Best HRIS Software for Shift and Hourly Workforces 2025: Top Picks and Key Features

Whether you’re managing a restaurant, a chain of clinics, or a retail store, finding the right HRIS can make or break your ability to scale, stay compliant, and support your hourly staff.

Managers of hourly workforces face a unique set of priorities that involve filling shifts according to demand, tracking employee hours, maintaining compliance, and hiring and onboarding at scale. Without the right system, these tasks become time-consuming, prone to error, and difficult to manage across multiple sites.

Shift-based workforces can benefit from implementing Human Resource Information System (HRIS) software, which is a system built to centralize employee data and automate key HR functions. These platforms give frontline managers the tools to streamline time tracking, payroll, onboarding, and more. The best ones are designed with hourly teams in mind, offering features like mobile access, shift scheduling, and compliance safeguards.

Some platforms may also be described as Human Capital Management (HCM) systems, a broader category that builds on HRIS functionality with tools for performance management, planning, and development.

While many systems were originally created for salaried, office-based employees, there’s now a growing class of HRIS platforms tailored to the realities of shift-based work.

In this guide, we break down the HRIS platforms best suited for shift and hourly teams, from all-in-one solutions to flexible systems that integrate with your existing tools.

What should HRIS do for shift and hourly workforces?

Functionality

Why it matters

Employee record management

Keeps accurate, centralized data for all staff and roles

Time tracking

Captures accurate hours, reduces time theft, and supports wage/hour compliance

Hiring and applicant tracking

Streamlines high-volume hiring with streamlined screening

Onboarding and new hire document collection

Speeds up paperwork for new employees and ensures error-free records from the start

Built-in payroll or payroll integration

Automates wage calculations, deductions, taxes, and ensures timely and compliant payments

Shift scheduling

Prevents over- or understaffing and supports demand-based schedules

Mobile accessibility and employee self-service

Empowers employees to view schedules, request time off, and access pay info

Integrations

Syncs with other platforms for payroll, benefits, and WFM tools

Multi-location support

Lets you manage multiple worksites from one centralized platform

Top HRIS for Shift and Hourly Teams

Our Top Five Picks: Quick Summary

Platform

Best for

Why it stands out

Workforce.com

Frontline teams with shift-based operations

Purpose-built for hourly workflows—combines scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and HR

UKG Ready

Mid to large employers with hourly teams

Scalable tools for HR, payroll, time, and labor management

Paycor

Mid-market businesses looking for scalable HR and WFM tools

Strong native scheduling, payroll, and performance features

Workday

Enterprises managing hourly teams at scale

Enterprise-grade HCM with time and scheduling modules

ADP Workforce Now

Mid-sized companies prioritizing payroll and labor compliance

Payroll engine with modular HR/time tools and integrations

#1 Workforce.com

Workforce.com is an all-in-one workforce management and HRIS platform designed specifically for shift-based, hourly teams. With a strong foundation in scheduling and time tracking, the platform has evolved into a comprehensive system that now supports the full employee lifecycle, including payroll, onboarding, compliance, performance management, and core HR functions.

Unlike traditional HRIS software built for 9-to-5 desk jobs, Workforce.com centers its tools around the day-to-day realities of frontline operations—things like last-minute shift changes, break compliance, managing call-outs, and quickly onboarding new hires. It’s a particularly strong choice for industries like hospitality, retail, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Real-time dashboards, mobile-first features, and built-in compliance tools help managers save time while improving visibility and accountability across teams.

