9 Free AI Tools Every HR Team Needs to Try

HR teams have a lot to deal with: hiring, onboarding, employee requests, staffing, and that's just a short list. We know at some point, you've likely wished for a little extra help, right?

Enter free AI tools for HR.

While they won’t replace your job, they can definitely help lighten some of the load. These AI tools improve efficiency and let you focus on more strategic duties in your role. But with so many options available, how do you know which ones are truly worth your time?

In this post, we will look at different free AI tools that can assist with HR tasks like recruitment, onboarding, employee learning, and development. Stick with us until the end to find the ones that will boost your HR workflow.

What are AI Tools for HR?

AI tools for HR are software solutions powered by artificial intelligence that help automate, optimize, and personalize human resource tasks. These tools use machine learning, natural language processing, and data analytics to manage time-consuming activities like screening resumes, generating job descriptions, and answering employee queries.

For instance, ChatGPT can draft a tailored job post within minutes based on specific role requirements. Similarly, some tools can quickly scan through hundreds of resumes and rank candidates based on their suitability.

Others can automate interview scheduling and send timely reminders as well.

These AI tools for HR not only speed up routine work but also reduce human bias by applying consistent evaluation criteria. By integrating these free AI solutions, you can build an HR function that’s more efficient, data-driven, and ultimately more human.

👉 Want to hire faster and smarter? Here’s how AI is reshaping HR and how to use it to your advantage.

Free AI Tools for the HR Teams (Our 9 Top Picks!)

We've compiled a list of the best free (or free trial) AI tools that can help HR teams operate more effectively. These tools are designed to streamline recruitment, onboarding, and employee development and learning.

AI Tools for Recruitment

1. Zoho Recruit

Zoho Recruit is a popular AI-powered applicant tracking system (ATS) that assists businesses in automating their hiring processes. Its free version supports one recruiter and includes features such as resume parsing, job posting, and candidate tracking.

It's particularly beneficial for small businesses looking to simplify their recruitment processes. The free plan supports up to one recruiter and offers the ability to manage candidate pipelines and workflows with ease. Although it lacks advanced features like custom workflows or AI-powered candidate matching, it functions well for basic recruitment processes.

Key Features (Free Plan)

• 1 active job opening

• Candidate management

• Email management

• Interview scheduling

• Basic support (email and forums)

2. Manatal

Manatal is an AI-driven recruitment software designed to help HR teams find, evaluate, and hire top talent. While it doesn’t have a completely free version, it offers a free trial period (14 days) during which users can access most of the premium features.

During the trial, you can use AI-powered candidate sourcing, job posting, resume parsing, and a unified candidate database. Manatal’s AI also assists in matching candidates to jobs based on their resumes, reducing the time spent on manual screening.

This makes it an excellent option for HR teams looking to explore AI-enhanced recruitment tools with minimal upfront investment.

Key Features (Free Trial)

• AI-powered candidate matching and job recommendations

• Resume parsing and database management

• Job posting to multiple platforms

• Limited free trial access to premium features

AI Tools for Onboarding

3. Leena AI

Leena AI is a virtual assistant designed to help automate HR processes, including onboarding. It uses AI to interact with employees, answer questions, and guide them through the onboarding journey. The free plan allows small businesses to use some basic features such as responding to FAQs, managing leave requests, and guiding new employees through onboarding.

The AI chatbot supports HR teams by automating repetitive tasks and cutting down their workload. Its free version is ideal for businesses looking to enhance onboarding without significant costs and offers essential features. The paid version includes advanced analytics and integration options.

Key Features (Free Plan)

• AI-driven chatbot for employee FAQs

• Leave request management

• Basic onboarding flow for new employees

4. Talentech (formerly Talmundo)

Talentech is another tool that simplifies onboarding for both HR teams and new hires. This AI-powered platform turns the typical onboarding process into a smooth, engaging experience that feels genuinely human.

It offers a free trial, making it ideal for human resources departments that want to boost employee experience. You can use it to get a sense of how it works before committing to a paid plan. From sending out welcome emails and sharing company policies to automating training tasks and gathering feedback, the platform takes care of it all.

It’s an excellent choice for teams wanting to move beyond basic onboarding checklists and create a lasting first impression.

Key Features (Free Trial)

• Customized onboarding journeys

• Automated task management

• Welcome content & company introductions

• Feedback collection from new hires

• Seamless integration with existing HR systems

AI Tools for Performance and Productivity

5. ChatGPT

Here comes everyone's favorite, ChatGPT. It's a versatile AI assistant utilized by HR teams, managers, and professionals to simplify tasks such as drafting job descriptions, creating performance reviews, writing reports, and answering routine employee queries.

The free version gives you access to GPT-3.5, which is powerful enough for most everyday tasks. It's especially useful for performance management when you need assistance summarizing feedback or writing balanced evaluations.

