HR Software

Best HR Software List For 2024: A Small Business Guide

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Team comparing hrm software for small business

Updated on 9/1/24

 

Are you a small business looking for the best HR software to manage your workforce in 2024? As your business becomes more successful, your workforce grows. And HR management very quickly becomes a crucial aspect of your operations.  

However, with so many HR software options available, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best fit for your business.  

But don't worry, we’re here to help.  

In this article, we will provide you with an unbiased and informative HR software list of 5 companies. We’ll also highlight their core features and functionalities.  

Whether you're looking for software to streamline recruitment or manage payroll, we've got something for everyone.  

And the best part?  

We've decided not to include ourselves in the list. So you can read with confidence, knowing that the recommendations provided are solely based on their merits and relevance to your business needs.  

So, let's dive into the best SME HR software for 2024 and find the perfect solution to help your SMB thrive. 

1. CitrusHR - best overall

Starting off our SME HR software list, we have CitrusHR. CitrusHR is a top performing HRM software for small businesses (employees up to 400). Based on multiple software review companies, it is considered the best overall HR software in the market for small businesses. 

The platform offers a range of features that help businesses streamline HR processes and manage their workforce.  

These include:  

  • Managing employee information  
  • Tracking absences 
  • Managing holidays  
  • Processing payroll, and  
  • Creating custom reports  

The platform is easy to navigate, and has an intuitive interface, making it easy to learn and use, even for those who have no prior HR experience.  

CitrusHR also offers good customer support. They have a dedicated team of experts available to provide guidance whenever needed.  

CitrusHR's pricing is a top selling point. With a starting price of just £2.50 per employee per month, you get good value for money. The platform's flexible pricing structure also means that businesses can scale up or down as needed.  

Overall, CitrusHR is an excellent choice for small businesses looking for an HR software solution that is easy to use, affordable, and offers good customer support.  

To sum up: 

  • CitrusHR is a great all-round solution 
  • Plenty of features to help with HR  
  • Good customer support 
  • Good value for money 

2. JazzHR - best for recruitment

Next up on our list of HR software is JazzHR. JazzHR is a cloud-based recruitment software. It is designed to help small businesses improve their recruitment processes. As a HRM for small business, Its features are tailored to meet the needs of teams with 10+ employees.   

Why is JazzHR considered the best HR software for recruitment? Because it can help businesses streamline the recruitment process from start to finish.  

With JazzHR, businesses can: 

  • Create job listings  
  • Post them directly on job boards  
  • Receive applications, and  
  • Manage the entire recruitment process from a single platform 

The platform is fully customisable. This allows SMBs to tailor their recruitment processes to their specific needs. This ensures that users hire good-fit candidates, whilst saving time and resource.  

Customers have also reported that JazzHR is much cheaper than other Applicant Tracking Software (ATS).  

Whether you are looking to post job listings, receive applications, or manage the entire recruitment process, JazzHR is a notable consideration.   

To sum up: 

  • An effective tool for recruiting 
  • Cost-effective (cheaper than other ATSs) 
  • A tailored recruitment experience  

3. Zoho People - best for affordability

Zoho People is number three on our HR software companies list. It is an online HR platform that is designed to provide an affordable, simple and easy-to-use solution for businesses of all sizes. Zoho People is a particularly well-suited HRM software for small businesses. This is due to its affordability, starting at just £0.83 per person per month.  

Additionally, Zoho People offers a 30-day free trial. This gives you the opportunity to try out the software and determine if it is the right fit for your needs. 

One of the top benefits of Zoho People is its emphasis on simplicity. The software is designed to keep essential day-to-day HR activities in one place, making it easy for businesses to manage their HR processes. It features a range of HR management tools, including:  

  • Employee self-service 
  • Time and attendance management  
  • Performance management, and  
  • Onboarding  

However, the simplicity of Zoho People can also be a downside for some businesses. The software may lack some of the more advanced features that larger businesses require, such as more robust reporting and analytics capabilities.  

Additionally, the software may not be as customisable as other HR software options. This could limit its appeal for businesses with unique HR management needs. 

