10 Best HR Software in the UK 2025: Top Tools Compared

There are several HR tools available in the market. All have their own pros and cons. An all-in-one solution can save time, cut costs and reduce your manual tasks instead of relying on multiple tools. But how do you decide which one is the best solution for your business?

To help you, we have analyzed the best HR tools available in the UK for 2025 and compiled them in our list. In this guide, we’ll break down the top platforms, compare features, pros, cons, and pricing, so you can choose the platform that fits your business best.

Quick Comparison: Best HR Software in the UK (2025)

Here’s a quick review of the best HR software in the UK for 2025. Take a look at the table below to see which one fits your business needs.

What is HR Software (and Why UK Businesses Need It)?

HR management software is a digital system that helps businesses manage their workforce in one place. It stores employee records, handles payroll, tracks time, and automates everyday HR tasks. Instead of using spreadsheets or paperwork, everything runs through a single platform, which makes work faster and less error-prone.

For UK businesses, HR software is especially useful because of strict rules around payroll, pensions, and right-to-work checks. Having the right system in place makes it easier to stay compliant while improving employee experience. That’s why most growing companies now rely on HR software to simplify operations and reduce admin stress.

According to research, 52% of UK companies have adopted HR software in the past year. 39% of them are already using it, while 10% of firms have yet to try it. But the most interesting thing here is that the global HR industry is expected to be worth $30 billion by 2025. Even this is set to have risen to $38 billion by 2027.

Below are some benefits of using HR tool for your business:

• Saves time on repetitive HR tasks
• Reduces payroll errors and compliance risks
• Keeps sensitive employee data secure
• Improves employee experience and engagement
• Supports managers with useful insights
• Scales with your business as it grows

Here are some important features to check before you choose one:

• Core HR & Payroll: Stores employee details like job role, salary, and documents. Makes sure people are paid the right amount, on time, and with correct tax and pension deductions.
• Time & Attendance: Tracks when staff clock in and out, records overtime, and manages holiday requests. Helps HR teams avoid manual errors in timesheets.
• Applicant Tracking (ATS): Simplifies hiring by collecting job applications, shortlisting candidates, scheduling interviews, and keeping all hiring steps in one place.
• Performance Management: Lets managers set clear goals, track progress, and give fair feedback with it’s performance management feature. Makes reviews easier and keeps employees aligned with business goals.
• Benefits & Engagement Tools: Offers perks like health insurance, flexible benefits, rewards, or employee surveys. These tools improve staff morale and help companies retain talent.
• Learning & Development: Provides training, online courses, or career pathways to help employees grow. This not only boosts skills but also shows employees they are valued.
• Advanced Tools: Some modern HR systems include AI to give insights, spot trends, or predict workforce needs. Others have Employer of Record (EOR) features for businesses hiring in different countries.

Read our detailed guide on HR software, including its features, types, and benefits: What is HR Software? Features, Types & Benefits

Top 10 HR software in the UK [2025 edition]

Here are 10 of the best HR software used around the globe, especially in the UK. We have discussed each tool in detail. Take a look at their features, strengths, limitations, and pricing so you can decide which one will be a great fit for your business:

1. Zelt

Zelt is a modern all-in-one HR software built for UK businesses. It replaces multiple tools by combining HR, payroll, benefits, time tracking, and IT management in one clean system. This makes HR easier for managers and more engaging for employees.

Key features:

• Payroll automation, pensions, and HMRC compliance
• Right to work checks and document management
• Employee self-service: holidays, expenses, laptop requests
• Benefits and perks management
• Equipment and IT tracking
• Time tracking and absence monitoring

Zelt’s strengths:

• Unified HR, payroll, and IT in one platform
• Automates repetitive tasks for managers
• Intuitive interface employees love
• Trusted by leading UK companies and scale-ups

Zelt’s limitations:

• Newer in the market than some traditional vendors
• Some large enterprises may prefer older global systems

Pricing:

Zelt’s pricing depends on company size and selected products as it is a modular platform. Pricing starts at $5/user/month.

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See how Zelt brings payroll, HR, and people management together in one connected platform.

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2. BrightHR

BrightHR is a UK-focused HR platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses, especially retail, hospitality, and brick-and-mortar operations. It helps managers track shifts, absences, and compliance in a simple, mobile-friendly interface.

Key features:

Shift planning and rotas

Holiday and absence tracking

Performance management and LMS

Employment law guidance and HR document storage

BrightHR’s strengths:

• Easy-to-use interface for managers and staff
• Real-time workforce updates via mobile app
• Legal support built for UK employment rules

BrightHR’s limitations:

• Limited features for international teams
• No live chat support

Pricing:

• ~£11.20 per employee/month for small teams
• Drops to ~£4.80 per employee/month for teams over 60
• Optional Health & Safety module

3. BambooHR

BambooHR is ideal for mid-sized UK teams looking for strong HR database, onboarding, and performance management. Its clean interface makes HR reporting and employee tracking simple.

