Folks RH isn’t just a stand alone piece of HR software; it is an integrated platform built with the specific compliance, language, and operational needs of Canadian small and midsize businesses in mind.
It moves beyond being a basic Applicant Tracking System or simple HRIS by combining recruitment, core HR data management, performance evaluation, and payroll into a unified suite.
This integration is the whole point of a Folks RH Review.
For businesses tired of stitching together four or five different systems for the employee lifecycle, Folks RH offers a genuinely streamlined, centralized solution, which drastically reduces administrative overhead and eliminates redundant data entry across modules.
1. Overview
The primary value proposition of Folks RH is integration across the entire employee lifecycle.
Instead of using one system for hiring, another for time off, and yet another for payroll, Folks RH centralizes all these functions.
This consolidation means employee data only needs to be updated once, ensuring that changes to an employee’s profile, like a job title change or a raise, flow seamlessly from the HRIS to the payroll module and the performance records.
This focus on internal data harmony is incredibly important, especially for Canadian SMBs that must navigate specific regional compliance and bilingual requirements.
The result is a more accurate, less error prone HR function that allows professionals to spend less time reconciling spreadsheets and more time on strategic talent initiatives.
The fact that the system is fully bilingual (French and English) is not a minor feature, it is an absolute necessity for compliance and user experience in Canada, and a critical component of this Folks RH Review.
2. Why You Can Trust Us
The credibility of this Folks RH Review is based on deep, practical knowledge of Human Resources technology implementation, specifically within the Canadian market where compliance and language requirements create unique constraints.
Our analysis is grounded in assessing the functional integrity of the integrated modules, focusing on how accurately and consistently data flows between the ATS, the Core HRIS, and the optional Payroll system.
We evaluate the platform’s ability to handle Canadian specific HR processes, such as complex leave management and provincial payroll differentiators.
The insights we provide are not based on vendor marketing but on technical architecture review, real world user feedback regarding day to day operations, and the overall reliability of the system as an all in one solution for growing companies.
3. Key Features
Folks RH is sold modularly, but its strength lies in the depth and seamless connection between its four main pillars: HRIS, ATS, Performance, and Payroll.
HRIS Core Employee Management
This module centralizes all employee data, providing secure, self service access to profiles, documents, and company policies.
Crucially, it manages time off and absence requests with automated bank calculations and approval workflows, reducing manager administrative load.
It also handles the administrative aspects of onboarding and offboarding through customizable checklists, ensuring consistency during employee transitions.
Applicant Tracking System (Folks ATS)
The ATS component handles everything from job requisition creation to offer generation.
It features automated job posting to major job boards like Indeed and LinkedIn, customizable hiring workflows, and a candidate geolocation function.
The system includes an AI Powered Resume Parser to accelerate screening by automatically extracting key data.
It supports integrated interview scheduling with Google and Microsoft calendars, making coordinator tasks much simpler.
Performance Management
The performance module is flexible, supporting various evaluation workflows, including standard manager reviews, probation reviews, and full 360 Degree Feedback with peer reviews.
It allows for the creation of role specific evaluation forms tied to competencies and objectives.
The automated reminders and centralized tracking transform performance appraisals from a burdensome annual task into a structured, ongoing strategic process.
Payroll (Optional Module)
The optional Folks Payroll module is designed for Canadian compliance.
It automates payroll calculations, manages deductions, taxes, and benefits, and supports direct deposit.
Its most important feature is the synchronization with the HRIS data, meaning changes in the HR profile instantly update payroll records, dramatically reducing the risk of costly pay errors.
It also automates secure payslip dispatch.
4. User Experience
The overall user experience (UX) is clearly designed for efficiency and accessibility across various user roles within an organization.
It manages to balance the complexity of an all in one system with a clean, relatively uncluttered interface.
The HR Professional benefits from a centralized dashboard that provides an immediate overview of overdue tasks, compliance deadlines, and key HR metrics (KPIs) like absenteeism rates.
The ability to export data easily into common formats is a functional necessity that is well implemented.
For Managers, the system provides streamlined access to approve time off, initiate performance reviews, and track team objectives.
The intuitive design prevents managers from getting bogged down in administrative tools, which often leads to poor platform adoption.
The Employee Self Service portal is simple and effective.
Employees can check their time off balances, submit leave requests, update personal information, and access documents all from a single location, including a mobile application.
This dramatically reduces the number of administrative inquiries handled by the HR team.
The entire platform is fully bilingual (French and English), which is a key component of a good user experience in Canada.
5. Performance and Reliability
Performance in a comprehensive HRIS is measured by the speed of core processes and the integrity of the data across modules.
