People Management
Manage your people, data and structure in one place
An HRIS is a system that helps businesses manage employee data, documents, workflows and reporting in one place. This guide compares leading HRIS platforms in the UK and shows where each is best suited, including Plumm as an all-in-one HRIS connecting HR, payroll, performance, recruitment, learning and wellbeing.
The best HRIS software in the UK depends on your business size, HR requirements and whether you need HRIS as a standalone system or as part of a wider HR platform. Plumm, HiBob and Personio are common options for teams looking for connected HR platforms. Plumm combines HR management, payroll, performance, recruitment, learning and wellbeing in one connected system.
HRIS (Human Resources Information System) software helps businesses manage their employee information and HR processes in one central platform. It provides a single source of truth for areas such as employee records, documents, workflows, reporting and wider people processes.
When choosing HRIS software, businesses should consider whether the platform can support their current HR needs while connecting other important areas such as payroll, recruitment, performance management, learning and wellbeing.
A strong HRIS helps businesses manage employee information, documents, workflows and everyday HR processes in one place.
Connecting HR information with payroll helps reduce manual administration and keeps important people data aligned.
HRIS platforms can support goals, reviews, feedback and ongoing performance conversations.
Recruitment functionality helps teams manage hiring workflows and candidate information alongside wider HR processes.
Learning tools help businesses support training, development and skills growth within the same platform.
Reporting helps teams understand people data and make better-informed decisions.
Role-based permissions help businesses control access to people information according to different roles and responsibilities.
An HRIS should connect with the other systems a business relies on. Plumm provides an open API for connecting payroll and other tools.
UK support and a clear implementation approach are important when choosing an HRIS, particularly when the platform will become the central system for people data and processes.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but HRIS specifically refers to the system of record: employee data, documents, workflows and reporting. HR software can also include hiring, learning, performance, engagement and wellbeing modules built on top of that record.
| Platform | Best Suited For | Strengths | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumm | Teams wanting a modern HRIS connected to hiring, learning, performance and wellbeing | Connected HRIS combining HR, payroll, performance, recruitment, learning and wellbeing | Some HRIS reporting depth may depend on package |
| HiBob | Mid-market teams wanting a polished HRIS | Modern UI, strong people analytics, integrations marketplace | UK Payroll available; check payroll scope by region and package |
| Personio | European mid-market with structured HR processes | Mature HRIS, workflows, reporting | Setup tends to be heavier |
| BambooHR | SMEs wanting a clear people database with reporting | Solid HRIS foundation, intuitive UI | UK payroll may require additional tools |
| BreatheHR | Small UK teams needing basic HRIS | Simple UK-focused HRIS with documents and time off | Best suited for very small teams |
| CharlieHR | Small teams wanting lightweight HRIS | Clean UI, easy starter HRIS | Broader HR modules may require additional tools |
| Sage HR | Teams in the Sage ecosystem | Modular HRIS with Sage payroll fit | Stronger fit when Sage is already in use |
| Access PeopleHR | Teams in the Access suite | HRIS available in broader Access suite | May require additional Access modules |
| Factorial HR | European SMEs wanting modular HRIS | HRIS with time, documents, performance modules | May depend on package for full breadth |
| Zoho People | Teams using Zoho products | Available in the wider Zoho suite | Stronger fit when other Zoho products are in use |
| Ciphr | UK mid-market needing structured HRIS and reporting | Established UK HRIS with reporting depth | Best suited for buyers prioritising HRIS reporting |
Plumm combines core HRIS capabilities with the wider tools businesses need to manage their people processes in one connected platform.
Manage people records, documents, time off, workflows, reporting and permissions alongside recruitment, learning, performance management and wellbeing. Instead of using separate systems for different parts of the people lifecycle, Plumm brings these capabilities together in one platform.
This gives growing teams better visibility, fewer disconnected processes and a simpler way to manage HR operations.
HRIS stands for Human Resources Information System. It is a platform that helps businesses manage people information and HR processes, including records, documents, workflows, reporting, permissions and time off. Modern HR platforms can also connect HRIS capabilities with areas such as recruitment, payroll, performance management, learning and wellbeing.
Yes. Plumm provides HRIS capabilities as part of an all-in-one HR platform. It helps businesses manage people records, documents, workflows, time off, reporting and permissions, while also connecting these processes with recruitment, learning, performance management, payroll and wellbeing.
For many UK SMEs and growing teams, Plumm can replace the need for a separate HRIS by combining core HRIS capabilities with wider people tools in one platform.
Plumm supports areas such as people records, documents, workflows, reporting, permissions, recruitment, learning, performance management and wellbeing. Larger organisations with highly complex multi-country requirements may have different requirements depending on their setup.
Plumm includes HRIS capabilities such as people records, documents, contracts, workflows, time off, reporting, permissions and audit trails.
These capabilities connect with wider HR tools including recruitment, onboarding, learning, performance management and wellbeing, helping businesses manage more of their people processes in one connected platform.
A standalone HRIS may not cover every people process a growing business needs. Teams may also need separate tools for recruitment, learning, performance management or wellbeing.
Plumm combines HRIS capabilities with these wider HR tools in one connected platform, helping reduce the need for multiple disconnected systems.
Plumm supports role-based access controls so different users can access the information they need based on their responsibilities. Permissions help businesses manage access to sensitive people information, documents and HR processes.
I really enjoyed ensuring everything was up to date, relevant, and organised in one place. Implementing it with the team has been seamless, the platform is incredibly intuitive and easy to use.
I don't think there's any question about the long-term value of having a system like this. The time, money, effort, and everything else it saves makes it well worth it.
A year ago we never imagined this: our team openly talks about mental health and loves their sessions with Plumm.
It’s vital to offer employees accessible tools. Plumm gave us exactly that with chat and video therapy, meditations, webinars, and tailored sessions.