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The field of human resources is evolving all the time, which is why it’s important to stay on top of which software can offer you the optimum solution for your company’s unique use case. The best HR software for 2023 range from full-service HR platforms with comprehensive functionality, to specialists in payroll, benefits or remote team management.
This HR software list covers a broad range of some of the top options available on the market, whether you’re looking for something to automate your tax calculations or something to manage deskless teams.
1. What Is HR Software?
HR software tools refer to any solution that helps you manage your human resources processes. This could be a digital filing system for employee documents, payroll management, performance monitoring, applicant tracking, training and development, or a combination of all of these use cases.
2. Why Should Organizations Use HR Software?
The core benefit of using HR software is that it saves staff time through automation and by providing rapid access to required information. There are also other tangible advantages like assessing performance, developing staff skills, gauging employee satisfaction, and simplified management of holiday and sick leave.
3. Overview of the 15 Best HR Software
| Paycor | Best HR software for full-service HCM |
| Deel | Best HR software for global hiring |
| Sage HR | Best HR software for flexible module selection |
| Monday.com | Best HR software for tracking task completion |
| GoCo | Best HR software for easy integrations with other platforms |
| Remofirst | Best HR software for same-day onboarding globally |
| Rippling | Best HR software for a one-stop-shop solution |
| Zenefits | Best HR software for benefits administration |
| Connecteam | Best HR software for deskless teams |
| ClickUp | Best HR software for basic employee management |
| Workday | Best HR software for enterprise businesses |
| BambooHR | Best HR software for multiple HR functions in a single platform |
| Gusto | Best HR software for payroll and tax |
| Paychex | Best HR software for SMB payroll, LMS and hiring |
| Onpay | Best HR software for full-service payroll for small businesses |
4. Comparison Criteria
- User Interface
HR software used by companies needs to have a well-designed user interface that is clear and intuitive.
- Automations
The degree of automation offered by different solutions varies, and it’s important to consider how much manual programming or other input is required before you subscribe.
- Advanced features
Payroll, recruitment and digital file management are some of the most common features you can find on HR platforms, but some of the best HR software for 2023 have built-in learning management systems (LMS), pulse surveys and employee of record services as well.
- Value for money
Regularly assess how much benefit you get from a software against the cost of the solution to make sure you’re getting value for money.
- Integration with other apps
Integrations make it easier to sync up your HR software with other platforms your company employs. It also gives you the flexibility of picking different brands for different use cases.
- Templates
Having the ability to build templates for common workflows is a useful aspect of effective automation, whether for welcome letters or training schedules.
- Analytics and data visualization tools
Analyzing data regarding all of your HR processes is a great way to ensure you are always at optimum efficiency.
5. The Best HR Software for 2023 List
5.1 Paycor – Best HR software for full-service HCM
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
One the best HR and payroll software on the market, Paycor’s human capital management (HCM) solution includes recruitment, workforce management and employee experience features.
What makes Paycor special?
The platform allows you to automate job postings to various job sites, then see all candidate details through an easy-to-use interface. Payroll and benefits processes can all be automated, and you can check on the satisfaction of your workforce using pulse surveys.
You can also build custom training courses in Paycor’s LMS, which can be used to onboard new hires as well as upskill existing staff.
Key Features:
- HR management
- Payroll processing
- Time and attendance tracking
- Benefits administration
- Applicant tracking
- Onboarding
- Offboarding
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated HR and payroll features
- Responsive customer support
Cons:
- Limited reporting options
- Occasional software glitches
- Lack of advance customization options
5.2 Deel – Best HR software for global hiring
Best For: Small-sized businesses
Deel is one of the best HR and payroll software on the market, Paycor’s human capital management (HCM) solution includes recruitment, workforce management and employee experience features.
What makes Deel special?
The platform allows you to automate job postings to various job sites, then see all candidate details through an easy-to-use interface. Payroll and benefits processes can all be automated, and you can check on the satisfaction of your workforce using pulse surveys.
You can also build custom training courses in Paycor’s LMS, which can be used to onboard new hires as well as upskill existing staff.
