Best HR Software with Google Workspace Integration (2026)

Last updated: February 2026

If your company runs on Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Meet), your HR system should plug in seamlessly. The right integration eliminates duplicate logins, auto-syncs employee directories, and puts time-off requests directly on Google Calendar—no manual work required.

        Quick Answer: Rippling offers the deepest Google Workspace integration with automated provisioning and directory sync. BambooHR is best for calendar-centric PTO management. Gusto is the simplest option for small teams using Google SSO.
    

Why Google Workspace Integration Matters

Over 9 million businesses use Google Workspace. If your team already lives in Gmail, Calendar, and Drive, forcing them to maintain separate logins and manually update multiple systems kills productivity.

Key Benefits of HR-Google Workspace Integration:

Single Sign-On (SSO): Employees log into HR tools using their Google account—no separate passwords to manage
Automatic Directory Sync: Employee data flows bidirectionally between HR software and Google Workspace contacts
Calendar Integration: Approved time-off, company holidays, and birthdays appear automatically on Google Calendar
Document Storage: Store employee files, handbooks, and onboarding docs in Google Drive, accessible from HR software
Instant Provisioning: New hires get Google accounts, group memberships, and app access on day one—no IT tickets
Gmail for Notifications: HR alerts, payroll confirmations, and approvals sent via familiar Gmail interface

What to Sync: Key Integration Capabilities

A robust Google Workspace integration should handle more than just SSO. Here's what to expect from best-in-class platforms:

1. Single Sign-On (SSO) & Authentication

OAuth login — Sign into HR software with "Continue with Google" button
SAML-based SSO for enterprise security and compliance
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) inheritance from Google Workspace settings
Automatic account provisioning/deprovisioning when employees join or leave

2. Directory & Contact Sync

Bidirectional sync — Employee data (name, title, department, manager) updates in both systems
Google Contacts integration — Org chart visible in Gmail sidebar
Profile photo sync between HR system and Google Workspace
Department and location mapping for organizational structure

3. Google Calendar Integration

Automatic PTO events on employee and manager calendars when time-off is approved
Company holiday calendar shared across organization
Team availability view — see who's out at a glance
Birthday and work anniversary reminders
1-on-1 meeting scheduling synced from performance management tools

4. Google Drive & Docs

Document storage — Employee files, handbooks, policies stored in Drive
Onboarding checklists in Google Sheets or Docs
E-signature integration with Google Drive-hosted contracts
Shared folders for departments or project teams

5. Gmail & Communication

Email notifications for HR actions (payroll, approvals, deadlines)
Gmail add-ons for quick HR actions (request PTO, look up employee info)
Google Meet links auto-added to onboarding sessions and 1-on-1s

Top HR Software with Google Workspace Integration

1. Rippling — Best Overall Google Workspace Integration

Pricing: $8/user/month (base) + modules | Google Features: Full provisioning, SSO, directory sync, calendar

Rippling's Google Workspace integration is the gold standard—it automates everything from account creation to deprovisioning, making it the ultimate choice for Google-first companies.

What Syncs:

Automated Google Workspace provisioning — Create accounts, assign licenses, and add to groups on day one
Bidirectional directory sync — Employee data (title, department, manager, location) updates in both systems
SSO with Google OAuth — One-click login to Rippling and all connected apps
Google Calendar integration — PTO, holidays, and birthdays auto-appear on calendars
Google Drive document storage — Employee files and onboarding docs stored in Drive
Offboarding automation — Suspend Google accounts, revoke access, and transfer Drive files when employees leave
Gmail alias management — Automatically create/remove email aliases

✅ Pros:

Full employee lifecycle automation (hire to retire)
IT + HR unified (manage Google licenses in one place)
Real-time directory sync (sub-1-minute updates)
Advanced offboarding workflows
Supports Google Workspace Enterprise features

❌ Cons:

Cost adds up with multiple modules
Complex initial setup for large orgs
Overkill for very small teams (under 10)

Best For: Companies that want to fully automate Google Workspace provisioning and treat HR + IT as one unified system.

2. BambooHR — Best for Calendar & PTO Sync

Pricing: Custom (starts ~$200/month) | Google Features: SSO, calendar sync, limited directory sync

BambooHR's Google Calendar integration is its standout feature—approved time-off automatically blocks calendars, preventing double-booking and confusion.

What Syncs:

Google SSO — Employees log in with Google accounts
Google Calendar PTO sync — Approved time-off creates all-day events on employee and manager calendars
Company holiday calendar — Shared Google Calendar of company-wide holidays
Birthday and anniversary reminders on team calendars
Limited directory sync (one-way export to Google Contacts)
Google Drive for document storage (manual setup required)

✅ Pros:

Excellent calendar integration for PTO visibility
Simple Google SSO setup
Strong HRIS features beyond integrations
User-friendly interface

❌ Cons:

No automated Google account provisioning
Directory sync is one-way (BambooHR → Google)
Requires manual IT setup for new hires
Higher cost for smaller teams

Best For: Teams that prioritize calendar visibility for time-off and want a robust HRIS without IT automation.

