HR Software Built for Remote-First Teams
Traditional HR software was designed for companies with employees in one building. It assumed payroll ran through a single state, benefits came from a handful of carriers, and onboarding happened in a conference room. Remote-first companies shattered those assumptions. Modern HR platforms have rebuilt from scratch for distributed teams - handling multi-state and international payroll, contractor payments across 150 countries, digital onboarding, and async performance management.
The HR software market has bifurcated: enterprise platforms (Workday, SAP SuccessFactors) for large companies, and a new generation of remote-native tools (Rippling, Deel, BambooHR) for companies with 10-500 employees. This guide focuses on the latter.
Rippling: Best All-in-One Remote HR Platform
Rippling is the most complete HR platform for remote companies. It handles payroll, benefits, compliance, IT provisioning, and app management from one dashboard - the only platform that can automatically set up a new hire''s laptop, create their email, add them to Slack, and run their first paycheck in a single workflow.
- Best for: Companies 50-500 employees wanting full-stack HR + IT automation
- Pricing: Starting ~$8/user/month (modular pricing - pay for what you use)
- Standout features: Automated IT provisioning, multi-state/country payroll, employer of record (EOR) capabilities
- Limitation: Can feel complex for very small teams
BambooHR: Best for Mid-Size Remote Teams
BambooHR is the go-to HRIS for companies in the 50-500 employee range that want a solid core HR system without Rippling''s complexity and cost.
- Best for: Mid-size companies wanting core HR without overwhelming features
- Pricing: Contact for pricing (roughly $6-$11/user/month)
- Standout features: Clean UI, strong employee self-service, good onboarding workflows, ATS included
- Limitation: Limited international payroll capabilities
Deel: Best for International Remote Hiring
Deel is purpose-built for hiring internationally - as a contractor or via Employer of Record in 150+ countries. It handles compliance, local benefits, and payments in local currency.
- Best for: Companies hiring internationally or managing global contractor payments
- Pricing: $49/contractor/month; $599/employee/month for EOR; free HRIS for up to 200 employees
- Standout features: 150+ country compliance, built-in IP assignment, localized contracts, instant payments
Lattice: Best for Performance Management
Lattice focuses on the performance management layer - goals, reviews, 1:1s, engagement surveys, and career development. It integrates with most HRIS platforms.
- Best for: Companies that want structured performance management for remote teams
- Pricing: Starting $11/user/month
- Standout features: OKR tracking, 360 reviews, engagement surveys, AI-powered insights
Recommended HR Tool Stack by Company Size
What to use at different stages:
- 1-20 employees: Deel (for international) or Gusto (US-only) + Notion for documentation
- 20-100 employees: BambooHR + Lattice for performance + Deel for international contractors
- 100-500 employees: Rippling (replaces most tools) + Lattice for performance management
- 500+ employees: Workday or SAP SuccessFactors with Rippling for IT automation
Do not over-invest in HR software too early. A 10-person startup needs Gusto or Deel and a good employee handbook - not a six-figure Workday implementation. Match your tools to your actual complexity.