8 best HRIS platforms to take your small business HR strategy to the next level in 2025

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique human resources challenges. Without the luxury of a fully fledged HR department, they must juggle essential employee management tasks while fostering company-wide engagement.

Luckily, there’s a streamlined solution for even the smallest, busiest teams that still want to prioritize their HR needs. The right human resources information system (HRIS) can simplify these tasks by consolidating HR workflows into just one platform.

Especially when an HRIS integrates core HR functionalities with people enablement features, SMBs can perform admin tasks more efficiently while building a fulfilled, more motivated team.

If your business wants to streamline all things HR and ditch the patchwork of multiple ad hoc tools, this article is for you. Let’s dive into the top HRIS systems for you to choose from and help you find the best choice for your organization.
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*The information below is based on our research in September 2024. All user feedback referenced in the text has been sourced from independent software review platforms (like G2 and Capterra) in September 2024.

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The most helpful HRIS features for small businesses

An ideal HR tool should simplify people processes for HR team members and employees, freeing up time for what truly matters.

A well-designed HRIS streamlines tasks like managing documents, updating employee records, running surveys, and processing payroll. At the same time, individual contributors can use the HRIS to easily clock in and out, request PTO, and schedule meetings — allowing them to focus on core work instead.

With that in mind, what should be on your HRIS requirements checklist? For small and medium businesses, integrating essential HR functionalities with people enablement tools is transformative. This empowers your HR team to manage daily people processes more efficiently while working on big-picture initiatives that make your company a more enjoyable place to work.

Now, let’s break down some of the features you should consider when choosing HRIS software that truly fits your needs.

Core HR capabilities

Core HR functionalities form the foundation of any good HRIS. To understand your business’s HR needs, start by evaluating the work you regularly handle related to data and document management, reporting, compliance, and organization management. Then, assess your current tools and workflows. With this insight, you’ll be able to select an HRIS that brings everything together.

Time tracking & attendance software

Many assume that time tracking and attendance tools are only helpful for employers as they want to keep track of employees — but this is far from the case. They’re beneficial for team members across all levels of the organization. For instance, time tracking and attendance software simplifies PTO requests and helps employees track their hours to avoid overwork. For HR, these tools help ensure compliance with labor regulations, highlight opportunities for workload adjustments, and support correct payroll processing.

Onboarding & training

Successful HR practices begin with onboarding. An HRIS that combines core HRIS functionalities with people enablement features makes it easier to onboard employees and ensures they have access to the right training materials and tools from day one. This type of system promotes continuous improvement across the employee lifecycle, helping build strong, adaptable teams.

Performance management

1. Leapsome

A screenshot of a graphic that shows the tools Leapsome brings together in its HRIS. — *Leapsome’s new HRIS tool unites human resources features with powerful people enablement capabilities*

Leapsome’s HR platform is an innovative, scalable solution that is well-suited to growing businesses. It combines the core HR functionalities you need to keep your company running smoothly with people enablement features to make your organization a great workplace.

With Leapsome, you can consolidate your tech stack and manage everything from employee data management to performance reviews, compensation management, goal setting, feedback, and more within one dynamic platform. Our suite of tools with people enablement features is unique on the market, making it a people-first software solution.
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Top HRIS features

Core HR capabilities: Tools for employee data management, workflow management, reporting and analytics, document management, compliance tracking, and organization management.
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Performance management: A wide range of features that enable you to conduct reviews, set goals, and exchange feedback without needing a large human resources team to take care of all the steps in between.
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Onboarding and training: Automate onboarding steps, provide easy access to learning resources so new hires can settle in smoothly, and provide pertinent development materials throughout the employee lifecycle.
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Time tracking and attendance: Organize time off and track hours to ensure everyone uses their PTO and doesn’t exceed the hours agreed upon in their employment contract. This data helps HR teams keep accurate records and comply with applicable regulations.

