From payroll to benefits and onboarding new hires, your company’s HR department likely has a lot on its plate.
What if there was a way to streamline every task that your human resources team tackles regularly? Instead of switching back and forth between so many different HR tools, all with different functionality, core HR software does the heavy lifting for you by bundling all the features you need into one tool.
G2 research analysis:
“When dealing with employee data, a single misstep could cost employee trust and open up a company to legal liability. Core HR software is useful in ensuring all company information stays secure, but workers need transparency to build trust. HR managers should consider some key questions. Do employees feel empowered in getting the access they need to company data? Is their information secure and handled transparently?
Solutions with complex permissions offerings allow administrators to dole out and restrict information as needed with changing roles. Finding a solution with good usability and proper implementation support, on the other hand, is almost as important as ensuring the right intel gets in front of the right people. Ultimately, between the skills gap crisis and high replacement costs, transparency today circumvents a mass exodus tomorrow.”
- Grace Savides, Market Research Analyst, G2
If this type of solution sounds like something your HR department can benefit from, then it’s time to find the best core HR software for your team.
Best core HR software at a glance
- Best for small businesses: Gusto
- Best for mid-market businesses: Paylocity
- Best for enterprise businesses: Workday HCM
- Best by G2 user satisfaction score: Rippling
- Best by ease of use: Rippling
- Best for budget: BambooHR
*These software solutions are ranked using an algorithm that calculates customer satisfaction and market presence based on reviews from our user community. For more information, please check out our G2 Research Scoring Methodology. Some user reviews may have been edited for clarity.
No matter the size of your HR team or your budget, a core HR software within this list fits your company’s needs. With the right software, every task that goes into human resources management is easier to tackle, giving your team more time to focus on the success of every employee.
Best 20 core HR software platforms of 2022
- Paylocity
- BambooHR
- Rippling
- ADP Workforce Now
- UKG Pro
- Paycom
- Workday HCM
- Gusto
- RUN Powered by ADP
- HiBob HRIS
- Ceridian Dayforce
- Paycor
- greytHR
- Proliant
- UKG Ready
- Paychex Flex
- Personio
- Justworks
- TriNet
- GoCo
* These are the top 20 leading core HR software solutions fromG2’s Summer 2022 Grid®Report.
Ready to find out how to streamline every task your HR team handles? Let’s take a deep dive into the best core HR software on the market.
9.4%
is the projected increase in the size of core HR software from 2017 to 2025.
Source: Grand View Research
1. Paylocity
Paylocity is a multi-solution platform that makes it easy for the HR department to tackle payroll, talent, benefits, and workforce management tasks. As a platform designed for the employee experience, Paylocity can automate and streamline tasks for maximum productivity.
Paylocity at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Available upon demo
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Dashboards, performance, compliance
Top industries represented: Nonprofit management organization, hospital & healthcare, and real estate
Market segments: Rated #1 for mid-market
Paylocity features
With so many features designed for HR teams, there’s bound to be something for everyone.
- The ability to simplify payroll, automate processes, and stay tax compliant in one platform.
- An expense tracking tool to process expenses with ease and accuracy
- Automation tasks like leave tracking, OSHA safety tracking and reporting, and more
- Streamlined open enrollment and day-to-day administration process
Paylocity pros and cons
Before you know for sure if Paylocity is your team's core HR software solution, consider these pros and cons.
Watch the full video review
Paylocity pros
- Excellent user experience for both HR managers and employees
- Lots of reporting options and dashboards
What users like:
“Integrating the various modules is smooth and creates an efficient and smooth process no matter what task or project you are working on. The user experience from the HR team and the individual employees is the best we have had. I really appreciate the reporting options and the dashboards available to look at various data cuts. The applicant tracking system (ATS) module has been wonderful for us!”
- Paylocity Review, Cassie T., Aug 30, 2022
Paylocity cons
- Learning management system (LMS) module shows potential but needs to be improved
- Onboarding process could be more robust
- Implementation process can be a struggle
What users dislike:
“I would like to see that when items have to be referred outside of the account manager's ability that the answers are more timely and reasons are given. Too many times do we have to wait over a month for an elevated inquiry to be answered. And on occasions, sometimes inquiries are not answered at all but seem to have been corrected through a system update.”
- Paylocity Review, Rachael S., Aug 4, 2022
Paylocity pricing
Paylocity does not list pricing information on its website.
Companies interested in using Paylocity for their HR needs can request a demo to start the process.
Want to learn more about Core HR Software? Explore Core HR products.
2. BambooHR
Growing businesses turn to BambooHR for bringing employee data to one place. With BambooHR, the human resources department can track hours, work on payroll, onboard new talent, and manage employee data.
BambooHR at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Available
Price: Starting at $5.25 per month
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Performance, organization management, time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: IT & services, computer software, and marketing & advertising
Market segments: Rated #3 for small businesses
Try BambooHR
BambooHR features
No matter what your HR team is looking for, chances are good you’ll find it with BambooHR.
- A single, secure employee database to make tracking employee records simple
- Applicant tracking tools that improve every stage of hiring, from applications to offer letters
- Onboarding tools to help you complete paperwork quickly for more meaningful introductions
BambooHR pros and cons
Unsure if BambooHR is the right core HR tool for your team? Let’s look at these pros and cons that can help you know for sure.
BambooHR pros
- Excellent customer support
- Can send various surveys to employees
- Streamlines paid time off (PTO) requests
What users like:
“The customer support is truly fantastic. They have the option for chat, phone support, and email. Their times vary on which support services are available. Yet they are quick to respond via email (within 24 hours, most of the time within 12 hours) when you cannot reach them via chat or phone. The customer support heroes are personable, very nice, and quick to help and solve problems. It is always a pleasure to talk with them.”
