Workforce Technology

Free HRIS Software in 2024

Discover how small businesses and start-ups can benefit from free HRIS software in meeting core HR needs while also increasing the productivity of both managers and employees.
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Knowing how to manage employees effectively is crucial in the current business landscape. Hence, the HR department plays a huge role in the decision-making in people management. People can’t just be adjusted or fine-tuned to suit the organization’s objectives.

Therefore, being resourceful and discovering the most significant opportunities on the market is necessary for every entrepreneur. Having an HR solution, especially free HRIS software, can make the process run smoothly among personnel and cut back on expenses. 

Running a company with the help of HRIS Software can offer managers an opportunity to streamline the workload, leading to more free time and less administrative work. Solutions like this lead the way and show managers a trail that offers the most straightforward route from point A to point B in people management.

What is HRIS Software?

The definition of HRIS Software is straightforward. HRIS, or human resources information system, is an operating system designed to assist businesses in meeting core HR needs while also increasing the productivity of both managers and employees.  

This is made possible mainly by automation and synchronized data, which may decrease costly redundancies and provide a reliable source for task decision-making. 

To be more precise, these are the basic HRIS Software functionalities:

Increasing the efficiency of employee onboarding  

Centralized employee demographic database  

Employee job details such as manager, department, pay rates, and more  

Planning for retention and succession  

Time-tracking 

Leave management and scheduling  

Administration of payroll and benefits  

Data analytics for comprehensive reporting  

Options for employee self-service  

ORG chart  

Basic ATS services (only some HRIS solutions include this as an option)  

What are the Best Free HRIS Software Solutions on the market?

The consolidated storage system offered by Zoho is an easy-to-use HRIS that can add, automate, and access all employee records, from personal information to job responsibilities. 

Managers can track and guide employees at every stage, from onboarding to leave management. This free HRIS Software assists in creating a platform based on the organization’s needs in just a few clicks. It automates routine tasks, freeing up time to focus on employees. 

Features:

Employee database

Leave and attendance tracking

Reporting and analytics     

Overview of processes     

Check-in & check out   

Employee Self-Service 

Mobile apps for Android and iOS

Drag and drop option

Document management and E-sign features   

Device Compatibility

Zoho is a cloud, SaaS, and Web-Based based software compatible with:

Desktop - Mac 

Android 

iPhone 

iPad 

Bitrix24 is a cloud-based software suite designed for business management. It provides 35 tools to assist businesses with HR processes.  

This solution is adaptable enough to be used by businesses of different sizes, from small businesses with fewer than 50 employees to large corporations with over 50,000 employees. The features available in the free version will be limited. Although limited, Bitrix24’s free version includes a wide variety of features.

Features:

Employee listing  

Visual designer  

Permissions configuration  

Announcements for the entire company  

Time management  

Management of leave and vacation time  

Calendars  

System for e-learning/training  

Social intranet/activity stream  

Document administration     

Management of HR forms and records  

Recruiting  

API  

Training and managing workflow on social intranet

Rewarding system

Device Compatibility

Bitrix24 is a cloud, SaaS, and Web-Based based software, compatible with:

Desktop 

 Mac 

Desktop 

 Windows 

On Premise 

 Windows 

On Premise 

 Linux 

Mobile 

 Android 

Mobile 

 iPhone 

Mobile 

 iPad 

One of Freshworks’ most popular products is Freshteam.

This software gives users complete control over the hiring process without compromising candidate quality. It includes a searchable and secure database, which ensures data security. 

Moreover, the system is feature-rich with many desirable and free HRIS software features, allowing it to manage a wide range of HR processes such as: 

Features:

Candidate sourcing channels  

Smooth hiring processes      

360-degree view of the candidate  

Collaboration and hiring     

Integrated email conversations  

Pro-active onboarding     

Document signing  

Sends out reminders     

Capture all types of employee information  

Rich employee profiles     

Create and maintain organizational charts  

Time off policies that take into account how businesses operate  

Policies tailored to the needs of the teams  

Workflows for manager approval  

Reports and insights on time off  

An easy-to-follow recruitment process  

Agile way to handle time off   

Employee records are easily accessible 

Device Compatibility

Freshteam is cloud-based software, compatible with:

Desktop 

 Android 

This is a comprehensive human resources tool that focuses on hourly work. While their time tracking tools are highly refined, their free version includes team messaging, an employee app, a hiring tool, and POS and payroll software integrations.

