When you’re running a small business, HR might not be at the top of your to-do list, but it’s absolutely important for success.
After all, your employees are at the heart of everything you do.
Having the right HR software can simplify administrative tasks, save time, and help to improve employee happiness.
With so many HR systems out there, it can be overwhelming to figure out which one suits your small business needs.
To help with your search, we’ve rounded up the industry’s most-loved and best HR software for small businesses.
In this guide, we’ll cover standout platforms for small businesses in the UK including:
We’ll outline each platform’s key features, pricing, and what makes them great for small businesses, so you can make an informed choice.
When deciding on the best HR software for small businesses, it all depends on your specific needs.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution with employee feedback tools, Stribe might be your best bet.
If you need a more comprehensive HR management system software, Sage and BambooHR offer robust features.
For businesses that just want to streamline HR processes and improve organisation, Breathe and BrightHR are great choices.
Here’s a quick checklist of things to think about when choosing HR software that’s best for your SME:
Stribe is an intuitive HR software platform designed to help SMEs improve employee engagement through anonymous employee surveys.
With a strong focus on gathering meaningful feedback, Stribe has helped over 800 senior HR leaders ditch clunky processes and overwhelming data with employee surveys that reach every employee – no matter where they work.
Stribe’s pricing depends on the size of your organisation – visit our pricing page. Charities and not-for-profit organisations receive discounted pricing.
Stribe’s simple, no-fuss set-up, and focus on employee feedback make it perfect for small businesses that want to improve their workplace culture.
It’s cost-effective, and designed especially for small to medium sized organisations with deskless, dispersed, remote and hybrid workforces.
Sage is a well-known name in the UK for providing a range of business software, including HR and payroll solutions.
Sage HR is ideal for small businesses looking for a complete HR system that covers everything from recruitment to payroll.
Sage HR pricing starts from £4.60 per employee, per month.
Sage provides a complete HR management system that’s both affordable and scalable – making it a trusted option for small businesses in the UK.
Its payroll features are especially useful for businesses looking for an integrated solution.
Breathe focuses on simplifying HR tasks, making it perfect for small businesses that want a straightforward system without unnecessary complexity.
It’s great for businesses that need to manage employee records, performance, and absence efficiently.
Breathe pricing starts from £22 per month.
With a focus on ease of use and essential HR functions, Breathe HR is ideal for small businesses that want to manage HR processes without overcomplicating things.
The pricing is also very affordable, especially for companies with fewer than 50 employees.
Bright HR offers a powerful yet simple HR management system that’s designed to streamline people management for small and medium-sized businesses.
The platform also provides 24/7 employment law advice and health & safety support, ensuring compliance and peace of mind for employers.
BrightHR pricing starts from £2.20 per employee, per month, depending on the size of your organisation.
Bright HR is praised for its user-friendliness and the high level of customer support it provides.
It’s a solid choice for businesses that need reliable HR software with 24/7 support.
BambooHR is marketed as an all-in-one HR software designed to simplify and integrate human resources tasks for small and medium-sized businesses.
The platform offers a comprehensive suite of features, including hiring and onboarding, payroll and time tracking, benefits administration, employee experience tools, and performance management.
BambooHR offers custom pricing depending on the size of your team.
BambooHR brings all your employee data, processes, and tools into one easy-to-use system.
It’s built to help growing small businesses save time on admin – from hiring and onboarding to payroll and performance.
Choosing the right HR software for small business doesn’t have to be stressful.
Whether you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, or a more specialised and in-depth tool, there’s something out there for every small business depending on your needs.
We hope this guide has helped you explore your options, and helps you to find the best HR software to support your growing team.
About the author
Starting out her early career as a journalist, Jade Madeley is an accomplished content writer with 8+ years’ experience across business, personal finance, SaaS, human resources and employee engagement. Working with Stribe, she crafts insightful content that brings complex HR topics to life and drives meaningful action.
