HRIS Selection Guide

Welcome to part two of our three-part series on tools and systems! In part one, we discussed everything related to talent acquisition. Now, it's time to move further down the employee lifecycle and examine tools and systems post-hire. This article will explore Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS).

An HRIS is pivotal for managing the workforce in any organization. It helps automate HR processes, streamline hiring and onboarding, manage employee data, and offer insights into workforce analytics.

Similar to the first article of this series, we'll evaluate each HRIS platform based on core features, standout features, price, and suitability for different team sizes. Before we jump into it, the image below can serve as a refresher on how we define different companies.

BambooHR

• Core Features: Employee record-keeping, ATS (Applicant Tracking System), onboarding tools, time-off tracking, performance management, and HR reporting.

• Standout Feature: BambooHR's mobile app is particularly strong. It offers employees self-service options to view paystubs, request time off, and receive company updates.

• Price: They offer a free trial, with pricing available upon request.

• Our take:  As mentioned in part one, BambooHR is one of the few systems offering an ATS and HRIS. So, this is a great choice if you're looking for a 2-in-1 combo with straightforward functionality.

• Best for: Starts and Scaleups

  
  
  

HiBob

• Core Features: Onboarding, compensation management, people analytics, workforce planning, attendance tracking, benefits management, payroll processing, 360 feedback, and an extensive list of integrations.

• Standout Feature: HiBob's analytics tool is plug-and-play and offers pre-built dashboards for metrics such as growth, retention, headcount, career development, and absenteeism. It's culture and engagement tools that facilitate surveys and highlight insights on team morale.

• Price: Pricing is provided upon request.

• Our take: HiBob is celebrated for its modern interface and focus on culture, but it can be pricier than alternatives. It's an excellent choice for those with a looser budget and a stronger emphasis on employee engagement.

• Best for: Scalups

Personio

• Core Features: Recruiting, onboarding payroll, absence tracking, performance management, and HR analytics.

• Standout Feature: Their payroll functionality is robust and integrates well with the rest of the platform's features, and the ability to track and log hours per employee makes it a great choice for those who work in an hourly setup.

• Price: Offers several plans with a sliding scale based on the number of employees.

• Our take: Users like Personio's comprehensive nature but note a steeper learning curve. If you're looking for an HRIS that's plug-and-play and with a simple interfact, this probably isn't for you.

• Best for: Customized offerings for startups, scaleups, and enterprises. Generally best for companies looking for a detailed and integrated HR platform (scaleup and enterprise)

  
  
  

Humaans

• Core Features: Time off management, employee onboarding, employee database, payroll, benefits management, workflow builder, and employee self-service.

• Standout Feature: A streamlined interface that simplifies HR tasks without extensive training. Humaans is a great way to get started with employee data if you don't have much in place from before, given the ease of its table and workflow functionalities.

• Price: Pricing information is available upon request.

• Our take: Users appreciate the simplicity and intuitiveness but desire more advanced features.

• Best for: Best for startups and small teams that need a straightforward, no-frills HRIS.

  
  
  

Namely

• Core Features: Onboarding, HR compliance database, benefits administration, payroll, talent management, HR analytics, and time and attendance.

• Standout Feature: The HR Compliance Database keeps businesses informed of necessary regulations. It alerts you about changing legislation, tracks employee concerns, and provides compliance training.

• Price: Custom quote available upon request.

• Our take: Namely receives praise for its range of features but has mixed reviews on customer support. In general, Namely stands out as a great choice for those needing comprehensive compliance tools.

• Best for: Scalups

CharlieHR

• Core Features: Onboarding, off-boarding, team holidays, absence tracking, engagement surveys and performance reviews

• Standout Feature: CharlieHR is simple to use with a small team, with a friendly interface and essential HR capabilities. It also offers on-demand HR support for those who need a sparing partner, making it great for People teams of 1 or hands-on founders.

• Price: Offers a basic free version and higher tiers with additional features.

• Our take: The system targets CEOs and Founders, so the functionality is incredibly intuitive. It's always known for being cost-efficient and straightforward, though somewhat limited in features. It's great for smaller companies and founders in particular, that need a basic HRIS to get them up and running.

• Best for: Startups

Workday

• Core Features: Applicant Tracking (see article one for more details), financial management, planning, and analytics.

• Standout Feature: Enterprise-ready with extensive reporting and analytics for large global teams. Due to this system's sheer size and scope, there might be a chance another department in your organization is already using it if you're an enterprise. If that's the case, it can be great for aggregating different parts of your organization into one.

• Price: Pricing is available upon request and typically customized for large enterprises.

• Our take: Workday is known for being comprehensive but can be complex and expensive. Therefore, it's better suited for those who have it as a legacy system elsewhere in the organization.

• Best for: Enterprises that need a full-service HR platform.

  
  
  

PayCore

• Core Features: Applicant Tracking, workforce management, benefits adminstration, learning management, and of course, payroll.

• Standout Feature: Payroll is at the center of Paycor services, so it's no surprise that its payroll features central and cater well to complex needs.

• Price: Offers custom pricing based on business size and requirements.

• Our take: Paycor's payroll competence is often highlighted, but other components like it's LMS and pulse surveys also stand out. With that said, it's probably still best suited for those with intricate payroll needs. According to G2, customer service could be better compared to other providers.

• Best for: Scaleups and Enterprises

  
  
  

BrightHire

• Core Features: Full-service payroll, benefits administration, hiring and onboarding, performance reviews and development, time tracking, and insights.

• Standout Feature: Their payroll system is user-friendly and integrates with other HR functions seamlessly.

• Price: Offers multiple plan options based on the breadth of HR services needed.

• Our take: Gusto is often recognized for its ease of use and excellent customer support. It's great for those looking for a system that meets basic HR benefits but has a secondary focus on payroll. If you want to see how Gusto compares to its competition, check out its comparison guide page.

• Best for: Startups and Scaleups

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to HRIS systems. Each of the platforms reviewed has strengths and particular aspects that may make it the ideal fit for your organization, depending on its size, needs, and goals.

Once you've shortlisted your vendors, reach out for more detailed demos. Similar to hiring a candidate, create a scoring guide you can use to measure each vendor against one another. Be sure to bring in other employees and departments for their take as well since an HRIS will be sued by everyone in your organization—not just the People team.