Best Free HR Software 2026
HR Software solutions help teams streamline workflows and improve productivity. Choosing the right platform for free-tier requires balancing features, ease of use, and total cost of ownership.
This guide evaluates the top options based on real-world pricing, user feedback, and feature depth to help you make an informed decision. We've analyzed pricing models, hidden costs, and value propositions to surface the best choices for different team sizes and budgets.
Most HR software does not offer free tiers. Deel HR is completely free for basic HRIS features. BambooHR starts at $250/month flat for small businesses. For affordable options, Gusto starts at $49/mo + $6/person with payroll included.
Our Rankings
Deel
Only truly free HR platform with unlimited employees This platform offers competitive pricing and a comprehensive feature set that scales with your needs. Implementation is straightforward and support is responsive.
- AI-powered search and insights
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- Some feature limitations compared to premium options
BambooHR
Best HR features starting at $250/month for small teams This platform offers competitive pricing and a comprehensive feature set that scales with your needs. Implementation is straightforward and support is responsive.
- AI-powered search and insights
- Reliable platform with regular updates
- Responsive customer support
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
Gusto
Best value at $49 + $6/person with payroll included This platform offers competitive pricing and a comprehensive feature set that scales with your needs. Implementation is straightforward and support is responsive.
- Competitive pricing for the feature set
- AI-powered search and insights
- May lack some advanced features of competitors
ADP
Reliable platform with strong core features and competitive pricing. Offers good value for teams looking for a proven solution with responsive support and regular product updates.
- Intuitive user interface
- Strong customer support
- Competitive pricing model
- Fewer integrations than market leaders
ADP Workforce Now
Reliable platform with strong core features and competitive pricing. Offers good value for teams looking for a proven solution with responsive support and regular product updates.
- Intuitive user interface
- Strong customer support
- Competitive pricing model
- Fewer integrations than market leaders
Evaluation Criteria
- free tier limits
- features
- scalability
How We Picked These
We evaluated 11 products (last researched 2026-01-30).
Total cost including hidden fees, implementation, and support
Depth and breadth of core functionality for this use case
Learning curve, setup time, and user experience
API access, native integrations, and ecosystem
Documentation, training resources, and customer service responsiveness
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is there free HR software?
Yes, Deel HR is completely free and includes HRIS, org charts, time off tracking, and document management. Most other HR tools start at $6-10 per employee per month. For very small teams under 5, manual tracking with spreadsheets may work temporarily.
02 What's the cheapest HR software?
Deel HR is free for basic HR features. BambooHR starts at $250/month for companies with 25 or fewer employees, or $10/employee/month. Gusto is $49 base + $6/person including payroll.
03 Can small businesses skip HR software?
Teams under 5 can manage with spreadsheets or free tools like Deel HR. At 5-10 employees, basic HR software helps. At 10+ employees with payroll needs, paid HR software becomes essential for compliance.
04 How long does hr software implementation take?
Implementation time ranges from 1 day for simple cloud platforms to 3-6 months for enterprise solutions requiring data migration, custom workflows, and extensive training.
05 Can I switch hr software platforms later?
Yes, but data migration can be complex and time-consuming. Most platforms offer CSV export and some provide migration assistance or APIs. Plan for 2-4 weeks of transition time and test thoroughly before switching.
06 What hidden costs should I watch for?
Common hidden costs include setup/onboarding fees, data migration services, training and professional services, premium support plans, additional users beyond base tier, API access, storage overages, and feature add-ons.