Free And Affordable HR Tools For Beginners Part 2

Say goodbye to the hassle of struggling to gain practical knowledge in HRIS systems, tools and technology.

You do not have to enter the world of HR with no or little knowledge of navigating HR software and tools. Neither do you have to empty your savings all in the name of gaining practical experience with HR tools and technology.

You can simulate real HR processes, boosting your confidence before managing actual HR operations.

Whether you’re looking to explore HRIS, recruitment software, payroll systems, or analytics tools, there are great options outlined that won’t cost you a fortune.

Last week, we outlined several software programs you can subscribe to for free and at an affordable price to gain practical knowledge before stepping into the real world of HR as an aspiring HR professional. Our focus was on two (2) HR functions:

  • HRIS (Human Resource Information System)
  • Recruitment and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

Click on the link to read through: Free and Affordable HR Tools for HR Beginners Part 1

In this week’s newsletter, we will be diving further into two (2) HR functions, which are:

  1. Payroll and Compensation Management
  2. Performance Management

Payroll and Compensation Management

    NotchHR

    • Cost: Although free, payroll payments incur statutory bank fees capped at ₦2,000 per payroll.

    Key Features:

    • Payroll & Payments: Facilitates quick payroll runs with customizable salary schemes, including allowances, taxes, and pensions.
    • Attendance Management: Manages employees’ attendance with custom policies and GPS-based clock-ins.
    • Recruitment: Streamlines hiring and onboarding processes.
    • Learning Management System: Provides access to courses and quizzes for employee development.

    The FREE version comes with the following packages:

    1. Payroll (Free up to 10 employees earning below ₦150,000 monthly net income.)
    2. Employee records module
    3. Tax & pension remittances
    4. NotchHR App

    Link: https://notchhr.io/

    Pros:

    • Comprehensive HR features beyond payroll.
    • Tailored for Nigerian businesses with local compliance considerations.
    • User-friendly interface suitable for small businesses.

    Cons:

    • Payroll payments are subject to bank fees.
    • May not be as feature-rich as some international counterparts

    QuickBooks Payroll

    Cost: Core Plan at $45/month plus $4 per employee; Premium and Elite plans available with additional features.

    Key Features:

    • Automates payroll. Processes employee wages and tax filings.
    • Manages employee benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.
    • Tracks time and monitors employee hours for accurate payroll

    Link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/

    Pros:

    • Integrates with QuickBooks accounting software.
    • Comprehensive payroll and HR features.
    • Strong customer support and resources

    Cons:

    • Higher cost compared to some competitors.
    • Additional fees for certain advanced features.
    • It may be more complex than necessary for small businesses.

    Performance Management

    BambooHR

      Cost: A Free trial is available, but for paid plans, quotes would have to be requested.

      Key Features:

      • Facilitates assessments and feedback.
      • Allows employees to access and update personal information.
      • Provides insights into performance trends, analytics and metrics.

      Link: https://www.bamboohr.com/p2

      Pros:

      • Comprehensive HR suite beyond performance management.
      • Intuitive interface suitable for HR beginners.
      • Strong customer support and training resources.

      Cons:

      • Pricing is not easily accessible. You will need to request a quote by submitting some details.
      • Paid plans may be expensive for small businesses.
      • For a free trial, you need to sign up with your company’s information.

      Zoho People

      Cost: It is free for up to 5 users. Paid plans start at $1 per user per month.

      Key Features:

      • Conducts evaluations and performance appraisals with customizable templates.
      • Aligns employee goals with organizational objectives.
      • Facilitates employee training and development..

      Link: https://www.zoho.com/people/

      Pros:

      • Affordable for small teams and startups.
      • Integrates with other Zoho applications for expanded functionality.
      • User-friendly with a minimal learning curve.

      Cons:

      • Some advanced features are limited to higher plans.
      • Customization options may be limited.

      OrangeHRM

      Cost: The open-source version is free. While other higher plans are quote-based.

      Key Features:

      • Monitors and tracks employee performance over time.
      • Customizes evaluation and appraisal forms to specific needs.
      • Manages employee training programs and records.

      Link: https://www.orangehrm.com/

      Pros:

      • It can be customized due to its open-source nature.
      • Active community support and regular updates.
      • Suitable for organizations seeking tailored solutions.

      Cons:

      • Requires technical expertise for installation and customization.
      • The user interface may feel outdated compared to newer platforms
      • To get the free version or request a demo, you will need to sign up with your company’s information.

      Bonus Tip

      To gain easier access and leverage the free and affordable HR tools outlined in this newsletter, you can consider forming a small team of 5 to 10 people (or more) and registering their details as a demo company.

      The reasons are:

      • Many of these HR software platforms offer free trials or discounted access for teams and not individuals.
      • Some platforms provide full functionality to teams, making learning and collaboration easier.

      Here is a take-home for you:

      Gather a few like-minded HR professionals or aspiring HR practitioners, create a team or a mock organization, and start exploring these tools today!