7 Best Personio alternatives for 2026
Personio is a Munich-based HR platform serving 12,000+ SMBs across Europe, covering recruiting, payroll, time tracking, and core HR administration.
If you're evaluating Personio alternatives, here are seven platforms worth considering.
🔥 Go beyond the HR basics
Leapsome helps today’s ambitious organizations enrich and streamline people enablement for happier, more successful teams.
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The information below is based on our research from January 2026 to March 2026. All user feedback referenced in the text was sourced from independent software review platforms (like G2 and Capterra) in February 2025 and March 2025.
How these Personio alternatives compare
Here's a quick overview of what each platform offers:
- Leapsome — Combines HRIS with advanced performance management, goals, surveys, learning, and compensation. Best for organizations that want people enablement and HR administration in one platform.
- BambooHR — User-friendly core HR for small businesses. Strong in onboarding, time-off tracking, and employee self-service. Limited performance and learning features.
- Deel — Specializes in global hiring, EOR services, and international payroll. Now includes Deel Engage for performance management and Deel Workflows for HR automation.
- Factorial — Affordable HR administration for SMBs. Covers time tracking, documents, payroll prep, and basic performance reviews.
- HiBob — Focuses on employee experience and culture. Includes engagement surveys, recognition, and a modern interface. Native payroll for UK/US only.
- Rippling — Unifies HR, IT, and finance. Unique for device management and software provisioning. LMS with 80,000+ courses.
- Workday — Enterprise-grade HCM with extensive customization. Also offers Workday GO for mid-sized businesses. Native payroll in select countries.
1. Leapsome - Best all-in-one Personio alternative
Main features
- Built-in HRIS: Streamline and improve your HR processes with automated workflows, centralized employee data, document management (including e-signatures), streamlined onboarding, payroll preparation, time tracking, and absence management — all in one place. Integrates with payroll providers including DATEV for German organizations.
- A comprehensive suite of people enablement tools: Empower all team members with industry-leading performance management features, plus goals, surveys, instant feedback, learning and development, competency frameworks, meetings, and compensation management.
- Powerful automation & AI capabilities: Leverage AI and granular automations to lessen your administrative workload and free up your time to focus on what matters most.
- Advanced analytics & reporting: Use our integrated people analytics to understand how processes and initiatives are performing and where to focus your attention for the most meaningful impact.
- Integrations: Browse our extensive library of built-in integrations and easily integrate Leapsome into your existing workflows.
Why Leapsome is a top Personio alternative
Leapsome is a Personio alternative that goes beyond HRIS features by integrating continuous performance management, professional development, and engagement capabilities in one platform. It’s ideal for growing organizations that want to streamline their HR tech stack and focus on growth, talent retention, and long-term organizational success. Unlike Personio, Leapsome includes a built-in LMS, 360° feedback, OKRs, and AI-powered analytics — reducing the need for multiple point solutions.
💬 “After implementing Leapsome, time spent on administrative HR processes was reduced by 90%.
Of course, this has been a huge relief for our HR team – but the whole review process has also become more clear and meaningful for all the managers and employees involved.
By helping everyone exchange more honest, growth-oriented feedback, we can use our performance reviews to drive learning without being burdened with paperwork. We were also particularly impressed by the Leapsome team and how they responded to our suggestions for the platform. It’s clear that they care about feedback as much as we do!”
— Capterra review (senior HR manager at a mid-sized organization)
- Combines core HR capabilities and powerful people enablement features in one platform
- Simplifies review cycles with clear feedback and transparency
- Customizable performance templates
- Tailored learning paths can personalize employee onboarding and growth
- Greatly reduces time spent on manual HR tasks
- Scales easily as your business grows
- Employee self-service capabilities
- Modular setup, so you can pick and choose the features that best suit your organization
- Award-winning customer support
- Available in 38 languages
- GDPR-compliant and ISO 27001 certified
- Some HR features are still being developed
- Possible initial learning curve due to the range of features
What success looks like with Leapsome
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⚡ Less admin, more impact
Leapsome turns HR into a strategic powerhouse with AI capabilities, actionable insights, and industry-leading performance management.
Book your demo
2. BambooHR - Best for small businesses with basic HR needs
Main features
- Time tracking & paid time off (PTO) management: Automates employee time tracking, timecards, and leave requests, simplifying absence management.
- Performance management: Run performance reviews, set and track goals, and build a culture of continuous feedback.
- HR data & reporting: Offers People teams HR reporting capabilities to better visualize HR data and support data-driven decision-making.
