Managing employee leave efficiently is one of the cornerstones of a well-run HR department. Whether it’s vacation time, sick leave, or special requests, keeping track of leave manually can quickly become overwhelming and error-prone.
And that’s where leave management HR software steps in to ease the process. These tools not only simplify leave tracking but also improve compliance, boost employee satisfaction, and free up valuable time for your HR team to focus on what really matters.
Ready to explore the solutions that can simplify your workplace operations? Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Overview of Leave Management
Now, let’s define what is leave management and the key features that you should take into consideration:
What is Leave Management?
Leave management refers to the process of tracking and managing employee absences, including vacation time, sick leave, personal days, and other forms of paid or unpaid leave. This involves tasks like:
- Tracking employee leave balances
- Approving/denying leave requests
- Monitoring accruals
- Generating reports
- Ensuring compliance with company policies and legal regulations
What are the Key Features to Look for?
Here are important features that you should consider when choosing a leave management HR system:
➡️ Leave tracking: Ability to track accruals, remaining balances, and request history for each employee.
➡️ Request management: Easy-to-use interface for employees to submit requests and for managers to approve or deny them.
➡️ Customizable workflows: Define approval chains and automated notifications for different leave types.
➡️ Accrual rules: Set up accrual policies for different types of leave.
➡️ Integrations: Integrate with payroll systems to ensure accurate leave deductions and reporting.
➡️ Reporting tools: Generate reports on leave trends and usage.
➡️ Mobile access: Allow employees and managers to access the system on the go.
Top 9 Leave Management HR Software Tools
Before we go deep into each of these tools, let’s take a look first at the table below for a quick view:
| Tool | Best Use Case | Capterra Rating (out of 5) | Pricing | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timesheets.com | Small & Medium Businesses | 4.3 | $5.50/user/mo | Easy to use, Affordable, Integrates with payroll/timekeeping | Limited reporting, Not ideal for large organizations |
| Rippling | All Business Sizes | 4.5 | Scaled Pricing (contact vendor for quote) | All-in-one HR solution, Scalable, Powerful reporting & analytics | Can be expensive, Complex for simple needs |
| PurelyHR | Small & Medium Businesses | 4.4 | $3.45/employee | Affordable, Basic HR features (leave, applicant tracking, onboarding) | Limited reporting, Not suitable for large organizations |
| Deputy | All Business Sizes | 4.7 | $6/user/mo | Comprehensive workforce management, User-friendly | Can be expensive, Complex for smaller needs |
| Timetastic | Businesses needing advanced reporting & customization | 4.6 | $2.50/user/mo | User-friendly, Robust reporting & customization, Integrates with payroll/timekeeping | Can be more expensive, Limited integrations compared to some platforms |
| BambooHR | All Business Sizes | 4.6 | Scaled Pricing (contact vendor for quote) | User-friendly, Comprehensive HR platform (leave, onboarding, performance), Strong customer support | Can be expensive, May not be necessary for smaller needs with basic leave management requirements |
| Jibble | Small & Medium Businesses | 4.5 | Affordable (varies by plan) | Easy to use, Affordable, Integrates with payroll/timekeeping, Time tracking & attendance focus | Limited reporting, May not suit complex leave rules |
| Deel | Global Companies with international employees | 4.8 | Free | Supports global teams, International compliance | Can be expensive, May not be suitable for domestic-only businesses |
| Calamari | All Business Sizes, prioritizing employee engagement | 4.4 | $20/mo/10 employees | User-friendly, Comprehensive HR platform (leave, performance, recruitment), Employee engagement focus | Can be expensive, May not be necessary for smaller needs with basic leave management requirements |
1. Timesheets.com
Timesheets.com has a simple system that manages paid timeoff. It allows users to manage accrual balances and review leave requests. This tool has adaptable accrual options and makes time-off tracking simple.
Moreover, Timesheets.com is an easy-to-use calendar for employees’ vacations to reduce conflicts.
Timesheets.com offers some benefits:
- Offers a user-friendly interface for employees to submit leave requests and for managers to review and approve them.
- Provides real-time insights into employee leave balances and upcoming absences.
- Allows managers to proactively plan staffing needs and avoid potential scheduling conflicts.
- Automatically tracks leave based on logged hours, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual leave tracking
Features:
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems such as Quickbooks and SurePayroll
- Offers mobile access.
2. Rippling
Rippling has simplified the leave management and eliminates errors by automating the tasks. It has a unified dashboard which allows users to manage all time-off types. It also automates processes like payroll adjustment and calculations.
With Rippling, you don’t have to worry with different tiring tasks because:
- Accruals are calculated and updated automatically based on employee tenure and company policy.
- Rippling serves as a single source of truth for all employee leave information, improving data accuracy and reducing the risk of errors.
- It allows managers to easily track employee leave requests and balances, ensuring adequate staffing levels and preventing scheduling conflicts.
- Employees can easily request leave, track their balances, and view company leave policies through a user-friendly interface.
Here some features of Rippling:
- All-in-one HR platform that includes leave management.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Advanced analytics and reporting.
- Integration with 176 tools such as QuickBooks, Zendesk Suite, and etc
3. PurelyHR
PurelyHR is a comprehensive leave management system designed to simplify the process of tracking, managing, and approving employee absences. It offers a variety of features tailored to businesses of all sizes, making it an ideal solution for streamlining leave management workflows.
Additionally, PurelyHR simplifies time-off management by automating accruals, renewing policies, and simplifying the request and approval process, eliminating the need for emails, spreadsheets, and paper calendars.
Here are some benefits of PurelyHR:
- Automates leave accrual calculations, reducing manual data entry and paperwork.
