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Comparison

BreatheHR vs BrightHR: Which UK HR Platform Is Right for Your Team?

Two of the most popular HR platforms built specifically for UK small businesses. We compare their features, pricing, and support to help you decide.

Our pick

BreatheHR — cleaner interface, more affordable, and better suited to businesses that want straightforward HR admin without the extras.

FeatureBreatheHRBrightHR
PricingFrom ~$5.50/employee/moFrom ~$7/employee/mo
UK payroll support✗ Integrates with Xero/Sage✗ Export for payroll
HMRC integration✗ Via accounting integrations✗ Not direct
Employee self-service✓ Full portal✓ Full portal + app
Onboarding✓ Task-based onboarding✓ Document collection
Time off management✓ Calendar + approvals✓ Calendar + BLIP clocking
Reporting✓ Custom reports✓ Standard + absence analytics
Mobile app✓ iOS & Android✓ iOS & Android
Free trial✓ 14-day trial✓ Free demo
Best forSMEs wanting clean HR adminSMEs needing legal advice

BreatheHR: Detailed Review

What it does well

  • Beautifully simple interface that requires minimal training
  • Affordable per-employee pricing with no minimum contract
  • Strong document management with unlimited storage on higher plans
  • Good integration ecosystem including Xero, Sage, and Slack
  • Task-based onboarding checklists to standardise new starters

Where it falls short

  • No native payroll processing; requires a separate payroll tool
  • No employment law advice included
  • Performance management features are basic compared to dedicated platforms

UK-specific considerations

BreatheHR is built in the UK for UK businesses. Holiday calculations follow UK statutory minimums (28 days including bank holidays for full-time). The platform tracks right-to-work documentation and supports UK-specific absence types including SSP triggers. GDPR compliance features are built in with data stored on UK servers.

Pricing breakdown

BreatheHR offers three tiers: Core (from $5.50/employee/month), Standard (from $8/employee/month), and Premium (from $12/employee/month). The Core plan covers employee records, leave management, and basic reporting. Standard adds performance management and recruitment. Premium includes everything plus API access and advanced analytics.

Our Pick

BreatheHR

Simple, affordable HR software built for UK small businesses. Start your 14-day free trial.

Try BreatheHR Free →

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BrightHR: Detailed Review

What it does well

  • 24/7 employment law advice line included in all plans
  • BLIP clocking-in app for tracking employee attendance
  • Strong absence management with Bradford Factor reporting
  • Document storage with e-signature capability
  • Backed by Peninsula Group with decades of UK employment law expertise

Where it falls short

  • Higher per-employee cost than BreatheHR
  • Interface can feel cluttered with upsell prompts
  • Fewer third-party integrations than BreatheHR

UK-specific considerations

BrightHR's biggest UK advantage is the employment law advice line. For small businesses without an in-house HR team, having access to qualified advisors for questions about dismissals, grievances, or redundancy is extremely valuable. The platform also offers risk-assessment tools and health & safety documentation required under UK law.

Pricing breakdown

BrightHR pricing starts at approximately $7 per employee per month on the Connect plan. The Protect plan (around $10/employee/month) adds health & safety tools. The Prime plan (around $14/employee/month) includes everything plus employee counselling and occupational health. Annual billing discounts are available.

Best for Legal Support

BrightHR

HR software with 24/7 employment law support. Built for UK SMEs that need expert guidance.

Get a BrightHR Demo →

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Which Should You Choose?

Choose BreatheHR if...

You want clean, affordable HR admin software. Best for teams of 10–100 who already have an accountant or payroll provider and just need a central place to manage employee records, leave, and onboarding.

Choose BrightHR if...

You need employment law support alongside your HR platform. Ideal for businesses without an HR department who want professional advice on disciplinaries, redundancies, and workplace disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BreatheHR or BrightHR cheaper?+
BreatheHR starts at around $5.50 per employee per month with no minimum contract. BrightHR starts at approximately $7 per employee per month but includes 24/7 employment law advice. For pure HR admin, BreatheHR is cheaper; for HR plus legal support, BrightHR can offer better value.
Does BrightHR include employment law advice?+
Yes. BrightHR is owned by Peninsula Group, one of the UK's largest employment law consultancies. All plans include access to a 24/7 employment law advice line staffed by qualified advisors.
Can I run payroll through BreatheHR or BrightHR?+
Neither platform offers native payroll processing. Both integrate with third-party payroll providers. BreatheHR integrates with Xero, Sage, and other accounting tools. BrightHR can export data for payroll processing.
Which is better for absence management?+
Both handle absence management well, but BrightHR edges ahead with its BLIP clocking-in feature and detailed absence analytics. BreatheHR offers a cleaner calendar view and simpler approval workflows.
Do they support UK statutory requirements?+
Yes. Both platforms track UK statutory leave entitlements, calculate accrued holiday based on UK employment law, and maintain records required by HMRC and employment tribunals.