PeopleHR vs BreatheHR: detailed side by side analysis
When weighing up PeopleHR and BreatheHR, it’s helpful to look beyond individual features and understand how each platform supports the way your business works today; and how it may evolve tomorrow. Comparisons like this cut through marketing noise and highlight the practical differences that influence day‑to‑day efficiency, long‑term scalability, and overall value.
Quick Overview
PeopleHR is best suited to growing SMEs that want deeper HR automation, more advanced workflows, and built‑in applicant tracking as they scale. It’s designed for organisations that want to streamline repeatable processes and introduce more structure; without moving to an enterprise‑grade system. The biggest difference is its automation and ATS capabilities, which go significantly further than BreatheHR, making it a stronger choice for teams with expanding headcount and evolving compliance needs.
BreatheHR, on the other hand, is ideal for small businesses or lean HR teams that prioritise simplicity, ease of setup, and a user‑friendly interface. It focuses on making everyday HR tasks, like holiday management and sickness tracking, as straightforward as possible; without the added complexity of advanced automation. The biggest difference here is its simplicity: BreatheHR is intentionally lightweight, making it better suited to businesses that want a clean, intuitive tool rather than a feature‑rich system.
Comparing Platforms: PeopleHR and BreatheHR Features
Choosing HR software isn’t just about a tick‑list; it’s about fit, growth, and time‑to‑value. Both platforms cover core HR, but PeopleHR is designed to scale further with built‑in payroll options, advanced analytics, and workflow automation that reduce admin as you grow.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing models affect total cost as you scale and as you add capabilities like time tracking, expenses, or payroll. Choosing the right model keeps costs predictable while giving you room to add capabilities when you need them.
PeopleHR
PeopleHR uses a transparent per‑employee pricing with four tiers (Starter £3, Core £5.50, Pro £8, Elite+ £9.50 per employee/month) and optional add-on modules, such as Ripple workflow, timesheets, benefits). Payroll options, including fully managed payroll, are also available, and their free trial lets you evaluate before you commit.
BreatheHR
BreatheHR uses per‑business pricing based on headcount bands starting from £22 a month for 1 – 10 employees, and up to £159 a month for 51 – 100 employees. The software also features optional add‑ons priced separately, including Rota, Time & Attendance.
What this means
If your priority is keeping core HR simple at a fixed account price, BreatheHR can look attractive; until you need add‑ons. If you want broader functionality on one platform with payroll options and premium analytics as you scale, PeopleHR’s tiered approach is ideal and designed for that path.
Pros and Cons of PeopleHR and BreatheHR
We’re now going to look at the pros and cons of both platforms, so you can see at a glance where each fit. The summary below focuses on the essentials; pricing models, payroll options, automation/analytics, and usability/AI, alongside the key trade‑offs to watch, such as tiered features and add‑on costs. Use this as a quick scan before diving into the details that matter most for your team.
Which is better for UK SMEs: PeopleHR or BreatheHR?
For most UK SMEs, PeopleHR is generally the stronger long‑term choice, particularly for businesses that expect to grow or want to bring more structure and automation into their HR operations. Its built‑in applicant tracking system, configurable workflows, and deeper reporting capabilities give teams far more room to scale without outgrowing the platform. This makes PeopleHR especially appealing to organisations that want an HR system that won’t just meet their needs today, but will continue to support more advanced processes as they evolve.
BreatheHR remains a solid option for very small businesses that prioritise simplicity and just need a clean, lightweight tool for core tasks like holiday management and absence tracking. However, its intentionally streamlined design means it offers far less flexibility as complexity increases. For SMEs with plans to expand headcount, improve compliance, or reduce manual admin, PeopleHR typically offers greater value, more automation, and a clearer path to future‑proofing HR operations.
FAQs
Does BreatheHR include payroll?
No, BreatheHR does not include built‑in payroll. Instead, it exports payroll‑ready data and integrates with external payroll systems such as Xero, QuickBooks, ADP, Gusto, LivePay and IRIS Payrite. Payslips can be imported into BreatheHR, but payroll is not processed within the system itself.
PeopleHR, by contrast, does include built‑in payroll, handling tax, pensions and statutory pay in‑system.
Which platform scales better?
PeopleHR scales better for growing SMEs, thanks to its deeper automation, full ATS, advanced time‑tracking, and integrated payroll. It is specifically positioned for startups and fast‑growing teams that require structure, automation and more sophisticated HR workflows as they expand,
What types of HR tasks does each system handle?
- PeopleHR: Recruitment (full ATS), onboarding, advanced absence tools, performance management, payroll, analytics, automation, and time/attendance with biometrics or geofencing.
- BreatheHR: Core HR, leave tracking, onboarding checklists, performance tools, basic ATS (add‑on), rota/shift tools, reporting and payroll integrations.
Which platform has better recruitment tools?
PeopleHR clearly comes out on top, offering a full Applicant Tracking System with job posting, video interviews, automation and analytics built in. BreatheHR offers a basic recruitment add‑on, but it lacks automation and detailed analytics.
How do pricing models differ?
PeopleHR offers Per‑user pricing starting from £3 per user per month, with HR + Payroll bundles available, whilst BreatheHR’s price is based on company size, starting at £22 per month for 1–10 employees.
Which system offers better reporting and analytics?
PeopleHR offers more advanced reporting, supporting more complex workforce insights and operational analysis. BreatheHR provides helpful dashboards and reports, but they are lighter and designed for simpler needs.
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