In HR, you wear many hats. You might be tasked with payroll and benefits—but also employee recruitment, onboarding and offboarding; culture management; even engagement!

Fortunately, there are many tools available to help make your job easier.

Because there are so many different apps out there, the process of putting together a flawless combination that suits your needs can be overwhelming and exhausting.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of building a truly functional human resources technology stack. Anytime is a good time to evaluate your HR software needs and see if there are any upgrades or changes that need to be made.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

• What exactly is a HR tech stack
• How to build an HR tech stack
• HR tools for recruiting and hiring
• HR tools for onboarding
• HR tools for payroll
• HR tools for benefits
• HR tools for employee engagement
• HR tools for performance management and reviews
• Human Resource Information System (HRIS) tools

Let's kick things off, shall we? 🚀

A Human Resources technology stack—or simply HR tech stack—refers to any combination of integrated digital tools and software used to streamline, optimize or otherwise support a company's core human resources processes.

HR tech stacks help simplify and automate traditionally complex recruitment, hiring, and administrative processes.

It’s up to you to decide what parts of the human resources department's technology stack should include robust employee information systems and other complex tools, as well as more basic offerings, like recognition software or engagement surveys.

When built properly, an effective HR tech stack can help your team run like a well-oiled machine. The key is selecting the right combination of tools to address your unique challenges and needs—and that's not always easy!

Building your HR tech stack requires a well-honed game plan—one that involves careful sourcing, evaluation, and selection. You don't want to be stuck with software that's about as useful as a broken pencil sharpener or causes more headaches than a team-building exercise gone awry.

Ready to build your HR tech stack like a pro? Here's the witty lowdown:

Unveil your needs and patch up the cracks

Sure, it's tempting to jump straight into the tool extravaganza, but hold your horses! Take a good, hard look at your existing systems and identify the gaps that need some tender love and care. Map out your payroll, recognition, and benefits workflows and spot those time-sucking tasks that drain the life force out of your team. Are you spending more time than necessary manually herding job applicants or battling ancient software systems? Time to break free!

Prioritize like a boss

After your Sherlock-style investigation, you'll likely discover multiple areas where improvement is desperately needed. But unless you're swimming in a pool of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck, you need to make smart choices. Involve your company's leaders to align your priorities with the organization's grand plan. Remember, HR's superpowers are crucial for your company's success—so let your strategic initiatives shine!

Count your doubloons

Before you embark on a software shopping spree, take a moment to check your wallet. Establish a budget and stick to it like your favorite superhero clings to justice. Knowing your financial boundaries will save you from falling into the tempting traps of unaffordable products. Plus, you'll avoid embarrassing conversations with your boss about why the HR budget is mysteriously vanishing.

Ask the million-dollar questions

Now that you're confident, it's time to grill those potential HR tools like a master chef. Create a list of questions that cut through the fluff and reveal the real deal. Here are some suggestions to get your brain gears turning:

• Does this tool jive with my company's goals?
• Will it turn my workflow into a smooth dance or a clumsy shuffle?
• Can it provide much-needed support for my superhero team?
• Is it a match made in tech heaven with our existing systems?
• Does it pass the security test or should we call in the cybercrime fighters?
• Will it grow with us as our team and company take over the world?

No fancy gadgets are needed—just a trusty spreadsheet to record your findings and make the ultimate HR tool showdown!

Intervue

What it is:

Intervue is a powerful hiring tool that streamlines the interview process for companies. With an intuitive interface, question bank, and integrations with popular ATS systems like Recruitee and Lever, it ensures better-quality candidates. The on-demand interview feature allows real-time coding collaboration, while detailed feedback reports offer valuable insights.

Intervue makes interviews smoother and ensures the only bugs you encounter are in your code, not in your hiring process.

Why do we like it

We're so excited about our own tool, Intervue , because we see how much it's helped other businesses. It saves 90%—that's nine-zero!—of engineering & recruitment time by taking up candidate evaluations, enabling you to hire in 5 days or less.

Is it right for your organization?

Intervue.io revolutionizes the interview process for companies of all sizes with its cutting-edge on-demand feature. Whether you're a startup or an established enterprise, Intervue.io is a robust and flexible tool that scales with your company's growth. Join the ranks of companies like Twitter, Upstox, Groww, and Nykaa who have leveraged Intervues powerful interviewing capabilities to make better hiring decisions and streamline their talent acquisition process.

What it is:

Greenhouse is like having a personal recruiting assistant on steroids. It's an applicant tracking system (ATS) that simplifies the hiring process from posting jobs to tracking candidates and scheduling interviews.

Why we like it:

For HRs without much experience with Applicant Tracking Systems, Greenhouse can introduce them to the best practices for attracting and hiring candidates.

Is it right for your organization?

If you want to weed out inefficiencies and sprout a streamlined hiring process, Greenhouse is the perfect tool to cultivate top talent and make your HR team bloom.

BambooHR

What it is:

BambooHR is the panda of onboarding tools – cuddly and efficient. It offers a comprehensive onboarding module with electronic document signing, task assignment, and checklists.

Why do we like it:

We're bamboozled by BambooHR's simplicity and effectiveness in streamlining the onboarding process. It helps HR teams navigate the jungle of paperwork and ensures that new hires smoothly transition into the company.

Is it right for your organization?

If you want to avoid a bamboo-zle in your onboarding process and provide a delightful experience for new hires, BambooHR is the tool that will make your HR team roar with satisfaction.

Notion

What it is:

Notion was designed to be a place where people can easily store, organize and share their thoughts. While it wasn’t created exclusively for the HR department, Notion is an incredibly useful tool that will help you build internal resources—and even create company Wiki's!