3. Gusto — Best for Small Teams with Simple Needs

Pricing: $40/month + $6/person | Google Features: SSO, basic calendar sync

Gusto offers clean, straightforward Google Workspace integration—perfect for small businesses (under 50 employees) that don't need complex provisioning.

What Syncs:

Google SSO — Log in with Google account
Google Calendar PTO sync — Time-off appears on calendars
Gmail notifications for payroll, approvals, and deadlines
Google Drive for document storage (manual upload)

✅ Pros:

Affordable for small teams
Easy setup (under 15 minutes)
Clean calendar integration
Great payroll + benefits platform

❌ Cons:

No directory sync
No automated provisioning
Limited IT features

Best For: Small businesses (5-50 employees) that want Google SSO and calendar sync without complexity.

4. Zenefits — Best Free Tier with Google Integration

Pricing: Free (Essentials) to $10/user/month | Google Features: SSO, calendar sync

Zenefits offers a free tier with basic Google Workspace integration—rare in the HR software world. It's a solid budget option for startups.

What Syncs:

Google SSO on all plans (including free)
Google Calendar PTO integration
Gmail notifications
Google Drive for storing employee documents

✅ Pros:

Free tier available (rare!)
Google SSO on all plans
Good for startups with <20 employees
Includes basic HR, payroll, and benefits

❌ Cons:

Free tier very limited (no performance management, limited support)
No directory or provisioning automation
Interface feels dated vs. Rippling/BambooHR

Best For: Bootstrapped startups (under 20 employees) that need free HR software with Google SSO.

5. Namely — Best for Mid-Market Companies

Pricing: Custom (typically $12-20/user/month) | Google Features: SSO, calendar, directory sync

Namely targets mid-market companies (50-500 employees) and offers enterprise-grade Google Workspace integration with SAML SSO and advanced directory sync.

What Syncs:

SAML-based Google SSO with MFA support
Directory sync (employee data, org chart)
Google Calendar integration for PTO and events
Google Drive for HR documents
Gmail-based workflows for approvals and notifications

✅ Pros:

Enterprise-grade SSO (SAML)
Good for companies with 50-500 employees
Includes payroll, benefits, and performance management
Dedicated customer success team

❌ Cons:

Expensive for small teams
Less automation than Rippling
Complex pricing structure

Best For: Mid-market companies (50-500 employees) that need enterprise SSO and compliance features.

6. Personio — Best for European Companies

Pricing: Custom (popular in DACH region) | Google Features: SSO, calendar, GDPR-compliant sync

Personio is the leading HR platform in Europe, with strong Google Workspace integration and GDPR compliance built-in.

What Syncs:

Google SSO (OAuth & SAML)
Google Calendar for absence management
Directory sync with GDPR controls
Google Drive for EU-compliant document storage

✅ Pros:

GDPR-compliant by design
Popular in Germany, UK, Netherlands
Multi-language support
Strong payroll for European countries

❌ Cons:

Less relevant for US companies
Custom pricing (can be expensive)
Limited integrations vs. US platforms

Best For: European companies (especially DACH region) using Google Workspace and needing GDPR compliance.

Comparison Table: Google Workspace Integration Features

Platform	SSO	Directory Sync	Calendar Sync	Provisioning	Best For
Rippling	✅ OAuth + SAML	✅ Bidirectional	✅ Full	✅ Automated	Full IT + HR automation
BambooHR	✅ OAuth	⚠️ One-way	✅ Excellent	❌ Manual	Calendar-centric PTO
Gusto	✅ OAuth	❌ None	✅ Basic	❌ Manual	Small teams, simple needs
Zenefits	✅ OAuth	❌ None	✅ Basic	❌ Manual	Startups (free tier)
Namely	✅ SAML	✅ Good	✅ Full	⚠️ Limited	Mid-market (50-500 employees)
Personio	✅ OAuth + SAML	✅ GDPR-compliant	✅ Full	⚠️ Limited	European companies

Setup & Configuration Tips

Step-by-Step Google Workspace Integration:

Enable API Access in Google Workspace Admin:
- Go to Google Admin Console → Security → API Controls
- Enable "Allow users to access third-party apps"
- Whitelist your HR platform's OAuth client ID
Connect Your HR Platform:
- In your HR software, find "Integrations" or "Apps"
- Select "Google Workspace" and click "Connect"
- Authenticate with a Google Workspace admin account
Configure Directory Sync (if supported):
- Map HR fields to Google Workspace attributes (title, department, manager)
- Choose sync frequency (real-time, hourly, daily)
- Test with a pilot group before rolling out to all employees
Enable Calendar Sync:
- Choose which calendars receive PTO events (employee, manager, shared team calendar)
- Set event visibility (public, private, or "busy" only)
- Create a shared "Company Holidays" calendar
Set Up SSO:
- For OAuth: Users click "Sign in with Google" on HR platform login page
- For SAML (enterprise): Configure IdP settings in Google Admin and HR platform
- Test login with a pilot user before enforcing company-wide
Test Provisioning (Rippling/Enterprise Only):
- Create a test employee in HR system
- Verify Google Workspace account is created automatically
- Check group memberships, licenses, and access

