Navigating HR Challenges with 12 Popular HRMS Software Solutions

Human resource management based entirely on paper-based systems is still considered an effective method for many businesses today, especially small-scale startups. However, do these conventional practices still remain effective in the long run for organizations with rapidly growing scales?

No more time-consuming situations of manually updating employee records up-to-date or storing all HR data on physical files. HRMS software solutions provide businesses, regardless of size, with practical and automated solutions to streamline HR processes.

By combining with the latest software development trends, such as business intelligence (BI) and big data, the benefits of HR software are increasingly expanding and covering almost all activities related to human resources, including long-term planning.

Understanding the Differences Between HR Software and HRM Software

Simply put, HR software, also known as human resources (HR) software, represents digital solutions designed to simplify, manage, and streamline multiple core HR tasks within an organization. With HR software solutions, processes such as employee data management, performance management, employee benefits administration, employee onboarding, payroll processes, attendance and time tracking, and training management take place automatically without the need for human intervention.

Meanwhile, HRM software, also known as human resource management systems, refers to a broader term compared to HR systems. HR management software encompasses not only the administrative aspects of HR but also other strategic HR functions that go beyond basic HR tasks. Such extended capabilities may include employee management, analytics, reporting, compliance management, etc., that all align with organizational planning and support long-term HR goals.

The similarities between HRM and HR software have led to some overlaps and confusion. However, while both HR software and HRM software relate to managing human resources within an organization, HR teams can still use these two interchangeably to serve several communication contexts.

12 Best HR Software Solutions to Streamline HR Processes

The benefits of HRMS software cannot be denied. However, not all HRMS are the same. Each has its own features and strengths. Depending on specific needs and technical requirements, a solution that seems to be a good fit for your organization may not work for others and vice versa. It is always recommended for HR professionals to evaluate multiple options and consider factors, including customization, scalability, and customer support, before making a final decision.

With a vast array of HR solutions available in the market, here are our top picks that cover the full employee experience, from hiring to onboarding through employee performance and learning management.

Deel

Founded in 2018 by Alex Bouaziz and Shuo Wang, Deel is an all-in-one HR platform designed for international teams. More than just an HR and payroll software used for retail purposes, Deel simplifies various aspects of global workforce management and brings overall efficiency to all HR-related processes.

Some of the features of this tool include hiring, HR, and payroll services to both employees and contractors. In particular, Deel focuses strongly on the compliance aspects of the business, helping users build confidence in their global HR practices.

Rippling

Rippling is a comprehensive workforce management system that combines three main departments in your company, including human resources, information technology, and finance, on a unified data platform. The solution provides users with a wide range of functionalities, such as benefits administration, payroll, expense management, corporate cards, time-off requests, and more.

Because all needed processes are integrated into one centralized platform, businesses save money spent on separate tools to manage various aspects of HR and IT and eliminate the friction associated with managing multiple systems.

monday.com

monday.com is a cloud-based work operating system (Work OS) offering large and small businesses a platform for building customized project management software based on their unique needs. With a user-friendly interface and the presence of key features such as project tracking, communication tools, and task management, monday.com serves as an employee self-service portal to help users across departments collaborate, track progress, and organize tasks effectively.

The platform even has the ability to integrate with many popular apps and services, allowing businesses to sync all their needed tools in seconds and leverage the power of monday.com alongside existing tools.

Paycor

As human capital management (HCM) software, Paycor provides comprehensive solutions to help users develop winning teams and streamline multiple aspects of people management, such as payroll, attendance tracking, hiring, onboarding, etc. This platform can be accessed and used through both web and mobile applications, providing a convenient and time-saving experience for businesses.

Not only does Paycor reduce administrative burdens and automate most important tasks related to human resources, but Paycor also provides pay card and direct deposit options for simplifying payroll processes and ensuring employees get paid efficiently.

BambooHR

If you are looking for a solution that specializes in HR processes, BambooHR may be a good fit. As a human resources software solution, BambooHR provides all the tools an HR team can think of, such as personal details, job history, performance reviews, time-off requests, and more, to streamline HR operations and optimize employee management.

The solution is cloud-based, allowing users to access anytime, anywhere with just an Internet connection. Whether you are an HR professional or not, BambooHR, with its user-friendly interface and intuitive design, is capable of serving your needs well from start to finish.

