The Best HRIS Software Reviewed for 2024

Why Trust Techopedia
Why Trust Techopedia

The best HRIS systems will help you organize and manage employee details, streamline hiring and onboarding, and automate payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, performance management, and HR reporting.

In this guide, we’ve reviewed the best HRIS software for small businesses and large, so you can find the right product to streamline your business’ HR function.

Best HRIS Systems 2024

The Best HRIS Systems Reviewed

Our reviews of human resource information systems (HRIS) focus on core HR functions, security, usability, and value for money. Learn more about how we approach our HR software reviews in our methodology.

Deel — Best HR software for global teams

Deel Logo

Starting Price $49/month for contractors
$599/month for EOR
Learning Management Tools ✅, Deel engage
Top Features Hiring and managing global employees
Customer Support 24/7 Live Chat, Email, and Phone
Why We Picked It

Deel is a robust global HR platform designed to facilitate every aspect of HR, from hiring and onboarding to employee management and payroll. It’s ideal for businesses of all sizes that are hiring full-time employees, freelancers, and contractors around the world, and it’s competitive with products like Remofirst and Multiplier.

The best thing about Deel is that you can get started with its core HR platform for free and purchase additional modules when the need arises.

Features

The platform facilitates onboarding by automating access to the apps you’re using, such as G-Suite and Slack, for all new hires. It also helps you collect all the required documents, ensuring you stay 100% compliant with global and local employment laws.

Deel also acts as a central data repository, meaning you’ll have all your employee data in one place. This makes it infinitely easier to manage expenses, handle time off, and distribute bonuses. You’ll be able to see every employee’s monthly and hourly rate and the number of hours worked.

Deel also provides tools to build organizational charts and share them with your employees so newcomers will be able to quickly see who they report to and who to contact if they have questions or encounter issues.

It can also help with sponsoring visas for employees in 30+ countries, classifying global contractors, automating payroll and invoicing, and providing customized, local benefits packages.

Pricing

The core Deel HR platform is free for up to 200 employees which you can integrate with the systems payroll and immigration support.

For its paid plans, Deel offers four different pricing tiers.

  • Contractors – $49/month per contractor
  • EOR – $500/month per employee
  • Global EOR – $599/month per employee
Who's It Best For?

Deel is one of the best HRIS software systems for global companies and is suitable for businesses of all sizes.

Pros pros

  • Manages international payroll efficiently
  • Easy to navigate and use
  • Supports business growth

Cons cons

  • Higher fees for advanced features
  • Limited integrations

Read our Deel review

Remofirst — Best for managing international payroll in 170+ countries

Remofirst Logo

Starting Price $25/month/user for contractors
$199/month/user for EOR
Learning Management Tools
Top Features Visa and relocation support
Customer Support 24/7 Dedicated Accounting Manager
Why We Picked It

Remofirst offers global Employer of Record (EOR), payroll, and benefits services. It can serve as an official employer for your global workforce, letting you legally and efficiently hire workers in over 160 countries around the globe.

This means you don’t need to set up local entities, saving you precious dollars and countless hours. It also helps you put together locally-compliant contracts, manage your workforce from one platform, and streamline payroll, tax filing, pension plans, and benefits.

As an Employer of Record, Remofirst can handle visa support on your behalf, so you don’t have to spend valuable time on this long and often convoluted process.

The service is available for over 65 countries, which makes Remofirst a better option than Deel – which covers 30+ countries – if you need to relocate workers around the world.

Features

Remofirst offers global healthcare through Remo Health. The premium health insurance package covers everything from check-ups to eye tests, dental treatment, and hospice care.

Remofirst is also extremely helpful for equipment provisioning and relocation. If you want to ensure your global employees have the best possible equipment so they can be super-productive, Remofirst will handle the ordering and shipping of laptops, chairs, tables, and other equipment around the world.

A feature you’ll appreciate is the employee cost calculator. This takes local employment laws, salary averages, and local benefits into account to give you an accurate estimate of the cost of an employee in a specific location. Remofirst doesn’t have as many integrations as some competitors, but it’s an excellent package.

Pricing

Remofirst has three pricing tiers:

  • Contractors – starts at $25/month per contractor
  • EOR – starts at $199/month per person
  • Agent of Record – Custom

You can also add services such as RemoHealth ($55/month/person), which includes health insurance for your employees, or equipment provisioning, bonuses, and visa and immigration services. These services are priced depending on your needs and the size of your business.

Who's It Best For?

Remofirst stands out thanks to its international payroll support, making it a good choice for companies with international employees who require relocation support.

