house payroll management.
BambooHR has some great integrations (Slack, for instance) that allow me to see when my co-workers are out of the office or even celebrating an anniversary or birthday.
It is good for startups and small-size companies that use other tools for payroll, but need a user-friendly tool that is great for time tracking, recruitment, and performance management.
Big enterprises and global big companies that have many processes in HR
![Zenefits](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63e5b326ce6e381d83319f68_Zenefits-Logo.jpg)
Zenefits
![Zenefits](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63e5b326ce6e381d83319f68_Zenefits-Logo.jpg)
Zenefits is an employee management software that is skillful in lots of things: onboarding, payroll, benefits, time off, workforce reporting, and retiring. Plus, it is designed with American businesses in mind, so all offerings work across 49 states at a price that is exceptionally good.
PROS
- Zenefits is one of the top names in HR tech and payroll software for American small businesses.
- Their platform is one of the best-looking and easiest to figure out in the space.
- Zenefits can grow with you. Its pricing plans allow you to pay and tweak as you go, add certain modules when you need them or get rid of them if you don’t.
- Has a free trial and a transparent pricing structure.
- It’s one of the top names in HR tech and payroll software for American small businesses.
- Their platform is one of the best-looking and easiest to figure out among the sector.
- Zenefits can grow with you. Its pricing plans allow you to pay and tweak as you go, add certain modules when you need them, or get rid of them if you don’t.
CONS
- Oriented to small businesses in the US.
- Payroll with unlimited pay runs is offered as an add-on.
- Basic customization.
- Tax filings, at times, don’t work well for multi-state teams.
- Doesn’t provide phone support or dedicated account managers. Response time on customer service is less than ideal.
- As oriented to small businesses as the tool is, it doesn’t give you the chance to create a custom bundle of the services and/or modules you’d like to have. For instance, Zenefits does not offer a standalone ACA module. Therefore, you will need to purchase an entire HRIS plan if you want to access that offering.
- In addition, Zenefits focuses on small to mid sized companies. If you're an enterprise organization, you may want to consider another option.
- Zenefits is also rather focused on the US market at this point. So, if your team is mostly in another country and you need more of a local know-how, it might not be the best bet for certain modules like payroll and benefits.
![Zenefits dashboard - Manage your workforce effectively with a Zenefits worker management system](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62aa6fe77d8324b5191808dd_Zenefits-onboarding-screenshot.jpeg)
Zenefits automates several HR processes including onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and PTO tracking so under-resourced small businesses can focus on more strategic initiatives.
Despite its affordability, the platform doesn't skimp on features. You can also boost its capabilities with integrations to popular tools like Slack, Google, Office 365, and various accounting platforms, breaking down data silos and giving HR and employees a holistic view of the organization.
With dedicated 24/7 support and a platform continuously updated based on user feedback, Zenefits is clearly devoted to optimizing the small businesses’ employee experience. For any growing company needing to graduate from manual HR processes but not ready for complex HCM tools, Zenefits offers the right balance of automation, integration, accessibility, and support.
Coney Island Prep, MeUndies, FireClay Tile, Impact, Goals for Autism.
Zenefits has three core plans plus optional add-ons:
- Essentials: $8/employee/month. Includes core HR, time tracking, integrations, and mobile app access.
- Growth: $16/employee/month. Adds compensation, and performance management to the Essentials plan.
- Zen: For $27/employee/month, Zen is Zenefits’ top-tier plan, adding wellness tracking, engagement surveys, and People Hub access.
Add-Ons:
- Payroll: $6/employee/month
- Advisory Services: $8/employee/month
- Benefits Administration: $5/employee/month
- Recruiting: Starts at $35/month
Best For
Zenefits is best for small businesses looking for an all-in-one HR, time tracking, payroll, and benefits administration platform.
