Our Full Review
isolved is a fascinating player in the HCM (Human Capital Management) space. It is a massive platform, serving over 5 million employees, yet it often flies under the radar compared to brands like Gusto or ADP.
Why? Because of its distribution model. While you can buy isolved directly, a huge portion of its users access it through "Network Partners"—local payroll service bureaus, CPAs, or ASOs (Administrative Service Organizations) who white-label or resell the software.
This is the most critical thing to understand about isolved: The software is generally excellent and robust. Your experience, however, will largely depend on who sold it to you, because they are usually your first line of support.
The "People Cloud" Platform
isolved positions itself as an end-to-end solution. It is not just an HR database; it is a full operational engine.
- Payroll: Handles complex scenarios (shift differentials, garnishments, multi-state taxes) with ease.
- Time & Attendance: Unlike BambooHR where time is basic, isolved offers robust scheduling, physical time clock integration, and geofencing.
- HR & Benefits: Full enrollment capabilities, carrier connections, and compliance tracking.
- Talent: Applicant tracking, onboarding, and performance management.
Because these are all native to the platform (single database), you don't have the "sync errors" common when connecting a separate Time system to a Payroll system.
Adaptive Employee Experience (AEE)
A few years ago, isolved overhauled its user interface for employees, calling it the Adaptive Employee Experience. It was a massive upgrade.
- Mobile First: It looks and behaves like a consumer app.
- Self-Service: Employees can swap shifts, update direct deposit, view paystubs, and elect benefits easily.
- Engagement: It includes a social feed, peer recognition, and surveys directly in the app where they check their pay.
This front-end modernization makes it a viable competitor to user-experience leaders like Rippling, even if the admin backend remains a bit more utilitarian.
Benefits Administration
isolved shines in benefits admin for mid-sized companies.
- Open Enrollment: Configurable wizards walk employees through choices.
- Passive Enrollment: "Keep same as last year" options.
- Carrier Feeds: Automated EDI feeds to insurance carriers (setup required).
- ACA Compliance: Automatically tracks hours for ACA eligibility and generates 1095-C forms.
The "Partner" Factor
If you buy isolved through a high-quality local partner (like a reputable regional payroll firm), you get the best of both worlds: Enterprise-class software + personalized service where they actually know your name.
If you buy through a budget provider who just flips the switch and disappears, you might struggle with the system's complexity. Our advice: Vetting the partner is as important as vetting the software.
Reporting
Data access is a strong suit for isolved, but usability varies. There are hundreds of standard reports. The "Report Writer" tool allows for infinite customization, but it requires a "database mindset" to use effectively. It's powerful, but not always intuitive.
Pricing
Because it is sold through partners, pricing varies wildly. However, it is generally very competitive:
- Base + Per Employee: Typically a monthly base fee ($50-100) plus $4-8 per employee.
- Bundles: Often sold in tiers (e.g., "Core," "Plus," "Complete").
- Partner Value: Partners may bundle the software cost into a larger service fee that includes tax filing and HR consulting.
Verdict
isolved is a "Workhorse" platform. It is designed to handle the messy, complex reality of workforce management—hourly workers, overtime rules, benefit deductions, and compliance.
It is an excellent fit for "Blue Collar" or "Grey Collar" industries (Manufacturing, Healthcare, Logistics, Hospitality) with 50-500 employees where Time & Attendance is mission-critical. It is less of a fit for a 10-person design agency that just wants the prettiest interface possible.