Being an HR professional in the startup world is not easy.
You’re competing with the big guys to recruit the best talent, and you need to build a smooth onboarding process for new employees. You also need to manage payroll, stay compliant, keep your employees happy, maintain a healthy work environment, and do a zillion other things, all with limited support and infrastructure and (usually) a tight budget.
You have my sympathies. But even better, you have my research skills at your disposal!
My team and I went all in and curated a list of the best HR software solutions tailored for startups. We weren’t swayed by fancy features; instead, we zeroed in on finding simple, effective, high-performance HR software and HR tools that tackled real challenges for small businesses and startups.
We Tested the Best HR Software for Startups
- Why Startups Need HR Software
- What Should You Look for in HR Software?
- The 10 Best HR Software to Use in 2024
- 1. ClickUp (Best for HR project management)
- 2. Gusto (Best for small businesses)
- 3. Rippling (Best for integrated IT management functions)
- 4. Deel (Best HR software for global teams)
- 5. Culture Amp (Best for employee engagement)
- 6. Deputy (Best for employee communication)
- 7. TriNet HR Platform (Best for managing employee payroll)
- 8. BambooHR (Best for employee self-service)
- 9. Omni HR (Best for employee onboarding)
- 10. GoHire (Best for talent acquisition and recruitment)
- Your Team Deserves the Best HR Software
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhy Startups Need HR Software
Startups rely on HR software to optimize operations, effectively manage top talent, and cultivate a culture of growth, innovation, and high productivity.
Because startups tend to scale quickly and pivot quickly too, the best HR software is one that helps them manage HR functions with minimal human effort and maximum efficiency.
With the right HR software, startups can automate mundane tasks, improve employee involvement, and leverage data for informed decision-making.
Here are some additional reasons why startups need a comprehensive HR software solution:
- Managing human resources: Startups usually function with minimal resources, such as a lean HR team or just one HR specialist. HR software simplifies routine tasks such as payroll, benefits management, and regulatory compliance, allowing the team to concentrate on crucial areas like employee experience and retention
- Scalability: Scalability is key as startups expand. HR software can adapt seamlessly to the company’s growth, handling everything from increasing employee numbers to evolving compliance requirements without requiring major upgrades
- Data-driven decisions: An HR platform comes equipped with tools that analyze different workforce metrics, such as turnover rates, hiring effectiveness, and employee productivity. These insights empower startups to make well-informed decisions that align with their goals. Often, startups need to report this data to investors and shareholders
- Compliance: Complying with labor laws and regulations can feel overwhelming, especially for new businesses without legal expertise. HR software helps maintain regulatory compliance, minimizing the chances of facing expensive fines and legal issues
- AI and automation: AI in HR software automates repetitive tasks like resume screening, scheduling interviews, and onboarding. This saves time and enhances accuracy and efficiency, allowing HR teams to focus on strategic initiatives and employee engagement
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Should You Look for in HR Software?
Whether it’s advanced applicant tracking systems or all-encompassing employee management tools, selecting the right HR software can transform your team’s operations.
Here are some key features to look for:
- User-friendliness: The software must be user-friendly and intuitive so that HR professionals can use it efficiently without the need for extensive training
- Integration capabilities: The software should be able to integrate with various other systems, such as payroll services, performance management tools, and ERP software, to ensure smooth operations
- Customizability: Startups come in all shapes and sizes, each with unique requirements based on their industry, scale, and business approach. The ideal HR software should offer customization options to meet these needs effectively
- Comprehensive HR software features: Explore software options that offer a wide array of HR functions, such as workforce management, payroll, recruitment, performance management, and compliance tracking
- Cost-effectiveness: Startups with limited budgets should prioritize cost-effectiveness when selecting software. Opt for a product with a flexible pricing structure or one that provides essential features at a reasonable cost
- Support and training: Reliable customer support and training materials are vital when integrating new software. Make sure the HR software provider offers sufficient assistance to address any problems and guidance on maximizing its potential
- AI-powered efficiency: Look for HR software that incorporates AI and automation features, such as automated resume screening, predictive analytics for hiring, and chatbots for employee inquiries
Summarize this article for me pleaseThe 10 Best HR Software to Use in 2024
Take your pick from the best HR software for startups listed below.