I use Zenefits for payroll and tax reporting for employees and contractors. I process payroll biweekly but log into Zenefits weekly for updates. We also enter our health insurance and retirement info into Zenefits, although we have external brokers. Another way we use this HRIS is to view and download payroll reports for our Accountant to use. I access and download these reports monthly.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/64ae24d0dec003901a2c66f7_Zenefits-Dashboard-Apps.png)
Zenefits is user friendly. The reporting documents are displayed in a way that is easy to read and follow. The policy templates are helpful. The cost for a small business is reasonable.
We purchased Zenefits because we needed to hire a team of contractors and after trying out a few options we preferred Zenefits. Zenefits handles payroll and employment tax reporting for us. Zenefits also has a suite of HR policies and forms we can use or customize. We have used this HRIS for 2 years now. I work for a client as their HR Manager but use a different HRIS than Zenefits for my own company because Zenefits's customer service is less than desirable.
Zenefits has very poor customer support. We often have to speak with 2 or 3 different reps to get an issue resolved, and it takes days to weeks. Zenefits also does not offer 24/7 support. Reps are not always helpful and often seem to be unfamiliar with basic HR fundamentals. Improving their customer service would resolve all 3 of these issues.
Zenefits is very easy to use and the dashboard is displayed in a very appealing way, making it easy to find what I am looking for. For example, all things related to payroll can be found under the payroll button. All reports can be found under reports tab, etc.
People should consider their budget as Zenefits is a pay per employee service. People should also consider if they are likely to need regular customer support. I advise anyone considering Zenefits to schedule and view the demo to determine if the system may be a good fit.
Zenefits was purchased by TriNet and the customer service has been horrible since then. I can't think of any improvements.
Small businesses who won't need a great deal of customer service support, or who won't need a lot of immediate assistance.
Businesses that require a ton of customer support.
![UKG](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63e6fa5b18e92b439535fe67_UKG-Logo.jpg)
UKG
![UKG](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63e6fa5b18e92b439535fe67_UKG-Logo.jpg)
From paying your employees to managing them, developing them, and everything in between, UKG is a robust HRMS suite that can cover all of your people management needs.
PROS
- Super robust product, packing years of experience with HCM and Workforce Management technology.
- Administrators can configure the visibility settings for managers, employees, and themselves.
- The Ultimate Community provides on-demand information about all UKG Pro products and their usage.
- The mobile app is available in the Apple and Android app stores.
- Offers UKG Pro for HRMS and UKG Ready for workforce management, you could arrive at a combination of products that suits many of your HR needs from the same set of tools.
- Super robust product, packing years of experience with HCM and Workforce Management technology
- Since they offer UKG Pro for HRMS and UKG Ready for workforce management, you could arrive at a combination of products that suits many of your HR needs from the same set of tools.
CONS
- Compared to newer tools, UKG Pro and UKG Ready have not configured their offering to work for smaller or niche teams.
- Employees can encounter log-in issues at times with the Android app.
- Not a very budget-friendly option for small businesses.
- Similarly, UKG offers many solutions under one umbrella, so it's not the best fit if you're looking for only a handful of specific use cases.
- Compared to newer tools, UKG Pro and UKG Ready tend to miss a unique selling point or a specific focus on a certain type of business. While they work great for bigger companies in all sorts of industries, very niche operations might have a hard time adapting to the tool.
- Similarly, UKG offers many solutions under one umbrella, so it's not the best fit if you're looking for only a handful of specific use cases.
![UKG - Enhance productivity and engagement with innovative UKP Pro employee management solution](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62ec68ddab7167c3a54bca1b_ukg-pro-succession-plans.jpg)
UKG Pro is a comprehensive employee management solution for midsize to large enterprise companies. HR departments at companies like MGM Grand and the Miami Dolphins use it to hire, onboard, pay, and manage employees. This all-in-one tool also features performance management, engagement, and succession planning, so it eliminates the need to purchase additional products to fulfill such needs separately.
UKG also offers UKG Ready, a workforce management solution developed with Kronos, a well-known time and attendance tool. This partnership adds time keeping, attendance, scheduling, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance to the broader UKG offering.
