Managing a team can be a challenge, but the best workforce management software makes it easier by handling payroll, tracking attendance, ensuring labor compliance, and even boosting employee engagement and productivity. With so many options out there, though, finding the right fit for your business can be tough.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide, breaking down the best workforce management software options to help you find the one that suits your needs.
The Best Workforce Management Software for 2024
- Show Full Guide
The Top Workforce Management Software Reviewed
I considered critical criteria such as pricing, features, ease of use, and third-party reviews to provide an unbiased and detailed review of the best workforce management platforms.
Deel – Best for Global Compliance Management
Free Trial | Free HR Plan |
---|---|
Price From | $19/employee/month |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | HR-admin Customization, Document Management, Compliance Monitor |
Pros
- Supports 150+ countries
- Offers a free forever HR plan
- Offers a free compliance monitor checklist
- Comprehensive to scale with businesses of any size
Cons
- There’s no time-tracking feature
- A steep learning curve for beginners
Rippling – Best for Remote Teams
Free Trial | Demo |
---|---|
Price From | $8/month per employee |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Dedicated IT Module, Device Management, Learning Management |
Pros
- Superb cybersecurity tools for remote teams
- Supports employees’ continuous learning
- Offers remote device management
- Expense management
Cons
- A steep learning curve for new users
- Its UX could be better
Paycor – Best Multifunctional Solution
Free Trial | 30-days |
---|---|
Price From | Custom |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Seamless Integration, Accurate Timekeeping, Scheduling |
Pros
- Offers a multifunctional solution to manage teams
- Comprehensive scheduling tool
- Easy to set-up automation tools
Cons
- Its reporting functionality could be complex for new users
- Its customer support could be better
Replicon – Best for Time Tracking
Free Trial | 14-days |
---|---|
Price From | $6/month/user |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Automated Timesheet, Dynamic Approvals, Advanced Time Clock |
Pros
- Highly customizable booking rules
- Easily reserve rooms and check coworker availability via Outlook Calendar
- Robust rules engine and sanitation scheduling
Cons
- Complex for new users initially
- Non-transparent pricing
- The interface could be improved upon
Connecteam – Best for Organizations with Multiple Branches
Free Trial | 14-days and Free Plan for up to 10 members |
---|---|
Price From | $29/month |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Mobile Admin Capabilities, GPS Geolocation Stamps, Employee Task Management |
Pros
- Comprehensive enough to support multi-location businesses
- Good free plan for businesses with max. 10 members
- Zapier integration for more automation
- Automatic clocking in and out features
Cons
- Limited customization
- The task management interface on mobile needs more improvement for easy navigation
Remofirst – Best for Global Workforce Management
Free Trial | Free Plan |
---|---|
Price From | $25 per person/month |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Additional Services for Employee Benefits, More Country Coverage, Free Country Guide |
Pros
- Offers additional employee benefits
- Supports 180+ countries
- Good customer support
- Easy platform navigation
Cons
- Limited integrations
- No time-tracking tool
- No employee-self service option
Arcoro – Best for Construction Companies
Free Trial | Demo |
---|---|
Price From | Custom |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Comprehensive HR Modules, Legal Services, Succession Planning |
Pros
- Construction company-specific features
- Offers integrated legal service
- Field-based time-tracking
- Easy to use platform and app
Cons
- Limited scalability for large business
- It may not be suitable for non-construction organizations
- Limited integrations
ExakTime Time & Attendance – Best for Field Workers
Free Trial | Demo |
---|---|
Price From | $9/month billed annually + monthly base fee |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Who’s Clocked In Map, Mobile Device Management, Safety Reporting Forms |
Pros
- Suitable hardware for demanding job sites
- Integrates with other business solutions
- Offers GPS tracking
- Easy to use for beginners
Cons
- Its features are only suitable for field workers
- It does not offer onboarding features
ADP Workforce Now – Best for International Teams Payroll
Free Trial | 3-months |
---|---|
Price From | Custom |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | Built-in Tax Management and Compliance Expertise, Salary Benchmarks, Powerful Dashboard |
Pros
- Offers a 3-month free trial
- It’s a multifunctional HCM system
- Tax law compliance in 140+ countries
- Automatic payment processing
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Its comprehensive features may overwhelm new users
Veriato – Best for Risk Management & Employee Monitoring
Free Trial | Demo |
---|---|
Price From | Custom |
Live Chat | Yes |
Top 3 Features | User Activity Monitoring, Insider Risk Management, Employee Productivity |
Pros
- Supports multi-device tracking across up to 8 devices
- Offers workplace investigation
- Helps in mitigating insider attack risk
- Easy to navigate
Cons
- Focuses more on IT solutions than the regular HR and payroll
- There’s no iOS mobile app
Best Workforce Management Platforms: Comparison Chart
The table below provides a detailed comparison and concise overview of the critical features of workforce management software.
