Become an insider!
Get our latest payroll and small business articles sent straight to your inbox.
In this Article:
If you’re a small business owner in Canada, let’s talk about something that’s probably been on your mind: HR software. Now, before you start thinking about daunting spreadsheets and endless forms, let me tell you, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Choosing the right HR software can free up your time and greatly reduce stress. And who doesn’t want that?
But with so many options out there, making the best choice can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. This guide will help you choose the right HR software for your small business.
What to look for in HR software for small business.
Picking the right software to tackle human resources tasks is like hiring the perfect assistant. You want someone (or something, in this case) that’s reliable, smart and doesn’t require a manual to understand. Here’s the inside scoop on what really counts:
Core functions
The best HR software is versatile, reliable and ready for any task. You’ll want a tool that can juggle everything from the essentials of employee onboarding to performance reviews to managing those all-important time-off requests. It’s all about having a comprehensive solution that can handle your day-to-day HR tasks with ease.
Ease of use
Let’s be real – who has time to spend hours learning new software? Not you. User-friendliness and easy access are non-negotiables for HR software solutions. You need something that’s as easy to navigate as your favourite social media app. It should streamline HR tasks no matter who the HR manager is (maybe it’s you, maybe it’s someone on your team). Not complicate them. Look for intuitive interfaces and straightforward functionalities that make your life simpler, not one that feels like solving a Rubik’s cube.
Reporting and analytics
Knowledge is power, and this is especially true when it comes to managing your team. The right HR software should provide you with the insights and important information you need at your fingertips. From tracking employee performance to understanding payroll trends, insightful reporting and analytics that simplify your decision-making process is the way to go.
Pricing
Last but not least, let’s talk dollars and sense. Your ideal HR software should fit within your budget while still packing a punch in functionality. It’s about finding that sweet spot where affordability meets quality. Key features shouldn’t break the bank. There are great options out there that offer excellent value without skimping on the essential tools you need to streamline your HR processes without having them as add-ons to a monthly fee.
Top HR software for Canadian small businesses.
Here are some top picks that might just be the perfect fit for your business.
1. People by Wagepoint
Best for: Small businesses venturing into the world of workforce management, especially ideal for first-time business owners with small teams with fewer than 50 members.
People by Wagepoint standout features
- User-friendly interface: So intuitive, it’s like it can read your mind. Perfect for those who’d rather not wrestle with complicated software.
- Comprehensive employee management: This is your one-stop shop for essentials like:
- Onboarding new hires
- Employee profiles
- Employee performance
- Managing and tracking time off
- Electronic document management (including esignatures)
- Objective tracking: Track progress your employees are making with collaborative and customizable performance reviews so everyone is working toward company goals.
- Transparent pricing: Whether you’re going with the basic plan or one of the top ones with additional features, you’ll know what’s included in each one up front. No surprises!
- Secure HR document storage: Securely store employee documents, manage and distribute employee records and other HR information. This feature helps small business teams stay compliant without having to be HR professionals.
- Pair it with Wagepoint Payroll: As a part of the Wagepoint ecosystem, you can use People by Wagepoint alongside its staple payroll product. (Psst! The add-on integration that’ll make managing your employees and payroll processing even easier is coming soon.)
People by Wagepoint is a true hero for small business owners stepping into the realm of workforce management. With its remarkable ease of use and transparent pricing, it’s a breath of fresh air for anyone who’s ever been bogged down by clunky, complex software that always seems to have a hidden cost somewhere.
“People by Wagepoint enables me to perform routine HR tasks without interrupting my actual ‘day job.’ We’ve dramatically reduced the time used to spend on onboarding and fielding/tracking time off requests.”
-Blade Mages, Middle
Overall, People by Wagepoint helps Canadian companies banish HR management worries.
2. Folks HR
Image: Matchr
Best for: Businesses in search of a robust HRIS that makes applicant tracking seem like a walk in the park.
Folks HR standout features
- Applicant tracking system: This tool simplifies the process of recruiting new employees.
- Training management: Collect all information on employee training costs and get notifications when any training or certifications need to be renewed for your team.
- Detailed reporting and analytics: Delivers the insights you need on your team’s performance.
- Mobile app: Employees can access personal data, submit time-off and overtime requests and get notifications in real-time of whether they got approved.
This contender in the human resource information system space, helps with finding the right people and attracting top talent. However, there are some concerns about the organization of data and documents within the program as one user points out they list in upload order and it can’t be changed. Additionally, you have to contact their sales team for pricing.
3. Rise
Image: Rise
Best for: Canadian businesses seeking an all-in-one HR system that also has payroll management features.
Rise standout features
- Integrated HR functions: Rise boasts functions from “recruitment to retirement” with their all-in-one platform to take on HR-related tasks.
- Benefits management: Manage benefits like health insurance without a heavy lift of manual work.
- Candidate records: This feature lets you keep track of past applicants as well as new candidates for your job posting so that you can easily hire the right people for your team.
