Quick Overview
- 1#1: BambooHR - Comprehensive HR platform with intuitive leave tracking, accruals, approvals, and compliance reporting.
- 2#2: Rippling - All-in-one workforce system automating global PTO policies, requests, and balance management.
- 3#3: Vacation Tracker - Dedicated vacation tracking tool with seamless integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars.
- 4#4: Gusto - Payroll and HR software featuring unlimited time-off tracking and automated accruals for small businesses.
- 5#5: LeaveBoard - Visual leave management dashboard for teams with accrual rules and multi-location support.
- 6#6: Time Off Cloud - Cloud-based absence tracker handling holidays, sick leave, and overtime with calendar views.
- 7#7: Workday - Enterprise HCM suite with advanced absence management, predictive analytics, and global compliance.
- 8#8: UKG Pro - Workforce management platform integrating timekeeping, scheduling, and leave administration.
- 9#9: ADP Workforce Now - Scalable HR and payroll solution with self-service leave requests and regulatory compliance.
- 10#10: Paylocity - Modern HCM platform offering configurable PTO policies, mobile approvals, and reporting.
Tools were ranked by evaluating core features (e.g., accrual accuracy, integration capabilities), user-friendliness, scalability, and overall value, ensuring they meet the demands of both small businesses and enterprise environments.
Comparison Table
Explore the features, pricing, and user-friendly aspects of leading leave management software tools like BambooHR, Rippling, Vacation Tracker, Gusto, LeaveBoard, and more. This comparison table breaks down how each platform handles leave tracking, approval processes, integrations, and additional benefits, enabling businesses to identify the best fit for their operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BambooHR Comprehensive HR platform with intuitive leave tracking, accruals, approvals, and compliance reporting. | enterprise | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Rippling All-in-one workforce system automating global PTO policies, requests, and balance management. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Vacation Tracker Dedicated vacation tracking tool with seamless integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Gusto Payroll and HR software featuring unlimited time-off tracking and automated accruals for small businesses. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | LeaveBoard Visual leave management dashboard for teams with accrual rules and multi-location support. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 6 | Time Off Cloud Cloud-based absence tracker handling holidays, sick leave, and overtime with calendar views. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Workday Enterprise HCM suite with advanced absence management, predictive analytics, and global compliance. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 8 | UKG Pro Workforce management platform integrating timekeeping, scheduling, and leave administration. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | ADP Workforce Now Scalable HR and payroll solution with self-service leave requests and regulatory compliance. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Paylocity Modern HCM platform offering configurable PTO policies, mobile approvals, and reporting. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
Comprehensive HR platform with intuitive leave tracking, accruals, approvals, and compliance reporting.
All-in-one workforce system automating global PTO policies, requests, and balance management.
Dedicated vacation tracking tool with seamless integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars.
Payroll and HR software featuring unlimited time-off tracking and automated accruals for small businesses.
Visual leave management dashboard for teams with accrual rules and multi-location support.
Cloud-based absence tracker handling holidays, sick leave, and overtime with calendar views.
Enterprise HCM suite with advanced absence management, predictive analytics, and global compliance.
Workforce management platform integrating timekeeping, scheduling, and leave administration.
Scalable HR and payroll solution with self-service leave requests and regulatory compliance.
Modern HCM platform offering configurable PTO policies, mobile approvals, and reporting.
BambooHR
enterpriseComprehensive HR platform with intuitive leave tracking, accruals, approvals, and compliance reporting.
Visual Time Off Calendar providing instant company-wide leave visibility and forecasting.
BambooHR is an all-in-one HR platform with a powerful Time Off module designed for efficient leave management, enabling employees to submit requests, track accruals, and view balances via a self-service portal. It automates accrual rules for various leave types like PTO, sick time, and maternity leave, while providing managers with approval workflows and visual calendars. The system ensures compliance with company policies and integrates seamlessly with payroll and other HR functions for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Intuitive self-service portal for employees to request and track leave
- Advanced automated accrual rules and multi-leave type support
- Comprehensive reporting, dashboards, and mobile accessibility
Cons
- Pricing scales with employee count, less ideal for tiny teams
- Full HR suite may overwhelm users needing only leave management
- Initial setup for custom policies requires some configuration time
Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses seeking an integrated HR solution with best-in-class leave management.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at ~$6-12 per employee/month, based on company size and features (quote required).
Rippling
enterpriseAll-in-one workforce system automating global PTO policies, requests, and balance management.