1. ClickUp (Best for HR project management)
ClickUp’s HR Management Platform is packed with tools and features tailored for HR teams. With seamless integration to over 1,000 top business applications and hundreds of customizable HR functions, ClickUp simplifies people management and planning greatly. It boosts operational efficiency, driving accelerated business growth.
You can use it to monitor employee performance, engagement, and growth through ClickUp Views which facilitates workforce alignment. You can also go ahead and create a centralized repository for employee information, building confidential communication channels between managers and team members.
Attracting and retaining top talent is made easier with a well-organized system for managing candidates, applications, and outreach efforts. Boost efficiency with editable templates, custom statuses, and automated processes that guide candidates through the recruitment pipeline.
You can also enhance training procedures by creating an employee handbook and implementing trackable tasks, goals, and documents with training and onboarding activities. ClickUp also offers employee feedback tools so you check the pulse of your employees.
The ClickUp HR Knowledge Base Template is a single source of truth for consolidating important HR documents, policies, and procedures. It empowers HR teams to create a comprehensive hub of knowledge that’s easily accessible to all employees.
From streamlining onboarding processes to addressing common queries, this template ensures consistency and transparency throughout the organization.
The Employee Directory Template by ClickUp is a comprehensive tool designed to help organizations manage and organize employee information in a centralized location. We especially liked its structured framework for storing and accessing essential details about each team member, including their name, job title, contact information, and other relevant details.
It is also particularly useful for improving employee communication by providing quick access to contact information.
ClickUp best features
- Streamline your HR operations with ClickUp Automations to initiate task generation, delegate tasks, add comments, update task progress, and much more
- Keep tabs on HR goals, project milestones, targets, and KPIs with a user-friendly tracking system
- Use ClickUp’s Whiteboard for collaboration along with ClickUp’s dynamic and user-friendly HR templates and forms
- Enjoy round-the-clock support with 24/7 customer service and access to other helpful resources for a seamless user experience
ClickUp limitations
- Adjusting to ClickUp’s rich feature list may present a learning curve for some users
- Lacks some of the more specific add-on features that other tools provide
ClickUp pricing
• Free forever
• Unlimited: $7/user per month
• Business: $12/user per month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing
• ClickUp Brain: Add to any paid plan for $7 per Workspace member per month
ClickUp ratings and reviews
• G2: 4.7/5 (9,000+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (4,000+ reviews)
2. Gusto (Best for small businesses)
Gusto is an HR software for small and mid-sized teams that seamlessly manages onboarding, employee engagement, payroll management, and performance reviews.
We found the platform intuitive to use and appreciated that it offers valuable insights and robust time and attendance tracking, enabling a smooth, self-service experience for employers and employees.
It streamlines the hiring process with efficient job postings, customizable offer letter templates, and automated feedback requests, ensuring that new employees are seamlessly integrated into the team.
Gusto best features
- Get free unlimited payroll runs, automate direct deposit payments, deductions, tax filings, and international contractor payments
- Configure onboarding checklists, e-signage, document storage, and customized offer letter templates for smooth employee onboarding
- Customize benefit packages with additional options for vision, dentistry, retirement, HSAs, FSAs, workers’ compensation, and commuter benefits
Gusto limitations
- Limited reporting and analytics features
- Native time tracking and workforce pricing are only accessible on the Plus plan and above
- Lacks internal communication functions
- No comprehensive calendar and task management functionalities
Gusto pricing
- Simple: $40/month
- Plus: $80/month
- Premium: Custom pricing
Gusto ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (2000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (3000+ reviews)
3. Rippling (Best for integrated IT management functions)
Rippling is a cloud-based platform for managing global human resources and automating workforce operations, from hiring to termination. This HR software adapts to employee locations by customizing fields, documents, and currencies to support remote workers.
With Rippling, you can enroll your employees in health benefits, extend job offers, run background checks, handle new employee paperwork, process payroll, and more at every stage of the employee lifecycle.
Rippling best features
- Use centralized hubs for data gathering to store and access employee information
- Disable accounts, passwords, user permissions, and device ownership for former employees automatically when they leave
- Simplify hiring processes by automating background checks, recruitment paperwork, and offer letter generation
- Automate payroll computations, deductions, and tax filings in line with local payroll compliance rules and regulations
Rippling limitations
- Rippling’s background check service comes at a high cost
- Customization and multiple views are restricted to administrators only, leaving most employees without access
- Lacks advanced tools for benchmarking and predictive analytics for future workforce planning
Rippling pricing
- Core: Starts at $7/month per user
- Pro: Custom pricing
- Unlimited: Custom pricing
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Rippling ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (2000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.9/5 (3000+ reviews)
4. Deel (Best HR software for global teams)
Deel is an HRIS system for enterprises of all sizes. It features an easy-to-use interface and customized HR tasks, including payroll management, benefits administration, attendance, etc.
