The right HR software solution gives you all the tools you need to streamline your HR processes. Check out my top 5 picks to find the perfect fit for your business.
Free HR software solutions enable you to easily do exactly that and more – from creating a positive workplace culture, boosting employee engagement, and fostering employee growth to providing real-time measurable data to continuously improve HR processes. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
In this article, I’m going over my top 5 favorite free HR software solutions and why.
Here is a quick overview of my top choices:
Best for | Pricing | |
Connecteam | Best all-in-one free HR software | Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users|Free Up to 10 users |
Bitrix24 | Good for performance appraisals | Starts at $49/month, for up to 5 users |
Zoho People | Good for employee self service | Starts at $1/user/month |
Deel | Good for powerful automations | Starts at $49/ month |
OrangeHRM | Good for small companies | Contact vendor for price |
If you don’t have the time to read through our research, jump down to our quick comparison table.
Our Top Picks
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Best all-in-one free HR software
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Good for performance appraisals
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Good for employee self service
Why trust us?
Our team of unbiased software reviewers follows strict editorial guidelines, and our methodology is clear and open to everyone.
See our complete methodology
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Tools considered
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Tools reviewed
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How I Chose The Best Free HR Software Solution
There are the key functions and features I looked for when reviewing free HR software. To get a better understanding of how I narrowed down my list, this is what I looked for:
Important core features:
With so many free HR software and apps on the market, it took time to narrow down my list. First, I made sure they have these core HR features:
- Employee data management tools
- Attendance tracking and scheduling
- Training and onboarding features that employees can access on the go
- User-permissions to customize who has access to what data
I checked for usability features, like:
- Easy to use: It should have a user-friendly interface and not require much training for employees and staff to use.
- Basic HR functionality: You should be able to manage all employee data, such as employee profiles, contact information, employment history, and organizational charts.
- Scalability: Look for software that can grow with you company to meet future growth needs.
- Integration with other software: Consider the software’s ability to integrate with other systems, such as payroll or recruitment software.
I also looked for other product features, including:
- Attendance and PTO management: Look for a system that allows you to track and manage employee attendance, time-off requests, and leave balances. This should include features like automated time tracking, absence calendars, and the ability to generate reports.
- Employee self-service: A good HR software solution should have a mobile app so employees can access the software from their phones. They should be able to access and update their own information, request time off, view payslips, and other HR-related tasks to reduce administrative burden.
- Milestone and timeline features: You should be able to track employee development, performance, and needs with the software.
- Communication features: Look for in-app chat, company updates features, and an employee directory.
- Data security and compliance: Ensure that the HR software solution prioritizes data security and compliance with relevant regulations, such as data protection laws or industry-specific requirements. Look for features like data encryption, access controls, and regular data backups.
The 5 Best Free HR Software Solutions of 2024
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Connecteam — Best all-in-one free HR software
Connecteam is the best free HR people management software, available on mobile and desktop and designed especially for HR managers who work with non-desk and frontline employees. Connecteam offers excellent customer service, a user-friendly interface, and a highly customizable platform that can be adjusted to suit your unique business needs.
Why I chose Connecteam: Connecteam provides all the tools you need to train and onboard employees, manage HR documents, send them recognition and rewards, monitor every step of their employment, and manage all documentation in one place.
The software also offers excellent customer service, a user-friendly interface, and a highly customizable platform that can be adjusted to suit your unique business needs.
To give you a clear understanding of its capabilities, I’ve detailed below how you can use this software to enhance your daily HR tasks.
Simplified remote onboarding and training
Connecteam allows you to create and deliver onboarding and ongoing professional development training courses right to your staff’s mobile devices. You can divide your courses into bite-sized sections for easier learning and include training material in any format with PDFs, videos, quizzes, and surveys. You can also add a quiz to test your employees’ understanding of the material. You maintain a clear overview of your employees’ performance, progress, and course completion from your admin dashboard.
💡Pro Tip:Regularly prioritizing ongoing training and development enhances employees’ skills, keeps them engaged and motivated, and provides professional fulfillment.
With Connecteam, you can create professional development courses and materials directly in the app from existing documents, PDFs, or media files. Present the course to your employees next time they open the app with a pop up banner, and know exactly who saw and read the message.