Key features:

• Employee database and onboarding workflows
• Performance management and reporting
• Time-off tracking

BambooHR’s strengths:

• Intuitive navigation and user-friendly interface
• Excellent for employee data management and reporting

BambooHR’s limitations:

• Payroll is US-focused and less suitable for UK compliance
• Some advanced features are limited for European teams

Pricing:
Starts at ~$10 per employee/month for core HR features

4. HiBob

HiBob focuses on engagement, culture, and modern HR management. Its tools help companies run employee surveys, performance reviews, and people analytics to build a connected workplace.

Key features:

• Employee engagement surveys
• Performance check-ins and reviews
• People analytics and HR automation

HiBob’s strengths:

• Strong focus on employee experience and culture
• Clean, modern, and appealing interface

HiBob’s limitations:

• Costly for smaller businesses
• Less suitable for very small startups

Pricing:
Quote-based, depending on modules and team size

5. Rippling

Rippling combines HR and IT, making onboarding, payroll, and compliance seamless in one platform. It’s best for businesses that want automation across HR and IT tasks.

Key features:

• Automated onboarding and device management
• Payroll and benefits administration
• Compliance tracking

Rippling’s strengths:

• Deep automation for HR and IT processes
• Handles compliance efficiently

Rippling’s limitations:

• Pricing rises quickly with add-ons
• May be overkill for small UK-only teams

Pricing:
~$21–$29 per employee/month, add-ons extra

6. Deel

Deel is designed for companies hiring internationally, managing contractors, and handling global payroll. It simplifies compliance for teams spread across multiple countries.

Key features:

• Employer of Record (EOR) services
• Global payroll and compliance
• Contractor management

Deel’s strengths:

• Ideal for remote teams and global hiring
• Handles complex international compliance

Deel’s limitations:

• Not cost-effective for UK-only companies
• Can be complex for smaller teams

Pricing:
Scales by workforce size and country; quote-based

7. Personio

Personio is a versatile European HR platform covering HR, payroll, recruiting, and performance. It suits small to mid-sized companies looking for a single system to manage all HR processes.

Key features:

• HR management and payroll
• Recruiting, onboarding, and performance tracking
• Reporting and analytics

Personio’s strengths:

• Broad feature coverage for European businesses
• Unified system simplifies HR workflows

Personio’s limitations:

• Less flexible than modular platforms like Zelt or Rippling
• Setup can be complex for smaller companies

Pricing:
Tiered / quote-based

8. Zoho People

Zoho People is budget-friendly and modular, perfect for businesses that want to gradually add HR features. It integrates easily with the Zoho ecosystem.

Key features:

• Employee database
• Leave & attendance tracking
• HR document management
• Workflow automation

Zoho People’s strengths:

• Affordable and modular
• Easy integration with Zoho suite

Zoho People’s limitations:

• Limited UK payroll functionality
• Not ideal for large or complex teams

Pricing:
Very cost-effective; quote-based

9. Sage HR

Sage HR is trusted for core HR tasks and integrates seamlessly with Sage accounting. It’s reliable for leave management, performance tracking, and timesheets.

Key features:

• Leave & absence management
• Performance tracking
• Timesheets & shift management

Sage HR’s strengths:

• Strong basics and accounting integration
• Trusted UK brand

Sage HR’s limitations:

• Dated interface compared to newer software
• Advanced features cost extra

Pricing:
~US$7 per employee/month

10. BreatheHR

BreatheHR is simple, affordable, and designed for small startups or charities. It handles essential HR tasks efficiently.

Key features:

• Holiday & absence tracking
• HR document storage
• Basic reporting

BreatheHR’s strengths:

• Very easy to use
• Low monthly cost

BreatheHR’s limitations:

• Limited payroll and advanced modules
• Not ideal for larger teams

Pricing:
Low monthly cost; quote-based

Choose the Best HR Software For your business

Choosing HR software is not just about ticking boxes. Basically, you need a tool that fits your team’s daily work, matches your budget and that supports your future growth. The right platform should not add more complexity but save time and reduce admin.

First, start by looking at your main needs. Every business has its own priorities. For some, these are payroll and compliance. While for others, it is about boosting engagement or making onboarding smoother.

Budget also plays a key role. A cheaper option may look attractive now, but you’ll face extra costs later if it lacks the features you’ll need in a year or two. Also, you should always check how well the system integrates with your existing tools like payroll, IT, or accounting.

At last, think about the long term. Can the software scale with your business as you hire more people? Testing demos and looking at the quality of customer support are also important. Good onboarding and fast help can make a huge difference in everyday use.

Try Zelt, the Best HR Software for UK Businesses

After comparing the leading HR platforms in the UK, Zelt clearly stands out as the best option for businesses that want a modern and connected approach to people management.

Unlike older systems, Zelt is a modern HR software that combines payroll, benefits, compliance, time tracking, and even IT into a single, easy-to-use system. That means no more spreadsheets, manual payroll errors, or juggling separate tools for different HR tasks.

With Zelt, you get:

• Automated payroll & pensions: Fully HMRC-compliant, fast, and accurate.
• Right-to-work checks: Simplified compliance for UK businesses.
• Employee self-service: Staff can book holidays, upload expenses, and request equipment directly.
• Benefits & perks: Offer rewards that keep employees engaged.
• One connected system: Manage HR, payroll, IT, and benefits in one place.

If you want HR software that saves time, cuts admin, and grows alongside your business, Zelt is the platform to try.