Every person on your team deserves clarity on where they stand, how they’re growing, and what they’re working toward. The best talent management software for small businesses helps make that vision a reality. It empowers you to set individual goals, facilitate ongoing feedback, and offer development opportunities that drive people forward.
You don’t need a large HR department to provide this level of support. With the right platform, even small teams can build meaningful growth experiences. Choosing the best talent management software now can set you apart from the 55 percent of employers struggling to hire and retain their people.
So even if your HR team is stretched thin, you can still deliver a strong, people-first experience—without losing momentum on other critical HR tasks. In this guide, we’ll explore what to look for in talent management software and break down the top solutions for small businesses today.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect HiBob’s views. Prospective users are encouraged to conduct their own research to make the best decision for their organization.
Best talent management software for small businesses at a glance
Why do small businesses need talent management software?
Talent management software helps small businesses develop and support their teams within one platform. It combines key HR functions such as hiring, onboarding, goal setting, feedback, and training to streamline how people are managed.
For small teams, that integration saves time and reduces manual work. Instead of switching between tools or building processes from scratch, HR can manage performance, assign learning paths, and schedule check-ins in one place.
The right system also gives you insight into team progress, so you can spot issues like stalled development or disengagement early and take action, whether that’s offering coaching or adjusting goals to meet shifting needs.
Important talent management software features for small businesses
You’ll need the right tools, insights, and workflows to build a strategic talent management strategy you can rely on. Look for these core features to help you thoughtfully support your people and reduce manual work.
Applicant tracking
An applicant tracking system (ATS) offers features to review candidates, schedule interviews, and move people through your specific hiring stages. This saves time hunting down applications, reduces dropped communication with strong candidates, and makes your process feel more professional. Many tools also include templates for job descriptions or interview scorecards, so you’re not starting from scratch every time you hire.
Onboarding and preboarding
First impressions shape the experience—especially when your company isn’t a household name (yet). Preboarding tools make it easy to send welcome materials, collect essential documents, and help new joiners feel confident before their first day. Once they’re in, onboarding flows guide them through their first tasks, introduce key policies, and connect them with the people they’ll be working with.
This allows you to engage everyone without needing hands-on training for minor details. It also reduces drop-off during the early days from poor communication and helps people connect with your team and culture faster.
Performance management
Performance management features help small businesses create clarity around job expectations and how to grow within the company. Great platforms typically help you facilitate performance cycles, set up clear goals, and highlight achievements for everyone to see.
It also gives managers a way to address performance issues early by flagging things like burnout or absenteeism. When done consistently, it improves morale, makes people feel safe, and gives potential future leaders something to work towards.
Learning and development
Learning and development tools help your team build new skills as your business grows. Small businesses can offer professional development with features like personalized training paths, video modules, and skill tracking.
You can assign learning during onboarding, tie it to performance goals, or let people access content on demand. It’s a great way to increase engagement and grow talent from within, even if promotions or raises aren’t currently on the table yet.
Analytics and reporting
Small teams can reduce costly talent management mistakes by generating strong numbers on how their people perform and engage. Analytics and reporting tools give you visibility into key talent management metrics like performance trends, missing skills, and turnover risk.
You can use real data to prioritize which initiatives are working and where support is needed most. Many platforms break this down into simple dashboards, allowing you to make smarter decisions with limited time or resources.
The best small business talent management software
The right talent management software can bring the best out of your people and turn them into a high-performing team. Let’s look at the best options available today.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect HiBob’s views. Prospective users are encouraged to conduct their own research to make the best decision for their organization.
Bob
HR leaders from small teams use Bob’s talent management software to run smarter performance cycles, support long-term career growth, and strengthen the connection between managers and their teams. You can utilize tools for structured 1-on-1s, feedback collection, and compensation planning to pave a clear path to track goals, celebrate milestones, and turn performance data into real decisions.