Pros pros

  • Supports international recruitment and payroll
  • Cost-effective solution
  • Ensures global regulatory adherence

Cons cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Offers fewer advanced features

Read our Remofirst review

Paycor — Best HRIS payroll software management across niche industries

Paycor Logo

Starting Price Custom
Learning Management Tools
Top Features AI-written job descriptions and timekeeping
Customer Support 24/7 Live Chat
Why We Picked It

Paycor is a Human Capital Management (HCM) software product built to automate repetitive administrative tasks, mitigate compliance risks, streamline talent acquisition, facilitate workforce management, and transform benefits administration.

It’s arguably the most feature-rich solution on our list, which can be an advantage or a drawback, depending on your needs and your HR team’s level of technical knowledge and experience.

Features

At its heart, Paycor helps you sort employee information, review and update everything from time cards and rates of pay to contact information, and manage expenses from a single platform. It also allows you to automate HR workflows, facilitate employee communications, and streamline HR tasks with reminders and notifications.

When it comes to talent acquisition, Paycor works as a fully featured ATS (Applicant Tracking System), helping you create AI-powered job descriptions, track each candidate’s progress in your hiring funnel, automatically source candidates, and efficiently onboard the best individuals.

You can offer flexible timekeeping options, with mobile punch-in and PIN entry, check every employee’s hours on a unified dashboard, create custom time-off rules, and schedule shifts to organize your entire workforce.

This helps you stay in control of your labor costs, effectively manage workloads, and ensure maximum productivity while reducing unplanned overtime costs. Paycor also simplifies benefits administration, helping your employees find the right plan for them and improving utilization through an open enrollment platform.

Pricing

For small businesses, Paycor offers four pricing tiers:

  • Basic – Basic HR tools and payroll services
  • Essential – Basic plus onboarding, analytics, and support center
  • Core – Essential plus career management
  • Complete – Core plus talent development and pro analytics

For companies with over 50 employees, all plans are bespoke to your business needs.

Who's It Best For?

Paycor is one of the best HRIS systems for large companies thanks to its fantastic automation capabilities for day-to-day HR tasks and standout ATS.

Pros pros

  • User-friendly interface
  • Robust reporting and analytics
  • Can scale with your business

Cons cons

  • Can become expensive

Read our Paycor review

GoCo — Best for time-saving workflow automations and modular pricing

goco-logo

Starting Price $5/month per user
Learning Management Tools ❌, via Integration
Top Features Document management and dynamic file sharing
Customer Support 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone
Why We Picked It

GoCo is an all-in-one HRIS system that helps you collate your employee records and documents and manage time off requests, onboarding, benefits administration, and payroll.

Where GoCo truly shines is document management. It enables you to do away with spreadsheets and third-party services like Notion by letting you create, upload, store, and share all your essential documents within the GoCo HR platform.

You can also streamline performance management with custom templates, notes, and dynamic review fields, automate benefits administration, simplify enrollment with self-service, and fast-track your payroll runs with Embedded Payroll powered by Gusto.

Features

GoCo allows you to create custom fields, convert existing digital documents into fillable forms, simplify compliance workflows, share handbooks and knowledge bases, and even send secure links with all the relevant documentation for new hires.

Another area where GoCo excels is employee onboarding. It allows you to create a fully customizable onboarding process that includes step-by-step instructions to ensure new hires get settled in as quickly as possible.

GoCo isn’t a full ATS platform like PayCor, but it can seamlessly integrate with other software, so information you’ve collected in the interview process can be automatically transferred to the GoCo platform, eliminating the need for doubling up data entry.

GoCo also makes it easy to handle time off requests. Employees can request time off from their GoCo dashboards, and managers can quickly approve with a single click. The platform automatically tracks accruals, max balances, and other key aspects of your PTO policy.

Pricing

GoCo’s pricing starts from $5/month per user. To get an accurate quote, however, you have to choose a base plan (premium, premium HR + benefits, Premium HR + payroll, or Premium HR + benefits and payroll) and select any add-ons (like recruiting or time management).

Who's It Best For?

Businesses requiring automated workflows that are on a budget can’t go wrong with GoCo. Thos is one of the top HRIS systems for midsize companies thanks to it’s affordable price-point and modular approach.

Pros pros

  • Flexible and customizable
  • Responsive customer support
  • Sleek platform that’s easy to learn

Cons cons

  • Limited third-party integrations
  • Limited mobile app functionality

Greenhouse — Best for casting a wider net for recruitment

Greenhouse_logo

Starting Price Custom pricing
Learning Management Tools ❌, via Integration
Top Features Hiring and onboarding new employees
Customer Support 24/7 Dedicated Account Manager
Why We Picked It

Greenhouse is a hiring and onboarding platform designed to structure your entire hiring process. It will help you find and engage top talent, leverage actionable data for smarter hiring decisions, and efficiently onboard new hires.