Overall, Zoho People is an excellent option for small businesses looking for affordability and simplicity. 

While it may lack some of the advanced features that more complex businesses require, it remains an excellent option for small businesses that prioritise affordability and simplicity. 

To sum up: 

  • Simple to use 
  • Prices start from just £0.83 per person, per month 
  • Great for those who prioritise affordability and simplicity 
  • Features are not as advanced as others on this list 

4. Monday.com - best for integrations

Monday.com is a versatile project management platform that doubles as an HR software solution, making it to number four on our list of HR software companies. It easily integrates with a wide range of tools. These include: 

  • Gmail  
  • Outlook, and  
  • Google Drive  

This means businesses can centralise their data in one place. 

In addition to its integrations, Monday.com also includes customisable dashboards. This makes it easy for all employees to work on the software.  

Monday.com features include:  

  • Employee onboarding  
  • Time tracking, and  
  • Vacation tracking  

One of the key benefits of Monday.com is its pricing. If you’re a team of two people, the software is free. And if you grow, it can scale up easily.  

For larger teams, Monday.com is still great value for money. Pricing plans are competitive with other HR software solutions on the market. 

Overall, Monday.com is great if you’re looking for a solution that can integrate with your existing workflows. With its range of HR management tools and customisable dashboards, Monday.com is a sound consideration. Its affordable pricing and flexible plans make it a particularly attractive option for small businesses who aren’t looking to break the bank. 

To sum up: 

  • Doubles as a HR software and project management tool 
  • Lots of great integrations  
  • Cost-effective (and free if you’re a team of 2) 

5. Gusto - best for payroll

Gusto is a comprehensive HRM software for small businesses. It offers a range of tools to help small businesses manage their HR needs. One of the top benefits of Gusto is its payroll service, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. 85% of surveyed customers say Gusto is easier to use than their previous payroll provider.  This makes it a great option for small businesses looking to streamline their payroll processes. 

In addition to its payroll service, Gusto also offers other HR software features such as: 

  • Employee onboarding  
  • Time tracking, and  
  • Benefits administration  

One of the key benefits of Gusto is its ease of use. The platform is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. This means less need for extensive training. Gusto also offers good customer support. There are a team of experts available to answer questions and provide guidance whenever needed. 

Overall, Gusto is a great option for small businesses looking for a comprehensive HR software solution with a focus on payroll.  

While there is a sign-up cost, the pricing of Gusto is reasonable. The platform's ease of use makes it a great option for businesses that want to get started quickly and without the need for extensive training. 

To sum up: 

  • Widely regarded as a great payroll provider 
  • Offers additional HR features 
  • There is a sign-up cost 

Why is HR software important for small businesses?

If you’re a small and/or medium-sized business, having a HR software is crucial to manage your HR processes effectively.  

And just because you may be small, it doesn't mean you are exempt from adhering to important HR processes such as recruitment, performance management, and employee engagement.  

Here are some reasons why HR software is crucial for small businesses: 

  • Extra resource. HR in a small business may not always be a dedicated role. HR software can keep all essential HR data in one place. 
  • Improved compliance. Small businesses need to ensure they are compliant with legal requirements and HR software can help manage this. 
  • Time saving. HR software can help automate repetitive HR tasks and free up time for the HR team to focus on strategic initiatives. 
  • Data. HR software can help businesses make data-driven decisions by providing insights and analytics. 

Researching and comparing different HR software options is essential for every business, especially those just starting out their HR software journey.  

It's always worth trying a free trial with different providers. This will ensure that the software is exactly what your business needs.  

Whilst we haven’t included ourselves in the HR software list, you might like to take advantage of a free trial with Access PeopleHR. As a comprehensive, all-in-one HR solution, we are a great option for SMBs. Feel free to click the link to get started.

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Rich Newsome
By Rich Newsome Digital Content Writer

Rich is a content writer at Access PeopleHR and has a wealth of experience within the tech space, including HR software. Passionate about providing website visitors with informative and easy-to-understand content, Rich is committed to helping SMBs find the best solutions for their needs. With a flair for writing, Rich's content engages and educates readers, guiding them towards informed decisions.