Small and medium-sized companies (SMBs) can find it hard to manage their human resource activities, especially with limited budgets and small teams. This is where Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) come in and make a difference. The HRIS software solutions are very useful for automating repetitive processes, like payroll, time tracking, benefits administration, and compliance. These platforms help business owners stay focused on maintaining their workforce efficiency, improving their employee engagement, and all the while improving business productivity.

The good thing is that one doesn’t need to spend a lot on reliable HR platforms. There are many low-cost/affordable HRIS platforms that are designed specifically for SBMs. These platforms offer advanced capabilities that make it easier for users to simplify workflows without piling up excessive costs.

In this article, we have compiled a list of the nine most affordable HRIS solutions that provide excellent value for your money. Each option offers important features, price information, and benefits and drawbacks to help you select the platform that can be the best match for your company's needs.

Top Nine Affordable HRIS Solutions For SBMs

Software

Main Features

Pricing

Rippling

  • Recruiting 
  • Payroll And Compliance 
  • Benefits Administration 
  • Performance Management 
  • Time And Attendance 

Starts at $8/user/ month + $40/month base fee

Gusto

  • Payroll 
  • Hiring And Onboarding 
  • Time And Attendance 
  • Talent Management 
  • Benefits Administration 

Start at $49/month + $6/month/user

Paycor

  • Intelligent HCM 
  • Expense Management 
  • Workforce Management 
  • Compliance Solutions 

Custom Pricing

BambooHR

  • HR Data And Reporting 
  • Payroll, Time, And Benefits 
  • Employee Experience And Benefits 
  • Hiring And Onboarding 

Starts from $10/month/employee

TriNet

  • Benefits options 
  • HR Expertise 
  • Learning Management 
  • Performance Management 

Starts From $10/month/employee

Paychex

  • HR And Payroll 
  • Employee Benefits 
  • Insurance And Finance 
  • Workforce Planning 

Starts from $39/month + $5/user

Zoho People

  • HR Automation 
  • Employee Management 
  • Time And Attendance  
  • Performance Management 

Starts from $1.50/user/month

HR Cloud

  • HRIS System 
  • Recruit ATS 
  • Employee Engagement 
  • Reporting And Analytics 

Custom Pricing

Deel

  • Deel HR 
  • Deel Payroll 
  • Deel IT 
  • Deel Workforce Planning 

Starts from $5/employee/month

1. Rippling

Rippling is a top HRIS platform that helps small and medium-sized companies to simplify HR, payroll, IT, and compliance processes from one single location. It automates main HR processes, like employee onboarding, benefits administration, and time tracking, which facilitates teams in saving valuable time and lowering administrative work. 

The modular design of the platform allows companies to start with basic HR capabilities and gradually expand to advanced solutions, like payroll, performance management, and compliance, as they grow. Rippling's user-friendly interface and advanced automation make it a scalable and cost-effective option for SMBs seeking to streamline workforce management capabilities. 

Salient Features 

  • Employee Onboarding And Offboarding: Manages offer letters, payroll, benefits, device management, and app access for new employees. It also handles departures by restricting access, collecting equipment, and maintaining compliance, and makes sure that employee data is in sync with HR, IT, and payroll systems.
  • Time Off And Leave Management: Allows employees to clock-in and out via the mobile app. It syncs payroll information with approved hours, enforces labor laws, and provides real-time visibility into workforce trends.
  • Comprehensive Benefits Administration: Lets you select a suitable benefits plan, enroll employees automatically, sync deductions to payroll, manage ACA’COBRA compliance, and provide self-service portals for updating your plans.

Pricing 

The Rippling Basic Plan starts at $8 per user/month plus a $40 base fee. The platform offers module-based pricing, with all modules available at custom rates, allowing users to select and pay only for the features they need. 

  • The Workforce Platform 
  • Rippling HCM 
  • Rippling IT 
  • Rippling Spend 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

Pros And Cons 

Pros

Cons

Centralized platform for HR, payroll, IT, and compliance processes

Streamlined onboarding and offboarding with advanced automation

Smoother implementation process with dedicated specialists

The interface setup can be confusing for first-time users  

Reporting lacks advanced customization features

2. Gusto

Gusto is a user-friendly HRIS software designed to simplify HR and payroll for small and medium-sized organizations. It brings in essential capabilities for hiring, onboarding, benefits administration, and compliance, all in one platform. Its automated payroll and tax filing capabilities reduce the chance of errors and make sure that the payments are being made on time. 

Gusto HR software platform's user-friendly design allows both managers and employees to effectively perform HR duties, like PTO requests and benefits enrollment, without burdening the team. Its scalable features make it a solid option for expanding businesses looking for a low-cost HR solution. 