- BambooHR Review, Micah P., Aug 6, 2022
BambooHR cons
- Underdeveloped ATS
- Doesn’t offer time tracking
- Limited options for Canadian users
What users dislike:
“We are patiently waiting for BambooHR to get a more user-friendly employee time clock tracking piece. Our company is based in California, and that comes with regulations. Having a system that alerts you to missed meal breaks would be beneficial. We are also waiting for them to get a shift scheduling piece in the future. We are using an outside app that does interact with BambooHR, and this is working for us in the meantime.”
- BambooHR Review, Dana T., May 31, 2022
BambooHR pricing
BambooHR offers a free demo, a free trial, and a free price quote for those interested in learning more about what the software has to offer.
Additionally, there are also two paid plans for users to choose from.
BambooHR paid plans
The two paid plans BambooHR offers also come with a variety of add-ons, so teams can customize their plans with the features they want most.
- Essentials: Starts at $5.25 per month with basic features and functionality
- Advantage: Starts at $8.75 per month with more features for recruiting, onboarding, and time tracking
Some add-on features include:
- Full-service tax filing
- Employee timesheets
- Self/manager assessments
- Data security
3. Rippling
Companies looking for a modern platform to manage IT, HR, benefits, and payroll often choose Rippling. With so many components and a long list of integrations with other tools in a company’s tech stack, it’s easy to see why Rippling is so loved.
Rippling at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Starting at $8 per month per user
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Organization management, benefits administration, time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: Computer software, IT & services, and financial services
Market segments: Rated #2 for mid-market
Rippling features
Not sure what Rippling can do for you? Here are some noteworthy features:
- The ability to automate nearly any manual HR, IT, or finance process across multiple systems
- Automatic payroll tax calculation taxes and filing
- Customizable PTO policy so employees' time off requests can be approved fast
- A library of pre-built reports, plus the ability to create custom ones using employee data
Rippling pros and cons
Before you can know for sure if Rippling is the best choice for your company’s needs, think about these pros and cons.
Watch the full video review
Rippling pros
- Simple onboarding
- Easily tracks PTO
- Intuitive interface
What users like:
“Onboarding new hires is the quickest and most organized platform I've used. Our employees find it very user-friendly and efficient. I recently set up custom fields that allow new hires to upload required documents to the Rippling portal. Previously onboarding documents were piecemealed to me via email, and it was daunting to keep everything organized. Rippling has saved me hours of work with custom fields.”
- Rippling Review, Gricelda G., Aug 23, 2022
Rippling cons
- Spotty customer service
- Missing chat functionality
- So-so branding
What users dislike:
“I wish the mobile version were as robust as the desktop version, but it's pretty close! Also, a search function would be nice to have. But these are small issues. I'm very happy with the platform.”
- Rippling Review, Chris L., Aug 2, 2022
Rippling pricing
Rippling’s website states that pricing begins at $8 per month per user.
It also says users can get a free quote to learn more about pricing options and plans.
4. ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is an HR suite within a single database, boasting features designed to simplify benefits, return to office capabilities, time and labor, learning and analytics, talent management, payroll, and benefits. The goal of this core HR solution is to make it easy for managers and a company’s HR team to manage employees, no matter the size of the organization.
ADP Workforce Now at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Free 3-month trial
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Compliance, benefits administration, time, attendance, and PTO.
Top industries represented: Computer software, HR, and IT & services
Market segments: Rated #3 for enterprise
Try ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now features
ADP Workforce Now boasts a long list of features and functionality. Some features to know about are:
- ADP Workforce Now Payroll to quickly and accurately process payroll
- Automatic timekeeping, attendance tracking, and scheduling
- Configurable workflows and online document storage
- Embedded access to ZipRecruiter for faster hiring
ADP Workforce Now pros and cons
Unsure if ADP Workforce Now is the best choice for your HR team? Discuss these pros and cons with your team to help make a decision.
ADP Workforce Now pros
- Lots of tools to streamline processes
- Simpler people management
- Great reporting capabilities
What users like:
“I love that ADP is a one-stop shop. Any of my HR needs are able to be managed with ADP. This makes my workflow easier and gives me the tools necessary to be successful.”
- ADP Workforce Now Review, Keely C., Jul 13, 2022
ADP Workforce Now cons
- Lacks support
- High learning curve
- Potentially expensive
What users dislike:
“I would like to see the program perform better in terms of the interface, even though it is very simple to understand. And with new designs, it is not fast enough.”
- ADP Workforce Now Review, Esmeralda L., Aug 24, 2022
ADP Workforce Now pricing
ADP Workforce Now splits its plans and pricing options based on how many employees an organization has. There are four packages for companies with 1-49 employees and four different packages for companies with 50-999 employees.
Prices for each plan aren’t listed on the website, but ADP Workforce Now does offer a 3-month trial for interested customers.
5. UKG Pro
UKG Pro is a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) suite companies turn to when they need to drive people-focused results. It offers features for payroll, service delivery, talent, and surveys, all to give your HR team a boost in productivity.
UKG Pro at a glance:
Free plan: Not listed
Free trial: Not listed
Price: Not listed
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Performance, organization management, and reporting
Top industries represented: Insurance, real estate, and financial services
Market segments: Rated #2 for enterprise
Try UKG Pro
UKG Pro features
UKG Pro provides your HR team with a variety of helpful dashboards, reports, and tools that simplify their daily tasks. Take a look at some of their most useful tools.