Why we like it:

Notion's drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to compile essential company information into a secure, central hub when you get the hang of it. A Notion workspace functions as a dynamic digital document—easy to update and access, with minimal maintenance required. This memo will be carefully read and considered by your employees.

Is it right for your organization?

Notion is not well-suited for large corporations or organizations with many departments and divisions. It also can't be customized much, so it might not work if your company needs a highly branded solution.

Rippling

What it is:

Rippling is payroll and benefits management software that combines the two services into one program—but there’s more to it than just that.

Why do we like it:

It’s also an all-in-one HR platform that provides a comprehensive range of functionality—from recruiting and onboarding to automatic I-9 and W–2 compliance.

Is it right for your organization?

Although Rippling can accommodate small businesses, it may be overkill for ones with fewer than 1000 employees.

Paycom

What it is:

Paycom is the reliable sidekick that keeps your payroll process running smoothly. It offers a user-friendly HR and payroll platform, including services like payroll management, tax calculations, employee self-service features, and compliance reporting.

Why do we like it:

Paycom has our back when it comes to payroll management. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive payroll features, combined with employee self-service capabilities, make it a dependable companion for HR teams.

Is it right for your organization?

If you're looking for a trustworthy sidekick that simplifies payroll processing, empowers employees, and keeps you compliant, Paycom is the tool that will be by your side, ready to tackle payroll challenges.

Zenefits

What it is:

Zenefits is the multitasking Swiss Army knife of HR platforms. It encompasses benefits administration, allowing employees to manage their benefits, enroll in health plans, and provides employers with tools for benefits management and compliance.

Why do we like it:

We're impressed by Zenefits' versatility and convenience. It streamlines benefits administration, empowers employees to take control of their benefits, and helps HR teams navigate the maze of compliance requirements.

Is it right for your organization?

If you want an all-in-one tool that simplifies benefits management, puts employees in the driver's seat, and ensures compliance, Zenefits is the Swiss Army knife that will help your HR team conquer benefits challenges.

Gusto

What it is:

Gusto is the HR tool that adds a touch of gusto to benefits administration. It offers a user-friendly platform for payroll and HR, including benefits administration, with features like benefits enrollment, compliance tracking, and seamless integration with insurance providers.

Why do we like it:

Gusto brings the flavor to benefits administration with its intuitive interface and comprehensive benefits features. It spices up open enrollment, simplifies compliance tasks, and keeps the HR kitchen running smoothly.

Is it right for your organization?

If you're craving a user-friendly tool that adds a dash of enthusiasm to benefits administration, Gusto is the flavor-packed ingredient that will make your HR team's job deliciously easy.

Vantage Circle

What it is:

Vantage Circle is an all-in-one employee engagement and benefits platform, playing the role of a maestro, orchestrating a symphony of perks, rewards, wellness initiatives, and recognition programs. It's like having a golden ticket to an exclusive concert that motivates and uplifts your workforce, amplifying their productivity and satisfaction.

Why we like it:

Vantage Circle steals the spotlight with its versatile performance, seamlessly blending employee benefits, recognition, and wellness programs into one unified platform. Its ability to keep employees engaged, recognized and healthy strikes a chord, fostering a vibrant and harmonious workplace environment.

Is it right for your organization?

If you're seeking to perform a concerto of employee engagement, infusing your workplace with harmony, motivation, and well-being, Vantage Circle is the conductor that will guide your organization towards a standing ovation in the field of HR.

15Five

What it is:

15Five is the rockstar of employee engagement and performance management, hitting all the right notes with continuous feedback, goal setting, pulse surveys, and employee recognition. It's like having a backstage pass to unlock the full potential of your workforce.

Why do we like it:

We're blown away by 15Five's ability to harmonize ongoing feedback and performance management. It creates a stage for open communication, empowers employees to achieve their goals, and amplifies employee recognition, creating a culture of high performance.

Is it right for your organization?

If you're ready to rock the stage of employee engagement and performance, 15Five is the band that will energize your organization and take your HR efforts to new heights.

Reflektive

What it is:

Reflektive is the conductor of performance management, orchestrating goal setting, real-time feedback, performance reviews, and employee development. It's like having a symphony of tools to inspire and elevate your workforce.

Why do we like it:

We're captivated by Reflektive's ability to fine-tune performance management with its harmonious blend of continuous feedback, goal tracking, and insightful performance reviews. It helps organizations nurture talent, align goals, and compose success.

Is it right for your organization?

If you want to conduct a performance masterpiece, Reflektive is the baton that will guide your organization to higher levels of productivity, growth, and employee development.

Lattice

What it is:

Lattice is the GPS for performance management and reviews, guiding organizations with continuous feedback, goal tracking, performance evaluations, and career development. It's like having a navigation system to keep your workforce on the right track.

Why do we like it:

We're impressed by Lattice's ability to provide clear directions for performance management. It helps organizations drive ongoing conversations, align goals, and create a roadmap for employee growth and success.

Is it right for your organization?

If you're ready to steer your organization towards performance excellence, Lattice is the navigation tool that will keep your HR team and employees on track, reaching new destinations of success.

Workday

What it is:

Workday is the Sherlock Holmes of HRIS tools, uncovering hidden insights and solving HR mysteries. It's a cloud-based HRIS that combines HR, payroll, and financial management capabilities, providing a holistic view of your workforce.

Why do we like it:

We're fascinated by Workday's detective skills in unraveling complex HR challenges. It centralizes employee data, streamlines HR processes, and delivers powerful analytics to help organizations make data-driven decisions.

Is it right for your organization?

If you're in pursuit of a comprehensive HRIS solution with Sherlock-like investigative capabilities, Workday is the tool that will help you crack the case of HR efficiency.