Key takeaways
- The best HRIS for hourly and shift teams in Canada combines scheduling, time tracking, HR tools, and payroll integrations that work with Canadian providers.
- Essential HR features: onboarding and records, documents and e-signatures, time off, performance reviews, training tools.
- Frontline must-haves: visual scheduling, mobile clock-ins with GPS, automated timesheets, real-time communication, and compliance with provincial labour standards.
- Bilingual matters: EN/FR support is essential for many Canadian workplaces, coverage varies by product.
Managing hourly and shift workers is hard enough without juggling spreadsheets. This guide compares the best HRIS software for Canadian teams, with the scheduling, time tracking, and HR features managers actually need.
Managing hourly staff is messy: changing availability, last-minute absences, overtime rules, and the constant need to keep everyone in the loop. If you operate in retail, hospitality, restaurants, healthcare, or any other shift-based environment, generic HR software is rarely enough.
That is where a proper Human Resources Information System (HRIS) built for shift work comes in. The right HRIS combines classic HR features (employee records, onboarding, documents, time off) with frontline essentials: employee scheduling, time and attendance, mobile communication, and payroll integrations that work with Canadian providers such as ADP, Quickbooks, EmployerD and Ceridian.
For Canadian businesses, there is an extra layer to think about. Your HRIS software needs to support English and French, handle provincial labour standards (CNESST, ESA and others), and adapt to the realities of hourly teams that are not sitting at a desk all day.
In this guide, we look at the best HRIS options for hourly and shift-based teams in Canada. Every tool on this list includes both scheduling and time tracking, plus core HR features. Whether you manage one location or many, you will find platforms that can help you:
- Simplify team management, from employee records to onboarding and training, to recognition
- Build and share schedules in minutes
- Track hours accurately for payroll
- Keep your team informed through mobile apps
- Stay compliant with Canadian labour rules
What Makes a Good HRIS for Hourly and Shift-Based Teams?
A strong HRIS for shift work mirrors the daily rhythms of frontline operations. It handles changing availability, last-minute absences, and real-time communication while reducing admin. The best options combine core HR with scheduling, time tracking, mobile access, and payroll connections that work in Canada. They should be simple for managers and intuitive for employees who are not at a desk.
Which HRIS Features Matter Most for Shift Teams?
1. How should scheduling work in an HRIS for shift teams?
Managers need to build, adjust, and publish schedules in minutes while keeping coverage and costs in check. Look for tools that make visual planning fast, capture availability, and let staff pick up open shifts without chaos. Speed and clarity are key so the schedule reflects reality on the floor.
- Visual scheduling tools
- Drag and drop editing
- Shift templates
- Availability management
- Open shifts
- Instant publishing
2. What does accurate time and attendance tracking require?
Attendance tools must capture time where work happens and prevent errors that affect payroll. Mobile clock-ins with location controls reduce time theft, while automated timesheets and alerts keep overtime compliant. Seamless exports save hours during payroll.
- Mobile clock in and out
- Geofencing and GPS validation
- Automatically generated timesheets
- Overtime alerts
- Seamless payroll exports
3. Which HR capabilities support the full employee lifecycle?
For hourly teams, HR basics should live in one place so managers are not juggling apps. Onboarding, records, documents, and time off should be simple to complete on mobile. Add training and performance tools to support growth and retention.
- Onboarding workflows
- Employee records and profiles
- Document management and e-signatures
- Time off requests and approvals
- Training tools
- Performance reviews
4. How should real-time communication work for frontline teams?
Frontline teams need fast, targeted updates that do not rely on personal texts. In-app chat, announcements, and shift notifications keep everyone aligned. The goal is fewer missed messages and faster responses.
- In-app messaging
- Announcements
- Shift notifications
- Mobile alerts
5. What matters for payroll integrations in Canada?
Your HRIS should pass clean, approved hours to Canadian payroll systems with minimal manual handling. Reliable exports or direct connections reduce errors and speed up processing. This is essential when managing multiple locations and mixed roles.
- Integrations with Nethris, EmployerD, ADP, Ceridian, Payworks, QuickBooks, Sage, Acomba
- Easy timesheet exports
6. Why is bilingual support important in Canada?
Teams often operate in both English and French, and employees should work in the language they prefer. A bilingual interface and support reduce errors, improve adoption, and show respect for staff. Check coverage across both manager and employee experiences.
