6 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.
Robie has more than five years of content writing experience and specializes in writing about payroll and human resources software for small businesses.
This article is part of a larger series on Payroll Services.
Human resources (HR) software takes the workload off you by automating HR tasks. Most providers have downloadable HR apps for mobile devices, enabling you and your employees to access HR tools from anywhere. The best HR apps offer time and paid time off (PTO) tracking, scheduling, and employee information management functionalities and allow users to view and input data for timesheets, benefits enrollment, and online onboarding. Some also offer pay processing, hiring, and collaboration tools.
In this guide, we evaluated 11 human resource apps and narrowed our list down to the top six.
- Paycor: Best overall HR app for businesses
- Paychex Flex: Best for growing companies looking for mobile payroll tools and HR services
- BambooHR: Best for small businesses that just need straight HR functions
- Rippling: Best for companies that want HR, payroll, information technology (IT), and expense management tools
- Connecteam: Best for team management (shift and job scheduling) on mobile
- Homebase: Best for retail and restaurant businesses that hire hourly workers
Top HR Apps Compared
Note that all the HR apps in this guide are free to download. However, you need a paid software subscription to access the features.
Special Promotion* | Free Plan (Software) | Starter Monthly Pricing (Software) | Payroll Add-on | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Waived setup fees and 50% off your first year | ✕ | $5 per employee | N/A |
 | Three months' free payroll | ✕ | $5 per employee plus $39 base fee | N/A |
 | ✕ | ✕ | $8.25 per employee for up to 20 employees** | Custom priced |
 | ✕ | ✕ | $8 per employee plus $35 base fee** | Included in quote |
 | ✕ | Free for first 10 employees | $35 for first 30 employees (plus 6 cents for each additional user) *** | No payroll tool |
 | ✕ | Free for one business location | $24.95 per business location | $8 per employee monthly plus $35 base fee per month |
*This may change at any time. Visit the provider’s website to check the latest promotions.
**Pricing is based on a quote we received.
*** Annual billing available for a price discount.
All the HR systems on our list allow users to view, request, and approve PTO transactions via its downloadable mobile apps. All apps (except Paychex) also provide access to the company directory and a chat solution for collaborating with team members. Below are some of the standout features:
Access to Pay Stubs, Benefits, and Forms | Scheduling and Time Tracking in App | Payroll Runs via App | Other Tools in App | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✓ | ✓ (Separate app for scheduling) | ✕ |
|
| ✓ | Time tracking only (via separate app) | ✓ |
|
| ✓ | Time tracking only | ✕ |
|
| ✓ | Time tracking (via separate app) | ✕ |
|
| Forms only | ✓ | No payroll tool |
|
| Payslips and forms only* | ✓ | ✕ |
|
*Requires Homebase’s payroll add-on to access online payslips
Are you looking for something else? Read our guides on the best HR information system (HRIS)/HR management system (HRMS) software and the best HR payroll software.
Paycor: Best Overall HR App
Pros
- Highly rated mobile app with a wide range of HR functions, such as applicant tracking and learning courses
- On-demand pay feature lets employees access earned wages before paydays
- Robust employee self-service tools for tracking time, work schedules, and benefits details
Cons
- Software plans for small businesses are more expensive than competitors
- Mobile app logins can be glitchy at times
- In terms of scheduling, the Paycor mobile app only allows employees to view schedules; managers need the Paycor Scheduling app to create and manage staff shifts
Paycor Plans and Pricing
Small Business plans (those with up to 49 employees)
- Basic: $99 per month plus $5 per employee monthly
- Essential: $149 per month plus $7 per employee monthly
- Core: $199 per month plus $8 per employee monthly
- Complete: $199 per month plus $14 per employee monthly
Midmarket plans (businesses with 50 and more employees): Custom priced
Since our last update:
There have been slight changes to the Paycor pricing plans, such as the per-employee fees for its higher tiers (with increases of up to $2). Paycor also renamed some of its small business packages, specifically changing Complete and HCM into Core and Complete, respectively.