Acknowledge employees with recognitions and rewards features
Put your employees front and center with digital recognition, badges, and words of gratitude. You can recognize individuals privately or share it to your company news feed to have your employees join in on the excitement. You also have the option to reward and motivate your staff with tokens they can exchange for their favorite gift cards.
Opportunities to celebrate are endless! Welcome new hires or recognize current employees for their efforts, share personal milestones like anniversaries, create an employee spotlight, and allow employees to nominate their peers for awards.
Safely store all employee documents
The documents feature allows you to digitize your filing cabinet. It enables you to manage and keep track of all employee documentation – such as licenses, W4 forms, and certificates – in one secure and organized location. You can easily send employees document requests, which they can then upload to the app from their mobile phones. So no more time-consuming manual paperwork.
Oversee employees’ previous and upcoming milestones for better team management
The employee timeline feature gives you a clear overview of each staff member’s previous and upcoming employment milestones, such as annual reviews, salary raises, and training courses. This helps you better evaluate your employees and plan your decision-making accordingly.
Use quizzes to evaluate employee knowledge
The quizzes feature allows you to create fully customizable quizzes on any given topic for your employees’ to complete, even while on the go. Receive your employees’ answers instantly, assess their knowledge, and provide instant feedback from one place.
Knowledge base keeps everyone informed
In the Connecteam app, HR forms, compliance certificates, and other important documents can be stored digitally in the knowledge base. Employees can fill out forms and submit them directly from their smartphones, streamlining the paperwork process. Mobile accessibility also helps ensure employees are familiar with company policies and regulations.
Streamline communication with your team
In addition, Connecteam offers a wide range of communication features that help enhance transparency, engage and make employees feel heard, and foster a positive and collaborative work environment. These features include company updates on a social feed, in-app chat, live polls and surveys, and an employee directory.
Connecteam offers a completely free HR software solution for small businesses with up to 10 employees! Learn everything about the free small business plan here.
We found Connecteam solving almost all the issues that we ever had! We would 100% recommend Connecteam!
Connecteam also offers a free for life plan – Get Started Now!
Key Features
Pros
Intuitive and easy to use
All-in-one solution
Great customer support
Budget-friendly
Cons
Needs internet or wifi access to work
Pricing
Free-for-life plan availablePremium plans start at $29/month for 30 users
Try Out The Best Free HR Software!
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Bitrix24 — Good for performance appraisals
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
- Windows
- Mac
Bitrix24 is an HR software solution with a free version that works for businesses of all sizes. The free plan allows for an unlimited number of users and 5GB of cloud storage.
Why I picked Bitrix24: Bitrix24 is great for collaborative work. You can also manage onboarding, offboarding, and leave management, reducing manual work and the potential for human error.
Time tracking capabilities
With the free plan, businesses have access to time management tools, including work time tracking, absence charts, and flexible work schedules. Employees can clock in and out directly from the app on their mobile devices, and managers can approve time-off requests or view absence calendars to plan accordingly.
Customizable customer relationship management (CRM)
The CRM included with the free plan has features like contact and company management so businesses can organize and track all customer interactions in one place. The CRM feature supports basic sales management through a visual sales funnel and allows for integration with social networks for direct communication with customers.
Performance appraisals
I really like the performance appraisal features, which allows you to set objectives, evaluate employee performance, and provide feedback. Bitrix24 offers customizable evaluation forms to create tailored assessment criteria and 360-degree feedback for peer reviews.
Managers can set specific objectives and competencies for evaluations, track progress over time, and schedule one-on-one review meetings directly within the system.
Centralized document management
Bitrix24 has document management storage and organizes all HR-related documents in one place, from contracts and policies to employee handbooks. With cloud storage, version control, and access permissions, it ensures that sensitive information is securely stored and easily accessible by authorized personnel.
Integrations
Some of Bitrix24’s integrations include:
- Google Workspace
- Dropbox
- Xero
- Unisender
- Mailigen
- Docusign
Our marketing team uses Bitrix24 to streamline communication and improve their approach to customer service. The setup is simple, and the program is easily integrated with others to streamline our processes. It’s a really adaptable device.
Bitrix needs more templating options and more of a focus on quick actions that can help move a project or sale forward. There are too many things that need to be set up, too many options and variations on similar ideas.
