The Very Best Onboarding Software for Small Business in 2025

Paycor - All-in-One HR and Onboarding Solution

Paycor has been helping businesses manage their HR and talent needs since 1990, growing into a trusted platform that now supports over 40,000 organizations nationwide. What makes Paycor stand out for small businesses is how it brings together everything from hiring and onboarding to payroll and benefits in one place.

The platform shines with its user-friendly design that helps even non-HR professionals handle complex tasks with ease. Small business owners particularly appreciate how Paycor simplifies the employee lifecycle from their first day to ongoing development, allowing them to focus on growing their business rather than drowning in paperwork.

Internet Reviews

Online feedback about Paycor shows that businesses value its straightforward interface and ability to handle complex HR tasks efficiently. Users frequently mention how the platform has helped them stay compliant with changing regulations without requiring extensive training.

Reddit discussions reveal mixed experiences, with many praising the software's comprehensive approach but some noting limitations in customer support response times. Several small business owners highlight how Paycor has replaced multiple tools they previously needed, creating significant time savings in their weekly operations.

Features

• Comprehensive HR Management: Streamline recruitment, onboarding, and employee self-service with intuitive tools that simplify workforce administration and enhance employee experience.
• Automated Payroll Solutions: Enjoy precise payroll processing with direct deposit, tax compliance, and automated filing across federal, state, and local jurisdictions.
• Benefits Administration Platform: Manage health insurance, retirement plans, and employee benefits through a user-friendly system that reduces administrative complexity.
• Advanced Time and Attendance Tracking: Accurately monitor employee work hours, manage schedules, and integrate seamlessly with payroll processing for efficient workforce management.
• Performance and Talent Management: Track employee performance, set professional goals, and support career development with robust tools designed to enhance workforce productivity.
• Powerful Reporting and Insights: Generate custom reports, schedule automated analytics, and gain actionable data-driven insights to inform strategic business decisions.
• Regulatory Compliance Support: Stay current with evolving labor laws and tax regulations through expert guidance and integrated compliance tools.

Simplified Pricing Information

• Paycor offers a three-month free trial for both small and medium-sized businesses to test their platform.
• Small Business Plans (under 50 employees): Basic: $99/month base + $5 per employee/month, Essential: $149/month base + $7 per employee/month, Core: $199/month base + $8 per employee/month, Complete: $199/month base + $14 per employee/month
• Medium-sized Businesses (50-1,000+ employees) require custom quotes directly from Paycor.
• Overage Fees vary by service: Basic: $10 per additional active employee, Essential: $15 per additional active employee, Complete: $20 per additional active employee
• Payment options include monthly and annual payment plans with no current setup fees.

Overall Opinion

Paycor offers small businesses a robust solution for streamlining their onboarding and HR processes. Its strength lies in bringing together multiple functions that would otherwise require separate tools, making it ideal for businesses looking to simplify their operations. The recent improvements in employee engagement tools add valuable functionality for teams focused on retention.

While the pricing structure includes a base fee plus per-employee costs that might be steeper for very small teams, the time savings and reduced compliance risks can make it worthwhile. For businesses with fewer than 50 employees that want to professionalize their HR approach without hiring dedicated staff, Paycor provides a comprehensive, accessible solution that grows with your business.

Workday - All-in-One HR and Finance Platform

Workday offers a unified cloud solution that brings together human resources, finance, and business operations into one system. Born in 2005, this platform has grown to serve thousands of organizations worldwide with its integrated approach.

The software shines in its ability to connect traditionally separate business functions. Rather than managing employee data in one system and financial information in another, Workday creates a single source of truth for your organization.

Small businesses appreciate how Workday adapts to their specific needs while offering room to grow. The system's real-time analytics help companies make faster decisions based on current data, not last month's reports.

Internet Reviews

The online conversation about Workday is surprisingly quiet right now. While most workplace software generates plenty of discussion, there's a noticeable lack of recent user experiences on Reddit and other platforms.