- Recruiting management to find the best talent
- Seamless employee onboarding for a faster ramp-up time
- A hassle-free benefits administration solution to easily plan, set up, and administer benefits
- The ability to create comprehensive reports around HR data and track key analytics
UKG Pro pros and cons
Weigh the pros and cons to fully understand if UKG Pro is right for your team!
UKG Pro pros
- Continually rolling out new features and values based on feedback sent in by customers
- Simplifies payroll
- Easily integrates with other tools
What users like:
“UKG Pro is an intuitive system, making it easy for us to train our junior users on the system! We primarily use the system for payroll functions and will soon be adding HR and comp modules.”
- UKG Pro Review, Briana G., Jun 28, 2022
UKG Pro cons
- Potentially expensive
- Insufficient customer support
- Reports not so user-friendly
What users dislike:
“Customer support. I've been with my organization for over four years, and my support interactions are always the same. When I create a case, I detail the problem and the things I have already tried and have not worked, and the response I ALWAYS get back is to try the things I already told them I tried.
This happened all the time under UltiPro and continues under UKG Pro. I try to avoid creating cases because I already know what to expect in the response.”
- UKG Pro Review, Adam S., Apr 15, 2022
UKG Pro pricing
UKG Pro doesn’t list pricing on their website, but encourages those interested to talk to a member of their sales team.
Users can choose to fill out a form to wait to be contacted or call the sales team directly.
6. Paycom
Paycom is an employee-driven, comprehensive payroll technology that streamlines everything concerning the employee lifecycle into one easy-to-use tool. It provides tons of features around talent acquisition, HR management, payroll, and time and labor management to simplify the daily responsibilities of an HR team.
Paycom at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Salary structures, benefits administration, time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: IT & services, nonprofit organization management, hospital and healthcare, financial services, and HR
Try Paycom
Paycom features
There’s so much that Paycom can do to streamline the tasks of your HR team and other employees!
- Applicant Tracking and E-Verify® to reach more candidates
- Enhanced employee background checks with a variety of drug testing and health screening services
- Time clocks built for precision to track and manage employees
- Customizable drag-and-drop calendars to allocate and assign shifts
- Performance management and compensation budgeting tools
Paycom pros and cons
Leaning towards Paycom as your core HR tool of choice? Before signing on the bottom line, consider these pros and cons.
Paycom pros
- Great support team
- Paperless onboarding
- Easy-to-use dashboards
What users like:
“We switched to Paycom five years ago and have never regretted it. It provides paperless onboarding, benefits enrollment, and an easy, accurate way to process our payroll. We also utilize their applicant tracking and performance management modules. Having everything in one system has been a huge time saver for HR!”
- Paycom Review, Sandy B., Aug 11, 2022
Paycom cons
- Time-consuming applicant tracking system
- Expensive cost
- Inability to create 401k report
What users dislike:
“I dislike the applicant tracking system. It takes too long to post a job and find quick candidates. The Paycom Applicant Tracker can take two weeks to start getting candidates whereas there are instant results with other recruiting applications.”
- Paycom Review, Stephanie V., Aug 26, 2022
Paycom pricing
Paycom does not list pricing plans or options on their website.
If Paycom seems like a match, why not sign up for a personalized demo?
7. Workday HCM
Workday HCM provides organizations with a single, cloud-based system with a single source of data, all joining together to make life easier for HR professionals. From compensation and payroll to shift scheduling, time tracking, and benefits, Workday HCM delivers logical workforce management for all types of businesses.
Workday HCM at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Performance, organization management, time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: IT & services, computer software, and internet
Market segments: Rated #1 for enterprise
Try Workday HCM
Workday HCM features
There’s a lot that Workday HCM brings to its users. Some notable features include:
- A skills-based talent management solution to help build a robust workforce.
- Benefits enrollment functionality so employees can enroll, make changes, and view their data on desktop and mobile.
- Workday Assistant that helps employees complete everyday tasks, like requesting time off.
- Easy to use dashboards to monitor costs, see open roles, and other benchmarks.
Workday HCM pros and cons
If you’re considering Workday HCM as your go-to core HR tool, think about these pros and cons before deciding!
Workday HCM pros
- Simple interface
- Fast scheduling
- Comprehensive mobile app
What users like:
“Workday HCM is an intuitive platform, very accessible, low cost, offers excellent features, capabilities, and perfect synchronization with other talent management platforms, LMS, etc. This platform allows you to easily access information about employees, talent management, and payroll.
The reports obtained are very detailed. With Workday HCM, we can get information on each employee by accessing their social network profiles. I can also manage payments and much more from one place.”
- Workday HCM Review, Joseph T., Aug 3, 2022
Workday HCM cons
- Rocky navigation function
- Sometimes laggy or buggy
- Clunky multi-factor authentication
What users dislike:
“The user experience leaves a lot to be desired in some places. You often look for functions or documents that you have already seen ‘somewhere,’ but you can't find them again. The navigation in the tool should be revised here. Unfortunately, messages I have already read are still marked as unread. The function to mark messages as read is very hidden. Some processes can be improved here.”
- Workday HCM Review, Martin B., Jul 19, 2022
Workday HCM pricing
Workday HCM does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
A personalized demo is available if you sign up on their site.
8. Gusto
For new companies just getting started or for established businesses looking to scale, Gusto can do it all – and all in one place. It gives users a long list of modern HR features like payroll, benefits, hiring, and management resources.