Folks RH is a cloud based (SaaS) platform, and the general speed and responsiveness are strong.
Data processing, particularly the synchronization between the HRIS and Payroll, must be instantaneous and reliable to prevent processing errors, and the system handles this integration well.33
The platform boasts SOC 2 Type 2 certification, which is a high standard for data security and reliability.
This certification assures clients that the internal controls around system security, data privacy, and availability are rigorous and externally audited.
All data is encrypted and stored with stringent security measures, which is nonnegotiable when dealing with sensitive employee PII and payroll information.
The system’s design also focuses on Canadian compliance, ensuring regulatory adherence for businesses operating across different Canadian provinces.
6. Pricing and Plans
Folks RH utilizes a tiered, module based pricing strategy, typically quoted on a per employee per month (PEPM) basis, but they do not publish fixed public pricing for all components.
The cost is determined by the size of the organization and the specific modules chosen (HRIS, ATS, Performance, Payroll).
You must contact their sales team for a custom quote, but based on industry standards and market data, here is an estimation of their tiered HRIS pricing structure, often excluding the optional ATS or Payroll modules:
| Plan Tier | Core Focus | PEPM Estimated Cost Range | Included HRIS Features |
| Essential Package | Centralized HR Administration | $5.00 to $10.00 | Employee Profiles, Time Management, Onboarding, Documents, Mobile Access. |
| Plus Package | Basic Recruiting and Development | $10.00 to $15.00 | Everything in Essential, plus Folks ATS (Essential Package), Career Development Module, Up to 3 Integrations. |
| Premium Package | All-in-One, Maximum Automation | $15.00 to $25.00+ | All Plus Features, plus Folks ATS (Premium), Performance Management, Unlimited Integrations, Personalized API Support. |
The price for the base HRIS Essential Package might start around $5.00 per employee per month (PEPM).
However, adding the Folks ATS or the Folks Payroll modules significantly increases the total investment.
For instance, the Folks ATS alone has been cited in market reports as starting around $80 per month for the first two locations, and the total cost for a midsize firm utilizing the full Premium suite with Payroll could easily be in the $20,000 to $40,000 USD range annually, depending on headcount and negotiation.
The cost is justified by the savings achieved from consolidating multiple vendors and automating compliance tasks.
7. Integrations and Compatibility
The value of an all in one platform is the reduction of external dependencies, but no HR system is an island. Folks RH understands this and provides a robust, two pronged approach to compatibility.
First, the platform offers deep, native integration across its own modules, ensuring that employee data is consistently used in recruitment, HR administration, performance, and pay.
Second, Folks RH maintains partnerships and integrations with critical external tools, which is particularly important for areas like time and scheduling, and specific payroll functions not covered by their in house module.
Key integrations include:
- Payroll: Integration with platforms like ADP and Nethris for clients who choose not to use the Folks Payroll module.
- Time and Scheduling: Connections with tools like Evolia and Agendrix, allowing for seamless synchronization of employee hours, shift data, and leave requests between the scheduling system and the Folks RH HRIS.
- Sourcing: Direct connections with major job boards (Indeed, LinkedIn, Jobillico) for the ATS component.
- API: The Premium Package includes personalized API support and unlimited integrations, which is essential for large enterprises needing to connect Folks RH to complex, bespoke ERP or financial systems.
The focus is on seamless data flow, which is the operational benefit of a strong integration ecosystem.
8. Product Specification
A consolidated look at the platform’s technical makeup.
| Specification | Detail |
| Deployment Model | Cloud-based (SaaS) |
| Supported OS | Web-based (Browser Agnostic), Dedicated Mobile App (iOS, Android) |
| Target Business Size | Small to Midsize Enterprises (SMEs) (100 to 1,000+ employees) |
| Core Modules | HRIS, ATS, Performance Management, Payroll (Optional) |
| Compliance Focus | Canadian-specific (Federal and Provincial), Bilingual (French/English) |
| Security/Certifications | SOC 2 Type 2 Certified, Data Encryption, Multi-Factor Authentication |
| ATS Features | AI Resume Parsing, Custom Workflows, Integrated Scheduling |
| Initial Price | Quote-based, Starting estimated at $5.00 PEPM (HRIS Essential) |
9. Pros and Cons
A balanced perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the Folks RH platform.
