Best Onboarding Software

Onboarding Software Reviews

Our process to help you pick the best onboarding platform began with 74 cloud-based onboarding solutions. We then narrowed our list down to 15 reputable choices and, from there, dove deep into each to identify the best six for you to consider.

How did we evaluate our top six onboarding software picks? We pulled together a team of in-house experts and external HR professionals to help us assess all aspects of our standout selections. The results are in the guide below. To learn more about our comprehensive process, check out our methodology section.

Gusto – Best Overall Onboarding Software

Gusto caters to your onboarding needs, whether you’re bringing on a single new hire or up to 500. It provides comprehensive onboarding solutions coupled with HR tools like applicant tracking systems (ATS), payroll, benefits administration, and time-tracking.

Its onboarding features comprise tailored checklists, welcome letters, welcome emails, an employee self-service portal, e-signatures, document management, employee engagement, and seamless integrations with ATS and HR applications. While onboarding is a standard inclusion in all plans, the toolset expands with the progression of your plan.

Get Started Visit Gusto’s website.

Gusto features

• Automated Workflows
• Customizable Processes
• Employee Engagement Opportunities
• Integrations with HR Software
• Self-Service Portal for Employees

How Gusto pricing works

Gusto offers four pricing plans, each consisting of a monthly base rate and an additional monthly rate per employee. An exception is made for those exclusively working with contractors, as they enjoy a waived base rate for the initial six months. The plans are flexible, contract-free, and include onboarding software, even in the most basic plan.

What markets does Gusto serve?

Gusto is our top choice for virtually any business requiring onboarding solutions. With its adaptable plans and comprehensive features encompassing payroll, HR, benefits, ATS, and onboarding, it stands as an all-encompassing software equipped to fulfill the needs of a single employee, contractor-exclusive setups, or large enterprise operations.

Read our full Gusto Review.

BambooHR – Best for Full-Service Onboarding and HR

BambooHR offers a user-friendly, comprehensive onboarding and HR platform. Users find it easy to navigate with minimal learning curve. The platform covers essential HR functions such as ATS, offboarding, payroll, benefits administration, performance management, and time tracking. The onboarding process includes customizable workflows, templates, engagement opportunities, document management, electronic signatures, and a reporting dashboard.

To further streamline onboarding, BambooHR offers a mobile app, numerous integrations, and an open API for additional flexibility. With these features and proactive onboarding tasks, you can successfully onboard top talent, ensuring a compelling candidate onboarding experience from day one.

Start Free TrialVisit BambooHR’s website for a free trial.

BambooHR features

• Automated Workflows
• Customizable Processes
• Employee Engagement Opportunities
• Integrations with HR Software
• Self-Service Portal for Employees

How BambooHR pricing works

BambooHR is less transparent about pricing than some of its competitors. It has two plans – Essentials and Advantage, with four add-on options. While specific prices are not disclosed, the company emphasizes a straightforward structure with a single low monthly payment.

It’s important to note that onboarding is not included in the Essentials plan; you need the Advantage plan to access onboarding software. However, you can explore the platform with confidence using the free seven-day trial before making a purchase decision.

What markets does BambooHR serve?

Best for comprehensive HR services, BambooHR provides a full suite of HR services for small businesses that begins with ATS and extends seamlessly through onboarding to employee offboarding. The platform offers impressive add-ons and custom pricing, ensuring you can tailor it precisely to your needs within an easily navigable interface.

Read our full BambooHR Review.

Paycor – Best for Employee Engagement

Primarily, Paycor is a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) platform with a strong emphasis on prioritizing the onboarding process as a crucial step in fostering employee engagement. Paycor believes that creating employee engagement from the start improves retention rates. Paycor offers a range of onboarding tools designed to connect with new hires before they even set foot in the workplace, fostering a positive work culture and proactively preventing potential disengagement.

Its onboarding tools include a mobile employee self-service portal, efficient administrative and document processes, seamlessly integrated HR systems, and tailored onboarding workflows specific to your industry. Additionally, Paycor implements stringent compliance measures to ensure new-hire paperwork is completed accurately, adhering to federal and state timelines.

Get Started Visit Paycor’s website.

Paycor features

• Automated Workflows
• Customizable Processes
• Employee Engagement Opportunities
• Integrations with HR Software
• Self-Service Portal for Employees

How Paycor pricing works

Paycor pricing is divided into four plans: Basic, Essential, Core, and Complete. Unfortunately, onboarding is not available in the Basic plan, but it starts in the Essential plan. In addition, pricing is not disclosed, and you must request a quote. You can, however, try out the platform through a 14-day free trial.