- English and French app experience
- Bilingual customer support
7. How can an HRIS help with provincial labour law compliance?
The system should help you follow rules on breaks, overtime, and holidays without extra spreadsheets. Alerts and guardrails reduce risk when schedules shift. Accurate data also simplifies audits and record-keeping.
- Break and overtime rules
- Statutory holiday settings
- Scheduling safeguards
8. Why does ease of use matter so much?
If the tool is not simple, managers and staff will not use it consistently. Mobile-friendly, intuitive design speeds up adoption and reduces training time. The outcome is better data and fewer manual fixes.
- Mobile-friendly interface
- Intuitive workflows for all tech levels
How We Picked (Transparent Rubric)
We scored each platform using publicly available docs, product help centres, and vendor pages, focusing on shift-team realities in Canada. Weights reflect what matters most for frontline operations.
Criterion
Scheduling depth (shift workflows, templates, coverage controls)
- Weight = 35%
Time tracking (mobile clock-ins, GPS/geofencing, overtime alerts)
- Weight = 25%
HR suite (onboarding, records, docs & e-signatures, time off, performance)
- Weight = 15%
Canadian payroll (native or robust integrations/exports)
- Weight = 15%
Bilingual & compliance (EN/FR coverage; Canadian contexts)
- Weight = 10%
Methodology notes (November 2025): We prioritized primary sources (product docs, help articles, vendor pages) and scored features on a 0–10 scale per criterion, then applied the above weights to compute a 0–10 overall. Google’s guidance favors transparent, expertise-forward evaluations; this format is designed to be helpful for readers and answer engines.
Inclusion Rules
HR Features Built for Hourly Workers
Platforms needed to offer core HR tools such as onboarding, employee records, document management, time off tracking, and other lifecycle features.
Integrated Scheduling and Time Tracking
Because this guide is focused on shift based teams, any tool without built in scheduling and time and attendance tracking was excluded.
Mobile Access and Team Communication
We prioritized systems with strong mobile apps, instant notifications, messaging tools, and features that support real time communication on the floor.
Canadian Payroll and Benefits Support
Platforms had to offer payroll integrations or native payroll features that work with Canadian providers or workflows.
Bilingual Capabilities and Local Compliance
Since many Canadian teams operate in both English and French, we selected tools that support bilingual usage or offer localized compliance features for provincial labour standards.
Availability and Support in Canada
Only tools that serve the Canadian market were considered, including those with Canadian data centres, customer support, or regional compliance options.
Why These Tools Made the List
The HRIS systems below were selected because they meaningfully improve scheduling, HR management, communication, and compliance for shift based organizations. They provide real value to Canadian managers and hourly employees, whether you operate a single location or multiple sites.
Transparency Note
We build Agendrix, which appears first in this list because it is designed specifically for hourly and shift based teams in Canada. Even so, this guide was created using the same evaluation criteria for every platform. Our goal is to give Canadian businesses an honest, useful comparison of HRIS software options.
The 5 Best HRIS Software for Hourly and Shift-Based Teams in Canada
1. Agendrix (8.85/10)
Suitable for Canadian businesses that rely on hourly staff and need a complete HRIS with scheduling and time tracking
📌Agendrix is a Canadian HRIS built specifically for shift-based and frontline teams. It combines intuitive scheduling, accurate time tracking, and solid HR features in a clean, bilingual platform that works just as well for small teams as it does for multi-location organizations.
- Best for: Canadian hourly and shift teams that need bilingual scheduling, time tracking, and core HR in one place with integrations to Canadian payroll.
- Not for: Companies needing a heavy ATS/recruiting suite or complex multi-country compliance.
Key Features
HR tools
- Employee onboarding with customizable workflows
- Centralized employee records and profiles
- Document management and e-signatures
- Time off management and approval workflows
- Tasks and shift checklists
- Performance reviews and employee feedback
- Recognition tools and surveys
Scheduling and time tracking
- Drag and drop scheduling with shift templates
- Availability management and open shift posting
- Mobile clock in and out with GPS validation
- Automated timesheets and overtime alerts
- Task assignments within shifts
Communication
- Private, group and company wide chats
- Voice messaging for quick updates
- Schedule notifications and real time notifications
Payroll and integrations
- Integrates with Canadian payroll providers including Nethris, EmployerD, ADP, Ceridian, Payworks, QuickBooks, Acomba, Sage 50, and others
- Easy timesheet exports to reduce manual entry
Bilingual support
- Full English and French interface for both managers and employees
- Excellent bilingual customer support based in Canada
Limitations
- Does not include advanced recruiting or ATS modules
- Designed primarily for Canadian and European compliance, so businesses outside these regions may need to configure local rules manually
Pricing
- Starts at $4.73 CAD per user/month
2. 7shifts (7.50/10)
Suitable for restaurants and hospitality teams that need powerful scheduling, labor cost control, and team communication in one place
📌7shifts is a scheduling and time tracking platform built specifically for restaurants. It is widely used across Canada in quick service, full service, bars, cafés, and multi location hospitality operations. While it is not a full HRIS, it offers strong HR related tools and compliance features tailored to shift based environments.
