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In today’s fast-paced work environment, there’s no room for error. This rings especially true for HR professionals, who constantly look for tools and technologies to streamline their tasks and optimize their productivity.
However, the HR tools market is flooded with options, each with a unique set of services, features, and pricing models, making the selection process quite daunting.
After thoroughly researching and comparing numerous contenders based on their pricing, features, and standout attributes, we have selected the best HR tools for companies for 2024.
How do HR Tools transform the Working Process?
Running a business and its complexities can be challenging, but the introduction of HR tools has changed how we work.
Essentially, HR tools are a collection of tech solutions that streamline everyday HR tasks.
Since traditional HR processes are often compliance-driven and paperwork-heavy, manually performing these tasks can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
HR tools automate and simplify these processes, thus saving time, reducing costs, and making employee management a breeze. Whether bringing on new team members or conducting exit interviews for those moving on, HR tools can cover it all.
Depending on what a business needs, there are simple HR software options for daily admin tasks like tracking vacations and timesheets or more advanced systems geared towards recruitment and employee performance management.
Whether you’re a growing startup, a small business, or a global corporation, the right HR tool can reshape your administrative landscape, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – nurturing and growing your team.
Universal HR Tools for Companies in 2024
Investing in top-tier HR tools isn’t just an option – it’s a strategic move that changes organizational operations, reshaping hiring practices, decision-making processes, and overall company dynamics.
With top-quality HR software, teams can streamline processes, maintain regulatory compliance effortlessly, and elevate overall workforce efficiency. From automating mundane paperwork to fostering seamless communication between employees and leaders, the benefits of automation are undeniable.
Best for Global Corporations: Deel
Product Overview
Deel has established itself as one of the most innovative global HR and payroll solutions vendors. While Deel started as a simple tool for managing international contractors, it has added more functionalities, including hiring and global payroll, to HR and office perks, making it a complete all-in-one solution for global corporations.
Product Features
- Deel acts as the legal employer for international teams, facilitating global hiring and onboarding across more than 150 countries. It also provides complete PEO services for US employers with comprehensive benefits and compliance management.
- Deel’s payroll solutions cover direct employees in over 90 countries, with advanced payroll analytics for forecasting and comparing employment costs worldwide.
- Deel offers a complete Human Resource Information System (HRIS) solution that replaces the need for multiple HR apps and programs, as it comes with extensive HR analytics and reporting capabilities.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
24/7 customer support |
No built-in time-tracking tools |
|
Option to build your own integrations
|
Lack of a mobile app for employers/workers |
|
EOR service in over 100 countries |
High cost with per-worker pricing |
|
Numerous software integrations |
|
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Multiple payment methods, including local bank transfers, SWIFT, PayPal, Payoneer, and cryptocurrency |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
Deel offers a variety of HR solutions, starting with a free tier for managing up to 200 workers and extending to specialized services for hiring contractors and full-time employees internationally, with prices starting at $49 and $599, respectively. A free trial is available, enabling businesses to explore Deel’s set of features.
Alternatives
- Rippling stands out as an alternative to Deel by offering a broader suite of HR features, including native time tracking and IT management. Although it supports fewer countries, it is a compelling choice for businesses prioritizing depth over global reach.
- Remote has a more affordable contractor management plan and broader country coverage for contractor support, so it’s a more cost-effective solution for businesses with a global freelance workforce.
Best for Small Business: Paycor
Product Overview
Paycor is a versatile HR tool for companies, combining ATS functionalities, HRIS, and payroll services, along with over 220 integrations with the most popular business apps.
Paycor’s cloud-based platform is valued for its ease of use, versatile mobile app, and compliance management features, which help small businesses stay in line with regulations as they grow their company.
Product Features
- Paycor’s software modernizes every aspect of people management, offering advanced analytics with hundreds of pre-built dashboards, charts, and graphs for visualizing workforce data.
- Tools for managing employee performance include features for performance reviews, goal tracking, 360-degree feedback, and pulse surveys.
- They offer a LMS with features like mobile learning, pre-built courses, bilingual content, compliance tracking, and gamification.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Automated payroll |
Implementation can be slow, taking a few weeks to months |
|
Comprehensive benefits administration tools |
Some essential HR management suite features may require additional fees |
|
User-friendly platform with a customizable dashboard |
Time tracking is only available as an add-on |
|
Multiple paid plans are available |
Limited geographic restrictions for clocking in/out on mobile devices |
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360-degree feedback and team chat features |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
Paycor’s pricing is structured around four main plans, starting at $99 for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees and an option to get a custom quote for midsize companies with 50 to 1,000 employees.