Managers love how they can use Bob to see who’s shining, who needs support, and how to keep everyone aligned towards a common goal. Beyond performance, Bob is built to manage the full employee lifecycle. You can launch 360-degree reviews, assign learning paths, and link feedback directly to raise and promotion decisions.
Bob also covers core HR functions like time tracking, org charts, payroll, and policy management so small HR teams can move like large enterprise teams with fewer headcount.
Features:
- Performance: Run 360-degree reviews, align personal goals with team priorities, and link progress to compensation decisions
- Learning: Deliver tailored, mobile-friendly training programs and tie them to career milestones or onboarding phases
- Onboarding: Create personalized, task-based workflows that introduce new joiners to your team, culture, and systems
- Workforce Planning: Forecast headcount needs, create hiring plans, and model org changes using real-time people data
- Hiring: Build and manage candidate pipelines, streamline interview stages, and offer a cohesive candidate experience
- Core HR: Manage policies, documents, and workflows in a centralized, customizable hub
- Surveys: Gather team sentiment with pulse surveys, lifecycle feedback, and heat map reporting
- Compensation: Plan salary adjustments, equity cycles, and bonus reviews with transparent approval flows and built-in guardrails
- Time Off: Approve and track vacation days, paid time off, and sick leave
- Time and Attendance: Use mobile clock-ins, auto-reminders, and approval workflows to simplify timesheet tracking
- People Analytics: Monitor key metrics like turnover, absenteeism, and growth, and build custom reports to share with leadership
- Your Voice: Give people a private, compliant way to raise concerns, with anonymous reporting and tracking
- Payroll Hub: Connect to third-party payroll tools with synced, real-time data to avoid double entry and reduce manual fixes
- UK Payroll: Automate UK-specific pay runs, including tax calculations, benefits, and compliance handling
Pros:
- Gives department leads a clear view into individual and team goals, performance trends, and progress
- Prompts regular 1:1s, check-ins, and milestone conversations that help leaders stay close to their teams
- Celebrates team member wins, work anniversaries, and key moments with built-in shoutout tools
- Saves teams hours each week by automating workflows like onboarding, performance reviews, time-off requests, and attendance tracking
- Live dashboards and flexible reporting make it easy for HR and execs to track engagement, attrition risks, headcount, or survey trendsKeeps your data safe and organized
- Centralizes all data and activity, with GDPR-compliant protections, audit trails, and role-based access
Cons:
- “Bob Hiring could be more advanced with some automated features like automated interview scheduling.” – verified review
Pricing: Contact the HiBob team for a custom plan
BambooHR
BambooHR is an all-in-one HR system that helps small and growing teams manage performance and engagement in an all-in-one platform. You can run flexible review cycles, collect 360-degree feedback, and track goals. It also includes satisfaction surveys and built-in communication, so it’s easier to connect with the whole team.
Features:
- 360-degree feedback: Collect input from managers, peers, and self-assessments for a full picture of performance
- Customizable performance reviews: Run flexible cycles and tailor questions to fit different roles or departments
- Satisfaction surveys: Send out anonymous surveys and analyze results with AI to track engagement
- Communication hub: Share announcements, updates, and shoutouts in one central place
Pros:
- “The time off request emails are good.” – verified review
- “Just having the Core data so easily accessible via the mobile app is a game changer for us.” – verified review
Cons:
- “Biggest issue is how much they have increased prices and continue to do so.” – verified review
- “Has many features, but they are not advanced enough.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the BambooHR website as of the publication date.)
<<Compare Bob vs. BambooHR – See which fits your business best>>
Breezy HR
Breezy HR addresses two aspects of talent management: hiring and ongoing performance. Breezy Hire allows you to post jobs across dozens of sites, automate interview scheduling, and manage candidate pipelines. Once someone’s hired, Breezy Perform offers performance tools like customizable review cycles, shared goals, and templates for 1:1s to help managers keep team growth on track.
