Looking for an HR tool to keep your team and business on track?
Whether hiring, onboarding, preparing compensation, or building a culture, you need an employee management solution that can keep.
How do you find the right tool?
This list has you covered. It breaks down the best performance management, HR, and payroll tools on the market, summarizing:
- What they do
- Why they stand out
- How much they cost
Ready to get started?
Here are the best HR tools for startups and small businesses in 2025:
1. 15Five
What is it?
15Five is a tool that helps businesses understand how their employees are doing by gathering feedback and insights. It’s like having a virtual pulse-check on your team’s well-being and productivity, designed to help you make better decisions and foster growth.
Why is it awesome?
15Five goes beyond basic surveys by offering scientifically designed templates and over 120 thoughtful questions. These tools make it easy to customize feedback for your team, helping you uncover what really matters to your employees and driving meaningful improvements.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $4/user per month, billed annually.
2. Small Improvements
What is it?
Small Improvements is a performance management tool for businesses that want to streamline feedback and reviews. It’s cloud-based, making everything accessible and easy to manage from anywhere. Whether giving feedback, running reviews, or tracking progress, it’s designed to make your workplace more collaborative and productive.
Why is it awesome?
It doesn’t just handle reviews — it makes feedback part of your daily workflow. Integrating with tools like Gmail and Slack encourages real-time conversations and ongoing improvement. It’s all about creating a culture where feedback flows naturally, helping teams grow stronger and more connected.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $5/user per month, billed annually.
3. BambooHR
What is it?
BambooHR is an all-in-one HR software designed to make life easier for small HR teams. It helps with everything from hiring and onboarding to tracking employee data and analyzing trends. It’s built to let small teams accomplish big things.
Why is it awesome?
It’s not just software — it’s a partner. BambooHR offers an optional implementation service with a dedicated HR Project Manager to guide you through setup. Whether you’re importing data or learning the ropes, you’re never left on your own. It’s simple, powerful, and tailored to grow with your business.
How much does it cost?
You can learn about pricing by requesting a quote.
4. Rippling
What is it?
Rippling is a one-stop platform for managing your employees. From payroll and benefits to devices and apps, it handles it all in one place. It’s designed to save you time and simplify your HR processes.
Why is it awesome?
Rippling takes the hassle out of payroll by syncing HR data automatically. No more manual entries or calculations — just click “run,” and it’s done. Plus, it’s versatile enough to manage everything from onboarding to IT, giving you more time to focus on growing your business.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $8/user per month.
5. Gusto
What is it?
Gusto is an all-in-one platform that handles payroll, benefits, compliance, and more. It’s perfect for small businesses looking for a simple way to manage their team’s needs. Think of it as your HR department in a box.
Why is it awesome?
Gusto takes the stress out of payroll by automatically filing local, state, and federal taxes every time you run payroll. On top of that, Gusto’s user-friendly interface makes managing benefits and compliance a breeze. It’s efficient, reliable, and built to help small businesses thrive.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts free for 2 months, then $40/mo plus $6/mo per person.
6. Zoho People
What is it?
Zoho People is a flexible HR tool that handles everything from onboarding to attendance tracking. It’s built to automate your HR processes and make managing your team easier. Plus, it integrates smoothly with popular apps like GSuite and Zapier.
Why is it awesome?
Zoho People goes beyond basic HR functions by offering advanced features like secure password management through Zoho Vault. You can even customize password policies and let employees update them when needed. It’s powerful, affordable, and designed to keep your team running smoothly.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $1.50/user per month.
7. Breezy
What is it?
Breezy is a hiring tool that helps you manage and optimize your recruitment process. It lets you create custom hiring pipelines tailored to specific roles. Perfect for businesses that want to streamline and improve how they hire.
Why is it awesome?
It’s more than a hiring platform — it’s a recruitment game-changer. Breezy gives you the tools to build clear, customized hiring workflows for each role. Whether it’s automating steps or tracking candidates, it keeps everything organized and easy to manage. Plus, it’s beginner-friendly with options to fit any budget.
How much does it cost?
Breezy offers a free option, and pricing starts at $171/per month.
8. ADP
Who is it for?
ADP is a comprehensive HR solution for businesses of all sizes. It handles payroll, time tracking, benefits, onboarding, and more — all in one place. Trusted by countless industries, it’s a reliable choice for simplifying HR.
Why is it awesome?
ADP brings decades of real-world experience to the table. Its solutions are tailored to fit industries like healthcare, retail, and construction. With ADP, you’re not just getting a tool—you’re getting expertise that adapts to your business’s unique needs.
How much does it cost?
You can learn about ADP pricing by requesting a quote.
9. Trainual
What is it?
Trainual is a platform that helps businesses create and organize their company playbook. It’s designed to store and share everything your team needs to know — from processes to policies — all in one place.
Why is it awesome?
It speeds up and simplifies training and onboarding. Employees can quickly access, search, and track important information without wasting time. Whether documenting workflows or answering FAQs, Trainual keeps everyone on the same page, saving time and boosting efficiency.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $300 per month.