Gusto at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: 1-month free trial
Price: Starting at $40 per month
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Performance, integration, APIs, and compliance
Top industries represented: Computer software, marketing & advertising, Nonprofit organization management, IT & services, and accounting
Market segments: Rated #1 for small business
Try Gusto
Gusto features
As an all-in-one platform, Gusto provides users with an abundance of features.
- Employee I-9s and W-2s, and contractor 1099s stored and organized online
- The ability to set up and sign your workers’ comp policy all online
- The Gusto Wallet app for employees to easily manage their paychecks
- Time tracking so employees can track their hours for different projects and reduce time theft
- Customizable PTO policies
- Paid holiday and payroll synchronization
Gusto pros and cons
As you consider Gusto as your core HR solution, factor in these pros and cons!
Gusto pros
- Streamlined new hire onboarding experience
- Simplified payroll processes
- Easy to track vacation time and employee absences
What users like:
“Gusto makes it very easy to onboard new employees and contractors and to manage payroll. The product has no steep learning curve, and it is easy to share access with your bookkeeper and accountant.”
- Gusto Review, Todd R., Jun 17, 2022
Gusto cons
- Glitchy at times
- Inadequate benefits administration
- Not the strongest support team
What users dislike:
“I'd say the occasional glitches on certain pages can be frustrating. As far as payroll goes, there are unique situations where dedicated support was unable to help troubleshoot. This can be tough for our small finance team, who rely on Gusto for payroll.”
- Gusto Review, Denise P., Jun 23, 2022
Gusto pricing
Gusto provides three paid plans with varying features and functionality.
Additionally, Gusto offers a plan for contractor-only businesses that haven’t hired W-2 employees yet at $6 per month per person.
Gusto paid plans
The three paid plans are:
- Simple: $40/month plus $6/month/person
- Plus: $80/month plus $12/month/person
- Exclusive pricing: Contact a sales rep at Gusto for details
9. RUN Powered by ADP
For small businesses looking to make payroll quick and easy, consider RUN Powered by ADP. Whether you need just the basics or an entire suite of HR tools, this may be the core HR solution for your team.
RUN Powered by ADP at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Available 3-month trial
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Compliance, integration APIs, and user, role & access management
Top industries represented: construction, nonprofit organization management, and automotive
Market segments: Rated #2 for small business
Try RUN Powered by ADP
RUN Powered by ADP features
RUN Powered by ADP offers its users several features to simplify HR-related tasks. Learn more below.
- Personalized dashboards with payroll details
- The ability to create and deliver W-2s and 1099s, plus file W-2s on behalf of your team
- Notifications when employees approach overtime
- A top-rated mobile app for employees and managers
RUN Powered by ADP pros and cons
To better understand the capabilities Run Powered by ADP brings to the table, read about these pros and cons shared by real users.
RUN Powered by ADPpros
- Simple and easy-to-navigate interface
- Robust reporting options
What users like:
“I like how ADP lets me customize how I want everything set up, such as sick time, paid time, and the ability to add workers’ comp, and retirement contributions. ADP makes it easy to manage all that stuff as you set it up, and it does everything after that as far as pulling money out and keeping track of employee vacation time.”
- RUN Powered by ADP Review, Christopher F., Sept 1, 2022
RUN Powered by ADP cons
- Potentially expensive
- Hard to connect to live agent online
- Tricky set up for wage garnishments
What users dislike:
“There are several quirky features of the RUN system, the oddest feature being that automatic payroll management isn't handled directly on the homepage. For example, if you want to have payroll run automatically bi-weekly, you have to find this 'control' under the settings > features menu. Why not just put that on the homepage?”
- RUN Powered by ADP Review, Andrew M., Aug 19, 2022
RUN Powered by ADP pricing
Those interested in RUN Powered by ADP have three packages to choose from, in addition to a 3-month free trial.
Packages are broken down by companies with 1-49 employees and 50-999 employees.
RUN Powered by ADP paid plans
RUN Powered by ADP offers four paid plans: Essential, Enhanced, Complete, and HR Pro. Essential is available for $59 per month plus $4 per employee per month. Pricing for the rest of the plans is not listed on the website, but you’re encouraged to reach out to the sales team for a quote.
10. Hibob HRIS
Hibob HRIS, or human resources information system, is a platform that powers productivity, engagement, and retention by simplifying people management and modernizing the work experience for not only your HR team, but your employees, too. Hibob HRIS streamlines your core HR processes, such as onboarding, performance management, and compensation management, saving time for everyone involved.
Hibob HRIS at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Organization management, performance, and time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: IT & services, computer software, and financial services
Try Hibob HRIS
Hibob HRIS features
Hibob HRIS has a lot of features for users to be excited about!
- Workflows to automate the onboarding process
- The ability to easily conduct 360° performance reviews for both your onsite and remote employees
- A time management feature for employees to clock in and out in seconds
One comprehensive dashboard for compensation management, salary reviews, bonuses, and equity allocation
Hibob HRIS pros and cons
Before you can know for sure if Hibob HRIS is the right core HR solution for your team, don’t forget to weigh these pros and cons!
Hibob HRIS pros
- Easy-to-use interface
- Excellent search functionality to find documents
- A document uploading system to ensure everything has a place
What users like:
“The UI and intuitive use of the system. Everything is pretty self-explanatory and good-looking. I also really like that you can customize the employee profiles so in-depth and immediately create customized reports within minutes.”