This HRIS system provides a centralized location for storing employee information, allowing quick and easy access from anywhere. If you’re managing a global workforce, Deel is a good choice to help you with customized integrations and automation.
Deel best features
- View all employee benefits, compensation, and expenses in a single dashboard
- Offer employee pension programs, health insurance, or stipends depending on where they reside
- Provide visa sponsorship, immigration assistance, specialized benefit packages, and global equity management to your distributed staff
Deel limitations
- Lack of flexibility regarding compliance standards
- Limited reporting capabilities, with a lack of detailed breakdowns of earnings and taxes
- Can be an expensive option for small teams
Deel pricing
- Deel HR: Free
- Deel Engage: $20/month per employee
Deel ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.8/5 (3000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (500+ reviews)
5. Culture Amp (Best for employee engagement)
Culture Amp is a people and culture platform that empowers businesses to proactively improve employee engagement, retention, and performance.
With its intuitive, all-in-one interface, this platform caters to organizations of varying sizes and industries. It facilitates employee engagement, cultivating high-performing teams, recognizing achievements, and promoting employee development.
We felt Culture Amp stands out for its action-oriented 360° feedback mechanism. This allows HR managers, team leads, and employees to unlock their full potential and drive continuous growth and improvement.
Culture Amp best features
- Prepare for meetings effectively using helpful performance review prompts to guide your discussions
- Keep track of your goals easily with progress trackers that provide detailed visibility into your progress
- Gain valuable insights from surveys through easy-to-understand heatmaps and reports, helping you make informed decisions for your organization
Culture Amp limitations
- Poor integration with Google Calendar and lacks the functionality to send performance review reminders
- Limited customization options
- Performance reviews and self-assessments involve a complex submission and sharing process
- Managing self-reflection, peer feedback, and manager reviews can be cumbersome due to the separate sections
Culture Amp pricing
- Engage: Custom pricing
- Perform: Custom pricing
- Develop: Custom pricing
Culture AMP ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.5/5 (1000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.7/5 (100+ reviews)
6. Deputy (Best for employee communication)
Deputy is a workforce management solution that streamlines administrative tasks such as scheduling, timesheet management, and communication. It supports one-click payroll integration, easy schedule preparation, and real-time governance of employee leave, time, and attendance.
This HR software for startups enables real-time attendance monitoring, allowing HR managers to accurately monitor shifts, lateness, and staff coverage. Deputy is compatible with over 300 POS and payroll systems, and our team felt it was especially useful for organizations that employ hourly workers.
Deputy best features
- Streamline task management through a user-friendly interface designed for efficiency
- Simplify the complexities of shift scheduling and timesheet management for smoother operations
- Access valuable insights on wage expenditures to effectively manage labor margins and optimize resources
- Enjoy seamless integration with a variety of cloud-based systems and payroll software
Deputy limitations
- Performance issues and slower responsiveness can hinder smooth workflow efficiency
- Limitations on applying for ‘unavailable’ dates after a roster has been drafted or published
- Issues with handling leave requests; users cannot revoke their leave once accepted
- Options for task reporting functionalities are limited
Deputy pricing
- Scheduling: $4.50/month per user
- Time & Attendance: $4.50/month per user
- Premium: $6/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Deputy ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.6/5 (200+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (700+ reviews)
7. TriNet HR Platform (Best for managing employee payroll)
TriNet HR Platform (formerly Zenefits) is cloud-based SaaS human resources software that helps small and midsized businesses manage their employees and maintain compliance.
Integrated partner apps, advice services, and HR and payroll from TriNet HR Platform’s People Platform are perfect for tasks related to HR administration. The platform reduces paperwork and complexity and allows businesses to focus on launching, running, and expanding their businesses.
