How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Gusto is the clearest starting point for small US businesses that need payroll and light HR at a published price, from $49 per month plus $6 per person on Simple.
- BambooHR suits growing teams that want clean people data, onboarding, and performance tools, from $10 per employee per month on Core.
- Rippling fits fast-growing companies that want HR, payroll, IT, and spend in one system, from $8 per user per month for the HR core plus a base fee.
- Deel is the strongest choice for hiring across borders, with a free HR core for up to 200 employees and contractor management from $49 per contractor per month.
- Workday, ADP Workforce Now, Paylocity, and HiBob are quote-based, so budget holders should request itemized quotes and compare total cost at their headcount.
Buying HR software is really buying two things at once: a system of record for people data, and the payroll and compliance work that sits on top of it. Some tools do both in one place. Others do the record well and leave payroll to a partner or a separate product. Mixing those two up is the most common buying mistake, because a beautiful HR dashboard does not file taxes, and a payroll engine does not run performance reviews.
This guide compares ten tools that exist today and fit the category, from small business payroll to enterprise human capital management. Published prices are shown where vendors publish them. Where vendors sell by quote only, the entry says so, and third-party estimates are noted as estimates rather than vendor prices. Prices were checked against vendor pricing pages and recent pricing coverage in October 2026. Implementation fees, add-on modules, and benefits costs can change the total sharply, so request an itemized quote before signing.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Gusto | Small US businesses needing payroll plus HR | $49 per month + $6 per person (Simple) | No |
 BambooHR | Growing teams wanting clean people data | $10 per employee per month (Core) | Free trial (7 days) |
 Rippling | Fast-growing teams consolidating HR, IT, and spend | From $8 per user per month + base fee | No |
 Deel | Hiring contractors and employees abroad | Free (Deel HR core); contractors from $49 per month | Yes (Deel HR core) |
 Workday | Large enterprises needing full HCM | See website | No |
 ADP Workforce Now | Compliance-heavy US employers at scale | See website | No |
 Paylocity | Mid-market HCM with employee experience tools | See website | No |
 HiBob | Mid-market HR with a culture focus | See website | No |
 Zoho People | Budget-conscious small teams | See website | Yes (limited free tier) |
 Factorial | SMBs in Europe and Latin America | From $8 per user per month (Core HR) | Free trial (14 days) |
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best HR software
#1Gusto
Best for: Small US businesses needing payroll plus HR4.6/5 on
G2 (13,355 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit gusto.com
Starting price$49 per month + $6 per person (Simple)
Free planNo
Gusto is the easiest recommendation for a small US business that needs payroll done correctly and wants light HR in the same place. Simple, at $49 per month plus $6 per person, covers payroll, tax filing, and basic HR for one state. Plus, at $80 per month plus $12 per person, adds multi-state payroll and time tracking. Premium, at $180 per month plus $22 per person, adds dedicated support and deeper HR help.
The limits are geography and depth. Gusto payroll is US only, so a company hiring abroad needs a second tool such as Deel. Performance management, advanced reporting, and learning tools are thinner than on BambooHR or Rippling, and costs at 50 employees on Plus reach $680 per month before benefits. For a US team under 50 that wants payroll first and HR second, Gusto is hard to beat.
What we like- Published, honest pricing
- Payroll and tax filing included
- No implementation fee stated by the vendor
Watch out for- US only for payroll
- Advanced HR features sit on higher tiers
- Plus and Premium costs rise fast with headcount
#2BambooHR
Best for: Growing teams wanting clean people data4.4/5 on
G2 (7,718 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit bamboohr.com
Starting price$10 per employee per month (Core)
Free planFree trial (7 days)
BambooHR wins on the daily experience of HR work. Employee records, time off, onboarding checklists, and org charts are presented clearly, and managers can approve requests without training. Core, at $10 per employee per month, covers the record and basic workflows. Pro, at $17, adds performance management and applicant tracking. Elite, at $25, adds deeper reporting and employee experience tools.
Payroll is the gap to check. BambooHR payroll is an add-on, quoted separately, and US only, so a buyer who assumes payroll is included will be surprised at quote time. For teams that already have payroll sorted and want the best HR record, BambooHR is the standard to compare against.
What we like- Clean employee records and org charts
- Strong onboarding and time off workflows
- Applicant tracking on higher tiers
Watch out for- Payroll is a US-only add-on quoted separately
- No permanent free tier
- Pricing rises with Pro and Elite tiers
#3Rippling
Best for: Fast-growing teams consolidating HR, IT, and spend4.8/5 on
G2 (13,464 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit rippling.com
Starting priceFrom $8 per user per month + base fee
Free planNo
Rippling is built for companies that are tired of stitching tools together. One system handles employee records, payroll, benefits, device management, app access, and corporate cards, and a new hire can be set up across HR and IT in one workflow. The HR core starts from $8 per user per month plus a base fee of about $35 per month, with payroll, IT, and spend as separate products in the quote.
The cost warning matters. A quote that starts at $8 per user can reach $60 to $80 per user per month once payroll, IT, and spend modules are added, and an implementation fee applies. Rippling earns its price when a company is growing fast, hiring across states, and wants one system for people, devices, and spending.
