Best Human Resource Apps
Charlette has over 10 years of experience in accounting and finance and 2 years of partnering with HR leaders on freelance projects. She uses this extensive experience to answer your questions about payroll.
The best HR software takes the workload off you by automating tasks. Even better, HR mobile apps let you do your job from anywhere, even when you don’t have internet access. Additionally, some HR mobile apps are better than others, offering payroll management, shift scheduling, and clock in features. We reviewed top HR software and chose only those with the best mobile app features for human resources. We also considered user feedback and scores on the Google and Apple app store sites.
Based on our evaluation, the top human resource (HR) apps are:
- Paychex Flex: Best overall app for new and growing businesses that are looking for an HR and payroll software and service
- Rippling: Best for technology companies using multiple software applications
- BambooHR: Best for small businesses that just need straight HR functions
- Connecteam: Best for team management on mobile for businesses that manage both shift and job scheduling
- Paycor: Best for businesses with complex payroll processing needs to assist with payroll and employee time tracking
- Freshteam: Best for recruiting for businesses with fewer than 50 employees who post to multiple job boards
- Homebase: Best for businesses in retail or restaurants that hire hourly employees to handle scheduling shifts and time tracking
- When I Work: Best for businesses needing employee time clock and attendance features to handle shift work employees
Looking for something else? Read our guides on the best HRIS/HRMS software and the best HR payroll software.
Paychex Flex: Best Overall HR App
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | More expensive than many HR payroll providers |
| Customizable plans | Pricing customized and subject to change |
| Service can grow with your company | Basic plan (Paychex Flex Go) does not allow the mobile app |
Paychex is a top payroll, HR, and PEO solution that offers a highly rated mobile app. It’s extremely customizable, with a basic plan for payroll and over 350 add-ons. It’s a great solution for a small startup with big ambitions or an established company that’s ready to pass on some of its HR and payroll tasks to a third party that understands the laws and compliances across the US. The backbone of Paychex is its Flex program, which is easy to use on desktop or mobile.
Who is Paychex best for: New and growing businesses that are looking for an HR and payroll software and service that will grow with them will find Paychex a great partner. Paychex offers an easy to use platform and 24/7 customer service with payroll experts that can assist new businesses with HR and payroll issues. It provides higher satisfaction above services like When I Work which lacks phone support and is not available same day. Paychex is also well suited for highly regulated industries like construction or medical, as they face additional complexity when it comes to legal and compliance standards, which Paychex is equipped to handle.
Paychex Mobile App Features
Paychex scores 4.5 out of 5 stars for Android and 4.8 out of 5 stars for iOS. Users say it’s an intuitive and useful app and that they appreciate having all their pay information so handy. Managers praised its ability to approve time cards and submit payroll from the app. The main complaints are with the login and clocking in/out functions, and a large percentage of those complaints came after an update had been pushed. Users also report contacting customer service is difficult.
Management Features:
View and approve timecards (if you have Paychex Time)
Submit payroll
Access reports
See employee profiles, including pay stubs
View retirement plan balances, participation rates, and employee eligibility
See health benefits information from an employer POV, including enrollment
Employee Features:
View pay stubs
View benefits information including retirement
See PTO balances
Clock in/out (if you have Paychex Time in your plan)
Paychex also offers mobile solutions for just time tracking, benefits, and a clock in/out kiosk.
Paychex Pricing
Paychex Flex only advertises pricing for its most basic plan at $59 per month, $4 per employee, which does not offer the mobile app. For higher plans or the PEO, Paychex customizes the price. One representative told us they had hundreds of add-ons and services that they mix and match for a fully customized plan and pricing. It also charges for setup, but sometimes waives that fee, and may change the prices when you renew a contract.
Rippling: Best for Businesses With Multiple Software Applications
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Access third-party sites and apps from the Rippling app | Plans are not good for microbusinesses with few HR needs |
| Offers excellent tools for onboarding computers and software, managing passwords | Mobile app itself has limited functions |
| Software is extremely user-friendly | Some problems with logins, updates |
We like Rippling for HR and payroll, especially for companies that are highly technical or use a lot of third-party applications because Rippling does a great job with integrations and offers two major platforms – Employee Management and IT Management. Not only does it work with other software, but it also lets you access them from the Rippling dashboard, assign, store, and even share passwords, and more. This functionality flows into the mobile app as well.
Who is Rippling best for: Because of its many integration options, this is a great software service to explore if you lack HR or IT staff. Rippling provides an assortment of management features that assist businesses in employee onboarding, healthcare, payroll and PTO tracking, making it a better choice over the Connecteam app, which offers no HR or payroll processing. If you are a business that is growing in scope, Rippling helps by integrating with over 400 applications, including accounting, analytics, performance management, time tracking, and more.