Automated global compliance engine that dynamically applies leave policies based on location and regulations
Rippling is an all-in-one HR platform with powerful leave management capabilities that automate PTO tracking, accruals, requests, and approvals in a unified system. It ensures compliance with complex state, local, and international regulations while integrating seamlessly with payroll, benefits, and employee self-service portals. Businesses can configure custom leave policies, forecast liabilities, and handle carryovers effortlessly, reducing administrative burden significantly.
Pros
- Seamless integration with payroll and HR tools for accurate leave payouts and accruals
- Robust compliance automation across multiple states and countries
- Employee self-service portal with mobile access for easy requests and balances
Cons
- Higher cost may not suit very small teams
- Steep initial setup for complex configurations
- Feature-rich interface can feel overwhelming for basic leave-only needs
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise companies seeking integrated HR solutions with advanced leave management and compliance.
Pricing
Core HR starts at $8/user/month; leave management included in higher tiers or add-ons, with custom enterprise pricing.
Vacation Tracker
specializedDedicated vacation tracking tool with seamless integrations for Slack, Teams, and calendars.
In-chat time-off requests and approvals directly within Slack or Microsoft Teams
Vacation Tracker is a streamlined leave management software that enables teams to track vacations, sick days, and other time-offs efficiently through web, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and email integrations. It supports customizable leave policies, automated approvals, and real-time calendar synchronization with Google and Outlook. The tool provides reporting dashboards for absence trends and accrual balances, making it ideal for distributed teams.
Pros
- Seamless integrations with Slack, Teams, Google Workspace, and Outlook
- Intuitive interface with quick setup and mobile-responsive design
- Comprehensive reporting and multi-policy support at competitive pricing
Cons
- Limited advanced HRIS integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- No native mobile app (relies on web responsiveness)
- Basic plan lacks some customization for complex accrual rules
Best For
Small to medium-sized teams using Slack or Microsoft Teams who want simple, chat-based leave requests without heavy configuration.
Pricing
Starts at $5/user/month (Essential, billed annually) up to $8/user/month (Pro), with Enterprise custom pricing and a 14-day free trial; free for up to 10 users.
Gusto
enterprisePayroll and HR software featuring unlimited time-off tracking and automated accruals for small businesses.
Automatic synchronization of PTO balances and approvals directly with payroll runs
Gusto is an all-in-one payroll and HR platform that includes comprehensive leave management tools tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. It enables custom PTO policy setup, automated accrual tracking, employee request approvals, and seamless integration with payroll for deductions and reporting. The software also supports compliance with federal and state leave laws, such as FMLA and paid sick leave requirements.
Pros
- Seamless integration with payroll for automatic leave deductions
- User-friendly interface for setting up accruals and approvals
- Built-in compliance tools for state-specific leave regulations
Cons
- Limited advanced features for complex multi-state or enterprise-level compliance
- Requires full Gusto subscription; not available standalone
- Reporting customization could be more robust for large teams
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking integrated payroll and straightforward leave management without needing a dedicated standalone tool.
Pricing
Starts at $40 base + $6 per employee/month (Simple plan); higher tiers like Plus ($80 + $12/emp) and Premium (custom) include more HR features with leave management in all plans.
LeaveBoard
specializedVisual leave management dashboard for teams with accrual rules and multi-location support.
Interactive visual leave calendar that dynamically balances workloads and prevents overbooking by showing real-time team availability
LeaveBoard is a user-friendly leave management software that simplifies tracking vacations, absences, sick days, and time-off requests for teams. It offers a visual calendar for at-a-glance team availability, automated approval workflows, self-service employee portals, and integrations with tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Workspace. The platform also supports advanced features like time-off-in-lieu tracking, reporting, and mobile access, making it suitable for small to mid-sized businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive visual calendar for easy team availability overview
- Seamless integrations with popular collaboration tools
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for small teams
Cons
- Advanced reporting limited in basic plans
- Customization options could be more flexible
- Mobile app is responsive but lacks some native features
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking an affordable, straightforward solution for managing employee time off without complex setup.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 users; Pro starts at €2.49/user/month (billed annually); Enterprise custom pricing.
Time Off Cloud
specializedCloud-based absence tracker handling holidays, sick leave, and overtime with calendar views.
Visual balance forecasting that predicts leave allowances over time for accurate planning
Time Off Cloud is a cloud-based leave management software that simplifies tracking employee vacations, sick leave, and other absences for small to medium-sized teams. It provides tools for submitting requests, manager approvals, balance tracking, and visual calendars to avoid overlaps. The platform supports unlimited custom leave types, reports, and integrations with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, making it efficient for distributed teams.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup
- Affordable pricing with a generous free tier
- Strong calendar views and integrations
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics
- No native mobile app (web-responsive only)
- Basic customization for large enterprises
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a simple, budget-friendly solution for leave tracking without complex HR features.
