Best HR Software in UAE & Middle East 2025
Jessica Calaoagan
May 14, 2025 | 8-mins read
In the vibrant business hubs of the UAE and Middle East, companies are rapidly adopting HR technology to manage their growing workforces. GCC’s HR technology sector is expected to grow significantly, reaching $5.5 billion by 2032 from $2.6 billion in 2023, according to recent research. This growth is driven by a strong regional commitment to digital transformation, with 83% of Middle East CEOs prioritizing digital operations. Additionally, workforce trends such as remote working, now widely adopted by 70% of companies in the MENA region since 2020, contribute to the growing demand. Given that more than 60% of the MENA population is under the age of 30, businesses are particularly eager to invest in modern, cloud-based HR Software UAE solutions that simplify processes and enhance employee experience.
Choosing the right HR software in UAE involves not only finding a platform that handles core HR functions, but one that supports local requirements and strategic growth. Below, we present a list of the top 10 cloud-based HR software solutions in the UAE and Middle East for 2025. Each solution is cloud-based and tailored for this region’s needs (like Arabic language support and WPS payroll compliance), helping HR managers, business owners, and IT decision-makers make an informed choice.
Top HR Software in UAE & Middle East
1. Workplus HCM
Workplus HCM’s modern interface is designed to provide a customizable, scalable employee experience platform. Workplus HCM is a cloud-based, AI-powered HR software built specifically for GCC businesses. It streamlines end-to-end HR processes with an all-in-one HR platform focused on automation, ease of use, and local compliance.
Who they are: Headquartered in Dubai, Workplus HCM is a fast-growing HR tech provider that delivers a complete HRMS solution tailored to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and neighboring Gulf countries in the Middle East. It leverages AI (including a built-in AI chatbot) to personalize and automate HR workflows, helping even smaller businesses adopt modern HR practices quickly.
Features:
Workplus HCM provides a comprehensive suite of HR modules in one system:
- Core HR Management: Centralized employee database with self-service portals.
- Payroll & WPS Compliance: Automated payroll processing with UAE Wage Protection System support and multi-currency salary payments.
- Time & Attendance: Smart attendance tracking (web and mobile check-ins, geolocation) integrated with payroll for accuracy.
- Talent & Performance Management: Recruitment workflows, onboarding tools, goal setting, performance appraisals, and succession planning.
- Employee Engagement: Built-in social news feed, recognition badges, and even an AI-powered HR chatbot (“Sarah”) to answer employee queries 24/7.
- HR Analytics: Real-time dashboards and reports to glean insights from HR data and inform decision-making.
Best Suited For: Workplus HCM is best suited for small to mid-sized businesses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and other Middle East countries that want an all-in-one HR solution without complexity. Its quick implementation and intuitive interface make it ideal for companies with lean HR teams or those transitioning from manual processes. That said, the modular nature and robust features of Workplus HCM also appeal to larger enterprises looking for more affordable HR software in UAE to streamline multi-country operations while staying compliant with local laws.
Pricing: Workplus HCM offers transparent, budget-friendly, flat monthly pricing with no hidden fees starting at just AED 100 per month for small businesses. There’s a free trial and demo available, and pricing is generally per employee per month, making it cost-effective for organizations of all sizes to get started.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
2. Oracle HCM Cloud
Oracle HCM Cloud is a comprehensive enterprise HR solution from Oracle, known globally for its breadth and depth. This cloud platform connects every HR process, from core HR and payroll to talent management and analytics, in one unified system. Oracle HCM Cloud stands out for its powerful workforce modelling and analytics tools, which help large organizations forecast and plan their talent needs. The system is highly configurable and can adapt to local regulations (for example, it supports country-specific payroll rules, including those in the UAE).
For companies in the Middle East, Oracle HCM Cloud offers the confidence of a tried-and-tested platform backed by Oracle’s support network. It’s often the top choice for large enterprises and government entities when it comes to HR Software in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and other Middle East countries that require rigorous compliance, security, and scalability. Users can manage complex HR workflows (like multi-country payroll, advanced benefit plans, or global talent programs) with relative ease. While Oracle HCM Cloud is extremely robust, it’s best suited for organizations that have the IT resources to handle a big system – smaller firms might find it more feature-rich (and costly) than they need. Overall, for large employers in the UAE and Middle East, Oracle HCM Cloud provides an all-encompassing HRMS that can be tailored to meet sophisticated HR strategy needs.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
3. ADP
ADP (Automatic Data Processing) is a global leader in payroll and HR services, and its cloud-based HR software is widely used by companies around the world. In the UAE and Middle East, ADP’s platform provides end-to-end HR management with a particular strength in payroll processing and compliance. Companies using ADP can handle everything from hiring to retirement: modules include core HR administration, recruitment, leave management, performance tracking, and of course payroll. ADP is renowned for ensuring accurate, on-time payroll in compliance with local laws – for instance, it can generate WPS files for UAE salary payments and supports multi-currency payroll for businesses that operate across borders.
