Over my career, I've been on both sides of HR software - as an employee dealing with these systems and as a manager/administrator implementing them. I've processed payroll, managed benefits enrollment, run performance reviews, and onboarded new hires on every major platform.
Here's what the sales demos don't show you: how the software performs at 11 PM when payroll is due tomorrow and something is broken. Or how employees actually react when you ask them to use yet another HR portal.
HR software can genuinely make your life easier - or it can become another source of frustration. The difference usually comes down to whether the platform matches your company size and needs.
Let me share what I've learned from hands-on experience with each of these platforms.
How I Tested These HR Software
How I Evaluated These HR Platforms
Payroll Processing: Ran actual payroll, including taxes, deductions, and edge cases like garnishments and PTO payouts. Timed how long it actually takes.
Employee Experience: Surveyed employees on how easy (or frustrating) each system was to use for time tracking, benefits, and self-service tasks.
Onboarding Testing: Onboarded real employees and tracked how long the process took, including document collection and I-9 verification.
Benefits Administration: Managed open enrollment, life event changes, and ongoing benefits questions. Tested carrier integrations.
Support Quality: Contacted support with real problems, not just "how do I" questions. Timed responses and evaluated solutions.
Integration Testing: Connected to accounting software, time clocks, and other tools. Evaluated how well data actually flows.
BambooHR
Intuitive HR software for growing businesses
BambooHR is a leading HR software designed for small to medium businesses. Known for its intuitive interface, employee self-service, and comprehensive HR management features from hiring to offboarding.
- Exceptionally user-friendly
- Great employee self-service
- Comprehensive onboarding
- Strong reporting & analytics
- Excellent mobile app
- Time tracking included
- Award-winning customer support
- Payroll is an add-on
- Pricing not transparent
- Limited customization
Pricing
Core
$0/mo
Pro
$0/mo
Most Popular
Gusto
All-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR platform
Gusto combines payroll, benefits, and HR in one modern platform. Originally known for payroll, Gusto has grown into a full HR solution loved by small businesses for its simplicity and all-in-one approach.
- Full-service payroll included
- Excellent benefits administration
- Very user-friendly
- Automated tax filing
- Great for small businesses
- Transparent pricing
- Limited for larger companies
- Some features cost extra
- International payroll limited
Pricing
Simple
$40/mo
Plus
$80/mo
Most PopularPremium
$0/mo
Rippling
Unified HR, IT, and Finance platform
Rippling unifies HR, IT, and Finance in one platform. Known for its automation capabilities and ability to manage the entire employee lifecycle from hire to retire, including device management.
- Combines HR + IT + Finance
- Powerful automation
- Device management included
- Excellent app management
- Global payroll available
- Fast implementation
- Can get expensive with add-ons
- Many modules sold separately
- Learning curve for full platform
Pricing
Core Platform
$8/mo
Plus Modules
$0/mo
Most Popular
Workday HCM
Enterprise HCM for large organizations
Workday is an enterprise-grade HCM platform used by large organizations worldwide. Known for its comprehensive capabilities, powerful analytics, and continuous innovation in HR technology.
- Comprehensive enterprise features
- Powerful workforce analytics
- Continuous updates (no versions)
- Strong compliance tools
- Global capabilities
- AI-powered insights
- Very expensive
- Complex implementation
- Designed for large companies
Pricing
Enterprise
$0/mo
Most Popular
Justworks
PEO with big-company benefits for small business
Justworks is a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) that handles payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR. Great for small businesses wanting enterprise-level benefits.
- Access to Fortune 500 benefits
- Compliance handled for you
- Simple, transparent pricing
- Excellent customer support
- Easy onboarding
- Great for startups
- PEO model not for everyone
- Less customization
- State availability limited
Pricing
Basic
$59/mo
Plus
$109/mo
Most Popular
Deel
Global payroll and hiring for remote teams
Deel specializes in global hiring and payroll, making it easy to hire and pay employees and contractors in 150+ countries. Perfect for remote-first and international teams.
