The Best HR Software for Small Businesses in Canada

Managing a small business often means wearing every hat, HR being one of the heaviest. From recruiting and onboarding to managing employee records and staying compliant, HR work is already a handful. Add scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and team communication to the mix, and you’re halfway to a full-time admin role.

Then come the things that really matter: recognizing your employees, offering the right benefits, keeping people happy, and nurturing a healthy workplace culture. And somehow, you’re expected to do it all without dropping the ball. 🫠

That’s where small business HR software comes in. These tools are designed to simplify the day-to-day of people management so you can focus on your team and growing your business.

According to a report by Payworks and Sage:

• 55% of small businesses saw a return on their tech investment within two years
• With an average 29% increase in productivity in the first year

In this article, we break down the best HR software for small businesses in Canada in 2025. We’ve done the legwork to help you find the right fit, especially if you run a business with hourly staff, changing schedules, or multiple locations.

Whether you manage a restaurant, a retail store, an assisted living facility, or any other business with hourly staff, there’s a solution built for you, and this guide will help you find it.

How We Picked & Tested (Transparent Methodology)

To keep this guide useful and unbiased, we evaluated each platform against a simple rubric tailored to Canadian small businesses, especially those with hourly or shift-based teams. We combined hands-on use, public documentation, and customer feedback. Scores roll up to 100 points.

Our Scoring Rubric (100 🍁)

Scheduling & Time Tracking (30 🍁)

• Depth and ease of scheduling, shift swaps, attendance, labor costs, mobile time clocks, PTO, and approvals.

Payroll & Canadian Revenue Agency Compliance (20 🍁)

• Built-in Canadian payroll or reliable integrations; support for T4s/ROEs; tax handling; multi-provincial support.

Ease of Use (Web & Mobile) (18 🍁)

• Setup speed, admin/employee UX, onboarding flows, clarity of settings, and learning curve based on real usage.

Pricing & Scalability (15 🍁)

• Transparent entry price, per-employee costs, free trials, and how pricing scales for 10–200 employees.

Support & Bilingual Availability (12 🍁)

• Quality and speed of support, documentation, onboarding help, and bilingual (EN/FR) availability for app and support.

Integrations & Ecosystem (5 🍁)

• Breadth/quality of payroll, accounting, and scheduling integrations; data import/export; API availability.

Baseline requirements: Availability in Canada. Clear fit for SMBs. Public documentation. Mobile apps for employee workflows.

Sources and Verification

• What we used: vendor product and pricing pages, help docs, and changelogs; publicly available user reviews; hands-on testing and customer conversations; and Canada-specific payroll documentation where relevant.
• Why these weights: In shift-based SMBs, scheduling/time drives day-to-day performance and labor spend, hence the highest weight (30). Canadian payroll/CRA needs are non-negotiable (20). Ease and pricing strongly influence adoption and retention (18 & 15). Bilingual support reflects Québec/Canadian realities (12). Integrations matter, but are secondary once scheduling/payroll are solved (5)

Note on pricing: We list starting prices where available and link to each vendor’s pricing page for the latest numbers. Always confirm current pricing and modules before choosing.

This List Is Based on Research, Not Sponsorship

None of the companies featured in this list paid to be included. As the team behind Agendrix, an HRIS software built for shift-based businesses, we know the HR tech landscape well.

This list was carefully compiled based on publicly available information, customer feedback, and our understanding of what small businesses in Canada actually need. Pricing and feature details verified as of November 2025

Top 9 HR Software for Small Business in 2025

No two small businesses are alike and neither are HR tools. Some are better for scheduling hourly staff, while others shine with onboarding, payroll, or benefits.

Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best HR software for small business in 2025. All of these platforms are available in Canada and offer a range of features to help you save time, stay compliant, and build a better team experience.

1. Agendrix
2. Collage HR
3. Employment Hero
4. Rise People
5. Payworks
6. Homebase
7. BambooHR
8. ADP Workforce Now
9. QuickBooks Workforce

1. Agendrix 🇨🇦

Best for small businesses with hourly workers

Agendrix is an all-in-one people management platform built specifically for shift-based teams. It’s particularly strong in scheduling, time and attendance, and internal communication, all packaged in a user-friendly interface that employees and managers actually enjoy using.

