Introduction
Picking the right HR software solution is critical for organizations of all sizes. A feature-rich platform that streamlines processes like recruiting, onboarding, benefits enrollment and payroll administration can significantly boost productivity and the employee experience. This comprehensive guide examines 15 top vendors based on offerings, functionality, customer service and industry reputation to help you find the best fit.
Methods of Evaluation
Each software provider is evaluated based on platform features, pricing, ease of use and customer support. Additional criteria include number of client implementations, integrated capabilities like payroll and benefits administration, and mobile functionality for anytime access. Research analysts also examined third party reviews, client testimonials, industry awards and rank. Finally, metrics like number of backlinks, monthly traffic and keyword search trends were leveraged to determine the most recognized companies leading the HR technology space.
1. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a leading work execution platform that helps organisations plan, capture, manage, automate and report on work at scale. Founded in 2005 with headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, Smartsheet offers a flexible, security-rich platform to simplify collaborative work for teams of all sizes.
Pros: Key advantages of Smartsheet include:
– Focus on work execution with robust project management tools
– Collaboration features streamline tasks like onboarding, reviews and more
– Platform agnostic and highly configurable for unique business needs
Cons: There are a few potential disadvantages to consider with Smartsheet:
– Lacks some advanced AI/automation capabilities compared to competitors
– Closed source platform so customization may require developer resources
Pricing: Smartsheet offers tiered paid plans starting from $15/user per month for the Basic plan up to $35/user per month for the Enterprise plan. Pricing is based on the number of users and includes additional features and administrative controls with each higher tier.
Some key stats about Smartsheet include:
– Used by over 90,000 organizations including 58% of the Forbes Global 500
– Over 85 million worksheets created on the platform
– Available in over 180 countries worldwide
2. iCIMS
iCIMS is a leading provider of talent acquisition software. Founded in 2000, iCIMS offers a full talent acquisition suite that covers recruiting, onboarding, compliance and talent marketplace capabilities. With continuous innovation, iCIMS remains competitive by addressing enterprises’ evolving recruiting needs.
Pros: Some key advantages of iCIMS include:
– Full talent acquisition platform ideal for large enterprises’ complex needs
– Intuitive user interface for both recruiters and candidates
– Strategic sourcing and engagement tools to attract top talent
– Global capabilities to source and hire talent anywhere
– Flexible deployment options including on-premise and cloud
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the full capabilities of iCIMS may be overkill for smaller organizations with less complex recruiting needs who could be better served by a less costly applicant tracking system (ATS).
Pricing: iCIMS pricing is typically based on the number of open jobs, placed candidates or annual spend with the recruiting organization. Custom pricing proposals are available for enterprise clients looking for strategic commitments but generally annual subscriptions start around $5,000 per year for basic ATS functionality.
Some key stats about iCIMS include:
– Over 4,000 customers worldwide including Fortune 500 companies
– Processes over 30 million job applications annually
– Supports 150+ countries/territories for global hiring
– Ranks as a leader in Magic Quadrant for Candidate Experience by Gartner
3. Workable
Workable is a leading recruiting software and applicant tracking system (ATS) that helps teams find candidates, evaluate applicants and make the right hire faster. Founded in 2013, Workable now serves over 2,000+ customers worldwide. Their comprehensive talent acquisition platform goes beyond the basic ATS by offering assessment tools, analytics and other features to optimize the hiring process.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Workable include:
– Robust ATS functionality for posting jobs, handling applications and communications
– Performance review and feedback tools to improve hiring decisions
– Analytics and reporting dashboards to measure hiring metrics and ROI
– Tools to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in hiring like name-blind screening
Cons: The main disadvantage is the pricing – while flexible, Workable is on the more expensive side compared to some other ATS options. The free plan also has limited functionality.
Pricing: Workable offers three pricing tiers – Startup, Professional and Enterprise. Pricing starts from $99 per month for the basic Startup plan covering up to 100 jobs and 5 users. The Professional plan is $249 per month and expands functionality. Custom Enterprise plans with dedicated support are also available for large customer needs.
Some key stats about Workable include:
– Over 2,000 customers globally across industries like tech, retail, healthcare and more
– Processes over 50 million applications per year
– 12+ languages supported to reach global candidate pools
– Integrations with 200+ other apps including LinkedIn, Greenhouse, Indeed and Google Cloud
4. ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter is a leading online job recruitment platform and HR software. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Santa Monica, California, ZipRecruiter has helped businesses of all sizes find qualified candidates for their job openings through their robust online network.
Pros: Some of the main advantages of ZipRecruiter include:
– Robust applicant tracking software (ATS) that streamlines the hiring process from posting jobs to tracking applications and scheduling interviews
– Excellent job distribution network that gets job listings in front of highly qualified candidates fast
– Easy-to-use yet powerful features that allow businesses to efficiently manage recruiting and hiring
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that ZipRecruiter’s free plan only allows for basic capabilities. Additional features require paid subscription plans starting at $250/month.
Pricing: ZipRecruiter offers three pricing tiers for businesses:
– Starter Plan: Free basic posting and applicant tracking functionality.
– Pro Plan: Starts at $250/month and offers advanced ATS features and support.
– Enterprise Plan: Custom enterprise-level solutions starting at $500/month.
Some key stats about ZipRecruiter include:
– Over 100 million users including job seekers and businesses
– Processes over 1 million job applications and inquiries daily
– Posts jobs to over 100 job boards with a single upload
5. BambooHR
BambooHR is an HR software provider that offers a complete HRIS solution for small and medium-sized businesses. Founded in 2008, BambooHR is based in Lindon, Utah and serves over 18,000 customers worldwide. Their software handles the full spectrum of HR functions from onboarding to benefits administration and payroll processing.
Pros: Some key advantages of BambooHR include:
– Affordable pricing for small businesses starting at $6 per employee per month
– Easy to use interface optimized for usability
– Standard features like benefits administration, onboarding, payroll and custom reporting
– Regular product updates and new features to stay competitive
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that larger enterprises may outgrow BambooHR’s capabilities and need an even more robust enterprise-grade platform
Pricing: BambooHR offers three pricing tiers:
– Essentials: $6 per employee per month – Core HR functions
– Plus: $9 per employee per month – Advanced reporting and benefits configuration
– Elite: Custom pricing – Dedicated support and additional customization
Some key stats about BambooHR include:
– Over 18,000 customers globally
– Supports businesses with up to 1,000 employees
– Integrates with over 150 apps including Slack, Dropbox and Zenefits
– Provides HR functions for hire to retire including benefits, compliance, onboarding and more
6. Greenhouse
Greenhouse is a market-leading applicant tracking and recruiting CRM software. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in New York City, Greenhouse helps over 4,500 companies around the world hire top talent efficiently and effectively. Some of their notable customers include HubSpot, Asana, IBM and Dropbox.
Pros: Main advantages of Greenhouse include:
– Intuitive and modern user interface
– Robust recruiting analytics and reporting capabilities
– Strong candidate experience features to source, engage and nurture talent
– Flexible workflows and configurable stages to manage recruiting processes
– Deep integrations with other applicant tracking tools and job boards
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Greenhouse focuses primarily on recruiter and hiring manager use cases. It may not be as fully-featured for broader HR needs like benefits administration, payroll, performance management etc.
Pricing: Greenhouse pricing starts from $99/month for the basic plan going up to $199/month and custom enterprise plans. Pricing is based on number of users, roles and required features. It offers a free 14-day trial to explore the software.
Key stats about Greenhouse include:
– Over 4,500 customers worldwide across various industries
– Processes over 40 million applications per year
– Has a global team of over 500 employees
– Integrates with over 80+ HR systems like Workday, SuccessFactors, BambooHR etc.
7. SmartRecruiters
SmartRecruiters is an AI-powered recruiting software that helps companies attract, select, and hire top talent. Founded in 2010, SmartRecruiters provides a fully integrated recruiting suite with applicant tracking, assessments, onboarding and CRM functionalities to help streamline the entire hiring process.
Pros: Some key advantages of SmartRecruiters include:
– Integrated recruiting suite that brings all hiring functions into one platform
– Strong focus on automated workflows and recruitment process optimization through AI
– Robust applicant tracking and candidate relationship management tools
– Advanced assessment and scoring functionalities to make smarter hiring decisions
Cons: One potential disadvantage is its premium pricing for larger teams and volumes of hiring. The software may not be suitable for very small businesses or those with limited budgets.
Pricing: SmartRecruiters offers different pricing tiers depending on team size and requirements. Basic plans start from $99/month for small teams. However, for high-volume hiring, expect to pay anywhere from $2,500-10,000/month.
Some key stats about SmartRecruiters include:
– Used by over 10,000 companies worldwide
– Processes over 1 million applications per year
– Automates over 80% of routine recruiting tasks through its AI capabilities
8. Jobvite
Jobvite is a leading recruitment software provider that helps companies attract, engage, and hire top talent. Founded in 2003, Jobvite offers a comprehensive recruiting platform to streamline talent acquisition processes. Their user-friendly software integrates hiring workflows, applicant tracking, and CRM tools.
Pros: Key advantages of Jobvite include:
– Intuitive and customizable dashboard enables efficient sourcing, screening, and onboarding.
