Handbooks.io
Handbooks.io builds US employee handbooks from attorney-written federal and state policy blocks.
From $179 Free tier
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Bottom line
Handbooks.io builds US employee handbooks from attorney-written federal and state policy blocks. A free basic handbook is $0 with no credit card. Paid Starter is $179 one-time (or $179/year if you subscribe for updates) for one state and up to 10 employees.
Stands out for: You can buy a one-time download instead of a SaaS seat. Growth is $369 for 2-5 states and up to 50 employees. Scale is $659 for unlimited employees and states, with optional SAML SSO and SCIM on the subscription.
Watch out for: The free handbook does not include e-signatures, a live share link, or ongoing policy updates. Those sit on the paid subscription. One-time purchases do not keep receiving law-change updates unless you subscribe.
Overview
Handbooks.io generates a US employee handbook from a short survey, using federal, state, and city policy language. The free basic handbook covers essential policies and a Word download. Paid Comprehensive tiers add more sections, Spanish translation options, and, on subscription, e-signatures, a live link, and regular policy updates.
Starter is $179 one-time or $179/year for 1 state and up to 10 employees. Growth is $369 for 2-5 states and up to 50 employees. Scale is $659 for unlimited employees and states. A $899 custom handbook update includes one year of ongoing updates. Free signup needs no credit card.
Who it's for
Best for
- US SMBs that want a free starting handbook with no card
- Single-state teams of 10 or fewer that will pay $179 once for a comprehensive pack
- Multi-state employers that will jump to Growth ($369) or Scale ($659)
- Companies that prefer a Word download over a branded handbook CMS
Not ideal for
- HR teams that need AirMason-style analytics, HRIS sync, and branded digital design as the core product
- Employers outside the US
Key features
Attorney-written policies. Federal and state policy blocks assembled into a handbook.
Word download and live link. Export to Word or share a hosted version.
Employee e-signatures. Collect acknowledgements on paid plans.
Ongoing updates. Subscription keeps state addenda current.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free basic handbook | $0 | No credit card |
| Starter | $179 | One-time or per year; 1 state, up to 10 employees |
| Growth | $369 | 2-5 states, up to 50 employees |
| Scale | $659 | Unlimited employees and states |
A free basic handbook is $0 with no credit card. Starter is $179 one-time, or $179 per year if you subscribe, for 1 state and up to 10 employees. Growth is $369 (2-5 states, up to 50 employees). Scale is $659 (unlimited employees and states). Subscriptions add policy updates, e-signatures, and a live handbook link. Scale subscription adds SAML SSO and SCIM. A custom handbook update is $899 including one year of updates. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.
Checked 19 Sep 2026. Vendors change prices without notice.
Is Handbooks.io expensive?
Handbooks.io starts at $179. We list 43 HR compliance tools in total. 1 have a free tier, and those with a public price typically start around $49 a month.
- 31 quote-based
- 1 free tier
- 10 public price
Worked out automatically from every HR compliance listing, so it updates as the directory changes.
Pros and cons
Pros
- True $0 basic handbook with no credit card
- One-time $179 Starter if you do not want another subscription
- Scale adds SAML SSO and SCIM when you subscribe
Cons
- Free tier omits e-signatures, live link, and ongoing updates
- One-time buys go stale when laws change unless you add the annual subscription
- It is a generated document, not a full employee-experience handbook CMS
What's new at Handbooks.io
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How Handbooks.io compares
See all Handbooks.io alternatives, with what each one does differently and a head to head for every pairing.
| Tool | Free tier | From | MCP | API | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | ✓ | $179 | – | – | |
| | – | $999/yr | – | – | Compare |
| | – | Sales-quoted | – | – | Compare |
| | – | $299/mo | – | – | Compare |
| | – | $31.95 | – | – | Compare |
$999/yr
AirMason is a $999/yr branded digital handbook with signatures and analytics, more CMS than a $179 download.
Sales-quoted
SixFifty is multi-state policy software, sales-quoted, heavier legal workflow than Handbooks.io's generator.
$299/mo
Bambee includes policies plus a dedicated HR manager from $299/mo, a service overlay rather than a $0 handbook.
$31.95
LaborLawCenter sells required labor-law posters from $31.95 if posting, not a handbook, is the gap.
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