Key Features
- Communication tools
- Decision trees
- Discussion boards
- Knowledge base management
Pros
- Good for collaboration
- Helpful reports for every project
Cons
- Slow response time from customer support
- Reviewers complain that pricing is not as transparent as what is listed on the website
Pricing
Starts at $49/month, for up to 5 users Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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Zoho People — Good for employee self service
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Zoho People lets you manage all your HR and benefits programs from a central location, making it easier to attract, retain and reward top talent.
Why I picked Zoho People: The free plan comes with tons of core HR features, including recruitment, onboarding, employee management, time off management, payroll, and more.
Time and attendance tracking
Zoho People allows you to track employee hours, manage shift schedules, and ensure timely attendance.
With capabilities for clocking in and out directly from mobile devices or desktop, employees can log work times to the second, making payroll processing simple and precise. Managers receive real-time attendance data and analytics so they can identify trends and address any issues.
Employee self-service
Zoho’s self-service feature streamlines HR processes by allowing employees to manage their personal information, time off requests, and time sheets directly within the platform.
I also love that Zoho has an HR chatbot so employees can easily get answers to questions without needing to ask a staff member directly.
Simplified payroll and online salary payments
Zoho People calculates salaries based on employee hours and can automatically adjust for overtime, leaves, and absences. You can input all necessary tax deductions according to local regulations, too, to make sure paychecks are accurate.
The system automates salary payments through secure integrations with partner banks and distributes payslips and payroll forms online.
Expense management
Zoho People’s free plan offers basic tools to track and manage work-related expenses. Employees can easily upload receipts directly through the app for quick and easy submissions without the hassle of manual paperwork. Managers can then review and approve expenses right away, streamlining the reimbursement process.
Integrations
Some of Zoho People’s integrations include:
- Paybooks
- greytHR
- Adobe Sign
- Microsoft Teams
- Quickbooks
- Zapier
- Xoxoday
Zoho People has been a very dependable and well-performing HR tool for our retail business. We were able to set it up and sync with our other tools very easily as we’re already using some of the other Zoho tools and the native integration doesn’t take much time at all to set up.
This product will be even better after some technical issues are resolved. Their most recent user interface (UI) has a scrolling page issue that makes it impossible for me to perform a vertical scroll without enlarging the browser. In addition, sometimes when I check out, it still indicates that I’m logged in, and other times it hangs and displays a message saying the site cannot be contacted.
Key Features
- Applicant tracking and recruitment management
- Benefits management
- Time & attendance management
- Time off management
Pros
- Integrates with other Zoho platforms seamlessly
- Simple user interface
Cons
- Mobile version isn’t as robust
- Customer support isn’t as responsive as reviewers would like
Pricing
Starts at $1/user/month Trial: Yes Free Plan: Yes
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Deel — Good for powerful automations
Available on
- Web
Deel is one of the best HR software platforms for small businesses. In fact, businesses with under 200 workers get access to all HR features completely free.
Why I picked Deel: With automated onboarding, payroll, and compliance, companies can hire anyone, anywhere in a very short amount of time. Simple payroll management ensures all workers are paid on time no matter where they’re located, and Deel’s benefit solution allows companies to easily support employee pensions, bonuses, and vacations.
Learn more about DeelKey Features
- Mobile access
- Onboarding and offboarding
- Time off management
- Customizable automations
Pros
- Excellent customer service
- Simple to get up and running
Cons
- More expensive solution
- Software has occasional bugs
Pricing
Starts at $49/ month Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
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OrangeHRM — Good for small companies
Available on
- Web
- iOS
- Android
OrangeHRM offers an open sourced, cloud-based free HR solution for smaller businesses that don’t need as advanced HR features.
Why I picked OrangeHRM: OrangeHRM brands their free version as their Starter plan, and you get access to lots of great basic tools like HR admin, reporting, recruitment tools, and time tracking.
The admin dashboard provides a place to house all of your employee details so you can ditch the pen and paper and physical files in the office. You also get access to detailed analytics, like employee churn data. This free HR software also provides an overall picture of employee feedback and performance reviews, so you can create a better work environment for your entire team.