Salient Features

  • Hiring And Onboarding: Allows you to post jobs, send custom offer letters, use onboarding checklists, collect e-signatures, and provision software in a smooth, automated workflow.
  • Employee Benefits: Assists businesses in managing medical, dental, vision, retirement, and disability plans. It also helps with syncing deductions with payroll, providing licensed advisor service, and handling compliance.
  • Talent Management: Incorporates automated workflows for performance reviews, self-evaluations, and management reviews, goal tracking, feedback tools, and development resources to help with employee growth, motivation, and retention.

Pricing 

Gusto is pretty much transparent with its upfront software pricing for small businesses: 

  • Solo: $49/month, + $6/month/person 
  • Simple: $49/month, + $6/month/person 
  • Plus: $80/month + $12/month/person 
  • Premium: $180/month + $22/month/person 

Companies with advanced needs can opt for any of these higher-tier plans to avail the best price deal. 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

Pros And Cons  

Pros

Cons 

Automated payroll, tax filing, and compliance help reduce errors and save time

Flexible scheduling and PTO tracking with real-time updates

Mobile app support for quick access to pay stubs and time off requests

The reporting features lack advanced customization options

Permissions setup issues can complicate the initial onboarding process

3. Paycor

Paycor is an HRIS system that helps small and medium-sized organizations to efficiently manage their payroll, benefits, and workforce operations. It combines the basic HR functions with advanced features, like expense tracking, talent development, and compliance management. 

The software helps automate various HR processes, which helps admins save time otherwise spent on scheduling, tax filing, and employee onboarding. Paycor's flexible modules allow users to personalize the platform to their own needs as they expand their capabilities. Its emphasis on improved employee engagement and workforce insights makes it an excellent choice for businesses wanting to increase team productivity and smooth out their HR operations. 

Salient Features  

  • Workers’ Compensation: Uses a pay-as-you-go strategy to automate insurance premium payments through payroll, that helps with avoiding hefty upfront costs and minimizing unexpected year-end bills.
  • Time And Scheduling: Permits employees to clock-in by using their mobile, web, or time clocks. It also lets them schedule, swap, or view their shifts, auto-approve or flag exceptions, integrate hours to payroll, and provide managers with real-time workforce insights.
  • Talent Development: Helps with goal setting, constant feedback, performance evaluations, employee training, and promotion planning, all in one place, to nurture growth and match development with business objectives.

Pricing 

Paycor offers multiple pricing plans at custom rates, tailored for businesses with fewer than 50 employees and those with 50–1,000 employees. 

For businesses with fewer than 50 employees: 

  • Basic  
  • Essential  
  • Core  
  • Complete ASO  

For businesses with 50–1,000 employees: 

  • HCM Cor (includes an exclusive offer of 1 month free) 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

Pros And Cons 

Pros

Cons

Effective internal communication tools, including a business news feed

Customizable recruitment module to fit your recruitment needs

Great engagement features, like birthday and work anniversary celebrations

Time-tracking tools can feel unreliable or slow to load

The multi-step authentication procedure can feel time-consuming to some users

4. BambooHR

BambooHR is a versatile HRIS software that assists small and medium-sized companies in enhancing their employee management capabilities. It provides a central dashboard for handling employee information, payroll, hiring, and performance processes. Its user-friendly interface makes it easier for HR teams and employees to better perform their routine tasks, like PTO requests and benefit registration. 

With modules like application monitoring and customizable reporting, BambooHR assists companies in making well-informed decisions and improving their employee experiences. The platform’s flexible design allows it to expand with your business, all the while keeping HR processes simple and efficient. 

Salient Features 

  • Employee Records: Provides a safe, centralized database for all employee information, including contact details, job history, salary, and documentation. Employees can make self-serve updates, whereas HR teams manage custom fields, tabs, and access permissions.
  • Applicant Tracking System: Allows recruiters to post job openings to major job boards, collect and track applicants, review and comment collectively, and send out offers using template letters. All of these features are completely mobile-friendly and fully integrated into BambooHR.
  • PTO (Paid Time-Off): Lets employees request leaves, view balances and accruals, and access a 'Who's Out' calendar. Managers can authorize via the dashboard, and custom policies (e.g., flexible hours) are supported.

Pricing 

BambooHR pricing starts at $10 per employee/month, with a free trial available. Higher-tier plans are offered at a custom cost. 

  • Core 
  • Pro 
  • Elite 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.  