The main advantage of Greenhouse is that it lets you quickly reach top talent around the world, allowing you to build a pipeline of qualified candidates for virtually any position.

This is done by optimizing and posting job ads on over 1,000+ job boards. The platform even offers recommendations based on industry and historical performance so you can reach the right candidates faster.

That said, Greenhouse is solely for hiring and onboarding, so you’ll need another platform for benefits and payroll or to look at a more comprehensive solution like Deel or Remofirst.

Features

Greenhouse makes it easy to reach out to candidates with the right skills and experience and collect their contact information and, thanks to real-time notifications, tasks, and alerts, your HR managers and department heads can monitor candidate journeys through the hiring funnel.

Another reason to opt for Greenhouse as your hiring platform is that it ensures your hiring process is fair and equitable.

It relies on measurement tools, in-the-moment nudges, and scorecards of key skills/attributes to minimize unconscious bias, helping ensure you hire the right person for the job based solely on skills, knowledge, and experience.

When it comes to onboarding, Greenhouse lets you automate the entire process with specific tasks new hires need to complete and documents they need to sign. It also makes it easy to share resources, introduce hires to their teams, and familiarize new starters with company policies and culture.

Pricing

Greenhouse bases its pricing on the size of your business and offers three plans to choose from with growing complexity.

In order to get an accurate quote you can either request a demo, or click the link below.

Who's It Best For?

Greenhouse is an excellent choice for growing businesses that focus on hiring and onboarding. With in-depth hiring capabilities and measurement tools, it’s suitable for companies with an in-house team that want to streamline processes.

Pros pros

  • Excellent and robust recruitment tools
  • Intuitive and modern platform
  • Strong reporting capabilities

Cons cons

  • Initial setup can be tricky
  • Can become expensive for smaller businesses

Bambee – Best for risk mitigation

Bambee Logo

Starting Price $99/month
Learning Management Tools
Top Features Company Policy Management, Real Time Chat Service for Employees & HR Communication
Customer Support 24/7 Dedicated Account Manager
Why We Picked It
Bambee made our HRIS software list because it focuses on assisting businesses in navigating labor regulations and internal HR policies. From hiring and onboarding new employees, Bambee is a suitable HRIS for small businesses as it provides everything you need to get started, such as setting up folders and memos to internal communication tools. All of these ensure that employees are properly managed even as your organization complies with labor regulations.

We love its ease of communication, allowing business owners to contact their HR manager by phone, email, or direct chat during business hours.

Features
As you sign up for Bambee, you get access to a dedicated HR who helps onboard and audit your HR processes. This is an effective method for identifying areas in your people management process that need improvement.

Bambee also helps create staff folders to help manage internal compliance. These staff folders guarantee that the correct files are available, compliant, and signed by everyone on your team.

With real-time chat service, employees can easily communicate with their HR manager, while business owners may have a confidential conversation with HR.

Pricing
Bambee offers flexible and transparent pricing options based on the number of employees in an organization. See the table below for information on its full price.
  • No employees yet –  $99/month –This plan is designed to help start-ups hire their first employee compliantly.
  • 1-4 Employees – $899/month – This plan focuses on helping businesses build confidence in managing their employees with relevant HR tools. To get started, businesses must pay a $500 one-time setup fee.
  • 5-19 Employees – $1199/month – The plan includes everything in the 1-4 employees, but with HR support for up to 19 employees, 4 custom HR policies, and 4 job descriptions. The same one-time setup fee applies.
  • 20-49 Employees – $1499/month – This plan focuses on growing teams to operate better with HR tools. Plus $1,500 one-time setup fee.
  • 50-70 Employees – $3899/month – This plan is for organizations growing their teams to comply with internal and labor policies. Its setup fee is $2,000.
  • 71+ Employees – Custom – This is a customized plan with custom pricing designed to meet the needs of growing businesses.

Bambee does not offer free plans but allows you to schedule an overview call to learn how the software can help your business.

Who's It Best For?

Bambee is highly suitable for organizations that need comprehensive HRIS software to manage employees and maintain compliance. Both startups and large enterprises can benefit from Bambee, which helps them facilitate transparency and resolve conflict.

Pros pros

  • Access to dedicated HR professionals
  • Ensures regulatory compliance
  • Suitable HRIS for small businesses

Cons cons

  • Few advances HR tools
  • Less flexibility in workflows

Read our Bambee review

Rippling – Best for automating employee management

Rippling Logo

Starting Price $8/month/user
Learning Management Tools ✅, Added fee
Top Features Onboarding Automation, Compliance 360, Advanced Reports
Customer Support 24/7 Live Support
Why We Picked It
Rippling is a comprehensive HRIS solution for automating HR tasks. Its wide suite of tools allows you to integrate different features that simplifies life for both employees and HR. Employees may access the portal via a user-friendly and responsive mobile application.

