Most modern HRIS, HRMS and HCM platforms include employee self-service (ESS). Common choices include:
- Gusto for small businesses
- BambooHR for core HR and employee records
- Rippling for connected HR, IT and finance workflows
- ADP Workforce Now for mid-sized businesses with complex payroll
- UKG Ready for hourly, shift-based and distributed workforces
- Workday HCM or Workday GO for larger and enterprise organizations
This guide compares 6 HR software options and the employee self-service tasks they support.
Employee self-service is usually part of the HR system rather than a separate product. Employees use a secure web portal or mobile app to view information, update records and submit routine requests without contacting HR.
Best HR Software With Employee Self-Service
| HR software | Best for | Common employee self-service tasks |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Small businesses and growing teams | Pay stubs, tax forms, benefits, time tracking, expenses, PTO, learning and performance information |
| BambooHR | Core HR and employee data management | Personal information, PTO requests, time tracking, direct deposit, benefits enrollment, self-assessments and employee directories |
| Rippling | Businesses combining HR, IT and finance | Payroll, benefits, expenses, time off and employee data through a self-service portal |
| ADP Workforce Now | Mid-sized organizations and payroll-heavy operations | Pay, time off, benefits, timecards, employee profiles and tax information |
| UKG Ready | Hourly, shift-based and multi-location workforces | Timesheets, schedules, time-off requests, overtime requests, leave and mobile self-service |
| Workday HCM or Workday GO | Larger organizations and complex HR environments | Payslips, benefits, compensation, time off, goals, HR information and guided tasks through web, mobile and conversational experiences |
The available tools depend on the product edition, add-on modules, country and employer configuration. UKG Ready uses different plans and optional capabilities. Workday products are commonly configured around an organization's size and HR requirements.
What Does Employee Self-Service Include?
Employee self-service usually covers payroll, time off, benefits, personal records and routine HR forms. Employees may be able to:
- View pay statements, tax forms and payroll deductions
- Update addresses, phone numbers and emergency contacts
- Change direct deposit or banking details
- Request paid time off and check PTO balances
- Submit timesheets, expenses or attendance records
- Enroll in or update employee benefits
- Complete onboarding forms and sign HR documents
- View schedules, policies, company documents and employee directories
- Track goals, performance reviews or learning activities
- Receive notifications and complete assigned HR tasks
Gusto's employee portal includes paystubs, tax forms, benefits, hours, expenses and PTO. BambooHR lists personal data changes, PTO, time tracking, direct deposit, benefits enrollment and employee directories among its common ESS tasks.
Which HR Software Is Best for Employee Self-Service?
The best option depends on the tasks employees need to handle and the systems HR wants to connect. Gusto suits smaller employers, while UKG Ready and Workday are better suited to more complex workforce requirements.
Choose Gusto for a Small Business
Gusto is a straightforward choice for many small businesses that want payroll and employee self-service in one system. Employees can access paystubs and tax forms, manage benefits, submit hours and expenses, check PTO and request time off. Gusto also provides access to learning and financial planning tools.
Gusto fits businesses that want to reduce routine payroll and HR questions without adopting a large enterprise HCM platform.
Choose BambooHR for Core HR Self-Service
BambooHR is a good choice when employee records, PTO, onboarding and core HR workflows are the priority. Employees can update personal information, request time off, manage certain payroll and benefits details, complete self-assessments and find colleagues in an employee directory.
Buyers should confirm that BambooHR's payroll and benefits capabilities meet their requirements before choosing it for a broader HR rollout.
Choose Rippling for Connected HR, IT and Finance
Rippling suits businesses that want employee self-service connected to payroll, benefits, expenses, time off and workplace technology. Its platform gives employees access to payroll, benefits, expenses and time-off workflows.
Rippling is relevant for companies that want employee changes to trigger related actions across HR systems, applications, devices and access permissions.
Choose ADP Workforce Now for Payroll-Led HR
ADP Workforce Now is a good fit for mid-sized businesses that need payroll, benefits, time and HR self-service together. Its employee experience gives users access to pay, time off, benefits, timecards and employee profiles through the ADP app and web tools.
ADP is worth considering when payroll accuracy, tax documents, time tracking and benefits administration matter more than having the simplest possible HR interface.
Choose UKG Ready for Hourly and Shift-Based Teams
UKG Ready suits organizations with hourly employees, complex schedules or multiple locations. Its employee tools support timesheets, schedules, timecards, overtime requests, PTO and other workforce management tasks through web and mobile portals.
UKG Ready may be a better fit than a basic HRIS when self-service must include scheduling, attendance rules, leave management and timekeeping.
Choose Workday for Enterprise HR Self-Service
Workday is designed for larger organizations that need employee self-service connected to a broad HCM platform. Employees can access pay, benefits, HR information, time-off requests, goals and other HR tasks through web, mobile and guided or conversational tools.
Workday is generally more appropriate for organizations with complex structures, multiple countries, extensive integrations or advanced talent and workforce planning requirements.
What Should You Check Before Buying?
Check whether employees can complete the specific HR tasks they handle most often, rather than accepting a vendor's general ESS label.
Essential Checks
Payroll access Can employees view pay statements, tax documents, deductions and direct deposit details?
Time and leave management Can employees check PTO balances, submit requests, enter hours and view schedules?
Benefits administration Can employees enroll in benefits, add dependents and report life events?
Employee record updates Can employees change contact information, emergency contacts and tax details without HR rekeying the data?
Mobile access Is the same self-service functionality available through a mobile app, or only through a desktop portal?
Approval workflows Does the system route PTO, timecard, expense and employee-change requests to the correct manager?
Permissions and security Can the employer control which employees, managers and HR users can view or change sensitive data?
Integration Do employee changes flow into payroll, benefits, time tracking and reporting?
ADP describes a typical ESS workflow as employee login, task submission, approval routing, automatic record updates and confirmation notifications. That workflow is more useful than a portal that only displays documents.
Bottom Line
Choose the HR platform that lets employees complete their common tasks while keeping HR and payroll records accurate. A portal that displays documents has limited value if employee changes still require manual entry, separate approvals or repeated HR intervention.