Rippling Mobile App Features
Rippling has a score of 3.8 out of 5 stars for Android and 4 out of 5 stars for iOS. Users say that it’s overall easy to use and like being able to access other programs from the app. The primary request is for more features; the software itself is mobile-friendly, and many users simply defer to it as opposed to using the mobile app. A few people have had problems with logins and the October 2020 update was hard to access, which accounted for many one-star reviews that brought the overall score down.
Management Features:
Approve time off
Store and share team passwords
Contact team members individually or as a group
View team information
Employee Features:
Request time off
Check pay stubs
Access other employee apps like Salesforce or Slack, all from one place
Store and share passwords
Access company directory
Contact co-workers
Rippling recently launched the Time Clock Kiosk app for Android and iOS that lets employees clock in/out, clock breaks, change shifts, and more. Managers and employees can view who is clocked in. This differs from mobile apps such as Homebase, which has the feature built in.
Rippling Pricing
Rippling packages start at $8 per month, per employee with their required Employee Management Platform. However, they offer additional options at custom prices for full service payroll, benefits administration, time and attendance, applicant tracking, and more. You can call for a quote for the best combination for your needs.
BambooHR: Best for Straight HR Functions
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Easy to use, intuitive | Pricing is not transparent |
| Handles most HR functions right on the app | Payroll is an add-on, costs extra |
| Easy to expand software with add-ons, third-party integrations | Time tracking costs extra |
If you are looking for HR software that lets you do just about everything via the mobile app, BambooHR is worth considering. It comes with a wider range of self-serve tools for employees, from PTO requests to document signing. Like the plans offered through Paychex, BambooHR pricing for its software is customized. However, you do pay extra for payroll and time tracking, but it integrates with 50+ other systems, meaning you may be able to use what you have. It’s a worthy addition for HR managers who need to automate processes so they can concentrate on the strategic side of HR.
Who is BambooHR best for: BambooHR is a great service for small HR departments or executive assistants who also handle HR because it takes on the everyday tasks of human resource management. However, the pricing and fact that you need to purchase add-ons for payroll and timekeeping may make it more expensive than other HR payroll software that cater to small businesses.
BambooHR Mobile App Features
Users give BambooHR 3.8 out of 5 stars for Android and 3.6 out of 5 stars for iOS. Users that like it give general praise for usability and the features offered, but those that complain cite login issues and problems accessing specific data.
Management Features:
Approve PTO
Build company calendars
Edit and approve timesheets
See who’s clocked in
Send announcements to their team
Monitor payroll
Employment Features:
View the company directory
Contact co-workers via email, text, or phone
Request PTO and calculate present and future time-off balances
View company calendar
Clock in/out
Get push notifications and company emails
Access pay stubs and year-to-date summaries
Read and sign documents online
Fill out employee surveys
Set up and edit goals
BambooHR Pricing
You have to contact BambooHR Sales to get a personalized quote for either of its plans. However, we received a quote of $8.25 per employee for the Advantage package for 15 employees. This is competitive compared to other HR software, except that it does not include payroll. That costs an additional $75 plus $4.05 per employee monthly for the TRAXPayroll solution, as well as one-time fees for payroll implementation ($241.25) and “QuickStart Training” for new clients ($299).
Time tracking costs another $3 per employee, per month. The performance management module costs an additional $5.25 per employee monthly. As you can see, it adds up. However, once you have these, they are almost all accessible through the mobile app.
Connecteam: Best for Team Management on Mobile
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Fully mobile | No payroll processing |
| Easy to set up and configure | No benefits administration |
| Handles project management as well as scheduling | No HR compliance support |
Perhaps you already have your HR and payroll pretty well under control, but you’re looking for a mobile app that makes it easier to handle scheduling, employee communications, shift and time-tracking, and training—Connecteam may be just what you need. Used by over 8,000 companies including brand names like Ace Hardware, SodaStream, and American Eagle Outfitters, it also works for small businesses and has a free version as well. With all the functions made for mobile, the software makes it easy to manage your employees, no matter where they are.
Who is Connecteam best for: This mobile app is best for companies that already have established HR and payroll programs but are looking for a convenient way to organize, communicate, and manage their co-workers. Unlike apps such as Paychex or Rippling, Connecteam does not offer payroll processing. The higher plans are excellent for multiple stores that run independently with different schedules and time clocks. Connecteam Mobile App Features
Connecteam has a score of 4.1 out of 5 stars for Android and 3.7 out of 5 stars for iOS. Users say it’s very easy to use and praise the YouTube tutorials. Many of the complaints seem to be due to settings by the person’s manager, such as restricting when someone can clock in and when reminders are sent out. Connecteam responded to nearly all the complaints and compliments on Google Play.
