The 13 Best Xero HR Integrations in 2026

Connecting your HR platform to Xero eliminates tedious manual data entry and keeps your payroll, time tracking, and employee records perfectly in sync. When financial data flows automatically between systems, you reduce errors, save hours of administrative work, and get a clearer financial picture. This guide breaks down the 13 best Xero HR integrations for 2026, helping you find the right tool for automating payroll, managing benefits, tracking time, onboarding new hires, and more.

1. Gusto

Gusto provides an all-in-one platform for payroll, benefits, and foundational HR, explicitly designed for small to medium-sized businesses in the US. Its Xero integration is one of the tightest in the industry, automatically syncing payroll data, including wages, taxes, and reimbursements, as journal entries. This creates detailed and accurate financial records in Xero without any manual intervention, making it a go-to for founders and accountants who want a seamless payroll-to-bookkeeping workflow.

• Pros:
  • Full-service payroll that automates local, state, and federal tax filings.
  • Handles benefits administration, including health insurance and 401(k) plans.
  • Simple employee self-onboarding and lifetime accounts for staff.
  • Clean, intuitive interface that requires little to no training.
• Cons:
  • Primarily serves US-based businesses and employees.
  • HR features are solid but may not be as comprehensive as dedicated HRIS platforms for larger companies.
  • Limited customizability in reporting and HR workflows.
• Pricing:
  • Simple plan: Starts at $40 per month + $6 per person per month.
  • Plus plan: Starts at $80 per month + $12 per person per month, adding time tracking and project management features.
  • Premium options are available with custom pricing.

Who it's best for: US-based small businesses that need a simple, reliable, and deeply integrated payroll-first HR solution for Xero.

2. Deputy

Deputy is a powerhouse for workforce management, focusing on employee scheduling, time and attendance, and communication. Its integration with Xero allows businesses to export approved timesheets directly to Xero Payroll with a single click. This connection is perfect for industries with shift-based work like retail, hospitality, and healthcare, as it ensures that actual hours worked—including overtime and break times—are accurately reflected in payroll runs.

• Pros:
  • AI-powered auto-scheduling to optimize staff allocation based on demand.
  • Mobile apps with GPS-enabled clock-in/out functionality prevent time theft.
  • Excellent team communication features, including news feeds and direct messaging.
  • Syncs employee details and timesheets for precise payroll processing.
• Cons:
  • Not a full HR suite; lacks features for onboarding, performance management, or benefits.
  • The core focus is on scheduling and time, so other HR needs must be handled elsewhere.
  • Pricing is per user, which can become costly for businesses with a large, fluctuating workforce.
• Pricing:
  • Scheduling: $3.50 per user per month.
  • Time & Attendance: $3.50 per user per month.
  • Premium (All features): $4.90 per user per month.
  • Custom enterprise plans are also available.

Who it's best for: Businesses that rely on hourly workers and complex scheduling and need to ensure time tracking data flows accurately into Xero Payroll.

3. BambooHR

BambooHR is a complete human resources information system (HRIS) built for growing businesses that have outgrown spreadsheets. It centralizes all employee data, from hiring and onboarding to performance management and offboarding. While it doesn't offer a native payroll service, its open API integrates smoothly with many payroll systems, which can in turn connect to Xero. This creates a powerful flow: manage the entire employee lifecycle in BambooHR and sync the necessary data to payroll and accounting.

• Pros:
  • Strong applicant tracking system (ATS) and seamless onboarding workflows.
  • Centralized database for all employee records and documents.
  • Features for performance reviews, goal tracking, and employee satisfaction surveys.
  • Clear, user-friendly interface that is easy for employees and admins to use.
• Cons:
  • Does not have its own payroll processing; requires a separate payroll provider.
  • Integration with Xero is often indirect, relying on a payroll provider as the bridge.
  • Pricing is quote-based and can be a significant investment for a small business.
• Pricing:
  • Quote-based; typically starts around $99 per month for small businesses and scales with employee count and feature sets.
  • Offered in two packages: Essentials and Advantage.

