Best HR & Payroll Software for UK Businesses
Running payroll and HR on separate systems costs UK businesses 5+ hours a week. We tested the top combined HR + payroll platforms — some bundle payroll in, others offer it as an add-on module — ranked by HMRC compliance, ease of use, and value for UK SMEs.
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Our Top 4 HR & Payroll Picks for UK Businesses in 2026
Written by Raj
Last updated: 26 August, 2026
Expert Reviews: Best HR & Payroll Software for UK Businesses 2026
1
Sage HR
Modular HR & Payroll for UK SMEs — Start with What You Need, Add as You Grow
(25700)
Top features
- HMRC-compliant payroll automation
- Modular pricing — pay for what you use
- Shift scheduling & timesheet management
- Integrates with Sage accounting products
Pricing
Free trial not available. From £4 per employee/month — modular, pay only for what you need
Sage HR features: HMRC-compliant payroll automation
Modular pricing — pay for what you use
Shift scheduling & timesheet management
Integrates with Sage accounting products
Sage HR pricing: Free trial not available. From £4 per employee/month — modular, pay only for what you need
Used by:
"Sage HR keeps our payroll and HR in one place, which saves us so much time. The modular pricing meant we could start small and add features as we grew."
Emily R.· People & Culture LeadMore Details
2
Moorepay
50+ Years of UK Payroll Expertise — HMRC-Ready, Scalable, and Compliance-First
(25700)
Top features
- 50+ years UK payroll expertise
- HMRC-compliant with RTI & auto-enrolment
- HR management with dedicated support team
- Trusted by 10,000+ UK businesses
Pricing
Free trial not available. Custom pricing — contact for a quote tailored to your team size
Moorepay features: 50+ years UK payroll expertise
HMRC-compliant with RTI & auto-enrolment
HR management with dedicated support team
Trusted by 10,000+ UK businesses
Moorepay pricing: Free trial not available. Custom pricing — contact for a quote tailored to your team size
Used by:
"Moorepay takes the stress out of payroll. Everything is HMRC-ready and our employees can access their payslips anytime. The support team are genuinely excellent."
Sarah M.· HR ManagerMore Details
3
Breathe HR
Simple, Affordable HR for UK SMEs — 14-Day Free Trial, No Credit Card Required
(18450)
Top features
- 14-day free trial — no credit card needed
- Leave, absence & document management
- Employee self-service portal
- Trusted by 50,000+ businesses globally
Pricing
Free trial available. 14-day free trial — paid plans from £22/month for up to 10 employees
Breathe HR features: 14-day free trial — no credit card needed
Leave, absence & document management
Employee self-service portal
Trusted by 50,000+ businesses globally
Breathe HR pricing: Free trial available. 14-day free trial — paid plans from £22/month for up to 10 employees
Used by:
"We went from spreadsheets to Breathe HR in a day. The setup was painless and the team started using it immediately. It's exactly what a small business needs — nothing more, nothing less."
Andrew R.· Co-founderMore Details
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].