The 6 Best Free HR Softwares
We clarify whether free HR software can keep up and which software has that certain extra.
The personnel file has long since become a digital file and the famous file cabinet has become a cloud. Therefore, nowadays it means much more to work in Human Resources area and to focus on many more areas than in file times. In addition to thorough onboarding and demands of new generations, the conditions that companies require for HR tools have also become more diverse. Especially for small companies and startups, price plays a crucial role. A good reason to look out for free HR software.
For this, we have looked at OMR Reviews as well as the internet and gathered the six best free HR tools. We will reveal what advantages and disadvantages to expect when bringing a free HR solution into your company.
What are the pros and cons of free HR software?
Apart from the fact that free software is usually functionally very limited, the further challenge with free HR tools is to find one in the first place. The vast majority of solutions for HR departments are paid, although the prices are very human. We have listed the advantages and disadvantages that free human resources software brings:
Advantages
- Small teams or organizations benefit from free HR solutions to save money.
- The tools are suitable for companies that do not have a separate HR unit but also do not employ many employees.
- Some free HR tools focus on recruitment, which often costs a lot of money – a free software comes in handy.
Disadvantages
- Low number of functions
- Limited to a few employees
- Not suitable for all HR purposes
- Some HR tools only cover one area of the human resources area
Here are the top 6 free HR software
We have shuffled through the entire internet for you to present you the optimal free HR solutions. We also list which features are free in the tools and what it costs you to upgrade. Two of the six tools are purely for recruiting. There are also various recruiting strategies.
1. Freshworks
Freshworks – Of the free HR tools Freshworks is the most comprehensive.
Freshworks describes the free version of their HR software as „Basic human functions for small organizations“. Fittingly, this includes enough features to make Freshworks relevant to many small businesses, regardless of the industry. The free HR software allows you to cover areas such as recruitment, teamwork, and employee directory. So far, Freshworks is in use at over 5,000 companies - including SAP, Nissan and monster - and has been on the market for more than 10 years. In our eyes, Freshworks is the most comprehensive free HR software.
Free Features in Freshworks
- For up to 50 employees
- Post 3 job offers
- Career website
- Employee directory
- Basic holiday management
- Can be used as an app (iOS and Android)
If the features in the free version of Freshworks are not enough for you, you can upgrade to the Growth, Pro or Enterprise tariffs. Costs start at 71 Euro platform fees plus 1.20 Euro per employee - every month. The paid versions of Freshworks already include significantly more in the cheap package „Growth“ than the For-Free version has to offer.
Freshworks Alternatives
At OMR Reviews you can find an overview of the Freshworks Alternatives. There you can decide on the right HR software for you - free or paid - based on user reviews and experiences.
2. Homebase
homebaseis also available as a mobile app (iOS and Android).
The free version of the HR software Homebase is less comprehensive than its predecessor in our ranking, but sufficient for various HR purposes. Homebase is able to support you in the areas of scheduling, payroll, onboarding, team communication and employee happiness. However, remember that not everything is included in the free version. Nevertheless, it is good to know that Homebase can also support you if you have bigger HR ambitions - even if you have to dig deeper into your pocket.
Free Features in Homebase
- The version is valid for one location
- For an unlimited number of employees
- Timesheets & digital time clock
- Employee availability planning
- Messaging
- Hiring
As written, you can become much happier with Homebase if you put a little money into it. Tariffs start at $ 24.95 per location per month. If you want to have Homebase with all the bells and whistles, you are already at $99.95 per month.
Further information about the Homebase Prices as well as user reviews with price references can be found at OMR Reviews.
Homebase Alternatives
At OMR Reviews you can find an overview of the Homebase Alternatives. There you can decide on the right HR software for you - free or paid - based on user reviews and experiences.
3. HRLocker
HRLocker - HRLocker was founded by the former Head of HR O2 UK.
In 2004, the former Head of HR for O2 UK founded HRLocker. Since then, the HR software has grown into a respectable provider. It is also said to be very comprehensive. Apart from general HR management, HRLocker covers the parts time recording, recruiting, onboarding and performance management. Thus, HRLocker focuses on a different area than the other providers in our listicle. In addition, HRLocker has webinars and podcasts in its portfolio, which should support you in HR.
Free Features in HRLocker
- For a maximum of 4 employees
- Employee database
- Holiday and sickness management
- HR reports
- Onboarding features
- Use of the HR-Locker app (iOS and Android)
More features for more employees include the HR Essentials, HR Professional and HR Premium packages. Price-wise, HRLocker starts at 3 Euro per employee per month.
More information about the HRLocker-Prices and user reviews with price references can be found at OMR Reviews.
HRLocker Alternatives
At OMR Reviews you can find an overview of the HRLocker Alternatives. There you can decide on the right HR software for you - free or paid - based on user reviews and experiences.
4. Bitrix24
Bitrix24 is basically a project management software including a CRM. Over the years, this has evolved into a software for HR departments, as the respective requirements of HR and project management are close to each other. The functions include an employee directory and a graphical representation of the company structure for easy onboarding. In addition, HR news can be published and working hours managed. Leisure time management as well as the evaluation of the respective employee engagement is also possible with Bitrix24. All in all, in Bitrix24 you will find all the features that you need for a small HR department. The focus is obviously on a personal information system.
Free Features in Bitrix24
- For unlimited users
- Cloud-based
- Recruiting
- Employee self-administration
- API interfaces
- Reports
- Enterprise social network
- 25+ features
Bitrix24's HR software is only available in the free version. Paid packages are only available for project management. Since the free HR tool from Bitrix24 is already very comprehensive, paid versions of it could hardly have more features.
More information about the Bitrix24 Prices and user reviews with price references can be found at OMR Reviews.
Bitrix24 Alternatives
At OMR Reviews you can find an overview of the Bitrix24 Alternatives. There you can decide on the right HR software for you - free or paid - based on user reviews and experiences.
5. heroes
heroes– heroes exclusively takes care of the recruiting process.
The next two samples of our HR software comparison restrict themselves exclusively to recruiting. If you are looking for the next top talents in HR or simply need a supply of expertise, heroes and SmartRecruiters could be a good choice. Heroes is characterized by simple operation, is mobile and allows you a clear applicant management, so that you quickly get new personnel. The only condition to get to the free version of heroes: You must get in touch with the HR software provider via the form on the website.
Free Features in heroes
- Intuitive Operability
- Simple application
- Clear Administration
- GDPR-compliant
Generally, heroes does not have fixed tariffs. As mentioned, you have to contact the provider for the free version and cannot book online. If you need more than the features listed, you can discuss this with heroes and get an individual offer.
More information about the heroes prices and user referrals with price references can be found at OMR Reviews.
heroes Alternatives
At OMR Reviews you can find an overview of the heroes Alternatives. There you can decide on the right HR software for you - free or paid - based on user reviews and experiences.
6. SmartRecruiters
What VISA, IKEA and LinkedIn already use cannot be so wrong, we thought and SmartRecruiters included it in the list. With the free recruiting software you can fill up to 10 positions. The provider itself says that SmartRecruiters is perfect for small teams and organizations. With the free HR software you have the opportunity to find talents, can make better hiring decisions and save a lot of time by handling the recruiting process in one tool.
Free Features in SmartRecruiters
- Cloud-based
- Publish job ads on over 200 job boards
- Create career website
- Applicant Tracking
- Team collaboration
In terms of recruiting, SmartRecruiters can do a lot more and offers these services for a fee. These include a chatbot, a CRM or even AI recruiting. This gives you the opportunity to automate your recruiting with the extension of SmartRecruiters' Talent Acquisition Suite. Prices are available on request.
More information about the SmartRecruiters Prices and user referrals with price references can be found at OMR Reviews.
SmartRecruiters Alternatives
At OMR Reviews you can find an overview of the SmartRecruiters Alternatives. There you can decide on the right HR software for you - free or paid - based on user reviews and experiences.
Recommended HR Tools & Software Solutions
You can find other recommended HR software providers on our comparison platform OMR Reviews. There we have listed over 500 HR software solutions for small and medium-sized companies, start-ups and large corporations that support you in all areas of human resource management. So take a look and compare the software with the help of authentic and verified user reviews:
- HR Suites
- Payroll accounting
- Recruiting, applicant management & personnel resource planning
- Time recording