- Provides real-time notifications and reminders for leave requests.
- Helps managers plan staffing needs effectively.
- Provides real-time visibility into employee leave balances and upcoming absences.
Features of PurelyHR includes:
- Leave management system with applicant tracking, onboarding, and performance management features.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Basic reporting capabilities.
4. Deputy
Deputy is an award-winning tool for managing hourly staff. Users can quickly create schedules, track time, and sync timesheets to payroll with ease. It integrates with 300+ POS and payroll systems for smooth management. With free iOS and Android apps, users can run their business from anywhere.
Here’s why you should consider Deputy:
- Provides real-time visibility into employee leave balances and upcoming absences.
- Enables managers to approve or deny leave requests from their mobile devices.
- Flags employees with low leave balances, prompting them to plan their time off, preventing them from unexpected leaves and work disruptions.
- Automates leave accrual calculations.
- Employees have easy access to the leave information through tablets and smartphones.
Some features of Deputy includes:
- Workforce management solution that includes leave management.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Scheduling, timesheets, and workforce analytics.
- Integrated with 39 tools such as, Google Calendar, Pychex Flex, Paycor, and etc
5. Timetastic
Timetastic is a cloud-based absence management software designed to help businesses of all sizes streamline the process of booking, tracking, and managing employee time off.
Here’s what your HR team can benefit from Timetastic:
- Employees can easily submit leave requests directly within the system, often with just a few clicks.
- Provides real-time visibility on the leave balances and upcoming absences of all the employees.
- Generates reports on leave usage, absence trends, and other key metrics.
- Offers simplified approval workflows for timeoff requests and automatic notifications.
Features are:
- Standalone leave management platform.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Advanced reporting and analytics.
- Integrated with Google Calendar, Slack, Microsoft teams, and etc.
6. BambooHR
BambooHR makes managing time off easy and hassle-free. Employees can request leave via the web or mobile app, and managers get instant, simple alerts to approve. It has features like the time-off calculator to help employees plan their leave, and the Who’s Out widget that keeps everyone updated on who’s out today or in the future. BambooHR ensures smooth and efficient leave management.
Why BambooHR is a good option:
- All employee leave information is stored centrally within the system accessible to HR, managers, and employees.
- Automates leave accrual calculations and notification eliminating human errors.
- Provides real-time visibility into employee leave balances, upcoming absences, and overall staffing levels.
- Offers a variety of reports and dashboards to track leave trends and analyze staffing needs.
Features include:
- Comprehensive HR platform that includes leave management.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Onboarding, performance management, and benefits administration.
7. Jibble
Jibble is a completely free time tracking software for payroll, attendance, and project tracking. Easy to use, free forever, and supports unlimited users. Staff can clock in and out via mobile, tablet, web, MS Teams, or Slack, with options for biometric recognition and GPS tracking. Ideal for industries like construction, retail, healthcare, education, remote work, and more. Generate automated timesheets and detailed reports effortlessly.
What makes Jibble as a good option are the following:
- Offers flexibility in how leave requests are submitted and approved, accommodating various work styles and preferences.
- User-friendly for both employees and managers, giving employees easy navigation to request leaves and approval flow for managers.
- Allows the HR team to have a full view of employee work hours and absences.
Features are:
- Time tracking and attendance software that includes leave management.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Geolocation tracking and timesheet approvals.
8. Deel
Deel is known as the Global HR and payroll team. It hires and onboard employees in over 150 countries and runs payroll in over 100 countries and all states in the US in just minutes.
As a leave management system, Deel allows companies to:
- Manage and monitor vacation days, sick leaves, and other time-off requests.
- Customize leave policies ensuring compliance with local labor laws.
- Enable managers to review and approve leave requests.
- To view and manage leave schedules for all employees.
- Calculate leave balances, accruals, and payouts automatically.
Deel features include:
- Global payroll and HR platform that includes leave management.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Supports global teams and complies with local labor laws.
9. Calamari
Calamari is a leave management system, which is designed to simplify the process of absence planning and tracking. It allows employees to submit time-off requests, while managers can easily approve or deny the requests.
Additionally, Calamari has a feature like notification for upcoming absences. It supports various types of leaves including vacation, sick days, and custom leave types.
Moreover, it ensures smooth collaboration due to its integration with various tools like:
- JIRA,
- Slack,
- Microsoft Teams,
- GSuite and etc.
Benefits of Calamari includes:
- Offers advanced features like absence planning, shift scheduling, and etc.
- Provides real-time visibility into employee absences and potential staffing shortages, enabling managers to plan and forecast workforce.
- Automates leave accrual calculations and approval processes.
- Generates reports and analytics on leave trends and patterns for HR decision-making.
Calamari’s features include:
- HR platform that includes leave management.
- Tracks time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Manages accruals and carry-overs.
- Allows employees to submit leave requests electronically.
- Integrates with payroll and timekeeping systems.
- Offers mobile access.
- Performance management, recruitment, and employee engagement features.
Selection and Implementation Tips
When selecting the right leave management software, consider these factors:
- Define Your Needs: Evaluate the size of your team, leave policies, and required integrations.
- Test Before Buying: Many tools offer free trials—take advantage of them to assess usability.
- Check Integration Options: Ensure the software works seamlessly with existing HR and payroll tools.
- Prioritize User Experience: Opt for platforms that are intuitive for both administrators and employees.
Final Thought
Choosing the right leave management HR software for different leave types can transform the way your organization handles employee absences. By selecting a tool that aligns with your business needs, you not only streamline processes but also foster a transparent and productive work environment.
With the tools outlined above, you’re well-equipped to navigate the dynamic workplace of 2025 and beyond.
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