10 Best HR Software for Small Business in 2025

In 2025, small businesses have dozens of HR software platforms to choose from. While this means there’s an abundance of small business HRIS software to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which product is the best option for your team.

In this guide, we'll break down the benefits of using HR software, outline key points to consider when selecting the right solution, and explore the best options for HR software tailored to small businesses.

The benefits of HR software for small businesses vary by platform, but most solutions help automate and simplify core human resources functions, such as:

Here’s a closer look at HR tools for small businesses:

Manually processing payroll can be time-consuming and may increase the risk of errors. HR software streamlines this task by automating payroll calculations, deductions, and payment of federal, state, and local taxes.

During tax season, online HR software can also quickly produce compliant W-2 and 1099 forms. Some automatically update when tax, wage, or overtime laws change, helping your business stay compliant throughout the year.

Recruiting and hiring talented candidates is critical for keeping a small business running smoothly. HR software with applicant tracking systems (ATS) can automate job postings, collect resumes and applications, and screen candidates to compile shortlists faster.

Background check platforms, like Checkr, make it easy to run screenings for criminal history, work and education verification, and other background checks before finalizing a job offer. During onboarding, digital tools can assist with I-9 verification, document collection, and new hire checklists, helping you bring employees up to speed quickly.

Maintaining optimal staffing helps ensure efficiency and exceptional customer experience. Online HR software makes it easier to generate and share schedules and adjust them as needed.

Automated time tracking tools record clock-ins and clock-outs, manage PTO and overtime, and notify supervisors about missed punches or overtime thresholds. These features refine labor management and reduce timekeeping errors.

Offering benefits to employees can boost loyalty and retention, and the right small business HRIS software can make your program easier to manage. Benefits administration tools track eligibility, display plans, and allow employees to self-enroll or make changes during onboarding or open enrollment periods.

By connecting your benefits administration and payroll software, you can ensure the appropriate deductions are applied automatically, keeping everything in sync.

Monitoring performance and engagement levels help small businesses retain talent and support growth. HR platforms have dashboards that track key metrics, including time-off requests and new hire retention rates, and gather feedback through surveys and reviews. Some software can even identify employees who might benefit from coaching or who are at risk of burnout, prompting managers to take proactive steps.

Exploring some of the best HR software for small businesses in 2025 can help you identify the right platform for your needs. Here are 10 of the best HR software platforms, including their key features, ideal use cases, and pricing details.

If you’re looking for a background check solution, Checkr stands out as one of the best software options for 2025. It enables you to conduct criminal background checks, employment verification, education verification, driving history checks, drug testing, reference checks, and more, quickly and easily. 97% of Checkr’s customers report that our turnaround times are faster than those of our competitors.

Checkr’s candidate portal simplifies communication by collecting information, gathering consent, and prompting follow-up. Our APIs allow seamless integration with over 100 HRIS and ATS platforms, streamlining your workflows. Built-in compliance features help ensure you meet federal, state, and local regulations.

In addition to background checks, Checkr can assist you with onboarding. A self-service dashboard collects documentation from employees and autofills I-9 verification forms. You can also integrate E-Verify to refine the process and reduce manual steps.

Best for: Employment background checks and I-9 verification

Key features:

Pricing: Background check packages start at $29.99 per check, I-9 verification $7 per form

Gusto is a user-friendly payroll and HR solution for small businesses. It automates direct deposits, tax filings, and compliance updates in all 50 states. With upgraded plans, Gusto adds tools for onboarding, time tracking, and performance management.

Best for: Payroll and basic HR functions

Key features:

Pricing: Starts at $54 per month plus $7 per employee

BambooHR is an intuitive, all-in-one HR platform that features tools for hiring, onboarding, payroll processing, time tracking, and benefits administration, all accessible through a single dashboard. It stands out for its performance management and engagement tools, including goal setting, real-time wellness dashboards, and peer feedback capabilities.

Best for: Performance management and employee engagement

Key features:

Pricing: Multiple plans to choose from, pricing available upon request

Small business HR needs change over time, and Rippling’s unique platform was built with this in mind. Its modular system covers everything from payroll processing and recruiting to global workforce management. Rippling also includes IT and finance tools, such as expense management, corporate card tracking, and online bill pay.

Best for: Small businesses needing a scalable, all-in-one solution

Key features:

Pricing: Available upon request

Workday combines robust HR tools with powerful AI capabilities to automate workflows and analyze workforce data. It stands out for its human capital management (HCM) features, providing insights into hiring, compensation, and employee lifecycle strategies.

Best for: Human capital management and workforce analytics

Key features:

Pricing: Available upon request

Greenhouse is a leading ATS designed for high-volume hiring and collaborative recruiting. It helps hiring teams collaborate on interviews, reduce bias, and manage candidate pipelines more effectively.