Management Features:
Create schedules and task lists (including subtasks)
Set up training
Create projects
Contact individuals, team members, or the entire company
Send push notifications
Track hours and project progress
Create repeatable workflows and checklists
Put out documents to be signed
Employment Features:
Sign documents
See schedules and progress on projects
Upload photos of projects, send and sign reports
Clock in/out, track hours, mileage, make job notes
Request time off
View time sheets
View company directory, documents, training
Contact co-workers individually or in group chat
Connecteam Pricing
Connecteam has a free program with limited features for up to 50 users, making it ideal for small businesses. There’s also a free 14-day trial. Prices for the paid plans run from $47 to $191 per month for up to 50 users, with a monthly per-user fee for any number over 50. If you pay annually, you get two months for free. For the Enterprise plan, prices are customized.
Paycor: Best for Payroll and Employee Time Tracking
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Highly rated mobile app with HR and payroll functions | Logins can be glitchy for employees |
| Clock in/out for employees | Software plans for small businesses more expensive than their competitors |
| Handles payroll, HR, compliances | Does not support international businesses |
Paycor is an excellent software for HR and payroll, and like Paychex the mobile app deserves high praise as well. It lets employers and employees handle an excellent range of time-off and HR tasks. While Paycor is mostly focused on payroll and time tracking, it also offers Human Capital Management (HCM) software that includes onboarding, analytics, and reporting, with additional functions for talent management, benefits support, and learning management that aren’t found in other apps of its kind.
Who is Paycor best for: For the full HR functionality, you need a higher-tier plan. Thus, it’s better for mid-sized businesses with 50 or more employees. There are also cheaper alternatives for payroll, so smaller businesses with simpler needs may find cheaper payroll software.
Paycor Mobile App Features
With scores of 4.5 out of 5 stars for Android and 4.7 out of 5 stars for iOS, Paycor stands out from similar HR payroll software with mobile applications. Both managers and employees say it’s easy to use. Most of the complaints concern login issues, especially after the latest update.
Paycor has separate apps for its Time On Demand function and for sign-in kiosks. These do not rate as highly as the primary app.
Management Features:
Approve time-off requests
Approve workflows
Acknowledge time card exceptions
Add, edit, or delete punches for employees
Approve time cards
Track applicants
Employee Features:
See current and previous pay stubs and W-2s
Text, email, and print PDF copies of pay stubs and W-2s
Clock in/out, view time card hours, report a missed clock in/out
Fill out time sheets
Request time off
View work schedules, future pay dates, and time off
Access company directory
See benefits
View tasks and schedules, notifications, and company news
Access company learning
View and edit profile
Paycor Pricing
Paycor’s small business plans run from $99 to $199 per month, while the mid-market plan (40-1,000 employees) needs a customized quote. The higher-tiered plans include more HR features. The app is included and you can download it for free.
Paycor may charge you extra if you go over your subscription, such as having more active employees than you contracted for. They charge per employee for overages. Be sure to update your plan if you increase your work staff.
Freshteam: Best for Recruiting
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | Doesn’t integrate with other HR or payroll software |
| Integrates with other Freshworks HR software | Need a paid plan to post to job boards |
| Free version for <50 employees and 3 openings at a time | Can’t write job postings on the mobile app |
If you are expanding and need great recruitment software with a highly-regarded mobile app, check out Freshteam by Freshworks. Not only does it offer robust tracking and job posting functions, but it also offers a free version for fewer than 50 employees for tracking applicants. One drawback to Freshteam is it does not integrate with other HR software. However, managers love the mobile app.
Who is Freshteam best for: If you need a basic recruiting software for creating job descriptions, posting, screening resumes, and organizing your hiring processes, Freshteam outweighs the competition. It’s even better for businesses that use other Freshworks HR software. But if you are looking for software that will handle all your HR needs, including payroll and recruiting, Freshteam does not provide the same features as apps like Homebase, which offer it all.
Freshteam Mobile App Features
The mobile app does not let you create or post job openings. It only tracks the interview process. However, it also has features for managing employees, such as time off approval and communications. Freshteam scores of 4.4 out of 5 stars for Android and 4 out of 5 stars for iOS. Users say the app helps them keep up-to-date on the hiring process even when out of the office. They also praise tech support, something not often seen in a mobile app. Complaints are few.
Hiring Features:
Create and maintain an interview schedule
Gather interview feedback
View candidate profile information
Collaborate with the hiring team
View details on job postings and candidates
Get push notifications
Employer/employee features:
Requesting or approving PTO
Viewing time off balances
Seeing a holiday or team calendar
View company directory
Contact co-workers
Freshteam Pricing
Packages run anywhere from $75 to $150 a month and increase as you add employees to your business. There’s also an Estate package that starts at $250 per month and includes advanced features such as customized recruitment roles. The free plan is a great option for small businesses, but you’ll need to post job openings yourself.