What we like- HR, payroll, IT device management, and spend in one system
- Automatic state tax registration
- Strong automation and integrations
Watch out for- Quote-based for full pricing
- Implementation fee applies
- Total cost rises fast as modules are added
#4Deel
Best for: Hiring contractors and employees abroad4.7/5 on
G2 (6,959 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit deel.com
Starting priceFree (Deel HR core); contractors from $49 per month
Free planYes (Deel HR core)
Deel solves a problem that US-focused tools ignore: hiring legally in another country without setting up a local entity. The HR core, Deel HR, is free for up to 200 employees and covers records, time off, and org data. Contractor management starts at $49 per contractor per month and handles contracts, payments, and compliance documents. Employer of record service, from $599 per employee per month, makes Deel the legal employer in the worker's country, handling payroll, taxes, and benefits there.
US buyers should note the split. US payroll starts at $29 per employee per month and US PEO at $125 per employee per month, both separate from the free HR core. For a company with even a handful of international hires, Deel is often the only practical option.
What we like- Free HR core for up to 200 employees
- Contractor management from $49 per month
- Employer of record service in many countries
Watch out for- US payroll and PEO pricing is separate
- Employer of record costs $599 per employee per month
- Complexity grows with country count
#5Workday
Best for: Large enterprises needing full HCM4.2/5 on
G2 (2,449 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit workday.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Workday is the enterprise answer in this list. It covers core HR, payroll, talent, workforce planning, and analytics in one system built for thousands of employees, multiple countries, and complex reporting needs. Large organizations use it to standardize HR processes across regions, run workforce plans against finance data, and produce audit-ready reports.
That power comes with cost and effort that rule it out for smaller buyers. Pricing is quote only, implementation typically takes months and needs internal project staff, and the system assumes dedicated HR operations.
What we like- Full human capital management for large, complex organizations
- Strong workforce planning and analytics
- Deep global compliance coverage
Watch out for- Quote only, with high total cost
- Implementation is long and resource heavy
- Far more system than a small team needs
#6ADP Workforce Now
Best for: Compliance-heavy US employers at scale4.2/5 on
G2 (4,475 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit adp.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ADP Workforce Now is the safe, compliance-first choice for US employers with complex payroll needs. It handles payroll, tax filing, time and attendance, benefits, and talent in tiered packages named Select, Plus, and Premium, with pricing by quote. For companies with multi-state payroll, union rules, or heavy compliance reporting, ADP's depth and support network are the reason it stays on shortlists year after year.
The buying experience is the weakness. Quotes vary by headcount and module, implementation can be slow, and some users report an interface that feels dated next to Rippling or HiBob. ADP also sells ADP RUN for smaller businesses, so a small buyer who lands on Workforce Now by mistake should ask whether RUN fits better. Mid-market and larger US employers who rank compliance above design should put ADP on the shortlist and compare its itemized quote against Paylocity at the same headcount.
What we like- Broad payroll, tax, and compliance coverage for US employers
- Benefits administration at scale
- Long track record with mid-market and enterprise buyers
Watch out for- Quote only
- Interface and implementation draw mixed reviews
- Add-on modules increase the total
#7Paylocity
Best for: Mid-market HCM with employee experience tools4.4/5 on
G2 (6,312 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit paylocity.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Paylocity targets mid-market employers who want a full HCM suite with a stronger employee experience layer than ADP or Workday offer at the same size. Payroll, benefits, time tracking, talent, and learning sit in one system, and the built-in social feed, peer recognition, and engagement surveys give it a modern feel that employees actually open.
That quote process is where care is needed. Implementation fees, module choices, and headcount all move the total, and a quote that looks competitive for payroll alone can grow once talent and learning modules are added. Buyers should request a line-item quote, ask what is included in implementation, and compare the three-year cost, not just year one.
What we like- Payroll, HR, benefits, and talent in one suite
- Employee social feed, recognition, and surveys built in
- Broad integration list
Watch out for- No published price list
- Implementation fee of roughly 10 to 20 percent of first-year spend
- Module costs add up
#8HiBob
Best for: Mid-market HR with a culture focus4.5/5 on
G2 (2,704 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit hibob.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
HiBob, often called Bob, is the culture-first HRIS for mid-market companies. Onboarding, time off, performance reviews, compensation planning, and engagement surveys are presented in a modern interface that managers and employees find easy to use. Third-party estimates place starting prices in the $16 to $25 per employee per month range, but HiBob sells by quote, so that range is an estimate, not a vendor price.
Payroll is the key check. HiBob does not run payroll itself in the way Gusto or ADP do, so buyers need a payroll partner or a separate payroll tool, which adds cost and integration work. Add-on modules for performance, compensation, and other areas can also raise the total beyond the base quote. Companies that want a people-focused HRIS and already have payroll sorted, or are willing to pair HiBob with a payroll provider, will like it.
