Managing employees is a multi-faceted responsibility. You need to ensure your teams are satisfied in their roles, that their skills align with organisational goals, and process leave, benefits and payroll. In addition, since employee management is rarely a one-person job, you need to ensure transparency and accessibility to records while still maintaining data security and privacy.
Thankfully, there are employee management software solutions to meet various business needs. In this article, we explore what employee management software is, the best solutions, and tips for choosing software that meets your organisational needs.
What is Employee Management Software?
Employee management software is a digital solution designed to streamline HR processes across the entire employee lifecycle. From onboarding and induction training to performance tracking, reporting and payroll, these tools centralise employee data and automate administrative tasks.
One key benefit of using digital tools for employee management is the automation of administrative tasks, which reduces manual effort and the risk of human error. Centralising employee data also enhances compliance with labour laws, simplifies audits, and improves overall operational efficiency. By minimising administrative burdens, businesses can focus more on strategic workforce planning and employee engagement.
Best Employee Management Software Solutions
Cloud Assess is a purpose-built learning management system (LMS) for workplace training and assessment. It incorporates LMS features for creating, delivering and tracking training, managing workforce skills and streamlining administrative and HR processes.
As a cloud-based LMS, the platform offers diverse tools for onboarding new employees, running upskilling and reskilling initiatives, and tracking skills across your workforce. Gamification, social and collaborative learning features boost employee engagement, while evidence portfolios and certification management help companies maintain compliance in heavily regulated industries.
While Cloud Assess is focused on the training and skill development side of employee management, the platform also integrates with thousands of tools and apps. This allows you to optimise your employee management tech stack, ensuring seamless data sharing across various speciality software solutions.
Key Features
- Online skill matrix
- Competency and skill tracking
- Course authoring tool
- Enrolment engine
- Gamification features
- Social learning features
- Collaborative learning features
- Personalised learning paths
- Digital badges
- Mobile app with offline functionality
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- Workflow automation
- Automated notifications
- Certification management
- Compliance management
- Extensive customisation options
- Secure cloud data management
Pros
- Accommodates different types of learning and various assessment types to improve employee engagement
- Helps companies track skills across employees, teams and departments, supporting succession planning and ensuring alignment with organisational goals
- Evidence portfolios and centralised training data simplify tracking and proving compliance in the case of safety audits in highly regulated industries
- Mobile app with offline functionality makes frontline training accessible on any device, even in remote locations
Pricing
Cloud Assess offers an all-inclusive solution for employee training in high-risk, high-compliance industries. Every feature is included from day one, including mobile offline assessment, verification of competency, skills matrix and automated compliance tracking. There are no upgrade paths or feature gates. Visit our pricing page for an accurate quote.
Rating
4.7/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp, Software Advice)
#2 BambooHR
BambooHR is a user-friendly HR system that’s easy to adopt and use for administrators and employees alike. The platform’s applicant tracking and onboarding tools make finding and bringing new hires into your organisation easy. It also provides features for measuring individual and team performance, tracking job satisfaction, and a mobile-friendly self-service portal for managing leave requests.
However, BambooHR doesn’t offer extensive features for tracking or developing specific skills, capabilities or competencies. The platform’s reporting features are also basic compared to competitors like Workday and Cloud Assess.
Key Features
- Human Resources Information System (HRIS)
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
- Onboarding tools
- Performance tracking features
- Mobile employee management app
- Employee self-service portal
- Basic reporting and analytics
- eSignature support
- Payroll add-ons
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes the platform easy for administrators and employees to adopt and use
- Tools for tracking job applicants and onboarding new hires
- Customisable workflows streamline operational and HR processes
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting capabilities
- Few customisation options available
- Payroll features cost extra
Pricing
BambooHR offers Core and Pro pricing plans, with the Pro solution adding performance management and internal communication features. Prices for these plans arne’t available on their website, however. Contact them directly for a free trial or a detailed quote.
User Volume
BambooHR caters to SMEs in industries like construction, finance, healthcare and technology.
Rating
4.6/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#3 Gusto
Gusto is primarily a payroll and benefit management platform. However, this doesn’t do the solution justice. Gusto also comes with extensive employee management features for hiring and onboarding new employees, storing and accessing employee data and documents, and conducting performance reviews.
