What is an HR System?
An HR system makes work life easier, as it often handles most aspects related to employees. In short, an HR system can encompass everything included in HR, Human Resource, such as recruitment, personnel administration, payroll, skills development, and training. The system also helps employers comply with laws and regulations regarding data protection, GDPR.
The market offers a variety of HR systems with different modules. Some are large and cover more areas, while others are smaller and simpler. Regardless of which solution you choose, an HR system will professionalize personnel management and simplify life.
How do I find the best HR system?
Investing in an HR system is a wise decision. As with all investments, it is important to start from your organization or company. Begin by defining your needs and what you want the system to help you with. Sometimes it is difficult to know in advance which features are most important for your business, but it usually becomes clear when you start comparing HR systems.
An important factor is, of course, the budget: How much are you willing to spend on the system? Another question to consider early on is how scalable the solution needs to be. Will your company or organization grow? For many, it is beneficial to choose a scalable system that can grow with the company and employees over time. This way, the administrative staff does not need to learn new systems, which can be time-consuming and an unnecessary cost. And, speaking of personnel: Consider usability and the possibility of support. What do you need? Choose a system that suits your staff. And, last but not least, do you operate in the private or public sector? Perhaps in the non-profit arena? Different systems excel at different things.
Quick Guide
Related categories to HR Software
HR SoftwareLMS SoftwareEmployee Onboarding SoftwareHCM SoftwareHRM SoftwarePerformance Management SoftwareTalent Management SystemList of 38 different HR Software
An all-in-one HR platform that centralises Core HR, onboarding, time & attendance, payroll hub, recruitment, performance, learning and people analytics to automate workflows and improve people decisions.
SD Worx provides HR and talent management solutions alongside payroll and workforce management tools across Europe.
Oracle Cloud HCM is an enterprise HR and talent management platform that combines core HR, talent development, and workforce analytics.
An all-in-one cloud-based HR solution offering core HR management, time tracking, absence management, electronic signatures, recruitment, onboarding, performance and people analytics to streamline and automate HR processes.
A cloud-first HR platform offering core HR, talent acquisition (ATS), learning, performance, analytics and conversational AI (Cegid Pulse) with modular deployment and integrations to payroll and ERPs.
ADP offers industry-leading online payroll and HR solutions, plus tax, compliance, benefit administration and more.
Try the Software Guide
The right system in minutes!
Try the Software Guide, which gives you personalized recommendations based on your needs.
A comprehensive SaaS platform offering HR, payroll, health & safety and employee apps. Streamline leave, clocking in, performance reviews, recruitment and reporting with 24/7 advice and unlimited cloud storage.
CharlieHR automates HR tasks like onboarding, time off, performance reviews and benefits, providing a centralised, self-service platform to manage people data and drive high-performing teams.
Ciphr HR is a fully integrated, cloud-based platform that streamlines HR administration, payroll, talent acquisition and development, with analytics and automation to enhance people strategy.
CitoHR centralises employee management, document storage, workflows, analytics and compliance in one SaaS solution with instant setup and GDPR readiness.
A cloud-based absence management system offering leave booking, time tracking, sickness management, reporting, workflows, integrations and mobile apps to automate absence processes and improve workforce visibility.
Eploy is a complete web-based talent acquisition platform combining applicant tracking, CRM, onboarding, referrals, marketing and analytics in one configurable solution.
Frontier Software offers a range of cloud-based and on-premise modules including payroll, core HR, workforce management, self-service and analytics to streamline HR processes and ensure compliance globally.
A cloud HRIS that streamlines recruitment, onboarding/offboarding, leave, certifications and reporting with self-service portals, automated reminders and integrated e-signatures.
HRManager provides a web-based HR solution delivered as SaaS with features for core HR, recruitment, reporting, onboarding and digital personnel records, available to UK customers.
A best-in-class HR system of record with Agentic AI to automate onboarding, workflows, performance reviews, reporting, integrations and people operations at scale.
IRIS Cascade HRi is a cloud-based HR system offering core HR, recruitment, payroll, timesheets, expenses and training modules, plus self-service, reporting and automation to streamline your HR processes.
Kallidus Learn LMS is an award-winning, cloud-based learning and development platform offering compliance training, off-the-shelf content, skills development, performance management integration and robust reporting to drive measurable business outcomes.
An AI-enabled solution unifying HR, payroll and finance in real time, driving efficiency, compliance and insights.
An easy-to-use, ISO27001-certified cloud HR platform offering holiday & absence management, document storage, reporting, self-service and mobile access with free trials available.
An all-in-one, Salesforce-based HR & payroll platform offering core HR, payroll, recruitment/onboarding, performance management, reporting and mobile self-service.
A cloud-based HR software and payroll platform powered by AI automation, offering HRIS, ATS, absence, appraisal, and analytics in a single scalable subscription service.
Pocket HR is an all-in-one HR membership platform delivering coaching, workshops, templates and seven key people management modules.
Recruitee provides a collaborative applicant tracking system with automation, sourcing, and integrations.
A suite of cloud and on-premise ERP, financial and HR products including Sage Intacct, Sage 100, Sage 300 and Sage X3, offering automation, AI features, payroll and integrations.
A unified HCM and workforce management platform connecting people, data and systems to drive smarter decisions.
AI-enabled platform unifying HR, Workforce Management, Pay, Talent and Benefits to drive performance and employee experience.
