Knowing how to manage employees effectively is crucial in the current business landscape. Hence, the HR department plays a huge role in the decision-making in people management. People can’t just be adjusted or fine-tuned to suit the organization’s objectives.
Therefore, being resourceful and discovering the most significant opportunities on the market is necessary for every entrepreneur. Having an HR solution, especially free HRIS software, can make the process run smoothly among personnel and cut back on expenses.
Running a company with the help of HRIS Software can offer managers an opportunity to streamline the workload, leading to more free time and less administrative work. Solutions like this lead the way and show managers a trail that offers the most straightforward route from point A to point B in people management.
The definition of HRIS Software is straightforward. HRIS, or human resources information system, is an operating system designed to assist businesses in meeting core HR needs while also increasing the productivity of both managers and employees.
This is made possible mainly by automation and synchronized data, which may decrease costly redundancies and provide a reliable source for task decision-making.
To be more precise, these are the basic HRIS Software functionalities:
|
Increasing the efficiency of employee onboarding |
|
Centralized employee demographic database |
|
Employee job details such as manager, department, pay rates, and more |
|
Planning for retention and succession |
|
Leave management and scheduling |
|
Data analytics for comprehensive reporting |
|
Options for employee self-service |
|
ORG chart |
|
Basic ATS services (only some HRIS solutions include this as an option) |
The consolidated storage system offered by Zoho is an easy-to-use HRIS that can add, automate, and access all employee records, from personal information to job responsibilities.
Managers can track and guide employees at every stage, from onboarding to leave management. This free HRIS Software assists in creating a platform based on the organization’s needs in just a few clicks. It automates routine tasks, freeing up time to focus on employees.
Features:
|
Employee database |
|
Leave and attendance tracking |
|
Reporting and analytics |
|
Overview of processes |
|
Check-in & check out |
|
Employee Self-Service |
|
Mobile apps for Android and iOS |
|
Drag and drop option |
|
Document management and E-sign features |
Zoho is a cloud, SaaS, and Web-Based based software compatible with:
|
Desktop - Mac |
|
Android |
|
iPhone |
|
iPad |
Bitrix24 is a cloud-based software suite designed for business management. It provides 35 tools to assist businesses with HR processes.
This solution is adaptable enough to be used by businesses of different sizes, from small businesses with fewer than 50 employees to large corporations with over 50,000 employees. The features available in the free version will be limited. Although limited, Bitrix24’s free version includes a wide variety of features.
Features:
|
Employee listing |
|
Visual designer |
|
Permissions configuration |
|
Announcements for the entire company |
|
Time management |
|
Management of leave and vacation time |
|
Calendars |
|
System for e-learning/training |
|
Social intranet/activity stream |
|
Document administration |
|
Management of HR forms and records |
|
Recruiting |
|
API |
|
Training and managing workflow on social intranet |
|
Rewarding system |
Bitrix24 is a cloud, SaaS, and Web-Based based software, compatible with:
|
Desktop |
Mac |
|
Desktop |
Windows |
|
On Premise |
Windows |
|
On Premise |
Linux |
|
Mobile |
Android |
|
Mobile |
iPhone |
|
Mobile |
iPad |
One of Freshworks’ most popular products is Freshteam.
This software gives users complete control over the hiring process without compromising candidate quality. It includes a searchable and secure database, which ensures data security.
Moreover, the system is feature-rich with many desirable and free HRIS software features, allowing it to manage a wide range of HR processes such as:
Features:
|
Candidate sourcing channels |
|
Smooth hiring processes |
|
360-degree view of the candidate |
|
Collaboration and hiring |
|
Integrated email conversations |
|
Pro-active onboarding |
|
Document signing |
|
Sends out reminders |
|
Capture all types of employee information |
|
Rich employee profiles |
|
Create and maintain organizational charts |
|
Time off policies that take into account how businesses operate |
|
Policies tailored to the needs of the teams |
|
Workflows for manager approval |
|
Reports and insights on time off |
|
An easy-to-follow recruitment process |
|
Agile way to handle time off |
|
Employee records are easily accessible |
Freshteam is cloud-based software, compatible with:
|
Desktop |
Android |
This is a comprehensive human resources tool that focuses on hourly work. While their time tracking tools are highly refined, their free version includes team messaging, an employee app, a hiring tool, and POS and payroll software integrations.
Their basic plan is free for an unlimited number of employees as long as the team is restricted to a single location.
Features:
|
Attendance management |
|
Email integration |
|
Employee self-service management |
|
HR & payroll |
|
Payroll management |
|
Shift management |
|
Time & attendance management |
|
Workflow management |
|
Dashboard |
|
Timesheets |
|
Events & reminders |
|
Resource cost estimation |
|
Vacation/leave tracking |
|
Web |
|
Android |
|
iPhone/iPad |
BambooHR, as one of the most well-known and trusted names in HR technology, is worth considering for its numerous benefits and flexible pricing.
