Choosing HR software in Hong Kong used to mean paying for a payroll suite you only half needed. Today, small and medium businesses can run the everyday parts of HR — attendance, scheduling and leave — without paying a cent. This guide ranks the best free and free-to-start HR software for Hong Kong SMEs, explains what "free" really means for each option, and shows where Flexpeo fits.
All competitor details below were compiled in June 2026 from publicly available information on each provider's website. Plans and pricing change often — always confirm the current details directly with each vendor before deciding.
How we compared
We looked at four things that matter most to a Hong Kong SME starting out:
- Genuinely free core HR — attendance, scheduling and leave, not just a trial.
- Employee limits — whether the free tier caps how many people you can add.
- Asia and Hong Kong fit — local leave practice, statutory holidays, and language.
- Room to grow — what happens when you need hiring, compliance or regional help.
The ranking
1. Flexpeo — best free HR apps for Hong Kong SMEs
Flexpeo's free plan covers the daily HR workload for one company entity with unlimited employees: attendance tracking, workforce scheduling, leave management, reports and records, mobile app access and email support. There is no employee-count catch — the core apps are free for one entity regardless of headcount.
Where Flexpeo pulls ahead is what sits around the free apps. It is built for Asian SMEs, with Hong Kong and regional depth in both Traditional and Simplified Chinese. When you need more than software, an on-demand HR marketplace lets you order vetted local HR experts for recruitment and compliance — affordable, and only when you need them. And when you start hiring across borders, affordable Employer of Record (EOR) and regional expansion services are there as paid add-ons.
A fair, honest note: payroll and MPF are not live features yet. If automated payroll runs and MPF filing are your number-one requirement today, a dedicated payroll vendor will serve that specific need better right now. Flexpeo's strength is free attendance, scheduling and leave, plus affordable services as you grow.
Best for: SMEs and startups that want free, no-limit HR apps with room to add hiring and compliance help later.
2. Talenox — strong free starting point for payroll-led teams
Talenox is well known across Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia for payroll and leave. It offers a free plan, though feature and usage limits apply, and richer payroll capabilities sit on paid tiers. If payroll is your starting point and you are happy to grow into paid plans, it is a solid option to evaluate.
Best for: teams who lead with payroll and want a recognised regional brand.
3. Workstem — attendance and rostering focus
Workstem is an HR and payroll platform with a focus on attendance and rostering for shift-based businesses. It is typically a paid product with a free trial rather than a permanent free tier, so factor in subscription costs once the trial ends.
Best for: shift-heavy operations that need detailed rostering and are ready to pay.
4. Info-Tech — established Hong Kong payroll vendor
Info-Tech is a long-standing Hong Kong HR and payroll software provider, generally sold on paid licensing. It is worth a look if you want a locally established payroll vendor and are comfortable with a paid setup.
Best for: established businesses prioritising local payroll software.
Quick comparison
| Feature | Flexpeo | Talenox | Workstem | Info-Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free core HR apps | Free | Free plan with limits | Free trial | Paid plans |
| Employee limit on free plan | Unlimited (one entity) | Varies | Not offered | Not offered |
| On-demand HR marketplace | Yes | No | No | No |
| Global EOR & regional expansion | Yes (paid add-on) | No | No | No |
Compiled June 2026 from public information. Verify current plans with each provider.
What "free" really means
"Free" is used loosely in HR software marketing, so read the fine print:
- Free forever vs free trial. A trial expires; a free plan does not. Workstem leans on a trial, while Flexpeo and Talenox offer ongoing free plans (with different limits).
- Employee caps. Many free tiers limit headcount. Flexpeo's free plan does not cap employees for one company entity — only additional entities beyond the first are paid, at US$39/month or US$390/year per entity.
- Feature gating. Check whether the parts you actually use — attendance, scheduling, leave — are in the free plan or locked behind paid tiers.
Built for Hong Kong
Good HR software should understand local rules out of the box. Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance sets paid annual leave that grows from 7 to 14 days with years of service, sickness allowance based on accumulated sick days, and statutory holidays that are progressively rising to 17 days by 2030. Flexpeo's leave and attendance are designed around these entitlements, so your records line up with local practice from day one.
Which should you choose?
- You want free HR apps with no employee cap: start with Flexpeo.
- Payroll is your first priority today: shortlist a dedicated payroll vendor such as Talenox or Info-Tech, and revisit Flexpeo for free attendance, scheduling and leave alongside it.
- You run shift-based teams and will pay for depth: trial Workstem.
- You plan to hire across Asia: Flexpeo's affordable EOR and on-demand HR marketplace give you somewhere to grow into.
Frequently asked questions
Is there genuinely free HR software in Hong Kong? Yes. Flexpeo's core HR apps — attendance, scheduling and leave — are free for one company entity with unlimited employees, and Talenox offers a free plan with limits.
Does free HR software include payroll? Not always. Flexpeo's free apps cover attendance, scheduling and leave; payroll and MPF are not live features yet. If you need payroll now, pair a dedicated payroll tool with your free HR apps.
Can I start without a long commitment? Yes. You can create a free Flexpeo account and add your whole team without payment to use the free HR apps.
Get started
If free, no-limit HR apps with room to grow sound right for your Hong Kong team, the fastest way to decide is to try them. Create a free account, add your people, and run attendance, scheduling and leave today.