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Your company just hired a designer in Berlin, a developer in São Paulo, and a marketing lead in Toronto. Suddenly, you’re navigating new time zones, local labor laws, and payroll regulations—all while trying to onboard everyone smoothly and keep your HR data in one place.
A Human Resources Information System (HRIS) helps make that possible. Sometimes called HR software or an HRIS platform, these cloud-based solutions combine core HR software capabilities—like onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and compliance—into one centralized system, helping companies manage HR functions, employee records, and people operations more effectively across borders.
For global organizations, the right HRIS software solution simplifies compliance with local laws while helping HR teams manage employee records and scale operations across borders.
In this guide, we’ll explore 10 of the best HRIS options on the market today, highlighting what sets each one apart so you can choose a platform that fits your team now and grows with you over time. From small business HRIS software to enterprise-grade HRIS payroll software, there’s a solution here for every stage of growth.
10 top HRIS providers of 2025
First things first: There’s no universal HR solution. The best HRIS for a small business might offer easy onboarding and time-off tracking, while global teams need more robust tools for payroll, compliance, and benefits. These examples of HRIS options show how different platforms meet different needs—so you can choose one that fits your team today and scales with you tomorrow.
1. Oyster
Oyster isn’t a traditional HRIS, but it earns a place on this list for good reason. For companies managing international teams, Oyster offers the global infrastructure most platforms lack—handling cross-border compliance, payroll, and localized benefits in 180+ countries. It’s especially valuable for distributed teams looking to hire and support employees abroad without the burden of managing multiple vendors or legal entities. While it doesn’t replace a full HRIS, few tools are better equipped to support global growth.
Pricing starts at $29 per team member per month for contractor and global payroll plans, with employer of record (EOR) services priced at $699 monthly per employee.
2. Rippling
Rippling brings HR, payroll, IT, and app management into a single platform—so you can onboard new hires, run payroll, and even ship laptops from one place. It’s a powerful fit for midsize companies that value automation and need HRIS tools that scale. Add-ons for IT, benefits, and other advanced functions are sold separately, which can raise costs, but Rippling’s unified approach, fast setup, and broad integrations make it one of the most comprehensive solutions available.
Pricing starts at $8 plus $8–$29 per employee monthly, depending on selected features.
3. BambooHR
BambooHR is a favorite among small and midsize teams for its clean interface, user-friendly workflows, and seamless onboarding tools. It includes self-service features and built-in time-off tracking, as well as strong applicant tracking and performance management tools for growing teams. Advanced features require a higher-tier plan, and some users report occasional integration issues, but its overall usability and simplicity are standout strengths.
Pricing is quote-based, with flat fees for teams under 25 and per-employee rates for larger companies.
4. Paycor
Paycor offers a full-service HRIS that’s tailored for growing U.S.-based businesses. It combines payroll, benefits administration, performance management, and talent management in one platform. Perks include on-demand pay and a mobile-friendly app, but the interface isn’t the most modern. Also, costs can vary depending on selected features and tiers. Even so, Paycor delivers a well-rounded human capital management (HCM) solution, making it a top contender among HRIS payroll software options for small and midsize companies.
Pricing typically ranges from $19 to $26 per employee monthly, with additional costs for implementation and add-ons.
5. HiBob
HiBob is designed for companies that value culture, transparency, and employee engagement. Its social-style interface gives teams direct access to pay stubs, time-off requests, and performance reviews, while integrations with Slack, Google Workspace, and Teams support real-time collaboration. While its reporting tools aren’t as flexible as some competitors, and mobile features are still evolving, HiBob stands out for its modern design and people-first focus.
Pricing typically ranges from $16 to $25 per employee monthly, plus implementation fees.
6. Gusto
Gusto is a go-to HRIS for small businesses in the U.S. that want full-service payroll, benefits administration, and solid compliance support—without the complexity of an enterprise platform. It’s easy to use, offers great customer support, and simplifies back-office operations. On the downside, its international capabilities are limited, and HRIS features beyond payroll often require third-party add-ons.
Pricing starts at $49 plus $6–$22 per employee monthly, depending on plan tier.
7. Zoho People
Zoho People is a cost-effective HRIS built for smaller teams that need attendance tracking, leave management, and basic HR workflows. It integrates with Zoho’s broader business suite and delivers strong core functionality at a reasonable price. It also offers affordable tools for HR functions like performance reviews and time-off tracking. The interface can feel dated, and more advanced tools are limited to higher-tier plans—but for budget-conscious teams, it covers the essentials well.
Plans range from $1.50 to $10 per employee monthly, with a free tier available for up to five users.
