11 Best HR Software for Startups in 2023

Whether you’re looking for HR software that will consolidate all of your employee management needs into one or a specialized service for a task like onboarding, there are a variety of HR software available to startups today. 

When choosing software, it’s important to consider price, features included, integrations, and scalability. Switching HR software is difficult, therefore, choosing the right one for your business can save you time and money in the future. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up the best HR software for startups whether you’re looking only to run payroll or recruit a new team. 

1. OnPay - Best HR Software Overall
2. ClickUp - Best for Early-Stage Startups 
3. ADP - Best for Combined HR and Payroll
4. Gusto - Ideal for Large Companies 
5. BambooHR -  Best for Managing Employee Lifecycle
6. Rippling - Ideal for Medium-Sized Businesses 
7. Zenefits - Best for HR and Benefit Integration
8. Remote - Ideal for International Startup Teams
9. Deputy - Best for Time-Tracking 
10. Culture AMP - Best for Employee Engagement
11. Greenhouse - Best for Hiring 

OnPay is one of the more affordable HR payroll solutions out on the market, and it offers a full suite of tools for startups. With OnPay, you'll be able to automate payroll, payment workflows, and tax filing. The software also offers integrations with other business software like QuickBooks and Xero, so you can manage everything in one place.

Pricing 

With one of the best pricing options available, OnPay only has one plan: a flat fee of $36 per month with an additional $4 per person added for each month.

Features

• Employees can take advantage of self-onboarding
• Options for paying 1099 contractors available
• Tax accuracy guarantee included
• Integrated health benefits

Pros

• Automates all your tax payments
• Can create custom payroll reports

Cons

• Only Android mobile app available

Billed as a project management software, ClickUp offers startups of all sizes a suite of features and functionality to onboard and recruit team members, manage projects, and collaborate. With options for small teams and solopreneurs, this platform may be best suited for early-stage startups. However, the platform offers a variety of plans and features for large and mid-sized teams as well. 

Pricing 

ClickUp offers four plan options, including a free plan for solopreneurs. Small teams can opt for ClickUp’s Unlimited $7/month plan, while mid-sized teams would be better served by their Business plan at $12/month. Finally, for enterprises with large teams, a quote can be created through their customizable Enterprise plan. 

Features

• Task and project management tools available for employees 
• Users can build workflows with a variety of views 
• Time management features keep teams productive
• Teams can easily collaborate on projects 

Pros

• AI capabilities available a la carte 
• Recruitment and onboarding features 
• Manage and develop employee processes
• Free plan available for solopreneurs 

Cons

• Limited capabilities on the lower-end plans 
• Customers have reported a steep learning curve

ADP Workforce Now is a complete HRIS (human resources information system) software solution for businesses of all sizes. While many HR software options cover the recruitment, onboarding, and management of employees, ADP takes it a step further with combined payroll services. Startups looking to utilize a singular platform for all of their employee management needs may be best suited by ADP’s extensive suite of features. 

Pricing 

ADP doesn’t disclose pricing on its website. You will have to request a quote from the company to receive pricing information. 

Features

• Payroll processing in some plans 
• New hire onboarding 
• Customizable dashboards 
• Automated time tracking

Pros

• HR and payroll software combined in some plans
• Employee self-service portal
• Easily integrates with other software 

Cons

• No pricing available on the website 
• No free trial available 

Hiring and processing employees is a task all on its own but payroll management is another aspect startup entrepreneurs don't always account for. Gusto is solid HR software for startups for payroll that offers full-service management as well as a number of other HR tools to help you run your business. With Gusto, you'll be able to automate paychecks, offer health benefits, and keep track of employee PTO all in one place.

Pricing 

Gusto offers four pricing packages that have a flat monthly fee as well as a monthly employee fee:

• Simple Plan: $40/month plus $6 per employee/month 
• Plus Plan: $80/month plus $12 per employee/month 
• Premium Plan: Exclusive Pricing, Contact for Quote

Features

• Automate your payroll management
• Paperless and direct transactions available
• Year-end forms and tax prep automated for you
• Automate employee benefits like healthcare, 401(k), and college savings

Pros

• All-in-one payroll management system
• Complies with all HIPAA, ACA, and ERISA standards

Cons

• May need customer support to undo specific actions

BambooHR is no stranger to the HR industry, and it's hailed as one of the best HR software for managing the employee lifecycle. With BambooHR, you'll be able to keep track of employee data, performance reviews, and time-off requests all in one place. The software also tracks valuable data input like retention and turnover so you can make more informed decisions about your employees.

Pricing 

For as good as BambooHR is, they don't make it easy to see how much they cost. You'll have to contact the business to discuss a quote based on the number of employees you have and what features you're looking for.

Features

• Creates a centralized employee database
• Includes applicant tracking system
• Generates accurate data reporting
• Tracks employee performance

Pros

• Easy to use with a sleek and modern interface
• Provides enough data for startups to improve employee processes

Cons

• Lacks an attendance features for employees
• Confusing pricing options

Startups looking for a comprehensive solution for all their employee needs may find what they need in Rippling’s impressive suite of features for workforce management. Rippling consolidates all the necessary HR software functionality into one singular platform, from payroll to benefits administration. 

Pricing 

Rippling’s pricing starts at $8 per user. However, to get an estimated cost for your business, you will need to request a quote on their website. 