Tesla, Marriott, Yamaha, Aramark, Puma, Sony Music, Samsung.
- Pricing for UKG Pro or Ready is not available on their website. However, it is usually on a per-employee-per-month basis, either billed annually or monthly.
- You’d need to contact a sales representative for an accurate quote.
- Our research has shown that licenses tend to start at around $600.00 per year for every 5 users.
Best For
UKG goes beyond payroll and offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored for enterprise-level organizations. Its robust capabilities serve as an exceptional payroll + HR solution, well suited for large teams with a global headcount, but also smaller businesses with over 50 employees.
I use UKG at least once a week. I use it for my annual goals, time management, and business intelligence reports. This system has been extremely helpful in tracking and updating strategic goals. There are many reports I run from this system that supports my week to week workload. This system has been instrumental in creating reports for EEO compliance.
UKG is user friendly. It enables my team to self-manage the tools within the system. It also helps hiring managers with bias awareness.
My company has used UKG for over 2 years. We wanted a system that would enhance the recruitment process experience. I have used the system for almost 2 years and the key benefits I enjoy is that it has been a repository for my diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy that all managers can share with their teams.
Sometimes there are small glitches in the system that need technical support. I wish the pricing was cheaper. I have not been able to launch directly into timesheet mode.
I have not used many other tools as this, however, I do like the tools that uses inclusive language to review job descriptions. It recommends specific adjectives in job postings.
People should think about what they really want to accomplish with this tool (i.e., talent management, payroll, ease of integration, etc.). Ask yourself about the level of self-service you want this product to deliver. Does it deliver what you need?
I have only used the product for less than two years and currently cannot compare if it has changed or evolved over time.
Technology industry
Not good fit for large companies
![15five](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/5e2c731312d9350a79e536b9_15Five.png)
15five
![15five](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/5e2c731312d9350a79e536b9_15Five.png)
15Five’s Perform module comes with employee management tools to conduct performance reviews, check employees’ role clarity, identify strengths, and help them have a career vision. A unique thing managers can through this module is adjust employee scores in real-time during a calibration session.
PROS
- 15Five helps HR leaders run their performance programs from start to finish and make talent decisions based on a 360-degree view of each employee.
- With the help of visual dashboards, HR leaders can access colorful and easy-to-comprehend insights that will make their talent decisions easier.
- The platform is fairly easy to use, comes with a mobile app, has transparent pricing, as well as a 14-day free trial so users can try before they buy.
CONS
- Some users reported experiencing difficulty creating new objectives or connecting existing objectives to parent objectives in the objectives section.
- When you create an engagement survey using 15Five's template, you can only choose from a selection of pre-made categories rather than creating your own.
- The out of the box integration options are quite limited, and a Zapier integration used to be available but is now sunsetted. As an alternative, 15Five does have a public API for users to plug-in custom tools but that requires a bit more work.
![15Five dashboard - Streamline your staff management operations with powerful 15Five software](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/60c8069196fe2f7fef8a3dcb_15five%20screenshot.jpg)
15Five enables managers to have a better understanding of their team members through a host of tools for communication, performance tracking, and goal setting. For starters, managers conduct regular check-ins, performance reviews, and pulse surveys to stay informed about their team's progress and identify areas for improvement. They can also set goals, track progress towards those goals, and provide feedback to employees as needed, fueling a culture of continuous growth.
15Five’s customer base includes Hubspot, Spotify, American Red Cross, Clearbit, Pendo and more.
- Engage: $4 per user per month. Its features include Core engagement surveys, Topic-based assessments, Custom topic-based assessments, Filterable heatmap & analytics, Enterprise-grade security, an Action plan dashboard, and more.
- Perform: $8 per user per month. Its features include Performance reviews, 360º feedback, Talent Matrix, Data insights, Career Paths & Plans, and more.
- Focus: $8 per user per month. Its features include Goal setting with OKRs, OKR chart view, Data insights, Jira & Salesforce Integration, and more.
