GoHire Blog - Articles on Hiring, Staffing, Business, and More

6 Best HR platforms for SMBs

Written by Chris Smith | Jan 13, 2025 12:00:00 AM

Managing HR tasks efficiently is critical to driving growth. Without large HR teams, many SMBs struggle with employee records, payroll, benefits, and compliance. Fortunately, HR software platforms designed specifically for SMBs can streamline these processes, helping to reduce administrative burdens and improve workforce management.

In this article, we explore six of the best HR platforms for SMBs, focusing on tools that streamline recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and compliance management. These platforms empower businesses to manage their teams efficiently and stay compliant with labour laws while offering the flexibility to scale as the business grows.

For more tips on optimising your recruitment process, check out GoHire’s guide on how to hire employees.

1. GoHire

GoHire is a robust applicant tracking system (ATS) designed to simplify recruitment for SMBs. It offers an intuitive platform that manages everything from job postings and candidate tracking to interview scheduling and communication. GoHire integrates seamlessly with popular job boards and helps streamline the hiring process for businesses that need to scale efficiently.

Key features:

  • Multi-channel job posting and centralised applicant tracking
  • Candidate pipeline management and communication tools
  • Interview scheduling and collaboration features
  • Custom hiring workflows tailored to your business needs
  • Reporting and analytics to optimise recruitment strategies

Why SMBs love it:
GoHire eliminates the complexities of recruitment by providing an easy-to-use platform that centralises all hiring activities in one place. Its automation features save time, and the multi-channel job posting tool helps SMBs reach top talent quickly. GoHire is ideal for businesses that want to streamline recruitment and scale without getting bogged down in manual hiring processes.

For more tips on using ATS systems, explore GoHire’s guide to ATS systems.

2. PandaHR

PandaHR is a complete HR management platform that helps SMBs manage essential HR functions like payroll, onboarding, compliance, and performance tracking. Its user-friendly interface allows businesses to automate administrative tasks, while the platform also provides detailed HR analytics to inform decision-making.

Key features:

  • Payroll management with integrated benefits administration
  • Employee onboarding tools with automation for new hire paperwork
  • Compliance tracking to ensure businesses meet legal requirements
  • Performance management and employee review tools
  • HR reporting and analytics to track workforce metrics

Why SMBs love it:
PandaHR simplifies HR processes by combining payroll, compliance, and performance management in one platform. This all-in-one solution reduces manual tasks, helping SMBs stay compliant with labour laws while freeing up time for more strategic business operations. PandaHR is a perfect choice for businesses looking to manage HR efficiently with minimal hassle.

3. Gusto

Gusto is an all-in-one HR platform designed to simplify payroll, benefits administration, and compliance management. Gusto is especially useful for SMBs that need to automate payroll while managing benefits like healthcare and retirement plans. The platform also handles tax filings and offers easy-to-use tools for onboarding new hires.

Key features:

  • Full-service payroll automation with integrated benefits management
  • Time tracking and attendance tools
  • Tax filing and compliance with state and federal laws
  • Employee onboarding with self-service tools
  • Customisable benefits packages including healthcare and retirement

Why SMBs love it:
Gusto automates the complex tasks of payroll processing and tax filing, making it easier for businesses to stay compliant without the need for extensive HR resources. It’s a popular choice for SMBs that want to offer competitive employee benefits without the complexity of managing them manually.

4. Zenefits

Zenefits is a comprehensive HR platform that combines payroll, benefits, and compliance management with employee onboarding and performance tracking. Zenefits offers a seamless employee self-service experience, enabling employees to manage their own information, request time off, and access their pay stubs from any device.

Key features:

  • Payroll and tax filing with compliance management
  • Benefits administration and employee self-service tools
  • Time and attendance tracking with mobile access
  • Performance management tools for employee reviews and goal setting
  • Custom workflows for onboarding and HR processes

Why SMBs love it:
Zenefits offers a fully integrated HR solution, making it easier for businesses to manage all their HR functions from one platform. Its mobile-friendly interface and employee self-service tools improve employee engagement while reducing the administrative load on HR teams. It’s an ideal solution for SMBs that need a complete HR system with an intuitive user experience.

5. Deputy

Deputy is a workforce management platform designed to simplify employee scheduling, time tracking, and attendance management. Deputy is particularly useful for SMBs in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare, where shift scheduling is critical. It offers automated scheduling tools, GPS clock-in, and integration with payroll systems.

Key features:

  • Automated employee scheduling based on availability and labour laws
  • Time and attendance tracking with GPS-enabled clock-in
  • Integration with popular payroll platforms
  • Mobile app for employees to manage shifts and request changes
  • Compliance management for labour laws and overtime rules

Why SMBs love it:
Deputy helps businesses manage complex shift scheduling and ensure compliance with labour laws. Its automation features reduce the time spent on manual scheduling, while the mobile app allows employees to manage their shifts on the go. For SMBs with hourly workers or fluctuating schedules, Deputy is a valuable tool that simplifies workforce management.

For more tips on workforce management, check out GoHire’s guide on data-driven hiring, which can help businesses make smarter decisions when hiring and managing employees.

6. Rippling

Rippling is a versatile HR platform that integrates HR, payroll, IT, and employee management. This all-in-one system allows SMBs to manage not only payroll and benefits but also employee devices and app access. Rippling is particularly useful for companies with remote or hybrid teams, as it automates both HR and IT tasks, such as setting up employee devices and software.

Key features:

  • Payroll, benefits, and compliance management
  • IT management (device provisioning and app access)
  • Automated employee onboarding and offboarding
  • Time tracking and attendance management
  • Employee performance management and reviews

Why SMBs love it:
Rippling stands out by integrating HR and IT management in a single platform, making it an ideal choice for tech-driven businesses or those with remote teams. It automates payroll and compliance tasks while also offering advanced IT management, which is a unique benefit for businesses that need to manage employee devices and software access.