Their basic plan is free for an unlimited number of employees as long as the team is restricted to a single location.

Features:

Attendance management 

Email integration 

Employee self-service management 

HR & payroll 

Payroll management 

Shift management 

Time & attendance management 

Workflow management 

Dashboard 

Timesheets 

Events & reminders 

Resource cost estimation 

Vacation/leave tracking 

Device Compatibility

Web

Android

iPhone/iPad

BambooHR, as one of the most well-known and trusted names in HR technology, is worth considering for its numerous benefits and flexible pricing.

Bamboo, unlike others, does not have a free version that you can use indefinitely. 

However, they are worth mentioning because they provide a free trial of their all-in-one software and then go out of their way to find a version that will work for you. 

They provide you with a customized quote that fits your budget and is likely to extend your free trial upon request or even provide you with a free demo of the advanced features.

Features:

Centralized employee database

Administration of benefits and payroll 

Self-service for employees and managers 

Global competencies 

System for tracking applicants 

Tracking of time and attendance 

Storage and management of documents 

e-Signature 

Management of performance 

Analytics alerts/reports (for training deadlines, license renewals, birthdays, etc.) 

Email and phone support

Open API for web-based mobile apps 

Six different languages (English, French, Canadian, German, Spanish, Brazilian, Portuguese, Dutch) 

Device Compatibility

Web

Android

iPhone/iPad

OrangeHRM is a popular open-source HRIS, and it has a clear cost advantage over its competitors. In 2019, this software solution won the Top 20 Talent Management Software award.

OrangeHRM is an accessible, flexible, and user-friendly solution for small and medium-sized businesses. 

Companies can manage their most valuable asset – their employees – by offering modules for personnel information management, employee self-service, leave management, time and attendance benefits, and recruitment. 

Combining these modules into a single application ensures the ideal platform for reengineering and aligning the HR processes with the organizational goals.

Features:

360-degree feedback 

Applicant tracking 

Benefits management 

Employee database 

Employee profiles 

Onboarding 

Payroll management 

Performance management 

Recruitment management 

Self-service portal 

Time & attendance 

Time off management 

Device Compatibility

Web

Android

iPhone/iPad

WebHR is a cloud-based all-in-one social HR software that manages personnel from hire to retirement in the most advanced way. It is trusted by more than 25,000 companies and is used in 200 countries. 

It is the first company that introduced AI to HR. This software is free for up to five employees, and prices go as low as $ 1.00 per employee per month.

Core HR 

Time and attendance 

Recruitment 

Payroll 

Performance 

Benefits 

e-Signature 

Onboarding 

Reporting/analytics 

Self-service portal 

Reporting & statistics 

Activity dashboars 

API 

Alerts/notifications 

Third party integrations 

Employee database 

Device Compatibility

Web

Android

iPhone/iPad

UZIO is a cloud-based SaaS platform that provides HRIS services. 

This integrated solution provides single sign-on access for employers, local/regional brokers, and employees to centralize their HR tasks, benefits management, and online payroll processing.

In a few clicks, this platform enables employers to go paperless and navigate the complexities of employee management. 

It automates human resources, administrative tasks, record-keeping, and compliance.

Features:

Salary management 

Benefits management 

Tax administration 

Business reporting 

Employee decision support 

Mobile app 

Compensation statement 

Hiring 

Onboarding 

Time tracking 

Reporting/analytics 

Self-service portal 

API 

Employee database 

Employee profiles 

Compliance management 

Device Compatibility

UZIO is a cloud-based SaaS platform that supports:

Web

Android

iPhone/iPad

Conclusion

Opportunities always exist and can be seized by resourceful managers.

For small businesses and start-ups, free HRIS software is an excellent choice. It saves money and gets the job done. However, paid HR software is a better option for gaining access to robust functionality that the company can’t quickly outgrow.  

If free HRIS Software is not getting the job done, there is always an option to upgrade the system after the demand gets bigger.

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. 

Written by Shortlister Editorial Team

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