Paycor is excellent software for HR and payroll, and its mobile app (for iOS and Android devices) also deserves high praise. 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.
However, Paycor can be pricey for small businesses. Its starter monthly plan costs $99 plus $5 per employee—more expensive than the other human resource apps on our list. Plus, if you want its full HR suite, you need a higher-tier plan. For small businesses with simple payroll requirements, consider one of our best free payroll software.
Paycor’s mobile app (Source: Paycor)
Paycor Mobile App Features
With scores of 4.1 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store (as of this writing), Paycor stands out from similar HR payroll software with mobile applications given the wide range of HR tools that can be accessed through its app. Aside from time tracking and viewing payslips, employees can complete learning sessions and even get on-demand pay through Paycor’s mobile app. Meanwhile, managers can approve workflows and time-related requests, as well as track applicants—a functionality that only Freshteam and BambooHR (but through a separate hiring app) provide.
Paycor also has a separate app for employee scheduling. This does not rate as highly as the primary app but provides managers the capability to create and manage staff schedules while on the go—provided there’s an internet connection available (note that the primary app only provides viewing access).
What’s great about the main software?
Paycor has a full-featured platform designed to streamline basic to advanced HR tasks—from onboarding to performance reviews and engagement surveys. Its payroll module comes with customizable stubs and pay grids, allowing you to select pay data items for running simple to complex payroll. While it doesn’t provide dedicated payroll specialists to its clients as Paychex does, you can get one-on-one support from HR professionals if you upgrade to its higher tiers.
To learn more about its features, read our full Paycor review.
Paychex Flex: Best for New & Growing Businesses Looking for Mobile Payroll Tools & HR Services
Pros
- Easy to use
- Payroll runs via its mobile app
- Software has flexible payroll plans; its services can grow with your company
Cons
- Software pricing isn’t fully transparent
- Has separate apps for different products (e.g., app for tracking time and for employee self-service tools)
- App has limited HR functions
- Time tracking is a paid add-on
Paychex Flex Plans and Pricing
- Paychex Flex Essentials: $39 per month plus $5 per employee
- Paychex Flex Select: Custom priced
- Paychex Flex Pro: Custom priced
Paychex is a top payroll, HR, and professional employer organization (PEO) solution that offers highly rated mobile apps for iOS and Android devices. The backbone of Paychex is its Paychex Flex payroll software, which is easy to use on desktop or mobile. It comes with flexible plans that not only let you pay employees but also provide benefits plans and learning courses for your staff.
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. Paychex also offers 24/7 customer service with payroll experts that can assist new businesses with HR and payroll issues. It even provides access to a dedicated payroll specialist should you subscribe to its higher tiers.
With the Paychex Flex app, you can run payroll and access pay-related reports. (Source: Paychex)
Paychex Flex Mobile App Features
As of this writing, Paychex scores 3.7 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store. While many mobile app reviewers said that it is overall a useful app, some complained of having experienced system glitches from time to time.
Features-wise, the Paychex Flex app isn’t as robust as most of the human resource apps on our list. It only comes with manager and employee self-service tools for viewing payslips, managing employee profiles, and accessing benefits information. Although, it does allow payroll administrators to review, resume, and submit payroll while on the go—a mobile app functionality that none of the providers we reviewed offer.
Similar to Paycor, it offers separate apps for time tracking and benefits administration. This is great for businesses that only want to use Paychex Time for employee attendance monitoring and the Paychex Benefits Account app to manage benefits plans.
What’s great about the main software?
You get more tools for new hire onboarding, background screening, and learning management. Paychex Flex also comes with a library of HR and business forms, including an online employee handbook builder.
To learn more about its features, read our full Paychex Flex review.