- Best for: Restaurants and hospitality operations that want best-in-class scheduling, labor forecasting via POS, and mobile time tracking.
- Not for: Non-hospitality teams or organizations that need a full HRIS with deep HR modules and fully bilingual admin tools.
Key Features
HR tools
- Employee profiles and basic records
- Onboarding checklists and document uploads
- Time off and availability management
- Training and task lists
- Basic performance tools including shift ratings and employee engagement insights
- Hiring and applicant tracking (ATS) with job posting distribution
Scheduling and time tracking
- Drag and drop restaurant scheduling with templates
- Availability, time off, and shift swap management
- Mobile clock in and out with geofencing
- POS integrations for labor forecasting and sales driven schedules
- Overtime alerts, labor compliance warnings, and automated timesheets
- Tip pooling and tip distribution tools
Communication
- Team chat and group messaging
- Announcements and shift specific notes
- Manager logbook for shift handoff and reporting
Payroll and integrations
- Broad restaurant ecosystem integrations including Square, TouchBistro, Lightspeed, and Toast
- Payroll exports compatible with ADP, Payworks, QuickBooks, and other providers
- Syncs labor data from POS systems to reduce manual entry
Bilingual support
- Partial. Employee mobile experience available in French, but some admin features remain English only.
Limitations
- Designed mainly for restaurants; not ideal for businesses outside hospitality
- HR feature set remains lighter than a full HRIS
- Bilingual support is incomplete across all modules
- Canadian payroll integrations depend on exports rather than native connections
Pricing
- Basic free plan for single locations.
- Paid plans start at approximately $29 to $69 USD per location per month, depending on features and add ons.
3. Homebase (6.75/10)
Suitable for small businesses that want free scheduling and time tracking with basic HR tools
📌Homebase is a popular scheduling and time tracking platform for small hourly teams. It offers a generous free plan, simple HR tools, and solid communication features. While widely used in Canada, its payroll and compliance features are primarily designed for the US market.
- Best for: Small, budget-conscious teams wanting free scheduling/time tracking plus basic HR and messaging in a simple app.
- Not for: Businesses that require native Canadian payroll, advanced compliance controls, or comprehensive bilingual coverage.
Key Features
HR tools
- Employee profiles and basic records
- Self onboarding with customizable forms and document uploads
- E-signature support for policies and documents
- Time off tracking and availability management
- Hiring tools including job posting distribution and a lightweight ATS
Scheduling and time tracking
- Drag and drop schedule builder
- Shift templates and recurring schedules
- Mobile clock in and out with GPS tagging
- Automated timesheets and overtime alerts
- Early clock in prevention and break compliance alerts
- Shift swaps and shift coverage requests
Communication
- Team messaging and announcements
- Schedule change notifications
- Mobile alerts for managers and staff
Payroll and integrations
- Native payroll is available only in the United States
- Canadian users must export timesheets to external payroll systems
- Integrations with POS systems like Square and Clover
Bilingual support
- Partial French support for employees; manager dashboard mostly in English
Limitations
- Payroll, labour compliance, and tax tools are US focused
- HR features are basic compared with full HRIS platforms
- Limited support for Canadian labour rules
- Bilingual functionality is incomplete
Pricing
- Free plan available for one location.
- Paid plans start at approximately $20 to $100 USD per location per month, depending on features and add ons.
4. Employment Hero (5.90/10)
Suitable for Canadian businesses that want a full HRIS with payroll, benefits, and performance tools
📌Employment Hero, previously known as Humi, is a Canadian HRIS offering a complete suite of HR tools for small and mid sized businesses. It includes core HR, payroll, benefits, performance management, and recruiting. While it is strong on the HR side, its scheduling and time tracking features are more limited compared to HRIS platforms designed specifically for shift based work.