On top of that cost, they charge on a per-employee-per-month basis (PEPM), and their subscription models range anywhere from $6-16 PEPM, depending on the modules included and the size of the company.
A 14-day free trial is available, allowing businesses to test the platform risk-free.
Alternatives
- UKG Pro offers broader global HR and payroll services and more comprehensive workforce management features than Paycor, so it’s more suitable for larger organizations or those with more complex requirements.
- Zenefits is also recognized for its user-friendly design and robust HR library, simplifying HR tasks like training and payroll integration. It is a popular choice for companies looking for an intuitive and resource-rich HR platform.
Best for Startups: Justworks
Product Overview
Justworks, the leading HR tool for startups, transforms the PEO market with its user-friendly platform, modern benefits, and exceptional features. It stands out for its ease of use, 24/7 customer service, and non-PEO payroll option, making it an ideal choice for high-growth companies looking for efficient HR management without requiring extensive in-house HR staff.
Product Features
- Justworks offers payroll services that cater to the diverse composition of today’s workforce, including salaried employees, part-timers, and remote staff across all 50 states.
- The platform monitors changes in state and federal regulations, providing compliance reports and built-in learning programs.
- Leveraging its PEO model, Justworks can negotiate competitive pricing and broad plans for medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), life insurance, and more, offering small businesses the chance to provide substantial employee benefits.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Comprehensive payroll and compliance management |
The payroll process can be complex for some employers |
|
Competitive benefits management through the PEO model |
Applicant tracking relies on third-party integration |
|
User-friendly interface and easy setup |
Additional fees for time tracking and certain advanced features |
|
24/7 customer support and access to HR consultants |
It can be costly for larger teams due to the per-employee pricing structure |
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No additional fees for international contractor payments |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
Justworks offers transparent pricing with two tiers, Basic and Plus, without a free trial. The Basic plan starts at $59 per month per employee and covers essential HR functions such as payroll management, employee onboarding, benefits, and workers’ compensation, while the Plus plan, priced at $99 PEPM, extends these services to include health insurance coverage and other functionalities.
Alternatives
- Emplicity is a good alternative to Justworks as it offers Fortune 500-level benefits at an affordable cost, with experienced HR professionals ensuring compliance, and caters to diverse company sizes.
- PamGro is a promising alternative to Justworks because of its customer-centric approach, offering tailored global payroll solutions focusing on regulatory compliance, which can be particularly important for businesses with international payroll needs.
ATS Tools for Fast & Efficient Recruitment
Instead of sifting through resumes, ATS tools significantly reduce the time and effort required to identify top candidates.
ATS tools also bring a level of organization that’s hard to achieve manually, with resume parsing, tracking all candidate interactions, and streamlining the recruitment process.
The main benefits include improved efficiency, better candidate experience, and the ability to make data-driven hiring decisions, leading to a more effective recruitment process and a stronger team.
Best for Global Corporations: Greenhouse
Product Overview
Greenhouse is recognized for its ability to streamline the hiring process for HR teams and recruiting professionals, making it a go-to solution for global corporations.
It provides a decked-out suite of tools and a thorough Applicant Tracking System (ATS) that addresses main recruitment challenges like candidate tracking, communication within hiring teams, and maintaining a structured hiring process.
Product Features
- Greenhouse’s ATS is made to manage and track each candidate’s journey effectively, with everything from resume parsing to candidate communication, ensuring no valuable prospect slips through the cracks.
- The platform allows for the customization of job descriptions to ensure they capture the essence of the role and speak directly to the desired audience.
- By automating interview scheduling, Greenhouse significantly reduces the administrative load on recruiters and hiring managers, making it easier to coordinate interviews and engage with candidates quickly.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Detailed insights and analytics |
The initial learning curve for those new to the platform |
|
Advance ATS functionality |
May be costlier compared to other solutions |
|
Wide range of integrations |
Limited customization options |
|
Customizable recruitment workflows |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
Greenhouse offers a pricing model tailored to an organization’s size, accommodating small, mid-sized, and large companies. The pricing details are provided upon request, and potential companies can contact Greenhouse directly to get a quote that matches their specific needs.
Alternatives
- As an alternative, BambooHR centralizes employee information into a single database, offering real-time alerts and reports, secure and remote access to data, and focuses on streamlining HR processes.
- Designed for the modern workforce, Zoho Recruit‘s ATS and recruiting software aim to speed up the hiring of more qualified candidates. It offers scalability, customization, and tools for remote hiring, catering to the needs of modern staffing agencies and HR departments.
