Business

5 Free HR Tools to Scale Like a COO

By Amanda Webster • Accruity • KNOW Florida, USA

 

The 5 Best Free HR Software in 2025

 HR software is crucial for small businesses to enhance efficiency and manage their workforce effectively. This guide highlights the best free HR software for 2025, offering solutions that meet essential HR needs without financial strain.

 

Source: Zoho People

Zoho People 

Zoho People stands out as an exceptional HR software solution for small businesses that offers a 30-day free trial. After the trial, businesses can access plans for as low as $1/month/user. It aims to streamline HR operations and enhance workforce management. This platform integrates crucial HR functions into a user-friendly interface, making it accessible and efficient.

 

Source: Homebase

Homebase

Homebase is an HR software solution crafted for small businesses with hourly workers, streamlining tasks like time tracking, scheduling, and team communication through an easy-to-use platform. It addresses the unique challenges of managing hourly employees and integrates with popular payroll systems, simplifying administration and enhancing operational efficiency, making it an ideal choice for optimizing HR practices.

 

Source: Gusto

Gusto

Gusto offers a comprehensive HR software solution ideal for small businesses, providing more than basic features even in free packages. It automates payroll, benefits, and compliance tasks, ensuring accurate and timely employee payments, streamlined benefits management, and regulatory compliance. Gusto simplifies the setup process, making it accessible to businesses without dedicated HR staff, and provides excellent customer service. Its robust payroll features, including tax filings and direct deposits, make it an efficient choice for managing HR tasks.

 

Source: Bitrix24

Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is a versatile business tool ideal for small businesses, offering comprehensive HR capabilities like employee directories, work time tracking, and leave management. Beyond HR, it covers CRM, project management, and communication, providing a holistic solution for diverse business processes. Customizable features make it a flexible choice for integrating business and HR processes into one efficient system.

 

Source: BambooHR

BambooHR

BambooHR offers a free trial for businesses to explore its HR software features without commitment. Key features include an employee database, performance management, and an applicant tracking system. The trial benefits small businesses with its intuitive design, mobile app accessibility, and the opportunity to evaluate the platform before full investment, aligning with their cautious approach to advanced HR management.

Finding HR Software That Grows with Your Business 

Choosing the right HR software is crucial for small businesses, impacting efficiency and employee satisfaction. With options like Zoho People, Homebase, Gusto, Bitrix24, and BambooHR, businesses should use free trials to find a system that meets their needs and supports growth. A well-selected platform simplifies administration and evolves with the business, ensuring a productive work environment.

More about Amanda

Amanda Webster is the Chief Revenue Officer at Accruity, where she leads strategic growth initiatives to expand the firm’s impact within the real estate industry. With a keen focus on optimizing financial strategies for real estate professionals—including investors, construction companies, brokerages, and property management firms—Amanda is dedicated to driving revenue growth while ensuring clients receive best-in-class accounting, tax strategy, and financial services.

Prior to joining Accruity, Amanda served as Chief Operating Officer at a financial services firm, where she played a pivotal role in helping entrepreneurs access the funding they needed to scale their businesses. With over two decades of management experience and a deep understanding of the legal system, she worked across departments to drive operational efficiency, foster innovation, and ensure clients secured the best possible financial opportunities.

Beyond her professional achievements, Amanda is a proud military spouse and the devoted mother of five beautiful children. She balances the demands of executive leadership with family life, bringing the same level of dedication, resilience, and strategic thinking to both. Now, as CRO at Accruity, Amanda is committed to revolutionizing how real estate professionals manage and maximize their financial health—helping them build sustainable, profitable enterprises while positioning Accruity as the premier financial partner for the real estate industry.