This silence makes it difficult to gauge current user satisfaction. Some might see this as neutral, while others might wonder if it indicates reduced engagement with the platform. Without more recent feedback, it's hard to determine how users truly feel about their Workday experience in 2024.

Features

• Human Capital Management: Handles the complete employee lifecycle with automated onboarding, talent tracking, performance reviews, and benefits administration.
• Financial Management: Includes accounting tools, revenue tracking, procurement, and budgeting capabilities for data-driven financial decisions.
• Enterprise Resource Planning: Manages supply chain, projects, and service automation to optimize business operations.
• Real-time Analytics: Provides instant insights through customizable reports and dynamic dashboards.
• Global Payroll Processing: Handles payroll calculations, taxes, and compliance reporting across multiple countries.
• Secure System Integration: Connects with existing systems through flexible APIs while maintaining strong security.
• Organizational Management: Creates dynamic org charts and supports modeling organizational changes.

Simplified Pricing Information

• Typical subscription costs around $99 per employee per month as of 2024.
• Prices vary based on which modules you select (HCM, Finance, etc.) and how many users you have.
• Implementation fees can equal your annual subscription cost, effectively doubling your first-year investment.
• Small businesses should expect to budget around $100,000 annually.
• Considerably more expensive than alternatives like UKG Pro ($26-$37 per employee monthly) and ADP Workforce Now ($19-$28 per employee monthly).

Overall Opinion

Workday offers an impressive all-in-one solution for companies wanting to unify their HR and financial systems. The platform provides robust features and real-time analytics that help businesses make informed decisions quickly.

However, the high price point makes it a significant investment for small businesses. At around $100,000 annually plus implementation costs, companies need to carefully evaluate if the comprehensive feature set justifies the expense compared to more affordable alternatives.

The lack of recent user feedback online is somewhat concerning. Before committing to such a substantial investment, small businesses would be wise to request detailed demos, speak with current users of similar size, and thoroughly assess if Workday's capabilities align with their specific needs and growth plans.

Rippling - All-in-One Workforce Management

Rippling stands out as a comprehensive solution that brings HR, IT, and finance operations together in one unified platform. Since its founding in 2016, it has grown into a powerful tool that helps businesses manage their entire employee lifecycle from a single dashboard.

What makes Rippling special is how it connects different business systems. When you onboard a new team member, the platform automatically handles everything from setting up payroll and benefits to creating email accounts and ordering equipment. This automation eliminates hours of manual work that typically plague small business owners.

The system works for companies of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises. With over 500 integrations with popular apps like Slack and QuickBooks, Rippling fits naturally into your existing workflow without forcing you to change how you work.

Internet Reviews

Most users praise Rippling for its intuitive interface and comprehensive feature set. People particularly like how it handles multiple HR tasks in one place, making employee management much simpler. The platform's time tracking capabilities and employee training options also receive positive mentions.

However, customer support appears to be a significant pain point. Many users report frustration with the limited support access (only administrators can contact support) and lengthy resolution times for technical issues. Some customers also mention difficulties in getting initial pricing information or scheduling demos.

Features

• Unified Workforce Management Platform: Integrates HR, IT, finance, and administrative tasks into a single cloud-based system, simplifying complex business operations and reducing administrative overhead.
• Global Payroll Solutions: Manages payroll across different countries and currencies, enabling businesses to handle international compensation efficiently with automated tax compliance.
• Lightning-Fast Employee Onboarding: Automatically sets up new employees in payroll, benefits, and IT systems within 90 seconds, streamlining the integration of new team members.
• Comprehensive IT Management: Provides robust device security, software access control, and compliance monitoring to protect company data and ensure seamless technological infrastructure.
• Advanced Expense Management: Creates custom reimbursement policies, tracks expenses across 100+ countries, and automates bill review and approval processes.
• Extensive Third-Party Integrations: Connects with over 500 business applications like Slack, Office 365, and QuickBooks to create a flexible, interconnected work environment.
• Powerful Analytics and Reporting: Offers custom reporting tools and workflow automation, enabling businesses to gain deep insights and create personalized operational strategies.

