7 Best HR and Payroll Software of 2025: Reviewed and Compared

Choosing HR and payroll software is something I’ve helped countless companies with, from 10-person startups to global enterprises. I know the difference between a system that looks good on paper and one that actually saves time, reduces errors, and supports employees. 

That’s why I built this guide. It’s based on years of advising, testing, and troubleshooting these tools in the real world. Here you’ll find the seven platforms I recommend most in 2025 

with straight talk on their strengths, weaknesses, and best-fit scenarios.

Platform	Best For	Standout Strengths	Primary Trade-off
HiBob	Scaling / global mid-size	People-first design with Payroll Hub that syncs HR, payroll, and benefits in real time	Complexity for very small teams
ADP RUN	Growth and compliance needs	Reliable scaling, compliance support	Learning curve, opaque pricing
Zelt	All-in-one HR, payroll & IT automation	Unified platform combining HR, payroll, benefits, and device management	Newer tool, smaller integration ecosystem
Rippling	Tech-forward, modular scaling	Integrations and automation	Complexity and rising costs
Gusto	Small, U.S.-centric businesses	Simplicity, transparent pricing	Limited to U.S., less depth internationally
Workday	Enterprise, global operations	Depth, analytics, global scale	Costly, long implementation
BambooHR	HR-centric firms needing payroll	HR tools + integrated payroll	Payroll U.S.-only, add-on costs

1. HiBob – Best All-in-One for Growing & Global Teams

What I like most about HiBob is that it feels modern and people-first while still offering the compliance and reporting depth that scaling companies need. For teams expanding internationally, its native U.S. payroll paired with global provider integrations makes it especially versatile.

HiBob offers unified HR and payroll, excellent automation, and strong global capabilities. However, it has a ton of options and some advanced features depend on the package chosen.

HiBob Features – At a Glance
Payroll Features	HR Features
Automated tax filing & payments (native U.S./UK payroll + global integrations)	Employee records (HRIS)
Multi-country payroll support	Digital onboarding workflows
Wage garnishment support	Time & attendance tracking
Compliance dashboards & alerts	PTO / leave management
	Performance reviews & goal tracking
	Compensation management (salary bands, pay cycles)

2. ADP RUN – Best for Compliance & Growth

ADP RUN has long impressed me with how reliably it scales. You can start with basic payroll and then add HR modules as your company grows. I especially value its compliance dashboard and HR advisor access, which give small to mid-sized businesses peace of mind in highly regulated industries.

ADP RUN is built to scale, with trusted compliance expertise and reliable payroll services. On the downside, its interface is less intuitive, and pricing is only available by quote.

ADP Run Features – At a Glance
Payroll Features	HR Features
Automated payroll + tax filing	Employee records
Wage garnishments	Self-service portal
Compliance dashboard & alerts	Time & attendance
HR advisory services	PTO / leave tracking

3. Zelt – Best for All-in-One HR, Payroll, and IT Automation

Zelt combines HR, payroll, and IT into one intuitive system that automates everything from onboarding to payments. It’s designed for growing teams that want to manage employee data, payroll, expenses, and even devices from a single platform.

Zelt Features – At a Glance
Payroll Features	HR Features
Automated payroll and tax filing	Employee records (HRIS)
Multi-country compliance	Time off tracking
Expense reimbursements	Onboarding/offboarding automation
Benefit management	Device and app management

4. Rippling – Best for Automation & Modular Growth

Rippling impressed me with how it goes beyond HR and payroll into IT and finance. For example, you can automatically assign laptops and software accounts when onboarding a new hire. This level of automation reduces admin headaches and makes it a strong choice for tech-forward teams.

Rippling combines HR with IT and finance functions, offering high automation and broad integrations. Yet, costs increase quickly as modules are added, and it can feel like overkill for small teams.

Rippling Features – At a Glance
Payroll Features	HR Features
Automated tax filing	Employee records
Multi-currency support	Digital onboarding/offboarding
Global payroll & compliance	Time & attendance
	PTO tracking

5. Gusto – Best for Simplicity & Ease

When I test payroll systems, Gusto consistently stands out for its clean interface and smooth onboarding experience. Setting up new employees, syncing PTO, and running payroll feels straightforward, even if you’ve never managed tl before. The platform also automates filings and compliance tasks that would otherwise take hours.