Platform | Best For | Free Trial | Starting Price | Top Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deel | Global Compliance Management | Yes | $19/employee/month | HR-admin Customization, Document Management, Compliance Monitor |
Rippling | Remote Teams | Demo | $8/month per employee | Dedicated IT Module, Device Management, Learning Management |
Paycor | Multifunctional Solution | Yes, 1 month | Custom | Seamless Integration, Accurate Timekeeping, Scheduling |
Replicon | Time-Tracking | 14-day free trial | $6/month/user | Automated Timesheet, Dynamic Approvals, Advanced Time Clock |
Connecteam | Organizations with Multiple Branches | 14-day free trial | $29/month | Mobile Admin Capabilities, GPS Geolocation Stamps, Employee Task Management |
Remofirst | Global Workforce Management | Yes | $25 per person/month | Additional Services for Employee Benefits, More Country Coverage, Free Country Guide |
Arcoro | Construction Companies | Demo | Custom-based | Comprehensive HR Modules, Legal Services, Succession Planning |
ExakTime Time & Attendance | Field Workers | Demo | $9/month billed annually + monthly base fee | Who’s Clocked In Map, Mobile Device Management, Safety Reporting Forms |
ADP Workforce Now | International Team Payroll | 3-month free | Custom-based | Built-in Tax Management and Compliance Expertise, Salary Benchmarks, Powerful Dashboard |
Veriato | Risk Management & Employee Monitoring | Demo | Custom-based | User Activity Monitoring, Insider Risk Management, Employee Productivity |
Jotform | HR Management App | Free | $34/month | No Coding, Easy Usage, Store Builder |
Paylocity | Automating Time and Labor Processes | Demo | Custom-based | Talent Management, Benefits Administration, Recognition & Rewards |
Oracle HCM Cloud | Task Management | Demo | Custom-based | Workforce Scheduling, Wellness & Balance, Global Best Practices |
UZIO | Affordable HRIS Solution | No | $4.50/month/employee | Document Management, Compliance, Team of Tax Consultants |
SAP SuccessFactors | Human Capital Management | No | Custom-based | Unpredictable Market Analysis, Project Tracking, Intelligent Automation |
SyncHR | Manufacturing Company | No | Custom-based | Performance Management Recruitment, Vacation & Sick Leave |
Keka HR | Improving Employee Experience | 7-day | $9/month/employee | Automation, Performance Reviews, Employee Engagement |
BlueYonder | Optimizing Staff Levels | Demo | Custom-based | Sales & Operations Optimization, Employee Engagement, Compliance Management |
ClickUp | Multiple Workforce Templates | Free | $7/user/month | Collaborative Docs, Sprint Management, Agile Reporting |
Remote | Self-Service Onboarding | 30-day free trial | $20/contractor/month | Self-Service Onboarding Portal, Digital Document Submission, Bilingual Contracts |
Papaya Global | Bulk Onboarding | Demo | $30/contractor/month | Bulk Onboarding, Integration with HR Tools, Contractors, Contract Generator |
Zoho Recruit | Talent Acquisition | 15-day free trial | $20.84 /user/month billed annually | Candidate Sourcing, Premium Job Boards, AI Candidate Matching |
Homebase | Simplifying Scheduling | 14-day free trial | $20/location/month
unlimited employees |
Point-of-sale Integration, Labor Cost Management, Advanced Scheduling |
Calabrio Workforce Management | AI-Powered Forecasting and Automated Scheduling | Demo | Custom | Omnichannel Scheduling, Predictive Forecasting, Workflow Automation |
Alvaria Workforce Engagement Suite | Workforce Engagement Management | Demo | Custom | Gamification & Motivation Tools, KPI Management, Quality Management |
How We Review And Test HR Products
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular HR products on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- Features: We examine each product’s features to determine what capabilities are offered, and how well it performs crucial HR management tasks, such as tracking a sick leave.
- Integrations: We evaluate the integrations of each piece of HR software to determine how well it fits in with other key pieces in a business’s software stack, and whether its functionality can be expanded as required.
- User Experience: Usability is paramount when it comes to HR software. That’s why we put ourselves in the shoes of a new user, testing each platform to gain a firsthand understanding if the platform is easy to use or requires onboarding.
- Price and Value for Money: Our approach to pricing involves a thorough review of the structure and plans offered by each platform. Beyond just the initial cost, we delve into the details to assess affordability and value for money.
- Security: We dig into the security policies of each company, interrogating the safeguards they have in place to ensure the software protects user data properly.
- Compliance: A critical requirement for most HR departments, we assess HR software on whether it offers local compliance when it comes to payroll, taxes, and more.
- Reporting and Documentation: We look at the reporting and documentation capabilities of each software to make sure they offer comprehensive data sets, takeaways, and collaboration options for documentation.
What is Workforce Management Software?
