In today's world of hybrid work, distributed teams, and complex regulatory environments, you know firsthand that managing HR operations with spreadsheets and paper files isn't efficient. That's where HRIS software comes in.
An HRIS (human resource information system) helps maximize time and optimize processes so HR professionals can stay focused on what matters: big-picture strategy and growing a successful business. HRIS software gives you the tools to automate tasks and centralize employee data, streamline employee onboarding, manage payroll and benefits, all while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Whether you're a startup, small business, or global enterprise organization, choosing the best HRIS software is crucial to business success. But choosing the right one for your business can feel overwhelming. Ultimately, the best HRIS software depends on your business's size, goals, and unique needs.
If you're ready to invest in HRIS to help you scale and grow, this guide is for you. We'll break down the best HRIS software for all types of businesses, from small businesses to enterprise organizations, including integrations like Pebl that enhance cross-platform collaboration with ease.
What to look for in the best HRIS software
Choosing the right HRIS for your business is a big decision and one that will help you eliminate bottlenecks and maximize resources. One that doesn't align with your business could slow you down. Look for the following features as you consider which is the best HRIS and payroll software for your business:
- Comprehensive HR functions to streamline HR management. Quick onboarding, employee data management, payroll, benefits, and compliance are essential components of the best HRIS software.
- HR and payroll accuracy that saves money and builds trust. An effective HRIS seamlessly integrates payroll with time tracking and tax compliance, so each employee is paid correctly and on time from day one. This fosters a culture of trust and accountability. In fact, SHRM research shows that "employees are 23% more likely to share ideas and solutions" when there's a culture of trust in the workplace.
- Easy-to-navigate platform. A user-friendly experience that allows employees to view policies, track time, submit requests, or report issues ensures less time spent on fixing the HRIS and more time getting work done.
- Scale and grow with ease. If you're a small business or startup looking to grow, you need HRIS solutions that grow with you. The best HRIS for small businesses or startups is simple, easy to configure, secure, and manages compliance. So, no matter where or how large your business scales, your HRIS can tackle challenges.
- Integrations that make life easier. An optimal system seamlessly integrates with existing systems. It should also automate tasks like onboarding workflows and payroll administration.
- Stay compliant anywhere in the world. As a global employer, compliance is always top of mind. Tax laws, visa types, local payroll, and adherence to industry-specific regulations are non-negotiables. HRIS software that integrates with Employer of Record (EOR) services gives you a competitive advantage when it comes to hiring and avoiding penalties.
So where does Pebl fit into all of this? Pebl is not a standalone HRIS platform in the traditional sense. It acts as a global EOR provider that integrates directly with leading HRIS systems. Your chosen HRIS keeps doing what it does best (managing your people data and processes), and Pebl handles the complex international components, like managing compliance, payroll, and local labor laws that make global hiring actually work.
Best HRIS software overall
When you work with hundreds of companies hiring across borders, you see a lot of HRIS platforms. Pebl integrates with many of the leading systems out there. That gives us a front-row seat to what works when teams are scaling globally.
HiBob
Designed with global teams in mind, HiBob offers strong people management tools that help HR teams understand their workforce better. The platform adapts well to different company cultures and supports distributed teams working across multiple regions. HiBob was recognized for its ease of use and quick implementation in Nucleus Research's 2025 Enterprise HCM Technology Value Matrix.
Paycor
Paycor takes a mobile-first approach to HR and payroll for mid-sized companies. It brings together HR, payroll, and talent management with AI-powered features that reduce administrative burden. The platform connects with over 300 third-party apps and offers automated workflows that keep data unified across your systems.
Rippling
Rippling takes the all-in-one approach seriously. It combines HR, payroll, benefits, and even IT management into a single platform that scales with you. The automation capabilities mean less manual work and fewer errors, which matters when you're managing people across different locations and time zones.
When Pebl integrates with leading HRIS platforms, the connection streamlines your entire hiring workflow. Your HRIS maintains the single source of truth for employee data. Pebl handles the complexity of international employment on the backend.
Best HRIS software for small businesses
So, perhaps your business isn't a large enterprise. Do you need the same type of HRIS software? Probably not. As a small business, affordability is key since you may not have the resources to invest in more comprehensive systems. You need a quick setup, strong integrations, and payroll automation that frees you up to focus on running your business, not troubleshooting payroll. Here are three platforms built with smaller teams in mind.
BambooHR
BambooHR keeps things simple for small and medium-sized businesses. The interface is intuitive, and the employee self-service features reduce the burden on HR teams. It handles core functions like time-off tracking, performance management, and reporting without overwhelming users.
Gusto
Gusto excels at payroll and compliance automation for small businesses. The platform automates wage calculations, tax filings, and navigates complex labor laws that vary by state. It offers unlimited payroll runs across all subscription tiers and includes benefits administration at no extra charge.
Zoho People
Zoho People offers an affordable cloud-based solution that integrates seamlessly with the broader Zoho ecosystem. The platform covers time tracking, attendance management, and performance reviews with straightforward tools. Small businesses appreciate how it scales with growth without requiring a complete system overhaul.
