Featured Partners
1
Workable
Yes
Yes
Candidate sourcing suite, AI recruiting & automation
2
Pinpoint ATS
Yes
Yes
24/7 customer support, easy-to-use interface, fast and flexible workflows, hundreds of integrations
3
BambooHR
Yes
Yes
$12 per user per month
Compare the Best Onboarding Software of 2025
EAT Widget
Best Onboarding Software of 2025
Click Boarding
Best for Building Custom Onboarding Workflows
Click Boarding
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
Click Boarding automates the documentation processes, compliance tracking and other onboarding workflows to support newbies while freeing up some of their time for other tasks. The automated processes reduce the likelihood of errors by integrating with applicant tracking systems, payroll records and HR management software.
Click Boarding’s workflows apply to offer letters as well as tax and compliance documents as part of preboarding; introduction to team members, goal setting and learning about the company culture during initial onboarding; and establishing first-year touchpoints and onboarding feedback as part of employee engagement and retention efforts. Perhaps the most effective aspect of Click Boarding’s automated onboarding is its ability to stay in close contact with new hires from the time they accept their offer letter to their first day on the job by sending automated reminders and real-time updates. This serves the dual purpose of boosting engagement from square one and preventing last-minute no-shows, or “employee ghosting.”
- Saves HR managers time by automating all aspects of the new-hire journey
- Offers dozens of third-party integrations as well as assistance with custom integrations
- Industry-focused solutions include healthcare, staffing and manufacturing
- Intended for midsize companies and enterprises
- Doesn’t offer a free trial
- No support hours listed on its site
Zoho People
Best for Onboarding Document Management
Zoho People
Starting Monthly Price
$1.50 per user
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
$1.50 per user
Yes
Yes
Zoho People helps HR staff keep close eyes on the status and whereabouts of new-hire documents by placing them into separate categories: less-sensitive files specific to your organization, such as employee handbooks and policies; confidential employee files that include offer letters and employment contracts; and each worker’s personal uploads for securely storing licenses, certifications and travel documents.
The onboarding features included with Zoho People’s comprehensive HR software for small businesses are surprising, given the product’s rock-bottom prices. They include automatic tracking of new hires’ onboarding progress and reminders when onboarding tasks are delayed. Candidate and employee onboarding are included in all four paid plans, starting with the entry-level Essential HR plan, which costs only $1.50 per user a month (minimum of five users).
- Simplifies onboarding document management by storing files based on sensitivity
- Integrates with e-signature apps and Zoho Vault for secure password storage
- Automatically creates Zoho People accounts with appropriate access controls for new hires
- All plans have a five-user minimum
- Doesn’t support long-term planning and goal setting for new employees
- Fewer third-party integrations than competing onboarding software
BambooHR
Best for Onboarding Task Management
BambooHR
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
BambooHR dials onboarding checklists to 11 by making them the foundation of the entire onboarding process. In addition to the custom checklists it creates for hiring managers and new hires, the product devises lists of tasks for their initial work assignments that cover all the sources for documents, training and resources they’ll need to complete the work.
BambooHR automatically selects the onboarding tasks for a new employee based on information in their profile.
The checklists BambooHR provides start with preboarding that explains the company’s workspaces and communication tools in addition to team introductions and new-hire paperwork. This leads into the first-week checklist that includes:
- First assignments
- A company culture checklist that involves meeting with managers from various departments
- A one-on-one checklist for managers and new employees to discuss workplace behaviors, expectations and how managers can help workers reach their career goals
However, I was disappointed not to find a BambooHR checklist for 30-60-90-day planning such as the ones available from CareerPlug that extend from the initial learning phase to alignment (month two) and execution (month three). I consider these extended onboarding tools to be an important aspect of any employee’s long-term success.
Learn more: Read our full BambooHR review.
- Onboarding checklists track the tasks required throughout the process
- Manager dashboard shows at a glance each new hire’s onboarding progress
- Customizable email templates automatically add candidate information
- New-hire checklists don’t extend beyond the person’s initial week on the job
- Onboarding software available only as part of a complete HR software bundle
- Doesn’t include a mechanism for staying in touch with candidates through the hiring process
CareerPlug
Best for Creating 90-Day Onboarding Plans
CareerPlug
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
How I wish my past employers had adopted CareerPlug’s 30-60-90-day onboarding process that measures the success of onboarding from the new hire’s perspective. The goal of the program is to make employees feel like they are valuable and productive, which is the primary reason people stay with their employer. CareerPlug’s onboarding software provides the forms and tools required to manage the entire onboarding process, including tips for establishing key performance indicators (KPI) for each of the three onboarding phases.
