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Whether youâre 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, thereâs 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.
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
Platform
Best for
Why it stands out
Workforce.com
Frontline teams with shift-based operations
Purpose-built for hourly workflowsâcombines 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
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 operationsâthings like last-minute shift changes, break compliance, managing call-outs, and quickly onboarding new hires. Itâs 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:
Pros
Cons
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.
UKG Ready is designed to handle HR, time, payroll, and talent management for businesses of all sizes. Itâs 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
Cons
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 UKGâs official website.
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
Cons
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 Paycorâs official website.
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, itâs often seen as overkill for small teams, and the cost and complexity of implementation can be a barrier.
Pros
Cons
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 Workdayâs official website.
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 ADPâs payroll capabilities, but some say the interface can feel clunky, and customer support can vary depending on account tier.
Pros
Cons
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 ADPâs official website.
These platforms didnât make the top five, but they may still be worth exploring depending on your team size, industry fit, and budget:
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
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
Managing HR for hourly teams comes with a unique set of challenges, especially when processes arenât designed for frontline operations. Even with HRIS software in place, teams can often face:
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. Itâs 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. Theyâll 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.