20 best free HR management software for businesses on a budget
List of best free HR management software
- BambooHR
- Kredily
- WebHR
- OrangeHRM
- monday.com
- HRLocker
- Remote
- Odoo
- TalentHR
- Rippling
- Gusto
- Factorial
- Connecteam
- Apptivo>
- HR.my
- Workable Recruiting
- Hireflix
- Homebase
- Zoho People
- WaypointHR
Finding the best free HR management software shouldn’t be a struggle. As a business, you need reliable tools to handle employee records and payroll without stretching your budget.
Fortunately, there are free HR management solutions designed to help you achieve just that. Well, they’re not entirely free, but these platforms offer free versions with optional paid features for scaling up.
The key is knowing which of these best free HR management software provides real value that won’t compromise security or efficiency when you’re ready to commit.
What should you look for in HR software?
When choosing HR software, cost savings shouldn’t be your only concern. Free or not, the right HR management system should align with your operational needs.
Here’s what to consider:
- Localization – HR compliance varies by country, so check if your chosen software meets your business’s regional requirements.
- Accessibility – A cloud-based solution allows you to manage HR tasks from anywhere. It’s best to find one that offers this free feature with cloud security to keep your data safe.
- User-friendliness – Complicated software slows down HR processes. You should choose a platform that allows your HR team to hit the ground running without a complex setup.
- Integration – Ideal HR tools don’t function in isolation. Choose a free HR platform that offers API support or pre-built integrations with popular tools.
- Reviews – Look for platforms with strong ratings and testimonials from businesses similar to yours. Pay attention to reviews that highlight ease of use and system reliability.
20 best free HR management software
Let’s walk you through our list of the best free HR management software options.
Note that while most of these software provide permanently free plans, others offer extended trials or limited-user versions.
1. BambooHR
Managing HR tasks can become overwhelming when using separate systems and scattered data. This best free HR management software combines essential HR tools in one place, such as payroll, an attendance tracking system, HR data and reporting, and more.
BambooHR’s performance management service also helps businesses set goals, conduct evaluations, and gather employee feedback to improve workforce development.
What’s free:
- 7-day free trial with full access to all features
- Free demo for a hands-on experience
2. Kredily
Kredily automates HR and payroll processes for simplified use. Businesses can efficiently manage employee data, track attendance, and process payroll with accuracy.
With this best free HR management software, HR teams can speed up payroll processing, manage employee records, and track attendance using GPS-based clock-ins and customizable rules.
What’s free:
- Kredily offers a free forever plan with access to core HR and payroll features at no cost, and no hidden charges.
3. WebHR
WebHR lets you generate detailed reports and visual graphs to analyze HR data, which can help your business make strategic decisions.
The reports can be exported or shared via email for better collaboration.
What’s free:
- Free plan available for businesses with up to 4 employees
- Free demo to explore the platform’s capabilities
4. OrangeHRM
OrangeHRM provides a comprehensive solution with built-in security features, real-time tracking, and streamlined communication tools to simplify HR processes.
It’s ranked among the best free HR management software for its “News & HR Policy Publisher”. It’s a feature that directly shares company announcements, training updates, and HR policies on the dashboard, keeping employees informed.
What’s free:
- OrangeHRM offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required
5. monday.com
monday.com helps businesses stay on track by providing a centralized platform where teams can collaborate in real-time, monitor workflows, and improve productivity.
One of its best features is its “Multiple Viewing Options,” which allows you to use timelines, calendars, charts, and other visual tools to monitor the progress of your business operations.
What’s free:
- Unlimited time on the free plan with no credit card required
6. HRLocker
HRLocker offers an all-in-one solution designed to help businesses streamline operations and maintain compliance.
It supports continuous professional development by allowing businesses to assign and track employee training while sending automated reminders for upcoming renewals.
What’s free:
- Offers a 2-month free trial period when you choose the annual plan
7. Remote
Remote provides a complete HR management platform that simplifies everything from onboarding to offboarding, allowing businesses to handle all HR tasks in one place.
Designed for teams of any size, this best free HR management software enables companies to scale at their own pace, whether they operate locally or globally.
With Remote, businesses can securely store and manage employee data while integrating essential HR functions such as payroll, expense tracking, and benefits administration.
What’s free:
- Create a free account, explore basic features
- Eligible startups can get a 15% discount with an unlimited number of hires for 12 months
8. Odoo
Odoo offers a comprehensive Employees App that is the hub for essential HR features. This app allows businesses to easily organize and manage their workforce.
The platform provides a clear overview of every department while allowing users to sort employees by “job title,” “working hours,” or “contract status” for better workforce planning.
Odoo also ensures data security with restricted access settings, protecting sensitive employee information such as emergency contacts and visa details.
What’s free:
- 15-day trial is available to explore all features, with no credit card required
- Odoo app is free forever. Payment is only needed if you install additional HR applications beyond the free offering.