The best HRIS for small businesses is one with strong integrations. Partnering with an EOR like Pebl allows you to sync your team's tools so you're not juggling multiple platforms. Pebl integrates with HRIS solutions like BambooHR, allowing you to update employment and talent data to trigger processes in Pebl. Exchange data, import/export records, and get to hiring through one simple platform.
Best HRIS software for enterprises
Enterprises face complexities related to global compliance, distributed teams, and HR management that are unique. They need solutions that ensure compliance, have advanced reporting capabilities, local support, and security. However, not all HRIS solutions offer this level of support.
A few solutions dominate this space because they can handle these complexities with ease, including:
Workday
Workday is a configurable enterprise platform that unifies core HR, recruiting, performance, learning, benefits, payroll, and time. It offers real-time workforce analytics and connects HR data with finance and planning to give leadership the insights they need for strategic decisions. The platform released over 350 new features in Spring 2025, including AI-powered talent rediscovery and intelligent job recommendations.
Oracle HCM Cloud
Oracle HCM Cloud serves large enterprises with complex workforce structures and global footprints. The platform offers comprehensive human capital management, workforce modeling, and succession planning capabilities. It integrates deeply with Oracle's broader enterprise resource planning ecosystem, which benefits organizations already using Oracle financial systems.
SAP SuccessFactors
SAP SuccessFactors handles the full employee lifecycle for multinational corporations. The platform excels at global payroll processing and compliance management across different regulatory environments. Its talent intelligence hub uses AI to identify skills gaps and inform workforce planning at an enterprise scale.
With a solution like Pebl, sync your software to our platform so global HR teams have easy access to accurate, real-time data. With these insights, you can bolster employee satisfaction, optimize workflows, and streamline onboarding in one place.
Best HRIS software by specialized use cases
Not every company needs the same thing from an HRIS. Your priorities depend on whether you're managing teams across continents, scaling a tech startup, or trying to keep your people engaged and growing. Here are three specialized areas where certain platforms stand out.
Best for global teams
Managing a global workforce introduces a specific set of cross-border barriers. You need systems that handle currency fluctuations and maintain compliance across jurisdictions. The platform also has to centralize employee data while adapting to local requirements for language, tax regulations, and reporting standards.
Rippling and SAP SuccessFactors both excel in this space. Rippling specializes in multi-country payroll, compliance, and HR data in one platform that scales across regions. SAP SuccessFactors handles the full employee lifecycle for multinational corporations with strong global payroll processing and compliance management capabilities.
Pebl keeps all of these functions under one roof, ensuring global hiring processes connect seamlessly to HRIS operations. Your employee data stays centralized in your HRIS while Pebl manages the compliance and payroll hurdles that come with each new market you enter.
Best for tech companies
Tech companies often operate at an accelerated pace compared to traditional businesses. They need fast onboarding that does not slow down hiring momentum, integration with productivity tools their teams already use, and employee lifecycle tracking that captures the entire journey from candidate to team member. The system should reduce administrative friction so teams can focus on building products instead of managing paperwork.
BambooHR and Workday both serve tech companies well, but at different scales. BambooHR offers an intuitive interface with employee self-service features that address the demands and challenges of startups and mid-sized tech teams. Workday provides enterprise-level capabilities with AI-powered talent tools and deep analytics for larger technology organizations.
Pebl integrations with Slack, ATS platforms, and HRIS systems streamline the path from hiring to onboarding. Data flows automatically between systems, so your tech team spends less time on HR processes and focuses on what they do best.
Best for employee engagement
Employee engagement requires continuous feedback, performance reviews, learning management, and tools that help people grow in their roles. The right HRIS creates feedback loops that keep managers connected to their teams and surfaces trends before they become problems. These platforms need to support different company cultures and work well for distributed workforces who may never share an office.
HiBob and Gusto approach engagement from different angles. HiBob centers its platform around people management tools and performance analytics that work especially well for distributed teams. Gusto combines payroll automation with employee benefits and self-service features that create a smoother experience for smaller teams.
Pebl ensures talent data feeds smoothly into HRIS platforms for ongoing performance management. When you hire internationally through Pebl, those employees integrate into your existing engagement workflows without creating separate systems or disconnected processes.
How Pebl enhances your HRIS with integrations
If you're an HR leader or HRIS manager, Pebl is the service you need to simplify recruiting and onboarding for your company. Not only does it offer best-in-class EOR solutions to grow your team, but it also integrates with leading HRIS software, so all your data is in one place.
With Pebl's integrations, you'll:
- Automate traditionally manual tasks to save time.
- Reduce errors by entering data in one place.
- Eliminate silos and provide data visibility.
- Improve candidate and employee experience with easy access to information and support.
Integrate multiple tools for simplified HR management
The best HRIS software isn't one size fits all. Your company's size, industry, location, and goals all factor into the types of tools that align with your needs.
Small businesses need simple, affordable solutions to help them grow. Enterprise organizations need simplified data visualization, HR management, and global compliance. Make sure to carefully evaluate your needs and goals before choosing your HRIS software, and then Pebl integrations help you maximize the value of your HRIS software. Get in touch today to learn more about leveraging Pebl with HRIS capabilities.
Disclaimer: This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided "as is," and no representations are made that the content is error-free.
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Topic:
HR Strategies
