TL;DR: Zoho People and Gusto publish clear per-user or base+per-person list prices that suit small teams. BambooHR publishes Core/Pro/Elite tiers from $10–$25 per employee/month. Rippling is modular and quote-led for combined HR + IT + payroll. Order follows published list prices first; quote platforms last.
HRIS (Human Resources Information System) software centralizes employee records, onboarding, time-off, performance, and often payroll or benefits administration. It is distinct from pure payroll processors or applicant tracking systems, though many products overlap.
Every entry uses the same fields: published pricing, free plan or trial, core HR scope, and the main limitation. The order below is not a quality ranking. Public $0 / published price first, quote-led last.
HRIS software compared at a glance
| Provider | Published pricing | Core scope | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho People | Free (up to 5 users); Essential HR from $1.25/user/mo (annual); up to Enterprise $4.50/user/mo | Core HR + optional LMS/help desk | Budget-conscious teams already in Zoho ecosystem | Visit → |
| Gusto | Simple $49/mo + $6/person; Plus $80 + $12; Premium $180 + $22 | Payroll-first HR + benefits | US small businesses needing payroll + basic HR | Visit → |
| BambooHR | Core $10/employee/mo; Pro $17; Elite $25 (volume discounts; flat rate under 25 employees from ~$250/mo) | HRIS + performance + optional payroll | Growing teams wanting people-centric HR workflows | Visit → |
| Rippling | Quote-based; modular (platform fee + per-employee modules starting ~$8/ee reported) | HR + IT + payroll + device management | Scaling companies needing unified employee record across HR/IT | Visit → |
Zoho People, Gusto, and BambooHR published list prices were verified on 22 September 2026. Rippling requires a custom quote. Confirm current plan names, minimum seats, and annual discounts on the live vendor pages.
Three platforms publish transparent tiers. Rippling’s breadth is delivered via modular quotes.
What an HRIS actually covers in 2026
Modern HRIS platforms range from lightweight employee databases with leave tracking to full suites that include performance reviews, compensation planning, and even device provisioning. Buyers should separate core employee data needs from payroll, benefits administration, and IT automation. Global or multi-entity requirements quickly push solutions toward quote-based platforms.
The 4 providers in detail
1. Zoho People
Best for: Small and mid-size teams that want a low per-user price and already use other Zoho apps.
| Published pricing | Free up to 5 users; Essential HR $1.25/user/mo (annual); Professional $2; Premium $3; Enterprise $4.50 |
| Free plan / trial | Free plan (5 users); 30-day trial of paid plans |
| Core focus | Employee database, leave, attendance, performance, optional LMS |
| Main limitation | Payroll is not native; deeper payroll/benefits usually need other Zoho or third-party tools |
- Transparent low per-user pricing with a real free tier for micro teams.
- Strong fit inside the broader Zoho suite (Recruit, Expense, etc.).
- Enterprise tier adds help desk and LMS modules.
2. Gusto
Best for: US-based small businesses that want payroll, tax filing, and basic HR in one transparent package.
| Published pricing | Simple $49/mo + $6/person; Plus $80 + $12; Premium $180 + $22 |
| Free plan / trial | No free plan; free account setup and month-to-month |
| Core focus | Full-service payroll + benefits + core HR tools |
| Main limitation | Primarily US-focused; global capabilities are more limited than pure global HRIS platforms |
- Clear published pricing with no long-term contracts.
- Payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration are tightly integrated.
- Add-ons for time tracking, performance, and priority support are itemized.
3. BambooHR
Best for: Growing organizations that prioritize employee experience, performance, and configurable HR data over pure payroll.
| Published pricing | Core $10/employee/mo; Pro $17; Elite $25; flat-rate options under 25 employees |
| Free plan / trial | No permanent free plan; quote/demo required for exact numbers |
| Core focus | HR database, hiring/onboarding, performance, time-off, optional payroll/benefits |
| Main limitation | Payroll and benefits are add-ons; full cost depends on modules selected |
- Published per-employee tiers with volume discounts.
- Strong performance management and employee experience tools on higher plans.
- 15% bundle discount available when combining payroll and benefits administration.
4. Rippling
Best for: Fast-growing or multi-location companies that want a single employee record spanning HR, IT, and payroll.
| Published pricing | Quote-based; modular platform + per-employee fees |
| Free plan / trial | No free plan; demo and custom quote |
| Core focus | Unified HRIS + payroll + device management + app provisioning |
| Main limitation | Total cost depends heavily on modules chosen; not a simple published list price |
- Unique ability to automate device setup, app access, and payroll from one record.
- Strong global payroll and EOR options for distributed teams.
- Pricing is deliberately modular so buyers only pay for the products they need.
Kurums Match
I need the lowest published per-user price and already use Zoho tools
Start with Zoho People. Its free tier and Essential HR plan at $1.25/user/mo (annual) are among the most transparent low-cost options, and it integrates cleanly with the rest of Zoho.
I run a US small business and want payroll + HR in one bill
Gusto is built for this. Published Simple/Plus/Premium tiers combine payroll, tax filing, and core HR without requiring a custom quote.
I care most about performance reviews, employee experience, and configurable HR data
BambooHR emphasizes people workflows and publishes clear Core/Pro/Elite tiers. Payroll is available as an add-on.
I need HR, IT device management, and payroll on a single employee record
Rippling is designed for that unification. Expect a modular quote rather than a simple list price.
Buying tip
Ask every vendor for a written quote that itemizes base platform fees, per-employee charges, minimum seats, implementation, and any mandatory modules. For published-price tools, still confirm annual vs monthly rates and whether payroll or benefits sit outside the base plan. Volume discounts and non-profit pricing are common once headcount exceeds 25–50.
How this comparison was put together
We checked official pricing pages for Zoho People, Gusto, BambooHR, and Rippling on 22 September 2026. Only publicly listed figures are shown as “published”; everything else is labeled quote-based. No affiliate ranking or paid placement influenced order or wording. Order prioritizes transparent list prices before quote-led platforms.
FAQ
Is BambooHR cheaper than Gusto for a 20-person team?
It depends on modules. BambooHR Core starts at $10/employee/mo (or a flat rate under 25 employees), while Gusto Simple is $49 + $6/person. Add BambooHR payroll or Gusto higher tiers and the totals converge; request side-by-side quotes that include the exact features you need.
Does Zoho People include payroll?
No. Zoho People is an HRIS. Payroll is handled by Zoho Payroll (available in select countries) or third-party integrations. Confirm local availability before choosing it as a full HR + payroll stack.
Why is Rippling quote-only?
Rippling sells modular products (HRIS, payroll, IT, benefits, etc.). The final monthly cost depends on which modules and headcount you select, so the company uses custom quotes rather than a single public price list.
Can I start with a free plan and upgrade later?
Zoho People offers a free tier for up to 5 users. Gusto, BambooHR, and Rippling do not have permanent free plans; all three support month-to-month or short trials so you can switch if needed.
Related: Best Payroll Software in 2026 · Best Applicant Tracking Systems in 2026
Last updated 22 September 2026. Pricing and plan names change; always verify on the vendor site.
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