- Hibob HRIS Review, Pascal F., Aug 18, 2022
Hibob HRIS cons
- Underwhelming support functionality
- Unable to edit dashboards
- Buttons and functions are hard to locate
What users dislike:
“There are still certain elements that can be fine-tuned. Reaching customer support is easy, but you can only communicate via email, which is very difficult, especially when explaining complex setups based on local legislation. In this regard, I think more support can be given to ensure compliance, but at the same time, easily adaptable policy setups.”
- Hibob HRIS Review, Zoey P., Jul 27, 2022
Hibob HRIS pricing
Hibob HRIS does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
A member of their sales team can set you up with a personalized demo. Visit the site for more information.
11. Ceridian Dayforce
Companies with a global workforce have the option of choosing Ceridian Dayforce as their preferred core HR solution. It’s presented as an “always-on” platform that combines talent management, workforce management, HR, benefits, and payroll into a single cloud application.
Ceridian Dayforce at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Performance, user, role & access management, and time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: Retail, hospital & healthcare, and nonprofit organization management
Try Ceridian Dayforce
Ceridian Dayforce features
No matter what is on the daily to-do list of your HR team, chances are good Ceridian Dayforce has features that can boost productivity.
- A long list of insights through reports and dashboards
- The ability to continuously calculate pay as time is captured
- Simplified benefits options based on each individual’s employee profile
- Utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to recruit quickly and precisely
- Reduces potential for bias by removing name, age, and gender from candidate screening
Ceridian Dayforce pros and cons
Before knowing for sure, global workforces should gather info about the pros and cons of Ceridian Dayforce as their core HR solution.
Ceridian Dayforce pros
- User-friendly interface
- A plethora of user management tools
- Excellent for managing time off
What users like:
“Ceridian Dayforce is the platform our employees at Indoff, Inc. use to clock in and out of work each shift, as well as the system our HR officer uses to coordinate salary, benefits packages, and sick/vacation time requests with the corporate staff. Dayforce has a snappy, user-friendly interface that makes navigating HR-related programs a breeze for all corporate staff members. I have never encountered a piece of HCM software as straightforward and easy to use as Ceridian Dayforce.”
- Ceridian Dayforce Review, Austin O., Apr 26, 2022
Ceridian Dayforce cons
- Limited mobile functions
- Lengthy login process
- Occasionally glitchy
What users dislike:
“Custom reporting is a little tedious and can lead to having to edit the information.”
- Ceridian Dayforce Review, Beth B., Dec 16, 2021
Ceridian Dayforce pricing
Ceridian Dayforce does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
Those interested are encouraged to sign up for a personalized demo for more information.
12. Paycor
Paycor was designed to modernize everything that an HR department has in its queue, from people management to recruiting, onboarding, and payroll. This core HR software also provides users with powerful analytics that provide actionable insights and personalized support.
Paycor at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Available 3-month free trial
Price: Starting at $99 per month, plus $5 per employee per month
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Benefits administration, performance, and compliance
Top industries represented: Computer software, hospital and healthcare, IT & services, marketing & advertising, and nonprofit organization management
Try Paycor
Paycor features
Take a look at all the features and functionality that users have at their fingertips when using Paycor.
- Single source of truth for all employee data
- Flexible payment options like direct deposit, pay cards, and earned wage access
- A comprehensive mobile app so employees can access pay stubs, W-2s, and benefits information
- Robust reporting and several interactive dashboards
Paycor pros and cons
Still unsure if Paycor is the right solution for your HR team? Contemplate these pros and cons before deciding!
Paycor pros
- A self-service portal with tons of features
- Excellent chat feature
- Easy payroll process
What users like:
“We can keep track of time and attendance of employees, as well as absences due to illness or other causes. It also has performance management, to know the performance and productivity of each employee, as well as the progress of the tasks performed. Payroll management is fast and so far has been error-free.”
- Paycor Review, Alberto L., Aug 9, 2022
Paycor cons
- No dedicated support rep
- Glitchy at times
- Unexpected time out
- Buggy benefits administrator
What users dislike:
“It would be helpful to have a dashboard of any outstanding questions/tickets awaiting resolution and at what stage they are in.”
- Paycor Review, Trish H., Jun 14, 2022
Paycor pricing
When it comes to pricing, Paycor’s website breaks it down by businesses with fewer than 50 employees and companies with 50-1,000+ employees.
Companies with 50-1,000+ employees are encouraged to fill out a form for more specific pricing plans and packages.
Paycor paid plans
Paycor offers four paid plans, all with free set-up, a 3-month free trial, and a range of functionality.
- Basic: $99/month, plus $5/employee/month.
- Essential: $149/month, plus $7/employee/month.
- Core: $199/month, plus $8/employee/month
- Complete: $199/month, plus $14/employee/month
13. greytHR
greytHR is a cloud solution for small and medium organizations with a long list of productivity tools catered to HR services. It automates payroll, empowers employee self-service, and simplifies time and attendance.
greytHR at a glance:
Free plan: Available
Free trial: Available 7-day free trial
Price: Plans start at $19 per month
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Salary structures, organization management, and time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: IT and services, computer software, and internet
Try greytHR
greytHR features
greytHR gives users a variety of HR-related features and functionality to leverage.
- Guided payroll processing with various checklists
- The ability to add unlimited salary components
- Automated reimbursem*nts, loans, and advances
greytHR pros and cons
To figure out for sure if greytHR is the tool for you, consider these pros and cons.
greytHR pros
- Easy-to-use and understand UI
- Excellent mobile app
- Lots of features to choose from
What users like:
“I have been using greytHR for more than two years now, in my previous organization as well as the current one. I like their simple yet feature-driven user interface. It has wonderful tax and investment declaration portals and also gives information about each type of tax form.