Pricing
Free for up to 10 employees; Premium plan at $2/user/month (billed annually) or $3/monthly.
Workday
enterpriseEnterprise HCM suite with advanced absence management, predictive analytics, and global compliance.
Embedded AI-powered analytics for predictive absence forecasting and trend analysis
Workday is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM platform with a dedicated Absence Management module that streamlines leave requests, approvals, accruals, and compliance tracking. It automates complex leave policies across global workforces, integrates seamlessly with payroll and benefits, and provides real-time dashboards for visibility into absence trends. Designed for enterprises, it supports customizable rules for various leave types like PTO, sick leave, and FMLA while ensuring regulatory adherence.
Pros
- Deep integration with full HCM suite including payroll and talent management
- Advanced accrual engines and global compliance support for multi-country policies
- Real-time analytics and configurable reporting for absence insights
Cons
- High implementation costs and lengthy setup for complex configurations
- Steep learning curve for non-enterprise users
- Overkill and expensive for SMBs focused solely on leave management
Best For
Large enterprises needing integrated leave management within a broader HCM ecosystem.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription; typically $150-250 per employee/year for full HCM including leave module.
UKG Pro
enterpriseWorkforce management platform integrating timekeeping, scheduling, and leave administration.
AI-powered compliance engine that automatically adapts to changing federal, state, and local leave regulations
UKG Pro is an enterprise-grade human capital management (HCM) platform that provides comprehensive leave management tools, automating accrual tracking, request approvals, and compliance for PTO, FMLA, sick leave, and more. It integrates seamlessly with payroll, timekeeping, and HR modules for a unified workforce management experience. Designed for scalability, it supports complex multi-state or global leave policies with configurable rules and self-service portals for employees.
Pros
- Robust compliance automation across multiple jurisdictions
- Deep integration with HCM, payroll, and scheduling
- Advanced accrual management and forecasting tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- High cost for smaller organizations
- Customization often requires professional services
Best For
Large enterprises with complex, multi-location workforces needing integrated HCM and leave compliance.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $10-20 per employee/month depending on modules and scale; quote-based.
ADP Workforce Now
enterpriseScalable HR and payroll solution with self-service leave requests and regulatory compliance.
Automated multi-jurisdictional compliance engine for FMLA, state leaves, and global regulations
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HCM platform with integrated leave management tools that automate accrual tracking, request approvals, and balance management for various leave types including vacation, sick, and FMLA. It ensures compliance with federal and state regulations through automated workflows and reporting. The system offers employee self-service portals and manager dashboards for efficient handling of leave processes, seamlessly integrating with payroll and time tracking.
Pros
- Robust compliance support for FMLA and multi-state regulations
- Seamless integration with payroll and HR modules
- Scalable for mid-to-large enterprises with self-service portals
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Higher pricing not ideal for small businesses
- User interface can feel outdated compared to modern alternatives
Best For
Mid-sized to large organizations needing integrated HCM with strong leave compliance and automation.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $15-40 per employee per month depending on modules and company size.
Paylocity
enterpriseModern HCM platform offering configurable PTO policies, mobile approvals, and reporting.
Automated accrual management with real-time balance updates and predictive compliance alerts
Paylocity is a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) platform with robust leave management features that automate tracking, accruals, requests, and approvals for various leave types including PTO, sick leave, and FMLA. It ensures compliance with federal and state regulations through automated workflows and reporting. The system integrates seamlessly with payroll, time tracking, and benefits administration for a unified employee experience.
Pros
- Deep integration with payroll and HCM tools for streamlined operations
- Strong compliance automation for multi-state regulations
- Mobile app for employee self-service leave requests
Cons
- Pricing can be high for small businesses
- Initial setup and configuration may require IT support
- Reporting customization is somewhat limited
Best For
Mid-sized to large organizations seeking an integrated HCM solution with advanced leave management capabilities.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting around $12-20 per employee per month, depending on modules and employee count.
Conclusion
After evaluating the top leave management tools, BambooHR emerges as the clear leader, offering a comprehensive HR platform with intuitive leave tracking, accruals, approvals, and compliance reporting. Rippling and Vacation Tracker stand out as strong alternatives; Rippling excels with its all-in-one workforce system for global PTO policies, while Vacation Tracker impresses with seamless integrations and user-friendly design. Each tool addresses unique needs, but BambooHR rises above for its holistic approach.
Don't miss out—start with BambooHR to streamline leave management, or explore Rippling or Vacation Tracker if your focus lies in global policies or integrations.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison