8 Best cloud HR software for 2025

Spending your days chasing employee onboarding paperwork and manually tracking data is slow and pulls you away from strategic work. This outdated process can also lower the employee experience and is prone to errors.

Cloud HR software changes this as it puts all your HR functions into one easy-to-use platform. This type of system allows you to automate onboarding, simplify payroll, and get clear insights with just a few clicks. This is a move that pays off; a PwC study found that 74% of top-performing companies improved their ROI with cloud investments.

This software frees you up to focus on what truly matters, which is building a better company culture that helps your team succeed. To help you find the right fit, this article explores the top eight cloud HR software options and shares key considerations when choosing one.

1. SAP SuccessFactors HCM 

• Review Rating: 4.1/5
• Best For: Companies managing global workforces with complex HR needs.

SAP SuccessFactors is an all-in-one HR platform that operates in the cloud. It’s built for large, global companies that need to manage a complex workforce. The system handles everything from onboarding to managing payroll and training, supporting the entire employee journey. 

An important feature is its use of AI, which provides better insights to help leaders make better decisions. SAP SuccessFactors also connects easily with other business software and has a mobile app, making it accessible for everyone.

Key Features

• Payroll and benefits administration: Streamlined payroll processing and benefits management, ensuring compliance with local and global regulations.
• Learning and development: Integrated learning platforms to support employee training, certifications, and career development.
• Workforce analytics: Advanced reporting and analytics to provide insights into employee productivity and performance.
• Succession planning: Managers can identify and develop future leaders within the organization through SuccessFactors features.

2. HiBob 

• Review Rating: 4.5/5
• Best For: Mid-sized businesses focused on employee engagement and culture.

HiBob is an online HR platform perfect for agile businesses. While it covers all the essential HR tasks, such as onboarding, time tracking, and performance management, its real strength lies in building a better company culture. 

This system includes tools for employee surveys, recognition, and promoting diversity and inclusion. This helps keep your team engaged and connected. The platform is also designed to be easy for everyone to use and can integrate with other digital workplace apps. 

Key Features

• Employee engagement: Tools like surveys, feedback mechanisms, and recognition programs to improve your workplace culture.
• Onboarding workflows: Automated onboarding processes to ensure an easier transition for new hires.
• Time tracking: Accurate tracking of employee attendance, work hours, and time-off requests.
• HR analytics: This system offers insights into employee productivity, turnover, and performance trends.

3. Gusto 

• Review Rating: 4.6/5
• Best For: Small businesses needing an all-in-one payroll and HR solution.

Gusto is a cloud-based tool that makes HR easy for small businesses. It handles all the important tasks in one place, such as running payroll, filing taxes, and managing employee benefits. The platform is designed to be very user-friendly. This means that you don’t need to be an HR expert to use it. 

Employees get their login to check payslips, request time off, and see their benefits. If you want to spend less time on paperwork and more time on your business, Gusto is a great choice.

Key Features

• Payroll processing: Simplified payroll management with automatic tax filing and compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
• User-friendly interface: Intuitive design that makes it easy for small business owners to manage HR tasks.
• Compliance alerts: Employees can receive notifications to help businesses stay compliant with changing regulations.
• Employee self-service: Users can benefit from a portal to access benefits and tax documents.

4. Rippling 

• Review Rating: 4.8/5
• Best For: Enterprises looking for a digital tool that combines HR and IT management.

Rippling is a workforce management tool that combines HR, IT, and finance functions into a single system. It offers features like payroll, benefits administration, compliance tools, and device management. 

If you have employees in different countries, Rippling makes it easy to manage global payroll and stay compliant with local laws. It’s built like a set of building blocks, meaning that you choose and pay for only the features you need. The platform also provides tools for IT management, enabling businesses to manage software access.

Key Features

• Device management: IT can manage employee devices, software, and security from a single dashboard.
• Modular platform: A flexible system that combines HR, IT, and payroll management in one platform.
• Third-party integrations: Seamless connections with tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and accounting software.
• Custom reporting: Employees can use the system to create detailed reports on HR, IT, and payroll data.

5. SageHR 

• Review Rating: 4.4/5
• Best For: Users seeking simple HR tools with scheduling features.

Sage HR is a flexible HR tool that makes the day-to-day people management simpler. You can use it to keep employee information organized, track vacation days, and manage work schedules. 

It also has tools to help with hiring new people and tracking their performance. One of its best features is the mobile app, which lets employees request time off right from their phones. 

You can also pick and choose the features you need, which helps keep costs down. SageHR is a great option for businesses that want a simple, customizable HR system that’s easy to use.

