Written by Steph Leung
Product & Operations Lead
Edited by Paddy Stobbs
Co-Founder & CEO
Finding the right HR software is harder than it should be. Many teams end up with clunky tools that waste time, money, and create more problems than they solve.
We’ve tested the best free options so you don’t have to. Whether you’re growing fast or just need the basics, this guide breaks down top free HR tools
If your business only has simple HR needs like storing employee information, you can also consider a free tool like Notion. You can read our full deep dive on Notion here.
Deel
Stackfix Rating:
7.3 / 10
Deel offers a surprisingly robust free HRIS option for teams of up to 200 employees. The core functionality includes essential features like employee information management, time-off tracking, and workflow automation – all at no cost.
What makes Deel stand out is its comprehensive global HR capabilities. The system includes built-in local labor laws for 150 countries, helping ensure compliance with regulations like minimum wage and termination requirements. When creating leave policies, for instance, Deel provides country-specific templates that align with local minimum holiday entitlements.
The platform's automation features are particularly impressive compared to other free options. Beyond standard workflow checklists, Deel allows you to set up personalized, automated emails and calendar events with conditional logic – you can trigger specific tasks based on dependencies or department-specific conditions.
Of course, the free version has its limitations. More advanced features like surveys, performance management, and payroll require paid upgrades. The performance review system is fairly basic, and we found some usability issues with the time-off module, which lacks an out-of-office calendar and a straightforward way to check leave balances.
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Deel offers a surprisingly robust free HRIS option for teams of up to 200 employees. The core functionality includes essential features like employee information management, time-off tracking, and workflow automation – all at no cost.
What makes Deel stand out is its comprehensive global HR capabilities. The system includes built-in local labor laws for 150 countries, helping ensure compliance with regulations like minimum wage and termination requirements. When creating leave policies, for instance, Deel provides country-specific templates that align with local minimum holiday entitlements.
The platform's automation features are particularly impressive compared to other free options. Beyond standard workflow checklists, Deel allows you to set up personalized, automated emails and calendar events with conditional logic – you can trigger specific tasks based on dependencies or department-specific conditions.
Of course, the free version has its limitations. More advanced features like surveys, performance management, and payroll require paid upgrades. The performance review system is fairly basic, and we found some usability issues with the time-off module, which lacks an out-of-office calendar and a straightforward way to check leave balances.
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Deel
Stackfix Rating:
7.3 / 10
Zoho People
Stackfix Rating:
4.8 / 10
Zoho People scores highly for ease of setup and migration, making it a solid choice for teams that want to roll out a core HR system quickly, without heavy technical lift. We rated it 9/10 for setup and 8/10 for migration – ideal for companies moving over from spreadsheets or entry-level tools.
Once live, Zoho People offers strong flexibility. You can customize fields, workflows, and approvals to match your org’s needs – a nice bonus for teams with slightly more complex HR ops.
But the user experience is where things fall short. The interface can be confusing, with even basic actions buried under multiple menus. Support is another pain point – slow response times and outdated documentation make it hard to get quick answers when something breaks or doesn’t work as expected.
For companies that prioritize ease of daily use over fast setup, these issues might outweigh the benefits. But for teams looking for a quick, low-friction way to stand up a customizable HR system, Zoho People is worth considering.
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Zoho People scores highly for ease of setup and migration, making it a solid choice for teams that want to roll out a core HR system quickly, without heavy technical lift. We rated it 9/10 for setup and 8/10 for migration – ideal for companies moving over from spreadsheets or entry-level tools.
Once live, Zoho People offers strong flexibility. You can customize fields, workflows, and approvals to match your org’s needs – a nice bonus for teams with slightly more complex HR ops.
But the user experience is where things fall short. The interface can be confusing, with even basic actions buried under multiple menus. Support is another pain point – slow response times and outdated documentation make it hard to get quick answers when something breaks or doesn’t work as expected.
For companies that prioritize ease of daily use over fast setup, these issues might outweigh the benefits. But for teams looking for a quick, low-friction way to stand up a customizable HR system, Zoho People is worth considering.
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Zoho People
Stackfix Rating:
4.8 / 10
Meet your expert: Steph Leung
Stackfix Product & Operations Lead
After building HR tech and spending countless hours on vendor selection in my previous roles, I discovered how painful it is to find the right business software. Now at Stackfix, I've dedicated over 800 hours to testing and reviewing software solutions so others don't have to go through the same struggle. I have a particular love for beautiful, opinionated products that do one thing exceptionally well and just work.
Stackfix Rating:
7.3 / 10
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Starting at
$0
Deel offers a surprisingly robust free HRIS option for teams of up to 200 employees. The core functionality includes essential features like employee information management, time-off tracking, and workflow automation – all at no cost.
What makes Deel stand out is its comprehensive global HR capabilities. The system includes built-in local labor laws for 150 countries, helping ensure compliance with regulations like minimum wage and termination requirements. When creating leave policies, for instance, Deel provides country-specific templates that align with local minimum holiday entitlements.