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You can also create onboarding checklists, employee guides, or training outlines. While GPT-4 is behind a paid plan, the free model still delivers effective productivity gains with human-like accuracy most of the time.

Key Features (Free Plan)

• Access to GPT-3.5

• No installation needed (Web + app)

• Great for HR content, feedback, and automation

• Multilingual support

6. Effy AI

Effy AI is specifically built for performance reviews and people management. Its free version allows you to create 360-degree feedback cycles, send out evaluation forms, and receive AI-generated summaries. It’s a game-changer for HR professionals and team leads seeking an organized and professional review system without handling spreadsheets.

The platform automates feedback analysis and offers visual dashboards, which assist managers in tracking team performance over time. Additionally, its AI can also help you draft personalized review texts and identify growth areas for employees.

Key Features (Free Plan)

• 360° feedback collection

• AI-generated review summaries

• Basic analytics dashboard

• Templates for performance reviews

• User-friendly UI for small teams

7. Notion

Notion is an all-in-one workspace ideal for boosting productivity. It's popular among HR teams, startups, and creatives for organizing documentation, task management, onboarding checklists, meeting notes, and more. The free plan provides unlimited pages and blocks, making it perfect for individuals or small teams.

You can create performance dashboards, track goals using tables and Kanban boards, and even embed review forms. By using Notion AI (included in premium), you can automate summaries and generate content, but even without it, the free version is quite powerful.

Key Features (Free Plan)

• Unlimited pages & blocks

• Templates for tasks, goals, and reviews

• Team collaboration (up to 10 guests)

• Clean UI with drag-and-drop features

• Mobile plus desktop sync

AI Tools for Learning and Development

8. SC Training (formerly EdApp)

SC Training is a mobile-first learning management system (LMS) that combines AI, microlearning, and gamification to keep employees engaged. The forever-free plan includes up to 10 active users, access to many editable courses, and AI-powered features like content suggestions and quiz creation.

HR teams can use SC Training to convert static training materials like PowerPoints into interactive lessons and monitor learner progress in no time. The platform's mobile accessibility makes it a top choice for frontline and remote teams.

Some of its premium features require payment; however, the free tier is reliable for small businesses and startups focused on engaging training delivery.

Key Features (Free Plan)

• Up to 10 active users

• 800+ ready-to-use courses

• Course editing and creation tools

• AI quiz generation

• Real-time analytics

• Mobile-first access

9. Docebo

Docebo is a comprehensive LMS platform that leverages AI and machine learning to personalize learning paths for employees. It’s designed to help large teams manage corporate training, ensuring content is tailored to individual learning styles.

While Docebo is mainly a paid service, it offers a free trial (typically 14-30 days). This free trial provides full access to its AI features, content curation, and integrations.

During the trial, HR teams can test features like automated content recommendations, social learning, and performance tracking. The platform also uses machine learning to deliver personalized content to employees based on their learning history and preferences.

Key Features (Free Trial)

• AI-driven personalized learning paths

• Content curation using AI algorithms

• Learner analytics and performance tracking

• Integration with third-party tools (Zoom, Slack, etc.)

What to Look for in the Best AI Tools for HR?

When searching for the best AI tools for HR teams, it’s essential to focus on a few key features that will significantly enhance your workflows. Here’s what you should consider.

• Ease of Use: No one has time for complex software that takes a long time to figure out. That's why the best AI tools should be intuitive and easy to use. They should integrate perfectly with your existing systems without requiring lots of practice.

• Cost-Effectiveness: HR budgets are often tight, so free or low-cost AI tools can be a huge deal. They offer the power of automation without breaking the bank. Honestly, if it’s free and helpful, that’s a win.

• Customization: Every HR team is different, and the best AI tools need to be flexible enough to adapt to your unique needs. Whether it’s a customized recruitment process or a personalized employee engagement program, the tool should align with your operations.

• Time-Saving: The primary benefit AI offers is time-saving. No matter if it’s automating repetitive tasks like sorting resumes or scheduling interviews, you want a tool that frees your HR team’s time for more meaningful work.

👉 Thinking about using AI in HR? Check out these 8 honest ups and downs before diving in.

• Data Security: The HR department handles sensitive employee data, so security is a must. Choose AI tools that comply with data protection laws and provide strong security features to keep employees' data safe.

Final Word from Purely Startup

The right free AI tools for HR teams can turn hours of work into minutes, offering breathing room to focus on the people's side of HR; building relationships, spotting talent, and creating a culture where everyone shines. Choose tools that seem ideal for your team, try them out, and adjust until they fit seamlessly into your workflow.

If you’d prefer a partner to guide you through the setup, optimization, or ongoing management of these solutions, Purely  Startup is here to help. Let's discuss how we can tailor our digital and automation services to make your HR processes smoother, faster, and more human.

Book a free consultation call with us today!