Who it's best for: Growing small and mid-sized businesses that need a robust, central system for HR management and want to sync that employee data to payroll and Xero.

4. Rippling

Rippling expands the concept of HR by unifying it with IT management. It’s an employee management platform that handles payroll, benefits, and HR, but also manages employee apps and devices. When you hire someone, Rippling can onboard them, run payroll, enroll them in benefits, and automatically set up their G Suite, Slack, and computer. Its integration with Xero pushes detailed payroll transactions directly to the general ledger, mapped to the correct accounts.

• Pros:
  • A single system for onboarding, payroll, HR, benefits, and IT.
  • Powerful automation capabilities for workflows across different departments.
  • Robust global payroll and compliance features.
  • Acts as a system of record for nearly all employee-related information.
• Cons:
  • Can be overly complex and expensive for small businesses with simple needs.
  • The depth of features comes with a steeper learning curve than simpler tools.
  • The modular pricing can add up quickly as you add more functionality.
• Pricing:
  • Starts at $8 per month, per user, with custom quotes based on the specific modules you need (HR, IT, Finance).

Who it's best for: Tech-forward businesses, especially those with remote teams, that want a highly automated, all-in-one platform for managing employees from HR to IT.

5. Paycor

Paycor is a human capital management (HCM) solution aimed at mid-sized businesses that need sophisticated HR, payroll, and compliance tools. It offers functionality for recruiting, onboarding, payroll, talent management, and analytics. The Xero integration allows for general ledger data, including payroll expenses and tax liabilities, to be posted automatically, saving accounting teams from manual reconciliations. Paycor's main advantage is its focus on compliance and robust reporting.

• Pros:
  • Extensive suite of tools covering the entire employee lifecycle.
  • Strong features for payroll tax compliance and labor law adherence.
  • Powerful analytics and reporting capabilities.
  • Good customer support and dedicated specialists for implementation.
• Cons:
  • The interface can feel dated and less intuitive than more modern platforms.
  • Often more expensive and complex than what a typical small business requires.
  • Some features are "add-ons," which can inflate the total cost.
• Pricing:
  • Quote-based pricing tailored to company size and required features. Four tiers are available: Basic, Essential, Core, and Complete.

Who it's best for: Mid-sized businesses and organizations in highly regulated industries that prioritize compliance and in-depth HR reporting.

6. Zoho People

As part of the extensive Zoho ecosystem, Zoho People is an affordable and highly customizable HR management system. It handles core HR tasks like employee data management, attendance, and leave tracking. While it integrates with Zoho Payroll, its true power comes from its flexibility and connection to the broader Zoho suite. An integration, often through a third-party connector like Zapier, can sync employee and timesheet data to your payroll system, which then passes financial data to Xero.

• Pros:
  • Extremely affordable, with pricing that's very accessible for small businesses.
  • Highly customizable to fit unique HR workflows.
  • Integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications (CRM, Books, etc.).
  • Covers core HR functions effectively, including performance management at higher tiers.
• Cons:
  • Payroll is handled through Zoho Payroll, which has more limited availability than global platforms.
  • The Xero integration may be less direct, potentially requiring a connector.
  • The interface can feel overwhelming due to the sheer number of configuration options.
• Pricing:
  • Offers a free plan for up to 5 users.
  • Paid plans start from $1.50 per user per month (billed annually).

Who it's best for: Budget-conscious SMBs, especially those already using other Zoho products, that need a flexible core HR system.

7. OnPay

OnPay focuses on doing one thing exceptionally well: full-service payroll and basic HR for small to mid-sized businesses. It has a transparent, all-inclusive pricing model that doesn't charge extra for tax filings or cancellations. The integration with Xero is straightforward and reliable, automatically mapping and syncing all payroll-related expenses, taxes, and liabilities to the correct accounts in your chart of accounts. This makes bookkeeping nearly effortless for payroll runs.