Managing and regularizing past attendance is easy and super helpful when calculating leave and effective working hours. greytHR offers easy access from desktop and mobile web and the Android app, which is very robust and helps in getting tasks done quickly and effortlessly.”
- greytHR Review, Sachin B., Jul 31, 2022
greytHR cons
- Applying for leave can be tedious
- Ineffective customer service
- Below-average task management
What users dislike:
“The customer support is very poor. There is a good scope for improvement. When we raise any ticket for urgent help, a system-generated mail also appears, and we have to wait unnecessarily for a long time. A dedicated person should be there for anytime assistance.
The ticket should be raised on a call, and yes, you need to hire some customer care executive who can speak Hindi because you have several customers where a concerned person cannot express their problems in English.”
- greytHR Review, Vishwambhar P., Jul 29, 2022
greytHR pricing
greytHT offers organizations one free plan and three paid plans to choose from.
Paid plans come with a 7-day free trial.
greytHR free plan
The Starter package is greytHR’s free plan for teams with up to 25 members. It offers limited features but could be a great option for smaller teams.
greytHR paid plans
greytHR offers three paid plans with varying features and functionality.
- Welter: $18.84 per month
- Super: $31.44 per month
- Cruiser: $62.95 per month
Pricing is listed on the website in rupees but has been converted to USD.
14. Proliant
Proliant is a payroll and HR tool that aims to strike the perfect balance between service and technology. From employee onboarding to performance management, Proliant simplifies everything HR has on its plate.
Proliant at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Performance, compliance, and organization management
Top industries represented: Restaurants, hospital & healthcare, and construction
Try Proliant
Proliant features
Users have several features at their disposal.
- A flexible job application builder
- The ability to pre-screen multiple applicants
- Employee self-service tools to manage pay and benefits
- An E-Verify integration so employees can complete government forms with confidence
- The ability to make payroll changes, run reports, and process payroll from anywhere
Proliant pros and cons
Think Proliant is the core HR tool for your organization? Before you jump in, make sure you know about the pros and cons!
Proliant pros
- Electronic onboarding makes the process easy
- User-friendly system
- Great customer service
What users like:
“It's very accessible with little or no training on navigating the app. I like the tab feature that has ‘Last Check,’ ‘Check History,’ ‘W-2/1099’. There is no need to search the site for these as they are front and center.”
- Proliant Review, Ricky P., Dec 3, 2021
Proliant cons
- Premature user logout
- Less-than-ideal Direct Deposit setup
- Maybe too many custom reporting options
What users dislike:
“I don't particularly appreciate that we cannot print more than one check stub at a time.”
- Proliant Review, Lori D., May 20, 2022
Proliant pricing
Proliant does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
Those interested are encouraged to sign up for a personalized demo for more information.
15. UKG Ready
UKG Ready provides HR professionals with a flexible solution that easily manages the entire employee journey in one place. It’s got the power of HR, talent, and payroll for a personalized and people-centered experience.
UKG Ready at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Benefits administration, reporting, and time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: Hospital and healthcare, Nonprofit organization management, and retail
Try UKG Ready
UKG Ready features
UKG Ready boasts a long list of features and functionality for its users.
- Single employee record for better HR insights
- Intuitive tools to process payroll
- Complete tax filing
- Intuitive recruiting tools to attract the right types of candidates
- Automated compensation management
UKG Ready pros and cons
Unsure if UKG Ready is the core HR tool your team needs? Read on for real user reviews, along with some pros and cons.
UKG Ready pros
- Customizable reports
- Competitive pricing
- Mobile access
What users like:
“I like that you can easily view and edit the team's timesheets before submitting. Also, from the employee's profile, they can easily manage alerts and stay in the loop when documents or changes need to be submitted.”
- UKG Ready Review, Jasper C., Nov 23, 2021
UKG Ready cons
- Several configurations and settings to know
- Below-par customer service
What users dislike:
“I would say a ‘dislike’ could be related to all the system updates and changes. Changes are coming out quickly, and it can be overwhelming for a one-person department to review and then share with a large team on short notice.”
- UKG Ready Review, Vanessa S., Nov 18, 2020
UKG Ready pricing
UKG Ready does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
You can sign up for a personalized demo if you’re interested.
16. Paychex Flex
Those looking for a single HR solution with a simple design should consider Paychex Flex. Paychex Flex could be the core HR solution your team has been looking for, from payroll to benefits.
Paychex Flex at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Compliance, dashboards, and expense management
Top industries represented: Construction, retail, IT & services, medical practice, and real estate
Try Paychex Flex
Paychex Flex features
Users of Paychex Flex have a variety of features to take advantage of.
- A free mobile app for employees to utilize
- 24/7 customer support team based in the United States
- The ability to customize onboarding
- Increased information security since employee files are stored in the cloud
Paychex Flex pros and cons
Before making Paychex Flex your favorite core HR tool, make sure you’re aware of the potential pros and cons!
Paychex Flex pros
- Payroll is easy to process
- Dashboard is well organized
- Documents and information can be accessed on mobile
What users like:
“Paychex is easy to use and they provide great customer support. Using Paychex is a convenient way to track employees payroll related information. It's very helpful to have a resource to come alongside us and support our needs.”
- Paychex Flex Review, Lisa S., Mar 10, 2022
Paychex Flex cons
- Time clocks need to be improved
- Custom reports take time to set up
- Performance appraisals could be improved
What users dislike:
“Reports are organized the way Paychex wants them, not the way that is best for users. Reports are not set up very well - often, an employee is started on one page, then the remainder of the info is on another page of the report (orphaned pages). Users are unable to manipulate reports to gather only the needed information easily.