Key Features:
- Contract management
- Remote team onboarding
- International payroll
- Invoicing and payments
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use platform
- Supports international payroll
- Customizable contract templates
- Dedicated customer support
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- No mobile app
- Pricing can be expensive for small businesses
5.3 Sage HR – Best HR software for flexible module selection
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
Sage HR helps you manage employee data, time and attendance, expenses, recruitment and performance. The brand also has separate payroll software.
What makes Sage HR special?
One of Sage’s big benefits is that it allows you to choose what modules you need, thereby allowing you to reduce costs. For example, you can choose to use it for core HR only, or to take advantage of its OKR visualization, expenses management and applicant tracking add-ons as well.
Employees can log expenses or request through a mobile app, which also allows employers to easily approve requests and supply feedback.
Key Features:
- HR and payroll management
- Performance management
- Recruitment
- Training and development
- Benefits administration
Pricing:
Prices start from $5.5 per person per month for Core HR. Custom integrations are possible but are charged as extra.
Pros:
- Robust HR and payroll features
- Customizable reporting
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Limited customer support
- Steep learning curve
- Limited third-party integrations
5.4 Monday.com – Best HR software for tracking task completion
Best For: Small to large-sized businesses
Many companies will have heard of Monday.com for project management, but perhaps not everyone realizes how this can be used in the context of HR. The brilliantly usable interface can be utilized to give you an overview of employee performance and candidate applications, as well as store key employee information in one place.
What makes Monday.com special?
Monday.com can be particularly handy for onboarding, as managers and departments can be assigned orientation-related tasks, which can then be ticked off as they are completed.
The platform includes integrations with Outlook, Excel, LinkedIn and Zapier, among others.
Key Features:
- Project management
- Team collaboration
- Task tracking
- Customizable workflows
Pricing:
Prices start from $8 per user per month.
Pros:
- Customizable workflows
- Intuitive project management features
- Flexible pricing plans
Cons:
- Limited integration options
- Occasional software glitches
- Learning curve for new users
5.5 GoCo – Best HR software for easy integrations with other platforms
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
GoCo includes payroll, compliance, benefits administration, performance reviews and reporting features within its platform.
What makes GoCo special?
The company’s proprietary MagicDocs technology helps you create and collect custom form fields for any necessary documentation, shortening the onboarding process. GoCo also offers unlimited expert advice on HR and compliance to help you stay on the right side of the law, complemented by a self-service resource library.
If you value flexibility, it’s a great choice to have in mind, as they aim to make integrations with your existing software hassle free, whether that’s with recruitment tracking applications like Workable or a background checker like Verified First.
Key Features:
- Benefits administration
- Compliance management
- Employee onboarding
- Time off tracking
Pricing:
Prices start from $5 per month per person.
Pros:
- User-friendly platform
- Affordable pricing
- Compliance management features
Cons:
- Limited HR features
- Lack of customization options
- Not suitable for larger businesses
5.6 Remofirst – Best HR software for same-day onboarding globally
Best For: Small-sized businesses
As the name suggests, Remofirst puts remote workers first, taking care of payroll, documentation and compliance in more than 150 geographies around the world.
What makes Remofirst special?
Acting as an Employer of Record for your business, it takes a lot of the complexities of paying staff and ensuring compliance for international teams out of your hands. All you have to do is approve the filings.
Same-day onboarding is the bedrock of Remofirst’s offering, with 24/7 customer service to make things as simple for your organization as possible.
Key Features:
- Employee monitoring
- Productivity tracking
- Time tracking
- Remote team management
Pricing:
Prices start from $199 per person per month.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Robust employee monitoring features
- Time tracking
- Productivity reports
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- Only suitable for remote teams
- May raise privacy concerns among some employees
5.7 Rippling – Best HR software for a one-stop shop solution
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
One of the best HR software for 2023, Rippling’s one-stop-shop offering includes payroll, applicant tracking, training and employee feedback on one self-explanatory interface.
What makes Rippling special?
A variety of security features, such as multifactor authentication and single sign on (SSO), ensure you can feel comfortable about staff accessing company apps and servers anywhere in the world.
Rippling boasts more than 500 ready-to-go integrations, including with performance management specialists 15Five, applicant tracking system (ATS) JazzHR and background screening outfit Checkr.