Pros And Cons  

Pros 

Cons 

Centralized HR platform for onboarding, payroll, and performance management 

Time-saving automation for workflows, such as approvals and onboarding tasks 

Custom pages and tables for efficient and organized data handling 

Reporting tools lack customization for in-depth analytics 

The file organization lacks a subfolder structure 

5. TriNet HR

TriNet is a human resource information system that is designed to offer HR services to small and medium-sized companies. It combines various important business processes, like people management, payroll, compliance, and benefits, into a single system. This helps businesses simplify their routine HR workflows.  

The software sets itself apart from other platforms by giving access to enterprise-level features and professional HR experience to smaller companies to help them stay ahead in the industry. TriNet also offers modules for performance management and employee development to assist with workforce growth. 

Salient Features 

  • HR Consulting: Gives access to a dedicated team of HR specialists who assist users with best industry practices for recruiting and onboarding, compliance, policy development, and employee relations. It also helps users with devising leadership strategy, performance management, and culture and inclusion initiatives.
  • Document Management: Offers centralized storage, management, and secure access to employee files, contracts, compliance documents, and policies. All of these are combined with the HR platform to improve workflow efficiency and audit readiness.
  • Marketplace: Provides expert HR support along with its tools to help out with compliance, policy design, best practices, risk mitigation, and strategic workforce guidance all throughout the employee lifecycle.

Pricing 

TriNet HR Plus offers customized service levels, with all plans priced on a per employee per month (PEPM) basis. These include: 

  • HR Advisory 
  • Payroll Tax Compliance Manager 
  • Payroll Manager 
  • HR Manager 

Disclaimer: Pricing is subject to change. 

Pros And Cons  

Pros

Cons

Reliable reporting and payroll accuracy, reducing administrative errors

Strong compliance resources and legal advice for complicated regulations

Access to large-company benefits for small and medium-sized companies

There is little flexibility in changing workflows to specific business preferences

Some reports lack an intuitive design and customization

6. Paychex

Paychex Flex is an intuitive HRIS platform. It equips small and medium-sized companies with tools to manage payroll, HR, and benefits in a single system. The platform provides tools for workforce planning, compliance, and tax administration that help with lowering admin efforts on busy teams. 

By providing valuable features like AI-assisted recruiting and extensive HR analytics, the software promotes smarter hiring decisions and data-driven workforce management. Paychex proves to be an adaptable platform that helps out growing companies, whether they operate from a single location or manage operations from multiple states. 

Salient Features 

  • HR Analytics And Reporting: Incorporates dashboards, customizable reports, and AI tools for tracking pay, turnover, retention, performance, compensation benchmarking, and diversity metrics. This helps leaders in making data-driven HR decisions.
  • Voluntary Benefits: Supports companies in providing optional benefits, such as vision, dental, life, and disability insurance. Employees can select any plans and pay via payroll deductions. This upgrades the benefits packages without collecting any additional employer expenses.
  • AI-Assisted Recruiting: Speeds up recruiting by allowing its users to describe the role (title, skills, location) and then using AI (via Findem) to scan millions of candidate profiles to pin down suitable matches.

Pricing

The pricing structure for Paychex software is pretty much straightforward. The following packages, including HR capabilities, are available at a custom price: 

  • HR Partner Plus 
  • HR Pro  
  • HR PEO 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

Pros And Cons 

Pros

Cons

A wide range of benefits administration tools for employee management

Simple employee self-service portal for pay stubs, W-2s, and benefits

Flexible solutions for managing expanding teams and multi-state operations

The system sometimes feels fragmented, with features that aren't fully integrated

Local tax features lack depth, requiring more manual work

7. Zoho People

Zoho People is a cloud-based HRIS platform that offers simplified HR management to small and medium-sized businesses. It provides a broad set of functionalities, including time and attendance tracking, performance tracking, and employee benefits management.  

The platform lets teams automate recurring HR workflows to help them save time and increase accuracy. Employees can manage their routine activities, like leave requests and cost submissions, more easily via its built-in communication tools and self-service options. Zoho People offers affordable prices and scalable plans that make it a good option for growing teams who want to maximize their hiring outcome without going overboard. 

Salient Features

  • Shift Management: Simplifies scheduling by automatically assigning shifts based on check-in times, rotating shift patterns at predefined frequencies, mapping employees to shifts by role/location, and sending real-time notifications.
  • Integrated Travel And Expense: Automates trip booking, receipt capture, mileage tracking, and policy-based approvals. It accepts multiple currencies, integrates with payroll and accounting, and offers spend analytics.
  • HR Chatbots: Helps employees perform HR tasks by speaking, such as clocking in and out, applying for leave, retrieving leave balances, viewing ongoing tasks, and asking HR questions via chat.