Gusto

Formerly known as ZenPayroll, Gusto is a cloud-based payroll, benefits, and HR software platform best suited for small businesses. While it still has other functions for human resources tasks, it focuses mainly on managing payroll and employee benefits more easily, quickly, and automatically.

With Gusto, businesses can automate payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits, and employees can set up pay schedules, manage time-off requests, and generate pay stubs and tax forms seamlessly. Besides some basic HR features such as onboarding new employees, managing employee records, and tracking time off, the software also specifically partners with various insurance providers and retirement plan administrators to improve employee benefits.

ClickUp

ClickUp is more like a project management and productivity platform than an HR software. However, since team collaboration is one of the critical outcomes that any user aims for when using HR solutions, ClickUp is still on this list.

With ClickUp, businesses can create a centralized workspace tailored to specific needs to assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress, ensuring smooth workflow between departments within an organization. Not only is the platform available on desktop and mobile devices, but it also offers integration with various third-party applications, including communication tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams, as well as cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox.

Sage HR

Sage HR is an on-premise HR solution and is part of the Sage.com suite of cloud-based tools for small to mid-size businesses. Previously known as CakeHR, Sage provides solutions to manage multiple aspects of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and employee data management to benefits administration, performance management, and more.

Sage HR’s biggest strength is its usability. Rather than using default functions, this solution allows users to select and add any modules they need to optimize management and working space best.

ADP Workforce Now

ADP Workforce Now is an all-in-one human resources management system providing a range of features and functionalities to support various HR activities. It is designed to help businesses of all sizes and industries manage their workforce efficiently and streamline HR processes. Some outstanding features of ADP Workforce Now include payroll management functionality and benefits administration capabilities.

While payroll functionality automates payroll calculations and tax filings, reduces errors, and improves accuracy, benefits administration capabilities aim to manage employee benefits programs for easier accessibility. With expert regulatory and compliance support in more than 140 countries, ADP Workforce Now is especially suitable for companies with a remote workforce distributed globally.

Zenefits

Zenefits is a comprehensive HR software solution that comprises various HR functionalities, such as payroll management, compliance management, employee onboarding, time tracking, etc., into one centralized platform. Based on the cloud, Zenefits allows businesses to access their processes from anywhere and anytime without directly being in the office, leading to a high level of flexibility.

Unlike some other HRMS, Zenefits services allow users to use their own benefits broker and only pay for necessary add-ons. No more user interfaces with unwanted features; companies have full control to customize working spaces according to their unique needs. In addition to full-time employees, the platform also supports contractors’ and freelancers’ management.

Namely

Namely is a modern cloud-based HR software platform built to target mid-size companies that need to optimize HR operations and employee experience. With Namely, users are free to tailor the platform to suit a company’s specific people processes instead of being forced to adapt to the provider’s default interface.

As an intuitive self-service portal, this solution allows employees to have almost full access to features, including updating their personal information, viewing pay stubs, requesting time off, and accessing company policies and documents without asking for support from other departments within an organization.

Workday

Workday is a cloud-based enterprise software platform that can integrate with multiple business applications. Its goal is to help organizations manage their financial operations, workforce, and strategic planning in one unified system. Workday has a total of three main modules. Workday’s Human Capital Management (HCM) module provides tools to help businesses manage their entire employee lifecycle.

The Financial module specializes in activities related to finance and accounting, such as general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. The Planning module mainly focuses on managing and creating plan categories. In addition, Workday also has analytics and reporting capabilities, supporting businesses to gain valuable business intelligence.

How Much Does an HR System Cost?

When it comes to HR software cost, there are two basic options for business owners to consider: creating a new one from scratch or using one of the listed available products. Obviously, each has its pros and cons. While self-developed software solutions take budget, time, and effort to complete, they closely follow your technical needs. Find out how much software development costs by reading this article or contacting Orient Software for free cost estimation.

On the contrary, on-the-shelf ones are easy to purchase in a snap; they come at a cost and do not have a high level of customization. Typically, HR software follows two pricing models, including subscription-based (which involves a monthly or yearly fee per user or per employee) or perpetual licensing (which involves a one-time upfront cost for the software). Depending on chosen pricing models, pricing tiers, providers’ policies, and the size of the business, the price of using existing HR software ranges from $3 to $3,500+ per month.

If you need assistance with service packages between providers, don’t hesitate to reach out to third-party vendors for referrals. Then, be wise and choose the most suitable option for your business. Good luck.