BambooHR: Best for Straight HR Functions
Pros
- Handles most HR functions right on the app
- Easy to use, intuitive
- Easy to expand software with add-ons and third-party integrations
Cons
- Software pricing is not transparent
- Payroll, time tracking, and performance reviews cost extra
- Can get pricey as you add more features
- You need a separate app, BambooHR Hiring, to access applicant tracking tools
BambooHR Plans and Pricing
- Essentials: Custom priced
- Advantage*: $8.25 per employee monthly (up to 20 employees)
Add-ons*
- Time tracking add-on: $3 per employee monthly
- Performance reviews add-on: $5.25 per employee monthly
- Payroll add-on: $75 plus $4.05 per employee monthly
*Pricing is based on a quote we received.
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 built-in self-serve tools for employees—from PTO requests to document signing. It’s also an ideal solution for small HR departments because it takes on the everyday tasks of HR management, while also allowing you to automate these processes so your HR manager can concentrate on the strategic side of HR
Unlike Paycor and Paychex Flex, which both have payroll as their core feature, BambooHR comes with HR solutions for managing employee information, PTO, onboarding, and even hiring. While you have to pay extra for payroll, performance reviews, and time tracking, it does integrate with 50-plus other systems, meaning you may be able to use what you have. However, if you do purchase its add-on solutions, BambooHR can get more expensive than other HR payroll software that cater to small businesses.
With the BambooHR app, you can sign online forms with ease. (Source: BambooHR)
BambooHR Mobile App Features
Mobile app users give BambooHR 3.7 out of 5 on Google Play and 3.5 out of 5 on the App Store (as of this writing). 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.
Despite the occasional glitches, its mobile app allows employees to access a lot more than PTO, time data, and payslips. Employee surveys can be filled out via the app as well as work goals and staff performance (none of the providers we reviewed have performance review tools on their apps). Its centralized calendar lets you view who’s in or out of the office while its company directory allows you to contact colleagues via text, email, or phone call. Meanwhile, also have the same access but with approval permissions.
BambooHR also has a separate recruiting app, BambooHR Hiring, for tracking applicants on the go. It even lets you evaluate resumes, collaborate with hiring stakeholders, and communicate with qualified candidates via email, phone, and text.
What’s great about the main software?
BambooHR’s mobile app may offer a lot of HR functionalities, but its main software provides you with access to tailored workflows/approvals and advanced reporting. If you sign up for its highest plan, you even get an employee satisfaction with employer net promoter scores (eNPS) report to help you learn how your workforce feels about their work and identify areas to improve on.
To learn more about its features, read our full BambooHR review.
Rippling: Best for Businesses That Want HR, Payroll, IT & Expense Management Tools
Pros
- Modular solutions that allow you to select modules that you need (payroll, HR, and IT tools)
- Access third-party sites and business apps from Rippling’s mobile app
- Integrates with 500-plus business apps
- Offers excellent tools for managing onboarding, company-assigned computers, business software, and passwords
- Has global payroll, PEO, and employer of record (EoR) solutions
Cons
- Software pricing isn’t all transparent; can get pricey as you add more modules
- Mobile app has limited features
- Its core workforce management platform is a must-purchase module (you can’t add other solutions without it)
- Separate app for time tracking
Rippling Plan and Pricing*
- $35 plus $8 per employee monthly
- Includes Rippling’s core workforce management platform, employee onboarding and offboarding, full-service payroll, time tracking, and software integrations
Other Per-Module Costs*
- Global payroll: $20 per employee or contractor monthly
- EoR services: $599 per employee monthly
- App, device, and computer inventory management: $5 per employee monthly
- Includes IT tools to manage business apps and computer provisioning and deprovisioning processes
- Benefits administration: Pricing varies, depending on your insurance broker
- HR help desk: Custom priced
*Pricing is based on a quote we received.
Since our last update:
Rippling has released several new products and solutions like its global payroll and EoR services that cover more than 100 countries. Finance tools are also available, such as corporate cards and an expense management solution for reviewing, approving, and reimbursing employee business expenses.