The first of the three month-long phases is learning the tools, procedures and culture of the company with goals focused on competence and gaining an understanding of the metrics that apply to their various roles. In the second 30-day phase, the skills are integrated into work assignments and receiving feedback from managers, including filling any gaps in their work-related knowledge. The final phase sees the person working independently and contributing in all aspects of their job, culminating in a formal 90-day performance review.
- Detailed onboarding plans help new hires gain confidence and feel at home
- Onboarding tasks begin and end with a focus on the company’s culture
- Continuous feedback loop during onboarding promotes employee engagement
- Support hours are limited to business hours Monday through Friday
- Offers only a handful of third-party payroll integrations
- Automations available only for recruiting processes
Ceipal
Best for Personalized Onboarding
Ceipal
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
The personalization features of Ceipal’s onboarding processes serve as a perfect complement to the product’s ability to automate many common onboarding tasks. The company’s onboarding portal is easy to customize by creating checklists tailored to each new hire while automatically notifying managers of the person’s progress. New workers are able to complete their I-9, W-4 and other compliance documents within the system without requiring any downloads or uploads.
Ceipal lets businesses publish pages that are unique to each person’s circumstances. In addition to creating custom forms from scratch, companies can convert PDFs and Word files into eForms with information placeholders and other HTML elements added by dragging and dropping them into place. The system makes it easy for new workers to communicate with their team members and provides secure access to employment forms for managers and employees.
Learn more: Read our full Ceipal review.
- Makes it easy to welcome new hires with a personalized onboarding page
- Lets you create custom onboarding forms or convert them from PDF and Word files
- Automates much new employee data entry to make employment docs more accurate
- Onboarding software sold as part of complete workforce management system
- Sells primarily to the staffing and healthcare industries
- Doesn’t publish its support hours
Workable
Best for Onboarding Checklists and Templates
Workable
Starting Monthly Price
$120
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
$120
Yes
Yes
While many onboarding software vendors offer checklists and templates for managing the onboarding process, Workable’s checklists and templates rise above the crowd by being simple, flexible and effective. The company breaks the onboarding process down into manageable steps based on the priorities that you set by letting managers customize Workable’s extensive library of onboarding checklists and templates.
For example, in addition to offering a checklist for the entire hiring process, Workable has separate checklists for before the worker’s first day, during the first day and all new hire paperwork. Other checklists cover new hire training, welcome packages, orientation programs and onboarding for remote employees and interns. Managers and the IT department have their own checklists for new hires, along with templates for the person’s welcome letter from their manager and from the HR department.
New businesses benefit from Workable’s tutorials that walk them through each step of the onboarding process, from writing job descriptions to the employee’s 90-day check-in. Configuring Workable’s onboarding workflows begins by customizing the company’s profile and document templates and then either altering the templates’ preconfigured workflows or adding new ones from Workable’s library of specialty workflows.
- Customizable checklists and templates shine for their ability to prevent overwhelming new hires and their managers
- Template-based workflow automations simplify onboarding
- Automatically generates drafts of employee profiles based on recruiting information
- Depends on email for support
- Onboarding available only as an add-on for the company’s recruiting software
- Custom account onboarding offered only with the high-end Premium plan
WorkBright
Best for Onboarding Compliance and Security
WorkBright
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
To avoid time-consuming compliance entanglements, WorkBright applies a streamlined, systematic approach that includes built-in audits to confirm that your company is meeting its new-hire requirements. For example, WorkBright’s I-9 and E-Verifty software automatically audits the forms prior to submission to correct mistakes and identify fraud through application of more than 150 separate audit checks.
WorkBright generates E-Verify cases automatically once the first two sections of the document are completed, and cases can be resolved from within the WorkBright system. The company’s optional Compliance Plus product adds compliance with workplace requirements in all 50 states in addition to meeting federal regulations.
- Automates I-9, E-Verify and other workplace compliance requirements
- Compliance Plus add-on covers workplace regulations in all 50 states
- Three onboarding compliance plans are available
- Doesn’t offer onboarding services other than compliance management
- Employment forms are sold separately
- Entry-level Starter compliance plan excludes E-Verify
HiringThing
Best for Developers
HiringThing
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
Large enterprises and staffing and recruiting companies distinguish themselves from the competition by applying unique and useful customizations to the white label and private label onboarding and HR solutions sold by HiringThing. For its white label customers, HiringThing stands out from other onboarding software vendors in our lineup by allowing companies to apply their brands for reselling the system as a proprietary solution. HiringThing’s private label offering goes a step further by giving businesses access to the company’s open API for added customization, including single sign-on (SSO) and other add-on features.
