KiwiHR vs Namely
KiwiHR and Namely both handle core HR, but they serve very different organizational needs. KiwiHR focuses on flexible modularity and ease of use for growing teams. Namely offers deep, integrated managed services covering payroll and compliance risk.
Intuitive HRIS for growing teams.
We found that this modular platform excels at simplifying core HR tasks like tracking leave and managing personnel files. Users frequently highlight the platform's intuitive interface and highly responsive support team as key strengths. Overall, we recommend it for small to mid-sized companies seeking to centralize their essential HR administration easily and efficiently.
Pros
- Very user-friendly interface for both admins and employees.
- Exceptional customer service that is reactive and solves issues fast.
- Efficiently centralizes employee records and automates leave tracking.
- Flexible, month-to-month subscription options are available.
Cons
- Low 3.0 aggregate TrustScore suggests underlying issues not captured in positive feedback.
- Specific advanced reporting functions, like combined yearly leave reports for tax purposes, were requested by users.
Comprehensive HR features, critical support gaps.
We see that Namely offers a comprehensive, unified HR platform starting at an accessible price point for core services. However, the limited external feedback available highlights potentially critical failures in follow-up support, especially concerning urgent tax and compliance matters. Overall, organizations must weigh the promised robustness of the platform against the risk of inadequate ticket resolution times and potential compliance issues.
Pros
- Entry-level pricing starts transparently at $9/employee/month for the Namely Now tier.
- Offers robust managed services specifically for payroll and benefits administration.
- Provides a unified platform integrating time tracking, performance, and core HR management.
- Employees are empowered through self-service enrollment for benefits administration.
Cons
- Critical support failures reported regarding the timely resolution of urgent tax issues.
- Users report extremely long ticket wait times, often requiring multiple user follow-ups.
- Pricing for the three higher service tiers (Plus, Plus People, Complete) is not transparently listed.
- Potential risk of tax authority issues resulting from unresolved compliance support cases.
AboutKiwiHR
This powerful modular solution covers the entire employee journey in one centralized system. It is a simple Core HR solution built right alongside built-in performance management capabilities. You can start with the modules you truly need and easily add components as your team grows. This helps you unify recruitment, essential HR management, and talent development in one cohesive location. ✅
AboutNamely
Namely is a comprehensive solution designed to streamline key human resources processes. It helps you handle everything from attracting top talent to managing internal performance reviews. You gain control over workforce details like scheduling and time keeping. Simply put, it makes HR efficient, allowing your team to focus on growth, not paperwork. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Pricing Model & Transparency
KiwiHR uses transparent modular pricing; Namely’s best services require custom, often opaque quotes.
KiwiHR offers clear base pricing for every module, starting at €83/month for the HRIS. The specific price scales transparently based only on employee headcount. Namely’s entry package is $9/employee/month, which is highly visible and affordable. However, Namely's comprehensive Plus and Complete tiers require custom diagnostics. The KiwiHR system emphasizes modular flexibility, allowing budget-conscious teams to pick only what they need. Namely forces you into a higher-tier custom quote to access essential managed services. If budgeting is critical, KiwiHR's upfront pricing wins; Namely may surprise you with its steep final enterprise quote.
Customer Support Quality
KiwiHR receives exceptional support praise; Namely users report critical, long-unresolved tax and compliance issues.
KiwiHR users consistently praise the customer service team as reactive, fast, and excellent at solving issues quickly. This responsive assistance ensures smooth operations and faster troubleshooting for admins and employees. Namely has alarming external user reviews reporting crucial trouble tickets remaining unresolved for months. This specifically impacts urgent tax matters and requires constant follow-up for resolution. This is the starkest difference: Namely provides compliance tools, but their support reportedly fails. Relying on Namely for mission-critical compliance support appears highly risky based on current user sentiment.
Modularity vs. Integration
KiwiHR is fully modular (HRIS, ATS, Performance); Namely is a unified platform emphasizing deep, single-system integration.
KiwiHR is designed as a flexible, modular system, allowing you to choose Core HRIS, ATS, or Performance Grow separately. You can easily upgrade or downgrade modules as your requirements change over time. Namely is a unified platform combining HR, payroll, benefits, and time tracking into a single ecosystem. This integration streamlines workflows when the system operates correctly. Namely’s strength lies in offering integrated managed services directly through this platform. If you need specialized parts without the full ecosystem, KiwiHR’s modularity is perfect. Choose Namely if you highly value a single system for payroll and benefits administration.
Compliance & Risk Management
KiwiHR aids local compliance through centralization; Namely targets shared liability compliance and risk reduction.
