Introduction

When businesses seek an HRIS (Human Resource Information System) tool, they look for a platform that can streamline HR processes, enhance compliance, and simplify payroll and benefits administration. Lano and Namely are both standout contenders in this space.

​

Lano is a cloud-based compliance and payments platform designed to handle hiring, managing, and paying employees and contractors globally. It allows companies to operate in over 150 countries without needing to set up local legal entities, ensuring full compliance with local regulations.

​

Namely, on the other hand, offers modern, intuitive HCM (Human Capital Management) solutions. It includes scalable technology for payroll and benefits services, along with comprehensive professional employer services, making it a robust choice for HR management.

​

Comparing these tools is crucial to finding the best fit for varying business needs, from global operations to in-depth HR functions.

​

Lano Overview

Lano offers a powerful and unified platform to support international businesses in managing a diverse workforce without needing local entities.

​

Key Features

• Global Compliance: Ensures adherence to legal regulations in over 150 countries, reducing compliance risks.
• Unified Payments: Facilitates multi-currency payments and financial transparency across regions.
• Centralized Management: Provides a centralized dashboard for tracking employee and contractor statuses, contracts, and other documentation.
• Automated Workflows: Streamlines processes related to hiring and onboarding, reducing manual workload.
• Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly connects with other HR and financial systems to ensure data consistency and efficiency.

​

Namely Overview

Namely positions itself as a solution that integrates comprehensive HCM functionalities with managed payroll and professional employer services, catering to the modern HR landscape.

​

Key Features

• Employee Database: Centralizes employee information, making it accessible and manageable.
• Payroll Management: Offers managed payroll services with tax filing, compliance, and year-end reporting.
• Benefits Administration: Simplifies benefits enrollment and management with expert support.
• Compliance Tools: Provides tools and resources to stay compliant with HR regulations and standards.
• Employee Self-Service: Empowers employees with a self-service portal for benefits, pay stubs, and personal information updates.

​

Similarities

Both Lano and Namely excel as HRIS tools, offering several overlapping functionalities.

​

• Global Reach: Both platforms enable businesses to manage employees across different geographies with ease and compliance.
• Centralized Management: They provide centralized dashboards to manage HR processes from a single interface.
• Compliance Focus: Ensuring compliance with local and international regulations is a shared core strength.
• Integration: Both tools offer integration capabilities with other existing HR and financial systems to enhance data flow and integrity.

​

Differences

Despite their similarities, Lano and Namely also differ significantly in their approaches and target user base.

​

• Target Market: Lano is predominantly geared toward companies managing a global workforce without local legal entities. In contrast, Namely focuses on mid-sized U.S. businesses seeking modern HCM solutions including payroll and benefits.
• Core Offering: Lano emphasizes global compliance and payments, while Namely highlights comprehensive HCM functionalities like payroll, benefits, and employee management.
• Managed Services: Namely offers managed payroll and professional employer services, which are not core features of Lano.
• Customizability: Namely's platform offers more extensive customization options for HR workflows compared to Lano.

​

Pros and Cons

Lano

Pros:

• Comprehensive global compliance ensures minimal legal risks.
• Simplified management of international payrolls and payments.
• Integration with other HR systems enhances efficiency.
• Automated workflows reduce administrative burdens.
• Support for multi-currency payments aids financial management.

​

Cons:

• Targeted more towards companies with international operations, potentially limiting appeal for domestic businesses.
• May require a learning curve for users unfamiliar with global compliance requirements.

Namely

Pros:

• Robust HCM functionalities cover payroll, benefits, and compliance comprehensively.
• Managed payroll services simplify tax filing and year-end reporting.
• Customizable HR workflows cater to specific business needs.
• Employee self-service portal enhances employee experience.
• Solid customer support and professional employer services.

​

Cons:

• Primarily focused on U.S. businesses, limiting its appeal for companies with a significant international presence.
• Can be more expensive due to managed services and comprehensive functionalities.
• Integration with global payroll providers may not be as seamless.

​

Use Cases

Lano

Lano is ideal for businesses with the following needs:

• Expanding operations globally without setting up local entities.
• Managing compliance and payroll for a geographically dispersed workforce.
• Consolidating multi-currency payments and financial transparency.
• Automating hiring and onboarding processes for international employees.

​

Namely

Namely suits businesses with the following scenarios:

• Mid-sized U.S.-based companies seeking an all-in-one HCM solution.
• Organizations needing managed payroll services to ensure compliance and ease of payroll processing.
• Businesses looking for robust benefits administration support and employee self-service options.
• Companies seeking customizable HR workflows and comprehensive HR management tools.

​

Conclusion

Comparing Lano and Namely highlights their distinct strengths as HRIS tools catering to different business needs.

​

Lano shines in managing a global workforce with a focus on compliance and multi-currency payments, making it a top choice for businesses operating across multiple countries. Its capabilities in integrating with existing HR systems and automating workflows further enhance its appeal for international operations.

​

Namely, with its comprehensive HCM functionalities and managed services, is well-suited for mid-sized U.S. companies needing an all-encompassing HR solution, including payroll, benefits, and compliance. Its customizable workflows and employee self-service options make it a strong contender for businesses wanting to modernize their HR processes.

​

Ultimately, the choice between Lano and Namely depends on specific business needs:

• Choose Lano if you need robust global compliance and payment capabilities.
• Opt for Namely if you require a comprehensive HCM solution with managed services and are primarily operating within the U.S.