Rise is a jack-of-all-trades HR software and payroll software combo for Canadian businesses. Despite this, one user noted that the software is pretty basic and can’t handle more complex payroll needs. The Rise website lists the price for their basic package, but any upgraded packages require you to talk to sales.
4. Deel
Image: Deel
Best for: Small businesses in the global space.
Deel standout features
- Free HR features: For businesses with under 200 employees, Deel HR is free.
- Global compliance: Deel’s platform is built for a global scale and boasts compliance in all locations it can be used.
- Customizable HR: The software offers customizable fields and documents. The platform can also be customized based on company structures.
Deel offers a good HR solution, especially for small businesses eyeing global expansion. One thing to note is Deel is more than an HR software and offers other add-ons or feature sets for things like payroll and being an Employer of Record. On the HR side, a user left a review expressing frustrations about delays with HR documents.
5. Humi
Image: Humi
Best for: HR basics like company and task management and employee onboarding.
Humi standout features
- Integrated HR suite: On its core plan, Humi helps small business HR teams with the basics. (Humi has higher-tier plans for features like time-tracking or performance management.)
- Approval workflows: You can keep track of who is doing what — more specifically who is approving what — so that there are no questions, errors or gaps in your workflow.
- Payroll solution: Humi’s middle tier includes features to manage and process payroll.
Humi could be the solution for managers with a basic set of features in mind, such as managing benefits and hiring and onboarding workflows. Beyond this, Humi extends its capabilities to thorough employee data management, detailed performance evaluations and time-off tracking. However, users have noted that the add-ons can get pricey.
6. Rippling
Image: Rippling
Best for: Businesses looking for a human capital management (HCM) system.
Rippling standout features
- Large selection of tools: Headcount planning, recruiting, learning tools, performance management — these are just some of the features available in Rippling.
- Customizable solutions: Tailor-made to fit the unique needs of your business.
- Global workforce: Rippling has both global payroll and general global employee management features.
Rippling’s suite of features is good for ambitious businesses that are looking to dive headlong into the HR space and even explore a global scale. This HR management software takes into account the nitty gritty of HR tasks and loads up on the tools to get the job done. The amount of features could be overwhelming though and one user felt Rippling sales staff tried to upsell on everything without truly knowing their business..
7. ADP Canada
Image: ADP
Best for: Medium to large businesses looking for a comprehensive HR solution.
ADP Canada standout features
- Wide range of services: From payroll to talent management, ADP Canada offers a breadth of services for various HR needs.
- Robust reporting: Provides detailed analytics and reports, helping you make data-driven decisions.
- Advanced services: ADP also offers services like HR specialist consultation, legal guidance from employment lawyers and best practice guidance for forms and documents.
ADP Canada offers a number of tools designed to cater to a wide array of HR requirements. Whether you’re grappling with payroll or talent management, or striving for compliance, ADP Canada has you covered. It offers dedicated customer support to answer any questions, but there are also a wide variety of complaints about their customer support, at least for the US side.
8. BambooHR
Image: Software Advice
Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses seeking an easy-to-use, intuitive HR platform with a focus on employee experience.
BambooHR standout features
- Employee self-service: Empowers employees to manage their own personal data, freeing up time for HR.
- Performance management tools: Includes features for employee engagement, assessments and goal tracking.
- HR data management: Get built-in reports for all things to do with your employees so you can make informed, strategic decisions.
BambooHR is user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that guides you easily through each step. There are some hiccups, like one user who mentioned the people directory is a little difficult to use. Overall though, the performance management tools make it easy to track and assess employee progress.
9. Cangaroo HR
Best for: Streamlining and consolidating personnel information.
Cangaroo HR standout features
- Centralized employee data: Access all your employee information in a snap.
- Benefits management: On top of the usual important tasks related to HR, Cangaroo also offers benefits management, including group insurance.
- Career building: From training to performance evaluation, this platform has a variety of features you can use with your employees.
Québec-based Cangaroo HR helps small businesses overwhelmed by disjointed employee data. Although it was acquired by AGA Benefit Solutions, you can still sign up for their HR software on the Cangaroo website. It’s challenging to find any reviews for the software.
Final thoughts on HR software for small businesses in Canada.
Selecting the ideal HR software for your business can feel a bit like finding that perfect pair of jeans — it needs to fit just right and make you feel great. It’s all about choosing the right tool that meets your specific needs, streamlining your HR tasks, and ultimately making your work life a lot easier.
Getting started with People by Wagepoint
People by Wagepoint stands out, especially for those seeking a solution that’s as user-friendly as your favourite tech with the best features to handle all your HR needs while being easy on your wallet. It’s like having a friendly HR expert right at your fingertips.
Why not take it for a test drive? Experience firsthand how it simplifies and transforms your HR processes and weaves a bit of magic into the fabric of your everyday productivity and business operations.
Give People by Wagepoint a go with a 14-day free trial.
