Top Cost-Effective HR Software Solutions

If you're interested in new HR software but want to find the best value and most cost-effective option, partner with companies like these, who can deliver a great service at a competitive price

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

[Updated on 8/26/2020]

With the tight labor market and growing importance of talent above all else, HR has begun to be viewed as much more than a cost center, and instead, as one of the core investment areas for any successful business.

However, this transition is still happening at an uneven pace, and there are still many HR leaders who do not have unlimited financial resources to accomplish their talent goals. For those leaders, making strong, cost-effective software decisions can be some of the most important choices they make.

Below are some of the most cost-effective solutions in the SMB HR technology space. Note: cost-effective does not mean lowest price, but instead is looking for the best combination of ROI and competitive price.

ATS: JazzHR

For companies that do not have an ATS in place, the amount of manual tracking that HR leaders have to manage in a recruitment process can become unbearable. They often have to check email aliases for new candidates, track the interview stages in a spreadsheet and build offer letters from scratch.

JazzHR offers a modern, full-featured ATS platform for less than $350 / month. For that price, employers can have: their jobs distributed throughout the web, simple candidate tracking, automated communication to candidates and hiring managers and digital offer letters.

HRIS: BambooHR

One tried and true way to make your dollar go further in an HR technology purchase is to try and bundle as much functionality as possible with a single vendor. Unfortunately, many vendors that operate in this budget-conscious space often can't deliver a modern user experience, a strong service model and a wide breadth of functionality.

Thankfully, there is BambooHR which offers functionality across recruiting, onboarding, HRIS, time & attendance, performance and surveys, all at a market competitive price. Not only does Bamboo have the breadth that budget conscious buyers need, but they also provide a great user experience for admins and employees, as well as a responsive customer support team.

Culture: Bob

For modern employers, it's not enough to have an HR system that tracks and automates HR workflows. Modern companies are looking for tools that will help them understand and engage with their culture in meaningful ways that can drive longer tenures and happier employees.

In the past few years, there have been a lot of innovations in this area, with new companies creating smart, easy-to-use tools across: performance management, employee engagement, surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, and more. However, investing in a standalone tool for each area of need can get expensive quickly.

Thankfully, Bob has gone the furthest in bundling these employee-centric tools into a modern HRIS. Bob can be a true system of record complete with onboarding and time & attendance modules, but they really differentiate by putting employee engagement and development at the heart of their platform.

Learning: Coassemble

For an HR team that has limited resources, keeping up with training and compliance can be a really challenging task. Staying complaint means knowing exactly when employee trainings and certifications need to be renewed, communicating those deadlines to employees, following up with them until they take the training and then getting confirmation of the courses completion.

Coassemble offers a modern and intuitive learning platform, for as little as $150 / month, that can streamline the administration and tracking of learning for employers. They offer quite a few workflow integrations and automations to create a set-it-and-forget-it experience for admins, and also make it incredibly simple for admins to create new courses.

Rewards: Wishlist

Creating a rewards program can go a long way in helping employees feel valued at their jobs. However, most rewards programs can either deliver a low ROI (expensive gifts that don't really move the needle) or can be very time-intensive (thoughtful acts of gratitude that are hard to scale).

Wishlist does a great job of threading the needle between being easy-to-administer for HR, while also delivering buzz-worthy rewards to employees. Wishlist helps companies reward their employees with experiences (brewery tours, sky diving, spa day, etc.) rather than gift cards, and their concierge team manages all of the logistics required to make sure your employees have a great time redeeming their rewards.

FAQs
1. What are some key considerations for businesses looking for cost-effective HR tech solutions in 2019?

In 2019, businesses were increasingly focused on finding HR tech solutions that provided the best combination of ROI and competitive pricing. Key considerations included functionality, user experience, customer support, and the ability to bundle multiple features with a single vendor to maximize value.

2. Why is JazzHR recommended as a cost-effective ATS option?

JazzHR is recommended as a cost-effective Applicant Tracking System (ATS) because it offers a modern, full-featured platform for less than $350 per month. With features such as job distribution, candidate tracking, automated communication, and digital offer letters, JazzHR provides essential functionality at a competitive price point.

3. What advantages does BambooHR offer as a cost-effective HRIS solution?

BambooHR is recommended as a cost-effective Human Resources Information System (HRIS) because it offers functionality across recruiting, onboarding, HRIS, time & attendance, performance, and surveys at a market competitive price. BambooHR provides a great user experience for admins and employees, along with responsive customer support, making it a comprehensive and value-driven choice for budget-conscious buyers.

4. How does Bob differentiate itself as a cost-effective culture-focused HR software platform?

Bob stands out as a cost-effective culture-focused HR software platform by bundling employee-centric tools into a modern HRIS. Bob goes beyond traditional HR systems by emphasizing employee engagement and development, offering features such as performance management, employee engagement, surveys, and peer-to-peer recognition. By providing a comprehensive solution at a competitive price, Bob addresses the need for meaningful cultural engagement without breaking the budget.

5. Why is Coassemble recommended as a cost-effective learning platform for HR teams with limited resources?

Coassemble is recommended as a cost-effective learning platform because it offers a modern and intuitive solution for as little as $150 per month. Coassemble streamlines the administration and tracking of learning for employers, with workflow integrations and automations to simplify course creation and management. For HR teams with limited resources, Coassemble provides an efficient way to stay compliant and keep up with training requirements without significant time or financial investment.

Reports
2024 HRIS 
Landscape Report
Read OutSail's 2024 HRIS Report with write-ups on 30+ leading vendors
Thank you! You can download your report at this link
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Expert Support
Brett Ungashick
OutSail HRIS Advisor
Accelerate your HRIS selection process with free support
Thank you! Our team will reach out to you shortly
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Newsletter
The HR Tech Download
Stay on the industry's cutting edge with our popular newsletter
Thank you! You will receive the next HR Tech Download newsletter
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
HR Consultants
Challenges go beyond technology?
Download our "State of HR  Outsourcing" whitepaper. Discover trends, strategies & costs within the HR consulting world
Thank you! You can download your report at this link
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

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.

Subscribe to the HR Tech Download

Don't miss out on the latest HR Tech trends. Subscribe now to stay updated
By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.
Thank you! You are now subscribed to the HR Tech Download!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.