How to choose the best HRIS software for small businesses in the UK: Top UK HRIS systems compared

Introduction: why choosing the right HRIS software matters

If you run a small to medium sized business in the UK, there are a lot of moving parts to manage — chief among them your people. As your business grows, so too do the challenges of leading your team. These go way beyond recruiting and retaining the right talent and paying everyone accurately and on time.

You’ve got to record your staff’s personal details accurately, update them when needed and keep them safely because of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). You may also need to manage people working remotely and have procedures for logging time and attendance. Last but far from least, you’ve got to stay compliant with all the legal and regulatory guidelines that comes with employing people.

It’s not easy to manage a business without HRIS software for SMEs in the UK.

HR software, such as a human resource information system (HRIS for short), are tools that help you negotiate all the above challenges and more besides. When you look into the HRIS software available in the UK, you’ll see it puts everything you need, all in one place. It will automate, streamline, simplify and speed up processes to save your business money, effort and inconvenience. 

On one hand, the best HRIS systems for small businesses deliver useful data to enhance your costing, planning, productivity and decision-making. On the other, they boost your employees’ experience.

Choosing the best HRIS software in the UK for your business matters as it can help keep your people happy and your business growing. For more information on the importance of HR systems in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) visit the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development here: https://www.cipd.org/uk/views-and-insights/thought-leadership/insight/hr-systems-sme/

Focusing on HRIS

When researching the right HRIS software for your small business, you may also come across terms such as human resource management system (HMRS) and human capital management (HCM). It can get a little confusing because these HR systems are not all the same. In this article we focus on explaining HRIS solutions. HRIS software is designed to help organisations manage their important human resources requirements with a single source of trusted information. 

Must-have HRIS features for small businesses

The right HRIS software for small companies here in the UK can greatly enhance your efficiency and ability to manage your business and people, while enabling you to focus on growth. 

Cloud-based HR management

One of the key features for UK small businesses of HRIS solutions is that they’re cloud-based — so there’s no space and money-consuming hardware to worry about. Plus, they’re easily tailored to your needs today and can flex and grow with your business tomorrow. 

Time tracking and absence management

Smart HRIS software for small companies enables your team to log their time accurately and communicate directly with payroll, while helping you to better schedule staffing around busy and slack periods. 

Employee self-service portals

Today’s HRIS software comes with user-friendly interfaces and secure apps so your people can do all the usual HR-related stuff themselves, right from their mobile phone or tablet. 

Integrated payroll

Being able to integrate with your payroll and other business systems is another of the sought-after HRIS features for UK businesses. This can help you deduct taxes, manage state and employer-offered benefits (such as health insurance) and reduce costs, duplication and errors.

GDPR compliance tools

This innovative HRIS software for small companies can deliver real peace of mind, helping you stay the right side of the law, including GDPR, by ensuring you remain compliant with changing HR regulations. For further guidance on GDPR in the UK, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) here: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/.

Reporting and analytics for HR insights

One of the HRIS features key to UK firms is the software’s capability to deliver data-driven insights for better-informed planning, forecasting and modeling decisions. 

How to choose the best HRIS system for your business

Are you wondering ‘How do I choose HR software for my company’ or ‘What’s the best HR system for my small business here in the UK’?

Relax — we’ve got both questions covered with the checklist below and software comparison information that follows. 

We’ve made choosing HRIS software for your UK business simple: 

• Identify what problems and challenges you face with your current HR processes and find out how an HRIS solution could help overcome them.
• Ensure the HRIS tools you’re considering fit your team’s size and requirements (and budget) now and can scale and change as your business grows.
• Select an HRIS system that helps you remain compliant with GDPR and the complex and constantly-changing UK employment laws.
• Opt for the best HRIS software with payroll integration for small business in the UK.
• Choose HRIS software for your small business that provides mobile access, allowing your employees to take control of their HR needs.

HRIS software comparison UK — 2025

This shortlist of the top providers of HRIS software in the UK gives you an overview of what’s available so you can confidently choose a solution — one that transforms your HR function and meets the needs of your business and people, too.

And if you’re after the best HRIS software with payroll integration, you can see that some of the solutions below provide that facility (especially ADP) for even greater time, money and hassle savings.

HRIS software reviews — pros & cons of top providers

1. ADP HRIS — best for growing UK businesses and global compliance

Pros:

• Enterprise-grade scalability
• Deep HR and payroll integration
• Trusted support from thousands of global HR experts
• GDPR-compliant, secure infrastructure

Cons:

• Not available for micro-businesses

2. BambooHR — best for medium-sized businesses after a single system

Pros:

• Easy and intuitive to use
• Range of standard reports available
• Mobile app comes as standard
• Centralised employee database

Cons:

• Payroll and benefits administration not included
• Basic plan doesn’t include telephone support

3. Hibob — for larger businesses with many employees working across various regions 

Pros:

• Covers all the HR essentials
• Intuitive, user-friendly operations
• Range of employee engagement functions 

Cons:

• Can be complex and expensive for small businesses to set up
• Lacks built-in functions, like payroll, benefits and time management

4. Charlie — best for business leaders who want effortless HR

Pros:

• Can be used as a HR hub and integrate with other systems
• Centralises core HR functions, from people records to document storage
• Range of management functions — including time off, performance and benefits

Cons:

• Interface lacks clarity and can be difficult for users to navigate
• Data management can be unintuitive to use

5. BrightHR — best for those that want compliance but less paperwork and admin 

Pros:

• Single platform that includes payroll integration
• Around-the-clock legal support available
• Range of management functions — including leave, time and attendance

Cons:

• May be too sophisticated for some small businesses
• Lack of performance management functionality 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best HRIS software in the UK?

ADP is considered one of the top solutions providers because its platform can grow and flex with your business. Plus, ADP has a presence in many countries worldwide and can offer you expert, in-depth support.

What is HRIS software and how does it help UK business?

HRIS software enables you to better manage your HR operations, people and business. It puts all you need all in one place — to automate, streamline, simplify and speed everything up to save you money, effort, errors and inconvenience.

Can HRIS software handle payroll too?

Yes, the best HRIS software in the UK either includes a payroll function or can be integrated with your current payroll to give you a single system of record.

What features should I look for in small business HRIS systems?

Go for cloud-based HRIS software that’s future-proof and offers you time and attendance tracking as well as an employee self-service portal (usually via a mobile app). But don’t forget, an HRIS solution that integrates with your payroll and keeps your business compliant is an invaluable asset.

Is cloud HRIS software secure and GDPR-compliant?

The ADP team would place the privacy and security of your data, as well as your compliance with GDPR and other regulations, right at the forefront of any HRIS solution they deliver. 

Conclusion — so what’s the best HRIS software for a small business in the UK?

Choosing the right HRIS software in the UK for your small business may seem like a daunting

task but it’s an important one, so we hope this article and our HRIS software comparison chart have helped.

Essentially, the best HRIS software in the UK is whatever best suits you and your business — your needs, headcount, budget, growth plans and support requirements — now and in the future.

ADP offers you comprehensive, secure and scalable solutions built on more than 75 years of experience and supported by thousands of HR and payroll experts around the world who already serve over a million customers.

 So, if you’re looking for an HRIS solution that can streamline your operations today and grow with your enterprise tomorrow, take a closer look at what ADP can offer your business.

Book a call with our team of experts today