A human resource information system (HRIS) is software that helps businesses simplify their employee data management processes. The best HRIS systems can help you with hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and employee performance. An HRIS for small business is an all-in-one system that houses employee data and enables you to easily access, track, and manage human resource information.
- Rippling: Best for Small Businesses
- Paycor: Best Comprehensive HRIS System
- Gusto: Best for Freelancers
- Paychex: Best for Businesses That Need an HR Consultant
- TriNet Zenefits: Best for Employee Management
- BambooHR: Best for Analytics
- ADP Run: Best for Growing Businesses
- Zoho People: Best for Businesses on a Budget
| Pricing | Payroll | Onboarding | TrustRadius Rating (out of 10) | |
| Rippling | Starts at $8/month per user | ✔️ | ✔️ | 8.7 |
| Paycor | 30 day free trial then pricing is available via a representative | ✔️ | ✔️ | 6.9 |
| Gusto | Plans start at $46/month (contractor only plans are $6/month per contractor) | ✔️ | ✔️ | 7.4 |
| Paychex | Pricing is available via a representative | ✔️ | ✔️ | 7.3 |
| TriNet Zenefits | Pricing is available via a representative | ✔️ | ✔️ | 6.4 |
| BambooHR | Free 7-day trial, then pricing available via a representative | ✔️ | ✔️ | 8.4 |
| ADP Run | Pricing is available via a representative | ✔️ | ✔️ | 8.2 |
| Zoho People | 30-day free trial then plans start at $1.25/month. Free plans are available for businesses with less than five users. | ❌ | ✔️ | 8.5 |
8 Best HRIS Systems
Any business that wants to scale by streamlining its HR operations should have an HRIS system, as it can improve payroll accuracy, help you comply with ever-changing privacy and data protection laws, and allow you to access employee data all in one place, saving you time and money.
We have rounded up the eight best HRIS systems for small businesses so that you can choose the right software to help your company grow.
Rippling: Best for Small Businesses
Benefits
Rippling is a workforce management platform offering HR, IT, and finance products geared toward small to mid-sized businesses. Rippling’s HR Cloud software helps you manage onboarding and employee changes (including offboarding). Its features include payroll, benefits administration, employee time and attendance tracking, employee training, and recruitment tools, making it one of the best HRIS systems for small businesses.
Pros
- 100% accuracy guarantee for payroll service
- Employee experience surveys help you analyze your workforce and make improvements
- Integrates with multiple apps for services, including payroll, recruitment, and benefits administration
Cons
- Ripple’s HR Cloud is optimized for between 2-2,000 employees, so not the best fit for larger businesses
Pricing
Rippling starts at $8/month per user. You can get a free quote from Rippling by filling out a form and scheduling a time for a demo.
Paycor: Best Comprehensive HRIS System
Benefits
Paycor’s human capital management (HCM) software expands on basic HRIS system features like payroll and access to centralized employee data to include employee and management reviews, team communication tools, legal compliance guidance, digital document storage, and analysis of competitors’ data to compare your performance with others in your industry.
Pros
- Payroll software includes multiple payment options, automated payroll cycles, and payroll reports
- Employees can access pay stubs, W2 forms, and benefits information via Paycor’s self-service portal
- Helps save time by automating workflows
Cons
- Pricing information is not available online
Pricing
Paycor offers a 30-day free trial then you must contact Paycor to get pricing quotes.
Gusto: Best for Freelancers
Benefits
The basic plan of Gusto includes automated payroll and tax filing, employee self-service, and benefits administration tools. Its contractor plan starts at $6/month per contractor, making it an affordable option for freelancers.
Pros
- Over 300,000 businesses use Gusto’s HR platform
- Integrates with 188 different apps
- Customer support available via phone, chat, or email
Cons
- Only clients who pay for Gusto’s higher-tier plans can access its HR support team and resources, and access costs an additional $8/month per person
Pricing
Gusto’s Simple plan starts at $40/month, plus $6/month per person. Contractor-only plans are $6/month per contractor.