- Hiring & onboarding: Provides tools to post job openings, track applicants, and facilitate a smooth onboarding process for new hires, including digital documents and e-signatures.
- Employee self-service capabilities: Allows employees to access their information, request time off, and manage their files, reducing administrative workload.
Why it’s a top Personio alternative
BambooHR may be a more intuitive HR platform for small businesses than Personio due to its user-friendly design and employee self-service capabilities. However, it’s not ideal for those seeking more robust people enablement features.
💬 “BambooHR is a one-stop shop for any HR professional. Major pluses for me are its intuitive, easy-to-use platform for the admin and the user, the custom reports with e-signature functionality, the robust hiring platform, and the payroll system.”
— G2 review (HR supervisor at a small business)
- Simple, user-friendly interface
- Works well for small businesses with basic HR needs
- Good data management capabilities
- Improves the employee onboarding experience
- Customizable PTO policies
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- People enablement features may not be powerful enough for growing organizations
- Some users say approval workflows, reports, and dashboards aren’t flexible enough
- Some users report difficulty integrating with payroll, benefits, and third-party HR tools
- Automation is HR-focused — may not meet needs for cross-functional or complex workflows
- Analytics capabilities vary by tier (advanced features require Elite plan)
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3. Deel - Best for global hiring and international payroll
Main features
- Global hiring & onboarding: Supports hiring employees via Employer of Record (EOR) in 100+ countries and onboarding international contractors in 150+ countries with compliant contracts.
- Global payroll: Automates global payroll, tax compliance, and multi-currency payments in 120+ currencies.
- Time off & expense management: Manages PTO policies and allows expense submissions for reimbursement.
- Compliance & legal support: Supports labor law compliance, automates tax reporting, and stores legal documents.
- Performance management: Deel Engage provides 360° reviews, OKRs, goal tracking, competency frameworks, skills gap analysis, and career development tools.
- HR automation: Deel Workflows offers a no-code visual builder for automating onboarding, offboarding, approvals, and custom HR processes.
- HRIS: Deel HR (free for companies under 200 employees) provides core HR functionality, including org charts, employee profiles, and reporting
Why it’s a top Personio alternative
Deel is a strong Personio alternative if your business works with international employees or contractors and you want more extensive, built-in payroll and compliance capabilities. Deel has expanded significantly beyond its original contractor management focus — Deel Engage now offers comprehensive performance management, and Deel Workflows provides no-code HR automation. Deel HR is free for companies with fewer than 200 employees.
💬 “Deel has a user-friendly interface that takes the headache out of onboarding international talent and managing contracts. Document verification is automated and quick. The platform's ability to handle payments in multiple currencies with automated scheduling is a game-changer.”
— G2 review (senior DevOps engineer at a mid-market organization)
- Quick and easy global hiring
- Strong compliance and legal support
- Simplifies international payroll
- Good for remote-first companies
- Works well for freelancers and contractors
- Employees enjoy the salary advance feature
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- Primary strength is global workforce management — domestic-only organizations may not need its full capabilities
- Performance management (Deel Engage) and HR automation (Deel Workflows) are newer products — may be less mature than platforms built around these features
- Pricing varies significantly by service: Contractors from $49/month, EOR from $599/employee/month, Global Payroll from $29/employee/month
- Some users report that Deel charges higher withdrawal and transfer fees in some regions
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4. Factorial - Affordable Personio alternative for SMBs
Main features
- Time off & absence management: Tracks employee work hours, time off, and sick leave with a shared team calendar.
- Document & compliance management: Centralizes HR documents, supports legal compliance, and facilitates e-signatures.
- Performance & talent management: Tracks employee goals, enables a modern performance review process, and helps with recruitment.
- Payroll & expense management: Automates payroll processing, tax calculations, and employee expense reimbursements.
- Employee self-service portal: Allows team members to update personal details, request leave, and access HR documents.
- HR analytics & reporting: Provides data-driven insights into workforce trends and HR metrics.
Why it’s a top Personio alternative
Factorial is a good Personio alternative for smaller businesses looking for straightforward, affordable HR software with transparent pricing. Factorial might be too simple for growing organizations with more complex HR needs; in that case, they may be better suited to a holistic HR solution like Leapsome.
💬 “Factorial stands out for its intuitive interface and ease of use, making it accessible even for non-technical users. Features like employee time tracking, document management, and payroll integration save significant time and streamline HR processes. The centralized dashboard provides clear visibility into employee data, ensuring compliance and effective workforce management.”
