Best Employee Onboarding Software for Businesses in 2025

If you're frustrated by a complex and confusing onboarding process that leaves new hires overwhelmed and sturggling to adjust, you’re not alone. In today's fast-paced work environment, effective onboarding is crucial for retaining talent and ensuring new employees hit the ground running. According to research, a well-structured onboarding program can improve employee retention by up to 82%.

Yet, many businesses still face disconnected systems, stacks of paperwork, and unclear communication. Does this sound familiar? This is where employee onboarding software can transform your process from chaotic to seamless, helping new hires feel welcomed, informed, and ready to contribute.

At Lift HCM, we’ve seen how the right onboarding tool can take an overwhelming task and make it efficient, engaging, and welcoming. In this article, we’ll dive into the 7 Best Employee Onboarding Software for 2025, examining each option’s features, benefits, and ideal uses so you can make an informed decision for your business.

Table of Contents

• Why Effective Employee Onboarding is Crucial for Retention and Productivity in 2025
• The Rise of Hybrid and Remote Workforces: Challenges and Solutions
• Top Onboarding Software for Different Business Needs in 2025
• Why Effective Employee Onboarding is Crucial for Retention and Productivity in 2025
• Paycor - Best for Mid-Sized Businesses Needing Seamless Integration
• Workday – Ideal for Large Enterprises with Complex HR Needs
• BambooHR – Perfect for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses Looking for Ease of Use
• Rippling – Best All-in-One Platform for IT and HR Integration
• iSolved: Comprehensive Onboarding with Strong Compliance Tools
• TriNet – All-in-One HR Platform with Strong Benefits Administration
• Gusto – Best Budget-Friendly Option for Small Businesses
• How to Choose the Best Employee Onboarding Software for Your Business
• Create a Better Employee Onboarding Experience with Lift HCM

Why Effective Employee Onboarding is Crucial for Retention and Productivity in 2025

The world of work has changed dramatically over the past few years, and so have the expectations for onboarding. In 2025, businesses must adapt to a landscape where hybrid and remote workforces are the norm, employee engagement is more critical than ever, and competition for top talent remains fierce.

Without an effective onboarding process, you risk disengaging new hires before they even start. Research indicates that a well-organized onboarding program can boost employee retention by as much as 82%. The right software is key to making this possible. Gone are the days of handing new hires a folder full of paperwork; today’s onboarding needs to be digital, engaging, and tailored to each individual’s role.

The Rise of Hybrid and Remote Workforces: Challenges and Solutions

As remote work continues to grow, onboarding must bridge the gap between physical and virtual experiences. Many new hires might never set foot in your office, making digital onboarding solutions crucial. Tools that support e-signatures, online training, and virtual introductions help new hires feel connected to their teams, regardless of location.

With onboarding software, HR teams can manage complex needs by automating paperwork, ensuring compliance, and providing essential training resources. This allows HR professionals to focus on what really matters: building meaningful connections with new employees.

Top Onboarding Software for Different Business Needs in 2025

Here’s our curated list of the top onboarding software solutions for 2025. Each offers unique features that cater to different business sizes, budgets, and onboarding requirements.

1. Paycor - Best for Mid-Sized Businesses Needing Seamless Integration

Paycor is a well-rounded HR software solution that offers a strong onboarding feature designed to streamline the hiring process from day one. It also simplifies the administration of new hire tasks, including document management, e-signatures, and compliance tracking.

• Key Features: Automated workflows, compliance tracking, self-onboarding for new hires.
• Ideal For: Mid-sized businesses needing a cohesive HR platform.
• Pros: Easy-to-use interface, integration with payroll, customizable workflows.
• Cons: Limited report customization, can be costly for smaller companies.
• Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size and requirements.

2. Workday – Ideal for Large Enterprises with Complex HR Needs

Workday offers one of the most comprehensive Human Capital Management (HCM) systems, including a powerful onboarding module. Its full-suite integration makes it perfect for large companies.

• Key Features: Personalized onboarding, payroll and benefits integration, mobile-friendly.
• Ideal For: Large enterprises with complex HR needs.
• Pros: Advanced analytics, scalable, robust compliance.
• Cons: Steep learning curve, higher cost.
• Pricing: Custom pricing.

3. BambooHR – Perfect for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses Looking for Ease of Use

BambooHR is known for its simplicity and ease of use. It offers a complete onboarding experience with customizable checklists and e-signature capabilities.

• Key Features: Pre-built templates for onboarding checklists, paperless document management.
• Ideal For: Small to mid-sized companies that need an easy-to-use and affordable onboarding tool.
• Pros: Intuitive, user-friendly, strong onboarding features.
• Cons: Limited payroll functionality (U.S. only), lacks advanced customization.
• Pricing: Starts at $6 per employee per month.

