Top HRIS Systems: An In-Depth Review

Find a HRIS systems list that isn't overrun with ads or conflicting information can be challenging. This article is designed to provide a comprehensive list of the top HRIS systems in 2022 without all of the noise. Read more about the best HRIS platforms:

Brett Ungashick
OutSail HRIS Advisor
July 4, 2023
user comparing HRIS systems

If you're shopping for new HRIS systems, it can be hard to find straightforward information about which are the best HRIS platforms.

Adding to this difficulty is that the things that make one HRIS platform great for one company, doesn't necessarily mean that HRIS system will be great for your business too.

When trying to identify the top HRIS systems, it can be helpful to first look at what sized companies each HRIS platform specializes in. Once you know that information, then you can start to look at costs and and functionality to determine which is the best HRIS for your business

If you want more information on these vendors, you can request a free HRIS vendor report from our team. Each report is custom built to match your requirements and includes pricing, pros & cons, integration info & more

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Best HR Software for Small Businesses

BambooHR

Average Customer Size: 25-350 employees

Vendor Snapshot: BambooHR has been considered one of the best HRIS platforms in the small business market for the past decade. Some of the things that make BambooHR so great are: They offer a very modern user friendly experience to employees that can help to increase employee self-service. They offer a simple, easy-to-implement HR management system that admins like working in. Their HRIS platform's pricing is very competitive and fair. And they also integrate with a wide range of 3rd party HRIS tools. BambooHR recently started offering payroll as part of their HRIS platform, but they are not a full suite HRIS yet. The system is still missing a benefits administration module and isn't suited for complex timekeeping and workforce management needs.

  • Modules Offered: HRIS, Payroll Processing, Timekeeping, Applicant Tracking System, Employee Onboarding, Performance Management, Employee Engagement
  • Not included: Benifits Administration, Learning Management, Compensation Management
  • Price range: $8-14 PEPM

Hibob

Average Customer Size: 50-500 employees

Vendor Snapshot: Hibob is a rising star in the global HRIS space. They were founded in Tel Aviv and have expanded quickly opening offices around the globe. Their HRIS system is very well-suited for companies that want to deliver a first-class employee experience to a modern workforce. Their platform puts a major emphasis on talent management and culture initiatives, such as performance reviews, employee engagement and compensation management. Hibob does not offer payroll processing or a benefits administration tool today, but does have a strong relationship with ADP & Paylocity for companies that want an integrated partner.

  • Modules offered: HRIS, Performance Management, Employee Engagement, Employee Onboarding, Compensation Management
  • Not included: Payroll Processing, Benefits Administration, Workforce Management, Applicant Tracking System
  • Price range: $8-12 PEPM

Rippling

Average Customer Size: 25-300 employees

Vendor Snapshot: Rippling has caught many people's eyes in the HRIS industry, due to the massive investments they've received, the talent that keeps joining their organization and the innovative features they continue to release. Rippling started in 2018 and quickly has become a leading solution for small businesses that want a best-in-class HRIS platform to support employee onboarding, payroll processing, benefits administration and more. Rippling's HRIS platform also has unique capabilities around integrations, new hire onboarding and automated workflow builders. Their HRIS still has some limitations around workforce management and they do not offer a performance management or compensation management module yet, either.

  • Modules offered: HRIS - Employee Files, Benefits Administration, Payroll Management, New Hire Onboarding, Timekeeping, Learning Management, Applicant Tracking System
  • Not included: Performance Management, Compensation Management, Employee Engagement
  • Price range: $19-26 PEPM

Best Human Capital Management System for Mid-Sized Businesses

Paycor

Average Customer Size: 25-350 employees

Vendor Snapshot: Paycor offers an end-to-end HRIS platform that can support payroll processing, benefits management, talent management and more. While most of their peers have focused primarily on payroll and Core HR management, Paycor has invested heavily in acquiring 3rd party systems that are highly capable for recruiting & talent acquisition, performance management and employee engagement. This growth-by-acquisition approach to their HRIS system can lead to some disjointed workflows and siloed data, however.

  • Modules offered: HRIS - Employee Files, Benefits Administration, Payroll Management, New Hire Onboarding, Performance Reviews, Time Tracking, Learning Management, Applicant Tracking System
  • Price range: $17-23 PEPM

Paycom

Average Customer Size: 50-500 employees

Vendor Snapshot: Paycom is one of the best HRIS platforms on the market for companies that want a single system to manage their entire HR software stack. Paycom does not acquire 3rd party platforms and does not white label other HR software, so their system is fully homegrown. This leads to a more unified workflow experience and an HRIS system that has better data integrity. Paycom also does a good job of getting employee self-service to drive action in the platform. Their HRIS platform can be on the expensive side, however. And they aren't the best choice for companies that want to integrate with a host of 3rd party platforms.