8. Personio
Personio is a full-featured HRIS built for growing companies that need strong HR tools with built-in EU compliance. It supports recruiting, onboarding, payroll, and performance—all aligned with GDPR and European labor laws. While a strong option for EU-based organizations, Personio’s capabilities as a global HRIS are more limited and may require integrations to support teams beyond Europe.
Pricing is custom and varies by company size and selected modules.
9. Deel
Deel is purpose-built for companies hiring across borders, combining EOR services with basic HRIS tools. It helps manage compliance, contracts, and global payroll in over 100 countries—making it a solid choice for teams expanding internationally without local legal entities. That said, Deel’s features are lighter than other full HRIS software platforms, and its country coverage is significantly more limited than Oyster’s.
Pricing ranges from $15 to $49 per user monthly for HR and contractor tools, with EOR services starting at $599 monthly per employee.
10. ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is a reliable, enterprise-grade HRIS built for midsize and large companies, with a strong focus on U.S. payroll, tax, and HR compliance. It’s especially popular among organizations in highly regulated industries, thanks to robust tools for reporting and legal oversight. While Workforce Now is U.S.-centric by design, ADP offers global solutions through separate platforms. Some users may find the user experience outdated, and custom features or premium support often come at an added cost.
Pricing is quote-based and varies depending on company size, selected features, and service tier.
Benefits of using an HRIS
A global HRIS is more than a place to store documents. It’s what keeps HR functions like hiring, payroll, and compliance on track across time zones and tax codes. As your team grows, it helps you stay organized, save time, and meet local requirements—without having to establish an official legal presence in every country.
Cloud-based HRIS options also give HR professionals a clearer view of processes, streamlining workflows, reducing manual errors in payroll processing, and making tasks like performance reviews and benefits management more efficient.
Here’s what the right HRIS can do for you:
- Consolidate team member data: A global HRIS stores everything in one secure system, from contracts and benefits to time off and performance records.
- Automated workflows for HR functions like onboarding, payroll, and more: By reducing manual processes, your people team can focus more on strategy and less on repetitive admin.
- Improved compliance across different regions: The right platform helps your company meet local labor laws, tax obligations, and data privacy regulations wherever you operate.
- Enhanced employee experience through self-service portals: Employees can update personal details, track pay, and request time off without needing to contact HR.
- Get insights with analytics and AI-powered reporting: Modern HRIS providers use AI to surface trends in employee engagement, turnover, and workforce planning, allowing you to make faster, smarter decisions.
- Scale with confidence as your team grows: A flexible HRIS evolves with your business, supporting new markets, larger teams, and shifting operational needs—without disruption.
How to choose the best HRIS and payroll software
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all HRIS. The best choice depends on how your company is structured and where you’re headed. For globally distributed teams, that means looking beyond features and UI.
Many platforms include compliance tools, HR workflows, and time and attendance tracking, but managing labor laws and tax regulations across borders often requires more than standard HRIS software. If your company doesn’t have a local entity, you may need an EOR to hire compliantly in other countries. The ideal solution offers both. And if you’re scaling quickly, look for applicant tracking system capabilities that integrate with your existing HR software.
Here are five key considerations to help guide your search:
- Team size and locations: Smaller businesses may prioritize affordability, while global organizations need multi-country support and compliance tools.
- Key features: Focus on the tools your HR team needs most—time tracking, benefits, compliance reporting, or performance management. Each platform offers a different mix.
- Ease of use: A top-notch HRIS won’t help if it’s too complex. Look for intuitive design and fast implementation, especially if your HR team is lean or lacks dedicated HR management.
- Integrations: Your HRIS should connect with tools you already use, like accounting software, Slack, or Microsoft Teams, to reduce manual work.
- Pricing and scalability: Consider the full cost, including setup, add-ons, and support tiers. Choose a solution that can grow with your team and your footprint.
Manage a global team with the right HR platform: Oyster
Choosing an HRIS should feel like building for the long haul, not patching together systems as you grow. The best platforms support how your team operates today while giving you room to expand into new markets and across borders tomorrow.
Most HRIS tools cover the basics, like onboarding, time tracking, and performance management, often with built-in employee self-service portals. But managing a global team takes more—like staying compliant with local labor laws, offering country-specific benefits, and running payroll in multiple currencies. Many HR platforms weren’t built for that kind of scale.
Oyster's EOR solution combines core HR, workforce management, and HRIS software capabilities with global infrastructure, helping you hire, pay, and support talent in 180+ countries—no local entities required. The platform integrates with the tools you already use and keeps you compliant as you grow.
Ready to simplify your approach to global hiring? Book a demo with Oyster to get started.
About Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, engage, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.
Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.