Features:
- Job advertising: Post open roles to over fifty job boards
- Interview automation: Automate scheduling, emails, and pre-screening
- Offer management: Send and manage offers with built-in approval flows and HRIS integrations
- Performance reviews: Launch review cycles with templates, reminders, and shared goals
Pros:
- “Great range of functionality.” – verified review
- “BreezyHR has been great for reaching candidates with our job posts.” – verified review
Cons:
- “Crazy long loading times.” – verified review
- “The duplicates are driving me insane. And how slow the website really is.” – verified review
Pricing:
Breezy Hire:
- Bootstrap: Free
- Startup: $189/mo
- Growth: $329/mo
- Business: $529/mo
- Custom: Custom pricing
Breezy Perform:
- Bootstrap: Free
- Startup: $99/mo
- Growth: $149/mo
- Business: $299/mo
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Breezy HR website as of the publication date.)
Deel
Deel focuses on small, globally distributed teams that need a way to manage performance and global compliance. Deel can be used for teams who need to support people across multiple countries without a huge HR department. You can set clear career paths, run review cycles, and track learning while staying compliant with local employment laws through Deel’s built-in compliance tools.
Features:
- Learning management: Build and track AI-powered training programs tailored to team needs
- Performance management: Run 360-degree reviews, set OKRs, and guide evaluations with built-in fairness tools
- Career management: Map out role-based progression frameworks to support growth
- Engagement surveys: Gather feedback on development, culture, and remote collaboration to drive improvement
Pros:
- “I love how it handles different currencies.” – verified user
- “Deel was a very clear and easy way to sign my international contract.” – verified user
Cons:
- “I do dislike how oddly glitchy the mobile app can get.” – verified user
- “Onboarding was dreadful.” – verified user
Pricing:
- Deel HR: Free
- Deel Engage: $20/mo per user
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Deel website as of the publication date.)
Factorial
Factorial is an HR software with features for hiring, onboarding, development, and performance. It can automate candidate tracking, guide new joiners through onboarding, and support growth with structured review cycles and training programs. You can also track OKRs and pull performance data into custom reports to give your team a clearer view of how people are progressing.
Features:
- Applicant tracking: Centralize hiring steps, post jobs across platforms, and automate outreach with reusable templates
- Onboarding: Set up welcome pages, surveys, and culture-building tools
- Performance reviews: Run 180 and 360 reviews with customizable cycles and track progress in a 9-box grid
- Learning and development: Build training plans based on team strengths and skill gaps
Pros:
- “In general, it works ok and does the job.” – verified review
- “Their platform is intuitive and easy to use.” – verified review
Cons:
- “The system still has bugs” – verified review
- “The help guides are not always up to date.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Factorial website as of the publication date.)
GoHire
GoHire is hiring software for SMBs that focuses on the recruitment side of talent management. It’s built for leaner teams that want a structured way to post jobs, review applicants, and move candidates through each hiring stage. You can publish open roles across top job boards, automate interview scheduling, and track every applicant from first contact to final offer.
Features:
- Job distribution: Post roles to over fifteen job boards and social platforms
- Candidate pipelines: Build step-by-step workflows to review, tag, and advance candidates
- Interview automation: Let candidates self-schedule and automate updates with custom templates
- Team collaboration: Share candidate notes, assign evaluations, and loop in hiring managers
Pros:
- “Being able to post across multiple job boards with one click is a huge timesaver.” – verified review
- “It has a simple UI and it is connected with a variety of job boards.” – verified review
Cons:
- “The thing that annoys me the most in GoHire is its inability to provide the advanced reporting feature.” – verified review
- “It takes forever for a job to go live” – verified review
Pricing:
- Starter: £89/mo
- Growth: £149/mo
- Pro: £249/mo
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the GoHire website as of the publication date.)
JazzHR
JazzHR offers small teams a platform to manage structured, collaborative hiring workflows. You can publish multiple roles to different job boards, create standardized interview guides, and track candidates you want to reach out to. The platform also enables hiring managers and team leads to share feedback and coordinate decisions before making an offer.
