Summary. For HR managers in Singapore, selecting the best HR software Singapore is crucial for compliance with strict regulatory requirements like the Employment Act and Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Despite the growing HR tech market, 70% of Singaporean businesses still rely on error-prone manual processes. Key selection criteria include ease of implementation, compliance with local laws, comprehensive feature sets, quality customer support, and cost-effectiveness. When choosing HR software, businesses should identify their specific needs and evaluate vendor support to ensure successful implementation.
As an HR manager, you know the value of automation. These tools simplify workflows, reduce manual errors, and empower you to manage your team efficiently. But in Singapore, where strict regulatory requirements like the Employment Act apply, the right HR tool isn’t just a convenience; it’s a necessity. It saves time, boosts productivity, and ensures compliance with labor laws.
However, choosing the best HR software Singapore can be daunting. With so many options available, how do you find one that truly fits your business needs?
To help narrow down your options, we’ve researched and compared the top HR tools in Singapore. This guide simplifies your search, highlighting each one's features and pricing. You’ll also discover helpful tips to consider when making your final decision.
Why do Singaporean businesses need HR software?
The HR tech market is estimated to reach US$81.84 billion by 2032, doubling its worth in 2024. Yet, despite this massive growth, a 2023 UiPath study reveals that 70% of businesses in Singapore still use spreadsheets and manual entry for data collection. These outdated processes are error-prone and time-consuming. If not properly handled, they can lead to noncompliance, exposing companies to regulatory scrutiny, lawsuits, and hefty fines.
HR software helps Singaporean businesses avoid costly compliance penalties by automating routine tasks. It tracks work hours, manages benefits, and ensures precise salary calculations, IRAS tax filings, and Central Provident Fund (CPF) contributions in line with the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) requirements.
“Omni’s automated workflows and streamlined data management have made our HR procedures seamless, and we can manage employee records with just a few clicks. What I love most about Omni is how customizable the platform is to meet our unique needs.”
- Wiji Mulyati, Engagement & Experience Lead at Ajaib
Discover the story: Ajaib Achieves 30% Increase in Time Savings with Omni
Furthermore, these tools help businesses classify workers correctly and protect sensitive employee data, including salaries, tax details, and work hours, in adherence to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). They also enhance the employee experience with self-service features, empowering workers to manage their leave requests and benefits independently, reducing the administrative burden on your HR team.
Additionally, HR tools provide real-time reports on employee performance, payroll activities, and workforce trends through accurate data gathering and analytics. With access to reliable insights, businesses can make informed decisions about workforce planning instead of relying on assumptions and guesswork.
Read next: How to Implement Singapore's Workplace Fairness Bill into Your HR Practices
What are the challenges faced when finding the best HR software Singapore?
Overwhelming number of options
With so many options available, HR managers often struggle to choose the best HR software Singapore that aligns with their business needs. Each tool has different features, pricing, and customization options, making it difficult to compare them effectively. Imagine sifting through multiple platforms, testing their free trial options, and exploring their features before finally deciding which can handle your company's needs. The resulting decision fatigue can cause burnout and reduce your chances of making the right choice.
Scalability
Businesses need HR software that grows with them without requiring frequent upgrades or changes. However, finding such scalable tools can be challenging, as some platforms are designed for small teams without considering future growth.
To prevent inefficiencies as your workforce expands, invest in scalable HR systems that seamlessly support recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance management, and compliance. This ensures smooth operations as your company grows, allowing HR teams to focus on core business operations.
Complex user experience
Another challenge HR managers face when finding the best HR software Singapore is user experience. Even if a tool has robust features, employees may struggle to adopt it if it has a complex interface. To overcome this, companies often invest in extensive training, which consumes time and resources while reducing operational efficiency.
The best approach is to choose software with an intuitive design that allows quick adoption and easy integration into your daily tasks. This minimizes training time and boosts productivity.
Key Comparison Criteria for Best HR Software Singapore
The decision to find the best HR software Singapore goes beyond a quick tech upgrade. It requires prioritizing certain features to ensure you get value for your investment. Here are key criteria to consider when carrying out an HR software comparison Singapore:
Ease of implementation and integration
The best HR software Singapore should be easy to set up and use for daily HR tasks. It must require minimal time for user training and configuration with other systems to prevent delays and inefficiencies. A complex, time-consuming implementation process can frustrate HR teams and hinder productivity, forcing them to spend excessive time learning the tool instead of focusing on more important tasks.
Additionally, your HR system should consolidate payroll, employee data, accounting, and other key functions into one centralized system. It should also integrate seamlessly with other workplace productivity tools, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Calendar. This eliminates manual data entry, ensures accurate calculations, and prevents operational disruptions.
Without an easy implementation and integration, businesses may experience data silos, costly mistakes, and employee resistance when adapting to the new system.
