Finding the right HR software for your UK business requires careful consideration of features, compliance, and value. People HR positions itself as a cloud-based solution designed specifically for small to medium-sized enterprises managing their workforce operations.
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People HR (formerly Access People HR) offers UK businesses a four-tier HR platform starting from £3 per employee/month (Starter), scaling through Core (£5.50), Pro (£8), and Elite (£9.50) plans. Features include absence management, performance tracking, AI-powered HR assistant, and HMRC-compliant reporting. Separate payroll modules are available from £3/employee/month.
This review examines People HR’s pricing structure, core functionality, user experience, and compliance capabilities to help you determine whether it meets your organization’s requirements. We’ll analyze its strengths and limitations based on real-world usage in UK workplaces.
- Free plan covers up to 5 employees - excellent entry point for micro-businesses testing HR software functionality
- Best for growing UK startups under 50 staff - scalable pricing and features match early-stage business development needs
- Limited reporting compared to enterprise solutions - basic analytics may frustrate data-driven HR teams and managers
- 50% less expensive than BambooHR annually - significant cost savings for small businesses prioritising budget over advanced features
Key Features
People HR provides a comprehensive suite of HR management tools designed for UK businesses. The platform includes absence management, recruitment tracking, performance reviews, and employee self-service portals.
Core Functionality
The system handles holiday requests and sick leave tracking with automatic calculations for statutory entitlements. Employees can submit absence requests through the self-service portal, which routes to managers for approval. The recruitment module tracks candidates from application through to onboarding, with customizable workflow stages.
Performance management tools include objective setting, one-to-one meeting notes, and 360-degree feedback capabilities. The document storage feature maintains employee files securely with access controls and audit trails.
UK Compliance Features
- HMRC-compliant reporting
- RTI submission preparation
- Automatic calculations for statutory leave entitlements
- UK bank holiday calendars
- Workplace pension scheme tracking
Reporting and Analytics
People HR generates reports on headcount, absence rates, turnover, and departmental breakdowns. Custom reports can be built using various data fields. The dashboard displays key metrics including current absence levels and upcoming reviews.
Support and Access
UK-based support operates during standard business hours via phone and email. The system runs on cloud infrastructure with mobile-responsive design. Pricing displays in GBP with monthly or annual billing options available.
The platform integrates with payroll systems and allows data exports in multiple formats. Role-based permissions control which staff members access specific features and employee information.
Pricing Breakdown
People HR offers four pricing tiers, all charged per employee per month in GBP. Each tier progressively adds more features:
| Plan | From (PEPM) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | £3 | HR essentials, employee records, document management, absence tracking, mobile app, AI HR assistant, personalised dashboard, learning library |
| Core | £5.50 | Everything in Starter + onboarding, expenses, eSignatures, employee communications, reward & recognition, essential analytics |
| Pro | £8 | Everything in Core + performance management, timesheets, custom survey builder |
| Elite | £9.50 | Everything in Pro + customisable & automated workflows, automated processes, advanced analytics |
Separate payroll modules are also available: Payroll Core from £3/employee/month and Managed Payroll Core from £5/employee/month. All plans include HMRC-compliant reporting and standard UK support during business hours.
People HR offers a free trial for organisations to test the platform before committing. The Starter plan includes the AI-powered HR assistant and inclusive learning library, which are notable inclusions at this price point.
User Interface & Experience
People HR presents a clean interface that prioritises functionality over visual complexity. The dashboard displays key HR metrics and tasks in a straightforward layout that most users can navigate without extensive training.
The system uses a left-hand navigation menu to organise modules including absence management, performance reviews, and recruitment. This structure remains consistent across different sections, which helps users locate features quickly.
Navigation strengths:
- Clear labelling of menu items
- Quick access to frequently used functions
- Mobile-responsive design for on-the-go access
The platform works adequately on tablets and smartphones, though some users report that certain features function better on desktop browsers. Forms and data entry fields follow standard conventions, reducing the learning curve for new administrators.
People HR’s interface shows its age in certain areas. The visual design lacks the modern polish found in newer HR platforms, with basic styling and limited customisation options for company branding.
The search functionality allows users to locate employee records and documents efficiently. However, generating custom reports requires more clicks than some competing systems.
User experience considerations:
- Response times are generally quick during UK business hours
- The system occasionally requires page refreshes to display updated information
- Drop-down menus can feel cluttered when dealing with large employee databases
Employee self-service portals provide staff with straightforward access to their payslips, holiday balances, and personal details. The interface here maintains the same functional approach, though employees typically adapt to it within a few uses.
Customer Support & Service
People HR provides support through multiple channels including email, phone, and an online help centre. UK-based customers can access telephone support during business hours, typically Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM GMT.
The platform includes a knowledge base with articles, guides, and video tutorials covering common queries about payroll, leave management, and HMRC integration. Users can search for solutions independently before contacting the support team.
Support Channels Available:
- Email support with response times typically within 24 hours on business days
- Telephone support during UK business hours
- Online help centre and documentation
- Video tutorials for key features
The system includes in-app guidance for specific functions like setting up pension schemes and calculating statutory payments in GBP. Customer service representatives demonstrate familiarity with UK employment law requirements and HMRC compliance matters.
Response times vary depending on the support tier included in the subscription plan. Higher-tier plans may receive priority support with faster response times. The company does not appear to offer 24/7 support or weekend coverage as standard.