Features:
- Job boards: Post listings to major job boards from one dashboard
- Applicant tracking: Organize and move candidates through custom stages with tags and filters
- Interview templates: Standardize interview questions and note-taking across roles
- Offer and e-signature tools: Send official offers and collect signed documents online
Pros:
- “It simplifies the hiring process.” – verified review
- “They answer emails quickly.” – verified review
Cons:
- “It lacks advanced AI-driven candidate matching and seems limited in the integrations I’m using.” – verified review
- “I wish there were better candidate verification systems in place as I sometimes wind up interviewing people who are clearly not in the country or who are not real candidates.” – verified review
Pricing:
- Hero: $75/mo
- Plus: $269/mo
- Pro: $420/mo
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the JazzHR website as of the publication date.)
Namely
Namely is a broader HR and payroll platform that also covers key areas of talent management like performance reviews, goal tracking, and engagement. Small teams can use it to run structured review cycles, recognize team wins, and keep goals aligned across departments. You can set up 360 reviews, share feedback in real time, and even give kudos straight through Slack.
Features:
- Performance reviews: Create flexible review cycles with customizable forms
- Goal tracking and alignment: Set and monitor goals from company-wide down to the individual level
- 360 feedback: Collect input from peers, managers, and self-assessments
- Company news feed: Post updates, milestones, and shoutouts to keep teams in the loop
Pros:
- “I suppose it does run payroll.” – verified review
- “We can send documents for employees to sign.” – verified review
Cons:
- “I found nothing about it to be user-friendly.” – verified review
- “Once past implementation it can take a day or two to resolve day to day issues.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Namely website as of the publication date.)
Rippling
Rippling is an all-in-one HCM that covers the recruiting, performance, and learning aspects of talent management. You can run hiring workflows across departments, automate onboarding, and schedule structured interviews. You can also assign training automatically and monitor completion to stay on top of compliance and development.
Features:
- Recruiting and applicant tracking: Post jobs, schedule interviews, and manage hiring pipelines across departments
- Onboarding automation: Send offer letters, collect documents, and trigger onboarding steps
- Performance management: Launch custom review cycles, calibrate ratings, and sync raises directly to payroll
- Learning management: Build custom courses or assign pre-built training bundles for compliance and skill-building
Pros:
- “I think Ripping is very easy to use.” – verified review
- “I also appreciate that Rippling sends reminder emails if a transaction is missing documentation.” – verified review
Cons:
- “The demo, quote, and onboarding process is a nightmare.” – verified review
- “The program makes it confusing on how much time is actually being taken off and limits the user experience.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Rippling website as of the publication date.)
<<Compare Bob vs. Rippling – See which fits your business best>>
TalentReef
TalentReef is designed for businesses that manage hourly or frontline workers. It helps attract top talent with tools like text-to-apply and visual assessments. Users can also onboard people quickly and keep them engaged with mobile-first training and communication. The platform is ready for small teams looking to fill seasonal roles or high-turnover positions.
Features:
- Recruiting tools: Use text-to-apply, QR codes, and visual assessments
- Applicant tracking: Automate onboarding, manage I-9s, and integrate with background checks and job boards
- Retention tools: Support hourly workers with mobile-friendly training, self-service access, and two-way communication
- Performance management: Track goals and give feedback
Pros:
- “The best thing about the Talentreef platform is the scalability of user activity.” – verified review
- “I like that applicants can handle everything all from one portal.” – verified review
Cons:
- “Every single person that I’ve ever known to use TalentReef has had issues logging in and ends up having to reset their password multiple times.” – verified review
- “We are having ongoing issues with the Indeed integration. It is difficult to contact customer service.” – verified review
Pricing: Custom pricing
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the TalentReef website as of the publication date.)