The platform's automation features are particularly impressive compared to other free options. Beyond standard workflow checklists, Deel allows you to set up personalized, automated emails and calendar events with conditional logic – you can trigger specific tasks based on dependencies or department-specific conditions.
Of course, the free version has its limitations. More advanced features like surveys, performance management, and payroll require paid upgrades. The performance review system is fairly basic, and we found some usability issues with the time-off module, which lacks an out-of-office calendar and a straightforward way to check leave balances.
Deel contact page with employee information
Want to know more? Get a full breakdown of Deel's features and pricing.
Highly customisable
Free "Perks" functionality
Best-in-class compliance functionality
Excellent automation functionality
Best-in-class global HR Features
Seamless Slack integration
Deel's HRIS is free (up to 200 people)
Free HRIS only offers core HR functionality
Poor Integration Capabilities
Unreliable Customer Support
Subpar Time-Off Management
Limited Performance Review Functionality
Stackfix Rating:
4.8 / 10
Visit website
Starting at
$0
Zoho People scores highly for ease of setup and migration, making it a solid choice for teams that want to roll out a core HR system quickly, without heavy technical lift. We rated it 9/10 for setup and 8/10 for migration – ideal for companies moving over from spreadsheets or entry-level tools.
Once live, Zoho People offers strong flexibility. You can customize fields, workflows, and approvals to match your org’s needs – a nice bonus for teams with slightly more complex HR ops.
But the user experience is where things fall short. The interface can be confusing, with even basic actions buried under multiple menus. Support is another pain point – slow response times and outdated documentation make it hard to get quick answers when something breaks or doesn’t work as expected.
For companies that prioritize ease of daily use over fast setup, these issues might outweigh the benefits. But for teams looking for a quick, low-friction way to stand up a customizable HR system, Zoho People is worth considering.
Zoho People - Send employee engagement surveys
Want to know more? Get a full breakdown of Zoho People's features and pricing.
Advanced Workflow Automation
Comprehensive Reporting and Analytics
Highly Customisable
Abysmal Customer Support
Frustrating User Experience
Poor Document Management
Subpar Performance Review System
Dated Interface Design
How we test products
With Core HR software at the heart of people operations, we focus on identifying the best solutions for small and midsize businesses. Our evaluation process reflects real-world usage, prioritizing functionality, ease of use, and overall value. Here’s how we do it:
Core HR software should simplify and centralize HR operations. We start by identifying key use cases—employee record management, payroll, benefits administration, compliance tracking, and reporting—then test how well each platform supports these needs. Tools that provide essential features without unnecessary complexity score highest.
HR teams need software that is intuitive and easy to implement. We test each platform’s interface by navigating core features without prior training and track onboarding time—from account setup to adding the first employees. Platforms that require extensive setup or technical expertise lose points.
HR software must help businesses stay compliant with labor laws, tax regulations, and data protection standards. We assess built-in compliance tools, payroll tax support, and security measures such as encryption and role-based access control. Platforms with weak compliance support or limited security features score lower.
Core HR software should integrate seamlessly with payroll systems, benefits providers, and workforce management tools. We test how well each product connects with essential HR systems and assess whether native integrations or third-party connectors are required.
We compare pricing across competitors, analyzing what each plan includes and whether critical features are locked behind paywalls. Hidden costs—such as per-employee fees, add-ons for compliance tools, or premium support charges—are factored into our assessment. Platforms that offer strong core functionality at a fair price score highest.
All of these factors contribute to Stackfix’s Fit Score, a proprietary ranking system that measures how well each Core HR tool aligns with a buyer’s needs. It combines two key elements:
The result? A clear, data-driven recommendation that helps businesses choose the right Core HR software—without hours of trial and error.
What is Core HR Software?
Put simply, Core HR Software (or HRIS - HR Information Software) is a platform that helps businesses manage, track, and streamline HR processes efficiently. It acts as a central hub where teams can handle employee records, payroll, benefits, and compliance—ensuring smooth operations and a great employee experience. The key features of HR information software usually include:
What should I consider when buying Core HR software?
Choosing the right Core HR software can make or break your people operations—so it’s essential to find one that fits your company’s needs, integrates with your existing tools, and aligns with your budget. Here are the key factors to consider before making your decision.
What are the common mistakes to avoid when buying Core HR software?
Avoiding common pitfalls when choosing Core HR software can save you time, compliance risks, and operational headaches. Here are some of the biggest mistakes startups make—and how to avoid them.
How much does Core HR Software typically cost?
Most Core HR software ranges from $5-50 per employee monthly, with entry-level options starting around $5-10 and premium software exceeding $50 monthly. Most vendors structure pricing in tiers based on features and employee count, so be sure to enter your requirements as accurately as possible in our pricing calculator.
A few providers offer limited functionality at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, though these typically restrict advanced features like performance management and engagement surveys.
For enterprise plans and above, you can expect to speak to sales for a bespoke price. These custom quotes typically factor in integration needs, compliance requirements, and advanced analytics capabilities. To skip the demo calls, be sure to check out our pricing calculator.
View our comparisons of other HRIS