Learn more about OrangeHRMKey Features
- Intuitive and easy-to-use mobile app
- Performance review analytics
- Easy recruitment
- Payroll features
Pros
- Employee self-service
- Easy to manage PTO
Cons
- Limited features for larger companies
Pricing
Contact vendor for price Trial: No Free Plan: Yes
Compare the Best Free HR Software Solutions
Topic | Start for free | ||||
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Reviews |
4.8
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4.2
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4.3
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4.3
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4.1
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Pricing |
Starts at just $29/month for the first 30 users
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Starts at $49/month, for up to 5 users
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Starts at $1/user/month
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Starts at $49/ month
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Contact vendor for price
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Free Trial |
yes
14-day
|
no
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yes
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no
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no
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Free Plan |
yes
Free Up to 10 users
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yes
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yes
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yes
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yes
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Use cases |
Best all-in-one free HR software
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Good for performance appraisals
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Good for employee self service
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Good for powerful automations
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Good for small companies
|
Available on |
Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
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Web, iOS, Android
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Web
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Web, iOS, Android
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What is Free HR Software?
Free HR software automates and streamlines various HR processes for businesses. It provides tools and features to manage employee data, recruitment, onboarding, time and attendance app, performance management, training, payroll, benefits administration. It may also come with an HR mobile app so you can handle HR tasks on the go.
By centralizing and digitizing HR tasks, HR software simplifies administrative processes, improves data accuracy, enhances employee engagement, and allows HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives. Most HR software solutions offer a free version as well as paid plans that include more advanced features. Both offer comprehensive solutions to effectively manage and optimize human resources within a business.
How Does Free HR Software Work?
Most free HR management software operate on a freemium model, offering a basic version of the software at no cost while providing the option to upgrade to a paid version with additional features and capabilities. However, some HR software, like Connecteam, offers a complete HR management solution for small businesses up to 10 people. Users also get access to all of Connecteam’s employee management tools, too, at no extra cost.
Free HR software includes essential HR tools like employee data management, time and attendance tracking, and basic reporting. It may also provide self-service options for employees. While some free versions may have limitations compared to paid plans, it still offers valuable tools for managing HR processes, making it a cost-effective option for small businesses with basic HR needs.
What are the Benefits of Using Free HR Software?
There are tons of benefits to using free HR software, including:
Cost savings
The most obvious benefit is the cost savings associated with using free HR software. By opting for a free solution, organizations can save money that would have been spent on purchasing a paid HR software system.
Introduction to HR automation
Organizations get an opportunity to experience the benefits of software automation. It introduces them to the concept of using technology to streamline HR tasks, paving the way for potential future investments in more advanced HR software solutions, if needed.
More efficient processes
Accessible free HR software streamlines processes for both HR teams and employees. Onboarding and training can be digitized so materials and training courses are available directly from the app, saving HR teams time and resources. Payroll is simplified with automatic timesheets, and employees can upload documents directly to the system.
Integrations with other software
Although free HR software may have limitations, it often integrates with other systems such as payroll software or time-tracking tools. This integration capability allows organizations to streamline their HR processes by connecting different software systems.
Faster recruiting
Recruitment on a single, free platform means that all candidate information is consolidated into one place, allowing HR teams to gain complete insight into the types of candidates they’re attracting and more efficiently select who to interview.
Better compliance
By ensuring compliance with labor laws, regulations, and company policies, HR software reduces non-compliance penalties and lawsuits.
How Much Does HR Software Cost?
HR software is priced according to the size of your company, the features included, the level of automation, and the customization required for your company to successfully use the software.
However, free HR software is just that: free!
Connecteam, for example, offers a 100% free Small Business Plan that includes all of the platform’s HR and employee management features for up to 10 users.
FAQs
What is the cheapest HR software?
The cheapest HR software is any free option on the market. Our top free HR solution, Connecteam, offers a complete suite of HR management tools to help you onboard and train employees, store important documents, streamline payroll, and engage with your staff.
Does my business need HR software?
HR software is essential for any business with more than one employee. This solution improves data management, ensures compliance, enhances employee experience, and enables data-driven decision-making.
The system simplifies tasks like employee data management, recruitment, onboarding, time tracking, performance management, and benefits administration. In addition to reducing administrative workload and increasing efficiency, HR software enables HR professionals to focus on strategic initiatives. It also offers with self-service options for employees to access and manage their information.
The Bottom Line On the Best Free HR Software In 2024
When managers effectively manage their team, they end up with a more engaged and productive workforce that’s loyal and positive. Using free HR solutions can help make the entire process smoother. However, before investing in an online employee management system, write out your company’s needs and what features would best suit your business.
Check out my top 5 free HR software solutions and choose the best one for you and your team.