As an HR department, Rippling also provides individualized learning programs to help workers enhance current skills and develop new ones.

Features
Rippling’s HCM automates the whole employee lifecycle, from hiring to management to offboarding. Once an employee’s information is entered into Rippling, it provides the employee letter, benefits enrollment, training, and more—all tailored to the specific employee.

Its Compliance 360 feature automatically highlights local, state, and federal issues and advises a course of action for each.

Also, Rippling’s report is so thorough that it allows you to track recruiting against open headcount quickly. Its dashboard shows progress based on location, start date, cost, and other factors.

Pricing
Rippling starts at $8 a month, per user. Its general pricing is quote-based and depends on the module chosen, additional features selected, and the number of users.

Its flexible pricing format allows different businesses to benefit without overpaying or paying for services not relevant to them.
Although Rippling does not offer a free plan, you can schedule a 30-minute product demo with its Q&A experts.

Who's It Best For?

Rippling is a good option for businesses that need an easy-to-use system to help automate HR activities, specifically onboarding and offboarding processes.

Pros pros

  • Comprehensive all-in-one solution
  • Intuitive automation features
  • Suitable to scale with business growth

Cons cons

  • Reports of inconsistent customer support

Read our Rippling review

Gusto – Best for payroll processing

Gusto Logo

Starting Price $40/month, plus $6/mo per person
Learning Management Tools
Top Features Unlimited Payroll Runs, Wide Range of Health and Financial Benefits, Talent Management
Customer Support 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone
Why We Picked It
Gusto is our go-to software for everything payroll processing and management. It automates all HR activities, simplifying startup and established organizations’ payroll and staff management issues. Gusto can help startups swiftly complete complex HR operations, including tax filing and payment, state tax registration, 1099 creation, employee profiles, and self-service. Furthermore, firms with global teams will benefit from Gusto’s ability to handle different pay rates and schedules.
Features
Gusto helps you to automate payroll tasks so you can focus on other aspects of your business. It also offers monthly unlimited payroll processing, making it suitable for any business size.

With Gusto, you can create healthcare packages and financial benefits for your employees. Its health insurance plans offer medical, dental, life, and vision coverage, trusted benefits advisors, HSA and FSA, and guidance around new regulations and deadlines.

Gusto also offers performance tools for organizations to prioritize employee development with tailored solutions. These tools, including reviews, training, and developmental tools, let you guide your staff down a clear path for growth.

Pricing
Gusto price options are in three tiers to support different business needs.
  • Simple – $40/month, plus $6/month per person
  • Plus – $80/month plus $12/month per person (Save 25% for the first 3 months)
  • Premium – Custom price – This is a scalable option designed to support the complex needs of growing teams. It features a dedicated customer success manager, HR resource center, R&D tax credit discount, priority support, and more.

Gusto also offers contractor-only businesses a discounted base price of $0/mo for 6 months. Businesses in this category can benefit from features such as unlimited contractor payments across all 50 states, 4-day direct deposit, 1099-NECs at the end of the year, and more.

Who's It Best For?

Gusto is a good alternative for organizations of all sizes and with many employee types (e.g., full-time, part-time, employee, or contractor) that require an integrated payroll processing tool.

Pros pros

  • Encompasses payroll, benefits, and HR tools
  • Affordable pricing compared to competitors
  • Easy-to-use mobile app

Cons cons

  • Lacks more advanced HR tools
  • Initial set-up takes a while

Read our Gusto review

TriNet – Best for up-to-date HR compliance

TriNet Logo

Starting Price $8 per employee per month
Learning Management Tools ✅, via Integration
Top Features Compensation Management, Employee Engagement Surveys, HR Consulting Expertise
Customer Support 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone
Why We Picked It
TriNet made our list of the top HRIS software for HR compliance and risk reduction because it has specific capabilities for automatically monitoring company compliance. Its compliance checks include workers’ compensation and safety, payroll compliance, benefits compliance, and employment practices risk management.

As employment regulations are ever-changing, TriNet’s experts help you to keep up with updates and avoid penalties.

Features
Using TriNet helps you easily tie compensation practices with your business goals. It offers a comprehensive compensation workflow which helps you gather valuable data from thousands of employees, which could guide your decision-making process.

Another common feature is employee engagement surveys. TriNet works with you to achieve the happy workplace you dreamed of by offering you tools to engage your employees. It starts with gathering helpful insights through surveys to help you better understand your employees and take necessary actions.

TriNet’s HR consulting services also ensure total compliance across your business processes. Its specialized guidance on employment-related rules and regulations helps you prevent risks that may affect the smooth running of your business.