10. Process Street
What is it?
Process Street is a tool for creating, managing, and tracking your team’s recurring workflows and checklists. It’s designed to streamline repetitive tasks and keep your processes running smoothly.
Why is it awesome?
It’s simple, fast, and highly intuitive. With drag-and-drop features and keyboard shortcuts, creating procedure documents is a breeze. Whether it’s onboarding new hires or managing daily operations, Process Street keeps everything organized and easy to follow. It’s like having a playbook for every task.
How much does it cost?
You can learn about ADP pricing by requesting a quote.
11. WorkBright
What is it?
WorkBright is an onboarding tool that digitizes your hiring paperwork, turning it into smart forms that are easy to fill out and submit remotely. It’s built for businesses that want to speed up their hiring process without sacrificing accuracy. Everything is handled seamlessly online, from job offers to tax forms, saving time and reducing errors.
Why is it awesome?
WorkBright works on any device, so new hires can complete their paperwork from anywhere — there is no need for in-person meetings or printers. It also offers unlimited storage for employee records, keeping your documents secure and accessible whenever you need them. WorkBright makes onboarding easier, faster, and more efficient for both you and your team.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $158/per month.
12. Sage HR
WWhat is it?
Sage HR, formerly known as CakeHR, is an all-in-one HR software designed to streamline your people management processes. It handles everything from onboarding new employees to automating routine HR tasks like leave tracking and performance reviews. It’s perfect for businesses that want to save time and stay organized.
Why is it awesome?
Sage HR simplifies document management with its eSignature feature, allowing you and your team to electronically sign and share important documents. It’s easy to use, saves time, and eliminates the hassle of physical paperwork. Whether you’re managing a growing team or fine-tuning your HR processes, Sage HR is a tool that keeps everything running smoothly.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $5.50/per month.
13. VIVAHR
What is it?
VIVAHR is a recruitment management platform that helps businesses attract and hire top talent. It’s designed to make job postings simple and effective by distributing them to over 50 job boards automatically. Whether you’re a small business or a growing company, it helps you stay ahead in the hiring game.
Why is it awesome?
It eliminates the tedious work of posting jobs on multiple platforms. With one click, your openings are shared across major job boards, bringing in organic traffic from qualified candidates. VIVAHR also offers tools to create engaging job descriptions, making your roles stand out and attracting the right people faster.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $79 per month.
14. Recuitee
What is it?
Recruitee is a talent acquisition platform that simplifies and scales your recruitment process. It helps you manage job postings, track applicants, and streamline hiring workflows all in one place. It’s ideal for businesses looking to build an efficient and organized recruitment system.
Why is it awesome?
Recruitee saves time with automation and customizable templates, so you can tailor your hiring process to fit each role. It also provides tools for team collaboration, making it easier to involve managers and other stakeholders in the hiring process. With Recruitee, you can attract better candidates and hire smarter, faster, and more effectively.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $222 per month.
15. Zenefits
What is it?
Zenefits is an intuitive HR platform that simplifies everything from payroll and benefits to compliance and onboarding. It’s designed to help small and medium-sized businesses manage their HR processes efficiently without a steep learning curve.
Why is it awesome?
Zenefits automatically syncs employee data across its features, like payroll and benefits, so you don’t have to enter the same information multiple times. Employees can easily choose and manage their benefit plans directly through the platform. It’s user-friendly, saves time, and ensures your HR processes run like clockwork.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $10/user per month.
16. Namely
What is it?
Namely is an award-winning HR platform built for mid-sized companies. It combines payroll, benefits, compliance, and employee engagement tools into one seamless solution. It’s perfect for businesses looking to simplify HR while keeping employees happy and productive.
Why is it awesome?
Namely connects all your HR data with tools like applicant tracking, e-signatures, and compliance systems, making it easy to manage everything in one place. Its focus on employee engagement helps boost workplace morale and productivity. Namely makes it stress-free and efficient whether you’re managing payroll or navigating workplace regulations.
How much does it cost?
You can learn about pricing by requesting a quote.
17. Glint
What is it?
Glint is a people success platform that helps businesses improve employee engagement and drive better results. It provides tools for gathering real-time feedback and turning those insights into actionable steps for growth. It’s ideal for organizations that want to foster a more engaged and motivated workforce.
Why is it awesome?
Glint empowers managers and HR teams with on-demand access to employee feedback and insights. It identifies areas for improvement and suggests actions that can boost engagement and performance. With its focus on real-time data and meaningful impact, Glint helps you create a workplace where employees and business outcomes thrive together.
How much does it cost?
You can learn about pricing by requesting info.
18. Culture Amp
What is it?
Culture Amp is a people and culture platform designed to improve employee engagement and performance. It helps organizations uncover the relationships between engagement and performance, turning insights into impactful actions. It’s a great choice for businesses looking to create a happier, more productive workplace.
Why is it awesome?
Culture Amp uses advanced machine learning to analyze engagement and performance data. It even predicts which employees might leave and why, giving you the chance to act before it’s too late. With tools for feedback, surveys, and action planning, it helps you create a culture where people feel valued and empowered to succeed.