ADP’s solution is highly scalable, making it suitable for both mid-sized businesses and large multinational corporations. Many international firms with Middle East offices choose ADP so they can integrate regional HR into a single global system. Another benefit is ADP’s mobile app, which allows employees and managers to access pays lips, clock in/out, or approve requests on the go. ADP also offers options for HR outsourcing (e.g., managed payroll services) if a company prefers to let ADP handle certain processes. In summary, ADP provides Middle Eastern businesses with a reliable, one-stop HRMS backed by decades of expertise – particularly appealing for those who prioritize world-class payroll capabilities and compliance support.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
4. SAP SuccessFactors
SAP Success Factors is a leading cloud-based HCM suite that delivers a rich set of HR functionalities under the umbrella of SAP (a global software giant). SuccessFactors is well-known for its strength in talent management – including recruiting, performance management, learning & development – alongside core HR and payroll. For organizations in the Middle East, SAP SuccessFactors offers a blend of global best practices and local adaptability. The system supports local payroll and tax configurations (e.g. it can be configured for GCC countries’ regulations) and is available in multiple languages, which is useful in a bilingual work environment.
One of the key advantages of SuccessFactors is its integration with other SAP products and its robust analytics. Companies that already use SAP for finance or other operations often find value in having HR on the same ecosystem for seamless data flow.
SuccessFactors has an intuitive, modern interface and a modular approach – companies can implement the modules they need (for example, you could start with core HR and expand to performance and succession planning later). It’s commonly chosen by mid-to-large enterprises in the UAE that are looking to elevate their HR strategy (for instance, introducing 360° performance reviews or succession planning across multiple offices). While SuccessFactors is an enterprise-grade solution (with a price tag to match), it is highly regarded for helping organizations build a high-performance workforce and maintain HR compliance in the Middle East’s complex regulatory environment.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
5. Humantiz
Humantiz is an all-in-one HR software platform that has been gaining traction for its comprehensive approach to HR management. It caters to a wide range of HR needs in a unified system, making it attractive for companies that want to avoid patching together multiple tools. With Humantiz, businesses can manage payroll, benefits, time tracking, performance reviews, training, and more – all within one application. The software includes capabilities to ensure labour law compliance (important for Middle Eastern markets) and even offers employee engagement features like survey tools to gauge morale and gather feedback.
What sets Humantiz apart is its focus on delivering end-to-end HR process coverage at a reasonable cost. By having everything integrated, data flows seamlessly – for example, an employee’s attendance data automatically reflects in payroll calculations. This integration helps reduce errors and administrative overhead, which is especially useful for small HR teams. Humantiz’s interface is designed to be straightforward, aiming to simplify complex tasks such as setting up workflows for performance evaluations or scheduling shifts. It’s a good fit for mid-sized companies that want depth in functionality (similar to what bigger enterprise systems offer) but with more simplicity and a friendlier price. Whether it’s onboarding a new hire or processing end-of-service benefits for a departing employee, Humantiz provides the tools to handle the entire employee lifecycle in the context of HR software in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and other Middle East countries.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
6. Zoho People
Zoho People is a popular cloud-based HR software that’s part of the broader Zoho ecosystem of business applications. It’s often the go-to choice for small and medium-sized businesses due to its affordability, ease of use, and integration capabilities. Zoho People enables companies to manage all their employee information and HR processes from a central hub. Key features include attendance and leave management, time sheets for tracking work hours or projects, performance appraisal modules, and even a built-in Learning Management System (LMS) for employee training.
One of the biggest strengths of Zoho People is its flexibility. Organizations can customize forms, fields, and workflows to mirror their HR policies. For example, you can configure your own leave types (such as Hajj leave or study leave specific to Middle East norms) and approval workflows. Being part of Zoho’s suite, it natively integrates with apps like Zoho Payroll, Zoho Recruit, and others, which is handy if you’re already using those. In the Middle East, companies appreciate that Zoho People supports multi-location setups – you can manage HR for offices in Dubai, Riyadh, etc., under one account. It also offers mobile access, so employees can check in/out or request leave from their smartphones. In summary, Zoho People is a versatile HR software in Middle East settings where ease of implementation and cross-application integration are key. It provides plenty of power for its price point, making HR management simpler and more efficient for growing businesses.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
7. Sage HRMS
Sage HRMS (Human Resource Management System) is a comprehensive HR and payroll platform from Sage, a company well-known for its business software. Sage HRMS combines core HR functions with payroll and talent management, providing an integrated experience. For companies in the UAE and Gulf region, Sage HRMS’s appeal often lies in its strong payroll management and compliance features. The software can handle complex payroll calculations, and it’s updated to stay compliant with regional requirements like gratuity calculations, social insurance, and other labor law mandates.