- Total Platform: $14 per user per month. Its features include everything in other plans, plus DPAs and security questionnaires.
Best For
15Five is a good bet for both growing companies and enterprises. It particularly benefits organizations seeking a holistic feedback system that ensures input from all employees throughout the company.
For feedback on my current role. We use 15five weekly, on Fridays we must answer the questions provided by our manager and we submit high 5’s to peers if any of us have done something good, we show appreciation. I personally love to check weekly the responses from other peers or who is getting appreciation. I think that helps to motivate everyone!
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/645b61f790308e35426831a6_15five-Home-Good%20Morning.jpeg)
- I like it because it helps us with accountability, we can support and appreciate our coworkers. We can communicate easily. I like it overall.
- It’s a great tool to keep track of the performances of employees.
- I like the fact I can create objectives and goals to work on
Our organization saw a need to have this tool because it helps to track our employees and their progress. As you can provide feedback to your manager or peers, there is transparency in the process and the employees can be heard. We have used this tool for over a year and it has impacted us in a positive way. When our employees feel appreciated, we see better results, we can show appreciation weekly and it’s noticed by everyone in the company.
- Well, I would say sometimes employees like privacy and as shown to everyone on the appreciation piece, some people might not like it.
- Also, the responses to questions, are not anonymous, and sometimes people won't be honest to the fullest, fearing they would lose their job.
It's the first time I use a tool like this. So, I can’t really comment on the competitors.
They need to think about how this tool will improve the culture, and environment and also understand that the business will be impacted in a positive way as the employees are being heard. If someone has an idea, they can communicate via 15five.
It has helped me to share my thoughts on how I feel or for any new ideas that can help the business.
Any company wanting to give feedback and appreciation to employees.
For a company that is not focused on its employees.
![Namely](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63e1f0d9e07cdb288adc5e86_Namely%20Logo.jpg)
Namely
![Namely](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63e1f0d9e07cdb288adc5e86_Namely%20Logo.jpg)
Namely powerful HR suite streamlines how you manage your people. It covers onboarding, attendance tracking, performance management, payroll, and benefits administration. It also provides valuable insights into market trends so you can stay competitive.
PROS
- Namely offers a user-friendly interface that allows seamless navigation of the platform, even with its extensive features.
- The employee onboarding module has an easy-to-use wizard, facilitating a smooth onboarding process for employees and new hires.
- Besides Namely’s payroll and benefits administration features, you can opt for their managed payroll and benefits administration services to reduce your team's workload even further.
- The majority of users are able to navigate Namely without any issues. They find the UI to be intuitive and clean, despite the fact that the platform has lots of features.
- Namely’s employee onboarding module gets a alot of praise from users. It features an easy-to-follow wizard, which helps new hires get on quickly and be clear on what they need to do.
- Besides the platform’s built in features for data management, recruiting, onboarding, time off tracking, payroll and benefits administration, there are also managed payroll and benefits administration services you can opt for to reduce the burden on your internal teams.
CONS
- Namely caters mainly to the U.S. market, which means it’s not quite suitable for organizations that need it to handle payroll and benefits for employees in other countries.
- If you’re looking for quick implementation, Namely may not be for you as on average, 6-8 weeks are needed to get your instance up and running.
- Currently, Namely lacks employee development features such as skills training, career pathing, and succession planning.
- Users should look into whether Namely is compatible with their existing benefits provider, as a few users have reported instances where Namely's team encouraged them to switch to providers with higher fees.
- Namely primarily operates in the U.S., which means if you’re looking for a global payroll and benefits provider, this platform isn’t for you.
- Though many praise the platform’s ease of use, it does take long to implement it. Namely’s own team says that an average implementation takes between 6-8 weeks.
- For a platform of Namely’s size, there currently aren’t any features that focus on employee development such as skill training, career pathing, succession planning etc.