| Pros | Cons |
| True All-in-One Solution | Advanced Reporting is Evolving |
| Seamless integration across ATS, HRIS, Performance, and Payroll modules. | While reports are good, deeper custom analytics can be less flexible than in standalone tools. |
| Canadian Compliance Focus | Pricing is Quote-Based |
| Built-in bilingual support and adherence to specific Canadian regulations. | Lack of upfront public PEPM pricing for all modules makes initial budgeting difficult. |
| High Security Standard | Some Features Tiered |
| SOC 2 Type 2 certification ensures data integrity and operational reliability. | Key features like unlimited integrations and 360 performance are reserved for Premium tiers. |
| Excellent User Experience | Smaller Integration Ecosystem |
| Intuitive UI drives manager and employee adoption across all modules. | While sufficient for most, the partner marketplace is smaller than global leaders like Workday or SAP. |
| AI Enhanced Recruiting | Implementation Fees Apply |
| AI Resume Parser and advanced search features speed up the initial screening process. | Setup and configuration often require mandatory, non-negotiable professional services fees. |
10. Customer Support
The support structure must match the complexity of an integrated HRIS and Payroll system. Issues with an all in one platform are often cross functional, requiring expertise in both HR workflow and technical data flow.
Folks RH offers layered customer support.
All users have access to an extensive knowledge center and help center, which is the first line of defense for routine questions.
Higher tiers, especially the Premium Package, receive more dedicated support, including the ability to book meetings directly with experts for complex issue resolution and personalized technical support.
The support team is noted for being bilingual (French and English), which is a non-negotiable requirement for many Canadian businesses.
This linguistic capacity ensures that complex HR and technical jargon can be handled precisely in the user’s preferred language, leading to faster and more accurate problem solving.
For any system involving payroll, quick and competent support is not a luxury, it is a necessary part of the service level agreement, and Folks RH generally provides this level of competence.
11. Ideal Use Cases
Folks RH is perfectly situated to serve a specific market segment with a unique set of needs.
It is the top choice for Canadian Small and Midsize Businesses (SMEs).
Organizations operating across Canada, particularly those with a significant French speaking workforce or operations in Quebec, benefit immensely from the inherent bilingualism and built in compliance checks.
It is ideal for Companies Seeking Vendor Consolidation.
If you are currently struggling with separate, disconnected software for payroll, performance, and recruiting, and the resulting administrative errors are high, Folks RH provides the immediate benefit of a unified, single vendor platform.
It is also suitable for Organizations Prioritizing Compliance and Data Security.
The SOC 2 Type 2 certification and focused Canadian regulatory adherence make it a strong, defensible choice for HR leaders who are highly concerned with governance and risk mitigation around sensitive employee data.
This is often seen in regulated industries like manufacturing, construction, and professional services.54
12. Alternatives
When evaluating an integrated HRIS like Folks RH, the alternatives usually fall into two categories: specialized point solutions or other global HRIS providers.
| Software Name | Primary Focus/Strength | Target Market | Key Differentiator |
| BambooHR | Excellent core HRIS and Onboarding, focus on ease of use and culture. | Small to Midsize Businesses (Global) | Highly intuitive user experience and strong employee self service portal. |
| ADP Workforce Now | Global Payroll, Compliance, and Tax Processing Expertise. | Mid-Market, High Compliance Needs | Best in class solution for complex payroll and benefits management across borders. |
| Dayforce (Ceridian) | Unified HCM including Workforce Management (Time & Attendance) and Payroll. | Large Mid-Market to Enterprise | True single database for all HCM functions, excellent for organizations with shift work or complex time tracking. |
| Humi | Another all-in-one HR platform explicitly built for the Canadian market. | Canadian Startups and SMBs | Strong focus on ease of use and streamlined experience specifically for Canadian businesses. |
The decision to choose Folks RH over these alternatives often comes down to the specific need for its particular combination of integrated ATS, Performance, and HRIS under Canadian compliance, offering a slightly more unified suite than some competitors who might require more external integrations.
13. Bottom Line: Our Verdict
Folks RH is a highly effective, strategically sound investment for Canadian small and midsize businesses that have reached the administrative breaking point with fragmented HR systems.
The seamless, unified platform for HRIS, ATS, Performance, and Payroll eliminates countless hours of data entry and reconciliation errors, providing immediate operational return.
The commitment to Canadian bilingualism and compliance, backed by SOC 2 security, elevates it beyond generic global offerings.
While the pricing is quote based and the initial setup requires commitment, the long term benefits of a centralized, secure, and integrated platform that manages the entire employee lifecycle justify the investment.
For any Canadian HR professional looking to upgrade their technology to be more strategic and less administrative, the Folks RH Review confirms this is a top tier solution.
Folks RH
An integrated, secure, and bilingual HRIS and ATS platform designed for Canadian SMBs, offering unified data across recruitment, core HR, performance, and payroll modules.
Price: 5.00
Price Currency: USD
Operating System: Web, iOS, Android
Application Category: BusinessApplication
5.5