No matter the industry you’re in, as soon as your employee headcount is larger than 1, you’re going to run into issues with managing people and resources.
These are two of the biggest challenges that leaders face in the workplace today, according to the Center of Creative Leadership’s research.
But the good news?
The right employee management system can make all the difference.
In this article, we've rounded up 11 top picks that will help you tackle these issues head-on and keep your team running smoothly.
Let's get started and find the perfect fit for your business:
What is employee management software?
Employee management software is a digital tool that employers and HR managers use to handle various aspects of managing their workforce.
It centralizes essential HR functions like:
- tracking employee details (e.g. banking information, correspondence address),
- processing payroll,
- managing benefits,
- monitoring performance,
- and handling time and attendance.
With this software, you can manage administrative tasks, reduce paperwork, and maintain organized employee records.
It also improves employee engagement by facilitating communication, feedback, and performance tracking.
Top benefits of employee management systems
Having an employee management system is essential for any company serious about optimizing operations.
Here's why it's worth your attention:
Better organization and efficiency
An employee management system puts everything in one place.
It stores all your employee information, from personal details to performance records.
This saves time and reduces errors.
Such a level of organization improves productivity. It’s because HR teams can focus on more important tasks (e.g. talent development, employee engagement, and strategic planning) rather than administrative work.
Higher employee engagement
Keeping youe employees engaged is extremely beneficial. For example, it could improve their productivity by 23%.
Employee management systems often include tools for gathering employee feedback and tracking engagement levels.
This helps you better understand what’s working and what needs attention. As a result, you get to create a positive work environment by regularly checking in with your team and addressing concerns.
Engaged employees are more likely to stay with the company - your turnover might drop by up to 43%, according to Gallup’s findings.
Simplified payroll and benefits management
An employee management system automates payroll and employee benefits.
With everything integrated, from time tracking to general administration, you can process payroll more accurately and efficiently.
This reduces the likelihood of errors that can cause frustration for both employees and HR teams, as well as makes managing benefits better. All so that employees have a clear understanding of their entitlements.
Enhanced employee performance tracking
Employee management systems are great for monitoring how your team is performing.
They offer tools to set goals, track progress, and conduct regular performance reviews.
This lets you identify top performers and areas where an upgrade is needed.
Regular performance tracking also encourages employees to stay on top of their work and continuously improve.
It creates a transparent environment where achievements are recognized.
Better decision-making with data insights
Employee management systems come with reporting and analytics features that let you spot trends and patterns.
It doesn't matter if it’s tracking attendance, understanding turnover rates, or evaluating the success of employee engagement initiatives - the data helps you make smarter decisions.
With these insights, you can address issues proactively and plan for the future with confidence.
Best employee management software: 10 picks
#1 Unrubble - the best employee management software in 2024
When it comes to employee management software, you might think of complex systems loaded with features that cover everything from hiring to performance evaluations.
However, Unrubble takes a different approach.
While it might not fit the traditional mold of an all-in-one HR management system, it's packed with essential tools that can make your daily operations, including managing your team, much smoother.
Key features:
Unrubble excels in areas like time tracking, scheduling, and PTO management - features that are often overlooked but are a must for maintaining an efficient workplace:
- Time tracking: precision time tracking with overtime counting.
- Scheduling: easy-to-use scheduling with drag-and-drop functionality and real-time notifications.
- PTO Tracker: manage all types of time off, including vacations, WFH, and business trips, with ease.
- Business trips: collect company receipts, approve trips, file reports on travel expenses, and more.
- Mobile Time Clock: use the mobile app with face recognition and anti-spoofing for accurate clock-ins/clock-outs.
- Employee Self-Service App: motivate employees to manage schedules, requests, and time tracking directly from their mobile devices.
With our app, there is no need to spend hours on configuration - you can get up and running in minutes.
One standout feature of this software is the Mobile Time Clock, which comes equipped with face recognition and anti-spoofing technology.
