What is the best cloud-based HR software in the UK?

Top 6 benefits of cloud HR systems

The benefits of cloud HR software include scalability, cost efficiencies, accessibility, automation, security and integrations.

By 2025, it’s estimated that enterprise cloud spending will make up 51% of IT spending globally, compared with 41% in 2022 with 70% of organisations already using cloud software planning to increase their budgets.

It’s clear then that many organisations are already embracing digital transformation when it comes to using cloud HR software on a SaaS (software as a service) OpEx (operational expenditure) basis to integrate their internal systems and processes. However, not all cloud systems are created equal. The best cloud-based HR systems will include the following six benefits:

Scalability: The best cloud HR systems are scalable, meaning they should be able to grow with your organisation. This means you shouldn’t have to pay for things you won’t need but can add additional functionality as and when you need it without worrying about costly upgrades or the learning curve that comes with new software.

Cost-effective: Cloud HR software typically requires a lower upfront investment and ongoing maintenance costs than traditional on-premise HR systems. The best HR software providers will instead take on the responsibility for the infrastructure, updates, and security of your solutions.

Accessibility: Cloud systems will be accessible from anywhere, at any time, with the best cloud HR software having self-service functionality and proprietary mobile apps to make it easier for employees to complete relevant tasks, from access to their payslips, benefits and annual leave requests.

Automation: A key requirement of a cloud-based HR system is the ability to streamline key HR processes, from recruitment, to onboarding, performance management, and compliance reporting. The best cloud HR systems will allow degrees of flexibility and customisation to enable HR leaders to tailor the system to fit their organisation’s unique requirements.

Security: Many organisations originally made a move to a cloud HR system because they are typically more secure than traditional on-premise solutions, with the ability to set up role-based access controls, ensuring only authorised staff can access sensitive data. The best cloud HR software vendors typically have greater expertise and resources to devote to security.

Integration: Cloud based HR systems can usually be integrated with other business systems, such as payroll, accounting, and time tracking via APIs, to help streamline HR processes and reduce data errors. The best cloud HR software will feature flexible end-to-end integrations, removing the need to integrate with other point-solutions.

Why is it important to conduct an HR software comparison?

Identifying the features and capabilities that are most important to your organisation:

Every business will have unique HR needs and requirements so comparing HR software will ensure the best fit for your organisation, particularly if you’re making a significant investment. For example, some cloud hr systems like PeopleXD offer end-to-end, fully integrated solution whereas others might be simpler off-the shelf or point solutions, meaning they will require API integration with other tools already in use. This can often be more complex to implement, to ensure the systems can talk to each other and data flows seamlessly between them. By conducting an HR software comparison, businesses can identify the features and capabilities that are most important to them and select cloud-based HR software that best meets their needs and the HR software they already have.

Assessing the total cost of ownership:

Cloud-based HR systems can vary greatly in terms of pricing and licensing models. By evaluating multiple cloud based HR systems, businesses can identify the total cost of ownership and select a platform or multiple systems, that best fits within their budget.

Understanding the implementation and training process:

Implementing a new HR system can be a complex process that requires a significant investment of time and resources. By researching and evaluating multiple systems, businesses can understand the implementation and training process required for each system and select a platform that is easy to implement and use.

Ensuring system scalability and flexibility:

As businesses grow and change, their HR needs may evolve. By evaluating multiple HR systems, businesses can identify a platform that is scalable and flexible enough to meet their future needs.

Choosing new cloud-based HR systems will likely require multiple stakeholder buy-in, from HR, to Finance, Procurement and IT. Take a look at our guide on how to build a business case for new HR software.

HR Software Comparison: What are some of the best HR systems in the UK for medium-large and scaling businesses? 

We had a look at some of the best HR systems in the UK, particularly those that cater to larger organisations with a greater degree of complexity in their HR operations and a broader range of strategic and digital requirements. Whilst the organisations below may provide solutions for smaller businesses (SMBs) the focus of our analysis is on the cloud-based HR software and wider suite of solutions offered to those organisations focussed on outcome-driven HR and mastering HR transformation to meet long term strategic HR goals. 

If you’re a smaller business, you may be more interested in our article on the best HR software for SMBs. 

We have sourced publicly available reviews across Capterra, G2, Gartner, Trust Pilot and the Apple App Store to get an average score, but please note some review sites are for business accounts and others for specific products. For clarity and a better overview of product, service and commitment to business growth, development and innovation, we have included business and product listings in the average scores below.  

We look at the pros and cons of each organisation’s holistic HR offering, as well as their leading integrated cloud HR system features to help you make a decision on the best fit for your organisation. 

Zellis – average score of 3.3 out of 5 

Zellis, formerly known as NGA Human Resources, is a cloud-based HR and payroll software provider for businesses of all sizes.  

Zellis' software includes features such as:

• HCM Cloud, an integrated cloud-based HR system designed to be flexible, scalable and customisable, allowing businesses to tailor the software to meet their specific needs
• Payroll processing
• Employee benefits
• Time and attendance tracking
• Performance management

Benefits of Zellis’ HR software include:

• Resourcelink platform has been upgraded to to HCM Cloud, including better integration with other systems, faster performance, and improved analytics
• Strong on payroll through acquisition of Moorepay
• Strong on employee benefits through acquisition of Benefex
• Range of customers in the public sector and higher education

Overall, Zellis aims to help businesses streamline their HR and payroll processes and improve their overall efficiency, accuracy, compliance and employee engagement.