Pricing
TriNet offers a competitive price plan that is available in three tiers.
  • Essentials – Trinet’s Essential plan is suitable for small businesses that only need a basic HR platform.
  • Growth – This plan is designed for businesses seeking an HR platform with data analytics.
  • Zen – This complete HR plan includes payroll processing and employee engagement tools.

While TriNet supports companies of all sizes, pricing starts at a 5 employee minimum. Also, new customers not subscribed to a TriNet HR Platform base plan must purchase an annual subscription and pay upfront.

Who's It Best For?

TriNet is suitable for businesses needing assistance with the overall compliance of their HR processes with expert advice.

Pros pros

  • Access to HR experts
  • Includes a wide range of employee benefits
  • Suitable for growing businesses

Cons cons

  • The user interface could be better
  • Inconsistent customer support

Read our TriNet review

Paychex – Best for easy usage

Paychex Flex Logo

Starting Price Custom
Learning Management Tools
Top Features Complete HR Solutions, Screening & Employee Onboarding Services, Job Costing
Customer Support 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone
Why We Picked It
Paychex is a good HRIS software option for those who are looking to streamlining HR processes with an easy-to-use platform. As a cloud-based HR solution, you can access it from any location and automate your HR tasks. We love its employee self-service, which empowers employees to access and manage their personal information on any device.
Features
Beyond the general talent hiring and management, Paychex ensures screening and background checks to create a positive hiring experience. Its paperless onboarding process also helps new hires get up to speed quickly and efficiently.

Paychex also conducts in-depth job costing to evaluate the profitability of your business and make data-driven decisions. You can evaluate your labor costs with data pulled from employees’ time tracking and attendance.

Paychex’s complete HR solution helps manage your day-to-day business and gain access to employee benefits and dedicated HR expertise.

Pricing
Paychex pricing is based on the size of your business and offers three plans to choose from with growing complexity. Its solutions range from self-employed to enterprise.

You can request a demo via the website to get an accurate quote.

Who's It Best For?

Paychex is appropriate for organizations of all sizes because it provides scalable and unique features for each business size. Startups will also benefit from its simple design, features, and accessibility across mobile apps.

Pros pros

  • Easy-to-learn platform for beginners
  • Includes a wide range of HR tools
  • Includes payroll processing
  • Will scale with your business

Cons cons

  • Can become expensive
  • Limited integration options

Read our Paychex review

The Top HRIS Systems Compared

Provider Best For Starting Price Free Trial Onboarding Time Tracking Staff Evaluations
Deel Hiring and managing global talent $49/month for contractors, $599/month for EOR Deel HR is free for teams of up to 200 Yes Yes Yes
Remofirst Visa support, private healthcare, and relocation $25/month per user for contractors, $199/month per user for EOR Demo Yes Yes No
Paycor Payroll management across niche industries Not public Demo Yes Yes Yes
GoCo Workflow automations and modular pricing $5/month per user Demo Yes Yes Yes
Greenhouse Building a robust pipeline of qualified candidates Not public Demo Yes No No
ClearCompany Talent management Quote-based Demo Yes No Yes
Rippling Creating a unified source of truth for your organization $8/month per user Demo Yes Yes Yes
Paychex Flex Expediting payroll Quote-based N/A Yes Yes No
Factorial HR automation $6.20/month per user 7-day trial Yes Yes Yes
Connecteam Workforce management Free for up to 10 users 14-day trial Yes Yes Yes
Arcoro Construction companies Quote-based Demo Yes Yes Yes
Bambee Outsourcing HR to a dedicated HR manager $99/month 30 days for $1 Yes No Yes
TriNet Risk mitigation Quote-based N/A Yes Yes Yes
Insperity Full-service HR Quote-based N/A Yes Yes Yes
Justworks Hiring and onboarding remote teams $59/month per user Demo Yes Yes No
Workable Large firms sourcing and evaluating candidates $149/month 15-day trial Yes No No
Eddy Time tracking and PTO management $6/month per user 14-day trial Yes Yes No
Zenefits Benefits administration $8/month per user 14-day trial Yes Yes Yes
UZIO Automating pay runs $6.50/month per user 30-day trial Yes Yes No
Beams.ai Employee engagement and recognition $3.20/month per user Free up to 10 users No No No
HR.my Free attendance and leave management Free Free-forever plan No Yes No
monday.com CRM and project management integration $8/month per user Free up to 2 users Yes Yes Yes
iSpring Learn Employee learning and development $4.08/month per user 30-day trial Yes No Yes
IntelliHR Talent retention and employee engagement Quote-based Demo Yes No Yes
Peoplebox Performance management $7/month per user 14-day trial No No Yes
Sage HR Streamlining HR functions $5.50/month per user 30-day trial Yes Yes Yes
Kallidus Sapling Employee lifecycle management Quote-based Demo Yes No Yes
SixFifty Creating customized employee handbooks Quote-based Demo No No No
Cezanne HR Fast to implement HR tools Quote-based Demo Yes Yes Yes
BambooHR Organizing and managing employee information Not public Free trial Yes Yes Yes