— G2 review (cloud sales specialist at a small business)
- Consolidates various HR functions in one platform
- Works well for small- to medium-sized businesses
- Accessible design, even for non-technical users
- Fairly affordable platform
- Responsive customer support
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- Some users report a lack of advanced functionalities like detailed reporting and customization options
- Some people enablement tools, like those for goal setting, are basic compared to competitors
- Automations aren’t as powerful as other similar platforms
- Some users struggled to get started with Factorial
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5. Hibob - Best for a modern, social-media-style HR interface
Main features
- Core HR: Centralizes employee data, automates workflows, and supports secure document storage for smooth HR operations.
- Time tracking & leave management: Simplifies clocking in/out, timesheet submissions, and leave approvals with clear team visibility.
- Performance & learning management: Supports 360-degree performance reviews, goal setting, and training courses to foster employee development.
- Employee engagement & surveys: Collects feedback with customizable surveys to understand employee sentiment and facilitate a better workplace for all.
- Compensation & payroll management: Manages salary reviews, bonuses, and payroll data synchronization with external systems. Native payroll processing available for UK and US only; other countries connect via Payroll Hub integrations.
- Hiring & onboarding: Provides customizable workflows for onboarding new hires and managing recruitment with applicant tracking.
Why it’s a top Personio alternative
HiBob is a strong Personio alternative for organizations that prioritize employee engagement and a modern, holistic approach to HR. However, it’s worth considering that Personio is a more traditional HR platform that offers more extensive coverage of the entire employee lifecycle. An integrated platform like Leapsome may be the best of both worlds.
💬 “Bob is an amazing tool for HR professionals — moving from endless spreadsheets to an HRIS that has become our source of truth has been a lifesaver. The support team is always happy to answer my (somewhat silly) questions! In addition, I have revamped our onboarding process utilizing Hibob's tasks and automation. Not only am I getting great feedback from new hires, but our existing colleagues have commented on their new teammates' smooth integration and rate of productivity.”
— G2 review (HR project manager at a mid-market organization)
- All-in-one HR platform
- Strong focus on the employee experience
- Flexible, adaptable solution
- Strong compliance and security features
- Kudos and recognition features encourage team interaction and engagement
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- Native payroll limited to UK and US — other regions require third-party integrations
- It may not scale well for larger organizations
- Reporting capabilities may not meet the requirements of more complex HR functions
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6. Rippling - Best for unified HR, IT, and finance
Main features
- HR & payroll management: Supports employee data management, payroll processing, tax filing, benefits administration, and compliance across multiple countries.
- Time & attendance tracking: Employees can clock in/out of work, submit timesheets, and manage time off requests.
- IT & device management: Automates provisioning, de-provisioning, and security for employee devices and software applications.
- Hiring & onboarding: Streamlines recruitment with job postings, candidate tracking, interview scheduling, and automated onboarding workflows.
- Performance & learning management: Supports goal setting, performance reviews, employee training, and compliance certifications.
- Expense & finance management: Takes care of expense tracking, approvals, and reimbursements.
Why it’s a top Personio alternative
Rippling is a good Personio alternative for organizations that want to integrate HR, IT, and finance functions into a single platform. It also offers industry-specific solutions for sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and technology, addressing the unique compliance and workforce management challenges in those fields.
💬 “All-in-one platform: I love how Rippling combines HR, IT, and payroll into one system. It’s super convenient to manage my benefits, pay stubs, and even set up my work devices (like my laptop) all in one place. It saves me from jumping between multiple apps or websites.”
— G2 review (operations specialist at a small business)
- Consolidates HR, payroll, IT, and finance in one platform
- It’s particularly useful for certain industries, like healthcare and manufacturing
- Helps employees get the right tech setup and tools from day one
- Integrates with a wide variety of third-party applications
- Highly scalable
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- Some features may be overwhelming for smaller teams
- Pricing is modular — core platform starts at $8/employee/month, but full suite with payroll, benefits, IT, and global features typically runs $15-35/employee/month*
- Limited customization options for certain workflows
- Lack of automated reminders for timecard submissions
- Lack of admin controls because of excessive automation
- Users report occasional system glitches during peak usage times
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7. Workday - Enterprise-grade Personio alternative
Main features
- Human capital management (HCM): Manages employee data, recruitment, onboarding, performance, and development.
- Financial management: Offers accounting, expense tracking, procurement, and financial planning tools.
- Time tracking: Simplifies time tracking with tools for clocking in/out and timesheet submissions.
- Payroll: Provides local and global payroll solutions with integrated tax filing and compliance management.
- Talent management: Supports employee development, career planning, and goal setting.