Key Features:
- HR and payroll management
- Benefits administration
- Employee onboarding
- IT management.
Pricing:
Prices start from $8 per month per user.
Pros:
- All-in-one HR
- Payroll and benefits solution
- Intuitive interface
- Good customer support
Cons:
- Can be expensive for smaller businesses
- Limited integrations
- Occasional glitches in the platform
5.8 Zenefits – Best HR software for benefits administration
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
Core HR, payroll and benefits are the cornerstones of the Zenefits offering. It is one of the best HR software for 2023 if you are based in the US and looking to get a handle on health insurance in particular, helping you find the right provider for your business.
What makes Zenefits special?
Zenefits has a simple onboarding process that includes background checks and allows new hires to self-onboard. All staff information is synced between payroll, benefits and the digital document storage system.
The software also boasts a handy Business Intelligence platform, helping you to track data on compensation, equal opportunities, headcount and turnover.
Key Features:
- HR and benefits administration
- Compliance management
- Time and attendance tracking
Pricing:
Prices start from $8 per month per user, including automated onboarding, employee management, the analytics dashboard and integrations with SSO solutions like Okta, ATS like Greenhouse and accounting programs like QuickBooks.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Customizable workflows
- Strong compliance management features
- Integrated HR and benefits.
Cons:
- Limited report customization
- Occasional glitches
- High pricing for smaller businesses
5.9 Connecteam – Best HR software for deskless teams
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
If you work in a company where staff are often away from a computer (healthcare, retail) or moving between locations (cleaning services construction), Connecteam is probably the best HR software for 2023 for you.
What makes Connecteam special?
Designed for mobile devices, it has a robust app that enables you to keep track of teams wherever they are. The solution is designed around three hubs: operations (time clock with built-in GPS tracker, scheduling, task management); communications (company feed, chat function, knowledge base); and HR and skills (document storage, training courses, quiz tests).
The app also includes a recognition and rewards feature that means managers can acknowledge staff contributions with custom badges as well as give them tokens that convert into gift cards.
Key Features:
- Employee scheduling
- Time tracking
- Employee communication tools
- Task management
Pricing:
Connecteam is completely free for teams of fewer than 10 people, including access to all hubs and features. Prices for teams of 10 or more start from $29 per month per person for one hub.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Good for scheduling and communication
- Customizable forms and workflows.
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- No project management features
- Not suitable for larger businesses
5.10 ClickUp – Best HR software for basic employee management
Best For: Small to large-sized businesses
ClickUp is best known as a project management tool. Its interface makes it easy to visualize overall goals, track individual tasks, manage sprints and communicate with teams along the way.
What makes ClickUp special?
Similar to Monday, this makes it useful for a handful of specific HR functions, such as employee onboarding, document storage, workload management and performance tracking.
ClickUp allows you to program your own simple workflow automations, as well as borrow from its library of basic templates. As an added bonus, the company has an open API, so you can build your own custom integrations – or take advantage of existing ones with Zendesk, Clockify and Slack.
Key Features:
- Project management
- Agile methodology
- Collaboration tools
- Task tracking
Pricing:
Prices start from $5 a month for small teams.
Pros:
- Good for agile project management
- Customizable workflows
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- Not suitable for larger businesses
- Occasional glitches in the platform
5.11 Workday – Best HR software for enterprise businesses
Best For: Large enterprises
Workday has a number of products it offers as part of its suite, including financial planning, HCM and project management. Designed for large businesses, its strength lies in its ease of use for overseeing hundreds of employees.
What makes Workday special?
Its strongest HR features lie in its talent management, which provides comprehensive tools to manage, upskill and analyze staff, and the ease with which you can adapt your existing processes related to HR, benefits and other common functions.
There are a broad range of integrations available from the Workday marketplace, including with Salesforce, LinkedIn and Slack.
Key Features:
- HR and financial management
- Payroll processing
- Time tracking
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- All-in-one HR and financial management
- Strong payroll processing
- Excellent analytics and reporting
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive for smaller businesses
- Limited integrations
5.12 BambooHR – Best HR software for multiple functions in a single platform
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
Consistently described as one of the best HR software for 2023, BambooHR encompasses a broad swathe of functions, including employee experience, payroll, time and benefits, and hiring and onboarding.