Often have to contact payroll representatives to have reports created. ‘Help’ info is outdated and does not correspond with current information and instructions. Entry screen moves after entering data, causing the user's cursor to be in the incorrect area for the next entry.”
- Paychex Flex Review, Tami A., Apr 19, 2022
Paychex Flex pricing
Paychex Flex does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
Sign up for a personalized demo for more information.
17. Personio
Personio is a core HR solution best for small and medium-sized companies with 10 to 2,000 employees. Its goal is to streamline all tasks for a company's HR department so that they can spend more time focusing on people to boost the employee experience.
Personio at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Starting at $2.92/user/month
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Internationalization, compliance, and user, role, and access management.
Top industries represented: IT & services, computer software, and marketing and advertising
Try Personio
Personio features
Personio provides users with a variety of features for their HR needs. Some are:
- Simplified recruiting process that can publish job offers with one click
- Automatically allocates onboarding tasks to colleagues
- Provides a clear overview of attendances and absences
- Straightforward payroll processing
- Reports and analytics for various HR metrics
Personio pros and cons
Before considering Personio for your core HR needs, check out these pros and cons.
Personio pros
- Excellent customer support
- System is user friendly
- E-signatures is a fantastic touch
What users like:
“Rolling out Personio has made not only the lives of our HR Department easier but also the employees love the possibilities of the software. We all enjoy that we can do almost everything in one place now.
The whole recruiting process, performance, and administrative part - from the personal digital files to on- and offboarding to requesting absences. We are all very pleased with Personio! Especially their customer support, overall handling, and offerings for the Personio community.”
- Personio Review, Joanna B., Jun 1, 2022
Personio cons
- Reporting systems have room for improvement
- Needs better filtering in the analytics tool
- Implementation process can be time consuming
What users dislike:
“The system is very complex, and it is time-consuming to set it up properly. Sometimes, drawing data out of the system is not as intuitive as I wished for, especially for evaluations. Many things can be changed and adapted, but this also gives you so many options, so you need some trial and error and time to find your way.
We have used the system for a year now and only now started to feel comfortable with its complexity, and still, we haven't introduced all functions yet.”
- Personio Review, Christina B., May 31, 2022
Personio pricing
Personio offers three paid plans to users.
Personio encourages booking a demo with their sales team for more information.
Personio paid plans
The three plans Personio offers are:
- Essential: $2.92/user/month
- Professional: $4.48/user/month
- Enterprise: Price available upon request
Pricing is listed on the website in Euros but has been converted to USD.
18. Justworks
Justworks provides teams, both big and small, with a simple, all-in-one platform for payroll, benefits, and compliance support. When it comes to any and everything HR, companies turn to Justworks to run everything with confidence.
Justworks at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Starting at $59 per month per employee
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Performance, internationalization, and benefits administration
Top industries represented: IT & services, computer software, and marketing & advertising
Justworks features
There are several features that users of Justworks can take advantage of for their HR needs. Some are:
- Access to high-quality medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as 401(k) savings plans
- The ability to manage employee time with geo-location tracking, automated reminders, and overtime alerts
- A comprehensive mobile app with information surrounding insurance, pay stubs, and time off
- Fully integrated and pre-built reports for PTO management
Justworks pros and cons
Before committing to Justworks as your core HR solution, consider these pros and cons from real users.
Justworks pros
- Great customer service
- Simple to understand user interface
- Transparent pricing models
What users like:
“Amazing customer service during the sales process and beyond once we were fully onboarded. I know I can always count on Justworks to answer knowledgeably and in a timely fashion.”
- Justworks Review, Carla G., Jul 12, 2022
Justworks cons
- Health insurance options can be expensive
- Lengthy onboarding process
- How to upload trainings could be improved
What users dislike:
“The only issue we've really run into is with the payment platform. When a vendor sets up their payment details, we cannot see what they have entered (this is a good thing). However, when a vendor changes their method of payment or switches banks, we can't tell if they have or have not updated their credentials. This can easily be solved with a 'last updated' date that is visible to us.”
- Justworks Review, Michelle B., Jul 19, 2022
Justworks pricing
Justworks offers users two pricing plans to choose from.
Plans have varying functions and features, so it’s best that users know which features are a must-have.
Justworks paid plans
The paid plans Justworks offers are:
- Basic: $59/month/employee
- Plus: $99/month/employee
19. TriNet
TriNet is used by small and midsize businesses as a full-service HR solution that boasts human capital management expertise, benefits, risk mitigation, payroll, and so much more. Find out how TriNet can help your HR department remain focused on the people within your workforce.
TriNet at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Not available
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Benefits administration, compliance, and performance
Top industries represented: Computer software, IT & services, and financial services
Try TriNet
TriNet features
There are a lot of exciting features that TriNet provides:
- Attractive employee benefits packages that help you compete for top talent
- Access to top insurance carriers with great options for spouses and pets, plus perks for employees
- A simple solution for managing payroll and navigating evolving tax codes
- Online payroll services include payroll processing with Direct Deposit
TriNet pros and cons
Read these pros and cons before committing to TriNet as the right core HR tool for your team!
TriNet pros
- Well-designed app and user interface (UI)
- Excellent chat feature in the online portal
- Great reporting functions
What users like:
“If something distinguishes TriNet from other similar platforms, it is its ease of use, functions, integrations, efficiency, and low cost.”