However, since payroll is Gusto’s primary role, that is where the majority of its benefits lie, especially in its lower pricing tiers. Its features are also largely US-focused, making it a less adaptable platform for international organisations.
Key Features
- Full-service payroll management
- Employee benefits tracking solution
- Paid Time Off (PTO) management
- Time tracking features
- Hiring and employee onboarding tools
- Learning and development (L&D) tools
- Employee self-service portal
- Feedback surveys
- Compliance support
Pros
- Intuitive and easy to use for payroll and employee benefits management
- Scalable solutions accommodate businesses of all sizes
- Supports various HR and employee management functions
- Strong compliance features for US market
Cons
- Limited international payroll and compliance features
- Only basic reporting and analytics functionality
- Limited L&D and performance management abilities
Pricing
Gusto offrs a two month free trial for users to test the platform. Their paid plans are divided into three pricing tiers — Simple, Plus and Premium. The Simple tier accommodates basic payroll and benefit features from $40 per month, plus $6 per user monthly. The Plus tier adds employee work rota scheduling features and other team management tools, while the Premium tier provides additional support and compliance functionality.
User Volume
Gusto is a good fit for US-based companies in industries like retail, healthcare and professional services.
Rating
4.6/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#4 monday.com
monday.com offers a customisable solution for project and workforce management. It includes features for assigning and managing tasks, tracking performance, onboarding employees, and automating processes. Its visual dashboard makes it a practical platform for assigning and monitoring responsibilities and can be adapted to track employee training programs.
However, monday.com doesn’t offer as many HR-based features, making it more difficult to adopt as a comprehensive employee management system. The solution also comes with a steep learning curve, requiring significant time for new admin users to familiarise themselves with advanced features.
Key Features
- Project management
- Task assignment
- Time tracking
- Employee onboarding
- Collaboration tools
- Customisable boards and templates
- Workflow automation
- Engaging data visualisation dashboards
- Mobile app
- Integration with third-party tools
Pros
- Highly customisable to meet multiple business needs including project management, onboarding, employee scheduling and L&D tracking
- Collaboration tools support onsite, remote and hybrid workers
- Intuitive user interface for easy daily use
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and administration
- Limited specialised HR features
- Limited training support with only basic tracking capabilities
Pricing
Individual and two-person teams can use monday.com for free. Their paid plans start at $9 per user monthly, with Standard and Pro tiers starting at $12 and $19, respectively. The Pro tier adds limited integrations and multi-board data visualisation, while Premium adds time tracking, automation and more extensive dashboards. Pricing for an enterprise solution is available on request.
User Volume
monday.com Supports businesses of all sizes in technical, creative and service industries.
Rating
4.6/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#5 Connecteam
Connecteam is mobile-first employee management software designed for deskless workers. The platform makes it easy to access schedules, take part in training, submit reports and communicate with colleagues in real time. This makes it especially useful for industries like hospitality and construction, where employees are rarely found behind desks.
Like Cloud Assess, Connecteam is best adopted in conjunction with other HR management software. However, the platform offers fewer direct integrations with third-party tools, and the platform’s reporting capabilities aren’t as advanced.
Key Features
- Employee scheduling
- Task management features
- Training tools
- Time tracking
- GPS location tracking
- Communication tools
- Feedback surveys and forms
- HR templates
- Document management
Pros
- Time and GPS tracking features support task management in remote environments
- Communication tools support collaboration between remote teams
- Surveys and forms simplify the collection of training feedback and performance management
- In-built training tools make L&D more accessible
Cons
- Limited reporting and analytics capabilities
- Only basic offline functionality
- Limited integration options require additional setup for businesses using multiple software solutions
Pricing
Connecteam offers a free-for-life plan for businesses with up to 10 users. Basic, Advanced, Expert and Enterprise tiers are available for larger teams, with Basic starting at $29 per month for up to 30 users. Advanced adds more employee scheduling options from $49 per month and Expert includes more advanced reporting from $99 monthly.
User Volume
Connecteam supports companies of all sizes in industries with deskless workers like construction, field services and manufacturing.
