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How to choose the best HRIS software for small & medium businesses in the UK: Top UK HRIS systems compared
Published on 4 Nov. 2025 - Reading time: 8-10 mins
Table of Contents
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 You may also need to manage people working remotely and have procedures for . 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 small business in the UK without HRIS software.
HR software, such as a human resource information system (HRIS for short), is a tool that help you negotiate all the above challenges and more besides. HRIS software 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.
If you want to know more about how HR software can reduce your business costs read our article.
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
Let’s discover the must-have features for a good HRIS solution.
Cloud-based HR management
One of the key features for small businesses of HRIS solutions is that they’re cloud-based — so you can access them from everywhere. 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 helping your business remain compliant with changing HR regulations. For further guidance on GDPR in the UK, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Reporting and analytics for HR insights
One of the key features key 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.
Bewildered by the latest HR terminology? Wondering what is an HR system, an HRMS or an HRIS and whether they’re right for your business?
Discover ADP Human resources management system (HRMS)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.
See how the best HRIS software compares
Based on the checklist and must-have features, we have compared the best HRIS software in the market so you can make the right decision for your business.
| Product features/ capabilities |
ADP | BambooHR | Hibob | Charlie | BrightHR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive HR & payroll integration | ✔ | Basic | Basic | Not offered | Basic |
| UK compliance (GDPR, RTW, pension auto-enrolment) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Employee self-service & mobile app | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Onboarding & offboarding workflows | ✔ | Basic | ✔ | Basic | ✔ |
| Integrated time, absence & leave management | ✔ | Basic | ✔ | Basic | ✔ |
| Performance management tools | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Basic | Not offered |
| Advanced reporting & HR analytics | ✔ | Basic | ✔ | Basic | Basic |
| Integration with accounting/payroll/other HR tech | ✔ | Basic | Basic | Not offered | Basic |
| Scalable & customisable for UK small business growth | ✔ | Basic | Basic | Not offered | Basic |
| Access to UK HR/legal support & resources | ✔ | Not offered | Basic | Basic | ✔ |
ADP HRIS — best for growing UK businesses and global compliance
Managing your team shouldn’t be complicated. With ADP, you get more than just HR software — you get a partner who understands what your people and business needs to succeed. From hiring and onboarding to ongoing support, everything works smoothly and stays secure. As your business grows, ADP grows alongside you, giving you confidence and freeing you up to focus on building a great place to work.
Key features
- Enterprise-grade scalability
- Deep HR and payroll integration
- Trusted support from thousands of global HR experts
- GDPR-compliant, secure infrastructure
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 local 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 places 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?
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.