- You’ll need to check beforehand if Namely can work with your existing benefits provider, if you have one. There have been a few reports (but not few enough to ignore) about Namely’s team convincing customers to change their benefits provider to providers that charged them more.
![Namely dashboard - Transform your HR processes with an Namely's advanced employee management system](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/60c80c6c7fd6b408c8411ad5_Namely%20screenshot.jpg)
Namely offers a range of features to help you with day-to-day employee management. A fundamental one is employee profiles, which you can create from scratch or upload from existing sources. You can access these profiles whenever you need to view employee data, including personal details, job roles, performance history, and benefits information. Namely also packs payroll management capabilities, optimizing how you process payroll and helping you with calculations, tax filing, direct deposits, and more.
You can use Namely’s time and attendance tracking module to ensure accurate recording of work hours and payroll processing. You can stay on top of things even further with Namely’s performance management module, which can help you set goals, conduct evaluations, and provide feedback to employees among other things.
Namely is used by several growing companies including Greenhouse, Vita Coco, Life is Good, and OneLogin.
Custom pricing is available upon request of a demo. It will vary depending on which package you choose. They start with a basic HR package and then sell extensions or enhanced services for things like payroll solutions and employee benefits.
Best For
Mid-sized companies across different verticals will make the most out of Namely’s offering.
Our HRBP and operations team accessed Namely multiple times a week, while Finance and IT logged in several times a month, and managers did so quarterly. The Recruiting team used it to verify organizational structure and ensure accurate data transfer for new hires.
As someone who helped implement Namely, I used it for various tasks, such as ensuring its proper function, creating and pulling reports for HR programs, and supporting my client groups with necessary data. It served as our central repository for all employee information.
In my first six months, I adjusted workflows and reports to align with our processes, ensuring other teams had the information they needed. I also supported 40% of the company's employees, using the data for organizational planning, talent development, and performance reviews.
Namely's user interface is modern and intuitive, making it easy for managers and employees to navigate. The workflow configurations are straightforward, reducing the need for extensive support. The reporting functions are robust, allowing us to generate customized reports essential for effective planning and reporting.
Our organization was experiencing rapid growth, doubling in size each year, and we needed to upgrade our HRIS system to accommodate this expansion. We sought a solution that integrated HRIS, payroll, and IT support into a single tool.
After evaluating Namely and ADP, we chose Namely for its more cohesive system. It offered improved permission settings, enabling managers, IT, and finance to access necessary information and generate reports.
Additionally, it facilitated the creation of cross-functional workflow notifications. We used the system for 2 and a half years until our acquisition necessitated its discontinuation.
Namely's HRIS and payroll systems are connected but not fully integrated, which complicates data transfer between the two. The payroll interface is less user-friendly, creating additional workload for our payroll personnel and requiring more support from our HR implementation team. Although we were initially assured of specific reporting capabilities, we found ourselves unable to generate certain reports without delays and additional support from Namely.
Namely is particularly appealing to mid-market and small enterprise companies due to its price point and functionality, positioning it between basic SMB tools and more complex systems like Workday. However, newer entrants like Rippling and BambooHR are beginning to offer improved functionality at a competitive price, encroaching on the niche Namely once effectively filled.
When it comes to HRIS systems, none of them are perfect. It's really about finding a tool that can do 70-80% of what you need and have workarounds for the rest. My biggest factors for evaluating tools like this is to see if it'll take care of our "basic needs/high priority needs" first, whether it will be easy to use for the people who use it most, and then cost. I would start by creating a spreadsheet of what problems are you trying to solve, then label them–is this a basic need, high/medium/low priority? Make sure you include the stakeholders so you can look at the tool holistically and make better-informed decisions.
When we were using the tool, a lot of Namely's updates were more back-end functions. For example, they later implemented better reporting which helped make looking at data easier. This was great for HR teams because it reduced the friction in the product for us.
Namely is best suited for mid-market to smaller enterprise customers, typically with employee sizes ranging from 400 to 3,000.
Namely may not be suitable for companies with fewer than 400 employees. Its complexity and management requirements might be excessive for smaller organizations that prefer not to allocate significant resources to system oversight.
![kissflow](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63b2c0752a9cfb1257fd0b7e_Kissflow-%20Logo.png)
kissflow
![kissflow](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/63b2c0752a9cfb1257fd0b7e_Kissflow-%20Logo.png)
Kissflow Digital Workplace gives you all the tools you need to optimize, manage, and track all of your work. It has five core modules to handle any type of work that moves your way: processes, projects, cases, datasets, and collaboration.
PROS
CONS
![Kissflow Dashboard - Automate workforce operations with Kissflow employee management software](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/60c810685c861a91f4624800_Kissflow%20screenshot.jpg)
Kissflow is designed for both managers and their employees. It lets individuals know exactly what tasks are assigned to them and lets them track work as it moves along a flow. It allows team leaders to create and control codeless workflows and forms. It helps the entire organization digitize their work and creates an operational system of record to know the status of what work was completed.
- Domino’s
- Pepsi
- Sears
- Hubspot
- Casio
- Basic: $16/user/month (Starts at 10 Users)
- Advanced: $22/user/month (Starts at 10 Users)
- Fully Loaded: $30* /user/month (Starts at 50 Users)
Best For
Kissflow has plans for companies of different sizes.
![Zoho People](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62da134ff003623f2429530d_Zoho-icon.png)
Zoho People
![Zoho People](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62da134ff003623f2429530d_Zoho-icon.png)
Zoho People is a solution for HR teams looking for an affordable or even free workforce management tool. It administers core HR activities, like onboarding, time off management, attendance, performance, LMS, engagement, and database management. It also includes an employee self-service portal with security-conscious permission controls and more.
PROS
- Comprehensive core HR features consolidated in a single platform.
- Offers a wide array of integrations.
- Available in multiple languages, catering to users across the globe.
- Provides a free version and a free trial.
- All core HR features in a single dashboard
- Wide array of integrations
- User-friendly UI, constantly updated
- Available in multiple languages
CONS
- Some modules may lack the depth of comparable products. For example, some users found the payroll offering to be relatively basic.
- The mobile app does not mirror the features of the web version.
- The platform's responsiveness is unpredictable – users have reported occasional loading delays.
- 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 People Dashboard - Empower your HR team with Zoho's efficient employee management software](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/62da146b9a81deb05fd91866_zoho-hrms-reports.jpeg)
Zoho People is a 360-degree HR solution that amazes us with its rich features. Depending on the plan purchased, users can get some or even all of their employee management needs covered, from onboarding and attendance management to time tracking, appraisals, and learning.
One standout feature is Cases. The feature lets users post their support questions under specific HR categories to receive prompt responses from assigned agents. It's a simple, effective, time-saving solution.
Zoho People features real-time access control. It allows administrators to assign access permissions for select members, promoting better collaboration while ensuring data security.
Another nice touch is Announcements: managers can use this to keep employees posted on company news using various content types, formatting options, and location-specific visibility.
In our testing, the self-service elements worked well in the Chrome browser. The web version contains numerous tools like employee records, leave requests, timesheets, and policy documents.
However, we did encounter some challenges with the mobile app. It occasionally lagged, particularly when using functions like check-ins and facial recognition. Additionally, certain tools, such as the payroll feature, are less fleshed out than in similar tools in this space.
ZPE Systems, Cloudfronts Technologies, Zomato, SpiceJet, Foresight CFO.
Zoho People is free for up to five users. After that, the platform offers four plans with the following pricing:
- Essential HR: $1.25/user/month billed annually.
- Professional: $2/user/month billed annually.
- Premium: $3/user/month billed annually.
- Enterprise: $4.5/user/month billed annually
Best For
This tool is particularly well-suited for SMBs who can make use of its multilingual capabilities.
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.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/5dbc34a89684007e327a6c35/643507398805d377b8e37e12_Zoho-People-Home.png)
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.