– Robust CRM and workflow tools help build strong candidate relationships.
– Constant product enhancements informed by customer feedback.
– Seamless ATS and HRIS integrations facilitate data sharing.
Cons: A potential disadvantage is the higher pricing compared to some entry-level alternatives. However, Jobvite offers more robust functionality suitable for large enterprises.
Pricing: Jobvite pricing starts at $99 per recruiter per month for their basic plan and scales up based on team size and desired features. Custom enterprise plans are also available for very large HR departments.
Some key stats about Jobvite include:
– Used by over 12,000 companies worldwide including Nestle, Target, and Anthropic.
– Procures over 2 million jobs posts per year.
– Over 25 years of recruitment technology experience.
– Integrates with over 150 applicant tracking systems and HRIS platforms.
9. Workday
Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources. Founded in 2005, Workday helps thousands of companies across industries and geographies manage their business processes and employee information in one cloud-based system. Workday provides applications for core HR, recruiting, payroll, benefits management, talent management and more.
Pros: Some key advantages of Workday include:
– Scalable cloud-based solution that can grow with a company’s needs
– Flexible and customizable to fit different business processes
– Mobile accessibility for employees and managers
– Continued innovation and improvements through regular product releases
– Strong reporting and analytics capabilities
Cons: A potential disadvantage is the cost, as Workday has expensive subscription fees for its comprehensive suite of applications. Smaller businesses may find it overkill for their needs.
Pricing: Workday pricing is based on a per user per month subscription model. Pricing varies based on the number of users and applications needed. On average, Workday costs between $25-50 per user per month but can be significantly higher for very large implementations requiring customized configurations and additional services.
Some key stats about Workday include:
– Over 6,000+ customers including half of the Fortune 50 companies
– Over 50,000+ organizations use Workday
– Revenue of over $5 billion in 2022
– Over 16,000 employees globally
– Named a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM suites for mid-sized and large enterprises
10. Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex is a full-service HR and payroll platform designed to help mid-sized businesses manage their payroll, benefits, HR tasks, and compliance needs. With over four decades of experience, Paychex is known for providing reliable, compliant payroll processing and HR solutions to businesses across various industries.
Pros: Some key advantages of Paychex Flex include:
– Robust payroll processing capabilities to handle even complex payrolls accurately
– Configurable HR workflows and documents to streamline tasks like onboarding, performance reviews, and more
– Comprehensive benefits administration tools to simplify benefits enrollment and management
– Excellent 24/7 phone and online support from HR experts
Cons: One potential disadvantage of Paychex Flex is that the pricing can be more expensive compared to some other HRIS providers for larger organizations with more than 500 employees.
Pricing: Paychex Flex pricing starts from $39 per month for basic payroll processing only. Full-featured HR and benefits administration packages range from $79 – $159 per month depending on the number of employees and desired features.
Some key stats about Paychex Flex include:
– Over 650,000 clients globally
– Processes over $1 trillion in annual payroll
– Supports HR administration for organizations with up to 2,500 employees
11. Breezy HR
Breezy HR is a cloud-based HR software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Founded in 2014, Breezy HR provides core HR functions like benefits administration, payroll processing, and applicant tracking in one integrated system with an emphasis on ease of use and automation. The platform aims to streamline normally tedious HR tasks so smaller businesses can focus on other important aspects of running their company.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Breezy HR include:
– Intuitive and simple interface designed for those without extensive HR experience
– Powerful applicant tracking and hiring tools that automate common processes
– Full service payroll processing through partnerships with leading processors
– Flexible benefits administration and enrollment support
– Strong customer support and regular product updates and improvements
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the payroll and benefits administration options are more limited than some competitors which focus solely on those functions. As a smaller company, the resources and capabilities may not match very large established HRIS vendors.
Pricing: Breezy HR offers three pricing tiers on its website:
– Basic Plan: $8/employee/month billed annually
– Standard Plan: $12/employee/month billed annually
– Premium Plan: Custom quote with additional features
All plans include core HRIS features while higher tiers provide enhanced reporting, onboarding tools, and other advanced functionality.
Some key stats about Breezy HR include:
– Used by over 5,000 companies worldwide
– Processes payroll for over 100,000 employees
– Automates over 80% of common HR tasks through its tools and workflows
– Integrates with over 150+ other business applications like Gusto, Zenefits, Workday and more
12. SAP SuccessFactors
SAP SuccessFactors is a leading provider of cloud-based human capital management (HCM) software. Founded in 2001 and acquired by SAP in 2011, SAP SuccessFactors today serves over 5,000 customers worldwide across many industries. Its flagship HCM software aims to help organizations transform how they manage the entire employee lifecycle from recruiting to retirement.