What we like- Modern, people-focused interface
- Strong onboarding, performance, and engagement tools
- Good for distributed and hybrid teams
Watch out for- Quote only
- Payroll is handled through partners, not built in
- Add-on modules can become expensive
#9Zoho People
Best for: Budget-conscious small teams4.4/5 on
G2 (430 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zoho.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes (limited free tier)
Zoho People is the budget entry in this list, and its main advantage is price within a wider suite. A small team already using Zoho for email, CRM, or books can add HR records, leave, attendance, and performance without buying a separate premium HRIS. The limited free tier suits very small teams testing whether they need a formal HR system at all, and paid tiers remain among the lowest in this guide.
The trade-off is polish and payroll. The interface is functional rather than delightful, and payroll is not built into Zoho People itself, so US or international payroll needs Zoho Payroll or another provider. Buyers should confirm the current tier prices on the vendor page before budgeting, since Zoho revises its plans regularly. For cost-first buyers, it is worth a trial. For design-first buyers, BambooHR or HiBob will feel better.
What we like- Low-cost entry point within the Zoho suite
- Covers records, time off, attendance, and performance
- Free tier for very small teams
Watch out for- Pricing and tier details require checking the current vendor page
- Interface is functional rather than polished
- Payroll needs Zoho Payroll or a partner
#10Factorial
Best for: SMBs in Europe and Latin America4.4/5 on
G2 (106 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit factorialhr.com
Starting priceFrom $8 per user per month (Core HR)
Free planFree trial (14 days)
Factorial is the strongest value option for small and mid-sized businesses in Europe and Latin America. Core HR starts from $8 per user per month and covers employee records, time off, and documents, with higher tiers adding time tracking, expenses, performance, and recruiting. Its local compliance depth for European labor rules, contracts, and leave types gives it an edge over US-centric tools in those markets.
US buyers should be careful. Factorial's payroll and compliance depth for the US is thinner than Gusto or ADP, and its support and partner network in North America are smaller. That makes it a poor default for a US-only team, even at a low price. Compare its total at the company's actual headcount, since per-user pricing grows with the team.
What we like- Affordable core HR with published entry price
- Strong fit for European and Latin American labor rules
- Time tracking, expenses, and documents included on higher tiers
Watch out for- Less depth for US payroll and compliance
- Brand recognition lower in North America
- Some features sit on higher tiers
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation, and public reviews on G2, Capterra, and Reddit, and we checked each vendor homepage to confirm the product exists and matches the category. Tools were judged on HR record quality, payroll coverage, global hiring support, onboarding and performance depth, integration options, and price transparency. Where a vendor sells by quote only, the entry says so, and any third-party estimate is labelled as an estimate. Readers should request itemized quotes at their own headcount before signing.
Questions to answer before you sign
Does payroll come included, or is it separate?
Gusto, Rippling, ADP, and Paylocity include payroll in the suite or as a priced module. BambooHR payroll is a separate US add-on. HiBob and Zoho People need a payroll partner. Deel separates HR, contractor, US payroll, and employer of record pricing. Confirm which model applies before comparing prices, since a low HR price plus a separate payroll bill is not a low total.
What does the total cost look like at your headcount?
Per-employee pricing looks small until it is multiplied. At 50 employees, Gusto Plus costs $680 per month before benefits, BambooHR Core costs about $500, and a full Rippling bundle can cost several thousand.
How long will implementation take, and who does the work?
Gusto and Zoho People can be live in days for a small team. BambooHR and HiBob take weeks. Rippling, Paylocity, ADP, and Workday can take months, with data migration, benefits setup, and training.
Can data leave the system cleanly?
Ask for employee records, time off balances, and payroll history in exportable formats before signing. A system that holds people data hostage at renewal time is a long-term cost, not just a software choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best HR software for a small business?
Gusto fits most small US businesses that need payroll and light HR at a published price. BambooHR fits small teams that want stronger HR records and onboarding and already have payroll sorted. Zoho People fits budget-first teams that need basic records and leave tracking.
Do I need HR software if I already have payroll?
Payroll files taxes and pays people. HR software holds records, manages onboarding, time off, performance, and compliance documents.
How much does HR software cost per employee?
Published prices in this guide range from $8 per user per month for Rippling HR core and Factorial Core HR to $10 for BambooHR Core, with Gusto charging a base fee plus a per-person fee. Quote-based tools such as Workday, ADP, Paylocity, and HiBob vary by headcount and module, so an itemized quote is the only reliable figure.
Can one tool handle employees in several countries?
Deel is built for that, through contractor management and employer of record service. Rippling also offers global payroll. Most other tools here are US-focused or Europe-focused, so a company hiring across regions should check country coverage country by country before choosing.
Is free HR software worth using?
Deel HR core is free for up to 200 employees and is a genuine HR record, not just a trial. Zoho People offers a limited free tier for very small teams. Free tiers suit small teams with simple needs, but payroll, advanced performance tools, and dedicated support usually require a paid plan.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://gusto.com
- https://www.bamboohr.com
- https://www.rippling.com
- https://www.deel.com
- https://www.workday.com
- https://www.adp.com
- https://www.paylocity.com
- https://www.hibob.com
- https://www.zoho.com/people/
- https://factorialhr.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.