Key Features of Employee Management Software
“Employee management” is an umbrella software category; hundreds of different HR management software solutions (HRMS) can be labeled under it. While that may be the case, the following are features you can safely expect from employee management software.
- Storing employee records: An employee management software effectively functions as your employee database. It stores employee information such as names, addresses, designations, salaries, and start dates. You can even store custom employee info such as skills, education, birthdays, emergency contact details, and more.
- Time and attendance tracking: Manually updating timesheets is a tedious task that’s time-consuming and almost impossible to perform without error. Incorrectly inputting employee time and attendance data leads to incorrect payroll. With the help of employee management software, you can cut down on human errors and ensure that your payroll is always accurate.
- Employee scheduling: Employee management software can help you schedule and move around shifts for your employees to ensure that the working hours of your business are sufficiently covered. Depending on what product you use, employees may also be allowed access to the same system to adjust availabilities and request shift changes.
- Employee self-service portal: Most employee management solutions provide employee self-service portals. Employees may use these portals to handle a number of human resources-related tasks that would otherwise require the attention of an HR employee. Most self-service portals allow employees to update personal details such as contact details, addresses, bank account info, and more. Some employee self-service portals also allow employees to put in time-off requests and adjust availabilities.
- Employee performance monitoring: Most employee management systems allow employers to define goals and productivity metrics and monitor employees’ progress towards those goals and metrics from a single dashboard. Accessing such data enables employers to make informed decisions that drive performance, e.g., identify where certain employees could use some training or if their skills are perhaps more suited for a different role.
- 3rd-party integrations: The majority of employee management software solutions offer integration options with your existing business tools, such as those for recruiting, payroll, enterprise resource planning (ERP), team collaboration, and more to extend the functionality of your software, have your data synchronized automatically and eliminate duplicated effort.
- Additional features: In addition to the above, some employee management systems may also carry features for applicant tracking, onboarding, payroll management, benefits administration, learning management, employee rewards, and employee recognition.
Common Mistakes Made When Buying Employee Management Software
You can easily make mistakes when choosing an employee management solution if you don’t carefully research and compare what’s available on the market while factoring in the needs and budget of your business. Here are a few mistakes you should avoid:
- Buying an all-in-one employee management software when all you need is one or two HR functions covered: For example, if you only need a system for performance management or attendance tracking, then buy a product that does just that. An all-in-one HR cloud can be quite costly if you’re not putting it to good use. We recommend that you always invest carefully and selectively to make the most out of your budget.
- Choosing an employee management system that isn’t scalable: Your business may see exponential growth within just a matter of months. It may also experience financial hardships, requiring you to downsize your team. No matter what the future holds for your business, you’ll definitely need your employee management software to grow or shrink accordingly.
- Not aligning internally with all departments that could benefit from an employee management system before buying one: Many top employee management systems offer features extending beyond your HR department’s scope. For example, employee management software can have project management capabilities, which means different managers across your company can use it to stay organized and keep track of their team members’ progress. It is also quite common for an employee management system to have payroll processing and benefits administration features, which are typically the responsibility of the finance department and not HR. Since other departments/managers can benefit from your employee management system, make sure you factor in their feedback in your product selection process.
- Making long-term commitments before thoroughly testing a solution: Most software vendors will offer discounts if you get into an annual contract. Some will even try to tempt you to get into a two-year commitment. While such deals can save you significant money over time, you should only commit to a vendor after thoroughly testing their software and verifying that it’s the one for you. Otherwise, you will end up going back and forth with them regarding their refund policy and likely incurring a considerable cancellation fee.
Pricing Models of Employee Management Software
The majority of employee management software vendors offer tiered pricing to accommodate different business needs and financial capabilities. Those tiers vary in features and either cost a flat monthly/annual subscription fee for an unlimited number of employees or have a per-employee-per-month pricing structure, which could cost anywhere between $1.25 - $30 per employee per month.