• Pros:
  • Simple, transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
  • Full-service payroll that covers tax filings in all 50 US states.
  • Includes basic HR tools like offer letters, onboarding checklists, and document storage.
  • Excellent customer support from certified payroll professionals.
• Cons:
  • Limited to US-based payroll.
  • HR features are foundational and not as advanced as dedicated HRIS platforms.
  • Fewer integrations with third-party apps compared to larger competitors.
• Pricing:
  • A flat base fee of $40 per month plus $6 per person, which includes all features.

Who it's best for: Small businesses in the US that want an affordable, easy-to-use payroll solution with a reliable Xero integration.

8. Breezy HR

Breezy HR is primarily an applicant tracking and recruiting software designed to modernize the hiring process. It helps teams attract, screen, and hire the best candidates with tools like a visual drag-and-drop pipeline, automated interview scheduling, and team collaboration. After a new hire is made, Breezy HR can trigger onboarding workflows and pass employee data to HR and payroll systems that connect with Xero, creating an end-to-end flow from candidate to employee in your accounting books.

• Pros:
  • User-friendly with a visually appealing interface for managing hiring pipelines.
  • Great collaboration tools for hiring teams.
  • Highly automated for tasks like sending emails and scheduling interviews.
  • Offers a free plan for occasional hiring needs.
• Cons:
  • Solely focused on recruiting; it is not an HR management platform for the post-hire lifecycle.
  • Integration with Xero is indirect, happening after data is passed to a core HRIS or payroll tool.
  • Can be expensive for teams with many open positions.
• Pricing:
  • Bootstrap: Free for one active position.
  • Startup: Starts at $171 per month for unlimited positions.
  • Higher tiers add advanced reporting, automation, and analytics.

Who it's best for: SMBs that need to streamline their recruitment process and feed new hire data into their HR and finance stack.

9. Namely

Namely is a comprehensive HCM platform built for mid-sized companies (typically 50-1,000 employees). It combines technology with service to handle HR, payroll, benefits, and talent management. Its social-media-like interface encourages employee engagement. The platform integrates with Xero to post detailed journal entries for each payroll run, giving finance teams a clear view of labor costs without using any spreadsheets.

• Pros:
  • An all-in-one platform that's sophisticated enough for complex, growing business needs.
  • Strong features for performance management and employee engagement.
  • Acts as a company intranet and employee directory.
  • Customizable to fit specific company policies and workflows.
• Cons:
  • Pricing structure makes it better suited for companies with a larger number of employees.
  • The sheer number of features can be overwhelming for smaller organizations.
  • Implementation can be more involved compared to simpler systems.
• Pricing:
  • Quote-based, customized for each client based on their size and needs.

Who it's best for: Growing, people-focused mid-sized businesses that need a unified platform to manage payroll, benefits, and talent development.

10. SAP SuccessFactors

SAP SuccessFactors is an enterprise-grade, cloud-based human experience management (HXM) suite. It's designed for large corporations and multinational organizations with complex global HR needs. It offers industry-leading solutions for talent management, core HR, and analytics. While it’s not an out-of-the-box solution for a typical Xero customer, it can be integrated with Xero through custom development or third-party middleware, usually in scenarios where a subsidiary of a large enterprise uses Xero.

• Pros:
  • Highly scalable and suitable for global organizations with thousands of employees.
  • Deep functionality in talent management, performance, and succession planning.
  • Advanced HR analytics and workforce planning tools.
  • Extensive capacity for customization.
• Cons:
  • Extremely complex and expensive; this is not built for the SMB market.
  • Implementation takes a significant amount of time and resources.
  • An integration with Xero would be a custom, high-effort project.
• Pricing:
  • Enterprise-level custom quoting based on modules and employee numbers.

Who it's best for: Large enterprises or multinational corporations who might use Xero for a specific division and require a custom integration with their corporate HR system.