Gusto works well for small businesses thanks to its ease of use, predictable pricing, and responsive customer support. The trade-off is that its HR features are limited in scope, and it only supports payroll in the U.S.

Gusto Features – At a Glance
Payroll Features	HR Features
Automated tax filing	Employee records
Contractor payments (1099s)	Self-service portal (pay stubs, benefits selection)
U.S.-only payroll	Onboarding workflows
	PTO tracking

6. Workday – Best for Enterprise Complexity

Workday remains the gold standard in the enterprise category because it combines HR, payroll, and finance in one massive platform. Its advanced analytics and workforce planning tools set it apart, especially for global organizations managing thousands of employees.

Workday provides enterprise-level HR, payroll, and finance with advanced analytics and global reach. Its major drawbacks are the high cost and long, complex implementation, making it unsuitable for smaller companies.

Workday Features – At a Glance
Payroll Features	HR Features
Enterprise payroll (multi-country)	Global HRIS
Automated compliance	Employee self-service
Advanced audit trails	Time & attendance
	PTO management

7. BambooHR + Payroll – Best HR-First Platform

I’ve always liked BambooHR for its HR-first design, especially its applicant tracking and performance management tools. With the payroll add-on, it becomes a complete people-management system without losing the simplicity HR teams appreciate.

BambooHR shines with a strong HR core, including ATS and performance tools, alongside smooth payroll integration. The drawback is that it is limited to the U.S., and some HR features require extra cost.

BambooHR – At a Glance
Payroll Features	HR Features
Payroll add-on (U.S.-only)	Employee records
Tax filing within U.S.	Onboarding workflows (e-signatures, checklists)
	PTO / leave management
	Self-service portal

Which Is the Best for You?

The right choice depends on where your business is today. If you’re under 50 employees and need something simple, Gusto is often the easiest fit. If you’re HR-first and want payroll as an add-on, BambooHR makes sense.

For companies scaling quickly or expanding globally, HiBob or Rippling are the most flexible. If compliance is your top priority, ADP RUN has the edge, while PaySpace shines for multi-country payrolls in emerging markets. And if you’re a large enterprise with complex global needs, Workday remains the leader.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing HR Software

One of the biggest mistakes I see is underestimating compliance needs. Payroll isn’t just about paying people on time. Tax filings, wage garnishments, and regulatory changes can quickly become overwhelming if your system isn’t built to handle them. Another trap is ignoring integrations. Your HR platform won’t operate in a vacuum, and if it doesn’t connect with accounting, benefits, or time-tracking tools, you’ll be stuck doing double data entry.

Price is another common pitfall. It’s easy to go for the cheapest option, but if it can’t scale or lacks the features you’ll need in a few months, you’ll be facing an expensive and disruptive switch later.

And finally, too many buyers skip over the employee experience. If staff find the self-service portal clunky, the software creates more problems than it solves. A system only succeeds when both administrators and employees actually want to use it.

Conclusion

Choosing HR and payroll software isn’t just about ticking boxes on a feature list – it’s about finding a system that actually makes life easier for you and your team. The right platform should reduce admin work, keep you compliant, and give employees a smoother experience, whether that’s through a clean self-service portal or accurate, on-time pay.

There isn’t a single “winner” here. The top system is the one that fits your needs today and won’t hold you back tomorrow. My advice: take the time to test, ask tough questions during demos, and think beyond the short term. The right investment now will pay for itself many times over in efficiency, accuracy, and peace of mind.

FAQ

What is the top HR and payroll system?

It depends on your needs. In my view for 2025, HiBob delivers the best balance of payroll automation, HR depth, and global capabilities. But for smaller U.S. firms, Gusto or OnPay may serve better. And for large enterprises, Workday can be unmatched. The “top” one is the one that fits your scale, budget, and roadmap.

Is it risky to switch HR/payroll systems?

Only if done poorly. The biggest risks are data loss, misconfigured deductions, or downtime. Mitigate by running parallel payroll cycles, thorough testing, vendor support, and a phased/trial rollout.

Can I start with basic tools and upgrade later?

Absolutely. Many vendors offer modular or tiered systems. Start with core payroll and basic HR, then expand. Just ensure integrations and data portability are smooth.

How much does it cost?

Depending on the vendor, expect base fees plus per-employee monthly charges. Entry-level systems might run $5–15/employee, while enterprise systems with global support can cost hundreds of thousands per year. Always ask vendors for full cost breakdowns (modules, implementation, support).

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