I’ve never had to build a shift schedule, approve PTO, or chase someone down because they forgot to clock in.But I’ve watched the ripple effects of all those things hit cross-functional teams, from missed deadlines and broken workflows to late nights spent untangling who was supposed to be where and when.
That got me thinking about workforce management, not as an HR-only concern but as a foundation for smooth operations. And like most operational foundations, it’s invisible when it works and painfully obvious when it doesn’t.
So I started digging, not just into feature lists or glossy product pages but into what real HR ops teams say about these tools. What makes their day easier? What drives them up the wall? What gives them control without the chaos?
The result? This list of the eight best workforce management software, built on firsthand G2 reviews, filtered for tools that help HR teams plan smarter, manage time better, and keep everything (and everyone) moving.
*These workforce management solutions are top-rated in their category, according to G2 Grid Reports. I’ve also added their monthly pricing to make comparisons easier for you.
If you think workforce management is just about putting names on a schedule, you haven’t seen what happens when that system breaks.
Missed shifts, burnout, payroll errors, time-off confusion (it all adds up fast). And the irony? These issues usually appear when trying to get something important out the door.
You see, workforce management isn’t just about staffing but operational resilience. So, when I evaluated these platforms, I looked for more than just time clocks and schedule templates. I focused on how each tool supports the day-to-day realities of HR operations: managing complexity without adding friction, giving teams better visibility, and keeping compliance and coverage on track without manual back-and-forth.
The tools that made this list stood out for balancing usability, depth, and adaptability, especially in fast-paced, multi-shift environments.
I started with G2’s latest Workforce Management Software Grid Report, which ranks tools based on real user feedback around satisfaction, ease of use, and support. That gave me a solid shortlist of high-performing platforms used by HR teams across industries.
From there, I used AI-powered analysis to mine hundreds of G2 reviews for patterns. I paid close attention to what users said helped them save time, reduce errors, or regain control of scheduling and compliance. I also looked for friction points, places where tools either fell short or made everyday tasks harder than they needed to be.
To validate what I was seeing, I cross-checked trends across industries and company sizes and looped in insights from fellow G2'ers who’ve implemented or managed workforce tools directly. This helped me understand what each platform does and what it feels like to manage a team through it, day in and day out.
The screenshots throughout this article include a mix of verified visuals from vendor listings on G2 and publicly available material.
I considered the following factors when exploring the best workforce management software.
The list below contains genuine user reviews from the WFM software category page. To be included in this category, a solution must:
*This data was pulled from G2 in 2025. Some reviews may have been edited for clarity.
Rippling, while often known for automating payroll and benefits, also delivers a surprisingly flexible experience for managing time tracking, scheduling, and workforce data.
One of the most consistent themes I found in user feedback was how much people appreciated Rippling’s payroll and time-tracking features. Users frequently mentioned how easy it was to approve timesheets, monitor PTO, and access pay-related information without toggling between tools. The system also offers granular visibility into hours worked, with built-in controls for accuracy and compliance. What’s more, Rippling helps reduce redundancy by automatically syncing hours and attendance data into payroll, which saves time and lowers the chance of errors.
Many HR teams also mentioned that once everything’s set up, running payroll through Rippling becomes more of a background task than a manual operation.
Another area where Rippling earns high marks is integrations. According to G2 reviews, it connects easily with a wide range of third-party apps, from communication platforms like Slack to HRIS and accounting tools, without much friction. The API flexibility and modular architecture also came up often, allowing companies to tailor how they manage workforce operations without sacrificing cohesion.
That said, mobile performance didn’t meet the same bar. Several users shared that the mobile app felt less stable than the desktop version, occasionally freezing or lagging during clock-ins or approvals. While most essential actions are supported on mobile, the user experience may not be as polished.
Rippling also isn’t exactly plug-and-play. Several reviewers mentioned that while setup is manageable, the breadth of features can lead to confusion during initial configuration. Users found that things fell into place once they understood the system’s structure, but getting there sometimes meant trial and error, especially for teams without prior experience in workforce platforms.