With our Employee Self-Service App, your team can stay on top of their schedules, time-off requests, and business trips - all from the comfort of their mobile devices.
This makes communication and management smoother, reducing the back-and-forth that typically bogs down HR processes.
Unrubble is also known for its flexibility.
It’s made to fit into any workflow, both small and large.
And the pricing is just as elastic- you only pay for what you need.
We truly are an affordable option for businesses of all sizes.
Is Unrubble the right fit for your company?
Yes! It's an excellent tool for a wide range of industries and company types.
It’s particularly well-suited for:
- Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): perfect for growing companies needing efficient time tracking, scheduling, and PTO management.
- Retail: ideal for managing shift schedules, tracking employee hours, and overseeing time-off requests.
- Healthcare: helps streamline staff scheduling, track hours accurately, and manage various shifts and leave types.
- Manufacturing: great for coordinating shift work, tracking time, and ensuring compliance with labor regulations.
- Remote teams: supports businesses with remote or hybrid teams by simplifying time tracking and remote attendance.
Unrubble might not be your standard employee management software, but its intuitive features and ease of use position it as an invaluable tool for any business looking to nail efficiency.
If you're tired of juggling multiple systems and want something that just works, Unrubble is definitely worth considering.
Reviews:
4.9/5 on Capterra, 5/5 on Software Advice, 5/5 on G2
#2 BambooHR - best for payroll and onboarding
BambooHR is a go-to tool for small and mid-sized businesses looking to manage employee details, sort out payroll, onboard new hires, and more.
With BambooHR, you can track who’s who and what they’re doing, so it's easier to focus on boosting employee engagement.
Key features:
- employee data management
- performance management
- applicant tracking
- employee self-service
- reporting and analytics
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- small to mid-sized businesses
- professional services
- nonprofits
- technology companies
Reviews:
4.4/5 on Gartner
#3 Gusto - best for tax filings and benefit management
Gusto is a payroll software that does more than just pay your team.
It handles employee benefits and takes care of tax filings.
Gusto also manages benefits administration, so it's a good fit for small businesses that want to store their payroll and benefits all in one place.
It’s user-friendly and takes the stress out of payday.
Key features:
- payroll software
- employee benefits management
- tax filing
- time tracking
- benefits administration
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- small businesses
- startups
- retail
- hospitality
Reviews:
4.6/5 on GetApp
#4 Zoho People - best for employee feedback collection
Zoho People is a flexible employee management app used for tracking time, managing leave, and collecting employee feedback.
You can customize it to fit your business needs, whether you’re handling a small team or a growing workforce.
It’s a solid choice for companies that need an adaptable tool to keep everything running smoothly.
Key features:
- time tracking
- leave management
- employee feedback
- performance appraisals
- customizable workflows
Free plan?
Yes
Who is it for?
- small to mid-sized businesses
- it and software companies
- education
- healthcare
Reviews:
4.4/5 on Gartner
#5 Workday - best for project management
Workday is for large enterprises that need a powerful HR management tool.
It’s an all-in-one system that handles HR, payroll, and project management tasks.
Workday aids in managing employee performance and track financials.
If your company is expanding, Workday can keep up with your needs while maintaining clear oversight of your operations.
Key features:
- human capital management
- payroll
- project management software
- employee performance management
- financial management
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- large enterprises
- finance and banking
- healthcare
- manufacturing
Reviews:
4.4/5 on Capterra
#6 ADP Workforce Now - best for employee resource management
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive tool that covers HR, payroll, and benefits administration.
It’s built for businesses that want to manage employee resources in one place.
This system is reliable for handling complex tasks and keeping your team’s information organized.
It’s a dependable choice for those who need everything under one roof.