Key Features

• Shift scheduling: The tool possesses the ability to create, assign, and manage employee schedules.
• Performance tracking: Management can monitor employee performance and conduct regular reviews using the system’s elements.
• Leave management: You can manage employee leave requests, approvals, and tracking in real time.
• Mobile app: This system has a mobile app for employees to manage leave, schedules, and performance reviews.

6. UKG Ready 

• Review Rating: 4.4/5
• Best For: Employees requiring advanced workforce analytics and compliance.

UKG Ready is an all-in-one HR platform that simplifies your daily work by combining payroll, scheduling, and talent management. This means you can manage work hours and payments, all without switching between different programs.

Employees also get access to a self-service portal where they can view their payslips from any device. UKG Ready can grow with your business, providing the tools you need to stay organized. 

Key Features

• ERP integration: Compatibility with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Talent management: The system offers tools for recruitment, onboarding, and employee development.
• Diversity and inclusion analytics: Organizations can gain valuable insights to help improve their diversity and inclusion efforts.
• E-learning management: Managers can also deliver training through this tool and track employee progress.

7. Paychex Flex 

• Review Rating: 4.2/5
• Best For: Leaders needing affordable payroll and compliance tools.

Paychex Flex is a cloud-native platform that simplifies payroll, as it automates pay calculations and ensures your team is paid on time. Beyond its powerful payroll features, Paychex Flex also provides a full suite of HR tools to help with hiring and managing employee benefits. 

This system is designed for convenience with a user-friendly mobile app. This allows both managers and employees to access important information from anywhere. This tool is beneficial for businesses seeking a scalable solution to alleviate the stress of payroll and HR administration.

Key Features

• Accounting integration: Compatibility with QuickBooks, Xero, and other accounting software.
• Payroll processing: Reliable payroll tools with tax compliance and direct deposit options.
• Employee wellness programs: Employees can get access to wellness resources and benefits through the system.

8. GoCo 

• Review Rating: 4.6/5
• Best For: Startups and small businesses looking for user-friendly HR and benefits management.

GoCo can act as the central hub for all your people operations. Its standout feature is its ability to connect with the systems you already use, allowing you to manage everything from one place. 

This tool excels at streamlining tasks such as managing employee benefits and keeping all your documents organized digitally. Employees can sign documents, enroll in benefits and request time off without assistance. This focus on self-service empowers your team and frees up your time.

Key Features

• Compliance tracking: Leaders can ensure adherence to labor laws and regulations using this system.
• Onboarding tools: Automated HR workflows make it easier to onboard new hires and manage documents.
• HR task automation: HR professionals can also automate repetitive HR tasks such as reminders and approvals.

How to choose the right cloud HR software for your enterprise 

The right cloud HR software simplifies HR tasks, secures data, and keeps employees engaged. It also supports compliance, scales with your business, and reduces costs.

So here’s what you need to take into account before choosing new cloud HR software:

Tool	Best For	Core Features	Integration capabilities
SAP SuccessFactors HCM	Large enterprises	Talent management, payroll, workforce analytics, learning & development	Integrates with SAP ERP, third-party apps (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Teams)
Gusto	Small to mid-sized businesses	Payroll, benefits, tax filing, time tracking, hiring tools	Integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, TSheets, and other accounting/time-tracking tools
HiBob HRIS	Mid-sized businesses	Employee engagement, time tracking, performance reviews, and onboarding	Integrates with Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and payroll systems
UKG Pro	Large enterprises	Payroll, talent management, workforce analytics, compliance	Integrates with ERP systems, CRM tools, and third-party HR apps
Rippling	All business sizes	Payroll, benefits, device management, IT integration	Extensive integrations (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack, accounting software)
Sage HR	Small to mid-sized businesses	Leave management, performance tracking, shift scheduling, and recruitment	Integrates with SAGE accounting tools and other third-party apps
GoCo	Small to mid-sized businesses	HR, benefits, onboarding, compliance, document management	Integrates with Slack, Google Workspace, and payroll systems
Paychex Flex	Small to mid-sized businesses	Payroll, HR, benefits, time tracking, and compliance	Integrates with QuickBooks, Xer,o and other accounting software

Future-proof your business with the best cloud HR software solution 

Cloud-based HR software offers many benefits for businesses, such as simplifying tasks, cutting costs, and keeping data secure. It also helps create a more engaging workplace for employees. Choosing the right cloud HR tool is key to maintaining your business resilience.

Start by identifying your company’s biggest challenges so you can find software that solves those problems. Look for tools that offer essential features such as payroll, recruiting, and performance management. 

Make sure the software is easy to use so your team can adopt it quickly. Choose a solution that can grow with your business and connect easily with other tools you already use, like accounting or project management systems. This will make sure your employees adopt and use this tool in their regular workflows.