BambooHR provides an all-in-one HR system offering hiring, onboarding, performance management, payroll, time & attendance, reporting and compensation tools.
All-in-one HR software to manage recruitment, leave, performance, expenses, learning and more
A modular, multi-country HRIS with onboarding, recruitment, performance, payroll, self-service and compliance features delivered as a subscription SaaS platform.
Cornerstone Galaxy enables AI-driven learning management, talent management, HR intelligence, and workforce planning solutions.
An all-in-one SaaS HR platform that automates payroll, time tracking, recruitment, performance and document management, with AI features and mobile access.
Greenhouse provides an end-to-end, AI-driven hiring platform covering sourcing, interviews, onboarding and analytics to help businesses make better, faster hiring decisions.
Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that helps businesses run HR, payroll, IT, and finance operations from a single system. Instead of using multiple disconnected tools, it centralises employee data and automates processes like onboarding, payroll, benefits, device management, and expenses.
SAP SuccessFactors HCM provides global HR capabilities powered by AI to recruit, develop, and empower employees, streamline processes, and deliver actionable insights.
Totara is a flexible talent development platform that combines learning management, performance management, and workforce planning.
Workable provides sourcing, applicant tracking, HRIS and time & attendance capabilities with powerful AI tools, customisable workflows and extensive integrations to help you find, hire and manage top talent efficiently.
Cloud-native HCM and finance platform with AI agents, workforce management, payroll, recruitment and analytics.
Compare HR Systems
HR systems can be very basic, which suits those working in smaller companies, or incredibly complex. The really large HR systems cover broader needs within human resources and can often contribute to both recruitment, ongoing personnel administration, and the development of staff and the company.
The basic functions include storing personnel information, payroll management, goal tracking, as well as onboarding and offboarding. Often, the HR system can be integrated with your payroll system for managing salary payments.
More advanced HR systems often follow employees from the recruitment process to the end of employment. Throughout the employee's journey with you, the complex HR systems provide career support that benefits both the organization and the employee. The advanced systems often have modules for analytics that lay the groundwork for data-driven decisions. They often provide support to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and directives.
Many providers offer free trial periods. Feel free to test a couple of different solutions before making your decision. A good start is the guide we offer at BusinessWith, where you can begin comparing today The HR System Guide.
Why should I choose an HR system? What are the benefits of HR systems?
An HR system helps you become an even better employer. With the system comes streamlined personnel management and support for making faster and more informed decisions regarding both recruitment and ongoing personnel management.
Today's HR systems often have a user-friendly interface to simplify management, and many features are accessible both on desktop and mobile. It is often easy to integrate the HR system with other systems, such as CRM tools. The providers behind modern HR systems often implement updated information regarding, for example, personal data storage and help you protect sensitive personnel information.
An HR system collects everything related to personnel in one place. This is a security for both employees and you as an employer, and it gives you an increased chance of a good reputation in the job market.
Price: What do HR systems cost?
HR systems can be completely free, but then the features are often limited. Perhaps no customer support is offered at all. The provider of a free system may also choose to suddenly charge for services, which is something to consider. It is not guaranteed that it will be cheaper in the end.
For regardless of whether you choose to invest in a large and complex HR system or a smaller solution, it is important to think about the future. Are you planning to expand? Will you need support in challenging recruitments? What market are you operating in today, and could it happen that you target another market in the future? Preferably choose a scalable system that can grow with you over time.
Try to see the whole picture and the value that the system adds to you as a company. Feel free to ask several providers for cost proposals and quotes. We at BusinessWith wish you good luck in your choice of system.
How do I purchase an HR system?
Once you have settled on which HR system you are most interested in and have read reviews and compared systems: Request a trial period for one or two systems. Most providers see value in customers trying the system. A trial also gives you the opportunity to clarify whether you know everything you need to know or if you have questions about the system. Additionally, you get the chance to test the provider's customer support and see if it meets your requirements.
Feel free to reach out to us at BusinessWith if you have any questions. We are here to assist you in choosing an HR system!
Requirements for HR Systems
To achieve a smooth and qualitative purchasing process for HR systems, your requirements should be thorough and NOT just focus on what needs to be solved now, but also include the requirements that will help you reach the digital HR vision you envision. A good example is to focus your requirements from a manager or employee perspective. What do the workflows look like for those who will use the system? Is it easy to get a summary or role-based access in the system? How much needs to be managed by HR themselves, and how much can be allocated within the organization? Is there support and assistance for managers?
At BusinessWith, we focus on highlighting why and how business is conducted with specific HR providers. Our mapping focuses not only on what the provider can offer but also on what stands out in their system and how they work with their clients. This is important to have insight into if you are to have a long-term HR partner by your side.
Talent Management Systems vs HRM Systems
The difference between a Talent Management system and an HRM system is usually distinguished by the following:
Talent Management Systems focus on delivering modules that help the organization retain, engage, and develop talent for the company. For example, an LMS module to enhance skills through effective training programs.
HRM focuses more on traditional core HR, where time reporting, master HR data, and analytical functions are included. There are often features to facilitate administrative processes. However, several Talent Management modules are included in some HRM systems, but the starting point differs.
Digital HR
Description of functions for HR software
Benefits management
CoreHR
Employee interviews
Has its own payroll system
HR-analytics
Learning Mgmt
Performance Mgmt
Recruitment
Salary review
Self-service
Skills development
Time reporting