Paychex: Best for Businesses That Need an HR Consultant
Benefits
Paychex provides payroll, employee benefits, time clocks, hiring, onboarding, and a professional employer organization (PEO) that helps to simplify your administrative functions. It also offers access to an HR consultant who can analyze your business and help you generate solutions to any HR issues you may face.
Pros
- Provides business insurance as an add-on
- Customized advice from an HR expert
- HR professionals monitor regulatory changes to help ensure legal compliance
Cons
- While both Paychex’s Select and Pro plans include hiring and onboarding tools, recruitment and applicant tracking and performance and document management cost extra
Pricing
You have to fill out a form and wait for a representative to contact you to get information about pricing.
TriNet Zenefits: Best for Employee Management
Benefits
TriNet Zenefits is the small business HRIS system you need if you have been looking for software that can help you hire, onboard, manage, and analyze your workforce. Furthermore, PTO requests can be synced with your payroll system, and business intelligence reports help you analyze and make decisions about employee performance.
Pros
- Zenefits also offers benefits administration, payroll, and scheduling features
- A discount may be available when you switch from your current HRIS
- Keeps records of past employees and makes sure your business stays compliant when employees retire or leave your team
Cons
- The demo sign-up form may be non-functional
Pricing
For a limited time, TriNet Zenefits is offering your first year of payroll software free, with an annual contract. You must contact a representative to get pricing information.
BambooHR: Best for Analytics
Benefits
BambooHR is one of the best HRIS for small businesses that need help analyzing their business and workforce performances. Its analytics help you to identify and find data-informed solutions to issues before they become a problem. BambooHR’s automatic applicant tracking system (ATS), employee self-onboarding, and employee performance management tools are just part of its digital toolkit that can save you time and money and help your business to grow.
Pros
- Free HRIS Buyer’s Guide ebook available for download
- Transparent comparison with other HRIS providers available on its website
- Fast, informative website
Cons
- Pricing is not available online
Pricing
Free 7-day trial, then you must contact a product specialist for pricing information.
ADP Run: Best for Growing Businesses
Benefits
ADP Run is a scalable HRIS system that works just as well for small and mid-sized businesses as it does multinational corporations. It offers payroll, taxes, HR support, and legal assistance, depending on the size of your business and the plan you choose.
Pros
- Can service businesses of all sizes
- Offers wage garnishment and state unemployment insurance (SUI) features
- Background checks, job posting, and staff training services
Cons
- PEO plans are only available for businesses with between 5-250 employees
Pricing
Pricing is customized based on your company’s size and individual needs and can be obtained by filling out a form or calling and providing information to a customer support representative.
Zoho People: Best for Businesses on a Budget
Benefits
Zoho People offers transparent (and affordable) pricing, with multiple tiers available depending on your needs. Its cheapest plan (after its free plan!) starts at just $1.25/month and includes onboarding, employee data management, and an employee self-service portal. Higher tiers offer time tracking, analytics, and employee engagement tools.
Pros
- Ability to switch plans as your business’s needs change
- Zoho People supports multiple languages
- Can integrate with other apps, including Zoho Payroll
Cons
- Businesses with more than 500 users need to request customized pricing
Pricing
30-day free trial, then plans start at $1.25/month. Free plans are available for businesses with less than five users.
Methodology
We analyzed HRIS systems with positive customer reviews from TrustRadius (a software review company) that centralize employee data and offer payroll, hiring, onboarding, and employee reporting features. We chose highly-rated software that provides the best benefits for small businesses.
FAQs
What is the best HRIS system?
Determining the best Human Resource Information System (HRIS) system depends on various factors, including the specific needs and requirements of your organization, the size of your workforce, your budget, and the features you prioritize. The best HRIS systems for small companies incorporate payroll, onboarding, and data analysis features that can help your business to scale.