Here are some key features of Workforce.com that support hourly teams:

  • All-in-one HRIS: Centralize scheduling, time and attendance tracking, onboarding, HR, and payroll in a single system. Reduce errors and remove the need for multiple disconnected tools.
  • Hiring and applicant tracking: Streamline hiring with customizable job postings and status tracking. Managers can review applications, move candidates through stages, and communicate with applicants.
  • Digital onboarding: Let new hires upload pre-employment paperwork and requirements before their first day. Allow them to input their personal details, bank information, and other documents through their own device.
  • Employee information management: Maintain centralized, customizable profiles that include roles, pay rates, location assignments, and documents.
  • Accurate time tracking: Capture accurate time logs by enabling employees to clock in and out via mobile or tablet, which then automatically generates into timesheets.
  • Demand-based employee scheduling: Automatically build shifts using AI-powered forecasts. Optimize schedules by factoring in real-world demand drivers like sales trends, bookings, upcoming events, weather, and more.
  • Leave management and PTO tracking: Track leave balances, time-off requests, approvals, and accruals with clear visibility for both managers and staff.
  • Compliance alerts: Get real-time alerts for potential labor law violations such as missed break periods, minor worker scheduling conflicts, and payroll discrepancies. These proactive notifications make it easy to stay compliant and avoid penalties before they happen.
  • Native payroll software: Use Workforce.com’s built-in payroll software to run payroll directly within the platform or integrate with external systems if needed.
  • Dedicated mobile app: Full-featured app built for hourly workers and shift managers to manage time, schedules, and updates in real time.
  • Labor cost dashboards: Real-time visibility into wages, hours, and projected costs, enabling managers to make smart decisions about staffing, overtime, and budgets.

Pros

  • Built for hourly workers and shift-based teams
  • Covers core HR management functions, including hiring, onboarding, compliance, time tracking, and payroll
  • Paperless onboarding
  • Cloud-based platform that’s accessible anywhere
  • Real-time labor dashboards
  • Cons

  • Can consolidate multiple platforms into one system, requiring some change management
  • Requires upfront configuration for complex requirements
  • Best for: Frontline teams that need an all-in-one HRIS purpose-built for hourly operations. Ideal for businesses in retail, hospitality, healthcare, and other shift-driven industries.

    Pricing: Workforce.com provides quote-based pricing tailored to each business. Speak with our team to learn more.

    #2 UKG Ready

    UKG Ready is designed to handle HR, time, payroll, and talent management for businesses of all sizes. It’s suitable for organizations with complex labor needs, including union workforces or multi-location operations.

    Users appreciate its configurability around scheduling rules. However, some users note that the interface feels dated and that the system can be challenging to set up without dedicated support.

    Pros

  • Time and labor tools
  • Compliance and audit tracking features
  • Configurable rule sets
  • Cons

  • Interface can feel dated
  • Steeper learning curve for configuration
  • May not feel as modern as newer platforms
  • Best for: Mid to large employers with hourly operations that need integrated HR, payroll, time, and labor management tools.

    Pricing (as of 2025): Pricing is quote-based, depending on features, modules, and workforce size.

    Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to UKG’s official website.

    #3 Paycor

    Paycor is known for its HR and payroll tools, with workforce management software features like scheduling and time tracking natively built into the system. That said, it helps reduce the friction between HR and frontline operations. Users often highlight its intuitive UI, but some note that reporting tools can be limited and may need additional customization.

    Pros

  • Native scheduling and time tracking
  • Payroll and tax compliance
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Cons

  • Reporting features may require manual workarounds
  • Some features may feel basic compared to other specialized systems.
  • Best for: Mid-sized businesses that need an HR platform with strong payroll capabilities.

    Pricing (as of 2025): Pricing is quote-based, depending on features, modules, and workforce size.

    Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to Paycor’s official website.

    #4 Workday

    Workday is a well-known enterprise-level HCM platform with capabilities in HR and workforce planning. While not originally built for hourly operations, large employers that manage shift-based staff can still use Workday for its time tracking and scheduling modules.

    Users praise its scalability and analytics, especially for enterprises operating across regions and countries. However, it’s often seen as overkill for small teams, and the cost and complexity of implementation can be a barrier.

    Pros

  • Powerful analytics and dashboards
  • Scalable across global teams
  • Time tracking, scheduling, and payroll options
  • Cons

  • Expensive to implement
  • Not ideal for small to mid-sized hourly teams
  • Best for: Enterprises that need a unified HRIS with global reach and enterprise-grade analytics

    Pricing (as of 2025): Pricing is quote-based, depending on features, modules, and workforce size.

    Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to Workday’s official website.

    #5 ADP Workforce Now

    ADP Workforce Now is a well-known platform for payroll with modules for HR, time tracking, and benefits administration. While its strength lies in payroll, some businesses use it as a full HRIS. Users often highlight ADP’s payroll capabilities, but some say the interface can feel clunky, and customer support can vary depending on account tier.

    Pros

  • Payroll and tax filing
  • Add-ons for time tracking, HR, and benefits
  • Compliance tools
  • Cons

  • Some features require add-ons
  • Support quality can be inconsistent
  • Interface may feel outdated
  • Best for: Mid-sized businesses prioritizing payroll accuracy and modular HRIS functionality

    Pricing (as of 2025): Pricing is quote-based, depending on features, modules, and workforce size.

    Note: Pricing details are based on information available as of 2025. For the most current pricing and features, please refer to ADP’s official website.

    Other Notable Options

    These platforms didn’t make the top five, but they may still be worth exploring depending on your team size, industry fit, and budget:

    Humanity by TCP

    Best for: Organizations that already use an HRIS or payroll platform but need more advanced shift scheduling

    Why consider it: A strong standalone scheduling tool with integrations that support hourly teams

    Pros: Integrates well with major HR/payroll systems, easy for managers to use

    Cons: Not a full HRIS

    Rippling

    Best for: Companies that need HR, IT, and finance in one platform

    Why consider it: Offers time tracking and scheduling as part of a broader, modular HR system

    Pros: Modular platform with strong integration capabilities

    Cons: Scheduling is less advanced for frontline or hourly workforces; pricing can climb quickly with add-ons

    BambooHR

    Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses needing simple HR tools

    Why consider it: Ideal for teams focused on employee records, onboarding, performance reviews, and basic HR

    Pros: Easy to use

    Cons: Lacks built-in scheduling, limited reporting

    What are the common HRIS challenges in hourly teams?

    Managing HR for hourly teams comes with a unique set of challenges, especially when processes aren’t designed for frontline operations. Even with HRIS software in place, teams can often face:

    • Disjointed HR processes across teams and locations: Hourly teams tend to rely on separate tools or manual steps that don’t talk to each other, which leads to delays and inconsistencies with processes like onboarding, time tracking, and payroll processing.
    • Inaccurate or outdated timesheet and payroll data: Delays in logging hours or syncing time data can lead to errors in pay, missed overtime, or disruptions in payroll processing, mainly if updates rely on manual input or batch exports.
    • Compliance challenges: Managing wage and hour laws, meal breaks, overtime, and certifications can be tough without an automated system.
    • Limited visibility for managers and HR: Without the right system, frontline managers don’t have access to real-time insights into labor costs, attendance, or compliance gaps, which makes it difficult for them to respond quickly.
    • Poor employee experience: If it’s hard for staff to update their information, access payslips, or see schedules, self-service becomes a burden rather than a benefit.

    Final Thoughts: Choosing the right HRIS software for shift and hourly workforces

    Whether you're looking for an all-in-one solution or building a flexible HR stack around your existing tools, the right HRIS can simplify how you hire, onboard, manage, and retain hourly staff.

    Workforce.com stands out as the top choice. It’s built specifically for shift-based teams, with powerful tools for scheduling, time tracking, onboarding, and labor compliance, all designed for the pace of frontline operations.

    As you evaluate HRIS systems, focus on how each platform aligns with your day-to-day realities. Use product demos to see the system in action, and involve your frontline managers in the process. They’ll quickly determine whether a platform works where the work actually happens.

    Whatever direction you go, the best HRIS is one that integrates smoothly into your workflow, not one that adds friction. The goal is simple: reduce admin, stay compliant, improve employee engagement, and give your team the tools they need to do great work, shift after shift.

    Ready to find the right HRIS for your hourly workforce? Book a demo to see how Workforce.com can support your team.