Rating
4.7/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#6 Workday HCM
Workday is an extensive platform that caters to the HR, operational and planning needs of large enterprises. Their Human Capital Management (HCM) solution provides tools for workforce planning and employee development and features to manage payrolls and benefits and track performance. It also integrates directly with Workday’s other solutions for financial management, operational planning, and automation of professional services.
However, for companies that require a simplified employee management system, Workday’s advanced feature set may be too expansive. The platform takes significant time and technical support to implement and comes with a steep learning curve making it more difficult to adopt.
Key Features
- HR management features
- Talent management tools
- Onboarding and induction tools
- Learning management system capabilities
- Skills mapping features
- Payroll and benefit administration
- Time and attendance tracking
- Compliance tracking features
- Advanced workforce analytics
- Succession planning capabilities
Pros
- Extensive suite of HR and employee management solutions available
- Advanced analytics for data-driven decision-making
- Strong compliance support for US and global organisations
Cons
- Too expansive for SME needs
- Requires significant time and technical support to set up
- Customisation options can be complex to implement
Pricing
Workday doesn’t make pricing available on their website. You would need to contact them directly for a custom quotation.
User Volume
Workday HCM caters to large enterprises in various industries across consumer, financial, and public services, manufacturing, healthcare and technology.
Rating
4.4/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#7 SAP SuccessFactors HCM
SAP SuccessFactors is another extensive platform providing a suite of resource planning, financial management and employee management software. It includes an LMS for corporate training and makes good use of AI in the workforce to automate workflows and reduce administrative burden. Their HCM solution in particular uses AI to screen applicants, track employee skills and streamline timesheets, ensuring seamless HR processes, recruitment, and workforce management.
However, like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors HCM is targeted at large enterprises and may be too extensive for small business needs. It’s also best used in conjunction with other SAP solutions, rather than as a standalone employee management system.
How Does SuccessFactor’s Learning Features Compare to Cloud Assess?
See the two platforms side by side.Key Features
- HR management system
- Payroll management
- Talent management
- AI-assisted applicant screening
- Talent management features
- Onboarding tools
- Cloud-based LMS
- Workforce planning features
- Succession planning tools
- Robust analytics and reporting functionality
Pros
- Potential all-in-one solution when combined with other SAP SuccessFactors products
- Strong analytics and reporting support data-driven decisions
- Incorporates learning management alongside HR functionality
Cons
- Too extensive for SME needs
- Limited customisation options
- Reviews suggest slow support at times
Pricing
SAP doesn’t make pricing for SuccessFactors HCM available on their website. You can view a product tour on their site, but would need to contact them directly for a quote.
User Volume
SAP SuccessFactors HCM supports large enterprises in the automotive, banking, consumer products, energy and retail industries among others.
Rating
4.1/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#8 Rippling
Rippling offers combined IT and employee management software in an intuitive, easy-to-use platform. Their HCM solution includes features for managing payroll and employee benefits, tracking time and attendance, and workforce planning. It covers every stage of employee lifecycles, from recruitment and onboarding to training and performance tracking. Rippling also helps companies manage user access, track their IT inventory and securely maintain their devices.
However, Rippling’s L&D features are less advanced than platforms like Cloud Assess and SAP SuccessFactors. Their HR solutions also offer fewer features than competitors like BambooHR and Gusto. Overall, this makes the platform less versatile than some competitors.
Key Features
- Payroll management
- Benefits administration
- IT management
- Device management features
- Time tracking
- Onboarding automation
- Basic learning management features
- Compliance tools
- Workforce analytics
Pros
- Combined HR and IT solution suits organisations with remote workforces or extensive IT requirements
- Integrates with over 500 apps
- Intuitive interface makes it easy to adopt
Cons
- Limited advanced learning tools
- Modular pricing structure can lead to additional expenses
- Reviews suggest support can be inconsistent
Pricing
Rippling’s pricing is divided into modules for their platform, HCM solution, IT management software and financial management solution. Pricing for the modules isn’t available on their website, however, and you would need to contact them directly for a demo or quotation.
User Volume
Rippling accommodates businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises, in industries like construction, finance, healthcare and technology.