“We've been using Rippling for several years now, and it's been a great experience. Rippling is really quite a few steps ahead of other management software. It's more modern and professional, yet leaves fun art on each paystub. I love the experiences for selecting insurance, exploring the org chart, checking your pay, opening other services with SSO, or managing your employees. Throughout all experiences, it is thoughtfully designed and never encroaches on confusing or overly detailed, even during onboarding and insurance selection.”
- Rippling Review, Logan A.
“One thing I dislike about Rippling is the lack of a full monthly calendar view within the PTO app. It would be incredibly helpful to see a layout similar to Google Calendar, where I could view the entire month and easily track my coworkers' time off. This feature would make it much easier to plan meetings, coordinate projects, and manage workloads more efficiently.”
- Rippling Review, Claudia G.
Related: Need to manage field teams and dispatch work smarter? Check out the best field service management software for keeping operations on track.
BambooHR offers a clean, user-friendly platform for key HR functions, such as time-off tracking, employee data management, onboarding, and document storage.
One of BambooHR's biggest strengths, as highlighted in user feedback, was its employee self-service capabilities. Employees can easily access and update their personal information, request PTO, view company documents, and track their own records without having to ping HR for every little thing. The visibility into personal data also builds a greater sense of transparency across teams.
Another highlight was the ease of onboarding. BambooHR makes it simple to welcome new employees with customizable templates, clear checklists, and automated workflows that keep everything moving. Users praised how BambooHR made first days feel organized without overwhelming new hires, from paperwork completion to benefits enrollment. It’s beneficial for growing companies that want to standardize their onboarding without making it feel robotic.
User-friendliness rounded out the strengths that kept showing up. BambooHR’s clean design and intuitive navigation were major positives across different company sizes and industries. Tasks like approving time-off requests, pulling reports, or updating job titles didn’t require deep system knowledge or hours of training.
On the flip side, I did notice consistent feedback around customer support responsiveness. While BambooHR’s support team is generally helpful, users mentioned that response times could lag during peak periods or when dealing with more complex requests. It’s not a major flaw, but for time-sensitive issues like system access problems, a faster turnaround would make a big difference.
Customization also came up as a point of friction. Although BambooHR allows some tailoring, especially for onboarding and documents, users said they sometimes felt boxed in by limitations when modifying workflows or reports.
“BambooHR gives you the ability to provide employees with functionality within the full HR lifecycle. The system is overall easy to use for both admin and end users and very aesthetically pleasing. The onboarding is easy to use, track, and communicate our company's tasks with a new hire. I love being able to create custom workflows and approvals for our company, and signature documents make admin tasks easy. What I love the most is that BBHR is always open to feedback, growing, and implementing change on a regular basis. Customer support is extremely easy to reach via chat, phone, or email.”
- BambooHR Review, Lindsay B.
“The only thing that I would improve is the lockout time. I work in a busy office as an HR Manager and toggle between multiple programs. Unfortunately, BambooHR times out within a few minutes, so I find myself logging back in to the software over 12 times per day.”
- BambooHR Review, Sylvie D.
Related: Want a deeper dive into how time and attendance tracking can transform workforce operations? Here's everything you need to know.
When it comes to managing a deskless or shift-based workforce, Connecteam is a name that pops up often. It offers a centralized way to handle time tracking, scheduling, communication, and workforce management, all in one streamlined app.
Time tracking stood out as a significant strength across user reviews. Employees can easily clock in and out via the app, often with GPS tagging to confirm locations when necessary. Users appreciated how timesheets were automatically generated, cutting down on manual time collection and corrections. Some users also called out the convenience of setting restrictions like clocking in only when within a certain geofence, helping reduce time fraud.
The mobile app itself earned a lot of positive feedback. Users liked having a single place to clock in, view schedules, receive company updates, and request time off. The app’s clean layout made it easier for employees to handle HR tasks independently without needing frequent reminders or IT support. Teams especially appreciated the mobile experience's responsiveness for everyday essentials, like submitting timesheets or approving changes on the fly.
Another feature that got a lot of love was Connecteam’s built-in chat functionality. Instead of switching between external messaging apps and work tools, teams could communicate directly inside the platform. This centralized communication helped managers distribute schedules, send updates, or gather quick responses without losing context. The internal chat tool was called out as a real operational advantage, especially for industries like construction, retail, or logistics, where immediate updates can make a difference.