Bamboo, unlike others, does not have a free version that you can use indefinitely.
However, they are worth mentioning because they provide a free trial of their all-in-one software and then go out of their way to find a version that will work for you.
They provide you with a customized quote that fits your budget and is likely to extend your free trial upon request or even provide you with a free demo of the advanced features.
Features:
|
Centralized employee database |
|
Administration of benefits and payroll |
|
Self-service for employees and managers |
|
Global competencies |
|
System for tracking applicants |
|
Tracking of time and attendance |
|
Storage and management of documents |
|
e-Signature |
|
Management of performance |
|
Analytics alerts/reports (for training deadlines, license renewals, birthdays, etc.) |
|
Email and phone support |
|
Open API for web-based mobile apps |
|
Six different languages (English, French, Canadian, German, Spanish, Brazilian, Portuguese, Dutch) |
|
Web |
|
Android |
|
iPhone/iPad |
OrangeHRM is a popular open-source HRIS, and it has a clear cost advantage over its competitors. In 2019, this software solution won the Top 20 Talent Management Software award.
OrangeHRM is an accessible, flexible, and user-friendly solution for small and medium-sized businesses.
Companies can manage their most valuable asset – their employees – by offering modules for personnel information management, employee self-service, leave management, time and attendance benefits, and recruitment.
Combining these modules into a single application ensures the ideal platform for reengineering and aligning the HR processes with the organizational goals.
Features:
|
360-degree feedback |
|
Applicant tracking |
|
Benefits management |
|
Employee database |
|
Employee profiles |
|
Onboarding |
|
Payroll management |
|
Performance management |
|
Recruitment management |
|
Self-service portal |
|
Time & attendance |
|
Time off management |
|
Web |
|
Android |
|
iPhone/iPad |
WebHR is a cloud-based all-in-one social HR software that manages personnel from hire to retirement in the most advanced way. It is trusted by more than 25,000 companies and is used in 200 countries.
It is the first company that introduced AI to HR. This software is free for up to five employees, and prices go as low as $ 1.00 per employee per month.
|
Core HR |
|
Time and attendance |
|
Recruitment |
|
Payroll |
|
Performance |
|
Benefits |
|
e-Signature |
|
Onboarding |
|
Reporting/analytics |
|
Self-service portal |
|
Reporting & statistics |
|
Activity dashboars |
|
API |
|
Alerts/notifications |
|
Third party integrations |
|
Employee database |
|
Web |
|
Android |
|
iPhone/iPad |
UZIO is a cloud-based SaaS platform that provides HRIS services.
This integrated solution provides single sign-on access for employers, local/regional brokers, and employees to centralize their HR tasks, benefits management, and online payroll processing.
In a few clicks, this platform enables employers to go paperless and navigate the complexities of employee management.
It automates human resources, administrative tasks, record-keeping, and compliance.
Features:
|
Salary management |
|
Benefits management |
|
Tax administration |
|
Business reporting |
|
Employee decision support |
|
Mobile app |
|
Compensation statement |
|
Hiring |
|
Onboarding |
|
Time tracking |
|
Reporting/analytics |
|
Self-service portal |
|
API |
|
Employee database |
|
Employee profiles |
|
Compliance management |
UZIO is a cloud-based SaaS platform that supports:
|
Web |
|
Android |
|
iPhone/iPad |
Opportunities always exist and can be seized by resourceful managers.
For small businesses and start-ups, free HRIS software is an excellent choice. It saves money and gets the job done. However, paid HR software is a better option for gaining access to robust functionality that the company can’t quickly outgrow.
If free HRIS Software is not getting the job done, there is always an option to upgrade the system after the demand gets bigger.
Disclosure: Some of the products featured in this blog post may come from our partners who compensate us. This might influence the selection of products we feature and their placement and presentation on the page. However, it does not impact our evaluations; our opinions are our own. The information provided in this post is for general informational purposes only.
Browse our curated list of vendors to find the best solution for your needs.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest trends, expert tips, and workplace insights!
Growth rarely follows a straight path, and workforce needs evolve with each turn. Understanding when, why, and how to evaluate the staffing needs of a growing company becomes crucial in securing its continued expansion.
Gain valuable insights into diverse cultural examples and understand their pivotal role in fostering a thriving, motivated workforce.
Thought leadership is all about assisting people to understand themselves better, find their purpose, and achieve success in the long term. So, how to make way for thought leadership that works wonders?
Revolutionize your marketing strategy with the power of marketing information management. Explore key components, data types, and real-world examples from industry leaders.