Beyond payroll, Sage HRMS includes modules for employee benefits administration, recruitment and onboarding, training, and performance management. It also has features to help with risk management (like health and safety tracking) and compliance reporting. The interface of Sage HRMS is robust and may require some training, but it’s designed to be efficient for power users who manage large amounts of HR data. This solution is well-suited for mid-sized to large organizations that need a reliable HR system capable of handling a lot of data and complex processes. Many such companies in the Middle East have trusted Sage for years for accounting or payroll, and Sage HRMS builds on that legacy by offering an all-encompassing HR solution. In essence, Sage HRMS is a trusted HR software in UAE for firms that prioritize payroll accuracy, regulatory compliance, and a system that can scale as the company grows.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
8. greytHR
greytHR is a user-friendly and cost-effective HR software solution that has become quite popular, especially among small and mid-sized enterprises. Originating from India and now used in over 20,000 organizations worldwide, greytHR brings a wealth of practical features without the hefty price tag of larger enterprise systems. Companies in the Middle East using greytHR benefit from its focus on automation of routine HR tasks – it handles things like maintaining employee records, tracking leaves and attendance, and processing payroll with minimal manual intervention.
A highlight of greytHR is its simplicity and reliability. For instance, HR staff can quickly run monthly payroll and generate all necessary reports (pay slips, bank transfer statements, WPS files for the UAE, etc.) through a guided process. It also offers employee self-service through a web portal or mobile app, so staff can apply for leave, check their balances, or download payslips on their own. Despite its simplicity, greytHR scales surprisingly well – whether you have 5 employees or 5,000, the system performance and structure can handle it. This makes it a preferred choice for growing companies that plan to expand. Moreover, greytHR’s cloud deployment means updates (including tax law changes or feature improvements) are delivered automatically. In summary, greytHR is a fantastic option for Middle Eastern businesses seeking a no-fuss HR software in UAE that covers all the basics (and then some) in HR, payroll, and compliance, while keeping costs under control.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
9. Ramco HCM
Ramco HCM is a full-featured HCM (Human Capital Management) system from Ramco Systems, designed to automate and integrate complex HR operations. Ramco’s HR software is particularly known for its strength in payroll and workforce management. It not only supports in-house payroll processing across various countries (including GCC nations with WPS compliance), but it also offers managed payroll services – meaning a company can outsource the payroll function to Ramco’s team while still having the data on the same platform.
For UAE and Middle East organizations, Ramco HCM provides a compelling mix of advanced features and regional adaptation. It covers core HR, recruitment, time and attendance, talent management, and analytics, all within a single system. A key benefit is the system’s ability to integrate with other software (like ERP systems or biometric attendance devices), which many larger companies require. Ramco uses AI and chatbots in its platform as well – for example, to handle employee inquiries or assist in recruitment screening. This emphasis on automation helps companies reduce the time spent on transactional HR work. Ramco HCM is typically favored by medium to large enterprises in sectors like manufacturing, aviation, and logistics, but it’s flexible enough to fit any industry. Its interface is web-based with mobile support, allowing managers and employees to perform HR tasks on the go. Overall, Ramco HCM brings a powerful HR software in Middle East markets that need a blend of operational efficiency (like error-free payroll) and strategic tools (like people analytics and planning). It enables organizations to focus more on their people and less on paperwork.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
10. ZenHR
ZenHR is a homegrown Middle Eastern HR software solution that has rapidly become a top choice for companies in the region. Headquartered in Jordan and explicitly built for the MENA market, ZenHR offers an intuitive, cloud-based HR platform tailored to local HR processes and Arabic-speaking users. This means everything from its interface (available in Arabic and English) to its features (like labor law compliance settings for different Arab countries) is designed with regional needs in mind.
ZenHR covers the full employee lifecycle. It has applicant tracking for hiring, onboarding tools to get new hires settled, core HR for maintaining employee records, leave and attendance management, payroll processing, performance evaluation modules, and more. A standout feature is its user-friendly design – HR professionals often praise how easy it is to navigate and how well it engages employees through self-service options. For example, an employee can log in to request vacation days or view their payslip in Arabic or English, which is great for companies with mixed-language workforces. ZenHR also keeps up with regulatory changes, ensuring things like end-of-service benefit calculations or social security contributions are handled correctly for each country in the GCC or Levant.
Best suited for ,strong>small and mid-sized businesses, ZenHR provides a locally flavored alternative to the big global HR systems. It’s particularly useful for companies that operate in multiple Middle Eastern countries or have a large number of Arabic-speaking staff, since it bridges cultural and language gaps in HR administration. By delivering a comprehensive feature set with a regional focus, ZenHR solidifies its place among the top HR software in UAE and Middle East in 2025.