Users can submit support tickets directly through their People HR account. The ticketing system allows customers to track their queries and view previous interactions with the support team. Training resources are available for administrators who need to understand specific features like holiday entitlement calculations or P11D reporting.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive HR functionality that covers recruitment, onboarding, absence management, and performance reviews within a single platform
- HMRC-compliant reporting with built-in tools for UK payroll integration and automatic tax year updates
- Self-service employee portal reduces administrative burden by allowing staff to request holidays, view payslips, and update personal details independently
- Customisable workflows enable businesses to tailor approval processes and automated notifications to match their specific requirements
- Document management centralises employee files, contracts, and policies with secure storage and version control
- Responsive UK-based support team available during standard business hours via phone and email
- Mobile app access allows managers and employees to handle essential tasks remotely
Cons:
- Pricing structure can become expensive for smaller businesses, particularly when adding multiple modules beyond the core package
- Learning curve for new users navigating the various features and settings, especially for organisations without dedicated HR staff
- Reporting limitations require manual workarounds for certain custom reports that aren’t available in standard templates
- Integration capabilities are more limited compared to enterprise-level systems, with fewer third-party connections available
- Interface design feels dated in some areas and lacks the modern aesthetics found in newer HR platforms
- No built-in payroll processing means businesses must integrate with external providers or handle payroll separately
Integrations
People HR offers a range of integrations designed to connect with common business tools used by UK organisations. The platform integrates with payroll systems, accounting software, and productivity applications to reduce manual data entry.
Native integrations include connections to popular UK payroll providers and accounting platforms like Xero and Sage. These integrations enable automatic data transfer for employee records, salary information, and HMRC reporting requirements.
The system supports integration with:
- Xero – Automated syncing of employee financial data
- Sage – Direct payroll and accounting connections
- Microsoft 365 – Calendar syncing and email integration
- Google Workspace – Single sign-on and calendar integration
- Slack – Notifications and absence alerts
People HR provides API access for organisations requiring custom integrations. The API documentation allows technical teams to build connections between People HR and other internal systems or third-party applications.
The platform includes Zapier compatibility, which extends integration possibilities to over 5,000 applications without custom development. This feature proves useful for smaller businesses that need flexible connections without dedicated IT resources.
Integration setup varies by connection type. Some integrations activate through simple authentication processes, while others require configuration by People HR support or IT administrators. The vendor provides setup guidance through documentation and support channels during UK business hours.
Data synchronisation frequency depends on the specific integration. Some connections update in real-time, whilst others process information at scheduled intervals throughout the day.
Security & Compliance (GDPR)
People HR operates data centres within the UK and maintains ISO 27001 certification for information security management. The platform processes employee data in accordance with UK GDPR requirements and the Data Protection Act 2018.
All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols. People HR acts as a data processor for organisations using the system, with customers retaining control as data controllers. The software includes features to support subject access requests and right to erasure obligations under GDPR.
Key security features include:
- Two-factor authentication for user accounts
- Role-based access controls to limit data visibility
- Audit trails tracking system changes and access
- Regular third-party security assessments
- Automatic security updates and patches
People HR provides a Data Processing Agreement (DPA) that outlines responsibilities for GDPR compliance. The agreement covers data processing activities, security measures, and breach notification procedures.
The system includes built-in tools for managing employee consent and tracking data retention periods. Administrators can configure automated deletion schedules to comply with legal retention requirements set by HMRC and other UK regulatory bodies.
Backup and recovery:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Backup frequency | Daily automated backups |
| Data retention | 30-day backup retention |
| Recovery time | Standard SLA applies |
People HR maintains cyber insurance coverage and follows incident response procedures in case of security events. The vendor publishes a security whitepaper detailing technical and organisational measures for UK customers.
Final Verdict
People HR delivers solid core functionality for UK small to medium-sized businesses seeking an affordable HR management system. The platform handles essential tasks like holiday tracking, absence management, and employee records with competence.
Strengths:
- Pricing: Four tiers from £3/employee/month (Starter) to £9.50/employee/month (Elite), with separate payroll modules available
- HMRC Integration: Direct RTI submissions simplify payroll reporting compliance
- UK-Focused Features: Built-in support for UK employment law, statutory leave, and pension auto-enrolment
- Customer Support: UK-based team available during standard business hours (9am-5pm GMT)
Limitations:
- The interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
- Reporting capabilities lack depth for complex workforce analytics
- Mobile app functionality remains basic
- Integration options are limited outside the core UK payroll providers
The software suits businesses with straightforward HR needs who prioritise cost-effectiveness and UK compliance over advanced features. Companies requiring sophisticated reporting, extensive integrations, or modern user interfaces may find the platform restrictive.
People HR represents a pragmatic choice rather than an innovative one. It accomplishes fundamental HR administration without unnecessary complexity or premium pricing. Businesses with 10-150 employees typically gain the most value, particularly those transitioning from spreadsheets or paper-based systems.
The platform serves organisations that need reliable HR basics delivered from £3/employee/month (Starter) up to £9.50/employee/month (Elite) for full automation, with proper HMRC connectivity and UK employment law alignment built in.
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For more on this topic, see our guides to best HR software, HR software costs, and absence management software.
Independent People HR review for 2026. Four tiers from £3 to £9.50 per employee/month. AI HR assistant, absence tracking, performance management, payroll modules. See which plan suits your business.
