11 Best HRMS (Human Resource Management Systems) – 2023

Introduction to HRMS (Human Resource Management Systems)

So, through hours of research, we’ve rounded up the best HRMS software vendors based on their features for human resources management, as well as customer success, user experience, quality of support, implementation, etc. We’ve also tried to include a combination of companies focused on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as enterprises or mid-market businesses.

Are you in the market for a world-class HRMS to help your team streamline employee onboarding, payroll, benefits management, and talent acquisition? If that’s close to your case, this guide will allow you to identify the best human resources management systems. We’ll also look at the main benefits of this type of software, how to get internal buy-in from stakeholders, and much more. But what do we mean by HRMS? And what sets it apart from an HRIS or an HCM? While many people have different definitions, we agree with Oracle NetSuite when they explain that an HRMS is the most complete form of HR software, being able to tackle just about any HR process within the employee lifecycle, including payroll.

Our Criteria: Here’s How We Chose The Top HRMS Software

We take research seriously. To make sure we’re offering our readers the very best solutions in a given software category, we are methodical, rigorous, and expansive in our research. We consult with HR professionals, vendors, and industry experts. We cut through the noise to bring you a carefully curated list of vendors, along with other essential information, to help you find the right software platform for your business. 

Here’s how we chose who makes the cut: 

Product: We believe in gaining a comprehensive understanding of a product before we recommend it, so we start by getting to know the software. Whenever possible, we meet with a senior executive (CEO or Head of Product) for a demo and Q&A. We also test the product ourselves to make sure it has a solid UI, intuitive workflows, and the features to make it a best-in-class offering. 

User feedback: We go straight to the source and compile feedback on user experience. Real-world input supports our commitment to diligence in our software evaluation methods and the products we recommend. Keeping up with the everyday experience of HR pros also puts new vendors on our radar, and it keeps us close to our community so we can better connect the right products to the right people.

Financial metrics: We are certified finance nerds, so we use all the data we can get our hands on to make selections for our guides. We comb through data for concrete statistics like retention rates, growth, profitability, and scalability. We evaluate the bottom line of each product because we know making a software purchase can put your reputation on the line. 

Best for a use case: Software is never a one-size-fits-all product. Sometimes the best solution is free or cheap. Other times it’s the one that is best for global companies or the one that’s sized right for early-stage startups. Keeping this in mind, we include solutions across the spectrum so our readers can find the best fit for their unique needs.

Here’s more detail if you want to read more about how we research vendors. Our dedicated staff writers rely on hard data, impartial experts, and user feedback to ensure our reviews are helpful, truthful, and hopefully a pleasure to read!