- Learning & development: Facilitates employee training with customizable learning modules.
Why it’s a top Personio alternative
Workday is an HCM that integrates payroll, performance, learning, talent, and workforce management, just like Personio, but with more automation, AI-driven insights, and scalability. However, its enterprise-grade complexity and pricing make it most suitable for large multinational organizations rather than startups, scaleups, and SMBs.
While Workday is known for enterprise deployments, the company reports that 75% of its customers have fewer than 3,500 employees. Workday GO is specifically designed for mid-sized businesses, with deployment in as few as 60 business days. That said, pricing and implementation complexity still position it toward organizations with dedicated HR resources.
💬 “I've found Workday HCM to be a reliable application for handling holiday and HR activities at my company. Its user-friendly interface makes requesting leave and checking balances easy and efficient. Real-time updates ensure I always know my leave status without chasing paperwork. I appreciate the integration with other HR functions, which provides a central hub for important information.”
— G2 review (engineer at an enterprise-level organization)
- Offers scalable HR solutions that grow with the company
- Highly technical platform
- Enterprise-level customizations
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- New features and platform updates come out regularly
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- Pricing requires custom quotes — not transparent like some competitors
- Implementation can be complex even with Workday GO
- Processing large volumes of HR data can sometimes lead to long processing times
- Some users find it challenging to navigate through the extensive features and options
- Though the tools can be customized, doing so is complex and time-consuming
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Leapsome is saving us lots of time during our performance appraisals and helps us build an open, value-oriented feedback culture. We’ve compared several platforms, and Leapsome stood out convincingly — it’s user-friendly, intuitive, and highly customizable. As a manager, I love how fast and openly the team at Leapsome reacts to our feedback and suggestions.
Dr. Christian Grobe
Leapsome enhances meaningful feedback and employee engagement. It’s a must-have for every company at any stage. We are growing toward 750 employees, but the rollout was easy, fast, and successful nonetheless. The great customer support helped us through the whole onboarding process.
Thore Schӓck
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With the help of the people analytics, you can quickly understand the significance of the results. We also frequently use the 1:1 function, which, although very simple, is extremely useful.
Erica Ancobia
We see the People team as a partner team rather than an admin team. We want to focus on our employees and not on processes. With Leapsome, we have automated the manual work around feedback and career development so that we can spend our time with our people: understanding their needs, guiding them through their very own DCMN lifecycle, and helping them find purpose in what they do.
Theresa Jasaraj
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Pricing questions
Personio focuses primarily on core HR administration — employee data, recruiting, time tracking, and payroll. Leapsome combines HRIS capabilities with advanced people enablement including performance management, OKRs, 360° feedback, engagement surveys, learning paths, competency frameworks, and compensation management. Organizations wanting both HR administration and employee development in one platform often choose Leapsome.
Yes. Leapsome integrates with DATEV and other payroll providers, making it suitable for German organizations that need seamless payroll data transfer. This is particularly relevant for companies evaluating Personio alternatives in the DACH region.
Personio doesn't publish pricing publicly — you'll need to request a quote. For comparison, alternatives with transparent pricing include: Deel Contractors at $49/month, Deel EOR from $599/employee/month, Rippling starting at $8/employee/month for core HRIS, and Factorial with per-employee pricing. Leapsome, HiBob, and Workday also use custom quotes based on modules and company size.
The top Personio alternatives include Leapsome, BambooHR, Deel, Factorial, HiBob, Rippling, and Workday. The best choice depends on your priorities: Leapsome for combined HR and people enablement, Deel for global hiring and payroll, Factorial for budget-conscious SMBs, Rippling for unified HR/IT/finance, and Workday for enterprise-grade HCM.
Absolutely. Leapsome is used by fast-growing companies and enterprises alike. It supports global teams with multilingual options (available in 38 languages), flexible permission settings, and compliance with international standards like GDPR and ISO 27001.
Yes. Leapsome includes features like document management, time tracking, absence management, and onboarding workflows — alongside advanced capabilities for goal setting, feedback, surveys, learning paths, and compensation planning. This helps organizations consolidate tools and reduce complexity in their tech stack.
Leapsome offers an integrated suite of tools that combines core HR functionality with performance management, engagement, learning, and development. Its modular structure allows organizations to tailor the platform to their specific needs — whether that’s improving review cycles, streamlining onboarding, or improving employee development.
⚡ Less admin, more impact
Leapsome turns HR into a strategic powerhouse with AI capabilities, actionable insights, and industry-leading performance management.
Book your demo