People by Wagepoint is one of the most affordable HR management tools on the market, with plans starting at just $3 per user per month. For small businesses that need basic employee records, time-off tracking, and onboarding without paying for features they will never use, it fills a real gap. But affordability comes with trade-offs, and this product has some significant ones.
Formerly known as KinHR, this cloud-based HRMS was acquired by Wagepoint in August 2022 and rebranded. It is designed to handle core HR tasks like managing employee data, tracking leave, running performance reviews, and onboarding new hires. It can be purchased as a standalone product or alongside Wagepoint’s separate payroll solution, though the integration between the two has historically been a weak point.
Our verdict: People by Wagepoint is a solid entry-level HR tool for very small teams (under 50 employees) who want to move away from spreadsheets. But businesses that need mobile access, robust integrations, or advanced HR capabilities will quickly outgrow it.
What Is People by Wagepoint?
People by Wagepoint is a cloud-based human resources management system built for small businesses. The product originated as KinHR, founded in 2013, and has been helping organizations manage HR workflows for over a decade. In August 2022, Wagepoint, a Canadian payroll software company founded in 2012 and headquartered in Canada, acquired KinHR and rebranded it as People by Wagepoint.
Wagepoint itself serves over 25,000 small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers, primarily in Canada. While the parent company’s payroll product is Canada-only, People by Wagepoint serves customers globally. The HR product is separate from Wagepoint Payroll and carries its own pricing, feature set, and support structure. It supports English only.
People by Wagepoint Key Features
Employee HRIS and Team Directory
People by Wagepoint centralizes employee records in a single cloud-based system. This includes contact details, employment history, emergency contacts, and custom fields. A built-in team directory lets employees look up colleagues, which is useful for distributed or growing teams. The system updates in real time and is accessible from any modern web browser without downloads.
For small businesses still tracking employee data in spreadsheets or filing cabinets, this is the core value proposition. The data management is straightforward but lacks the depth of larger HRIS platforms that offer org charts, headcount analytics, or workforce planning tools.
Time-Off and Leave Management
The leave management module handles time-off requests, balance tracking, and policy configuration. It supports accrual-based, upfront, and unlimited PTO policies, along with custom holiday calendars and carryover balances. Employees can submit requests through self-service, and managers approve or deny them within the platform.
This is one of the product’s strongest features. The flexibility in policy types covers most small business scenarios, and the self-service approach reduces the back-and-forth emails that plague manual time-off tracking.
New-Hire Onboarding
Available on the Studio plan ($5/user/month) and above, onboarding uses templated task lists, file collection, and customizable onboarding pages to bring new employees into the organization. Employers can define step-by-step workflows so new hires complete paperwork, review policies, and sign documents before their first day.
The onboarding feature is functional but basic. It handles the essentials (sending documents, collecting signatures, assigning tasks) without the more advanced capabilities you would find in dedicated onboarding platforms, such as automated welcome emails, mentor assignment, or progress dashboards.
Performance Reviews
The Growth plan ($6/user/month) includes a performance review module with a customizable review builder, pre-built templates, and the ability to schedule reviews for teams or groups. Reviews can be assigned to multiple managers, and employees can access their past reviews within the system.
This feature is adequate for small businesses running annual or semi-annual review cycles. It lacks continuous feedback tools, 360-degree reviews, or goal-alignment frameworks that mid-market HR platforms typically offer. But for a company with 10 to 50 employees running structured reviews for the first time, it gets the job done.
eSignatures and File Storage
Digital signatures are included starting at the Studio plan, allowing employees to sign offer letters, policy acknowledgments, and other documents electronically. The platform also provides paperless file storage so HR documents are centralized rather than scattered across email attachments and shared drives.
Wagepoint positions this as a cost-saving alternative to standalone eSignature tools, which can cost significantly more per year. For basic HR document signing, it works well. For complex document workflows or legal-grade audit trails, a dedicated eSignature platform would be more appropriate.
Objective Tracking
Available on the Growth plan, objective tracking lets managers and employees set and monitor goals. This ties into the performance review process, giving review conversations a concrete foundation. The feature is simple: set an objective, track progress, and reference it during reviews.
It is not a full OKR (Objectives and Key Results) platform. There is no cascading goal alignment, no visual progress dashboards, and no integration with project management tools. It is a lightweight goal-setting tool, which may be exactly what a 20-person company needs.
Employee Self-Service
Employees can log in to view their own records, submit time-off requests, access documents, and review past performance evaluations. This reduces the administrative burden on HR managers and business owners who would otherwise field these requests manually.
The self-service portal is clean and intuitive. However, the lack of a dedicated mobile app (the platform is browser-based only) limits its accessibility for employees who are not regularly at a computer, such as field workers, retail staff, or tradespeople.