Rating
4.8/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#9 Zoho People
Zoho People is an employee management software solution designed to be accessible for companies of all sizes. It includes simplified HR, employee development and time management features that are intuitive for HR professionals and employees to use. Affordable pricing models, an extensive feature set, and integration with other Zoho tools make Zoho People a good choice for companies of all sizes.
However, while Zoho does come with a large number of features, few of them meet advanced business needs. For example, the platform’s payroll functionality, reporting capabilities and L&D options are basic compared to many competitors.
Key Features
- Human Resource Information System (HRIS)
- Basic payroll capabilities
- Leave management features
- Onboarding tools
- Basic learning management and employee development functionality
- Time tracking features
- Performance review tools
- HR analytics
- Mobile employee management app
- Document management
- Integrations with Zoho software suite
Pros
- Flexible and scalable pricing plans to meet businesses of all sizes
- Intuitive platform that’s easy for HR professionals and employees to use
- Integrates with Zoho suite to provide comprehensive operational and employee management software
Cons
- Only basic tools with limited advanced features
- Few customisation options
- Fewer integration options than competitors like Cloud Assess and Rippling
- Reviews suggest support can be slow and unreliable
Pricing
Zoho People offers five pricing tiers. Essential HR starts from $0.83 per user monthly and provides basic employee management tools. Professional goes up to $1.66 and includes job scheduling and time management features, while Premium ($2.50) adds performance reviews. Enterprise includes learning management features from $4.16 per user, while People Plus ($8) includes talent acquisition, payroll and expense management options.
User Volume
Zoho People caters to organisations of all sizes across industries like IT, media, education, healthcare and finance.
Rating
4.4/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
#10 Deputy
Deputy is workforce management software that aims to simplify HR processes and task management. Most of its features are centred around automating the tasks that take up HR professionals’ and managers’ time. These include tools for employee scheduling, work rota shift swapping, effective workforce communication and streamlined compliance processes.
However, Deputy doesn’t include native learning or payroll management tools. You would need to integrate it with your existing LMS and HR systems for a comprehensive employee management software solution.
Key Features
- Employee scheduling software
- Time and attendance tracking features
- Task management capabilities
- Shift swapping features
- Mobile employee management app
- Workforce communication tools
- Performance tracking capabilities
- Compliance tools
- Basic reporting tools
- Integrations with popular systems
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes it easy for HR professionals, managers and employees to use
- Mobile app for accessing shifts and schedules, tracking time and tasks and managing leave applications
- Centralised workforce communication ensures employees stay up to date with announcements
Cons
- Limited advanced features
- No native training solution or payroll management
- Fewer integration options than solutions like Cloud Assess and Rippling
Pricing
Deputy offers their Scheduling and Time & Attendance solutions as standalone products for $4.50 per user monthly. Their Premium pricing plan combines the two solutions for $6 per user per month. Pricing for their Enterprise tier, which includes more advanced reporting and planning features, is available on request.
User Volume
Deputy largely caters to SMEs in industries like healthcare, retail, hospitality and security. However, tailored enterprise solutions are available for large organisations as well.
Rating
4.6/5 (average rating from Capterra, G2, GetApp and Software Advice)
Employee Management Software Buyer’s Guide
- Consider Your Objectives. Some employee management software focuses on automating HR processes, while other solutions are more focused on employee development and workforce management. Then, there are platforms like Cloud Assess, which provides flexible training, skill development, and integrations to share data across your tech stack. Find a solution that incorporates the key features your organisation needs for employee management.
- Look For Core Features. Some essential features of the best employee management software will include:
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- HR functions like payroll, benefits management and compliance tracking
- Training tools for onboarding, upskilling and reskilling
- Workforce planning tools for scheduling, time and task management, and skill tracking and mapping
- Automation features to reduce administrative burden and risk of human error
- Accessibility features like mobile apps and offline functionality
- Ease of Use and Adoption. Choose a solution that’s intuitive to use. This will increase its adoption across your workforce, improving its return on investment.
- Focus on Compliance and Security. Employee management software often makes use of personally identifiable information. This makes security features a must-have. Ensure the solution you choose meets legal and data security standards for your region, and helps you streamline compliance with other regulations as well.