Best Practices:

Use a Service Account for Directory Sync: Don't tie integration to a personal admin account—create a dedicated service account
Set Calendar Event Visibility Carefully: PTO should show "Busy" but not necessarily the reason (privacy!)
Automate Offboarding: When an employee leaves, suspend (don't delete) their Google account immediately to preserve data
Sync Org Charts: Ensure manager relationships in HR match Google Workspace for accurate directory lookups
Use Shared Drives for HR Docs: Store onboarding materials in Google Shared Drives, not personal My Drives

Common Issues & Fixes:

"Insufficient Permissions" Error: Ensure the Google Workspace admin account used for integration has "Super Admin" privileges
Calendar Events Not Appearing: Check that calendar sharing settings allow the HR platform to create events
Directory Sync Delays: Most platforms sync every 15-60 minutes, not real-time (except Rippling). Wait an hour and check again.
SSO Not Working: Verify that the HR platform's OAuth client ID is whitelisted in Google Admin Console
Duplicate Calendar Events: Ensure only ONE system (HR or Google) is creating PTO events—disable the other

        Pro Tip: Create a "PTO Calendar" Google Calendar that's read-only and shared company-wide. Have your HR system write to this calendar so everyone can see who's out without cluttering personal calendars.
    

Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365: Which Integration is Better?

Feature	Google Workspace	Microsoft 365
SSO Setup	Easy (OAuth built-in)	Moderate (SAML/Azure AD required)
Directory Sync	Good (real-time with Rippling)	Excellent (Azure AD sync is industry standard)
Calendar Integration	Excellent (Google Calendar is simple)	Good (Outlook calendar more complex)
HR Platform Support	Excellent (all major platforms)	Excellent (especially ADP, Workday)
Best Platforms	Rippling, BambooHR, Gusto	ADP, Workday, Rippling, BambooHR
Best For	Startups, SMBs, tech companies	Enterprise, traditional industries

Bottom Line: Both ecosystems have excellent HR integrations. Google Workspace is simpler for small-medium teams; Microsoft 365 (Azure AD) is more powerful for large enterprises with complex security needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use Google SSO for my HR platform without paying extra?

A: Usually yes! Most HR platforms (Gusto, BambooHR, Rippling) include Google OAuth SSO in their base pricing. Advanced SAML SSO may require an enterprise plan. Check with your vendor.

Q: Will employees see their PTO on Google Calendar automatically?

A: Yes, if you enable calendar sync in your HR platform. Approved time-off will create all-day events on the employee's calendar. You can also share these events with managers or team calendars for visibility.

Q: Can I store employee documents in Google Drive instead of the HR platform?

A: Some platforms (Rippling, BambooHR) allow this. Documents are stored in Drive but accessible via the HR software's interface. This is great for companies that want all data in Google's ecosystem.

Q: What's the difference between OAuth and SAML for Google SSO?

A: OAuth is simpler (one-click "Sign in with Google") and works for most SMBs. SAML is enterprise-grade, allowing centralized access control via Google Admin Console (you can enforce MFA, IP restrictions, etc.). SAML often costs extra.

Q: Will Google Workspace accounts be created automatically for new hires?

A: Only with Rippling's IT automation module. Most HR platforms (BambooHR, Gusto) require manual Google account creation by IT. Rippling is unique in fully automating provisioning.

Q: Can I sync my org chart to Google Workspace?

A: Yes, with directory sync (Rippling, BambooHR, Namely). Manager relationships, departments, and titles update automatically in Google Contacts and the Admin Console.

Q: What happens if someone's Google account is deleted but they're still in the HR system?

A: It depends on your setup. Rippling will detect the mismatch and alert you. Most other platforms don't monitor Google accounts, so you'll need to manually reconcile. Best practice: offboard in your HR system first, which should trigger Google account suspension.

Q: Do I need Google Workspace Enterprise to use these integrations?

A: No! Most integrations work with Google Workspace Business Starter, Business Standard, and Enterprise. Advanced features (SAML SSO, advanced directory sync) may require Business Plus or Enterprise.

Final Verdict: Which HR Software Should You Choose?

🏆 Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Rippling — Full automation (provisioning, directory sync, offboarding)

Best for Calendar & PTO: BambooHR — Excellent calendar integration, strong HRIS

Best for Small Teams: Gusto — Simple, affordable, clean Google SSO

Budget Pick: Zenefits — Free tier with Google SSO

Decision Framework:

Need full IT automation (provisioning, deprovisioning)? → Rippling
Prioritize calendar visibility for PTO? → BambooHR or Gusto
Small team (under 20) on a budget? → Zenefits (free) or Gusto
Mid-market (50-500 employees) needing enterprise SSO? → Namely or Rippling
European company needing GDPR compliance? → Personio
Already using Microsoft 365? → Consider Teams/Outlook integration instead

        Action Step: Check your Google Workspace Admin Console → Security → API Controls. If third-party access is currently blocked, work with IT to whitelist your chosen HR platform before signing up for a trial.
    

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