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Head-to-head · Onboarding Software

Paylocity vs ChiefOnboarding

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Paylocity #4 in Onboarding Software 7.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Paylocity
ChiefOnboarding #6 in Onboarding Software 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 5 features Try ChiefOnboarding

Paylocity leads on 0 checks, ChiefOnboarding on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Free planonly ChiefOnboarding
  • Most featuresChiefOnboarding · 2 of 5

Paylocity and ChiefOnboarding score identically on our rubric (7.9 out of 10) for onboarding software; Paylocity sits at #4 and ChiefOnboarding at #6 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

ChiefOnboarding offers free plan; Paylocity doesn't.

Paylocity is the better fit for organizations seeking an established HCM suite. ChiefOnboarding is the better fit for teams preferring self-hosted or open-source onboarding.

  • Paylocity fits best

    Organizations seeking an established HCM suite

  • ChiefOnboarding fits best

    Teams preferring self-hosted or open-source onboarding

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Paylocity 7.9/10 Visit ↗ ChiefOnboarding 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.9
Ranking #4 in Onboarding Software #6 in Onboarding Software
Best for Organizations seeking an established HCM suite Teams preferring self-hosted or open-source onboarding
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request €249/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Phone, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA GDPR, 2FA
Integrations 350+ integrations 10 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Paylocity 0/5 · ChiefOnboarding 2/5
E-signatures Not checked yet Not checked yet
Workflow automation Not checked yet ✓ (best)
HRIS integrations Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Employee portal Not checked yet Not checked yet
Mobile access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Supported languages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Digital onboarding checklists, compliance forms, signatures, and training
  • 350 integrations plus developer APIs and webhooks
  • Web and mobile access with employee self-service across HR tasks
  • Reusable sequences trigger by time or task completion.
  • Combines preboarding, forms, tasks, and course-like resources.
  • Integrates with Slack, BambooHR, Google, and Azure Active Directory.
Cons
  • Onboarding is one component of a broader HCM suite.
  • Pricing requires a sales conversation.
  • No free plan is offered.
  • Self-hosting means the team takes on deployment responsibility.
  • Priority email support is tied to the €249/month annual plan.
  • Its onboarding focus may be more than teams need for simple checklists.
Our verdict

Paylocity is a cloud-based human capital management platform for organizations managing HR, payroll, workforce operations, talent, benefits, and employee engagement. Its onboarding tools cover digital checklists, compliance forms,…

Read the review →

ChiefOnboarding is an open-source employee onboarding platform for HR and IT teams, particularly those in remote-first organizations that want control over hosting. It brings preboarding pages, custom forms, task assignments, messages,…

Read the review →
  1. PaylocityOnboarding Software 7.9Pricing on request
  2. ChiefOnboardingOnboarding Software 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Paylocity — where it wins

    • Digital onboarding checklists, compliance forms, signatures, and training
    • 350 integrations plus developer APIs and webhooks
    • Web and mobile access with employee self-service across HR tasks

    Where it doesn't

    • Onboarding is one component of a broader HCM suite.
    • Pricing requires a sales conversation.
    • No free plan is offered.

  • ChiefOnboarding — where it wins

    • Reusable sequences trigger by time or task completion.
    • Combines preboarding, forms, tasks, and course-like resources.
    • Integrates with Slack, BambooHR, Google, and Azure Active Directory.

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosting means the team takes on deployment responsibility.
    • Priority email support is tied to the €249/month annual plan.
    • Its onboarding focus may be more than teams need for simple checklists.

More comparisons

All onboarding software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update