That said, some users did point out performance issues. The app could sometimes load slowly, particularly when handling heavier functions. It wasn’t a constant problem, but it was enough to frustrate teams trying to move quickly between tasks occasionally.
A slight learning curve was also mentioned. While the platform is generally designed to be user-friendly, some frontline staff needed extra training during onboarding to fully navigate features like time-off requests or shift confirmations. Over time, most users adapted, but the initial adjustment period was something to plan for if you're rolling out Connecteam at scale.
“The time clock is very intuitive and allows users to easily track their hours worked for a given day or a pay period. Users can easily request changes to a clock-in or clock-out time if they miss punching in or out.”
- Connecteam Review, Derek H.
“The least helpful thing about Connecteam is that I cannot edit or publish shifts from my own phone. It would be handy if I could edit shifts while I am out and about, not only using my computer."
- Connecteam Review, Kelsey M.
Related: Looking to boost visibility into employee productivity? Explore the best employee monitoring tools that help teams stay focused and accountable.
UKG Ready integrates time tracking, payroll access, scheduling, and basic HR functions into a standard system. Its goal is to make day-to-day workforce management more efficient.
Time clock functionality was one of the most praised aspects across user reviews. Employees could clock in and out and check their hours quickly without needing extra steps or approvals. Managers liked the visibility into attendance and timecard status, which helped reduce errors and last-minute payroll adjustments. Users also noted that the clocking process was consistent whether they accessed it from a desktop or designated kiosks.
Access to employee information also stood out as a positive theme. HR teams and employees alike appreciated being able to view pay stubs, update personal information, and manage tax documents from a single login. Several users mentioned that having one place to handle everything from direct deposit changes to benefits enrollment saved time and reduced the need for back-and-forth emails with HR.
Managing paid time off was another area where UKG Ready earned high marks. The system allows employees to submit time-off requests easily and view their PTO balances. From an HR ops perspective, users liked how PTO accruals, requests, and approvals all synced automatically with scheduling and payroll. Several reviewers mentioned that having a clear and transparent PTO system helped reduce miscommunication and last-minute surprises when managing coverage.
However, the mobile experience didn’t always match the desktop experience. Many users said the mobile app felt slower or less intuitive. While the core features are accessible on mobile, occasional glitches or navigation issues make it harder to rely entirely on the app without frustration.
Some users also mentioned that parts of the platform could feel slightly confusing, especially for new employees or users who didn’t interact with it daily. Tasks like finding timecard edits, adjusting shifts, or accessing historical records weren’t always as intuitive as they could be.
“When I log in to do my timesheets, UKG Ready has my projects I've been working on pre-filled, and I just have to tally the hours and make sure everything adds up. Overall, it is a great experience and way better than others that I've dealt with in the past.”
- UKG Ready Review, Weston A.
“Training, documentation, and support are the weak spots. Although these areas have improved over time, they still leave much to be desired. There’s a reason consulting firms thrive around this software. UKG provides a powerful product, but its training lacks depth. Instead of focusing on real-world, scenario-based training—like “if this, then that” logic—they often present a high-level overview. Users need more practical, hands-on guidance to fully utilize the platform.”
- UKG Ready Review, Riley S.
HROne provides HR and operations teams with a more organized way to manage employees without getting bogged down in manual processes. Its platform aims to modernize workforce management while staying approachable for growing organizations.
Attendance management was one of the strongest positive themes across user reviews. Teams appreciated how easy it was to move away from spreadsheets or manual punch clocks and into a centralized system for tracking attendance and work hours. Users mentioned that employees could clock in and out reliably, view their attendance history, and track time-off balances. Several reviewers also noted that the attendance workflows help ensure better compliance with labor policies and reduce errors when processing hours.
Employee management also earned consistent praise. Beyond just tracking hours, users highlighted how HROne helps consolidate employee profiles, making it easier to manage everything from shift schedules to time-off approvals in one place.
Another strength frequently mentioned was ease of use. HROne’s interface is clean and straightforward, with navigation that most users found intuitive after a short adjustment period. Tasks like approving leave requests, checking attendance records, or updating employee information didn’t require much technical training.