Best for Small Business: Recruitee
Product Overview
Recruitee is a collaborative hiring software that enables HR teams and their organizations to work together effectively to find, interview, and hire top talent. It is designed to provide a seamless solution for managing the entire recruitment process, from creating custom pipelines to evaluating and hiring candidates.
Product Features
- Recruitee offers impressive applicant tracking capabilities, allowing teams to manage candidates through customizable stages, ensuring no candidate is overlooked.
- The platform can automate recurring tasks, such as sending disqualification emails and evaluation requests, saving significant time and effort for the recruitment team.
- Features like team notes, activity updates, custom views, and quick filters make collaboration among hiring managers and recruiters easy and streamline the hiring process.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Collaborative hiring features improve team involvement |
Some employers find the reporting features less comprehensive, making data management challenging |
|
Customizable workflows and pipelines enhance efficiency |
Candidate search functionality within the ATS can be time-consuming |
|
Seamless integration with a wide range of tools and platforms |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
Recruitee’s pricing structure is designed to be accessible, with monthly or yearly subscription options and an 18-day free trial for new users. After the trial, pricing starts from $199 per month, providing access to all core functionalities needed for effective recruitment.
Alternatives
- Like Recruitee, BreezyHR is a core HRIS/HRMS software solution that automates HR processes, including recruitment, focusing on small and medium-sized businesses.
- Known for its user-friendly interface and efficient recruiting tools, Workable is a good alternative for businesses looking for a scalable ATS solution.
Best for Startups: Lever
Product Overview
Lever is the perfect platform for growing companies of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. It offers an intuitive design, has a straightforward implementation process, and integrates both Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) functionalities within a single platform.
Product Features
- Creating customized application forms along with the CRM functionality is particularly beneficial for companies with strong brands or those in competitive hiring environments, as it helps maintain engagement with potential hires.
- The platform supports bulk upload of resumes and efficient parsing of contact information, simplifying the process of managing large volumes of applicants.
- Lever excels in tracking applicants through various stages of the recruitment process allowing recruiters and hiring managers to understand the status of each candidate quickly.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Integrates ATS and CRM functionalities for comprehensive management |
Pricing information is not transparently available on the website |
|
Offers robust analytics and advanced integrations |
No free trial available, limiting initial hands-on evaluation |
|
Supports customized application forms and efficient resume management |
Lacks a mobile app, potentially limiting accessibility on-the-go |
Free Trial & Pricing
Lever does not offer a free trial, and pricing details are not directly available on the website. Interested businesses need to contact Lever directly to obtain a quote that suits their recruitment needs.
Alternatives
- BreezyHR is a viable alternative that offers a free “Bootstrap” plan for managing a single position, with access to over 50 job boards and unlimited users and candidates.
- Known for its SEO-optimized job descriptions and AI-powered candidate sourcing, Workable starts at $149 monthly, featuring real-time syncing, reporting, and mobile accessibility.
Performance Management Software for Managers
Monitoring and improving employee performance is complex – especially within the new hybrid and remote working models.
However, HR professionals can cut through this complexity and gain actionable insights by leveraging real-time feedback and data-driven evaluations using performance management software.
Such tools enable a more objective and continuous review process, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability for everyone.
Best for Global Corporations: Leapsome
Product Overview
Leapsome is an all-in-one performance management software designed to boost employee development, productivity, and engagement. The platform aims to elevate employees to peak performance through instant feedback, learning experiences, and personalized development paths.
Product Features
- Leapsome is excellent at creating positive feedback channels where colleagues, team members, and managers can all contribute to an employee’s development journey.
- All plans offer integration with HRIS, and there are integrations for Slack and Microsoft Teams, adherence to GDPR standards, analytics, automated processes, career development resources, tools for organizing meetings, and praise tools.
- Leapsome’s integrated learning modules support continuous employee development, offering adaptable learning paths that align with employees’ and organizational growth aspirations.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
User-friendly and intuitive platform |
Pricey compared to competitors |
|
Dedicated customer success manager |
Modular pricing can increase costs |
|
Customizable and flexible setup |
Enterprise-level pricing requires a quote |
|
In-depth reporting on various organizational levels |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
Leapsome offers a 14-day free trial to explore its features. The starting price is $8 per user per month, with the final cost depending on selected modules, contract length, and user count. While the base plan includes a broad range of tools, additional features such as ongoing feedback and learning paths may cost extra.
Alternatives
- Zoho People is a versatile HR solution offering a range of features from performance management to time tracking and leave management, suitable for businesses seeking an all-in-one HR platform.