Methodology

How We Review And Test HR Products

To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular HR products on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:

  • Features: We examine each product’s features to determine what capabilities are offered, and how well it performs crucial HR management tasks, such as tracking a sick leave.
  • Integrations: We evaluate the integrations of each piece of HR software to determine how well it fits in with other key pieces in a business’s software stack, and whether its functionality can be expanded as required.
  • User Experience: Usability is paramount when it comes to HR software. That’s why we put ourselves in the shoes of a new user, testing each platform to gain a firsthand understanding if the platform is easy to use or requires onboarding.
  • Price and Value for Money: Our approach to pricing involves a thorough review of the structure and plans offered by each platform. Beyond just the initial cost, we delve into the details to assess affordability and value for money.
  • Security: We dig into the security policies of each company, interrogating the safeguards they have in place to ensure the software protects user data properly.
  • Compliance: A critical requirement for most HR departments, we assess HR software on whether it offers local compliance when it comes to payroll, taxes, and more.
  • Reporting and Documentation: We look at the reporting and documentation capabilities of each software to make sure they offer comprehensive data sets, takeaways, and collaboration options for documentation.

What is HRIS Software?

HRIS (Human Resource Information Systems) software programs are comprehensive tools designed to streamline various HR tasks and processes.

These systems help HR departments manage employee data and their workforce efficiently and effectively. Many systems include core HR functions such as payroll processes, applicant tracking systems, performance reviews, and workforce planning, but they are not limited to just these.

Simply put, it’s a comprehensive suite of management tools, and HR solutions that help human resources manage employee information and data.

Types of HRIS Systems

Not all HRIS solutions are the same, and there are many different types of HR systems available on the market. The four types of HRIS are operational, strategic, tactical, and comprehensive.

  • Operational HRIS focuses on day-to-day HR tasks and transactions that HR administrators undertake.
  • Strategic HRIS assists in long-term work planning and aligning HR strategies with business goals.
  • Tactical HRIS helps middle managers make informed decisions through data analysis and reporting.
  • Comprehensive HRIS combines features of the other types, offering a broad range of functions to support human resources management and organizational needs.

In addition to the above types of HRIS systems, there are also on-premise and cloud-based options. But what’s the difference between on-premise and cloud-based HR software?

  • On-premise — Runs on-site, usually within the company’s infrastructure. Managed by the company.
  • Cloud-based — Run by a third party, with no in-house requirements for upkeep. Simply install and use.

What’s the Difference Between HRIS, HCM, and HRMS Solutions?

HRIS, HRMS, and HCM overlap in core HR functionality, with HRMS and HCM systems offering more advanced features.

HRIS HRMS HCM
Definition Human Resource Information System Human Resource Management System Human Capital Management
Who’s it for HR Professionals, Employees HR Professionals, Employees, Managers HR Professionals, Employees, Managers, Stakeholders
Key Features
  • Employee information
  • Payroll
  • Benefits
  • Time tracking
  • Reporting
+
  • Onboarding
  • Recruiting
  • Applicant tracking system
  • Performance management
  • Employee engagement
  • Analytics
+
  • Advanced reporting
  • Advanced analytics
  • LMS
  • Compensation
  • Industry benchmarks

Nowadays, however, the subtle distinctions between the terms have faded, and they’re mostly used interchangeably. Businesses aren’t simply looking for a place to store their employees’ data but rather robust management systems that can help streamline every aspect of HR.

Amanda RajkumarHR Expert
EXPERT INSIGHT

“In my career, I’ve experienced firms with a lack of investment in systems across HR departments – they seem low priority but they could not be more important.”

What Can HRIS Systems Do for a Small Business?

There are many benefits of having a human resource information system in place, regardless of how big or small your business is.

Small businesses, in particular, will greatly benefit from the improved organization and enhanced efficiency these services provide, as well as the insights gathered from keeping accurate records of all employees in one place.

Streamlined Applicant Tracking

It will prove invaluable for a growing team. Rather than manually tracking everything in spreadsheets and wasting time connecting names to emails, portfolios, and test assignments, you’ll have all the info on each candidate organized in a comprehensive candidate profile.