However, users did flag a few areas for improvement. The mobile app experience wasn’t always as smooth as the desktop version. Several reviewers mentioned slow loading times, occasional glitches, or limited functionality when accessing features like attendance tracking or employee directories on mobile devices.
Reporting limitations also surfaced as a common challenge. Users noted that while basic reports are available, creating customized reports or pulling detailed analytics could feel restrictive. Teams that needed flexible reporting across departments, shifts, or attendance patterns often found themselves wanting more robust options. It’s something to be aware of if your HR ops workflow relies heavily on advanced data analysis.
“It has transformed the HR roles into easy processes. No requirement for the preparation of spreadsheets for attendance and payroll, data is automatically captured as the employee logs in through a mobile or laptop. Payroll is processed by considering the paid days, and all calculations are done automatically, and the salary slip is produced within seconds.”
- HROne Review, Kritika S.
"The system currently has a limitation that restricts the creation of more than 50 dynamic fields. Additionally, there is no option available to delete employee data, which poses challenges in data management and compliance.”
- HROne Review, Mehboob J.
Keka makes HR processes feel less overwhelming and helps businesses simplify leave management, time tracking, and employee recordkeeping without requiring heavy IT involvement.
One area where Keka clearly shines is leave management. Users consistently highlighted how easy it is for employees to request time off, view balances, and get approvals without relying on endless email chains or manual spreadsheets. Clear, self-serve access to leave records helps teams stay better aligned and reduces last-minute coverage issues, a big win for HR and operations.
That focus on employee self-service shows up across other features, too. Employees can update personal information, review pay stubs, submit attendance corrections, and check schedules without needing constant hand-holding. Many users noted that giving employees more autonomy helped cut down on basic HR queries and created a smoother overall experience for everyone involved.
Ease of use ties it all together. Keka’s clean interface, straightforward navigation, and logical workflows were praised across industries. HR teams liked that onboarding onto the platform didn’t require extensive training or complicated documentation, keeping the focus where it belongs: on managing people, not troubleshooting software.
Like what I saw with other workforce management platforms, Keka received some feedback about its mobile app limitations. Users mentioned that the mobile experience sometimes lagged behind the desktop version in terms of speed and polish.
Customer support surfaced mixed reviews as well. Many users praised Keka’s support team for being knowledgeable and helpful, especially during setup and troubleshooting. However, a few reviewers pointed out that response times could stretch during busy periods, which might slow down issue resolution.
“Keka HRMS is very user-friendly. Has been of great help for a start-up company like ours. Helped us streamline our payroll, attendance management, and application tracking for hiring. It integrates well with other complementary applications like Teams & Zoho Books. Implementation of the module has also been simple as well as effective. We use Keka daily. The App for the employees is also very handy for documenting logins. Coming to the customer support offered by Keka, they have always been cordial and responsive based on the severity of the concern/escalation. It has only improved for the better over the past 2 years of us using it. I'd definitely recommend Keka to all start-ups that are looking to streamline their HR department & payroll.”
- Keka Review, Ramya Krishna K.
“The Core HR modules, such as the competency mapping, KPI tracking/Goals, and subtasks, could use more time in the oven, as currently the ideas are there, but the execution could do better. Performance module is very limited in mobile apps, which is quite unpleasant to handle.”
- Keka Review, Joel M.
Paylocity facilitates workforce operations through time tracking, labor management, compliance support, and employee self-service.
Managing labor needs came through as a major strength in user feedback. A lot of teams mentioned how Paylocity makes it easier to track staffing levels, forecast labor needs, and catch potential overtime issues before they become costly. I noticed managers liked having better real-time insights into coverage without jumping between systems.
Attendance tracking also earned strong marks. Users frequently mentioned how simple it is for employees to clock in and out, review their own timecards, and submit PTO requests. On the admin side, I found that HR teams appreciated the visibility into absences and attendance patterns, especially since it helped them manage compliance without digging through separate spreadsheets or disconnected systems.
Another thing that stood out was how Paylocity handles compliance in the background. Several users highlighted that overtime rules, break policies, and other labor law requirements are automatically factored into scheduling and attendance workflows.