- TriNet Review, Joseph T., Aug 8, 2022
TriNet cons
- Difficult to understand paystubs
- Lengthy case management
What users dislike:
“Seems like it took a little while to load info for payroll items.”
- TriNet Review, Jason A., Jun 10, 2022
TriNet pricing
TriNet does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
Those interested are encouraged to sign up for a personalized demo for more information.
20. GoCo
Rounding out our list is GoCo, which bundles HR, benefits, and payroll. Built with adaptability in mind, GoCo aims to streamline the tasks of an HR department so they can focus on putting employees first.
GoCo at a glance:
Free plan: Not available
Free trial: Not available
Price: Starts at $5 per month per employee
G2 awards: Leader, Summer 2022
Highest-rated features: Benefits administration, performance, and time, attendance & PTO
Top industries represented: Computer software, hospital and healthcare, IT & and services, marketing & advertising, and insurance
GoCo features
GoCo has plenty of features for its users.
- The ability to automate the onboarding checklist
- Seamless integration with apps like Slack, Google Sheets, and Checkr
- The ability to seamlessly enroll and manage a full range of benefit plans
- A digital time clock system for an easy employee clock-in experience
GoCo pros and cons
Thinking GoCo is the core HR solution for your team? Don’t forget to consider these pros and cons!
GoCo pros
- Great customer service
- User-friendly system
- Long list of helpful integrations
What users like:
“GoCo is a great HR platform for my small to midsize company. It gives clients a lot of great options to choose from to make their system as robust or as simple as needed. Whenever there is an issue, Goco responds quickly and follows up to make sure everything is satisfactory.”
- GoCo Review, Stefanie T., Aug 16, 2022
GoCo cons
- Difficulty scheduling time off
- Glitchy at times
- Not the best workflow
What users dislike:
“I wish there were things we could do ourselves on the backend, instead of relying on GoCo. For example, uploading annual open enrollment materials. Also, workflows could be better.”
- GoCo Review, Vanessa N., May 5, 2022
GoCo pricing
Outside of stating that plans start at $5 per month per employee, GoCo does not list pricing plans or options on its website.
Those interested are encouraged to sign up for a personalized demo for more information.
Learn more about core HR and core HR software
Core HR software helps your human resources team accomplish more in less time, no matter the size of your team or your. These tools manage employee information, such as payroll and benefits data, within an easily accessible, centralized HR database.
What is core HR?
Core HR is a term that refers to the essential functions of the HR department that any type of organization needs to have in place. This includes capturing and storing employee data, maintaining and updating employee records, managing payroll, administering benefits administration, and handling recruitment.
Benefits of core HR software
Finding core HR software for your team, especially as a company grows and scales, offers plenty of benefits. Core HR software:
- Standardizes the process of completing payroll, creating compensation packages, and administering benefits plans.
- Automates every detail of recruiting, onboarding, offboarding, and employee performance.
- Creates a portal for employees to update their information and input their PTO.
- Generates reporting of HR data trends.
- Reduces the time and effort the HR team spends on small tasks.
- Manages HR compliance regulations regarding health care reform, tax codes, or labor laws.
How to effectively use core HR software
No matter what core HR tool your team decides to use, there are some general steps to follow and tips to keep in mind to ensure its features are being used correctly.
- Don’t rush implementation. Because there are so many components, features, functionalities, and dashboards that go into a core HR tool, it’s important not to skip steps during the onboarding or implementation process. Before everyone can roll up their sleeves and get started with everything a core HR solution offers, it takes time to go through all the necessary steps into implementation.
- Utilize reports. Core HR software organizes various employee data and information into easy-to-read reports. Don’t let these reports sit idle. But instead, find ways to use them to your advantage! For instance, looking at employee retention and turnover reports can provide insight into how a company can improve.
- Encourage employees to update records. These tools make it easy for employees to view and update their personal information, so it’s no big deal to change things like benefit elections. Take the time to train employees to use these features and show how much of a perk it is to have answers about payroll or benefits at their disposal. It also saves time for the HR team since they don’t have to look up information or make changes for employees manually.
- Take advantage of mobile abilities. Many core HR tools also have a mobile app. Make sure all employees download and utilize the app so that important information is always within reach.
Choosing the best core HR software for your company
Ultimately, choosing the best core HR software for your company comes down to the budget you have to spend, the features you need most, and how many employees will be using the tool. Price ranges and features offered vary.
As an HR professional, your team will use core HR software to streamline day-to-day tasks, and employees outside your department will use it for PTO, benefits, and personal data.
Top 10 free core HR software in 2022
- BambooHR
- Rippling
- Paycor
- Gusto
- greytHR
- GoCo
- Breathe
- Personio
- Zoho People
- Mirro
Core HR software: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What features should I look for in core HR software?
Features and functionality across core HR tools may vary, but for the most part, these tools will offer:
- An employee self-service portal
- The ability to track time, attendance, and paid time off
- Salary structures and pay grade management
- Expense management, submission of reports, and reimbursem*nt tracking
- Benefits administration
- Compliance standards
- Reports and dashboards with HR analytics
Why is HR software important?
HR software is necessary for every company’s tech stack because it simplifies and automates tasks like performance appraisals, compliance, benefits administration, and payroll. This automation ensures that HR managers save time and streamline other workflows to increase productivity and focus on other necessary tasks.
Is core HR software easy to use?
Once implementation and onboarding are complete, most core HR tools are straightforward.
For an added level of ease, these are the top five easiest to use, based on usability ratings:
- Rippling
- GoCo
- Ease
- RUN Powered by ADP
- Gusto