BizMerlin vs. HRdirect Smart Apps

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
BizMerlin
Score 9.0 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
BizMerlin is an HR Management Solution targeted at small and medium-sized teams, allowing them to hire, onboard, manage, allocate and retain their team members. The application is cloud based and available via web browsers and native iOS and Android mobile apps. The vendor also offers 100+ integrations with JIRA, Salesforce, QuickBooks and others. According to the vendor, key capabilities…N/A
HRdirect Smart Apps
Score 8.4 out of 10
Small Businesses (1-50 employees)
HRdirect Smart Apps is an HR Management software solution from HRdirect, a a division of ComplyRight, Inc., dedicated to developing and delivering “Solutions for Smart Employers” since 1985. The vendor says HRdirect supports business managers at more than 500,000 locations with essential employee management and compliance tasks. HRdirect Smart Apps aims to help users work efficiently and affordably. The vendor's goal is to simplify complex processes and free employers from compliance…N/A
Pricing
BizMerlinHRdirect Smart Apps
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
BizMerlinHRdirect Smart Apps
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsNO PER EMPLOYEE PRICING, NO BUNDLED FEATURES. JUST $60 A YEAR PER APP. Simple Pricing, No Matter How You Slice It Only use the Smart Apps that best fit your unique needs and pay the same, low price for each one: just $60 a year. It's easy to add more at any time, too - either as your needs change or as our solutions expand.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
BizMerlinHRdirect Smart Apps
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
BizMerlinHRdirect Smart Apps
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
3 Ratings
14% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
10.0
1 Ratings
24% above category average
Employee demographic data9.03 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Employment history9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Job profiles and administration9.03 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Organizational charting9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Organization and location management9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
2 Ratings
11% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Benefit plan administration9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
3 Ratings
11% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
1.0
1 Ratings
156% below category average
Balance details9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Approval workflow00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
3 Ratings
10% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
10.0
1 Ratings
21% above category average
View and generate pay and benefit information9.03 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Update personal information9.03 Ratings10.01 Ratings
View company policy documentation9.03 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Employee recognition9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
View job history9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
3 Ratings
17% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
1.0
1 Ratings
153% below category average
Report builder9.03 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Pre-built reports9.03 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Ability to combine HR data with external data9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
2 Ratings
11% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
1.0
1 Ratings
156% below category average
New hire portal9.02 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Manager tracking tools9.02 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Performance and Goals
Comparison of Performance and Goals features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
3 Ratings
10% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Corporate goal setting9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Individual goal setting9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Line-of sight-visibility9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance tracking9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
3 Ratings
12% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Performance plans9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Performance improvement plans9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Review status tracking9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Review reminders9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Multiple review frequency9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Succession Planning
Comparison of Succession Planning features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
2 Ratings
13% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Create succession plans/pools9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Candidate ranking9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Candidate development9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
BizMerlin
9.0
3 Ratings
14% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Job Requisition Management9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Company Website Posting9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Publish to Social Media9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Job Search Site Posting9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Duplicate Candidate Prevention9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Applicant Tracking9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Notifications and Alerts9.03 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
BizMerlinHRdirect Smart Apps
Small Businesses
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
BizMerlinHRdirect Smart Apps
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(3 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
1.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
1.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
BizMerlinHRdirect Smart Apps
Likelihood to Recommend
BizMerlin
We took the trial of 3 HR software before going with BizMerlinHR. We wanted to have a comprehensive HR solution to cover our Paperless employee records, employee onboarding, PTO, Timesheets and Employee Performance Management. We were not looking for an Applicant Tracking system and Retention management module, but when we saw the functionality and easy use we were completely sold to those modules as well. It was like add-on but the price of everything was more economical than the other software that we were reviewing
Read full review
ComplyRight
UPDATE 3/20/2020: I initially gave HRDirect a "0" recommendation due to all the issues we had with the PTO Module. However, since purchasing the Harassment Training Module ($90), this product is the best value for the money and puts us in compliance with mandated requirements. It is easy to use and well-presented. At this point in time, with the issues and frustration level of all our employees, managers, and payroll department, it would be difficult for me to recommend this app as suitable in any scenario. However, should HRdirect fix the issues and get the app to perform as it was originally designed, it would be a great product for a small to medium company that has limited resources yet wants a good product for the money. In our experience, the new hire portal did not appear to be functioning properly; our new hires were not able to access the blank documents. They could see them but not open them (PDFs).
Read full review
Pros
BizMerlin
  • Multiple integrations including LinkedIn for Business, Okta, and QuickBooks Online Advanced.
  • Payroll management.
Read full review
ComplyRight
  • Initially, you were able to see all activity and drill down for details.
  • It was easy-access for all our employees in the 7 states we operate in.
  • It provided tracking for the managers.
  • Payroll had access to all PTO requests.
Read full review
Cons
BizMerlin
  • Wall of fame or the feedback given to the users cannot be controlled. The users cannot choose or control who can view their wall of fame.
  • The dashboard is customizable at organization and geography level but cannot be customized at the individual level.
  • The filter on archived goals does not work properly using text search.
Read full review
ComplyRight
  • HRdirect performed an upgrade in 2019 and that's where things went awry.
  • You could no longer drill down through the calendar to see the details - i.e. Doctor's appointment, illness, childcare issues, vacation, etc.
  • Previous year PTO requests were not archived and you now had to scroll through hundreds of PTO requests to see the most current.
  • Previous PTO requests were listed oldest to most current, resulting in much frustration trying to locate specific ones.
  • The print option was not longer functional.
  • The online help request form was no longer accessible.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
BizMerlin
No answers on this topic
ComplyRight
As previously described, there are too many unresolved issues.
Read full review
Support Rating
BizMerlin
No answers on this topic
ComplyRight
Due to the fact that we were patient for more than 6 months with no resolution in sight, we decided to end our relationship with HRdirect for PTO tracking. 3/20/2020: We have purchased the Harassment Training Module. Excellent product with great value for the money.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
BizMerlin
We took the trial of 3 HR software before going with BizMerlinHR. We wanted to have a comprehensive HR solution to cover our Paperless employee records, employee onboarding, PTO, Timesheets and Employee Performance Management. We were not looking for an Applicant Tracking system and Retention management module, but when we saw the functionality and easy use we were completely sold to those modules as well. It was like add-on but the price of everything was more economical than the other software that we were reviewing. Also, they really mean when they say "No setup fees" - because they helped us move all of our legacy data into the new system at no extra charge and helped us integrate with QuickBooks online. They definitely provide the best value of money when comparing the same set of features.
We have been using BizMerlinHR since 2018, and both our HR managers and users are very happy.
Read full review
ComplyRight
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
BizMerlin
  • In terms of costs, it is a very accessible platform, it is flexible and very easy to process the payroll, we also synchronize it directly with Linkedin for job announcements.
Read full review
ComplyRight
  • Initially, HRdirect was proving to be an excellent tool, and we were getting a quick turnaround on small issues. However, the upgrade messed things up on our accessibility, with no resolution in sight.
  • Harassment training module is excellent.
Read full review
ScreenShots

