The best HR software in Kenya depends on what you need most. If you want to develop people as well as record them, Talstack brings Core HR, performance, learning and surveys together on one platform at one price per employee. If payroll is your main need, a payroll-led platform such as Workpay or SeamlessHR may suit you better.
Key takeaways
- Decide first whether payroll or people development is your bigger problem. Most HR software in Kenya is built around one or the other.
- Talstack covers Core HR (HRIS and Time Off), Performance, Learning and Surveys, with every module included in one price per employee.
- Workpay and SeamlessHR are built around payroll and statutory compliance.
- Leave rules matter. Kenyan employees are entitled to at least 21 working days of annual leave, so your leave tracking has to get balances right.
- Any platform holding employee records has to fit how you meet Kenya's Data Protection Act.
What to look for in HR software in Kenya
Before you compare brands, agree on what the software has to do for your organisation. These are the questions that separate the options most clearly.
Core HR that fits Kenyan records
Your employee records should hold the details your HR team actually needs, including statutory and custom fields, documents, reporting lines and access controls. Keeping one accurate record per person saves hours of reconciling spreadsheets.
Leave that follows the law and your policies
Under the Employment Act, full-time employees in Kenya earn at least 21 working days of annual leave a year. Your software should apply your leave policies, approvals and public holidays automatically, so balances are right without manual checks.
Performance and development, not just administration
Many platforms stop at records and payslips. If you want to raise performance, look for structured reviews, goals, regular feedback and a way to act on what reviews show, such as training.
Clear pricing
Some platforms publish prices and others quote per company. Check what currency you pay in and whether the modules you need cost extra.
Data protection
Kenya's Data Protection Act 2019 regulates how personal data is processed and created the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. Ask every provider how they store, secure and give access to employee data.
The best HR software in Kenya compared
| Platform | Best for | Built around | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talstack | Organisations that want Core HR, performance, learning and surveys in one place | Developing people | One published price per employee, every module included |
| Workpay | Businesses that want payroll, Employer of Record and expense management | Payroll | Check with Workpay |
| SeamlessHR | Medium and large organisations that want HR and payroll from one provider | HR and payroll | Tiered plans, priced by quote |
| peopleHum | Businesses that want hiring, payroll and many HR modules from one vendor | A broad module list | By module |
| HiBob | Multinationals that run payroll in the UK or US | Global core HR | Custom quote |
1. Talstack
Talstack is a people management platform that brings Core HR, Performance, Learning and Engage together, built for organisations across Africa, including Kenya.
- Core HR: HRIS keeps employee records with statutory and custom fields, documents, e-signature, onboarding and offboarding workflows, a live org chart and role-based access. Time Off handles leave policies, approvals and public holiday calendars.
- Performance: 360° performance reviews with self, manager, peer and upward reviewers, anonymous peer and upward reviews, weighted scoring and automated reminders. Goals work with OKRs, KPIs or Balanced Scorecards, and Feedback and 1:1s give context when reviews come round.
- Learning: a learning management system with nearly 400 expert-led courses, plus your own training, learning paths, deadlines and certificates. Reviews show where people need to grow, and managers can assign a course straight away.
- Engage: engagement, pulse and lifecycle surveys that are anonymous by default, with heatmaps by department and eNPS over time.
Pricing: one price per employee with every module included, billed annually. See Talstack pricing.
Worth knowing: Talstack does not run payroll, so you would pair it with your payroll provider.
2. Workpay
Workpay is a Nairobi-based platform built around payroll. Its products include payroll and self-service HR, outsourced payroll, Employer of Record, expense management, and time and attendance, with support for Kenyan tax and labour requirements. It lists performance management as coming soon. It suits businesses whose first priority is paying people accurately and on time.
3. SeamlessHR
SeamlessHR is built around HR and payroll for medium and large organisations across Africa. It covers HRIS, leave, payroll, time and attendance, recruitment and benefits, with performance on its Core plan and above. Its learning module is for building your own courses. It is sold in tiers and priced by quote. Read our full Talstack vs SeamlessHR comparison.
4. peopleHum
peopleHum offers a long list of modules, including hiring, HRIS, payroll, performance, engagement and learning, sold by module. It lists its offices in India and the United States. Read Talstack vs peopleHum.
5. HiBob
HiBob is a global HR platform for mid-sized and multinational companies. It starts with core HR and adds talent, payroll and planning modules on a custom quote, with learning as an optional add-on. It suits companies that run payroll in the UK or US. Read Talstack vs HiBob.
Not sure where your team's skill gaps are? Try the free Talstack tools for performance and learning before you shortlist software.
How to choose the right HR software for your team
If payroll is your biggest problem
Start with a payroll-led platform such as Workpay or SeamlessHR, and make sure it handles PAYE, NSSF and other statutory deductions correctly.
If performance and growth are your biggest problem
Choose a platform built around reviews, goals, feedback and learning. Talstack connects them, so what a review shows can turn into training the same week. See our guide to the best performance review software in Kenya.
If you mainly need an HRIS
Compare how each platform stores employee records, documents and access rights. See our guide to the best HRIS systems for midsize Kenyan companies.
If you operate in more than one country
Check that the platform handles different leave rules and public holidays by country, and that one team can support you across all of them. If you also hire in Nigeria, see our guide to the best HR software in Nigeria.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best HR software in Kenya?
It depends on your priority. For organisations that want Core HR, performance, learning and surveys in one platform, Talstack is a strong choice. If payroll is your main need, Workpay and SeamlessHR are built around it.
How much does HR software cost in Kenya?
Pricing varies. Talstack publishes one price per employee with every module included, billed annually. Many other providers sell in tiers or quote per company, so ask what is included before you compare.
Does Talstack include payroll?
No. Talstack covers Core HR, Performance, Learning and Surveys. Most organisations pair it with their existing payroll provider.
How many days of annual leave are employees entitled to in Kenya?
Full-time employees are entitled to at least 21 working days of paid annual leave after 12 months of service, under the Employment Act.
Can we move our data to Talstack?
Yes. Our team helps you bring your data across for every part of the platform, from employee records and leave balances to review templates and goals.
See Talstack in action
If you want one platform for Core HR, performance, learning and surveys, request a demo and we will walk you through it with your own team in mind.
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