11. ADP Workforce Now

ADP is one of the biggest names in payroll and HR. Workforce Now is its HCM solution for mid-sized businesses, providing a suite of tools for payroll, HR, time, benefits, and talent acquisition. It's known for its reliability and strong compliance engine, helping businesses navigate complex labor laws and tax regulations. The integration for Xero posts journal entries for each payroll, simplifying the process of recording wages and taxes in the ledger.

• Pros:
  • A trusted brand with extensive experience in payroll and compliance.
  • A completely unified platform—data only needs to be entered once.
  • Wide range of available HCM modules allowing the platform to grow with your business.
  • Excellent mobile access for employees and admins.
• Cons:
  • The software can feel a bit fragmented and dated compared to newer tools.
  • Pricing is not transparent and can be higher than competitors.
  • Customer service experiences can be inconsistent.
• Pricing:
  • Quote-based; pricing is determined by the number of employees and the bundle of services selected.

Who it's best for: Established small to mid-sized businesses that value brand reliability and a strong payroll compliance foundation.

12. Freshteam by Freshworks

Freshteam is a simple and intuitive HR software designed for startups and growing businesses. It started as an applicant tracking system and has expanded to handle employee onboarding, time-off management, and an employee information database. Much like the other Freshworks products, Freshteam prioritizes a clean user experience. While it doesn't have a direct, built-in Xero payroll sync, it easily integrates through platforms like Zapier to shuttle data between Freshteam and payroll tools that connect to Xero.

• Pros:
  • Offers a generous free plan that is perfect for startups just getting started with recruitment.
  • Very intuitive and easy-to-use interface.
  • Manages the full hiring lifecycle from job posting to offer letter generation.
  • Part of the broader Freshworks ecosystem of business software.
• Cons:
  • Does not have built-in payroll processing capabilities.
  • Relies on third-party connectors for any direct integration with payroll systems or Xero.
  • Broader HR modules (performance, for example) are less developed than competitors.
• Pricing:
  • Free Sprout Plan: Free for up to 50 employees, with basic recruiting features.
  • Paid plans start at $1.20 per employee per month with more extensive HR features.

Who it's best for: Startups and small businesses looking for an affordable, easy-to-use tool to manage recruiting and core employee data.

13. Zenefits

Zenefits provides a comprehensive platform that bundles HR, benefits, and payroll together into one digital solution. It’s particularly strong in benefits administration, simplifying the process of choosing, enrolling, and managing health insurance and other employee perks. Its direct integration with Xero syncs over detailed payroll information after each pay run, automatically mapping employees, wages, deductions, and taxes to the right accounts in your company file.

• Pros:
  • Excellent benefits administration that is built into the core experience.
  • Mobile-first design making it easy for employees to manage their HR info on the go.
  • Useful tools for compensation management and performance reviews.
  • Includes schedule and time management tools.
• Cons:
  • You must be using Zenefits Payroll directly in order for a Xero integration to work.
  • Customer support can be slow to respond at times.
  • The combined per-employee pricing for HR and payroll can get pricey for larger employers.
• Pricing:
  • Platform fees start at $10 per employee per month, with payroll available as a $6 per employee per month add-on.

Who it's best for: SMB businesses that prioritize benefits administration and want a centralized platform for HR, payroll, and benefits with mobile accessibility.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right HR integration for Xero comes down to your primary needs—whether it's streamlined payroll, robust time tracking, or complete HR management. For simple payroll, tools like Gusto and OnPay offer deep and reliable connections. For workforce scheduling, Deputy is unmatched. And for complete HR suites, platforms like BambooHR and Rippling provide a central hub for your people operations.

No matter which HR platform you choose, complex tax questions are always a part of managing payroll and benefits. We designed Feather AI to help you get quick, accurate answers to these questions. Instead of digging through IRS publications or outdated blogs, you can ask a question in plain English and get an instant, citation-backed response from authoritative tax code, helping you stay compliant without hours of manual research.