Fast and Accurate Payroll Runs

It helps ensure everyone in the company gets paid correctly and on time and eliminates the possibility of human error. Payroll runs will be faster, and you can get accurate information on hours worked for each employee. It also takes into account paid and unpaid leave, sick leave, vacations, overtime, and taxes.

Hassle-Free Benefits Administration

Keeping track of who signed up for what benefits and what services they’ve used can be tiresome. With an HRIS, you’ll see exactly what people applied for, which services are the most used, and how many days off every employee has at any given time.

Accurate Time and Attendance Tracking

With an HRIS, you can do away with attendance spreadsheets. Everyone’s attendance is tracked from the moment they log into their work computer, so you’ll see exactly when everyone came in and how many hours they put in each day.

Compliance

Most businesses need to collect and store data on employees for compliance reasons. On top of basic information like names, phone numbers, and addresses, you’ll likely need emergency contact details, citizen identification information for taxes, and expiration dates for licenses and certifications. It’s often required that this is stored on secure online servers to adhere to GDPR rules, for example – so you can’t rely on Excel.

A Data-Driven HR Strategy

With all the key HR data at your fingertips, it’ll be much easier to develop an efficient strategy and improve aspects of your business, like onboarding, training, capacity planning, engaging and retaining employees, and achieving alignment with core company values.

In short, an HRIS makes it easy to collect, store, and maintain employee data, streamlines every HR and admin task, and provides you with the vital information you need to make smart business decisions and ensure productivity.

The Key Benefits of Using a Top HRIS System

Using HRIS software programs offers numerous benefits to organizations. Let’s explore some of them below:

  1. Become Data-Driven: HRIS systems provide access to a wealth of HR-related data. This data can be analyzed to identify traits, patterns, and areas for improvement. By making data-driven decisions, organizations can optimize their HR processes and strategies.
  2. Increased Empowerment: Employee self-service portals in HRIS software empower employees to manage their HR-related tasks independently. This includes updating personal information, viewing pay stubs, and requesting time off. It reduces the administrative burden on HR teams and empowers employees to take control of their HR needs.
  3. Reduces Cost: Automation and efficiency improvements achieved through HRIS software often lead to cost savings. Organizations can reduce the need for manual data entry, paperwork, and administrative overhead.
  4. Real-Time Information Access: HRIS systems provide real-time access to employee data, allowing HR professionals to make informed decisions quickly. This is especially valuable for handling urgent matters and responding to employee inquiries promptly.
  5. Insight Discovery: HRIS software enables the analysis of historical and current HR data to uncover patterns and insights. This can be used for strategic workforce planning, talent management, and employee engagement initiatives.
  6. Scalability: As organizations grow, HR needs often become more complex. HRIS software is scalable and can adapt to accommodate larger workforces and structural changes. It can handle the increased volume of data and HR processes without major disruptions.
  7. Improving the Quality of Reports: HRIS platforms generate accurate and consistent reports, improving the quality of HR analytics and management reports. This enhances decision-making and ensures that HR data is reliable for various stakeholders.
  8. Transparency and Accessibility: HRIS software promotes transparency in HR processes by providing a centralized platform for managing employee information and transactions. Employees can access their data, request time off, and track their benefits, which enhances transparency and reduces the need for HR to handle routine tasks.

How Does HRIS Help Employees?

While an HR system has many benefits for employers, what benefits does it have for employees? We’ve listed the top five benefits for employees below.

  • New Employee Onboarding —A human resources information system makes onboarding a breeze, providing clarity and clear tasks for new employees. The best onboarding providers include automated processes for new starter tasks, document collection, and performance management.
  • Employee Self-Service Features — HR management software will have a platform for employees, centralizing employee data, where they can manage their information, view pay stubs, and request PTO.
  • Human Resource Information — HR administrators can streamline data collection by assigning digital tasks to employees to update their information. This makes the process easier for everyone and ensures regulatory compliance.
  • Employee Performance — Keep track of your employee performance and performance reviews by having them in one place, available to view and update during 1:1s. This gives employees more accountability and the possibility to view their performance throughout the entire employee lifecycle.
  • Organizational Understanding — The most popular HRIS systems have organizational charts and send out company-wide information making it easier for employees to understand business goals and structure.

How to Implement HRIS Systems in Your Organization

Simply follow our step-by-step guide to implement an HRIS in your company.