What makes BambooHR special?
From running payroll and monitoring leave requests, to managing candidate applications and tracking staff satisfaction with NPS, the platform has everything an HR team needs to succeed.
The analytics dashboard allows you to generate reports on many of these areas, including workforce planning, personal time off usage and employee turnover. This allows you to make data-backed changes to improve your existing practices.
BambooHR has its own marketplace for different integrations, allowing you to sync up with ATS like JazzHR, payroll like CloudPay, and LMS like TalentLMS.
Key Features:
- HR management
- Performance management
- Applicant tracking
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- Strong HR management features
- Excellent employee self-service
- Customizable workflows
Cons:
- Limited payroll processing
- Can be expensive for smaller businesses
- Limited integrations
5.13 Gusto – Best HR software for payroll and tax
Best For: Small-sized businesses
Specializing in payroll and benefits, Gusto can help your organization manage and automate employee pay, as well as keep track of local, state and federal tax filings.
The software also features a time and attendance for remote staff, which is designed for mobile devices and includes a geolocation function.
What makes Gusto special?
As part of Gusto’s wider offering, you can also manage software provisioning, performance reviews and workforce costs using data-backed reports. Integrations are available with ATSs like JazzHR and Sapling.
Key Features:
- Payroll processing
- Benefits administration
- Time tracking
Pricing:
Prices start from $40 per month for the platform, plus $6 per month per person.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Strong payroll and benefits features
- Good customer support.
Cons:
- Limited HR features
- Can be expensive for larger businesses
- Limited integrations
5.14 Paychex – Best HR software for SMB payroll, LMS and hiring
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
Built with SMBs in mind, Paychex is a scalable solution for payroll, benefits and other general HR functions.
What makes Paychex special?
The platform allows you to run payroll and calculate taxes with just a few clicks of the mouse – or, indeed, a few taps on a mobile device.
Other features include an LMS with both pre-built courses and the option to make your own training, a streamlined onboarding process that is mobile-friendly and an ATS where you can automate hiring workflows.
Key Features:
- Payroll processing
- HR management
- Benefits administration
Pricing:
Prices are available upon request.
Pros:
- Strong payroll processing
- Good compliance management
- Good customer support
Cons:
- High pricing
- Some users report issues with software glitches
- Limited customization options
5.15 Onpay – Best HR software for full-service payroll for small businesses
Best For: Small to medium-sized businesses
Onpay is a payroll specialist with some benefits administration and core HR features.
What makes Onpay special?
All tax calculations are automated through the platform, which has a simple user interface and great usability. As part of the payroll functionality, you can integrate with other accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, as well as create custom reports that pull from up to 50 data points.
In addition to payroll, the software also allows you to build onboarding templates, securely store digital documents, monitor leave, and ensure you are fully compliant with local laws.
Key Features:
- Payroll processing
- Tax filing
- Compliance management
Pricing:
Prices start from $40 per month for the platform, plus $6 per month per person.
Pros:
- Easy-to-use payroll processing features
- Affordable pricing
- Comprehensive tax filing services
Cons:
- Limited HR features
- No benefits administration
- Limited integrations
6. FAQs
- Which is the best HR software?
HR software encompasses a broad range of solutions, from hiring and onboarding to employee management and payroll. Some companies prefer a one-stop-shop like Deel. Others would rather opt for the best point solution according to a category, such as Zenefits for benefits.
- What is HR software used for?
HR software can help automate repetitive workflows, freeing up staff to focus on more creative problem-solving tasks. This can act as a cost-saving measure as much as a productivity-boosting one.
- What should HR focus on in 2023?
The way companies employ and individuals work has changed enormously in the past few years. The best HR software for 2023 will help organizations confront these challenges, enabling more efficient hiring and onboarding processes for distributed teams, as well as better ways to manage performance for remote workers.
- What is the best-rated HR software?
The best HR systems for large companies may not be the best HR software for startups. According to the peer-to-peer software review site G2, Paylocity, Rippling and BambooHR are among the top performers. Tech consulting firm Gartner, on the other hand, favors Oracle Cloud HCM for enterprise businesses.