Pros

Brings HRIS and people enablement features together within a single platform
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User-friendly interface with powerful analytics tools
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Useful for both HR professionals and company employees
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Effective for in-person, hybrid, and remote teams
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People-first software solution
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Strong customer support
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Supports 38 languages
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Built-in AI-powered tools

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cons

Leapsome’s HRIS tool is brand new, so expect some updates while the features are being perfected

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Leapsome is saving us lots of time during our performance appraisals and helps us build an open, value-oriented feedback culture. We’ve compared several platforms, and Leapsome stood out convincingly — it’s user-friendly, intuitive, and highly customizable. As a manager, I love how fast and openly the team at Leapsome reacts to our feedback and suggestions.

Dr. Christian Grobe

CEO

Leapsome enhances meaningful feedback and employee engagement. It’s a must-have for every company at any stage. We are growing toward 750 employees, but the rollout was easy, fast, and successful nonetheless. The great customer support helped us through the whole onboarding process.

Thore Schӓck

Head of HR & Recruiting

With the help of the people analytics, you can quickly understand the significance of the results. We also frequently use the 1:1 function, which, although very simple, is extremely useful.

Erica Ancobia

Head of People Operations

We see the People team as a partner team rather than an admin team. We want to focus on our employees and not on processes. With Leapsome, we have automated the manual work around feedback and career development so that we can spend our time with our people: understanding their needs, guiding them through their very own DCMN lifecycle, and helping them find purpose in what they do.

Theresa Jasaraj

Senior Manager, People Relations

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2. BambooHR

BambooHR is a good option for companies that want to simplify HR, payroll, and benefits management. It’s packed with features but is still easy to operate for most teams, with a suite of tools that can be used to manage most HR tasks effectively.
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Features

Employee data management: Data management technology can help you stay organized and maintain accurate data.
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Time tracking and attendance: Time tracking tools help record employees’ hours worked, simplify the payroll process, and facilitate compliance.
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Onboarding: Customizable onboarding workflows make it easy for new hires to settle into their roles.
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Performance management: A continuous performance management process that involves well-organized reviews, goals, and feedback keeps everyone engaged and productive.

Pros

Clean, simple UI
All employee information is stored in one place
Comprehensive reporting

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cons

The mobile app doesn’t offer the same functionalities as the desktop version
Higher pricing tier for advanced features is less suitable for SMBs

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3. Deel

Deel’s human resources software saves small, international businesses time by simplifying the HR puzzle they must navigate. The tool is great for teams needing global payroll and compliance assistance. Deel’s HRIS features ensure smooth operations across borders and help manage remote employees efficiently.
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Features

Global payroll: Payroll processing tools designed with international employees in mind.
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Compliance tracking: This feature can help you ensure compliance with local labor laws and regulations.
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Employee self-service: Team members can update their profiles, upload and review documentation, and check company records without HR support.
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Onboarding: Onboarding features that aim to make it easy for global businesses to integrate new hires.

Pros

Strong focus on global payroll and compliance
Users enjoy the easy-to-use interface and strong self-service options

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cons

No mobile app
Higher pricing for global payroll services

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4. Gusto

A photo of a Gusto interface on a tablet.

Gusto includes features for payroll, benefits management, hiring and onboarding, and talent management. It simplifies what would typically be complex HR tasks for small businesses and is affordably priced for SMBs.
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Features

Payroll processing: Payroll automation and tax filing features can help reduce the burden HR teams face when processing payroll each pay period.
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Benefits administration: A hub where you can take care of benefits and rewards.
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Time tracking: Integrated time tracking and PTO management tools.
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Onboarding: This feature aims to combine the most important parts of your onboarding process into a streamlined workflow.