  1. Identify the project team and leader

    Appoint a project lead within the project team. To streamline HR processes, select a range of staff from different departments like HR personnel, IT, and Ops managers.
  2. Build out the project plan and change management strategy

    How long will the implementation take, what is required to make it successful, and how can the business support employees during the change? These are questions that need to be answered to guarantee a successful HRIS implementation.
  3. Migrate existing data

    All information in the existing employee database needs to be migrated to the new system. This includes payroll processing, applicant tracking, and any other stored information. Compliance management is important to ensure this is done in alignment with laws and regulations.
  4. Train your employees

    All users need comprehensive training on the new human resource information system. This can be in-person training, online, and via workshops. Make sure to collect feedback to ensure all employees are receiving training and understand how to use the new system.
  5. Launch your new HRIS

    You’re now ready to launch your new human resources management system! Make sure the IT team is ready to catch any bugs that may come up and have your self-help resources ready.
  6. For a more in-depth guide, check out our Guide to Implementing an HR System.

    How to Choose the Best Human Resource Information System

    Choosing the best HRIS systems for your organization is a critical decision that can significantly impact your HR operations and overall business efficiency. Here are some key factors to consider when selecting a human resource management system:

    Feature-to-Price ValueFeaturesEase-of-useReputation of the ProviderIntegrationsData SecurityCost of Scaling

    Feature-to-Price Value – Evaluating the features offered with the price you’re paying helps you identify the best value for your organization’s specific needs.

    You’ll be able to prioritize functionalities that are essential for your HR processes and workforce management, avoiding unnecessary expenses on features that may not be relevant.

    This approach ensures that you not only meet your HR requirements but also optimize your budget, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective HRIS solution that fits with your organization’s goals and resources.

    Features – Each organization has its own HR processes, compliance requirements, and employee management needs. By carefully evaluating the features of different types of HRIS systems, you can ensure that they provide the tools necessary to streamline your HR operations effectively.

    The right features can save time, reduce errors, and improve overall HR efficiency in areas ranging from payroll and benefits management to recruitment, onboarding, and reporting.

    Select an HRIS software solution with the right mix of features to ensure that your HR department can operate smoothly, enhance employee satisfaction, and contribute to your organization’s overall success.

    Ease-of-use – An intuitive and user-friendly interface ensures that the HR team, managers, and employees can quickly navigate the system without extensive training or support. This, in turn, leads to a smoother implementation process and reduces the learning curve for all users.

    Additionally, an intuitive interface can enhance overall user satisfaction, making it more likely that employees will actively engage with the system to access self-service features, request time off, review benefits, and participate in HR-related activities.

    Reputation of the Provider – The reputation of the software provider serves as a crucial indicator of the software’s reliability, support quality, and long-term viability. A reputable provider is more likely to offer a robust and well-tested product, ensuring your HR processes run smoothly and securely.

    Additionally, established providers typically have a track record of delivering updates, addressing issues, and providing responsive customer support, which is vital for the successful implementation and ongoing use of the HRIS software.

    Choosing a reputable provider safeguards your investment and ensures the system can adapt to evolving HR needs.

    Integrations – Integrations can significantly enhance the functionality and efficiency of your HR processes. For instance, integrating your HRIS with your payroll software ensures accurate and automatic data transfer, reducing errors and saving time.

    Integrations with recruitment platforms streamline the hiring process, while connections to time and attendance systems simplify attendance tracking.

    Moreover, integrating with benefits administration tools ensures your HRIS remains up-to-date with benefits data, enhancing compliance and employee experience. This can be particularly important when looking for the best HRIS systems for midsize companies.

    Data Security – Data security should be paramount when selecting HRIS software because HRIS systems store and manage sensitive employee data. Neglecting data security can lead to severe consequences, including data breaches, identity theft, legal liabilities, and reputational damage.

    A robust HRIS system should incorporate stringent security measures, such as encryption, access controls, regular security updates, and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, depending on your location and industry.

    By prioritizing data security, you can safeguard your employees’ personal information and ensure compliance with data privacy laws.

    Cost of Scaling – While a basic HRIS system might meet your current requirements, as your company expands, so will the demands on your HR processes.

    If the software can’t accommodate growth efficiently, it may necessitate expensive upgrades or even a complete system overhaul down the line.

    Therefore, evaluating how the HRIS software can scale to accommodate more employees, additional locations, or changing business requirements is essential for long-term cost-effectiveness. This ensures that your investment continues to support your organization effectively without incurring unexpected expenses.

    FAQs

    What are HRIS platforms used for?

    What are some examples of HRIS systems?

    Are HRIS systems hard to learn?

    Are HRIS solutions secure?

    What is the best HRIS system for small businesses?

    What are the top 5 HRIS systems?

    John Iwuozor
    Tech Writer
    John Iwuozor
    Tech Writer

    John Iwuozor is a writer at Techopedia with over three years of experience and expertise covering topics on HR, business software, IT security, and finance for small and medium-sized businesses. His work has been featured on reputable platforms like Forbes Advisor and EsecurityPlanet. Leveraging his background in mathematics and data analysis, he specializes in delivering original and high-quality content with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.