10 Best automated onboarding programs in 2026
Best automated onboarding programs
Hiring great people is only half the battle. What really makes the difference is how you welcome them. A smooth onboarding experience helps new employees feel supported, connected, and ready to thrive from day one.
Thanks to technology, HR teams now have powerful tools that go far beyond applicant tracking systems. Automated onboarding programs take care of the heavy lifting, guiding new hires through training, paperwork, and introductions so they can quickly get comfortable and focus on their new role.
In this article, we’ll talk about why onboarding matters more than ever in today’s fast-changing workplace and share 10 of the best automated onboarding programs you can use in 2026.
How to choose the best automated onboarding program
There are so many available automated onboarding programs in the market today, which makes choosing a sole provider a tough challenge. To make the decision easier, here are critical criteria to keep in mind when choosing automated onboarding programs for your business.
Employee experience and engagement
Automated onboarding primarily aims to create a seamless and easy-to-navigate software interface to ensure a new hire has a welcoming and engaging experience.
It is imperative to look for a program that automates tasks, provides personalized and interactive content, and facilitates the connection of talents with managers and team members.
Scalability and reporting capability
The program should be flexible enough to cater to both the present and future requirements of its client. Scalable systems are desirable given that the onboarding process evolves.
Reporting capability is also a significant consideration, as data and key metrics are an essential element that drives managers and top leaders to make more informed decisions for the business.
Workflow automation and seamless integration
An automated onboarding program can be maximized when it integrates seamlessly with the company’s existing HR systems and is capable of innovating manual tasks through process automation.
A program that can integrate systems, customize and automate workflow, as well as those with a dashboard and document management, is very competitive.
How do automated onboarding programs work?
Automated onboarding programs use specialized software to simplify and streamline the entire process of bringing a new hire into the company.
Instead of relying on manual tasks, the platform automates key steps like sending welcome emails, collecting documents, assigning digital training modules, and scheduling introductions.
By handling these tasks automatically, the system not only saves HR teams valuable time but also ensures that every new employee has a consistent, engaging, and well-structured onboarding experience—leaving them with a positive impression from day one.
10 Best automated onboarding programs
If you are a business owner who envisions providing a more engaging and organized candidate experience for aspiring talent, here is a list of CRM software for recruitment that can help you:
1. Workday
Workday offers an onboarding platform designed to streamline the process of bringing new hires into an organization and is part of its comprehensive HCM solution.
It also provides clients with a comprehensive onboarding platform that aims to streamline the process of onboarding new talent into the organization.
Pros:
- Services to over 50 countries across the globe, particularly in the payroll system
- Expert in combined HR and financial management
- A vendor management system (VMS) known as “VNDLY” is utilized for optimizing the contingent workforce
Cons:
- Services are more applicable for enterprises and big companies
- keeps analytics and talent management distinct from workforce and payroll services
- Long process for signing up to request a quotation and schedule a demo
2. Rippling
Rippling offers an onboarding program using its unified workforce management system, which is designed to simplify the onboarding process for new hires.
It innovates the traditional onboarding process by leveraging technology. It integrates it with its HR systems and payroll functions, resulting in a more effective method for new hires.
Pros:
- Caters to over 50 countries and designs localized data based on the client’s location
- Offers more than 500 application integrations based on the customer’s needs
- Robust automation and excellent user experience
Cons:
- Free trial is not applicable, and pricing information is limited
- Complex features are often not ideal for small businesses
- Opaque and potentially high pricing
3. Namely HR
This automated onboarding program provider streamlines and shares an excellent experience throughout the entire onboarding process for new hires using its HCM platform.
It has services for automated workflows and task management, a self-service portal, and pre-hire engagement that helps new hires to embrace the company’s culture before starting work.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface for new hires and employees
- Seamless integration and customizable workflows
- Suitable for small to mid-sized businesses
Cons:
- Has a single headquarters in the United States
- Limited information about pricing
- Free trial is not applicable
4. Trainual
Trainual is known for its cloud-based platform that centers on helping clients achieve a more effective documentation and training process, as well as systematic onboarding stages for new hires.
It introduces an all-in-one employee training platform, making it easier for the HR team and employees to connect. It also provides new hires with training aligned with the company’s culture.
Pros:
- One-stop-shop employee training platform serving over 160 countries
- Comprehensive process documentation for policies, templates, and the database
- Seamless integration with various work applications
Cons:
- Focused more on training and not on full-service HR management
- It can be costly for small businesses and start-ups
- Heavy reliance on pre-recorded content and written materials
5. Deel
Deel is an international service provider for HR and payroll platforms, which specializes in assisting partners to hire, onboard, and manage both international employees and contractors effectively.
It simplifies the process of global employment across various countries. Deel also delivers EOR services to businesses, including onboarding programs for new employees.