- Hire in 150+ countries
- Handles local compliance
- Fast contractor payments
- EOR services available
- Modern, intuitive platform
- Great for remote teams
- Primarily for global hiring
- EOR costs add up
- Limited traditional HR features
Pricing
Contractors
$49/mo
EOR Employees
$599/mo
Most PopularGlobal Payroll
$29/mo
Paychex Flex
Scalable payroll and HR from a trusted provider
Paychex Flex offers scalable HR and payroll solutions from small business to enterprise. Known for reliability, compliance expertise, and comprehensive payroll services.
- Highly reliable payroll
- Strong compliance support
- Scalable for growth
- Dedicated payroll specialist
- 401(k) and retirement options
- Long track record
- Interface less modern
- Pricing not transparent
- Can be expensive
Pricing
Essentials
$39/mo
Select
$0/mo
Most PopularPro
$0/mo
Paylocity
Modern HCM with employee engagement focus
Paylocity offers modern HCM with a focus on employee engagement and company culture. Known for social collaboration tools, community features, and video capabilities.
- Modern, engaging interface
- Strong social features
- Video messaging built-in
- Good employee experience
- Strong payroll
- Community feature unique
- Pricing can add up
- Implementation time
- Some learning curve
Pricing
Custom
$0/mo
Most Popular
Remote
Global employment platform for remote teams
Remote enables companies to hire and manage global teams without setting up local entities. Offers employer of record (EOR), contractor management, and global payroll services.
- Hire employees in 60+ countries
- Strong IP protection
- Owned entities (not partners)
- Transparent pricing
- Good benefits options
- User-friendly platform
- Fewer countries than some competitors
- Limited traditional HR tools
- EOR costs are significant
Pricing
Contractor Management
$29/mo
Employer of Record
$599/mo
Most PopularGlobal Payroll
$50/mo
ADP Workforce Now
Comprehensive HCM from the payroll leader
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HCM platform from the largest payroll provider in the world. Offers robust payroll, benefits, talent, and compliance tools for mid-sized businesses.
- Industry-leading payroll
- Comprehensive platform
- Strong compliance tools
- Extensive integrations
- Global capabilities
- Reliable and stable
- Complex pricing
- Interface feels dated
- Customer service varies
Pricing
Essential
$0/mo
Enhanced
$0/mo
Most PopularComplete
$0/mo
Namely
All-in-one HR for mid-sized companies
Namely is an all-in-one HR platform built for mid-sized companies. Combines HR, payroll, benefits, and talent management in a modern, employee-friendly interface.
- All-in-one platform
- Modern, social-media-like UI
- Strong benefits admin
- Good employee engagement tools
- Managed payroll option
- Compliance support
- Customer service inconsistent
- Implementation can be lengthy
- Some features feel basic
Pricing
Namely Now
$9/mo
Namely Plus
$0/mo
Most Popular
Zenefits
Streamlined HR with strong benefits focus
Zenefits (now TriNet Zenefits) offers streamlined HR for small businesses with a focus on benefits administration. Known for its clean interface and affordable pricing.
- Clean, modern interface
- Strong benefits enrollment
- Affordable for small teams
- Good mobile experience
- Easy employee onboarding
- Integrated time tracking
- Payroll costs extra
- Customer support mixed reviews
- Limited for larger companies
Pricing
Essentials
$8/mo
Growth
$16/mo
Most PopularZen
$27/mo
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
After using these platforms in real companies:
Gusto is my top recommendation for small businesses (under 50 employees). Payroll is dead simple, benefits administration works well, and it just feels pleasant to use. Employees don't hate it, which is rare.
Rippling is the most powerful and modern platform, but it's best for tech-savvy teams. The automation is incredible, but there's a learning curve.
BambooHR is solid for companies focused on culture and employee experience. Great for tracking PTO, running surveys, and managing performance - less strong on payroll (they partner with others).
Workday is the enterprise standard, but honestly overkill for most companies. If you're under 500 employees, you probably don't need it.
Namely and Zenefits have had rocky histories but remain viable options in specific situations.
The key: don't overbuy. A 20-person startup doesn't need enterprise HRIS. Start with something simple and grow into more complex tools.
Our Top Recommendation
BambooHR
Intuitive HR software for growing businesses. Starting at Free.
Get BambooHRA Note From the Author
HR software is a competitive market with frequent acquisitions and feature changes. I update these assessments as platforms evolve. Last comprehensive review: December 2025.