- Best for: Canadian SMBs that prioritize full HRIS depth on one platform: HR, native Canadian payroll, benefits, performance, and ATS.
- Not for: Shift-heavy frontline teams that need advanced scheduling workflows, robust mobile time clocks, and day-to-day floor comms.
Key Features
HR tools
- Centralized employee records and profiles
- Structured onboarding workflows with customizable documents
- Document management and e signatures
- Time off management with automated accruals
- Performance reviews, goals, and 1:1 tracking
- Employee surveys and engagement tools
- Full applicant tracking system (ATS) for hiring
- Benefits administration for Canadian organizations
Scheduling and time tracking
- Includes limited scheduling functionality but it is not well suited for shift-heavy operations
- Time clocking via mobile or browser
- Timesheet approvals
- Integrations with payroll for accurate hour transfer
- Note: Scheduling is functional but less advanced than frontline focused platforms like Agendrix or 7shifts
Communication
- Company announcements
- Policy acknowledgements
- Centralized employee documentation
Payroll and integrations
- Native Canadian payroll with tax calculations, ROEs, and T4s
- Integration with Canadian benefits providers
- Sync between time tracking and payroll to reduce manual entry
Bilingual support
- English and French supported across most modules
- Some new or advanced features may release in English first
Limitations
- Scheduling and time tracking are basic, better suited for mixed teams than full shift based operations
- Mobile experience is more HR centric, less adapted to frontline workflows
- Bilingual interface coverage varies depending on module
Pricing
- Quote based. According to aggregated data on G2 and other review sites, pricing typically starts around $7 to $12 CAD per employee per month, depending on modules selected.
5. Collage HR (5.80/10)
Suitable for Canadian businesses looking for a flexible HRIS with payroll, benefits, and performance tools
📌Collage HR is a Canadian HRIS designed for small and mid sized companies that want strong HR and payroll features without the complexity of enterprise platforms. It offers solid onboarding, records management, performance reviews, and benefits administration. Collage HR includes time tracking and time off tools, but scheduling is minimal and generally requires integrations. Better suited for mixed salaried and hourly teams.
- Best for: Canadian SMEs seeking flexible HR, native payroll, benefits administration, and performance tools without enterprise complexity.
- Not for: Large hourly or multi-location shift teams that rely on deep scheduling features and on-the-floor mobile workflows.
Key Features
HR tools
- Centralized employee records and profiles
- Customizable onboarding workflows with document packets and e-signatures
- Time off management with automated accruals and approval flows
- Performance reviews and goal tracking
- Policy documents, handbooks, and acknowledgment tracking
- Full applicant tracking system (ATS) with job posting management
- Benefits administration with Canadian carriers
Scheduling and time tracking
- Scheduling is minimal
- Simple time tracking with timesheets and approvals
- Time off and availability tools integrated into schedules
Communication
- Company announcements
- Document acknowledgments
- Centralized HR documentation
Payroll and integrations
- Full Canadian payroll with tax calculations, T4s, ROEs, remittances
- Direct deposit and automated payroll runs
- Integration with benefits administration for unified HR management
Bilingual support
- English and French available for key employee facing features
- Some admin tools may be English first
Limitations
- Scheduling and time tracking are not designed for large hourly or shift driven teams
- No advanced shift templates, open shifts, or mobile clocking comparable to frontline platforms
- Mobile experience is more HR-centric, not optimized for daily frontline use
- Pricing varies widely depending on selected modules
Pricing
- Not publicly listed. Data from G2 and review platforms suggests pricing typically ranges from $7 to $10 CAD per employee per month, depending on modules and payroll requirements.
Also Consider: Popular HRIS Platforms Not Built for Shift Based Teams
These platforms appear frequently in “best HRIS” searches and can be great options for salaried or hybrid teams. However, they do not offer the scheduling and time tracking features needed to support hourly, shift based Canadian workplaces. For that reason, they are not included in the main list.
QuickBooks Time
Best for: Businesses already using QuickBooks that need strong time tracking only
📌QuickBooks Time (previously TSheets) provides excellent attendance tracking, GPS validation, and job costing. It offers only light scheduling and minimal HR functionality, making it insufficient for full HRIS needs.
- Why it’s not in the top list: Limited scheduling, almost no HR tools, and not bilingual.
- Pricing: Around $20 to $40 CAD per month plus $8 to $10 per user.