People by Wagepoint Pricing and Plans
People by Wagepoint uses straightforward per-user monthly pricing with no base fee and no contracts. You can change plans at any time, and all plans include responsive customer support. A 14-day free trial is available, and the vendor notes that trial extensions can be arranged upon request. Payment is accepted via any major credit card.
| Plan | Price | Key Features Included |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | $3/user/month | Team directory, time-off and leave management, employee HRIS |
| Studio | $5/user/month | Everything in Startup, plus onboarding, document storage, eSignatures |
| Growth | $6/user/month | Everything in Studio, plus objectives tracking, customizable review templates |
At $3 to $6 per user per month with no base fee, People by Wagepoint is among the least expensive HRMS options available. A 25-person company on the Growth plan would pay $150/month, which is a fraction of what most competitors charge. There are no hidden implementation fees or add-on costs documented in current pricing materials.
Note that Wagepoint Payroll is a completely separate product with its own pricing: a Solo plan at $20/month base plus $4/employee, and an Unlimited plan at $40/month base plus $6/employee. If you need both HR and payroll, budget for both subscriptions.
Integrations
This is one of People by Wagepoint’s most significant limitations. The integration ecosystem is minimal.
The most notable integration is with Wagepoint Payroll itself. Historically, the two products did not connect at all, which was a major frustration for customers using both. As of late 2024, a People by Wagepoint integration guide exists in the Wagepoint 2.0 Knowledge Base, showing that basic employee details now sync between the platforms every 15 minutes. However, the depth and reliability of this integration should be confirmed directly with the vendor, as earlier FAQ entries on the vendor’s own site stated no integration existed.
People by Wagepoint does not offer an API, which severely limits the ability to connect it with other business tools. There is no documented support for Zapier, Make, or other middleware platforms. The parent Wagepoint Payroll product integrates with QuickBooks Online, Xero, and FreshBooks for accounting, but these integrations are for the payroll product, not the HR platform.
If your business relies on connecting HR data to other systems (payroll, accounting, project management, benefits administration), this is a serious gap. Businesses that need their HRMS to be part of a connected software ecosystem should look elsewhere or verify current integration plans directly with Wagepoint.
Customer Support
All People by Wagepoint plans include customer support at no additional cost. The vendor emphasizes that support is handled by in-house specialists rather than outsourced teams. Available support channels include in-app chat, virtual meetings, and phone contact. A knowledge base with articles and guides is also available for self-service troubleshooting.
Support is described as available “throughout the day” rather than 24/7. Exact hours of availability are not published on the vendor’s website, so businesses operating outside North American business hours should confirm coverage.
Customer support quality is one of the strongest aspects of the broader Wagepoint brand. The support team is consistently praised for being responsive, helpful, and genuinely invested in solving problems. The vendor highlights that customers work with “real live customer advocates,” and testimonials reinforce that the support experience feels personal rather than transactional. For a small business that may not have dedicated IT or HR staff, this kind of accessible, human support matters.
Pros and Cons
People by Wagepoint has clear strengths for its target audience of very small businesses, but it also has notable limitations that become more apparent as a company grows or needs more from its HR technology.
Pros
- Extremely affordable pricing starting at $3/user/month with no base fee or contracts
- Clean, intuitive interface with a very short learning curve
- Responsive, in-house customer support included on all plans
- Flexible time-off policies supporting accrual, upfront, and unlimited PTO models
- Employee self-service reduces administrative burden on managers and owners
- 14-day free trial with option to request extensions
Cons
- No mobile app; browser-based only, limiting accessibility for frontline workers
- No API available, severely restricting custom integrations with other business tools
- Very limited integration ecosystem overall; Wagepoint Payroll sync is still maturing
- No benefits administration, compliance management, or recruiting features
- English language only
- Feature set is shallow compared to competitors at similar or slightly higher price points
- Performance review tools lack continuous feedback, 360-degree reviews, or goal alignment
Who Should Use People by Wagepoint?
People by Wagepoint is best suited for small businesses with roughly 5 to 50 employees that need to move beyond spreadsheets and manual HR processes. It is particularly well-matched for Canadian small businesses already using or considering Wagepoint Payroll, since the two products now offer some level of data syncing.
Industries where most employees work at computers (professional services, tech startups, creative agencies, consulting firms) will get the most value from the browser-based platform. Companies in retail, construction, hospitality, or field services may find the lack of a mobile app problematic for employee self-service adoption.
The product is ideal for businesses that want simple, affordable core HR without the complexity (or cost) of a full-featured HRIS. If your primary needs are tracking employee records, managing time-off requests, running basic onboarding, and conducting annual performance reviews, People by Wagepoint handles all of that for less than the cost of a team lunch.