Do keep in mind that in all cases, additional fees may still apply for on-demand services such as product training, customization, compliance services, dedicated account management, and cancellation. Consult your selected employee management software vendor on the exact breakdown of their recurring fees as well as the pricing of all on-demand services that are billed separately.
Benefits of Using Employee Management Software
Using employee management software allows you to:
- Secure employee information: Paper files and spreadsheets are not a secure way to store sensitive employee data, as they could easily fall into the wrong hands. You can mitigate such risks by using an employee management system instead. The majority of employee management systems are highly secure, with measures such as data encryption and multi-factor authentication to keep your employees’ information safe at all times.
- Increase productivity: Using an employee management system helps you automate many processes that are otherwise quite tedious and take up a great deal of your team’s time. When different departments across your company aren’t manually dealing with employee data maintenance, time and attendance tracking, shift scheduling, and leave management, they’re able to reinvest that time in other tasks that contribute to your bottom line.
- Improve employee satisfaction: Good HR tech has an impact on employee experience and retention. When employees are managed through outdated channels and processes, it is easy for them to get frustrated and dissatisfied with your company. Employee management software gives your employees a channel to easily update their information, request time off, adjust their shifts, track their performance, communicate with you when needed, and much more - all in an effortless manner.
Questions to Ask During Your Employee Management Software Demos
As you’re researching different employee management software, we always recommend that you schedule demo sessions with the top vendors on your list to make sure their solution is compatible with the needs of your business. Here are a few questions you can ask during your demos:
- What HR functions does your software cover? Can your solution replace other products in my HR tech stack?
- Can you walk me through what employees see through their self-service portal (if any)?
- Does your platform feature Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate certain processes?
- How easy is it to implement your solution, and would I be able to do it myself?
- What business solutions does your software integrate with?
- What metrics have you used to prove the effectiveness of your solution, and where can I see these in my analytics dashboard?
- What data protection laws are you compliant with?
- How much does the software cost for my team size?
- How will our pricing change as our team grows or shrinks?
- Will I be assigned a dedicated account manager?
- What are your Customer Support SLAs?
- Do you have a help center with articles and other documentation for self-service?
Implementing an Employee Management Software
Implementing employee management software is fairly easy, especially since the majority of them are cloud-based, delivered through a software-as-a-service (SaaS) infrastructure. Getting started with a cloud-based solution is relatively quick. Once you’ve purchased a subscription that meets your needs, you can create an account and start configuring it and importing your employee data.
On the other hand, some employee management software solutions are self-hosted (on-premise). Self-hosted solutions generally take longer to set up, and depending on your chosen vendor, you may need to consult them regarding their solutions’ compatibility with your current hardware and installation process or better yet, have them do the installation for you.
Note: Most of the vendors we’ve listed in this guide provide step-by-step video tutorials and help docs that assist customers in getting up and running quickly. For more information, you can reach out to your chosen vendor’s support team.
Employee Management Software FAQ
What is employee management software?
Employee management software allows companies to carry out different HR functions, including time and attendance tracking, new hire onboarding, shift scheduling, leave management, employee engagement, and performance management. It may also have features for payroll processing and benefits administration.
What should you look for in employee management software?
Besides making sure that employee management software covers the HR/finance functions that you need, see that it is user-friendly, scalable, can integrate with favorite products, and has an employee self-service portal.
Who needs employee management software?
All businesses, regardless of size and industry, can benefit from employee management software to streamline how they store employee information, onboard and offboard employees, as well as drive up employee engagement and performance.
Final Thoughts
No matter what industry you’re in and regardless of the size of your company, an employee management system is quite useful to streamline different functions across your HR department and beyond. All of the solutions we’ve listed in this guide would make a great addition to your tech stack. All you have to do is:
- Align with your HR, Finance, and other team managers regarding their needs and expectations before selecting a product;
- Carefully consider those needs as well as your budget and choose a product that meets them;
- Request a trial account to test the platform’s features first-hand;
- Schedule demo sessions with different vendors to get all of your questions answered.
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