Small business Human Resources Information System (HRIS) software is designed to simplify day-to-day Human Resources (HR) tasks by bringing everything into one platform. It assists companies in their efficiency by keeping employee records organized, automating payroll, and ensuring compliance, as well as reducing repetitive work.
Regardless of what a company requires, a simple payroll or a system that can accommodate an international labor force, modern HR software provides small businesses (SMBs) with the leeway to expand without wasting money.
However, there are too many products in the market, and selecting one can be confusing. It is the point at which we come to cut through the noise and make the decision easier.
This guide takes a look at some of the best budget-friendly HRIS options designed to help growing companies work smarter, reduce mistakes, and give employees a smoother experience.
Software | Best For | Main Features | Pricing |
Deel | Businesses Overseeing Teams And Contractors Worldwide |
| $5/employee/month |
HiBob | Automating The Hiring And Talent Onboarding |
| Custom pricing |
BambooHR | Simplifying Employee Management |
| Starts at $10/employee/month |
Paycor | Businesses Needing Unified HR And Payroll |
| Custom pricing |
OnPay | New Ventures And Growing Startups |
| Starts at $49/month and $6/person/month |
Trinet | Outsourced HR And Payroll Services |
| Custom pricing |
Gusto | SMBs Centered On Payroll And Benefits Management |
| Starts at $49/month + $6/person/month |
Deel stands out as a comprehensive international workforce platform, integrating HR, payroll, compliance, and contractor management services. Having a user-friendly interface and advanced automation tools, Deel reduces the amount of administrative overhead, providing viable service to both large and small businesses.
Standout Features
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
Global payroll and compliance ensure accurate, timely payments Automated onboarding save time and reduce HR stress Secure document storage keeps all your files organized and protected in one place | Limited people enablement capabilities available Advanced payroll features may be unnecessary for local businesses |
Pricing
Deel offers a variety of modules like Deel IT, Deel Payroll, and Deel Services. Here’s the pricing breakdown of the Deel HR module:
- Deel HRIS - $5/employee/month
- Deel Compensation - $15/employee/month
- Deel Workforce Planning - $18/employee/month
- Deel Engage - $20/employee/month
- Deel Benefits Admin - Custom pricing
- Deel Talent - Custom pricing
- Deel Immigration - Custom pricing
- Deel Background Checks – Custom pricing
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
HiBob is a contemporary cloud-based HCM/HRIS system designed to embrace all phases of the employee lifecycle. It offers a vast variety of tools that help to make the company more engaged, build a stronger company culture, and enhance productivity. Hibob is scalable for any work arrangement and is therefore an effective solution for small businesses looking to have a single HRIS system.
Standout Features
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
Adapts to diverse international HR needs with flexible customization Simplifies leave tracking for smoother employee experiences Enables seamless management of multiple employment types worldwide | Reporting features are somewhat basic for an HRIS Performance module surveys need more customization options |
Pricing
The platform provides flexible pricing plans tailored to fit specific business needs and requirements.
BambooHR is among the most popular HRIS systems for small businesses, which provides a cloud-based solution where all the data about employees is arranged systematically in a single place. Its clear interface and easy design are particularly helpful in small and mid-sized organizations, where managers operating in various departments tend to utilize the available tools such as this to simplify HR operations.
Standout Features
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
Intuitive and user-friendly HR platform experience Leave status, bookings, and reminders improve task management Approval processes enable clear collaboration with comments between approvers | Learning tool limited to training tracking features Payroll, time tracking, and benefits require paid add-ons |
Pricing
The plan starts at $10/employee/month. The platform offers the following pricing plans at custom pricing and comes with a free trial:
- Core
- Pro
- Elite
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Paycor software is a cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) platform that brings HR, payroll, talent management, workforce management, and analytics together in one seamless system. Designed with small and mid-sized businesses in mind, it helps simplify HR processes, cut down on repetitive administrative work, stay compliant, and transform workforce data into meaningful, actionable insights.
Standout Features
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
New client promos sometimes waive setup fees Wide range of HR tools for varied tasks Built-in employee engagement features available | Benefits, time tracking, and learning tools are add-ons Advanced tools included only in higher tiers |
Pricing
Paycor offers the following pricing plans at custom pricing for small businesses with under 50 employees:
- Complete + ASO
- Core
- Essential
- Basic
For mid-sized businesses with over 50 to 1,000+ employees, the software offers a plan that is free for one month and includes advanced features like payroll, onboarding, analytics, and HR.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
OnPay payroll is an online payroll and HR software platform dedicated to making payroll, compliance, and HR services easier for small to medium-sized businesses. It handles the fundamentals, such as time tracking, employee records, and compliance, and does not make it complex or user-unfriendly.
Standout Features
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
Simple, user-friendly interface needs minimal training Free setup and data migration with great support Reliable payroll processing ensures strong compliance | Occasional glitches cause slow load times or errors Payroll must be initiated manually |
Pricing
The platform offers one simple pricing plan based on the number of people, with a base fee of $49/month and $6/person/month.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
TriNet is unique in the HRIS market with the provision of HR services to small businesses in a fully outsourced form. It offers performance management, payroll, benefits administration, and time and attendance tools on its platform.
Standout Features
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
ASO service outsources HR/payroll with management control PEO frees managers to focus on business operations Employees gain access to enterprise-class benefits options | Outsourcing requires ceding some management control Businesses may remain liable for compliance requirements |
Pricing
The platform offers customizable pricing plans based on business size and requirements.
Gusto’s HR software, equipped with a built-in Applicant Tracking System (ATS), streamlines hiring, onboarding, and payroll. The platform offers payroll, benefits, and self-service tools tailored for small businesses. Its compliance solutions relieve the stress of keeping up with compliance, and centralized compensation, time-off, and benefits systems keep everything under one roof.
Standout Features
Pros And Cons
Pros | Cons |
Contractor-only plan ensures compliance with state new hire requirements Gusto wallet supports employee financial health tools Global payroll and EOR services simplify hiring and paying international teams | Advanced tools reserved for higher-tier plans EOR services limited to only 12 countries |
Pricing
The platform offers the following pricing plans:
Pay my team:
- Simple - $49/month + $6/person/month
- Plus - $80/month + $12/person/month
- Premium - $180/month + $22/person/month
Pay myself:
- Solo - 49/month + $6/person/month
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
Choosing the right HRIS depends on how well the platform fits your company’s priorities and growth plans. Some small and mid-sized businesses prioritize affordable payroll automation, while others focus on global hiring, employee engagement, or advanced analytics.
The solutions mentioned above are all strong in their own way, be it international compliance formulation or cost-effective, all-inclusive HR and payroll solutions.
The wisest course of action is to consider your team size, budget, and future goals, and reduce the number of vendors capable of addressing your current needs and expanding with your future.