Key features:
- hr management
- payroll
- benefits administration
- time and attendance
- reporting and compliance
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- medium to large businesses
- healthcare
- retail
- manufacturing
Reviews:
4.2/5 on Gartner
#7 UKG Ready - best for small to mid-sized businesses with HR needs
Formerly known as Kronos Workforce Ready, UKG Ready is a tool focused on workforce management.
It’s a perfect match for businesses that need assistance with timekeeping, scheduling, and task management.
This system tracks hours worked so that scheduling stays on point.
UKG is well-suited for industries where precise time management is a must-have.
Key features:
- workforce management
- timekeeping
- scheduling
- task management
- compliance tracking
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- retail
- hospitality
- healthcare
- manufacturing
Reviews:
4.4/5 on Gartner
#8 Paycor - best for leaders who want to build strong teams
Paycor is an intuitive tool for managing payroll, HR, and employee performance.
It’s built with growing businesses in mind.
Paycor focuses on employee satisfaction by keeping payroll straightforward and helping you stay organized.
We're of the opinion it's a practical choice for companies that want a user-friendly experience.
Key features:
- payroll
- hr management
- employee performance management
- onboarding
- reporting and analytics
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- small to mid-sized businesses
- nonprofits
- education
- healthcare
Reviews:
3.9/5 on G2
#9 SAP SuccessFactors - best for AI-enabled human capital management
SAP SuccessFactors is a robust HR management suite made for large, global businesses.
It covers everything from recruiting to performance management, all so it's not complicated to manage a big team across different locations.
It’s a strong option for companies that need to stay on top of workforce management and keep employee engagement high.
Key features:
- core HR features
- global talent sourcing and applicant management
- performance management
- workforce management
- learning and development programs
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- large enterprises
- global companies
- manufacturing companies
- pharmaceutical companies
Reviews:
3.9/5 on G2
#10 Namely - best for mid-sized companies with HR & payroll needs
Namely is a simple HR tool for mid-sized companies interested in HR, payroll, and benefits management features - all in one place.
Namely keeps things clear and organized, which can boost employee engagement.
It’s a solid choice for businesses that want to make their team happy and their processes efficient.
Key features:
- hr management
- payroll
- benefits management
- time and attendance
- employee engagement tools
Free plan?
No
Who is it for?
- mid-sized companies
- professional services
- technology companies
- media and entertainment
Reviews:
3.9/5 on G2
#11 TriNet - best for employee data management
TriNet is a HR solution for small businesses that handles payroll, benefits administration, and employee data management.
It’s user-friendly and supports your organizational skills.
This might be helpful for small teams that need to stay focused on growth and employee satisfaction.
Key features:
- payroll
- benefits administration
- employee data management
- time and attendance
Free plan?
Yes
Who is it for?
- small businesses
- startups
- professional services
- retail companies
Reviews:
4/5 on G2
Wrap up
While an employee management system won’t suddenly create a more functional and productive workforce, it can help with daily operations quite a bit. You’ll have an easier time organizing your team, their hours and daily workloads.
Choosing the right tool can be difficult, but focus on your needs first. Instead of getting a complex platform that does it all and has bloated interfaces, start small and get the core features you really need.
Why not start with Unrubble? We have a free trial to test the waters before committing to a paid plan.
FAQ
What is employee management software?
Employee management software is a digital tool that helps employers and HR managers manage their workforce by centralizing tasks like tracking employee data, processing payroll, managing benefits, monitoring performance, and handling time and attendance.
Why is employee management software important for a company?
It organizes and centralizes employee data, improves efficiency, enhances employee engagement, simplifies payroll and benefits management, and provides insights through data analysis.
What are some key features of Unrubble, a top employee management software?
Unrubble offers features like precise time tracking, easy scheduling with drag-and-drop, PTO management, a mobile time clock with face recognition, and an employee self-service app for managing schedules and requests.
Is Unrubble suitable for all types of companies?
Yes, Unrubble is versatile and suitable for various industries, including small to medium-sized enterprises, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and remote teams.