How much does it cost?
You can learn about pricing by requesting info.
19. Appcast
Who is it for?
Appcast is a programmatic recruitment platform that helps businesses find qualified candidates for their job openings. It automates job advertising, ensuring your listings reach the right people on the best platforms. It’s perfect for businesses that want data-driven hiring results.
Why is it awesome?
Appcast provides detailed recruitment analytics, such as market pricing, application rates, and candidate quality. This data helps you optimize your job postings for better results. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Appcast saves time, reduces costs, and improves the quality of your hires, making it a smart choice for modern recruitment.
How much does it cost?
Contact the Appcast team to request a demo.
20. HireVue
Who is it for?
HireVue is a comprehensive hiring platform that streamlines the recruitment process with video interviews, AI-driven assessments, and scheduling tools. It’s designed to make hiring faster and more efficient for both employers and candidates.
Why is it awesome?
HireVue integrates seamlessly with leading applicant tracking systems and calendar tools, simplifying even the most time-consuming hiring tasks. Its video interview and AI capabilities help you identify top talent quickly and fairly. Whether you’re scaling your team or filling critical roles, HireVue provides the tools to make smarter hiring decisions.
How much does it cost?
Contact the Appcast team to request a demo.
21. Spark Hire
What is it?
Spark Hire is a video interview platform that helps companies connect with candidates remotely. It’s designed to simplify the hiring process by providing an easy way to screen, interview, and evaluate talent, no matter where they are.
Why is it awesome?
With Spark Hire, you can expand your talent pool by interviewing candidates from anywhere in the world. The platform’s intuitive tools make scheduling, recording, and reviewing video interviews at your convenience easy. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving solution that ensures you find the right fit for your team.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $119/job per month.
22. Workable
What is it?
Workable is a recruitment platform that simplifies hiring by posting your job openings to over 200 job boards with a single click. It’s a powerful tool for businesses looking to attract top talent quickly and efficiently.
Why is it awesome?
Workable takes the manual labor out of recruiting by automating tedious tasks like posting jobs, tracking applicants, and scheduling interviews. It even includes AI tools to screen candidates, so you spend less time searching and more time hiring. With Workable, you can streamline your recruitment process and focus on building the perfect team.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $99/job per month.
23. Talent LMS
What is it?
Talent LMS is a training platform that helps businesses deliver employee training anytime, anywhere. It’s designed for companies that want to create, manage, and track training programs easily. It’s perfect for keeping teams skilled and up to date.
Why is it awesome?
It simplifies training by automating repetitive tasks like assigning courses and grading tests. Employees can access training materials on any device, making it convenient and flexible. Whether you’re onboarding new hires or upskilling your team, Talent LMS makes learning engaging and hassle-free.
How much does it cost?
Here are Talent LMS’s plans and pricing.
24. Bonusly
What is it?
Bonusly is an employee recognition and rewards platform that helps boost company morale and motivation. It allows team members to give each other small bonuses to celebrate contributions and achievements. It’s a fun and effective way to build a positive workplace culture.
Why is it awesome?
Every bonus given is visible in a public feed, creating transparency and encouraging team collaboration. Employees feel appreciated and connected, which improves engagement and satisfaction. With Bonusly, you can transform recognition into a daily habit that strengthens your company culture and drives results.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $2.70/user per month with an annual agreement.
25. TINYpluse
What is it?
TINYpulse is an employee engagement tool that helps businesses gather real-time feedback from their teams. It’s designed to improve communication, build trust, and create a culture of transparency and accountability.
Why is it awesome?
With TINYpulse, you can quickly identify if employees are happy, frustrated, or burned out through regular feedback surveys. The platform gives you actionable insights to address concerns before they escalate. It’s an easy way to stay connected to your team’s needs and improve workplace satisfaction.
How much does it cost?
You can learn about pricing by requesting info.
26. Leapsome
What is it?
Leapsome is a people management platform that helps businesses improve employee engagement, develop talent, and enable effective leadership. It combines performance management, learning, and feedback in one easy-to-use tool.
Why is it awesome?
Leapsome integrates seamlessly with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Jira, making it easy to fit into your existing workflow. Its all-in-one platform ensures managers have everything they need to lead teams effectively while fostering employee growth and engagement. It’s a game-changer for building stronger, more motivated teams.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $6/user per month, billed annually.
27. Weekdone
What is it?
Weekdone is a goal-setting and progress-tracking platform built around the OKR (Objectives and Key Results) framework. It’s perfect for businesses that want to align team efforts with big-picture goals and keep everyone on track.
Why is it awesome?
Weekdone offers built-in OKR coaching, personalized examples, and a practical learning center to help teams implement the system effectively. It also provides clear visual updates on progress, making it easy to see what’s working and what’s not. With Weekdone, you can boost productivity and ensure your team is focused on what matters most.
How much does it cost?
Weekdone prices start at $108 per month for 4 to 10 people.