On top of that, the HiringThing developer program offers developers a free sandbox and/or demo account, API keys and co-marketing opportunities along with other freebies. The support resources for its applicant tracking system (ATS) and onboarding APIs feature step-by-step walkthroughs for common workflows and complete endpoint documentation.
Learn more: Read our full HiringThing review.
- Plenty of customization options for its white label and private label onboarding software
- Developer tools include open API keys and workflow descriptions
- Onboarding software integrates seamlessly with HiringThing’s HR and ATS solutions
- Doesn’t sell onboarding software designed specifically for SMBs
- ATS, workflow management and onboarding software sold separately
- Limited support options
Appical
Best for App-based Onboarding
Appical
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
It’s not uncommon for workers to spend more time using phone apps than the browsers and apps on their computers. So if you want to stay in touch with new hires during the preboarding and onboarding process, the best option is often to contact them through their mobile devices. Appical takes this idea and runs with it by sharing information about their new job and putting employees’ onboarding tasks in a mobile app.
Appical’s onboarding software gives managers a traditional Editor’s view for their computer and provides new workers with a Player’s view on the mobile app. The Editor’s view is used to prepare the person’s welcome packet that covers their preboarding tasks and their first day, week and month on the job. It introduces the worker to their team members and solicits getting-to-know-you information while also covering appropriate workplace attire and engaging employees using gamification and other interactive elements. Onboarding progress is easy to track on Appical’s reporting dashboards.
The Player’s view combines interactivity with personalization based on the person’s roles, locations and skills. Custom tags are applied to tailor information to each individual in a way that’s both consistent and unique.
- App-based onboarding makes the process more accessible and promotes communication
- Gamification enhances new hire engagement through use of interactive elements
- Reporting dashboards make it easy for managers to track employees’ onboarding progress
- Low-end Essential plan has been discontinued
- Professional and Enterprise plans may not be suitable options for small businesses
- Lacks integrations for many popular productivity apps
UKG Ready
Best for Making New Hires Feel Welcome
UKG Ready
Starting Monthly Price
Not listed
Automated Onboarding Task Management
Yes
Employee Onboarding Portal
Yes
Not listed
Yes
Yes
UKG Ready helps companies prioritize and create an enjoyable workplace by incorporating the Great Place to Work Hub in its onboarding software. This hub builds trust by focusing on employees’ personal and professional growth from day one on the job. Its features are based on HR metrics and feedback the company has received from employees around the world about what enhances collaboration, innovation and camaraderie.
The Great Place to Work Hub gathers data from its preboarding portal and customizable onboarding checklists that are used to generate real-time views into the person’s progress through the onboarding process. It encourages regular communication with employees whenever onboarding milestones are reached and quick responses to adjust tasks and assignments as necessary to keep the worker engaged throughout. The single most important aspect of UKG Ready’s focus on engagement at the outset of the employee’s journey is encouraging managers to listen to workers to ensure they feel welcome on their first day and every day.
Learn more: Read our full UKG review.
- Great Place to Work Hub makes engagement a key part of the onboarding process
- Real-time metrics deliver up-to-the-minute status reports on new hire’s progress
- Preboarding portal introduces employees to team members and mentors
- Onboarding software is sold as part of a complete HR information system
- HCM software sold separately from workforce management software
- Best suited to the onboarding needs of midsize and large companies
Methodology
Our testing of the best onboarding software began by applying 25 separate decision factors to 29 products sold by 21 different companies. Each decision factor was assigned a weighted score based on its importance in making a buying decision. The scores from these initial tests were used to generate our rankings. I conducted in-depth evaluations of the 10 onboarding software products that ranked the highest to identify the areas where each stood out from the pack, as well as the types of businesses each was best suited to. We’re confident that one of our top 10 onboarding software choices will be a great fit for your company’s needs.
| Decision Factor | Scoring Weight | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General Features | 58% | The onboarding functions rated highest in this category are new hire mentoring, customizable automated workflows, e-signatures, training coordination and selling onboarding software as a stand-alone product. |
| Consumer Sentiment Index | 15% | We aggregated the product’s ratings on three popular user review sites for functionality, performance, value, integration ability and customer support. |
| Value | 11% | The product’s price per user per month, whether free trials are available and the length of their free trials account for the scores in this category. |
| Additional Features | 8% | Support for third-party integrations and offering tools for creating custom integrations factored into the product’s score in this category. |
| Service and Support | 8% | The aspects considered in this category are providing support by live chat, phone and email, and making a knowledge base available for self-support. |
How To Choose the Best Onboarding Software
The first consideration when selecting your company’s onboarding software is whether to go with a stand-alone product or an HR suite. Most SMBs purchase onboarding software as part of a complete HR and payroll solution from vendors such as Zoho, BambooHR, Workable and UKG. Startups and other small-but-growing companies may prefer to use a stand-alone onboarding product like those sold by Click Boarding or a mobile-focused product such as Appical.