Simplified Pricing Information

• Base platform starts at $35 per month plus $8 per user per month, using a Per Employee Per Month (PEPM) model.
• HR services like recruitment, payroll, benefits administration, and performance management cost extra.
• Global payroll available in dozens of countries with contractor payments in over 140 countries.
• Advanced IT services such as app, inventory, and device management available for additional fees.
• HR Help Desk with one-on-one support from certified HR professionals costs extra.
• Pricing is customizable—contact Rippling directly for a personalized quote based on your business needs.

Overall Opinion

Rippling offers a solid solution for small businesses looking to streamline their employee management processes. The platform shines with its ability to connect different business systems and automate tedious tasks that would normally require multiple tools and many hours of work.

While the pricing structure can get expensive as you add features, the time savings and reduced administrative burden often justify the cost for growing companies. The reported customer service issues are concerning, but for businesses that value having everything in one place and don't mind a potentially longer wait time for support, Rippling provides an efficient way to manage your workforce as you scale.

TriNet - Professional Employer Organization for Small Businesses

TriNet stands as a trusted HR partner for small and medium-sized businesses who want to focus on growth while offloading administrative headaches. Since 1988, they've specialized in taking over the complex parts of human resources management that can bog down smaller companies.

What makes TriNet unique is its approach as a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). This setup allows small businesses to access high-quality benefits typically reserved for large corporations. Your team gets Fortune 500-level health insurance and retirement options while you maintain control over your company culture and workforce decisions.

The platform combines all essential HR functions—from onboarding to payroll to compliance—into one streamlined system accessible through both web and mobile interfaces. For companies with at least five employees who want to punch above their weight in HR capabilities, TriNet offers an attractive proposition.

Internet Reviews

User feedback on TriNet paints a mixed picture across review platforms. Many customers praise the comprehensive nature of TriNet's services and the quality of benefits they can offer employees. The platform scores particularly well with businesses operating in multiple states who appreciate the compliance support.

However, critical reviews consistently mention two pain points: high costs and inconsistent service quality. Some users report frustrating support experiences and difficulty navigating the initial setup process. The platform seems to work best for companies with at least 15-20 employees who can justify the investment in a full-service PEO solution.

Features

• Comprehensive HR Solutions: TriNet offers small and medium-sized businesses a full-service HR platform that handles payroll, benefits, compliance, and employee management in one integrated system.
• Fortune 500-Level Benefits: Provides top-tier employee benefits including health, life, disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts typically available only to larger corporations.
• Multi-State Payroll Processing: Manages complex payroll requirements across different states, ensuring accurate and compliant compensation for businesses with distributed workforces.
• Risk Mitigation Services: Offers workers compensation and liability insurance to protect businesses from potential legal and financial risks associated with employment.
• Mobile HR Management: Features a user-friendly mobile app that lets employees access paychecks, benefits, time-off requests, and company directories from their smartphones.
• Talent Acquisition Support: Assists businesses with talent management strategies, helping companies recruit, develop, and retain top performers.
• Scalable Pricing Model: Offers flexible per-employee pricing plans that grow with your business, from essential HR services to comprehensive workforce solutions.

Simplified Pricing Information

• Essentials Plan starts at $8 per employee per month (annually) or $10 per employee per month (monthly), including automated onboarding, employee scheduling, time-off tracking, integrations, mobile app, and analytics dashboard.
• Growth Plan priced at $16 per employee per month (annually) or $20 per employee per month (monthly), adding compensation management, performance management, and configurable people analytics.
• Zen Plan costs $27 per employee per month (annually) or $33 per employee per month (monthly), including payroll, employee engagement surveys, and people hub.
• Payroll add-on is an additional $6 per employee and $6 per active contractor monthly. Benefits administration with your own broker costs $5 per employee per month. Advisory services are $10 per employee monthly.
• TriNet requires a minimum of five employees for HR outsourcing services. Contracts are flexible with 30-day cancellation notice, though cancellation fees may apply.