MHR – average score 3.4 out of 5 

MHR, formerly known as MidlandHR, is a software company that provides HR and payroll solutions to organisations of all sizes.

MHR software includes features such as:

• Integrated HR software – their platforms known as iTrent and People First help organisations manage their employee data, such as employee records, performance management, and succession planning
• Payroll software
• Talent management including tools to help businesses manage their talent, including recruitment, onboarding, and learning and development
• Analytics and reporting
• Consulting services

Benefits of MHR software include:

• Strength in the public sector
• Highly configurable payroll software
• Simple to use interface
• Often less expensive initially than other competitors

In summary, MHR provides a range of HR and payroll solutions and services to medium-large businesses to help them manage their workforce efficiently.

Ceridian – average score 4 out of 5

Ceridian is an international software company that provides human capital management (HCM) solutions to businesses of all sizes.

Ceridian software includes features such as:

• An integrated HR suite known as Ceridian Dayforce
• Payroll solutions
• Time and attendance including scheduling and absence management
• Talent management, recruitment, onboarding and learning management
• Employee benefits
• On-demand pay

Benefits of Ceridian’s HR software include:

• Strength in industries with complex or heavy workforce management needs like construction, manufacturing and health and social care
• Robust international capabilities particularly in payroll
• Dayforce Wallet helping employees get access to their earned wages at any time in the pay cycle

Overall, Ceridian provides a broad range of HCM solutions in multiple complex industries globally.

IRIS – average score 3.1 out of 5 

Iris is a business software company that provides HR and payroll solutions to businesses of all sizes.

IRIS cloud HR software features include:

• An integrated and customisable HR suite for mid-sized to enterprise-level organisations who want to simplify their HR processes, called Cascade HRi.
• Payroll software
• Recruitment: Cascade offers tools to help businesses manage their recruitment processes, including job posting, candidate tracking, and interview scheduling
• Time and attendance including scheduling, time tracking, and absence management
• Learning and development
• Analytics and reporting

Benefits of IRIS software includes:

• Wider business software capabilities outside HR
• Ease of use including self-service functionality
• Customisable
• Strength in leisure, not-for-profit and manufacturing industries

In summary, IRIS is a business software provider offering specialised products and services for various industries and business needs, including cloud HR software to help organisations to better connect their people processes.

Access People – average score 4 out of 5 

The Access Group is one of the largest UK-headquartered providers of business management software in the UK, Ireland, and Asia Pacific. One of the group’s largest divisions is Access People, with more than 30 years’ experience of innovation in HCM technology. Access People solutions have more than 3,000,000 users across 13,000+ customers in every sector.

HR software features include:

• Core HR systems tailored to unique business needs – from PeopleHR for smaller organisations looking to digitise HR to PeopleXD for medium-large businesses requiring a unified HR suite with more customisation and flexibility
• Payroll software, on-demand pay app and outsourced payroll services
• Integrated recruitment, workforce and talent management functionality
• Employee engagement solutions - Employee benefits, salary sacrifice schemes, wellbeing resources, recognition and reward
• Full learning and performance management functionality including personalised and self-directed learning tools and career development
• Self-service functionality
• Native mobile apps
• Analytics and reporting

Benefits of Access People software includes:

• A wider ecosystem of connected business software outside of HR, including CRM and ERP specialisms
• Commitment to accelerated growth through M&A
• Strength in UK and Ireland regulatory markets and UK based support
• Presence across multiple industries with specialist expertise, particularly in workforce-heavy organisations
• Breadth and depth of people solutions with 200+ developers focussed purely on HR, Learning and Payroll product innovation
• Payroll software and services, with a strength in Ireland
• Scalability and flexibility of solutions
• Dedicated customer success teams
• Flexible implementation paths with no hidden costs

With significant product developments and acquisitions and a complete ecosystem of capabilities, Access People offers an unrivalled breadth and depth of people solutions beyond the core transactional HR suite. This includes software that helps customers with their strategic aims of attracting, developing, and retaining talent, developing culture and driving employee engagement to create truly people-centric organisations.

Creating an HR software comparison matrix: 

After completing this thorough research and gathering all the necessary information, you may wish to put together an HR software comparison matrix. This will help  guide your decision-making process, making it easier for committees of project stakeholders in larger organisations in particular, to view the essential criteria and features that each system offers in a simple visual overview.  

Choosing the best cloud HR software for your business 

Choosing the best HR software is going to be dependent on your organisation’s unique strategic goals. No two businesses are the same, so it’s likely that flexibility will be top of any HRD’s business case when looking for the most suitable system. 

Other considerations will include existing features and functionality, what works well, what doesn’t work well and your relationship with your existing HR software supplier. Take a look at our guide to choosing the right HR software for your organisation. 

Access has cloud HR software that is tailored to customers based on their strategic goals and business complexity; finding the right fit for each organisation’s unique requirements. Whether they are just beginning to embrace HR digitalisation and require a fast-start cloud HR system, or they are looking towards outcome-drive HR decisions from their technology, we work in partnership with customers to find a flexible and future-proofed cloud-based HR system fit. 

Looking for HR software reviews? Take a look at what our customers said about our HR and Payroll software for larger businesses, PeopleXD.