Read More: HR Software Integration: A Guide
Compliance and localization
When choosing the best HR software Singapore, ensure it accurately processes payroll, tax withholdings, and mandatory contributions in compliance with Singapore’s labor laws and statutory requirements. The system should align with the Employment Act and other local regulations, including the PDPA, CPF contributions, and IRAS tax filings, to avoid costly penalties. Additionally, look for HR software that automatically updates to reflect regulatory changes and offers built-in compliance features for seamless audits and MOM reporting.
Furthermore, the software should offer a user-friendly interface that aligns with local payroll structures, leave policies, and Singapore’s specific requirements. This localization enhances its functions, ensuring that employees can easily adopt the platform regardless of background.
Key features for HR needs
When assessing HR software features, ensure the tool automates the entire employee lifecycle and handles core HR tasks, allowing your team to focus on strategic initiatives. The best HR software Singapore should efficiently manage recruitment, onboarding, payroll, performance management, attendance tracking, employee training, reporting, and analytics.
Additionally, choose a tool that scales with your business. As your workforce grows, the system should handle increased employee data and users without compromising performance or efficiency. This scalability ensures long-term adaptability and supports business expansion without frequent system upgrades or disruptions.
Most HRIS are built to be rigid, forcing organizations to bend their processes to fit the limitations of their software. Omni does the opposite; we designed our platform to mold to your organization’s specific and unique functions, growing and scaling alongside your team and adapting to your evolving needs. As your team gets bigger, Omni keeps up. We fit how you work, not the other way around.
Customer support and training
Local support and training resources are essential when selecting the best HR software Singapore, as they directly affect how fast your team adopts and uses the system’s features. Even the most advanced software can become frustrating if users struggle to understand its functionalities without adequate guidance.
To ensure a smooth user experience, choose a tool that offers expert-guided assistance for timely issue resolution, software updates, and continuous compliance. The system should also provide responsive customer support via different channels like email or live chat, as well as helpful training resources such as onboarding sessions, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), blog articles, and webinars that guide your team on proper usage.
Omni’s award-winning support team is readily available to guide you through necessary software updates, resolve issues, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements so that you can focus on your business and initiatives that truly matter.
Cost vs value
HR software has different pricing structures, including custom pricing based on team size or needs and monthly, annual, or one-time fees. Also, some tools have extra charges from currency conversions, integration, or customization. When choosing software, ensure its pricing suits your company’s HR budget. A cheaper tool may lack extensive features, while an expensive one can strain your company’s cash flow without delivering sufficient value.
Additionally, evaluate key metrics like HRIS ROI to ensure the investment aligns with your organization’s goals. Track insights such as:
- Time savings: How much time the tool saves on repetitive HR tasks.
- Cost savings: Money saved by automating manual processes and preventing compliance penalties.
- Employee satisfaction: The system’s impact on employee productivity, morale, and turnover rates.
- Data accuracy: How well the software reduces payroll errors and ensures accurate recordkeeping.
By carefully considering pricing and value, you can choose an HR tool that balances cost and functionality.
Additional reading: HRIS ROI Calculator: Does Investing in HRIS Pay Off?
HR Software Comparison Singapore
Below, we explore the best HR software Singapore so you can decide which is the right fit for you:
1. Omni HR
Omni is a comprehensive, all-in-one HR platform built specifically for APAC, transforming HR operations with automated workflows while maintaining compliance and efficiency. Its versatile features and easy-to-use, customizable interface make it one of the best HR software Singapore to improve overall team efficiency and engagement.
Talent acquisition and retention
As one of the best HR software Singapore, Omni helps businesses address talent challenges through a comprehensive approach that focuses on both attraction and retention. Omni equips you with automated workflows that accelerate the hiring process, allowing you to reach and track qualified talent through multi-channel posting and a centralized platform; digital document management for faster offer processing; and structured onboarding programs that can be customized by technical role.
Our intuitive integration with technical assessment tools and background verification services equips your team with real-time collaboration for critical hiring decisions. And multi-language support for 10+ languages means you can expand the available talent pool into your target markets across Singapore and more.
Employee directory and document management
Further, with Omni’s document management, you can simplify HR information management by centralizing policies, procedures, employee handbooks, and FAQs in one accessible database. This helps promote transparency and facilitate consistent communication throughout the organization.
Similarly, Omni’s employee database helps you easily manage all employee details, including contact information, roles, and departments. This further simplifies internal communication and ensures quick access to essential information.
Employee performance monitoring
Omni’s customizable performance review feature allows managers to design performance review templates to apply to various employee performance assessments, track employee submissions, and derive critical insights to drive business decisions all on one centralized platform. Pre-set performance review templates further guide teams on how to write a performance review.
Our automated system helps managers schedule reviews, track submissions, and send reminders to ensure a complete review cycle without the administrative burden.
Payroll management
Omni offers a global solution tailored for Singaporean businesses. Our expert support and multi-country payroll features help you manage your distributed workforce efficiently, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations in 190+ countries and 10+ languages.