BizMerlin Screenshots

Screenshot of Centralized People databaseScreenshot of FeedbackScreenshot of Publish positions openlyScreenshot of Skill MatrixScreenshot of Resource ForecastingScreenshot of Project Team

HRdirect Smart Apps Screenshots

Screenshot of EMPLOYEE RECORDS
Smarter, Centralized Employee Management

 - Directory & Records
 - Employee Self-Service
 - Document StorageScreenshot of ATTENDANCE CALENDAR
Take Control of Employee Attendance

 - 12-Month Calendars
 - Absence Code Management
 - Absence NotesScreenshot of I-9 & W-4
Ease the Burden of Completing I-9 and W-4 Forms

 - Onboarding Workflow
 - Guided I-9 & W-4 Forms
 - History & Audit TrackingScreenshot of JOB APPLICATION
Smart Hiring Begins Before the Interview

 - Compliant Questions Library
 - Customizable Application
 - Online Application LinkScreenshot of PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE
Your Guide to an Effective Disciplinary Program

 - Employee Warning Notices
 - Discipline History
 - Action Plan DocumentationScreenshot of TIME OFF REQUEST
Let Employees Handle Time Off Requests for You

 - Employee Time Off Requests
 - Supervisor Approval Workflow
 - Attendance Calendar Sync