Pricing

The cost of Zoho People is flexible and transparent, and it includes a 30-day free trial. It is designed to accommodate growing companies of all sizes, especially smaller and medium-sized ones: 

  • Essential HR: $1.50/user/month 
  • Professional: $2.50/user/month 
  • Premium: $3.50/user/month 
  • Enterprise: $5.00/user/month 

Zoho People Plus: 

  • Premium: $4.5/user/month 
  • Enterprise: $10/user/month 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.  

Pros And Cons  

Pros

Cons

Excellent performance appraisal tools with goal setting and feedback capabilities

Built-in team communication module with messaging, announcements, and file sharing features

User-friendly attendance tracking, with clear monitoring tools

The configuration process can be time taking

Frequent updates require additional setup efforts

8. HR Cloud

HR Cloud is a modern HRIS technology platform designed to assist SBMs in reducing paperwork, speeding up workflows, and increasing their employee engagement. Some of its notable features include SmartFlow automation, digital forms, and e-signatures. It also incorporates a mobile app that allows employees to access their personal information or request leave/vacation from anywhere. 

The platform also delivers tools for communication and cultural alignment, such as recognition programs, polls/surveys, and brand portals. Moreover, high compliance and security are built in, with features such as audit trails, role-based permissions, and data protection requirements (e.g., GDPR, SOC 2). 

Salient Features

  • Employee Self-Service: Gives employees safe access to their own HR information and tasks, such as updating personal data, completing onboarding paperwork, viewing pay stubs and benefits, accessing company policies, and making use of e-signatures, before and after they start, from a customizable portal.
  • Shift Planner: Lets admins create, assign, and update employee shifts, facilitates recurring schedules, guarantees labor-law compliance, and offers mobile access and real-time alerts for smooth workforce management.
  • Survey And Poll: Assists companies in designing and sending customizable surveys to employees, collecting real-time feedback, analyzing trends, and making data-driven decisions to increase engagement.

Pricing 

The vendor for HR Cloud does not publish fixed public rates. It provides personalized pricing quotes based on your organization's size and the features you choose, with its following plans: 

  • Onboard Suite  
  • HR Suite 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

Pros And Cons  

Pros

Cons

E-Verify integration allows for a seamless onboarding process

Strong candidate tracking and onboarding integration for efficient recruiting

Smooth implementation procedure with dedicated support for setup

Updates may need to be adjusted as new features are introduced

Limited speed optimization for some mobile functions

9. Deel

Deel is a global HRIS solution that helps companies manage their teams in different countries with agility and compliance. It offers solutions for onboarding, payroll, contract management, and workforce planning in a single secure platform. 

The software helps businesses automate country-specific compliance, manage international tax needs, and streamline hiring for both employees and contractors. The platform also provides integrated reporting, employee self-service portals, and configurable workflows, making it suitable for businesses seeking to expand on a global level, all while lowering complex administrative activities. 

Salient Features

  • Deel EOR: Permits companies to hire employees in more than 150 countries without establishing local corporations. Deel manages payroll, benefits, compliance, contracts, and onboarding, ensuring that all legal and regulatory needs are fully met.
  • Deel Compensation: Centralizes global salary planning, automates review cycles, ensures pay transparency compliance, integrates with payroll, and uses international data to offer competitive, consistent, and compliant employee compensations.
  • Deel Immigration: Offers comprehensive visa and work permit assistance in over 70 countries, including eligibility checks, document monitoring, compliance, and professional administration of applications and renewals.

Pricing

  • Deel HIRS: $5/employee/month 
  • Deel Compensation: $15/employee/month  
  • Deel Workforce Planning: $18/employee/month  
  • Deel Engage: $20/employee/month 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

Pros And Cons

Pros

Cons

Efficient for remote teams and simplifies multi-country HR practices

Strong compliance capabilities for managing international labor laws and tax regulations

Streamlined onboarding for global workforce management

Some processes lack extensive customization for complex organizational needs

Limited differentiation from other global payroll solutions

The Bottom Line

Choosing a suitable HRIS solution can considerably improve how your company manages its employees and resources. The top nine platforms discussed in this list are all designed to provide users with advanced HR capabilities at an affordable price point, which makes them suitable for small and medium-sized companies.

No matter if you need assistance with payroll, compliance, talent management, or global workforce planning, you can find a solution in this list that will cater to all your HR requirements. All you need to do is start by identifying your main pain points and challenges that your company deals with, and compare them to the capabilities provided by each of these nine platforms.

With a suitable HRIS in place, you can streamline your company’s administrative workflows, increase compliance, improve productivity, facilitate your team, and concentrate on long-term business growth.