HRIS Systems for Small Business
Human Resource Information Systems for teams under 100 employees. Centralize employee data, automate onboarding, and streamline HR workflows.
What is an HRIS?
An HRIS (Human Resource Information System) is your central employee database. It stores employee information, manages onboarding/offboarding, tracks PTO, generates org charts, and automates HR workflows. For small businesses, a good HRIS costs $50-200/month and replaces spreadsheets and manual processes.
Top HRIS Platforms
BambooHR
Best for: Companies prioritizing HRIS over payroll
Pricing: $6.19-8.25/employee/month (SMB plans)
BambooHR is the HRIS market leader for small-mid businesses. Excellent employee database, onboarding workflows, e-signature, org chart builder, and reporting. Payroll is not included (integrates with ADP, Gusto, Paylocity). Best for companies that want best-in-class HRIS and already have payroll solved.
- ✅ Best-in-class employee database
- ✅ Onboarding workflows with e-signature
- ✅ Org chart visualizer
- ✅ Custom reporting
- ✅ ATS (applicant tracking) included
- ❌ No native payroll
- ❌ Higher per-employee cost
Gusto (HRIS features)
Best for: Companies wanting payroll + HRIS in one
Pricing: $80/month base + $12/employee (Complete plan)
Gusto's HRIS features live on higher tiers. You get employee database, onboarding checklists, org chart, PTO tracking, and basic reporting. Good for companies wanting one vendor for payroll + HRIS, but less robust than BambooHR for pure HR needs.
- ✅ Payroll included
- ✅ Onboarding checklists
- ✅ Org chart
- ✅ PTO tracking
- ❌ HRIS requires higher tier
- ❌ Less robust than BambooHR
Zoho People
Best for: Budget-conscious teams needing core HRIS
Pricing: $1.25-5/employee/month
Zoho People is the most affordable HRIS option. Core employee database, attendance tracking, leave management, and basic onboarding. Significantly cheaper than BambooHR/Gusto but less polished. Best for startups and micro-teams watching every dollar.
- ✅ Lowest pricing in category
- ✅ Core HRIS features
- ✅ Zoho ecosystem integration
- ❌ Less polished UX
- ❌ Limited advanced features
TriNet HR Platform
Best for: Companies wanting full-service HR outsourcing
Pricing: Custom (PEO model, ~$100-200/employee/month all-in)
TriNet provides HRIS as part of their PEO offering. You get full HR platform plus compliance, benefits, and payroll as the employer of record. Premium pricing but maximum hands-off HR management.
- ✅ Full-service HR outsourcing
- ✅ Compliance included
- ✅ Benefits administration
- ❌ PEO commitment required
- ❌ Highest cost option
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Pricing | Payroll | Onboarding | Org Chart | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BambooHR | $6-8/emp/mo | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Best-in-class HRIS |
| Gusto | $80 + $12/emp | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Payroll + HRIS combo |
| Zoho People | $1-5/emp/mo | ❌ | Basic | ✅ | Budget HRIS |
| TriNet | Custom | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Full HR outsourcing |