Tools and Platforms - Recommended Onboarding

No matter your role or position, the tools you use are essential—not only for doing your job correctly, but also for enjoying the process and feeling secure while you work. In most office environments, our computers are our primary workspace, and the applications we use are the tools of our trade. Some have long proven their value, while others are still evolving and improving.

After writing about the 12 Essential Rules for Successful Onboarding, I’m excited to share my curated list of apps and platforms that can make your onboarding process smoother, faster, and more engaging. Whether you’re welcoming new hires in Canada or managing a global team, the right technology can save time, ensure compliance, and create a memorable first impression.

Below is a selection of high-quality platforms—some proudly Canadian—that can help you deliver a top-notch onboarding experience.

Essential tools

Canadian & North American Tools

• Humi (Canada) – All-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform designed for Canadian businesses. Features include digital onboarding checklists, e-signatures, secure document storage, and employee profiles—fully aligned with Canadian compliance standards.

• BambooHR – A popular choice for small and medium businesses across North America. Offers customizable onboarding workflows, document management, and training progress tracking.

• Collage HR (Canada) – HRIS platform with onboarding, payroll, benefits, and time-off tracking, built with Canadian HR and payroll compliance in mind.

• Rise People (Canada) – HR, payroll, and benefits solution offering digital onboarding tools, customizable forms, and smooth integration with other systems.

Global Tools

• WorkBright – Mobile-first onboarding platform that lets employees complete forms and training from any device, even before their first day.

• Sapling HR – Automated onboarding and offboarding workflows with seamless integrations into Slack, G Suite, and more.

• Gusto – Payroll and HR platform offering simple onboarding workflows, e-signatures, and self-service employee portals.

• ClearCompany – Complete talent management suite with onboarding, performance tracking, and goal-setting features.

Communication & Training Integration

• Microsoft Teams – Perfect for remote onboarding, with video meetings, dedicated team channels, and built-in task management.

• Loom – Record quick, shareable video tutorials and welcome messages for asynchronous onboarding.

• Trello – Kanban board tool to organize onboarding tasks, assign responsibilities, and track progress visually.

• Slack – Great for informal communication and can integrate onboarding checklists through apps like Donut.

Learning & Development Platforms

• Lessonly by Seismic – Easy-to-use training platform for onboarding courses, role-specific training, and internal knowledge bases.

• TalentLMS – Cloud-based learning management system to deliver structured training, interactive content, and quizzes.

• Docebo – AI-powered LMS ideal for larger organizations, offering personalized learning paths for new hires.

Tip for Canadian Businesses:If you’re operating in Canada, a winning combination is pairing Humi or Collage HR for compliance and HR management with Loom for personal video introductions and Trello for task tracking. This approach covers both the legal essentials and the human touch that makes onboarding memorable.