Agendrix helps you stay organized, reduce scheduling issues, and improve team accountability. It’s a go-to choice for businesses with hourly staff across industries like hospitality, healthcare, and retail.

• Pros: Easy scheduling and time tracking, mobile-friendly, outstanding support, Canadian-based, fully bilingual
• Cons: No built-in payroll, but integrates with popular Canadian providers like Nethris, Employeur D, ADP and more
• Best for: Small teams managing shift workers in Canada
• Pricing: Plus plan including all HR features starts at ~$5.25/user/month
• ✅ Bonus: Loved by businesses like Bar Renard, who went from Excel hell to real-time, streamlined mobile scheduling

Score: 92 🍁

• 🍁 29/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Purpose-built for shift-based scheduling, mobile time clocks, PTO, and attendance
• 🍁 16/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: No built-in payroll, but excellent integrations with all leading Canadian providers (Nethris, ADP, Employeur D) so businesses can provide CRA-compliant paystubs and tax documents to their employees
• 🍁 17/18 Ease of Use: Very intuitive for managers and employees, fast adoption, strong mobile app
• 🍁 14/15 Pricing & Scalability: Transparent pricing, affordable per-user cost, flexible for small teams
• 🍁 12/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: Fully bilingual interface and support (EN/FR), based in Canada
• 🍁 4/5 Integrations: Integrates with popular payroll and time tracking tools

Where Agendrix stands out

• Designed specifically for hourly and shift-based teams
• Built in Canada with full bilingual app and support (EN/FR)
• Integrates seamlessly with Canadian payroll systems
• Exceptional customer support with 99% satisfaction rating
• Easy to set up and roll out: managers and employees adopt it quickly

We surveyed about 700 of our customers.

On average, Agendrix helps them save $5120 in management man-hour costs per year.

Discover how

2. Collage HR 🇨🇦

HR, payroll and benefits platform for Canadian SMBs

Collage HR is a Toronto-based platform built specifically for small and mid-sized businesses in Canada. It brings HR, payroll, and group benefits together in a single platform, helping to stay compliant with CRA requirements and provincial labor laws.

Its bilingual interface and Canada-specific payroll tools make it a strong choice for teams that want to keep everything local, including compliance, support, and documentation.

• Pros: Canadian-based, bilingual, includes benefits administration, onboarding, document management, and integrated payroll
• Cons: Interface is a bit dated; more traditional approach to HR workflows
• Best for: Canadian businesses with 10–200 employees looking for an all-in-one HR solution
• Pricing: From ~$10/user/month

Score: 82 🍁

• 🍁 20/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Some time tracking features, but limited scheduling functionality
• 🍁 20/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: Full-service Canadian payroll, benefits, and CRA-compliant outputs
• 🍁 15/18 Ease of Use: Clean UI, onboarding is smooth; interface slightly dated
• 🍁 13/15 Pricing & Scalability: Reasonable pricing for features offered; good for 10–200 employees
• 🍁 11/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: Canadian support, fully bilingual platform
• 🍁 3/5 Integrations: Some integrations; less flexible than competitors

Where Collage HR stands out

• Designed specifically for Canadian regulations and payroll
• Built-in group benefits management and brokerage
• Bilingual platform with local support
• CRA-compliant with T4 and ROE generation
• Ideal for teams with in-house HR that need a centralized system

3. Employment Hero 🇨🇦

HR, payroll, and benefits software built for Canadian businesses

Employment Hero (formerly Humi) is a Canadian all-in-one HR platform offering core features like onboarding, time-off tracking, document management, performance reviews, and built-in payroll. It’s designed for small to mid-sized companies that want a modern system tailored to local compliance needs, including bilingual support and CRA alignment.

While it’s not specialized for hourly or shift-based teams, Employment Hero offers a clean, centralized system for managing your people operations in one place.