Overall Opinion

TriNet delivers robust HR solutions that work best for growing companies with complex needs and the budget to match. The platform shines brightest for businesses with 15+ employees, particularly those operating across multiple states where compliance becomes tricky. The access to premium benefits packages can be a game-changer for talent acquisition and retention.

While the costs run higher than simpler HR software options, the value proposition makes sense for businesses ready to outsource their entire HR function. The comprehensive onboarding components work seamlessly with the broader HR ecosystem, though they may be overkill if you're only looking for basic employee onboarding tools. TriNet represents an investment in professional HR infrastructure that pays dividends as your business scales beyond the startup phase.

UKG - Ultimate Workforce Management Solution

UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group) delivers integrated human capital management solutions for small businesses looking to streamline their HR operations. Formed in 2020 through the merger of Ultimate Software and Kronos, UKG now serves over 80,000 organizations worldwide with its comprehensive approach to workforce management.

The platform brings together essential HR functions, payroll processing, and workforce management in one unified system. Small businesses particularly appreciate UKG's modular design, which allows them to select only the components they need without paying for unnecessary features.

UKG Ready provides smaller organizations with user-friendly tools for handling everyday HR tasks, while more complex offerings like UKG Dimensions and UKG One View support businesses as they grow. The platform works well across industries, though it has notable strengths in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and financial services.

Internet Reviews

UKG presents a mixed workplace culture according to employee feedback. Team members often praise the supportive environment, excellent benefits package, and professional growth opportunities. The quarterly expense reimbursements and collaborative atmosphere get particularly positive mentions.

However, reviews also highlight challenges with leadership transparency and workplace stress. The post-merger period appears to have created some organizational turbulence, with reports of restructuring that affected employee satisfaction. Despite these issues, many users still value the collegial relationships and learning opportunities UKG provides.

Features

• Comprehensive Workforce Management: Automates and streamlines HR processes across time tracking, scheduling, and employee data management for businesses of all sizes.
• Advanced Payroll System: Offers integrated payroll processing with real-time reporting, compliance tracking, and multinational payment capabilities.
• Intelligent HR Analytics: Provides customizable workforce insights and reporting tools to help organizations make data-driven human capital decisions.
• Regulatory Compliance Support: Automatically manages complex labor regulations and reduces compliance risks across different industries and regions.
• Employee Engagement Platform: Includes communication tools and culture-building features to enhance workplace satisfaction and retention.
• Multinational Workforce Solutions: Supports global organizations with cross-border payroll, tax management, and workforce tracking capabilities.
• Talent Development Tools: Enables comprehensive talent acquisition, performance tracking, and professional development management within a single integrated platform.

Simplified Pricing Information

• UKG Pro pricing starts at approximately $100 per user per month, using a per-user monthly pricing model.
• Pricing is quote-based and varies depending on company size, specific needs, and required features.
• Additional costs may include setup fees, training, and customization of additional modules.
• Team pricing typically offers tiered discounts for larger organizations with more users.

Overall Opinion

UKG stands out as a solid choice for small businesses that anticipate growth and need a scalable HR solution. The platform's strength lies in its ability to handle complex workforce management while maintaining user-friendly interfaces. Its modular approach lets small companies start with basic functions and add capabilities as needed.

While the pricing sits on the higher end for small business software, the comprehensive feature set justifies the investment for organizations with more complex HR needs or compliance requirements. The post-merger challenges noted in reviews suggest some growing pains, but UKG's strong foundation in both HR and workforce management makes it worth considering, especially for businesses in regulated industries or those planning significant growth.