Features

• Payroll and benefits management
• ACA and COBRA assistance 
• Applicant Tracking System (ATS) included
• Time management capabilities

Pros

• All-in-one comprehensive platform 
• Easy to set up and utilize 
• Robust suite of features not offered by competitors

Cons

• Not ideal for early-stage startups
• Pricing information is scarce

For the startup that is looking for an all-in-one solution for their HR and benefits needs, Zenefits is the best choice. With this software, you'll be able to automate both payroll and benefits while also getting access to an expert team of HR professionals. Not only is the software intuitive to use, but it also features a list of add-ons that can make your HR process easier to manage.

Pricing 

Zenefits offers three packages priced per employee monthly, but it also offers “add-ons” like payroll services for an additional monthly fee per employee:

• Essentials: $8/employee/month
• Growth: $14/employee/month
• Zen: $21/employee/month

Features

• Automated PTO tracking
• Insurance benefits are tracked
• 401(k) management abilities
• Mobile app for convenient tracking

Pros

• Integrates your HR and benefits processes seamlessly
• Offers an extensive list of automated benefits for employee tracking

Cons

•  No on-demand phone support for customer service, ticket model only

Timing couldn't be better for Remote, as many workforces are transitioning to hybrid and fully remote setups. With this software, you'll be able to manage your payroll and benefits for employees working anywhere in the world. It's one of the best HR software that offers legal and HR experts in almost every single country, so you never have to feel cautious about how you're handling your HR process.

Pricing 

It's difficult to get specific pricing for the different packages Remote offers. According to the platform’s website, pricing ranges from $299-$699 per employee per month based on the chosen billing schedule and country selection. However, it’s best to contact their team to get more information.

Features

• 401(k) tracking available
• Full benefits dashboard and management
• Includes employee benefits administration
• Centralized employee database

Pros

• Excellent for tracking remote employee benefits
• Full list of HR benefit features available

Cons

• Can be tricky to implement
• Confusing pricing options

For companies looking for a targeted time-tracking solution, Deputy is a solid choice. With scheduling, time-tracking, and insights for matching staffing to your budget, startups with brick-and-mortar locations can easily manage staff using the Deputy platform. 

Pricing 

Deputy offers a free option for up to 100 shifts per month, a Premium package at $4.90 per employee per month, and an Enterprise package that is personalized to your business. 

Features

• Scheduling and time tracking 
• Demand planning to match staffing with budget constraints
• Labor compliance tools 
• Easy integrations with other software 

Pros

• Competitively priced
• Free plan available 
• A la carte features available 

Cons

• Lacking features offered by competitors 
• Best only for specific use cases

A positive company culture is integral to keeping employees engaged and reducing turnover. Culture Amp is a unique HR software offering culture-focused HR services geared towards employee engagement, performance tracking, and skill development. However, the service doesn’t offer many of the same features as other HR solutions on this list. 

Pricing 

Unfortunately, Culture Amp doesn’t include pricing information on its website. To obtain pricing information, you will have to request a free quote. 

Features

• Employee engagement tools from onboarding to exit 
• Performance management tracking 
• Employee development resources 
• Community of business leaders 

Pros

• Culture-first approach prioritizes a positive work environment
• Multiple plans available 
• Unique features available with each plan 

Cons

• No pricing information available 
• Doesn’t include payroll services

A major part of human resources is recruiting the right team for your company. Greenhouse offers robust solutions for sourcing, hiring, and onboarding team members all on one platform. While the platform does offer over 400 integrations, it doesn’t include many of the HR software features competitors do. 

Pricing 

Greenhouse offers plans for enterprise and small to midsize businesses. However, to obtain information about pricing, you will need to request a quote on their website. 

Features

• Recruiting tools including robust data and reporting
• Customizable onboarding tools 
• Integrations with over 400 softwares 
• Goal setting, tracking, and measurement tools 

Pros

• Data-based hiring support 
• Robust onboarding tools 
• Collaborative platform 

Cons

• No pricing information available 
• Limited functionality

With so many HR software solutions available to startups, there is a litany of solid choices for entrepreneurs to consider for their businesses. Here are a few honorable mentions for employee management software that may benefit your company. 

For startups looking for a more dedicated task management platform, Monday.com offers an easy-to-use platform for teams to collaborate and track projects. Plus, the dashboard is highly customizable, making it applicable to a wide range of projects, teams, and business types. 

Namely is an HR software complete with compliance, benefits, and payroll functionalities. The platform also offers add-ons for managed payroll and benefits to enhance your suite of features. 

GoCo offers a wildly robust set of features, including payroll, onboarding, benefits, time-tracking, and compliance. The service offers a variety of use cases as well to ensure it meets your business's unique needs. 

Bitrix24 is an online workspace for businesses, allowing them to manage products, leads, and human resources. If one of Bitrix24’s four plans works for your company’s needs, you can anticipate utilizing this one platform for a plethora of software functions, from CRM to HR software. 

Startup founders looking for automated but still comprehensive HR software can look to Cezanne to fulfill their needs. From absence management to onboarding, Cezanne offers a variety of unique and helpful features. 

Juggling a bunch of different software can be time-consuming and expensive. PeopleSpheres is a great option for consolidating several HR software into one platform without sacrificing valuable features and functionality.