4. Rippling – Best All-in-One Platform for IT and HR Integration

Rippling offers a unified platform that integrates HR, IT, and finance into a single solution. The onboarding module is particularly strong, automating much of the manual work involved in integrating a new hire, such as setting up payroll and benefits and issuing company devices.

• Key Features: Automates payroll, benefits, and IT setup; integrates with G Suite and Slack.
• Ideal For: Companies looking for an all-in-one solution.
• Pros: Excellent IT integration, highly customizable workflows.
• Cons: Pricing can increase with add-ons, slower customer support.
• Pricing: Starts at $8 per employee per month.

5. iSolved: Comprehensive Onboarding with Strong Compliance Tools

iSolved is a comprehensive platform that offers end-to-end HR solutions, including a robust onboarding module. It excels in task management and compliance tracking, making it a great choice for businesses with complex legal and regulatory requirements.

Lift HCM Tip: For companies managing strict compliance needs, iSolved's task automation and compliance tracking can be game-changers. From our experience at Lift HCM, many clients have found that iSolved simplifies onboarding by ensuring all paperwork is accurate and on time, making compliance one less thing to worry about.

• Key Features: Customizable workflows, compliance tracking, mobile-friendly onboarding.
• Ideal For: Mid-sized companies needing a solution that combines compliance and ease of use.
• Pros: Comprehensive onboarding features, strong compliance tools, user-friendly.
• Cons: Interface can feel slightly outdated, requires time for advanced customization.
• Pricing: Custom pricing based on company size.

6. TriNet – All-in-One HR Platform with Strong Benefits Administration

TriNet, formally known as Zenefits, offers a seamless onboarding process, from document automation to benefits enrollment, making it a strong choice for small to mid-sized businesses.

• Key Features: Automated document filing, integrated benefits enrollment.
• Ideal For: Small to mid-sized businesses looking for an HR and benefits solution.
• Pros: Strong benefits administration, all-in-one platform.
• Cons: Limited payroll features in basic plans.
• Pricing: Starts at $10 per employee per month.

7. Gusto – Best Budget-Friendly Option for Small Businesses

Gusto offers an affordable solution for small businesses, combining payroll, benefits, and compliance into a streamlined onboarding experience.

• Key Features: Automated paperwork, onboarding checklists, payroll integration.
• Ideal For: Small businesses needing a budget-friendly solution.
• Pros: Affordable, easy to use, seamless payroll integration.
• Cons: Limited features for larger companies, basic reporting.
• Pricing: Starts at $6 per employee per month plus a base fee.

Each of these tools offers something unique, catering to different business sizes, budgets, and onboarding requirements. In the next section, we’ll explore how to choose the right onboarding software based on your specific needs.

How to Choose the Best Employee Onboarding Software for Your Business

With so many onboarding software options available, how do you determine which one is right for your company? The key is to evaluate your specific needs and ensure the software you choose aligns with your business goals and onboarding processes. Here are some considerations to prioritize:

• Integration with HR Systems and Payroll: Onboarding software that seamlessly integrates with HR and payroll systems saves time by automating data flow and ensuring consistency. Choose software compatible with your HRIS, ATS, and payroll tools.
  
  
• Automated Workflows and Task Management: Automation revolutionizes onboarding by allowing custom workflows that automatically assign tasks, ensuring nothing is missed. This feature saves time and keeps new hires on track.
  
  
• Employee Self-Service Portals: New hires seek a user-friendly onboarding. Self-service portals provide necessary information like forms, training, and contacts, allowing them to manage onboarding independently, minimizing HR follow-ups.
  
  
• Engagement Tools: Engaging new hires from day one is key. Onboarding software with features like welcome messages, team intros, and virtual tours helps new employees feel part of the team, crucial for remote or hybrid settings with limited face-to-face interaction.
  
  
• Compliance Tracking and Document Management: Compliance is crucial in onboarding, and the right software helps meet legal requirements by capturing e-signatures and storing forms securely. It should also offer audit trails to track task completion.
  
  
• Training and Learning Management: Training extends beyond the first week. Choose software with LMS integration or built-in training modules to assign courses, track progress, and equip new hires with necessary skills.

Create a Better Employee Onboarding Experience with Lift HCM

Choosing the right onboarding software in 2025 is a critical step toward creating a seamless, engaging experience for your new hires, saving time, and enhancing productivity. Whether you’re a small business in need of an affordable solution or a larger company looking for advanced features, these top software options provide tools to meet a range of needs.

At Lift HCM, we understand the importance of making onboarding a smooth and positive experience for your new employees. With years of expertise in human capital management and payroll, we can help you implement the best solutions that meet your company’s unique needs. Partner with us to create an onboarding process that saves time, boosts engagement, and prepares new employees for success from hire to retire.