Who should look elsewhere: Companies with more than 50 employees, businesses that need their HRMS to integrate with multiple other platforms, organizations requiring a mobile app for frontline workers, and any business that needs advanced HR analytics, benefits administration, or compliance management tools. People by Wagepoint does not cover these areas.
People by Wagepoint Alternatives
BambooHR is the most common step up from entry-level HRMS platforms like People by Wagepoint. It offers a significantly deeper feature set including applicant tracking, benefits administration, advanced reporting, and a polished mobile app. The trade-off is price: BambooHR costs considerably more and may be overkill for a 10-person company. Choose BambooHR if you are growing past 50 employees or need HR analytics and recruiting tools.
Gusto combines payroll and HR in a single platform, which eliminates the integration headaches that People by Wagepoint customers sometimes face when pairing it with a separate payroll tool. Gusto’s HR features are more developed, and it includes benefits administration. However, Gusto is primarily focused on the U.S. market, so Canadian businesses may find it less suitable. Choose Gusto if you are a U.S.-based small business wanting payroll and HR under one roof.
Zoho People offers a comparable entry price point with a broader feature set, including an API, mobile app, and integrations with the wider Zoho ecosystem (CRM, projects, finance). Its interface is functional but can feel cluttered compared to People by Wagepoint’s simplicity. Choose Zoho People if you need more integrations and features at a similar budget.
GoCo focuses heavily on onboarding, benefits administration, and compliance for small to mid-size businesses. It is more feature-rich than People by Wagepoint in these areas but comes at a higher price. Choose GoCo if onboarding workflows and benefits management are your primary pain points.
Freshteam by Freshworks combines recruiting, onboarding, time-off tracking, and employee data management. It includes a free tier for up to 50 employees, making it a direct competitor on price. Its recruiting tools are significantly stronger than anything People by Wagepoint offers. Choose Freshteam if applicant tracking and recruiting are important alongside basic HR management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is People by Wagepoint the same as Wagepoint Payroll?
No. People by Wagepoint is a standalone HR management system for employee records, time-off tracking, onboarding, and performance reviews. Wagepoint Payroll is a separate product for running payroll, tax calculations, and direct deposits. They have different pricing, features, and can be purchased independently. As of late 2024, basic employee data syncing between the two products has been introduced.
Does People by Wagepoint have a mobile app?
No. People by Wagepoint is a browser-based application that runs in all major modern web browsers without downloads. There is no dedicated iOS or Android app. Employees and managers access the platform through a mobile browser, which works but lacks the convenience and push notifications of a native app.
Can I use People by Wagepoint outside of Canada?
Yes. While Wagepoint Payroll is currently limited to Canadian businesses, People by Wagepoint serves customers globally. The platform supports English only, so it is best suited for English-speaking teams regardless of location.
Does People by Wagepoint offer an API?
No. People by Wagepoint does not currently offer an API for custom integrations. This limits the ability to connect it with other business software. Businesses that need to sync HR data with accounting, project management, or other platforms should confirm the current integration roadmap directly with the vendor.
How long is the free trial?
People by Wagepoint offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required upfront. The vendor also notes that trial periods can be extended upon request if you need more time to evaluate the product.
What happens if I want to switch plans?
You can change between the Startup, Studio, and Growth plans at any time. There are no long-term contracts or cancellation penalties. Pricing adjusts immediately based on your new plan selection and user count.
Does People by Wagepoint handle benefits administration?
No. People by Wagepoint does not include benefits enrollment, benefits tracking, or insurance management features. If benefits administration is a requirement, you will need a separate tool or a more comprehensive HRMS platform like Gusto or BambooHR.
The Bottom Line
People by Wagepoint earns its place as a budget-friendly, no-fuss HR tool for very small businesses. At $3 to $6 per user per month with no base fee and no contracts, the barrier to entry is about as low as it gets in the HRMS market. The interface is clean, the learning curve is minimal, and customer support is genuinely good. For a startup or small team that just needs to get employee records, time-off tracking, and basic onboarding out of spreadsheets, it delivers real value.
But we cannot overlook the gaps. No mobile app, no API, no benefits administration, limited integrations, and English-only support mean this product has a clear ceiling. Once a business grows past 50 employees or needs its HR platform to connect meaningfully with other systems, People by Wagepoint starts to hold you back rather than move you forward. The integration between People by Wagepoint and Wagepoint Payroll, which should be the product’s strongest selling point, is still catching up after years of being unavailable.
We rate People by Wagepoint a 3.4 out of 5. It does a few things well and charges very little to do them. If your needs are simple, your team is small, and your budget is tight, it is worth the 14-day trial. If you anticipate needing more depth, more integrations, or a mobile experience, start your search with Zoho People, BambooHR, or Gusto instead.