- iSpring Learn provides a more focused approach to online training, making it a complementary alternative to Leapsome’s broad performance management and employee engagement features.
Best for Small Business: PerformYard
Product Overview
PerformYard is a robust platform designed to help small businesses streamline their performance management processes. It emphasizes the importance of continuous feedback, allowing managers to provide real-time recognition and constructive criticism.
The platform stands out for its user-friendly approach to performance management, easily adapting to different review styles.
Product Features
- PerformYard supports many review types, including 360-degree reviews, quarterly check-ins, and project-based assessments.
- The continuous feedback feature allows managers to give real-time feedback, which is stored and can be referenced throughout an employee’s career.
- As an add-on, PerformYard offers tools for measuring and analyzing employee engagement through anonymous surveys, providing valuable insights into team morale and satisfaction.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Excellent continuous feedback features |
May not include all functionalities for HR processes |
|
Dedicated customer success manager in plans |
Annual billing and minimum pricing requirements |
|
Customizable and user-friendly platform |
No sentiment analysis feature |
|
Records feedback by employee |
No mobile app for iOS and Android |
Free Trial & Pricing
PerformYard’s pricing is structured to meet the needs of small businesses, with performance management solutions starting from $5 to $10 per employee monthly. An additional fee of $1 to $3 per employee monthly is applicable for those interested in tracking employee engagement.
These rates are based on annual billing, with enterprise companies being advised to request a custom quote for a package including additional features. In addition, PerformYard also offers a free trial.
Alternatives
- Lattice offers integrated performance and compensation planning tools, making it suitable for employers looking to manage evaluations and salary adjustments on a single platform.
- 15Five is known for its focus on continuous feedback and employee engagement, providing a different approach to performance management.
Best for Startups: Peoplebox
Product Overview
Peoplebox is an innovative OKR (Objectives and Key Results) platform for dynamic and fast-growing companies looking to create a results-oriented culture and execute fast as they grow.
The software is perfect for simplifying the process of setting and tracking performance goals, ensuring regular feedback, and running comprehensive 360-degree reviews.
Product Features
- The platform has numerous customization options, so companies can change how they manage and evaluate performance to suit their specific requirements.
- With over 50 native integrations, Peoplebox is a centralized hub for tracking goals, KPIs, and projects, fostering a transparent, goal-oriented work environment.
- Peoplebox offers in-depth analytics that provides valuable insights into team, department, and company-wide performance.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Streamlined performance management |
Lack of an option to update activities for individual goals during reviews |
|
Integration with popular collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams |
Needs UI improvement |
|
Empathetic features like suggested topics for 1:1s and ‘coffee connect |
Occasional issues with calendar integration |
|
Powerful automation capabilities |
|
|
Continuously evolving with improvements |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
Peoplebox offers a free trial option. Their subscription-based pricing models start at $7 per employee per month, which caters to a wide range of organizational needs and sizes.
Alternatives
- Cloverleaf is a team development tool that leverages personality assessments to enhance team dynamics, communication, and collaboration, ensuring teams work more effectively together.
- Qualtrics is a good alternative for Peoplebox as it offers sophisticated experience management software widely used by a vast customer base, including over 85% of the Fortune 100 companies.
Best Payroll Software Providers to Consider in 2024
Payroll software is a fast and dependable solution for tackling the modern challenge of handling a business’s payroll.
These tools automate the dull and error-prone task of payroll processing and ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations.
Additionally, these platforms often come with added features like direct deposit, self-service portals for employees, and detailed reporting, improving overall efficiency and employee satisfaction.
Best for Global Corporations: Papaya Global
Product Overview
Papaya Global is a cloud-based software platform that provides solutions for global workforce management. It makes international payroll and various HR tasks easier, assisting HR departments with hiring and managing employee benefits, and it works for businesses in more than 160 countries.
Product Features
- Papaya Global offers end-to-end payroll consolidation, including local tax filing assistance and HR support. It uses AI to reduce mistakes and keep everything in line with regulations.
- Allows employees to access pay slips, wage, tax statements, and employment documents in multiple languages on various devices.
- Includes PTO tracking, compliance tools, onboarding/offboarding tools, and insights into workforce spending and diversity.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Global coverage in 160+ countries |
Customer service is primarily chat-based |
|
Multilingual employee portal and support for multicurrency payments |
EOR aggregator model may be complex for some |
|
Robust analytics and reporting |
Limited HR features compared to other solutions |
|
Convenient, fast, and secure embedded payment system |
May be costly for some businesses due to management and setup fees |
Free Trial & Pricing
The pricing model is tiered and includes:
- Global Payroll & Payments: Starting at $25 per employee per month.