Still, not everything was smooth based on the reviews I analyzed. System glitches came up fairly often. While it wasn't a constant problem, it was enough to slow things down for teams that rely on fast, reliable time tracking.
Customization also felt like a sticking point for some users. I noticed that teams needing very detailed reporting, unique scheduling rules, or layered approval chains sometimes found Paylocity a little rigid. The platform handles standard workflows well, but for organizations with highly customized labor structures, it might take extra effort to fit Paylocity neatly into place.
“The platform is user-friendly. Implementation was super easy. They listen to new ideas and are constantly updating the platform with new features and offerings. We have the opportunity to integrate with numerous outside partners. The dedicated support team is a plus as well.”
- Paylocity Review, Crystal A.
“The only area of Paylocity that needs a bit of improvement is the reporting. It seems a bit clunky and either too vague or too robust for the reporting choices. It isn't easy to maneuver if you haven't taken the time to go through the webinars on how to use it and the function of sharing and editing can trip you up too.”
- Paylocity Review, Sabrina N.
Paycom brings a full suite of workforce management tools into one platform, aiming to simplify how HR teams handle time tracking, employee management, and compliance.
Time management emerged as one of Paycom’s stronger capabilities. Users appreciated how easy it was to clock in and out, view timecards, and submit corrections once they were familiar with the system. Several reviews called out the ability to manage timesheets and attendance in real time, which helped reduce payroll surprises and caught issues like missed punches early. Having time tracking tightly connected to employee profiles also made a difference when it came to approving hours and managing schedules.
Employee-facing tools also received a lot of positive feedback. Once users got past the initial learning curve, many teams found Paycom's self-service options straightforward and empowering.
Support was another highlight that consistently came up. Many users mentioned having access to a dedicated Paycom specialist who helped guide them through setup, troubleshooting, and ongoing questions. Compared to platforms where users feel left on their own post-implementation, this level of support was a real differentiator for companies trying to keep operations moving without interruptions.
Paycom isn’t without its challenges, though. The learning curve surfaced in multiple reviews, and some users felt that the interface required more time to master than they initially expected.
Reporting also came up as a point of friction. While standard reports are available, I saw several mentions that building custom reports or pulling deeper workforce insights wasn’t as intuitive as it could be.
“Our payroll specialists are responsive to our questions and issues. Frequently, we will get a call or email response in less than an hour, even if it is just to let us know that they are working on our issue.”
- Paycom Review, Randy W.
“I wish some of the reports were easier to run and it can get costly.”
- Paycom Review, Robin W.
If you're still narrowing down your options or trying to determine which tool fits your team's needs, here are a few quick answers to common questions about the best workforce management software.
No, workforce management software focuses on scheduling, time tracking, and attendance, while HR software typically covers hiring, onboarding, payroll, and employee records.
Connecteam and BambooHR are highly recommended for small businesses. They offer easy-to-use interfaces, mobile access, and a simple setup for managing time tracking, PTO, and employee self-service.
Paylocity and UKG Ready are strong choices for call centers. Both platforms offer reliable scheduling, labor forecasting, attendance tracking, and compliance support for managing shift-based teams.
Yes, many platforms, such as UKG Ready and Paylocity, include built-in compliance support for labor laws, overtime, and rest breaks.
BambooHR and Keka offer strong PTO management features, making it easy for employees to request time off and for HR teams to track balances.
Rippling, Keka, and Paycom provide robust self-service features allowing employees to update information, track hours, and submit PTO requests without HR assistance.
Yes, platforms like Connecteam and Rippling are well-suited for remote or hybrid teams. They offer mobile apps, time tracking, and communication tools.
Keeping a workforce running smoothly takes more than schedules and spreadsheets. It takes the right tools behind the scenes. When time tracking, attendance, and team management work together, operations stop feeling like a scramble and start feeling like a real advantage.
The tools I covered here aren’t just packed with features; they reflect what real users value when managing time, people, and daily compliance. I dug through the feedback so you can skip the guesswork and find a platform that helps your workforce move faster.
Don't stop at time tracking—lock down payroll, too! Check out the best payroll software to power up your operations.
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