Pros: Key advantages of SAP SuccessFactors include:
– Wide range of HR features in a single integrated cloud suite
– Highly customizable for large enterprises with complex needs
– Deep integration capabilities with other SAP products for ERP and back-office data
– Continuous investment in R&D to enhance the platform and keep it competitive
Cons: A potential disadvantage is the higher cost compared to some mid-market or smaller HRIS solutions due to its enterprise-grade capabilities targeted at large organizations.
Pricing: SAP SuccessFactors pricing is quoted individually based on organizational size, desired modules, and implementation services required. However, generally it offers annual subscription licenses that are priced according to the number of users and other premium features.
Some key stats about SAP SuccessFactors include:
– Over 5,000 customers globally across all industries
– Supports organizations with over 100,000 employees
– Processes over 120 billion transactions annually for its customers
13. Zenefits
Zenefits is a leading HR, benefits, and payroll software provider started in 2013 and based in San Francisco, California. They provide an all-in-one people management platform to help companies manage their HR, benefits, payroll and more from a single integrated system.
Pros: Some key advantages of Zenefits include: – Powerful benefits administration tools to easily enroll and manage employee benefits. – A full suite of HR capabilities like PTO tracking, onboarding/offboarding, compliance, etc. all in one centralized place. – Affordable pricing even for small businesses starting at $6 per employee per month.
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the capabilities are best suited for larger SMBs and enterprises, and may have more features than some very small businesses need.
Pricing: Zenefits offers tiered pricing plans based on the number of employees. Starting at $6 per employee per month for 1-50 employees, $5 per employee for 51-100 employees, and customizable enterprise pricing for over 100 employees.
Some key stats about Zenefits include: – Used by over 20,000 customers across industries – Supports over 500,000 employees – Over 150 benefits carriers integrated – Feature robust HR capabilities and workflows
14. Lattice
Lattice is a people management platform that focuses on continuous performance management applications. Founded in 2015 and based in San Francisco, Lattice provides an all-in-one platform to optimize employee engagement, growth, and retention.
Pros: Lattice focuses on continuous performance management applications. Configurable check-ins, feedback, and development foster engaged culture. Mobile and office integrations promote ongoing coaching conversations.
Cons: Being a more full-featured platform, it may have a steeper learning curve for smaller teams looking for a simpler solution. Some additional features like advanced analytics and custom reporting come at a higher pricing tier.
Pricing: Lattice offers flexible pricing plans starting from $5 per user per month for its Starter plan up to $12 per user per month for its Enterprise plan. Pricing is discounted based on annual commitments and team size. It offers a free forever plan for teams of up to 3 users.
Some key stats about Lattice include: More than 3,000 customers and over 15 million users worldwide. Integrates with several leading office and collaboration tools like Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams etc. Won numerous awards and recognitions including 2019 Gartner Cool Vendor and Forbes Cloud 100.
15. Paycor
Paycor is a leading provider of human capital management (HCM) software. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Paycor focuses on delivering HR, payroll, and talent management functionality to small and medium-sized businesses. With over 30 years of experience, Paycor’s cloud-based software aims to help businesses streamline HR processes and empower employees.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Paycor’s HCM software include:
– Comprehensive HR platform that handles payroll, benefits administration, time and attendance, and talent management
– Simple and intuitive user interface tailored for SMBs and their HR needs
– Dedicated support account managers who can provide assistance via phone, email or live chat
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as a more full-featured HCM platform, Paycor may be overkill for some very small businesses with basic HR needs. The additional functionality and capabilities come at a higher price compared to more basic payroll-only solutions.
Pricing: Paycor offers flexible pricing plans tailored to business size and needs. Main plans include:
– Essentials ($5/employee/month): Core HR including payroll, time and attendance
– Complete ($10/employee/month): Adds benefits, talent, and compliance tools
– Premier ($15/employee/month): Most comprehensive suite with recruit, onboarding, plus 24/7 phone support
Some key stats about Paycor include:
– Serving over 25,000 customers across all industries
– Processing payroll for over 500,000 employees each week
– 24/7 dedicated customer support team with over 600 employees
– Available in both a purely cloud-based SaaS model as well as a hybrid legacy HCM solution
Conclusion
Whether you need core HR functions, recruiting tools or advanced analytics, this review covers leading options to consider. While no single platform will be the right fit for every organization, exploring features and pricing among these top-evaluated HR software providers is a great start in selecting the solution that best meets your unique business needs and budget. Performing free trials and demos can help validate that a shortlist candidate is truly the ideal partner to empower your teams and streamline operations for years to come.