Workforce management software is a solution that helps organizations manage their workforce compliance, time, productivity, and engagement in one platform.
Workforce management (WFM) tools can perform all these functions at the snap of a finger by automating and offering advanced customization.
These solutions are for admins who need intuitive and comprehensive software to streamline their job processes. People like HR professionals, managers, supervisors, payroll managers, and large enterprises across different industries use/need workforce management software.
Main Benefits of Workforce Management Software
There are over a thousand benefits attached to using workforce management software. Below are the top 5 benefits.
- Improved productivity – HR/admins need more time to attend to every business activity, and with the help of a WFM platform, they can automate certain tasks. Instead of accessing data manually or on multiple platforms, they can quickly access the needed data in one location and make data-driven decisions.
- Business tools integration – It’s common for workforce management software to offer multiple functionality, making them a good option for accessing an integrated business solution. For example, Rippling offers payroll, HR, spending, and IT modules, allowing users to pay for any solution.
- Reduced admin labor cost – Imagine hiring many HR specialists with expertise in solutions that a workforce management solution can offer. With a WFM tool, you can cut managerial hiring costs by training the available HR professionals on the tool’s functionality.
- Consolidated real-time reporting – Because you have all the data in one location, you can easily consolidate available data to build a custom real-time report that includes attendance, productivity, overtime, and labor costs. This allows you to identify trends, forecast staffing needs, and make proactive decisions.
- Centralized compliance management – The software ensures compliance with labor laws and industry regulations across different sources. Having all these sources in one system, you can quickly access and spot differences and act accordingly.
How Much Does a Workforce Management System Cost?
The cost of a workforce management system varies, depending on factors such as business size, features needed, and the complexity of the software. However, the fee could range from $8 monthly per user for a basic solution to $50 monthly for an advanced solution. Some also offer custom prices and one-time implementation fees, which come at a high rate. Depending on the complexity, it could range from $100 to $1000.
Typical workforce management platform features include time and attendance tracking, employee scheduling, leave and absence management, reporting, payroll, and mobile access. Other extra features could be advanced reporting and analytics, integration with other systems, compliance management, automation, and customization.
For example, Replicon and Rippling are good ways to start if you need a basic, affordable option. These providers often include essential features like time tracking and scheduling, with more advanced features available at higher tiers.
It’s important to note that some hidden costs may increase your overall budget. Some hidden costs include implementation and setup fees, training/onboarding costs, customization add-ons, priority support, maintenance, and integrations.
Main Features of Workforce Management Software
Below are key features to look for in workforce management software.
- Time and attendance tracking – This feature helps you manage employees’ availability and hours spent on projects. It also enables you to avoid time theft and fosters accountability.
- Integrated Reporting – With this feature, you can efficiently collate every information needed for an easy-to-understand report in one place without manually inputting data. Access to relevant data in one place helps companies make valuable decisions to boost employee productivity.
- System Integrations – Beyond the in-built comprehensive modules that workforce management software offers, you need more integration capabilities. This allows you to connect existing and future business tools.
- Mobile Access – A workforce management solution with mobile accessibility allows team members to access information from anywhere.
- Employee Self-Service – This feature facilitates transparency and collaboration among team members. With a self-service feature, employees can access and manage certain information on their devices without overburdening the admins.
- Compliance Monitoring – As business operations run smoothly, it’s critical to keep monitoring compliance to avoid any legal issues. A workforce management software that automates compliance checks helps your organization respond quickly to changing laws.
Trends in Workforce Management Platforms for 2024
As technology keeps advancing, how employees work and what organizations need from their workforce management is changing. Here are some key trends impacting workforce management solutions 2024:
- Generative AI and Automation – McKinsey reports that automation and generative AI are transforming the job market, with predictions that they’ll cut work hours by 2030. Nowadays, every business tool, including workforce management systems, integrates AI to streamline processes and reduce manual tasks.
- Upskilling and Career Development – Companies are always on the lookout for employees who are eager to learn, especially given the ongoing skill shortages and evolving business needs. Many modern workforce management systems now help with talent management throughout the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to retirement.
- Cybersecurity and Compliance – Keeping up with cybersecurity and compliance is crucial for business progress. As these requirements evolve, workforce management tools now have built-in features to help monitor and adapt to changes, offering both basic and advanced security measures to protect data.
- Enhanced Communication Tools – With the rise of remote work and the gig economy, it’s important for work tools to keep up. Today’s workforce management systems come with features like mobile access and live chat to boost team communication.
- Advanced Analytics and Data-Driven Insights – Data is key for understanding and managing your team effectively. Advanced analytics in workforce management systems allow HR departments to make smart decisions, track employee engagement, and manage performance and career development.
How to Choose the Best Workforce Management Software
Choosing the best workforce management software requires a lot of attention. Consider the following when selecting a workforce management tool.