9. TalentHR
Understanding workforce trends is more manageable with one of the best free HR management software: TalentHR. It has people analytics which provides insights into headcount, gender ratios, salary distribution, and departmental performance.
TalentHR also prioritizes employee performance with customizable feedback cycles and reporting tools that help identify high performers and address disengagement early.
What’s free:
- Free plan available for up to 10 users with essential HR features
10. Rippling
One of Rippling’s standout features is its ability to automate complex processes. Whether your business is onboarding new employees or managing routine changes, the platform effortlessly handles these tasks.
For example, if an employee relocates to a new state, Rippling automatically updates their payroll taxes to reflect the change while ensuring regional tax compliance.
What’s free:
- Offers a 14-day free trial of its IT management and basic HR features
11. Gusto
Gusto’s comprehensive HR software streamlines tasks, enabling you to focus on building your ideal team. Its automated features eliminate the need to juggle multiple systems.
You can create custom job postings, distribute them to top job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed, and manage applicants through a centralized tracking system.
What’s free:
- A free account can be set up to explore the platform’s features. You won’t incur charges until you’re ready to run HR and payroll management
- A 30-minute free demo for a hands-on experience
12. Factorial
Factorial’s HR analytics software provides businesses with valuable employee performance and productivity insights.
This is one of the best free HR management software solutions that offers a complete view of all employee information, including time off, salary, and contract details. Reports can be exported or shared directly within the platform, making collaboration easy.
What’s free:
- Factorial offers a 30-day free trial with access to HR essential features
13. Connecteam
Connecteam streamlines HR processes by providing a centralized platform for engaging employees, managing documentation, and enhancing workforce training.
It is designed for frontline teams and aims to foster a connected company culture while improving efficiency in HR initiatives.
This is one of the best free HR management software programs that helps businesses stay organized by managing employee documentation, certificates, and licenses in one place.
What’s free:
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
- Free 30-minute demo of all HR features
14. Apptivo
Apptivo provides one of the best free HR management software solutions. It’s best for businesses looking to streamline employee management and optimize operations.
With a suite of HR tools, Apptivo makes it easy to manage employee records, assign roles, and automate administrative processes—all in one platform.
What’s free:
- Apptivo offers a 14-day free trial with full access to its HR management features.
15. HR.my
HR.my is a fully free platform with no hidden fees, per-head pricing, or limitations on the number of employees you can manage.
Unlike other HR software, HR.my is crowdfunded by its user community, ensuring it remains free for all businesses. This is an ideal HR management software for startup companies with limited budgets for systems.
What’s free:
- Offers all its features for free, with no restrictions on employee count
16. Workable Recruiting
Workable is one of the best free HR management software options for businesses looking to streamline their recruitment process. It provides a powerful suite of talent-sourcing tools, making it easy to attract, engage, and hire top candidates.
Additionally, you can post job listings to 200+ job boards across multiple industries and countries with just one click, maximizing visibility and reach.
What’s free:
- Workable offers a 15-day free trial, no credit card required
17. Hireflix
Hireflix is one of the best free HR management software options for businesses looking to streamline their hiring process with one-way video interviews.
For businesses and recruiters, Hireflix automates the screening process, reducing interview time by up to 90% and enabling hiring teams to focus on top candidates.
What’s free:
- 15-day free trial, no credit card required
- NGOs and startups (less than 2 years old) get 20% off for the first year
18. Homebase
Managing employee time is effortless with Homebase’s time clock feature. This feature allows any device to track hours, breaks, and overtime without the hassle of paper timesheets or spreadsheets.
With just a few clicks, timesheets are converted into wages, taxes, and paychecks, and Homebase takes care of tax filings on behalf of the business.
This is also one of the best free HR management software for keeping teams connected with its built-in messaging. It replaces disorganized group texts with a structured communication platform.
What’s free:
- Open for a 14-day free trial of its all-in-one plan
19. Zoho People
Zoho People is one of the best free HR management software options for businesses seeking a cloud-based solution. It is intuitive, agile, and mobile-friendly, making it easier than ever to manage employees efficiently.
Zoho’s personalized onboarding workflows ensure a smooth transition for new employees, where its automated hiring features offer a free and editable form with an e-signature option.
It also has integrated payroll and expense management, which helps organizations navigate complex payroll processes.
What’s free:
- Free 30-day trial with no credit card required
20. WaypointHR
WaypointHR simplifies employee data management with an intuitive cloud-based solution designed for essential HR administrative tasks.
As one of the best free HR management software options, WaypointHR ensures sensitive employee data remains protected while granting access only to authorized personnel.
The software allows users to visualize workforce data based on locations, teams, roles, departments, or managers–making HR administration more structured and organized.
What’s free:
- A free 30-day trial is available, but account registration is required
Choosing the best free HR management software saves you costs.
Many free versions are designed as entry points for premium plans, so evaluate each option carefully to ensure it meets your business’s long-term needs.
Choosing the best free HR management software means getting more than just a free tool—it means investing in efficiency, compliance, and a seamless HR management experience.
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