Workable
Workable leans heavily into AI to help small teams handle hiring and talent management. You can source candidates from a pool of over 400 million profiles, use AI to screen resumes, and generate job descriptions, outreach emails, and interview kits. Once someone’s hired, Workable helps manage onboarding, track performance, and handle time-off and payroll reporting from the same system.
Features:
- AI-powered sourcing: Auto-match candidates to open roles and generate personalized outreach using AI
- Applicant tracking: Manage hiring pipelines with self-scheduling, scorecards, and automated screening
- Onboarding: Build custom welcome portals, automate tasks, and track new joiner progress
- Performance reviews: Run self and manager reviews with flexible templates and real-time tracking
Pros:
- “I find it easy to integrate it with other tools and job boards.” – verified review
- “The customization and automation is good.” – verified review
Cons:
- “What I dislike about Workable is that its AI-driven candidate selection can sometimes miss relevant profiles.” – verified review
- “The high minimum pricing structure, which for small businesses can be a deal breaker.” – verified review
Pricing:
- Starter: Starts at $169/mo
- Standard: Starts at $360/mo
- Premier: Starts at $599/mo
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Workable website as of the publication date.)
Zoho People
Zoho People gives small HR teams the tools to manage hiring, onboarding, performance, and learning. You can send offer letters, build onboarding workflows, and track each new joiner’s progress. Once people are up and running, Zoho supports flexible review cycles, feedback tools, and built-in training management to help them keep growing.
Features:
- Hiring and onboarding: Send digital offer letters, automate onboarding tasks, and track progress with custom workflows
- Performance management: Run review cycles, set goals, and customize evaluation methods across roles
- Learning management: Assign training programs and monitor development
- HR analytics: Build reports and dashboards to make data-informed decisions
Pros:
- “I liked being able to change forms or the layout and how I viewed certain modules.” – verified review
- “The user interface is well designed.” – verified review
Cons:
- “It’s not easy to use. It takes a considerable amount of time to understand and set up the product (roles and permissions).” – verified review
- “Expensive software, more competitors available with less pricing.” – verified review
Pricing:
- Essential HR: $1.50/mo per user
- Professional: $2.50/mo per user
- Premium: $3.50/mo per user
- Enterprise: $5.00/mo per user
(This article includes platform features and pricing that reflect the information available on the Zoho People website as of the publication date.)
How to choose the best talent management software for your small business
A tool that works for one company might be overly complex or too limited for yours. That’s why it’s worth slowing down and learning how to choose HR software for small businesses.
1. Look for integration capabilities
Make sure the platform integrates with tools you already use—like your payroll provider, HRIS, or communication channels. Strong integrations reduce manual work and help your team stay organized without extra admin effort. Before you commit, confirm compatibility and check whether setup requires IT support.
2. Test software for user-friendly interface
A clean dashboard and intuitive navigation make a big difference. Use free trials to see how easily you can run a review cycle or set up workflows. If a tool feels clunky from the start, it won’t suit a busy team with limited time to train.
3. Prioritize automation and scalability
Automation can save hours each week. Choose a system that can trigger review cycles, assign learning tasks, or send reminders—then scale as your needs grow. The best platforms let you start small without locking you into costly upgrades.
Recommended For Further Reading
4. Evaluate customer support options
Responsive support matters. Look for platforms with live chat, helpful documentation, and onboarding guidance. Bonus points if they offer a dedicated contact for small businesses who need fast answers.
Find the right talent management software for your small business
Small HR teams can move like enterprise HR departments with the right talent management software. This means running meaningful performance reviews, setting clear development goals, and keeping your best people engaged and growing. If you’re short on time or headcount, the right tool can help you build a workplace where people are excited to contribute to everyone’s success.
For those looking for an easy-to-use, all-in-one platform that supports the entire talent journey, consider Bob. Bob makes it easy to manage onboarding, goals, compensation, and growth plans all in one place with a setup that’s intuitive for both HR and team members.