What markets does Paycor serve?

Paycor is best suited for employers who value employee engagement and seek to create a positive employee experience from the start. Paycor saves time and resources by automating manual tasks and streamlining processes, allowing for a greater focus on enhancing engagement. With Paycor’s powerful employee engagement tools, new hires feel connected and welcome before their first day even begins.

Read our full Paycor Review.

Deel – Best for Onboarding Global Hires

Being a global payroll platform, onboarding is an integral part of Deel’s services. Each country requires different onboarding processes. For instance, onboarding an employee in the US differs significantly from that in Germany, and both are distinct from onboarding in Ecuador. Deel understands these global variations and tailors everything to meet these requirements, from wages and documentation to payroll, taxes, and onboarding workflows. This approach enables you to efficiently and compliantly hire and onboard employees on a global scale.

Whether you’re bringing on a contractor, part-time, or full-time employee, Deel provides key, comprehensive onboarding features. These include automated processes and workflows, localized onboarding specialists, data management, payroll services, compliance tools, benefits administration, immigration assistance, global workspaces, background checks, and other customizable options. Deel seamlessly integrates with leading HR software and offers its own API for further integrations. With Deel, you can confidently onboard in over 150 countries.

Get Started Visit Deel’s website.

Deel features

• Automated Workflows
• Customizable Processes
• Integrations with HR Software
• Self-Service Portal for Employees

How Deel pricing works

Deel offers five different plans, each with a monthly rate per employee or contractor. Additionally, there is a complimentary Deel HR plan that provides onboarding for up to 200 employees.

What markets does Deel serve?

Deel is well-suited for companies seeking to hire and onboard globally. As a platform prioritizing global operations, it facilitates hiring and onboarding in more than 150 countries and provides payroll services in over 90 currencies. With 200 local compliance experts, Deel ensures effective management of compliance requirements throughout the onboarding process and beyond.

Read our full Deel Review.

Rippling – Best for Tech-Savvy Teams

From the moment a new employee joins to the moment they leave, Rippling serves as your ultimate workforce management software. Rippling Unity consolidates all features into a single platform, seamlessly integrating with HR, IT, and finance clouds. This means you can access all necessary tools in one centralized hub.

Key features include applicant tracking, hiring, and onboarding. Rippling offers customizable offer letters, background checks, payroll services, benefits administration, training modules, compliance management, and seamless integration with over 500 popular tech platforms such as Slack. Rippling is globally accessible, with availability in 50 countries, providing a comprehensive tool to efficiently oversee your entire global employee lifecycle.

Get Started Visit Ripplings’s website.

Rippling features

• Automated Workflows
• Customizable Processes
• Employee Engagement Opportunities
• Integrations with HR Software
• Self-Service Portal for Employees

How Rippling pricing works

Within Rippling Unity, there are four plans, all of which incorporate onboarding. Each plan initiates at a modest base rate per employee per month, with the cost increasing at each tier. Advancing through the plans unlocks additional customizations, reporting features, and enhanced workflows to meet your evolving needs.

What markets does Rippling serve?

Rippling stands out as an exceptional tool for tech-focused companies. Boasting over 500 integrations and tech tools, it facilitates seamless integration with your existing tech stack, saving time and money.

Read our full Rippling Review.

Namely – Best for New Hire Data Management

Namely serves as a comprehensive HR and Human Resource Information System (HRIS) primarily designed for data collection and management. One of its key focal points is streamlining the onboarding process. The unique advantages Namely offers in this regard are particularly noteworthy.

Namely’s onboarding features facilitate an automated and customizable workflow, allowing for a more efficient onboarding experience. This, in turn, allows you to invest your time where it matters the most—in ensuring a positive initial experience for your new employees. The platform’s capabilities include branded welcome messages, automated document collection, E-signatures, and personalized onboarding checklists.

Moreover, Namely incorporates a social media-like tool that introduces employees to engagement initiatives and company culture, sustaining their interest and involvement throughout the entire employee lifecycle.

Rippling features

• Automated Workflows
• Customizable Processes
• Employee Engagement Opportunities
• Integrations with HR Software
• Self-Service Portal for Employees

How Namely pricing works

Namely has four plans available starting at a low $9 base rate per employee per month. It is important to note that the onboarding software is not available in all plans.

