Running your payroll and managing HR affairs is a task every company ought to take seriously right from the get go. You do not want a situation where your business begins to grow, and you cannot manage your employees well.
That said, getting payroll and HR software that functions well is not an issue, but they often come at a cost many small and medium-sized businesses struggle to afford. To that end, we’ve scoured the internet looking for payroll and HR management software that is easy to use and either free or provides very affordable options for startups and small businesses. What did we find? Let’s find out, but before we jump in, there are two things we need to clarify.
First, very few payroll options offer entirely free resources; many options offer Demos, free trials, or free resources with added pay services for businesses to get the most of their features. Some of these options are part of our picks. Second, some features should be non-negotiable when picking a payroll management system, and we already have a “Key Features to Look for Before Choosing a Payroll Management System,” a pretty self-explanatory title, but we’ll quickly list these features before we look at our top picks.
Key Features to Look for Before Choosing a Payroll Management System.
Here is a list of things you should consider before picking a payroll or HR solution for your business, including pricing.
- Ease-of-Use: No one wants a solution that creates more problems while learning how to use it.
- Compliance with Local Tax Laws: You should always be on the right side of the law when processing payroll and managing employees. Fines and legal actions can damage brand image and company reputation.
- Data Security: Your employees must be able to rust whatever system you choose for them. Company assets do not need to be at risk because you want to pay salaries efficiently.
- Integration Capabilities: No payroll app has it all figured out. The need for integration, either linking existing or newer company systems, still exists.
- Scalability: The desire for growth is boundless, and you need a solution to grow alongside your business.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Your employees want to be informed about their salary disbursement and have some control over their finances. A self-service portal offers this.
5 Free Payroll and HR software for Nigerian businesses
Now, for the options, we’ve been waiting for our top picks for free payroll and HR software in Nigeria. Since we are looking for the pricing, we will not be going too deep into the lore of each option but will be going straight to the point on their free options as much as possible.
SalarioPay.
SalarioPay is a Nigerian-based Payroll startup that offers quality payroll services with some attendant HR features. SalarioPay prioritizes the ease of customers with its smooth interface and easy options for companies to onboard their employees. In our search, SalarioPay was the only payroll or HR software with a free plan for its clients.
SalarioPay offers a plan for small businesses with up to 20 employees allowing them to run payroll for their employees within SalarioPay for free. This is a feature free payroll and HR software platforms do not always offer.
Bento
Bento is a popular Nigerian HR software that provides both HR and Payroll software via two products: Pay by Bento and People by Bento. Pay by Bento provides the necessary payroll services for clients, while People by Bento covers Bento Labs’ HR suite. Bento Labs aims to reduce operational costs for businesses across Africa.
Bento offers various customizable pricing plans for users, but new businesses can also receive their HR services for free for the first three months.
Freashteam
Freshteam by Freshworks is an HR software company based in San Mateo, California, United States, but its services are available for business in Nigeria. It is primarily HR software with fewer payroll capabilities and is especially great for hiring new employees and maintaining employee records. With features such as customizable career sites, an Applicant tracking system (ATS), and easy management of candidate profiles, Freshteam offers quite the package.
Freshworks offers a 14-day free trial on all its products, including Freshteam. The starter pack costs $19 per month. The Growth plan is $49 per month. The Pro plan is $95 per month, and the Enterprise plan costs $119 per month.
Workday
Workday is a globally renowned cloud-based solution that provides robust human resources and payroll tools tailored to businesses of varying sizes. While not specific to the Nigerian market, Workday offers scalable and feature-rich tools that help businesses streamline their HR processes, workforce planning, and payroll management. Known for its advanced analytics and user-friendly interface, Workday is a powerful option for organizations seeking a comprehensive solution with global reach.
Workday does not offer a free plan; instead, its pricing is customized based on the size of the business and the services required, although its website indicates that there is a 30-day free trial. Businesses can request a demo or a custom quote through their website to better understand their options.
Workpay
Workday is an innovative HR and Payroll platform designed specifically for businesses in Africa, including Nigeria. With a mission to empower businesses with seamless solutions, Workpay simplifies payroll processing, statutory compliance, and employee benefits management. The platform also offers remote workforce management features, which are particularly beneficial in the current global work environment. Workpay’s emphasis on local compliance makes it an excellent choice for Nigerian businesses navigating complex payroll tax and labor laws.
Like very few free payroll and HR software platforms, Workday offers a free plan that includes basic payroll processing, making it an attractive option for small and medium-sized businesses. For organizations requiring more advanced features like benefits management and compliance automation, Workpay offers tiered paid plans. Specific pricing information is available upon inquiry through their website.
Conclusion
Choosing the right payroll and HR software is essential for every business, especially in a rapidly evolving market like Nigeria. While several options are available, finding a solution that balances affordability, ease of use, and comprehensive features can be challenging. Each platform highlighted in this post offers unique advantages, catering to businesses of varying sizes and needs.
That said, SalarioPay is the only platform offering a free plan designed for startups and small businesses. Unlike other options that require an upfront investment or have limited trial periods, SalarioPay empowers businesses to seamlessly onboard employees and manage payroll processes without hidden fees or delays. For companies looking to get started with payroll and HR management without breaking the bank, SalarioPay is a compelling choice.
So why wait? If you’re looking for a simple, efficient, and cost-effective payroll solution tailored to your needs, SalarioPay is the perfect partner for your business journey.