Whichever type you decide is best for your needs will combine core onboarding software features such as preboarding, progress tracking and integration with payroll and other HR and management systems.
Essential Onboarding Software Features
Essential onboarding features are new hire document processing for compliance, assignment checklists, scheduling or self-service for orientation, and training and progress tracking for employees and their managers.
- New hire document processing. The most important of these files are the federal government’s Form I-9 for employment eligibility verification and W-4 for income tax withholding. Employers need to securely store the person’s offer letter that often serves as their employment contract, state new hire reporting and tax withholding (for states that levy their own tax on income) and acknowledgements for receiving their employee handbook and policies. Zoho People’s onboarding document management makes these and other important documents easy to access and secure.
- Assignment checklists. Onboarding checklists cover preboarding, initial orientation and ongoing training and development. Checklists are also used to track and record the completion of new hire documents such as direct deposit forms, emergency contact information and registering for benefits. Bamboo, Ceipal, Workable and UKG Ready help makes the onboarding process simple and consistent through checklists.
- Employee onboarding portal. Providing a dedicated space where new employees can find all the information they need for their initial days on the job is a key factor in making them feel comfortable from the get-go. Here they’ll be able to read company policies, review training material and learn about their new workplace and teammates. Ceipal’s onboarding portal is noteworthy for its ability to serve as a one-stop resource for completing and signing documents, setting schedules and receiving reminders of tasks that need to be completed.
- Onboarding progress tracking. Goal setting during onboarding has to stay focused on completing the most important tasks in a timely manner while ensuring that new hires have the information and resources they need to complete them by their deadlines. BambooHR’s onboarding progress dashboard stands out for its visual progress bar and ability to personalize the process based on each worker’s roles, team and other characteristics.
Daniel Wood, founder and director of the recruiting agency DM Estate Staffing, highlights the benefits of BambooHR’s integrated approach to onboarding for the company’s business clients. “The preboarding tools let [new employees] handle all the paperwork before day one, so their first day can be focused on people and priorities instead of endless forms,” he notes.
“Automated checklists keep both the new hire and the manager aligned, and real-time tracking makes it easy to see exactly what’s done and what’s pending. Everything, including welcome messages, role expectations and resources, is in one place, so nothing gets lost in email threads.”
Value
Much of the value of onboarding software to SMBs is the result of savings in recruitment costs. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) estimates that businesses spend as much as 60% of the total cost to hire on soft costs from lost productivity. Companies save on soft costs by using onboarding software because it empowers new workers to find the information and resources they need themselves through self-boarding portals rather than taking up the time of HR staff, managers and coworkers.
Onboarding is the first investment most companies make in their employees, and it’s money well spent. A survey conducted by BambooHR of 500 HR professionals and more than 1,000 full-time workers found that 70% of new hires reported knowing whether their job is right for them within their first month of employment, and 29% in their first week. The average time it took new hires to determine whether to stay or quit was 44 days, according to the survey. It’s clear that employees’ first impressions have a direct impact on your business’s bottom line.
Featured Partners
1
Workable
Yes
Yes
Candidate sourcing suite, AI recruiting & automation
2
Pinpoint ATS
Yes
Yes
24/7 customer support, easy-to-use interface, fast and flexible workflows, hundreds of integrations
3
BambooHR
Yes
Yes
$12 per user per month
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which onboarding software is best for your business?
The best onboarding software for your business may be part of a comprehensive HR software suite if your company is looking to replace its existing administrative support tools. However, many SMBs will find it more economical and efficient to purchase standalone onboarding software that works with their current HR and payroll software from vendors such as Click Boarding and Appical.
What are the benefits of onboarding software to SMBs?
The primary benefit of onboarding software to small and midsize businesses is improved employee retention by promoting competence and engagement in workers from their first day on the job. Other benefits are in saving time, improving onboarding consistency and accuracy and avoiding potential fines.
What security features are built into onboarding software?
Onboarding software allows companies to use role-based templates to assign specific roles to new hires that limit their access to sensitive data and resources. Onboarding software isolates onboarding tasks from other work processes and systems in the employee portal. Onboarding software also secures new hire documents by applying end-to-end encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) along with other access controls, and they confirm compliance by running regular security audits.