An all-in-one HR software for your UAE workforce
After exploring these top 10 HR software solutions, it’s clear that the HR software landscape in the UAE and Middle East is rich with options catering to diverse needs. All the platforms above take a cloud-based, digital-first approach to HR – which is crucial as businesses continue to modernize their people operations. Whether you prioritize advanced analytics, straightforward payroll, talent development, or local compliance, there’s a solution that fits the bill.
What features should HR software in the UAE and Middle East have?
HR software for this region should include certain key features to meet local requirements. WPS-compliant payroll (Wage Protection System) is a must in the UAE, ensuring salary payments meet Central Bank formats. Support for Arabic language and multi-currency transactions is highly desirable, given the diverse workforce. The software should also handle end-of-service benefit calculations as per local laws, and offer modules for attendance tracking (with Gulf weekends and public holidays), leave management, and employee self-service portals. Robust local labor law compliance (e.g. adherence to UAE Labour Law or Saudi employment regulations) is essential, alongside core HR functions like recruitment, performance management, and training.
Is HR software necessary for small businesses in the Middle East?
Yes, even small and medium-sized businesses benefit greatly from HR software in the Middle East. Automating repetitive HR tasks (like payroll calculations, leave approvals, and expense claims) saves time and reduces errors for small teams. It also ensures compliance – for example, a cloud HR system will automatically generate the correct payslips and contracts as per UAE law, which a small business might struggle to do manually. Moreover, modern HR software improves employee experience by providing self-service access and transparency (important for retaining talent). For SMEs operating across multiple locations or GCC countries, an HR platform helps standardize processes. In short, a good HR software allows a small business to operate with the efficiency and professionalism of a larger company, at an affordable cost.
How does HR software help with WPS compliance in the UAE?
The Wage Protection System (WPS) is a UAE requirement for processing employee salaries through approved channels. HR software makes WPS compliance easy by ensuring salaries are calculated accurately and then automatically generating the WPS file in the required format (a bank-transfer file with employee unique IDs, wages, etc.). The software will integrate with authorized banks/exchange houses to submit these files as per the Ministry of Labour regulations. This automation helps businesses avoid penalties related to salary delays or format errors. In addition, an HR system keeps auditable records of all payments and can handle end-of-service gratuity calculations and other UAE-specific payroll elements. Essentially, it takes the headache out of compliance by embedding the rules into the payroll process – so every pay run is compliant by design.
How should I choose the right HR software in the UAE?
When selecting an HR software in UAE, consider a few important factorstuscan-me.com. First, assess how well the software adapts to your business needs and growth – a startup has different needs than a large enterprise. Look for a system that is user-friendly and integrates with your current tools (e.g. accounting or ERP software) to avoid silos. Local compliance is critical: ensure the software supports UAE labor laws, WPS payroll, and any other country-specific rules if you operate across the GCC. Pricing and scalability matter too – choose a cloud solution with a pricing model that fits your budget now, but can scale up as you hire more people. It’s wise to request a demo or free trial to evaluate features like analytics dashboards, mobile app, and support for Arabic. Lastly, check the vendor’s customer support and presence in the region – having local or regional support can be a big plus for timely help and updates. By weighing these factors, you can find an HR software that not only streamlines your current HR tasks but also grows with your business and workforce.
What are the benefits of using cloud-based HR software in the Middle East?
Adopting a cloud-based HR software offers several key benefits, particularly well-suited for businesses in the Middle East. Firstly, cloud systems provide anytime, anywhere access – your HR team and employees can log in remotely, which is great for regional companies with multiple offices or for supporting remote work arrangements. There’s no heavy IT infrastructure needed on your side; all you need is an internet connection, and the vendor handles the hosting, security, and updates. This means automatic updates when labor laws change or new features are added – critical in the Middle East where regulations (like social security rules or visa processes) can evolve and the software needs to keep up.
Cloud HR software also tends to be more scalable and cost-effective. You can start with a smaller package and expand usage as your company grows, without big upfront investments. The subscription model turns what used to be a capital expense into a manageable operational expense. Additionally, leading cloud HR providers invest in data security and backups, offering peace of mind that your sensitive employee data is protected and recoverable, which might be more robust than what a small in-house IT team could manage. Finally, cloud platforms foster better collaboration and self-service, employees and managers can interact on the platform (for instance, for performance reviews or approvals) no matter where they are, and everyone is always on the latest version of the software. In summary, using a cloud-based HR software in Middle East allows businesses to be agile, up-to-date, and efficient in managing their people processes, without worrying about technical maintenance or falling behind on compliance.