With dedicated payroll experts across the region and built-in calculators for country-specific requirements such as Singapore’s CPF, Omni helps support multi-country payroll operations with proactive updates on regulatory changes.
“Payroll calculations that used to take three to five working days can now be done in half the time with Omni.”
— Tengku Mohaizad, Group Head of HR Asia, Inspire Brands Asia
Read how: Inspire Brands Asia Boost Retention by 20% with Omni
Seamless integration
Omni seamlessly integrates with your favorite workplace productivity tools, creating a digital ecosystem that enhances HR efficiency. By connecting with platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Calendar, Omni eliminates the need to switch between applications, allowing information to flow naturally within the tools.
Employees can request leave, check their benefits, or receive important information directly on Slack or Teams, while managers can access team schedules through Google Calendar. This interconnectedness streamlines workflows and improves productivity by creating minimal disruption to established work routines.
Compliance with regulations
Last but definitely not least, Omni helps Singapore businesses stay compliant with regulatory changes by automating workflows that send timely reminders about compliance deadlines and legal updates. This ensures HR teams stay informed about the latest regulations while also notifying employees of any policy updates. Omni’s approach helps mitigate the risk of non-compliance, ensuring legal adherence and creating a well-informed workforce.
Aside from that, Omni implements an AES-256 encryption standard (same as what banks use) to protect the transmission of data to our site. Our servers are located in physically secure, ISO 27001-certified data centers, and we apply end-to-end encryption to ensure maximum protection for your employee data.
Best features
- Streamline processes with automated workflows and customizable HR templates.
- Speed up hiring by moving candidates through recruitment pipelines with Omni’s ATS.
- Access necessary data easily with centralized document management and employee database.
- Integrate seamlessly with favorite tools like Slack and Google Calendar.
2. PeopleHum
PeopleHum is one of the best HR software Singapore that offers a people-centric approach to managing employees from hiring to retirement. Its key features include:
- Automate recruitment with an AI-powered applicant tracking system (ATS) that sources, screens, and selects the best candidates.
- Securely manage employee information with its comprehensive HRIS.
- Simplify performance management with customizable feedback templates and automated review cycles.
- Automate attendance tracking, leave management, and employee surveys.
- Enhance clear communication with company announcements, employee forums, and grievance management.
3. BambooHR
BambooHR is best for advanced reporting and analytics. It has a user-friendly interface and strong customer support. It also offers a wide range of features to automate routine HR tasks, improve employee experience, and ensure compliance. They include:
- AI-driven applicant tracking system, mobile hiring app, electronic signatures, and new-hire onboarding.
- Centralized employee records with a self-service portal for updates and document access.
- Automated time tracking, payroll processing, overtime logging, and benefits administration.
- Improve employee engagement and experience with satisfaction surveys and performance management.
- Generate instant HR reports and workforce insights to guide strategic and proactive decisions.
4. Payboy
Payboy is one of the best HR Software Singapore that handles all HR tasks, including payroll processing, leave management, shift scheduling, and time tracking. It also has an intuitive user experience, targeting industries such as food and beverage, recruitment, accounting, and payroll. Some features include:
- Automated payroll and payslips.
- Apply for paid time off, check leave balances, and approve leave requests.
- Set claim policies for different roles and approve them easily.
- Track attendance and allocate workers based on availability.
How to Choose the Best HR Software Singapore
To choose the best HR software Singapore, do these:
Tailor your decision to your needs
Identify your company's key HR needs, such as higher retention, improved employee development, enhanced performance, or faster hiring times. Review features, customer reviews, and market insights to determine the tools that can achieve these objectives.
For example, if your company plans to boost employee motivation in the next quarter, check for tools that offer recognition programs, team-building activities, and open communication channels. This will ensure your decision aligns with your overall organizational objectives.
Evaluate vendor support and partnerships
Confirm whether the tool provides onboarding sessions, FAQs, webinars, and regular training for smooth adoption. Also, ensure their customer support system is highly responsive, whether via live chat, email, or phone calls.
Choose the Best HR Software Singapore for Your Business
Choosing the best HR software Singapore is crucial for maintaining compliance, increasing efficiency, and driving business growth.
With Omni’s award-winning modules, you’ll eliminate the inefficiencies of manual processes that plague many Singaporean businesses. Omni frees HR teams from administrative cycles by automating the entire end-to-end employee lifecycle—from recruitment and onboarding to employee engagement and payroll—allowing you to redirect your time to strategic work that directly impacts your bottom line.
Designed specifically to support every aspect of your business, Omni ensures you meet all requirements under Singapore’s Employment Act, PDPA, and CPF regulations. Our comprehensive platform offers an intuitive and fully customizable experience that integrates with your team’s favorite tools, such as Slack and Google Calendar, for a seamless and timely adoption.
If you’d like to learn more about how Omni’s best HR software Singapore automates the entire end-to-end employee lifecycle, saving People leaders from administrative tasks and increasing organizational innovation, book your product tour with our team today.