What markets does Namely serve?

If you find yourself hiring a significant number of employees simultaneously, are overwhelmed by paperwork, or need to collect a lot of documents, and require assistance gathering, organizing, and managing it all, Namely is the solution for you. Leveraging automated data collection processes, Namely enables the seamless collection, compliance, organization, and management of data throughout the entire employee lifecycle within a comprehensive, all-in-one platform.

Read our full Namely Review.

Compare the best onboarding software side-by-side

What is onboarding software?

Employee onboarding is the process of bringing a new employee into your company. It covers aspects ranging from the initial offer letter and benefits selections to team introductions and job training. Onboarding software automates, streamlines, tracks, and manages this entire process, serving as a centralized hub for everyone involved, including HR teams and the new hire.

Whether you have an online store, a physical storefront, or a combo of both, retail POS software will cover everything from checking out customers to managing customers and loyalty programs.

Who uses onboarding software?

Onboarding software is typically utilized by human resources (HR) departments, HR management, hiring managers, team members, and employers in various organizations. It is a tool designed to facilitate the smooth integration of new employees into the company. This software can be employed across different industries and business sizes, providing a structured and efficient way to manage the onboarding process. Additionally, onboarding software solutions can be accessed and used by the new hires themselves, allowing them to complete necessary paperwork, access resources, and engage in training activities.

How to choose the best onboarding software

Choosing the best employee onboarding software is a process that is well worth your time. When evaluating onboarding software, our experts recommend that you look for:

Customizations. “Each business is unique—with distinct needs—and the capability to tailor the onboarding process through bespoke training materials and company policies proves invaluable,” says Lisa Richards, CEO and Creator of the Candida Diet. All of our top vendors offer customizable workflows.

Scalability. You need software that can grow with you at your own pace. Deel, Gusto, and Rippling are poised to evolve and scale with your business through flexible plans that you can easily switch between.

Analytics. “A program offering data about new hire progression enables you to pinpoint areas for enhancement within your onboarding process, thereby ensuring continual evolution and refinement of employee integration techniques,” Richards says.

Free trial. Take advantage of the free trial offered by vendors. This will give you a firsthand look at whether the program matches your needs and how quickly you can get it up and running. BambooHR and Paycor both offer free trials.

According to Laura Summer, Human Resources Specialist for Vignette Express, there is no “best” onboarding software, only the one that best suits your business needs.

What are the benefits of using onboarding software?

​​“My business has reaped tangible benefits from the use of onboarding software,” says Richards. “It has streamlined new hire integration, saving valuable time and resources; automated routine tasks have lessened our HR team’s administrative load—permitting them to concentrate on more strategic initiatives. Employees who [receive] sufficient training and support tend to remain loyal to the company; such stability cuts turnover expenses while guaranteeing top-notch service for our clients.”

With onboarding software, you can experience the benefits Lisa Richards cites and more, including:

• Efficiency: Onboarding software automates many tasks, reducing manual efforts and paperwork. This leads to a more efficient onboarding process, saving time for both HR professionals and new hires.
• Consistency: Through onboarding checklists and modules, it ensures a standardized onboarding experience for all new employees. This consistency helps deliver important information uniformly and promotes a cohesive organizational culture.
• Compliance: Onboarding software often includes features to manage compliance requirements. This helps organizations adhere to legal and regulatory standards by ensuring necessary documentation and training are completed.
• Communication: The onboarding program facilitates communication between stakeholders involved in the onboarding process, such as HR, hiring managers, and new hires. This enhances coordination and reduces communication gaps.
• Engagement: Interactive features in onboarding software can engage new hires from the start. This includes welcome messages, introductions to team members, and multimedia content that helps make the onboarding experience more engaging.
• Tracking and Reporting: Onboarding software allows organizations to track the progress of new hires and generate reports. This enables HR professionals to monitor key metrics, identify areas for improvement, and assess the overall effectiveness of the onboarding process.
• Access to Resources: New hires can access essential documents, training materials, the employee handbook, and company policies through the software. This centralized access ensures that employees have the information they need at their fingertips.
• Employee Empowerment: Some onboarding software platforms empower employees to complete online paperwork, set up profiles, and participate in employee training at their own pace. This self-service approach can enhance the overall onboarding experience.
• Cost Savings: Onboarding software can help organizations save money by automating tasks and reducing administrative overhead. It minimizes the need for manual data entry, document printing, and other resource-intensive processes.
• Improved Retention: A well-structured onboarding process, supported by onboarding software, can contribute to higher employee satisfaction and retention. Employees who have a positive user experience feel supported and informed during their initial days are more likely to stay with the organization.