- Employer of Record: Starting at $599 per employee per month.
- Contractor Management: At $30 per contractor per month.
It’s important to note that Papaya Global offers a free demo of its services.
Alternatives
- Amplify can be an alternative for businesses looking for comprehensive employee management services, particularly suited to smaller organizations wanting to enhance employee benefits and assistance programs.
- Engage is an alternative for small businesses needing specialized compliance support and employee training resources, offering expertise in employment law and HR practices.
Best for Small Business: OnPay
Product Overview
OnPay stands out for its ease of use, affordability, and extensive features, specifically designed for small businesses. With a user-friendly cloud-based platform, OnPay simplifies payroll processes and HR tasks, making it a strong contender for companies looking to streamline their payroll processes in 2024.
Product Features
- OnPay allows unlimited payroll processing, accommodating both W-2 and 1099 workers, which is ideal for businesses with a mix of full-time and contract employees.
- Beyond payroll, OnPay provides valuable HR features such as a self-service employee portal, HR resource library, and new hire reporting.
- OnPay simplifies the hiring process with electronic documents and templates and can store necessary paperwork digitally.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Affordable and transparent pricing starting at $40 per month |
Time off data may not sync seamlessly with other system parts |
|
Self-service portal for employee access |
Tax document mailing incurs additional fees |
|
Integrations with top accounting platforms |
Payroll approval process is not fully automated |
|
Provides a wide array of HR resources and tools |
|
Free Trial & Pricing
OnPay offers a generous 30-day free trial period with full access to their services. OnPay’s pricing model is straightforward, with a base rate of $40 per month plus $6 per user, making it an accessible choice for small businesses looking for a complete payroll solution without the complexity of multiple tiers.
Alternatives
- ADP RUN could be a suitable alternative for businesses looking for a more customizable payroll solution with a robust benefits service, though it may be more expensive than OnPay.
- Paychex Flex offers more extensive customization options and a wider array of employee benefits services, potentially making it a better fit for businesses requiring a comprehensive HR and payroll system.
Best for Startups: Multiplier
Product Overview
Multiplier offers an all-in-one platform for global employment, serving as both payroll software and an Employer of Record (EOR). Its clear and user-friendly payroll dashboard simplifies payroll processing for various pay periods, making it an attractive option for startups looking to tap into global talent pools without the hassle of establishing foreign entities.
Product Features
- Multiplier automates and adapts payroll processes to regional tax and employment laws, reducing errors and compliance risks.
- The platform offers unique features for managing international contractors, including compliant contract generation and streamlined payment processes.
- Includes comprehensive HR tools for onboarding new employees, managing personal information, and supporting employee lifecycle management.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Simplifies global employment and payroll processes |
Initial setup can be complex |
|
User-friendly platform |
Features may exceed the needs of startups or small businesses |
|
Offers robust HR and benefits management tools |
Lacks a free trial option |
Free Trial & Pricing
Multiplier offers two main plans:
- Independent Contractors Plan: Starting at $40/month, designed for businesses to quickly onboard and pay contractors globally.
- Employer of Record Plan: Starting at $400/month, suitable for businesses looking to hire full-time employees in over 150 countries without establishing a local entity.
Other plans, such as “Global Payroll” and “Immigration”, are also available, with prices provided upon contacting Multiplier’s sales team. A free trial of Multiplier is also available.
Alternatives
- Compared with Multiplier’s emphasis on global payroll and compliance for international enterprises, BambooHR is a suitable alternative for small and medium-sized businesses, offering a more user-friendly and comprehensive HR solution.
- Gusto is an alternative to Multiplier for businesses wanting a more payroll-focused solution with more HR functionalities and full-service payroll capabilities, including unlimited payroll runs and automated tax processing.
Conclusion
In the landscape of 2024’s HR tools, businesses have plenty of choices, with offerings that cater to every need, from global payroll solutions to specialized recruitment platforms.
As we move forward, it’s clear that adopting these sophisticated HR tools is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in how companies operate, promising a future where human resources management is more strategic, data-driven, and, most importantly, human-centered.
Disclosure: Some of the products featured in this blog post may come from our partners who compensate us. This might influence the selection of products we feature and their placement and presentation on the page. However, it does not impact our evaluations; our opinions are our own. The information provided in this post is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice. For advice on specific issues, please consult with a qualified professional.
Written by Ivana Radevska
Senior Content Writer at Shortlister
Human Resources Software
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