Rippling has solid HR, IT, and payroll tools with an extensive network of 500-plus partner systems—more robust than any of the human resource apps on our list. This makes it great for companies that are highly technical or use a lot of third-party applications. Not only does it integrate with other software, but it also lets you access them directly from Rippling’s main dashboard. You can even use its mobile app to log into your business apps, as well as securely store and share passwords with your team through its “RPass” feature.
Apart from IT tools for managing business software and company-assigned computers, Rippling provides an assortment of HR management features that assist businesses in employee onboarding, healthcare, payroll, and PTO tracking. This makes it a better choice over the Connecteam and Freshteam apps, which offer no payroll processing and limited HR features.
The Rippling mobile app lets you log into all of your business apps with just one tap. (Source: Rippling)
Rippling Mobile App Features
As of this writing, Rippling has a score of 3.2 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.2 out of 5 on the App Store. Users say that it’s overall easy to use and that they like being able to access other programs from the app. The software itself is mobile-friendly and many users simply defer to it as opposed to using the mobile app given its limited features. Like the other HR apps on our list, several reviewers complained about having experienced problems with logins.
While Rippling’s main platform is feature-rich, its mobile app offers mostly employee self-service tools for viewing payslips, accessing forms, and managing PTO. Its only standout feature is its basic IT tools, allowing you to log into your business apps and manage passwords while on the go. None of the human resource apps we reviewed have this functionality.
Rippling also has a Time Clock Kiosk app for Android and iOS that lets employees time in/out, clock breaks, change shifts, and more. Managers and employees can also view who is clocked in. Plus, it comes with selfie time-ins and geolocation restrictions to prevent buddy punching and ensure that employees are clocking in at your worksite (or designated work locations). This differs from the Homebase mobile app, which has time tracking features built-in.
What’s great about the main platform?
Rippling’s main software offers a wider range of HR features, such as applicant tracking, job postings, employee benefits, and learning management. It also has customizable workflow automation tools, allowing you to create workflows and approvals that fit your business’ HR processing needs.
To learn more about its features, read our full Rippling review.
Connecteam: Best for Team Management on Mobile
Pros
- Easy to set up and configure
- Handles staff scheduling and project management
- Offers a free software plan (for up to 10 users); paid plans charge a fixed monthly fee for the first 30 users
- Fully mobile features
Cons
- Lacks payroll and benefits tools
- Additional users, in excess of the first 30 employees, cost extra
- PTO management, GPS/geofence time tracking, and payroll integrations are available only in higher tiers
Connecteam Plans and Pricing
- Small Business: $0 for up to 10 users
- Basic: $35 monthly for the first 30 users; 6 cents for each additional user
- Advanced: $59 monthly for the first 30 users; $1.80 for each additional user
- Expert: $119 monthly for the first 30 users; $3.60 for each additional user
- Enterprise: Custom priced
* Sign up for annual pricing and receive an 18% discount on all plans
Since our last update:
The provider has made a few adjustments to its pricing plans, such as renaming its free tier to “Small Business” and reducing the said plan’s user limit to 10 (from 50 users). Connecteam also reduced the user seats of its paid options (from 50 to 30) and adjusted the monthly base fee (with pricing reductions of around $10 to $72).
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.
However, unlike apps such as Paychex, Paycor, or Rippling, Connecteam does not offer payroll processing. Although, its higher plans are excellent for multiple business locations that run independently with different schedules and time clocks.
Connecteam’s mobile app (Source: Connecteam)
Connecteam Mobile App Features
Connecteam has a score of 3.7 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.2 out of 5 on the App Store (as of this writing). Users say it’s very easy to use and has efficient tools for tracking employee attendance and tasks. Many of the complaints are about login issues, system crashes, and app glitches. Despite the negative feedback, Connecteam responded to nearly all the complaints, including compliments on both Google Play and the App Store. The other providers on our list aren’t as diligent in responding to online user feedback, regardless of if it’s a positive or negative review.