  • Modules offered: HRIS - Employee Files, Benefits Administration, Payroll Management, New Hire Onboarding, Performance Reviews, Time Tracking, Learning Management, Applicant Tracking System
  • Price range: $24-30 PEPM

Paylocity

Average Customer Size: 50-500 employees

Vendor Snapshot: Paylocity is one of the premier payroll companies on the market today. They have grown their HRIS platform well beyond payroll & tax management and now offer a full suite of HRIS functionality. The Paylocity system is still best suited for Core HR - Payroll Processing, Tax Filing, Timekeeping and Benefits Management - but they have made strategic investments to improve their HR & Talent features too. Paylocity has also increasingly started to shift towards being a global HRIS provider. The system is still somewhat limited on the Talent Management side and their support can be hit-or-miss

  • Modules offered: HRIS, Benefits Management, Payroll Processing, Employee Onboarding, Performance Management, Time & Attendance, Learning Management, Applicant Tracking System & Recruiting
  • Price range: $19-25 PEPM

Best HRIS Systems for Mid-Enterprises

UKG Ready (formerly Kronos)

Average Customer Size: 150-2,000 employees

Vendor Snapshot: Kronos is a powerhouse HRIS platform when it comes to workforce management, which includes complex timekeeping requirements such as scheduling, shift differentials and job costing. However' Kronos' HRIS platform can handle much more than just timekeeping. Their system offers a full suite of HR management tools and is a fully unified platform that hasn't relied on acquisitions or white labeling to grow. Additionally, the Kronos HRIS (now called UKG Ready) is a very cost-effective option for companies. The HRIS platform may not be as flashy as some others, but it is a very solid choice for businesses, especially those with large blue collar workforces.

  • Modules offered: HRIS & Employee Data, Benefits Administration, Payroll Processing, Employee Onboarding, Performance Management, Timekeeping, Workforce Management, Recruiting
  • Not included: Learning Management
  • Price range: $18-23 PEPM


ADP Workforce Now

Average Customer Size: 50-2,500 employees

Vendor Snapshot: ADP is one of the most famous brands in the HRIS industry and their flagship product, ADP Workforce Now, is an end-to-end HRIS platform. ADP is famous for their payroll processing and tax management - and they continue to do that well. However, they have added many more features over the years to support HR & Talent Initiatives, such as recruiting, performance reviews, employee engagement and compensation management. ADP, unfortunately, is not known for their customer support.

  • Modules offered: HRIS & Employee Data, Benefits Management, Payroll Management, Performance Reviews, Timekeeping, Learning Management, Applicant Tracking System
  • Price range: $20-26 PEPM

UKG Pro (formerly UltiPro)

Average Customer Size: 250-10,000 employees

Vendor Snapshot: UKG has a long track record of delivering smart automations to complex, global companies. They offer a robust, highly capable and reliable HCM platform that can scale with any organization's growth. Despite being a full featured system, UKG's user interface is still accessible and intuitive for admins and employees alike. A few drawbacks with UKG are that the system's back-end isn't as modern as their peers and some of their modules are provided by 3rd parties. Additionally, while the merger with Kronos is going smooth, there are additional questions to be asked during evaluations to get comfortable with those changes

  • Modules offered: HRIS - Employee Files, Benefits Admin, Payroll, Onboarding, Performance, Time & Attendance, Learning, ATS
  • Price range: $26-34 PEPM

Ceridian

Average Customer Size: 250-10,000 employees

Vendor Snapshot: Ceridian's platform is arguably the most powerful Core HR platform on the market. Their technology has been built on a single database and offers the most real-time data and highest accuracy in the space. They also offer a very comprehensive global payroll offering. For end users, Ceridian's platform is straightforward and intuitive but not the most sleek and modern interface. In particular, the talent management module does not always deliver a new age user experience. Finally, one challenge with Ceridian is that their implementations can be slower and more costly than some of their peers

  • Modules offered: HRIS, Ben Admin, Payroll, Onboarding, Performance, Time & Attendance, Learning, ATS
  • Price range: $22-29 PEPM
FAQs
How do I choose the right HRIS system for my business?

Choosing the right HRIS system involves considering factors such as company size, budget, required features, and scalability. Assessing your organization's specific needs and comparing them with the offerings of different HRIS platforms can help you make an informed decision.

What are some key features to look for in an HRIS system?

Key features to look for include HRIS, payroll processing, timekeeping, benefits administration, employee onboarding, performance management, employee engagement, and recruitment functionalities. Depending on your business needs, you may prioritize certain features over others.

How much does an HRIS system typically cost?

The cost of an HRIS system can vary depending on factors such as the vendor, the number of modules included, and the size of your organization. Prices usually range from a few dollars per employee per month (PEPM) to higher tiers for more comprehensive solutions.

Are there HRIS systems specifically designed for small businesses?

Yes, there are HRIS systems tailored to the needs of small businesses, offering features like simplified user interfaces, scalability, and affordability. Platforms like BambooHR and Rippling are popular choices for small businesses.

Can HRIS systems integrate with other software applications?

Many HRIS systems offer integration capabilities, allowing them to connect with other business software applications such as accounting software, project management tools, and CRM systems. Integration ensures seamless data flow between different systems, eliminating the need for manual data entry and improving efficiency.

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Meet the Author

Brett Ungashick
OutSail HRIS Advisor
Brett Ungashick, the friendly face behind OutSail, started his career at LinkedIn, selling HR software. This experience sparked an idea, leading him to create OutSail in 2018. Based in Denver, OutSail simplifies the HR software selection process, and Brett's hands-on approach has already helped over 1,000 companies, including SalesLoft, Hudl and DoorDash. He's a go-to guy for all things HR Tech, supporting companies in every industry and across 20+ countries. When he's not demystifying HR tech, you'll find Brett enjoying a round of golf or skiing down Colorado's slopes, always happy to chat about work or play.

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