Buddy Punch
Best for: Teams needing simple time tracking with photo or GPS verification
📌Buddy Punch is great for accurate clock ins but lacks deeper HR and scheduling features. It is best considered a time tracking tool rather than an HRIS.
- Why it’s not in the top list: Minimal HR features, limited scheduling, and not designed for shift heavy environments.
- Pricing: Generally $3.50 to $7.50 USD per user per month.
BambooHR
Best for: SMBs wanting an intuitive HRIS without scheduling needs
📌BambooHR excels in HR management, onboarding, documents, and performance. Excellent product, but only when teams do not rely on shift scheduling and hourly attendance.
- Why it’s not in the top list: No built in scheduling and weak time tracking without add ons.
- Pricing: Estimated $6 to $10+ USD per employee per month.
Rippling
Best for: Fast growing companies needing HR, IT, and finance in one system
📌Rippling is powerful and highly customizable, but lacks the core scheduling and frontline tools needed for shift based Canadian teams.
- Why it’s not in the top list: No real scheduling, limited attendance features, and not built for hourly teams.
- Pricing: Starts around $8 USD per employee per month, plus add ons.
ADP Workforce Now
Best for: Mid sized to enterprise organizations needing advanced HR and payroll
📌Workforce Now includes deep features but is far too heavy for most frontline SMBs. Scheduling exists but is complex and not optimized for shift work.
- Why it’s not in the top list: Enterprise oriented and not user friendly for hourly teams.
- Pricing: Quote based, typically higher than SMB platforms.
Dayforce (Ceridian)
Best for: Large organizations with sophisticated payroll and compliance needs
📌Dayforce includes robust workforce management features but requires extensive configuration and training. It’s powerful but not suitable for small or mid sized shift based businesses.
- Why it’s not in the top list: Enterprise grade, expensive, and far too complex for frontline environments.
- Pricing: Quote based, generally premium.
Choosing the Right HRIS for Canadian Shift Work
Picking the right HRIS depends on how your team actually works day to day. If you manage hourly or shift based employees, you need a platform that can handle changing schedules, real time communication, and accurate payroll data without extra admin work.
Agendrix is the strongest option for Canadian businesses that need bilingual support, scheduling, time tracking, and HR features in one place. Other platforms may be a better fit for restaurant specific workflows, small budgets, or companies that prioritize HR modules over scheduling depth.
Before making a decision, consider your team size, industry, and your non-negotiables. For most shift based workplaces, the essentials are: strong scheduling, accurate time tracking, mobile access, and smooth payroll. Once you have narrowed the list, test a few platforms through demos or free trials to see how well they match your day to day reality.
What is an HRIS and how is it different from HR software?
An HRIS (Human Resources Information System) is a digital platform that centralizes employee data, documents, scheduling, time tracking, and HR processes. HR software can refer to individual tools that manage only one or two HR functions.
An HRIS is more complete; it keeps everything in one place so you avoid juggling spreadsheets or separate apps.
What is the best HRIS for hourly employees in Canada?
Agendrix is one of the top HRIS options for managing hourly and shift based teams in Canada. It includes scheduling, time tracking, HR tools, payroll integrations with Canadian providers, and a fully bilingual interface.
Other solid options include 7shifts (restaurants), Homebase (small teams), and Employment Hero (HR focused Canadian businesses).
Which HRIS tools work in both English and French?
Agendrix, Employment Hero, and Collage HR offer bilingual interfaces for Canadian teams. Some tools like 7shifts or Homebase offer partial French support but are not fully bilingual across all modules.
Can HRIS software help with Canadian labour law compliance?
Yes. Platforms like Agendrix and 7shifts include features that support compliance with CNESST in Quebec, ESA in Ontario, and other provincial labour standards. This includes overtime rules, break management, statutory holidays, and accurate payroll ready timesheets.
Which HRIS systems integrate with Canadian payroll providers?
Agendrix integrates with Canadian payroll systems such as Nethris, EmployerD, ADP, Ceridian, Payworks, Sage, QuickBooks, and Acomba.
Employment Hero and Collage HR include their own native Canadian payroll features.
Others, like 7shifts and Homebase, rely mainly on payroll exports.
How do I choose the right HRIS for my business?
Look for a platform that matches your day to day needs. Shift based teams usually need strong scheduling, attendance, mobile communication, and payroll accuracy. Try a few platforms through demos or free trials to see which one fits your operations best.