Best for: Applicant tracking, recruitment, and onboarding

Key features:

Pricing: Available upon request

iCIMS is a powerful recruiting platform built for scalability. It features AI-driven tools for resume screening, interview scheduling, and candidate relationship management, making it ideal for small businesses planning for future growth.

Best for: Recruiting and talent pipeline management

Key features:

Pricing: Available upon request

Paylocity offers customizable HR tools with a focus on talent management and employee experience. It includes everything from payroll and benefits to performance tracking and learning modules, all accessible through a mobile app.

Best for: Talent management and employee engagement

Key features:

Pricing: Available upon request

Deel is a top solution for small businesses with international teams. With it, you can hire employees and contractors in over 100 countries without the need to establish separate legal entities. Deel handles international payroll, compliance, and onboarding with ease.

Best for: Global hiring and payroll

Key features:

Pricing: Payroll tools start at $29 per employee per month; add-ons from $15 per employee per month

Eddy is a straightforward, affordable HR platform for small businesses. With transparent, tiered pricing and easy onboarding, it includes tools for hiring, time tracking, PTO, payroll, and training, all from a single dashboard.

Best for: Small businesses looking for a simple all-in-one HR software solution

Key features:

Pricing: Starts at $50 per month, plus $4 per employee per month

GoCo, owned by Intuit, is an HRIS solution specifically designed with smaller teams in mind. Talent management, time tracking, and compliance and authorization features are just a few of the capabilities GoCo offers.

Best for: Teams that are new to digital HR and have fewer than 50 employees

Key features:

Pricing: Available upon request

HR software offers small businesses a range of benefits, including:

Here’s a look at each of these key benefits.

HR software for small businesses helps automate time-consuming tasks, such as payroll processing and candidate screening. API-first platforms allow businesses to customize workflows, sync data across departments, and improve collaboration between hiring teams and HR.

Many HR solutions offer mobile-friendly portals. Managers can approve PTO requests or review timecards from anywhere. Employees can enroll in benefits, access pay stubs, or request time off, whether they’re at home, in the office, or on a job site.

Automated tools make onboarding more efficient by speeding up background checks, document collection, and training assignments. Online HR software also improves payroll accuracy by minimizing manual input and calculation errors, which reduces tedious administrative tasks.

Built-in compliance features help businesses stay on the right side of federal, state, and local laws and regulations related to hiring, compensation, background checks, and tax liability. Real-time reporting tools provide immediate access to the HR data you need to support regulatory compliance and decision making.

Some of the best HR software options integrate with ATS tools, CRM platforms, and accounting software, making human resources data available across programs. The automatic syncing simplifies workflows and eliminates the risk of user data entry errors from one program to another.

Selecting the right HR platform for your small business starts with knowing your needs and asking the right questions. Follow these key steps to make an informed decision on the best HR software for your small business:

Before comparing human resource software for small businesses, define your goals. Whether it's improving payroll accuracy, simplifying onboarding, or ensuring compliance, create a checklist of must-have features and refer to it when you evaluate HR platforms.

Not all HR software programs provide compliance support for every U.S. jurisdiction. Confirm that each option you consider supports all the locations where you operate. If you have international employees, confirm the use of global compliance tools as well.

Comparing platforms by their per-employee cost is useful, but only when balanced with what you're getting. In some cases, you may maximize your return on investment with a slightly more expensive platform that delivers all the mandatory features you need, versus one that is less expensive but doesn’t allow you to accomplish all of your goals.

List the tools your business already uses, such as QuickBooks, Slack, or your ATS, and identify which ones you'd like to integrate with your new HR software. Then, confirm that the platforms you’re considering offer those integrations. When possible, request demos to understand the setup process and how data flows between systems.

Service level agreements (SLAs) are formal documents that outline what level of service you will receive from an HR software solution. Although they vary, they may include details like:

Reputable HR software providers should be willing to provide you with a transparent SLA. Compare details between platforms to inform your final decision regarding the best HR software for your business.

HR software can streamline key human resources processes, including hiring and onboarding, payroll, employee engagement, and retention. If you’d like to make more confident, compliant hiring decisions, Checkr offers flexible background check solutions to suit small businesses in a range of industries.

Our screening packages help you meet regulatory requirements and internal hiring policies. The Checkr Candidate Portal keeps communication clear by enabling you to collect information and authorizations directly from applicants.

With powerful APIs, you can integrate background checks into your existing ATS or HRIS for a smooth automated workflow. Plus, you’ll receive ongoing compliance support across all our products to mitigate risk and support fair hiring practices. Get started with Checkr today.

About the author

Hayley Harrison writes about a wide range of business topics and best practices, including background checks, candidate experience, and recruitment and retention. Her work includes educational articles, e-books, and blog posts.