KiwiHR ensures compliance by centralizing data, managing time/absence records, and offering important whistleblowing functionality. It helps track work hours and overtime to comply with specified local regulations. Namely offers advanced tiered features, including Shared Liability Compliance and Workers’ Comp plans for greater risk management. Namely is designed to act as a system of record for significant regulatory safety requirements. While KiwiHR focuses on providing tools for you to manage compliance, Namely attempts to mitigate risk for you. However, Namely's reported support failures on tax issues must be considered when relying on critical managed compliance.
Advanced Recruiting (ATS)
KiwiHR provides a powerful, specialized ATS with AI tools; Namely offers basic integrated applicant tracking.
KiwiHR dedicates specific plans solely to ATS with customizable workflows and unlimited job posts in mid-tiers. It includes helpful AI tools like fairness checkers and quick email generation. Namely mentions Applicant Tracking as a feature to attract top talent and support internal onboarding transitions. It is simply one function built directly into their unified HR platform. KiwiHR clearly excels in deep recruitment functionality, offering true specialization for recruiters and HR teams. If complex, high-volume recruitment is a primary operational need, KiwiHR offers far greater utility. Namely's feature set acts more as a basic candidate pipeline hand-off tool.
Free Trial Availability
KiwiHR offers a fully accessible 18-day free trial; Namely requires interested clients to request a call or guided demonstration.
KiwiHR provides an 18-day free trial, allowing potential users to test the platform and its modular features completely risk-free. This lets teams confirm ease of use and interface suitability. Namely does not offer a free trial or any complimentary testing period for prospective clients. They encourage organizations to request a call to determine feature fit before committing. This lack of a trial makes fully vetting Namely's operational quality much harder before signing a commitment. KiwiHR makes the choice simpler by allowing full product access upfront.
Our Verdict
KiwiHR and Namely are tough competitors for core HR, but they serve completely different needs. Ultimately, KiwiHR is the safer, more reliable choice for most growing businesses searching for HR software. Namely offers deep integrated managed services, but its reputation for support reliability is highly concerning. Most organizations will be happier sticking with the predictable foundation offered by KiwiHR. KiwiHR's strength is its flexible modular design and outstanding ease of use for small teams and admins. You can start with Core HRIS Manage for only €83/month and add robust ATS and performance modules later. KiwiHR stands out because of its fast, responsive support team that solves issues quickly and efficiently. It is better for organizations prioritizing software reliability and transparent, scaling costs. Namely excels at providing a unified, integrated solution for complex managed services like payroll and benefits administration. Its platform is designed for larger organizations that want integrated PEO features and shared liability compliance. Namely’s entry-level $9/employee plan makes testing core HR affordable. However, Namely’s advanced tiers require complex custom quotes for full access to these managed services. The biggest deciding factor lies squarely in the area of critical user trust and operational support. KiwiHR users report excellent, timely support for all administrative needs and troubleshooting. Namely users publicly complain about urgent tax issues sitting unresolved for months, risking significant tax ramifications. Do not risk critical compliance functions with Namely if you rely on immediate support. Choose KiwiHR if you are an SMB focused on transparent pricing, specialized recruiting, and reliable administrative support. Pick Namely only if you absolutely require their advanced managed payroll/benefits tiers and have thoroughly verified support assurances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for small teams: KiwiHR or Namely?
KiwiHR is usually better for small growing teams due to its modular pricing and strong focus on ease of use. You can start with the Core HRIS Manage module for only €83/month. Namely's pricing quickly becomes custom and opaque in higher tiers.
Does KiwiHR offer Managed Payroll services like Namely?
No, KiwiHR offers payroll support and integrations, but a dedicated payroll module is an add-on or via partners. Namely offers dedicated Managed Payroll Services in its Plus People and Complete tiers. Namely is better if you must outsource payroll management.
Is Namely worth the potentially extra cost over KiwiHR?
Namely is only worth the potentially higher custom cost if you absolutely require their specific integrated managed benefits and shared compliance features. KiwiHR offers superior value for money for pure core HR and recruitment functionality. Assess your service needs carefully.
Which platform has better operational customer support responsiveness?
KiwiHR consistently receives positive reviews for its reactive, fast, and helpful support team members. Namely has alarming public reports about crucial compliance and tax tickets remaining unresolved for many months. KiwiHR wins significantly here.
Does KiwiHR or Namely offer a free trial?
KiwiHR offers a helpful 18-day free trial on its modules so you can test features thoroughly before committing. Namely does not offer a free trial or free plan; you must request a guided demo or call instead.
Which tool is better for deep Applicant Tracking functionality?
KiwiHR offers a specialized, deeply functional ATS module with customizable workflows and AI tools included. Namely primarily includes basic applicant tracking integrated into its core HR offering. KiwiHR is better for specialized recruiting needs.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.