• Pros: Fully Canadian, bilingual, strong onboarding and document tools, integrated payroll
• Cons: Not ideal for shift scheduling or hourly time tracking
• Best for: Canadian small businesses with salaried teams and in-house HR admins
• Pricing: From ~$6/user/month, with modular add-ons

Score: 79 🍁

• 🍁 18/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Offers time-off tracking, but not built for shift scheduling
• 🍁 20/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: Fully integrated Canadian payroll with CRA alignment
• 🍁 15/18 Ease of Use: Modern UI, onboarding is straightforward
• 🍁 13/15 Pricing & Scalability: Modular pricing works for small or scaling teams
• 🍁 10/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: Bilingual platform and support; support quality is solid
• 🍁 3/5 Integrations: Limited ecosystem, but growing

Where Employment Hero stands out

• Fully integrated Canadian payroll system with automatic T4 and ROE generation
• Smooth onboarding and employee file management
• Performance and time-off management in one dashboard
• Bilingual platform with local customer support
• Clean UI and growing reputation across Canada

4. Rise People 🇨🇦

HR, benefits, and payroll platform made for Canadian businesses

Rise People is a homegrown Canadian HR platform that offers payroll, time off management, employee records, and group benefits. Designed specifically for Canadian SMBs, Rise focuses on compliance, employee experience, and ease of use.

While its feature set isn’t as deep as some enterprise tools, Rise People stands out for integrating HR and group benefits administration in a clean, modern platform built around Canadian regulations and bilingual needs.

• Pros: Canadian company, bilingual support, built-in benefits management, modern UI
• Cons: Limited third-party integrations; less customization than larger platforms
• Best for: Canadian small businesses looking for a user-friendly, all-in-one HR and benefits platform
• Pricing: Based on features, contact vendor for current rates

Score: 75 🍁

• 🍁 17/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Focused on HR/payroll, not shift scheduling
• 🍁 20/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: Full Canadian payroll, CRA-compliant, group benefits built-in
• 🍁 14/18 Ease of Use: Friendly UI, built for SMBs
• 🍁 12/15 Pricing & Scalability: Competitive pricing
• 🍁 10/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: Canadian-based support, bilingual features
• 🍁 2/5 Integrations: Limited third-party integration options

Where Rise People stands out

• Built specifically for the Canadian market, with full CRA compliance and bilingual interfaces
• Group benefits administration built into the platform
• Simple, modern user experience designed for small teams
• Excellent fit for businesses seeking both payroll and people management in one
• Deep understanding of local regulations

5. Payworks 🇨🇦

Canadian payroll and workforce management software

Payworks is a Canadian payroll and workforce management platform known for its reliability and local expertise. While it leans more toward payroll and time management than full HRIS functionality, it’s a good option for businesses that prioritize accuracy, compliance, and service.
The platform includes features like payroll processing, HR record-keeping, time tracking, and absence management, all designed with Canadian labor laws in mind. It’s particularly popular among businesses that want a dependable, service-driven partner for payroll.

• Pros: Canadian-owned and operated, accurate payroll, strong customer service, compliance-first
• Cons: User interface is a bit dated; fewer modern HR features compared to newer platforms
• Best for: Canadian businesses looking for a dependable payroll-first platform with light HR features
• Pricing: Quote-based, contact vendor for details

Score: 71 🍁

• 🍁 15/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Time tracking included, but scheduling is limited
• 🍁 20/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: Excellent Canadian payroll support and accuracy
• 🍁 12/18 Ease of Use: Reliable but less modern UI
• 🍁 12/15 Pricing & Scalability: Solid pricing model for SMBs
• 🍁 10/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: Great Canadian support, fully bilingual
• 🍁 2/5 Integrations: Fewer integrations than modern SaaS platforms

Where Payworks stands out

• Fully localized for Canadian payroll, including T4s, ROEs, and provincial requirements
• Excellent client support with a reputation for responsiveness
• Offers time and attendance tracking alongside payroll
• Longstanding presence in the Canadian SMB market
• Trusted by accountants and professional services firms

6. Homebase

HR and scheduling software for hourly teams

Homebase is a U.S.-based platform built specifically for small businesses that manage hourly employees: think restaurants, retail stores, and service-based businesses. It combines scheduling, time tracking, hiring, and basic HR features in a simple, easy-to-use interface.

While it doesn’t support Canadian payroll, most other features work well across borders. Its generous free plan makes it a great starting point for businesses that need basic tools without the upfront cost.