How much does onboarding software cost?

Onboarding pricing is commonly structured in two ways: a flat monthly rate per employee or a monthly base rate combined with a smaller monthly fee per employee. Although Paycor and BambooHR do not disclose their pricing details, our other top picks do. Gusto employs a monthly base rate and a per-employee charge, while Deel, Namely, and Rippling charge a single fee per employee monthly.

Among the four platforms with available pricing details, Rippling offers the most economical option at $8 per month per employee, while Deel is the priciest at $49 per employee per month. It’s important to note that additional fees may be associated with any of these vendors. For precise information on the onboarding services you require, we recommend that you contact the vendor and consult with a sales representative.

Onboarding Software FAQ

Are there different types of onboarding software?

Yes, various types of onboarding software are designed to cater to different aspects of the onboarding process. Choosing an onboarding software that aligns with your specific needs and priorities enhances the overall onboarding experience for your HR management team and new hires. Here are some common types for consideration:

• New Employee Onboarding Software: This type focuses on the overall new hire onboarding process, from paperwork and documentation to introducing new hires to company culture and policies. Gusto strongly focuses on the employee onboarding system, encompassing all aspects to make it smooth from start to finish.
• Training and Learning Management Systems (LMS): Some onboarding software includes employee training, certifications, and development features. This can involve creating and delivering training materials, tracking progress, and assessing employee understanding. Most of our reviewed software includes a level of LMS or training solutions.
• HR Onboarding Software: This type integrates with HR processes and systems to automate administrative tasks, such as payroll setup, benefits enrollment, and compliance documentation. BambooHR is an excellent example of an HR onboarding software.
• Social Onboarding Tools: These tools emphasize the social aspect of onboarding, facilitating team introductions and mentorship programs. They generate notifications of positive work and promote collaboration among new hires. With its unique social media-like platform, Namely is a good choice in social onboarding tools.
• Compliance and Legal Onboarding Solutions: These tools ensure that new hires complete necessary legal and compliance-related paperwork, helping companies and providers adhere to regulations. Paycor utilizes stringent compliance tools to ensure you don’t encounter any legal issues during onboarding or payroll onboarding.
• Remote Onboarding Platforms: Specifically tailored for remote or distributed teams, these platforms assist in onboarding employees who may not be physically present at the company’s location. Due to the ability to onboard employees in 150 countries, Deel is an excellent remote onboarding option.
• Analytics and Reporting Tools: Some onboarding software includes analytics and reporting features, which provide insights into the effectiveness of the onboarding process and areas for improvement. Tech-savvy as it is, Rippling is our pick for the best analytics and reporting tools, with unlimited custom reports in the higher tiers.

Why is onboarding important?

Effective onboarding is crucial for your company. Think about it: Your onboarding process shapes the initial perception your new hires have of the organization, significantly impacting their entire employee lifecycle. Research shows that employees who undergo a subpar onboarding experience are twice as likely to seek alternative employment soon.

With an average cost of $15,000 and a timeframe of 36 days to replace an employee, ensuring a successful onboarding process is paramount. Utilizing onboarding software proves invaluable, streamlining the entire procedure and ensuring a positive introduction for your new team members.

How can I improve the onboarding process?

Improving the onboarding process is crucial for creating a positive experience for new hires and increasing their engagement and productivity. The following ideas can enhance your onboarding process, boosting employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention.

• Create a structured onboarding plan
• Personalize the experience
• Introduce company culture and values
• Utilize technology and onboarding software
• Provide training and development opportunities
• Gather feedback and make adjustments
• Create a welcoming environment
• Provide clear communication
• Incorporate socialization opportunities
• Monitor and support progress

How we chose the best onboarding software

Working with our in-house expert editorial team and external HR professionals, we used our proprietary rating system to evaluate each of our top six onboarding software systems. Each platform was assigned a score between 1 (poor) and 5 (fantastic), which contributes to 25 percent of the overall score on the following categories:

• Features
• Pricing
• Support and Set Up
• Reputation

In addition, we explored the pros and cons of each onboarding tool and sifted through hundreds of customer reviews. Our process ensures that you have an accurate list of vendors and their relevant information to decide which onboarding software will work best for your company, HR department, and the success of your new hires.