Pros:
- Employee-centered services, including EOR, employee benefits and compensation, and onboarding programs
- Can mass onboarding for new hires be done using Slack (via a plugin)
- Easy integration with various recruiting systems like ATS and remote workforce software
Cons:
- Tools cannot be sold separately as a sole product, but are part of the Core HR plan
- More suitable for global hiring than for businesses that hire employees locally
- Free trial is not available, and their Employer of Record (EOR) services come at a high cost
6. Enboarder
This company promotes an intelligent onboarding platform built for sustainability and growth. It equips HR teams to effectively create and customize pre-hire onboarding stages.
Enbroader equips these new talents by connecting them with the right tools, resources, and people who can assist and guide them in learning about the company and their roles.
Pros:
- Provides distinct features that allow for the creation of a customized onboarding program
- Provides an attainable ROI for growth, driven by increased employee productivity, retention, and engagement.
- Services to businesses of various sizes, from minor to large-scale enterprises.
Cons:
- Not capable of performing other HR management functions
- Pricing is not disclosed and will vary depending on the client’s requirements
- Limited capability for reporting and analytics.
7. Kallidus
Kallidus is a UK-based provider of cloud-based HR and Learning and Development software solutions. It manages to automate various employee lifecycles, including onboarding.
It offers an automated onboarding program, giving new hires the warmest welcome by providing them with a comprehensive onboarding experience, and helps eliminate time-consuming and manual tasks.
Pros:
- Capable of more than 50 application integrations, including Zapier
- Auto-assigned to the training and onboarding buddy system
- Pre-boarding and workflow customization
Cons:
- No free trial and a lack
- of transparent pricing
- Mobile applications only cater to employee learning tools
- Challenging workflow configurations and complex reporting tools
8. Remote
Remote is an international employment platform that partners with its clients to hire, onboard, and manage employees and contractors across the globe.
As its name indicates, Remote offers an automated onboarding program for international hiring in a remote setting. It provides services to remote talents and contractors in more than 100 countries.
Pros:
- Has an easy onboarding process, safe for IP and data privacy, as it runs as a private-entity provider
- It has employee self-service features also applicable for IOS and Android mobile applications
- Highly responsive customer service using email and live chat
Cons:
- Free trial is not applicable
- The leading platform is not applicable for phone support
- Absence employee feedback system, including on the onboarding process
9. ClearCompany
ClearCompany is also a full-service talent management provider for recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of the company workforce using AI and process automation.
It promotes streamlined processes from initial job application to employee development and retention, giving a seamless, entirely digital experience for new hires.
Pros:
- Has various HR solutions that can be matched as needed, aside from onboarding
- User-friendly and easy-to-navigate interface
- Highly responsive customer support services
Cons:
- Pricing is not transparent, and difficulty in creating a trial account
- Reporting features and customization are limited
- Mobile-optimized platform, but has no mobile application
10 Workleap
Workleap is an AI-powered talent management service provider that assists HR teams to boost employee engagement, help them become top performers, and accelerate new employee productivity.
It also has an automated onboarding program that ensures a seamless onboarding experience for new hires through streamlined and personalized onboarding tools.
Pros:
- Various onboarding templates to choose from
- Offers a free plan by just creating an account that comprises the core features of Workleap Onboarding
- Integrates with HR systems, video-teleconferencing platforms, email, and calendars
Cons:
- No e-signature and mobile application support
- The free plan has only one onboarding template
- Dedicated phones and customer service support are limited
Advantages of having an automated onboarding program
An automated onboarding program shares a wealth of advantages that significantly innovate the overall experiences of employees and optimize how the HR department operates.
Here are some of its key advantages:
Time savings and increased efficiency
As mentioned, one of the key advantages of automated onboarding is the ease of handling time-consuming and repetitive administrative tasks.
Through this program, HR teams have more time to focus on more strategic initiatives like employee engagement and talent development, while managers can also dedicate more time to mentoring.
Reduced errors and improved compliance
Manual processes are prone to human error, which sometimes leads to serious problems, including inconsistent information and missing deadlines.
With automated onboarding, standardized workflows are designed to ensure all training tools, documents, and information are consistent across all new hires and eliminate the risk of having serious errors.
Enhance experience and productivity for new hires
Since onboarding programs are technology-based and usually come in various types like Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platforms, learning tools can be made more accessible and easier to navigate.
This positive impression makes entering talents feel welcomed and empowered, leading them to become productive and easily familiarized with the necessary skills and knowledge for their roles.
Empowering hiring experience with automated onboarding
Automated onboarding programs revolutionize the traditional hiring experience, working beyond mere efficiency to capacitate and empower both the organization and new hires.
It shapes both initial and ongoing impressions for new hires by providing personalized learning, access to development tools, and nurturing engagement.
The automated onboarding not only improves the HR operations, but it is a strategic investment that significantly boosts talent satisfaction, accelerates time to productivity, and ultimately empowers retention.
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