• Pros: Free plan available, strong for scheduling and time tracking, easy to use
• Cons: No native Canadian payroll support; some features are U.S.-centric
• Best for: Small shift-based businesses looking for free or low-cost scheduling and HR tools
• Pricing: Free for basic use; paid plans from ~$20/location/month

Score: 71 🍁

• 🍁 26/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Excellent shift planning, team messaging, mobile clock-ins
• 🍁 5/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: U.S.-only payroll; no CRA or T4/ROE support
• 🍁 17/18 Ease of Use: Very easy to use, especially for small teams
• 🍁 15/15 Pricing & Scalability: Free plan + simple pricing make it accessible
• 🍁 6/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: No bilingual support, limited Canadian support
• 🍁 2/5 Integrations: Some integrations, mostly U.S.-focused

Where Homebase stands out

• One of the best free tools for scheduling and time tracking
• Built specifically for hourly teams in hospitality, retail, and services
• Includes hiring tools, basic HR, and team messaging
• Great option for early-stage or budget-conscious businesses
• Works well for Canadian teams, just not for payroll

Thinking About Homebase?

If your business runs on hourly workers or shift-based scheduling, Agendrix might be a better fit than Homebase. Learn more in our Agendrix vs. Homebase comparison.

7. BambooHR

All-in-one HR platform for small and mid-sized teams

BambooHR is a well-established HR platform that covers the full employee lifecycle, from hiring and onboarding to time-off tracking and performance management. While it’s not built with shift-based businesses in mind, it offers a clean and intuitive experience for office-based teams and growing SMBs.

BambooHR is best known for its user-friendly dashboard, strong reporting tools, and list of integrations. It’s a solid choice for businesses looking to centralize their core HR processes in one place.

• Pros: Clean interface, robust features, reliable integrations (Slack, QuickBooks, etc.)
• Cons: Limited support for scheduling and hourly time tracking; not ideal for shift work
• Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses with salaried or desk-based employees
• Pricing: Quote-based, typically ~$8–12/user/month for SMBS, depending on features and region

Score: 69 🍁

• 🍁 10/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Still not built for hourly or shift-based work
• 🍁 10/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: Payroll available as an add-on (TRAXPayroll); limited CRA support
• 🍁 17/18 Ease of Use: Remains one of the best-designed interfaces
• 🍁 13/15 Pricing & Scalability: Scales well with SMBs, but pricing is quote-based
• 🍁 8/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: Solid support, but no French UI or Canadian-specific help
• 🍁 4/5 Integrations: Strong marketplace and API access

Where BambooHR stands out

• Excellent onboarding and employee record management
• Streamlined time-off tracking and performance review workflows
• Scalable for businesses planning to grow
• Strong U.S. reputation and wide third-party integration support

8. ADP Workforce Now

Enterprise-grade HR and payroll platform with Canadian support

ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HR solution designed for growing companies that need advanced payroll, benefits, compliance, and workforce management features. It’s best known for its reliability and robust feature set, especially in payroll processing, where it’s a longstanding leader.

While it’s not as intuitive as newer platforms and can feel heavy for smaller teams, ADP’s Canadian support, bilingual tools, and extensive integration options make it a dependable option for businesses with more complex HR needs.

• Pros: Trusted payroll system, robust compliance features, Canadian support and tax handling, wide range of integrations
• Cons: Can be complex to set up and navigate; not ideal for small teams focused on simplicity
• Best for: Mid-sized Canadian businesses with advanced payroll and compliance needs
• Pricing: Quote-based; pricing varies by company size and modules selected

Score: 68 🍁

• 🍁 14/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Workforce management modules available but not simple to deploy
• 🍁 20/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: Full-service Canadian payroll, CRA-compliant
• 🍁 12/18 Ease of Use: Enterprise-level complexity; steep learning curve for SMBs
• 🍁 10/15 Pricing & Scalability: Higher cost, more suited for mid-to-large teams
• 🍁 9/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: Bilingual support exists but may vary by region
• 🍁 3/5 Integrations: Wide range of integrations, but setup can be heavy

Where ADP Workforce Now stands out

• One of the most trusted payroll systems in North America
• CRA-compliant with full Canadian tax reporting, T4/ROE generation
• Scalable for growing teams with evolving HR requirements
• Supports complex org structures, roles, and benefit plans
• Integrates with tools like Agendrix, QuickBooks, and more

9. QuickBooks Workforce

Payroll and workforce management from a trusted small business brand

QuickBooks Workforce (formerly TSheets) is Intuit’s employee management add-on for businesses already using QuickBooks Payroll. It offers time tracking, PTO management, and basic scheduling features, all tightly integrated with QuickBooks’ accounting and payroll ecosystem.

While it’s not a full HRIS, it’s a familiar, cost-effective option for small businesses that prioritize accurate payroll and time tracking within a system they may already be using.