In terms of features, Connecteam’s mobile app doesn’t have Paycor’s performance reviews nor Paychex Flex’s payroll runs. What it offers are robust team management solutions for tracking employee attendance, scheduling jobs, and assigning/monitoring tasks. Similar to Paycor, you can access learning courses through its mobile app but it takes it one step further, allowing you to add and complete course quizzes.
What’s great about the main platform?
While many of Connecteam’s features are available on its mobile app, the main platform provides easier access to customization features and reports.
To learn more about its features, read our full Connecteam review.
Homebase: Best for Retail & Restaurant Businesses That Need Basic HR Payroll Tools
Pros
- Has a free plan for one-location businesses (with up to 20 employees)
- Free plan comes with time tracking and scheduling, while paid plans include hiring and onboarding
- Payroll is a reasonably priced add-on
- On-demand pay feature available in mobile app (allows employees to access earned wages in between paydays)
Cons
- Lacks benefits and advanced HR solutions (like learning management)
- Mobile app doesn’t have payroll processing tools (only lets employees view payslips)
- New hire onboarding and employee documents are only available in most premium plan
- Can get pricey if you subscribe to its higher tiers and payroll add-on
Homebase Plans and Pricing
- Basic: $0 for one-location businesses with up to 20 employees
- Includes time tracking, staff scheduling, hiring, and messaging tools
- Essentials: $24.95 per location monthly
- Plus: $59.95 per location monthly
- All in One: $99.95 per location monthly
Homebase Payroll Pricing*
- $39 per month plus $6 per employee monthly
- Includes payroll processing, direct deposits, and tax filing and payments services
*Requires subscription to its time tracking and scheduling software.
Since our last update:
There have been pricing adjustments to the monthly fees of Homebase’s paid plans, with increases of up to $20. Meanwhile, the cost of its payroll add-on also changed—from $35 plus $5 per employee monthly to $39 plus $6 per employee monthly.
If your employees work shifts, then 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 several POS systems, making it a good option for retail shops and restaurant businesses. Plus, like Paychex Flex and Paycor, it has a highly rated mobile app with easy-to-use features.
Unlike other providers, such as Paycor and Rippling, which have separate apps for scheduling or time tracking, these features are standard tools in Homebase’s mobile app. Additionally, employees can view their payslips and even access earned wages in advance while on the go.
Aside from time tracking and scheduling, Homebase’s mobile app lets you track labor costs. (Source: Homebase)
Homebase Mobile App Features
As of this writing, Homebase earned overall scores of 4.4 out of 5 on Google Play and 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store. Users like its ease of use and helpful notifications. However, others dislike its “clunky” messenger tool and the occasional app glitches that include clock in/out, log in, and slow loading issues.
The Homebase app may have all the features you need to manage staff schedules and monitor employee attendance, but it lacks the pay processing capabilities that are available in Paychex Flex’s mobile app. Its HR features are also limited, unlike those of Paycor and BambooHR, which come with learning courses and performance review tools. However, you do get standard manager and employee self-service features, such as viewing payslips and accessing forms.
What’s great about the main platform?
While the Homebase Payroll module is equipped with solid pay processing tools, Homebase’s main time tracking and scheduling platform also provides access to online solutions for posting jobs, tracking applicants, and onboarding new hires. Note, however, that you can’t run payroll and create custom online onboarding packets through its app—you need its full software to manage these processes.
To learn more about its features, read our full Homebase review.
Bottom Line
In finding the right payroll solution or HR system, there is no single mobile app that can take the place of good HR software. Even software with excellent apps still has 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, allowing you to get the job done whether you’re in the office or on the beach.
Our recommendation for the best HR app is Paycor. It is full-featured and overall a great solution for businesses that want to access basic to advanced HR tools—from tracking applicants and monitoring employee attendance to providing employees access to payslips and benefits information. It also comes with communication tools, which allow you to view contact details and chat with employees in-app.
Sign up for a Paycor plan and download its mobile app today.