Pros

Comprehensive HR and payroll features for small businesses that don’t have a dedicated HR team
Onboarding employees and contractors is intuitive and simple
Transparent, affordable pricing plans

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cons

Some users say that the customer service isn’t up to par
Some users report setup difficulties

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5. HiBob

HiBob is an HRIS platform focused on productivity, employee experience, and retention while offering must-have HR features. It’s built to be easy for human resources professionals and the employees they manage, with innovative tools and plenty of customization options.
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Features

Core HR capabilities: People teams spend a lot of time on administrative tasks like data management, but HR technology can help with that.
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Performance management: This feature allows you to organize reviews and track progress.
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Onboarding: Integrated training and onboarding capabilities.
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Time tracking: These tools enable you to track and manage attendance and ensure you stay compliant with the labor regulations that apply to you.

Pros

User-friendly interface with an extra focus on employee engagement
Easy-to-use
Extensive customization options
Integrations with other HR tools

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cons

Some users report that HiBob’s current features are limited
Some users say that the customer service can be slow to respond

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6. Homebase

Homebase offers a suite of HR tools specifically designed for small businesses. The platform is particularly strong for “high-street businesses” with hourly workers and is well-known for its time-tracking and scheduling capabilities.
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Features

Time tracking and scheduling: Team members can clock in and out of work on their phones, tablets, or work computers, making this feature especially handy for small, dispersed teams often moving from one place to another.
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Employee management: It is possible to build a centralized point for employee data and provide people with self-service options. ‍
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Full-service payroll tool: Homebase’s payroll tool interconnects with the scheduling and timesheet features, making the payroll process faster.

Pros

Great for managing hourly workers and schedules
User-friendly interface with mobile app support
Affordable pricing and free a tier available

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cons

Very limited advanced HR features
Some users report occasional issues with customer support

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7. Rippling

Rippling integrates HR, IT, and finance functions into one system. It offers businesses of all shapes and sizes a wide range of features to streamline their HR processes and boost efficiency.
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Features

Core HR capabilities: Features for managing employee data, taking care of reporting, and adjusting accessibility.
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Time tracking and attendance: These integrated tools show who worked when and ensure fair and quick payouts.
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Performance management: Smart tools for goal setting and tracking.
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Onboarding: Onboarding tools to help new team members get settled into their roles.

Pros

Comprehensive integrations with other business systems
Strong focus on automation and efficiency
User-friendly interface
Powerful analytics tools

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cons

Higher pricing compared to some competitors
Some users report a steep initial learning curve

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8. Sage HR

Sage HR offers a wide range of HR tools tailored to the specific needs of modern-day SMBs. It’s known for its ease of use and robust feature set, simplifying HR management.
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Features

Core HR capabilities: Tools to keep all employee information well-organized and accessible.
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Time tracking and attendance: Time tracking and attendance features that are easy for employees and HR team members to use.
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Performance management: Interconnected performance management tools aimed at helping team members develop.
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Onboarding: Tailored onboarding workflows to help new hires get the best start possible.

Pros

User-friendly interface with a focus on SMBs
Extensive customization options
Strong customer support
Comprehensive reporting

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cons

Limited advanced features compared to some competitors
Complicated pricing plans

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Why customers love us

Leapsome has been an absolute game-changer for me in terms of my professional growth and development. What I love best about Leapsome is how it has empowered me to take control of my career journey. The user-friendly interface and intuitive design of Leapsome have made it incredibly easy for me to navigate and utilize the platform.

Victor J.

Enterprise (1000+ emloyees)

Leapsome stands out as a best-in-class platform that seamlessly addresses a spectrum of organizational needs, excelling in performance management, employee engagement, OKRs, and learning. Its unparalleled strength lies in its deep integration with existing tools, effortlessly connecting with our HRIS, Slack, Calendar, and Jira.

Jamie S.

Mid-market (50-1000 employees)

Our company is new to Leapsome, but the onboarding has been fantastic. Our Leapsome contact has worked with us every step of the way to make sure that the review process will be easy on HR and all employees. He has walked us through the process step by step to create a review that will be ready to roll out pretty much immediately.
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