• Pros: Seamless QuickBooks integration, strong time tracking, trusted brand, CRA-compliant payroll
• Cons: Limited HR features beyond payroll and time tracking; basic scheduling
• Best for: Small businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting or payroll in Canada
• Pricing: Starts around $20–40/month base + $8/user/month (based on U.S. published pricing; Canadian pricing may vary)

Score: 65 🍁

• 🍁 20/30 Scheduling & Time Tracking: Solid time tracking and basic scheduling (via QuickBooks Time)
• 🍁 14/20 Payroll & CRA Compliance: CRA-compliant when paired with QuickBooks Payroll
• 🍁 13/18 Ease of Use: Familiar interface, especially for QuickBooks users
• 🍁 11/15 Pricing & Scalability: Affordable for existing QuickBooks customers
• 🍁 5/12 Support & Bilingual Availability: No full bilingual experience; support varies
• 🍁 2/5 Integrations: Strong integration with QuickBooks, limited beyond that

Where QuickBooks Workforce stands out

• Tight integration with QuickBooks accounting and payroll
• CRA-compliant with T4 and ROE generation
• Strong for time tracking, PTO, and wage calculation
• Easy for businesses already in the QuickBooks ecosystem
• Backed by Intuit’s support and infrastructure

Worth Considering

While they didn’t make our top 10 for Canadian small businesses, the following HR platforms are still worth a look depending on your specific needs:

• Rippling: Powerful all-in-one HR, payroll, and IT management platform. Great for scaling startups, but limited Canadian payroll support.
• Gusto: Popular in the U.S. for payroll and HR, but not currently supported in Canada.
• Zenefits: Comprehensive HR suite with benefits management, but designed primarily for the U.S. market.
• Dayforce PowerPay (Ceridian): Trusted payroll and workforce management solution for more traditional or larger Canadian businesses.
• Zoho People: Affordable, cloud-based HR tool with strong core HR features. Best for remote teams or businesses using other Zoho apps.
• Deel: A global HR platform for hiring and paying international teams, best suited for remote-first startups rather than Canadian small businesses.

These platforms may be a better fit if you’re hiring internationally, scaling quickly, or managing salaried office teams.

How to Choose the Right HR Software for Your Small Business

The right HR software depends on your business’s size, team setup, and day-to-day needs. Here are a few key factors to help guide your decision:

Team size and growth plans

If you’re running a team of fewer than 50 employees, look for a platform that’s simple, scalable, and doesn’t require a dedicated HR person. If you’re growing fast, make sure the tool can scale with you.

Hourly vs. salaried employees

Businesses with hourly or shift workers should prioritize features like scheduling, time clocks, time-off tracking, tasks, and mobile access. Tools like Agendrix and Homebase are purpose-built for this.

Payroll and compliance needs

Not all HR platforms include payroll, and not all are CRA-compliant. If payroll is a priority, choose a solution with built-in Canadian payroll or strong integrations.

Scheduling and attendance

For businesses with complex schedules, last-minute shift changes, or multiple locations, scheduling tools are essential. Look for drag-and-drop scheduling, shift swapping, and notifications.

Language requirements

If your team includes both English and French speakers, bilingual support isn’t just nice to have, it’s a must. Many Canadian-focused tools, like Agendrix and Collage HR, offer full bilingual functionalities and support.

Integration with tools you already use

Make sure your HR software plays nicely with your accounting software, payroll providers, or scheduling tools. Good integrations save time and reduce errors.

Budget

Most HR platforms charge per employee per month, with prices ranging from ~$3 to $15. Free options like Homebase may work for very small teams, but paying a little more often gets you better support and scalability.

Conclusion

Choosing the right HR software can transform how you manage your team, saving you time, reducing stress, and helping your business grow. Whether you’re looking to simplify scheduling, streamline payroll, or improve team communication, the tools on this list are designed with small businesses in mind.

By focusing on your specific needs, like managing hourly workers, staying compliant in Canada, or scaling your operations, you’ll be better equipped to find the HR solution that fits.

💡 Not sure where to start? Try Agendrix for free and see how it helps thousands of Canadian businesses manage their teams more efficiently.

The #1 rated scheduling software in Canada.

Discover why so many businesses use Agendrix to simplify their employee management.

See the benefits