Homebase: Best for Scheduling Shifts
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | Higher plans get expensive |
| Unlimited employees | Has a lot of different glitches on mobile |
| Free version for a single location | Software has a learning curve |
If your employees work shifts, then a strong scheduling software can take a lot of work off your plate. Homebase not only lets you set schedules and track time but also allows employees to request shift trades, covers, and more. It integrates with a lot of POS, payroll, and HR software, making it a great addition to your HR suite. Plus, like Paychex and Paycor in terms of ease of use, the mobile app is highly praised.
Who is Homebase best for: Businesses with shift workers such as restaurants, retail, or manufacturing. Unlike other apps such as Rippling that focus more on payroll and benefits, Homebase focuses on scheduling software making it ideal for these types of businesses. Additionally, all plans have job posting and applicant tracking features for unlimited employees.
Homebase Mobile App Features
Homebase has a score of 4.3 out of 5 stars for Android and 4.8 out of 5 stars for iOS. Users like the notifications especially but also praise the ease of use and how organized it is. What was unusual are the complaints, however. While there were the expected login issues as reported with the Paycor app as well, this app had a variety of additional odd problems, from managers being logged in as employees to not being able to remove old work locations to difficulty uploading schedules.
Management Features:
Create and share schedules
See employee availability
Track breaks, overtime
View and approve time sheets
Contact employees or teams through the app
Check sales, scheduled labor costs, actual labor costs, and labor as a percentage of sales
Employment Features:
See schedules
Request shift trades
Clock in/out
Track time worked and see estimated earnings
Contact co-workers through the app
Homebase Pricing
Homebase’s Basic Plan is free for users operating in a single location. It has three paid plans—Essentials, Plus, and All-in-One—for businesses with more than one location. The paid plans range from $19.95 to $99.95.
Homebase has additional services like job posting boosts at $79 per post and HR Pro Advisors plus resources at $99 per month. If you sign up for the premium All-in-One plan, both HR Pro Advisors and API integration access are included.
When I Work: Best for Time Clock and Attendance
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Ideal for Small Businesses with under 100 employees ($4 per user) | Additional cost for add-on features like GPS tracking, payroll integration and overtime alerts |
| Time tracking and shift scheduling directly through the mobile app | Limited third-party software integration |
| Team management and communication | Lacks phone support; offers limited email and live chat |
Businesses that employ shift workers can benefit from When I Work’s integrated shift scheduling system and clock-in feature. When I Work offers a broad spectrum of scheduling efficiencies, including shift swapping, scheduling templates, and multiple location scheduling capacities. Like Paycor, When I Work also offers Human Capital Management (HCM) software to assist with onboarding, analytics and reporting. Additionally, it is one of the more affordable options in time and attendance apps at just $4 per person.
Who is When I Work best for: Businesses that have shift based workplaces, such as restaurants, retail, or hair salons because it lets you manage scheduling, time tracking, and team communications from one dashboard. Where When I Work outshines the others is its ability to create and manage shift scheduling templates and labor forecasting.
When I Work Mobile App Features
When I Work has a score of 4.5 out of 5 stars for Android and 4.7 out of 5 stars for iOS. Users like the ease of scheduling and accessibility. Group templates can be set up making scheduling easy for a staff with rotating schedules. They did not like the lack of immediate technical support.
Management Features:
Manage staff schedules
Use the time clock feature to automate recurring schedules
Track employee attendance
Integrate third-party solutions such as Square, QuickBooks, and Rippling PEO
Employee Features:
Clock in/out
Update their schedules as needed
Request time off
Message team members directly through the app
When I Work Pricing
When I Work offers two plan options: Small Business and Enterprise. The Small Business plan is ideal for businesses with fewer than 100 employees and costs just $4 per employee, per month. And it comes with time and attendance features such as overtime alerts, mobile clock-in with GPS capabilities, third-party software integrations, and custom timesheet exports.
For businesses with greater than 100 employees, When I Work offers its custom-priced Enterprise plan. This plan boasts all the features and benefits of the Small Business plan plus customized options, such as integration with current payroll, API data security, and is built for a team of any size.
Bottom Line
There is no single mobile app that can take the place of a good HR software. Even HR software with excellent apps still have functions best done on a computer. Nonetheless, many HR and payroll services are developing apps that make it easy to do the most important tasks from your phone, making it easy to get the job done in the office or on the beach. We’ve noted just a few of the top HR apps for Android and iOS users.
Our recommendation for the best HR app is Paychex. It is customizable and an overall great solution for new and growing businesses that want to delegate some of their HR and payroll tasks to a third party that understands the laws and compliances across the US.