TriNet HR Platform best features
- Achieve a paperless HR environment and reduce the team’s expenses
- Integrate data with mobile devices for managing offer letters and other HR processes with ease
- Use its extensive features for onboarding/offboarding, compliance, timekeeping, insurance, and custom reporting
- Experience reliable time-off requests and approval processes
TriNet HR Platform limitations
- Difficulty declaring unavailability once shifts are drafted
- Does not allow for simple rescheduling or leave reversals without managerial intervention
- Inaccuracies and delayed response times with tax-related queries
- Inflexible scheduling options
- Difficulties with the I-9 verification process
TriNet HR Platform pricing
- Essentials: $8/month per user
- Growth: $20/month per user
- Zen: $33/month per user
TriNet HR Platform ratings and reviews
- G2: 3.9/5 (400+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.2/5 (800+ reviews)
8. BambooHR (Best for employee self-service)
BambooHR is designed for small and medium-sized organizations. It focuses on employee retention and offers simple solutions for managing employee benefits, gathering feedback, and creating performance goals.
This employee management software is well-known for its user-friendly interface, ready-to-use workflows and reports, and pre-built analysis for insights into turnover and time off. As an HR platform, we believe it is suitable for both tech-savvy and tech-averse organizations.
BambooHR best features
- Use pre-built workflows to implement HR processes quickly
- Automate well-being surveys to track growth, retention, and employee satisfaction
- Keep track of new hires with built-in onboarding packets, including electronic signing
- Use multiple features for employees to track their performance through assessments, feedback, goals, and training
BambooHR limitations
- Limited metrics in its reporting feature
- Lacks a built-in scheduling feature
- No modules for employee training or scheduling
BambooHR pricing
- Custom pricing
BambooHR ratings and reviews
- G2: 4.4/5 (2000+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.6/5 (2000+ reviews)
9. Omni HR (Best for employee onboarding)
Omni HR is a comprehensive HR software for startups. It streamlines all aspects of the employee experience, from hiring to managing time off and everything in between.
Its user-friendly design offers a range of features such as onboarding, e-signatures, employee database management, attendance, performance tracking, document organization, payroll processing, self-service tools for employees, and customizable reporting options.
Omni HR best features
- Experience intuitive and customizable interfaces to suit your specific data management needs
- Take advantage of free modules like assets and inventory
- Experience effective onboarding automation for timely document management and task tracking
Omni HR limitations
- Limited features in the payroll and expense module
- Lacks scalability for enterprise needs, self-serve capabilities, and global data compliance
Omni HR pricing
- Standard: $3/month per user
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Omni HR ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: Not enough reviews
10. GoHire (Best for talent acquisition and recruitment)
GoHire provides startups and small and mid-sized businesses with a comprehensive talent acquisition solution. It aims to revolutionize traditional hiring methods by allowing businesses to concentrate on attracting top-tier candidates, and we’re inclined to believe it does!
This HR platform enhances and simplifies the recruitment journey. It offers seamless integration with websites, social media, and job boards for easy setup and talent scouting.
Through its user-friendly interface, users can effectively manage job listings, applicant tracking, and interview scheduling.
GoHire best features
- Tailor candidate management features such as evaluation templates and candidate funnels to your specific needs
- Experience automated workflows, in-app emailing, and quick chat responses for better communication
- Get access to customizable reports and analytics
GoHire limitations
- Job postings require human verification before they go live, leading to a slowed-down recruitment cycle
- Unresponsive customer support, especially when dealing with technical issues or bugs
- The dashboard and layout can be complex to navigate
- Limited pre-built options
GoHire pricing
- Starter: $89/month
- Growth: $150/month
- Pro: $290/month
GoHire ratings and reviews
- G2: Not enough reviews
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (100+ reviews)
Summarize this article for me pleaseYour Team Deserves the Best HR Software
Running a startup is hard. So give your team the HR software they deserve—one that effortlessly combines different functions to enhance workflows, streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and boost productivity.
For startups aiming to maximize efficiency and drive growth, ClickUp is the ultimate solution to helo you run a tight HR ship. ClickUp goes beyond simplifying HR processes. It equips your team with a single platform for human resource planning (HRP), teamwork, and task organization, guaranteeing increased employee engagement and efficiency company-wide.
With a wide range of functionalities, such as customizable features for onboarding, goal-setting, talent development, process standardization, employee requests, and performance review templates, ClickUp is a one-stop solution and the best HR software for startups.
Sign up for ClickUp and start building HR processes that get the job done.
Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.