Breathe HR vs BrightHR: Which HR software is right for your organisation?

If you’re weighing up your options for HR software, chances are you’ve come across both Breathe and BrightHR. These platforms are popular among businesses across the UK – but which one is the better fit for your needs? 

In this side-by-side comparison, we’ll explore how each platform stacks up across features, pricing, performance tools, integrations, and more.  

Whether you’re looking to cut down on admin, stay compliant and audit-ready, or streamline your HR processes with the right HR software tools, we’ll help you find the best tool for your team. 

 

At a glance: Feature comparison

Why businesses and organisations choose HR software

Deep-dive: How Breathe and BrightHR compare

Pricing breakdown (2025)

Pros and cons: Which is right for you?

Real use cases: Which should you choose?

Final verdict: Is Breathe HR software or BrightHR better for UK businesses?

 

 

At a glance: Feature comparison

Feature	Breathe	BrightHR
Target audience	✅ (1–250+) UK only	✅ International SMEs, (all sizes)
Performance tools	✅ One to ones, objectives, employee and company goals, reviews	✅ Structured reviews and templates
Contract length	Pay as you go monthly or choose annual plan	Long term contract
Integrations	✅ Payroll, spend management, employee benefits, ATS, rota, AI support via Instant Messaging Platform (Slack, Teams, WhatsApp)	✅ Limited
Compliance Support	✅ Built-in reporting & alerts, training log and policy management	✅ Legal advice line
Self-Service	✅ Mobile app available	✅ Mobile app available
Free Trial	✅ 14 days	❌ Demo only
Pricing	Per month or annual, plan size	Per employee/month
Smaller Teams	✅ Affordable packages and optional add-ons	✅ Larger package options
Custom Reports	✅ Available	✅ Available

 

Why businesses and organisations choose HR software

Today’s small teams face a growing list of HR tasks – from tracking time off and managing documents to ensuring compliance and keeping staff engaged.  

That’s where platforms like Breathe HR software and BrightHR come in. 

HR software can help you: 

• Automate repetitive tasks and reduce admin 

• Maintain compliance with UK employment laws, so you're audit-ready 

• Centralise employee data securely 

• Make it easy for staff to manage their own info with self-service tools 

• Track performance and run structured reviews 

• Save time and money by working smarter, not harder 

These platforms are especially valuable for businesses looking to scale efficiently. 

Deep dive: How Breathe and BrightHR compare

Performance and people management

• Breathe includes straightforward performance tools like one-to-ones, employee and company goals, and review templates – ideal for businesses focused on employee development. Additionally, Breathe's tools benefit new hires by streamlining communication and integration for a smoother onboarding experience.  

• BrightHR also has performance management functionality. 

Automation and admin

• Breathe offers automations to manage leave requests, document approvals, expenses, and onboarding/offboarding. Breathe’s automated workflows make HR tasks easier, helping anyone manage them quickly and efficiently, even with limited tech skills. 

• BrightHR handles basic admin well, but automation is more limited and focused on standard compliance templates. Managing compliance documents helps make recruitment and onboarding easier, keeping admin tasks smooth from hiring through to training. 

Compliance and security

• Both platforms support UK compliance needs but Breathe offers structured audit-ready tools and ISO-certified data security, ensuring the protection of sensitive HR data with advanced security technologies. 

• BrightHR stands out for its 24/7 employment law advice line, ideal for businesses that want guidance built-in, and offers health and safety features, ideal for highly regulated businesses. But of course, this comes with a higher price tag.  

Integrations

• Breathe integrates with payroll software, spend management, ATS, AI support tools via instant messaging systems like Slack, Teams and WhatsApp. It also integrates other tools, offering a comprehensive solution for businesses with varying HR needs. Picking the right HR software helps small businesses work more efficiently, especially when teams are working remotely or in a mix of office and home. 

• BrightHR has fewer third-party integrations and relies more on proprietary add-ons like BrightSafe and BrightAdvice. 

Employee engagement and support 

• Breathe HR software puts a strong focus on empowering employees. This includes engagement surveys, kudos, performance management features like one-to-ones and goal tracking, and employee dashboards.  

  These tools help employees take ownership of their development and stay connected to their progress, boosting morale and productivity. Breathe also supports flexible working with leave and absence tracking, and a clean, user-friendly interface that’s accessible on any device. 

• BrightHR, on the other hand, offers solid features for basic admin and compliance, but is less focused on engagement.  

  While it provides tools for managing holidays and absences, it lacks deeper engagement tools like employee NPS, company announcements and a burnout monitor. Its strength lies in offering document templates and compliance support, rather than developing long-term employee engagement. 

  
  

User experience and interface

A user-friendly interface should be intuitive and easy to navigate, providing employees and HR teams with a seamless experience. 

Breathe is praised for its user-friendly design, making HR tasks accessible for non-technical users. A reviewer shared: 

"Breathe has streamlined our HR processes and saved us time on admin. Breathe is incredibly user-friendly, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. 

I especially like how clean and intuitive the interface is, everything from booking leave to reviewing performance is straightforward. It’s easy to navigate, requires very little training, and gives a clear overview of our team at a glance.  

The self-service functionality has empowered our team to manage their own records, which saves us so much time."

BrightHR is recognised for its user-friendly interface. One reviewer shared what they like:

• User friendly interface

• Easy to keep track of employee record

• Offer additional resources like templates and guides provided to help with HR compliance

• Easy to manage on leave request and track absences

Implementation and onboarding

Implementing and onboarding HR software can seem daunting, but with the right support, it can be a straightforward process. Many HR software providers offer free training and implementation support to help businesses get started.  

It’s essential to consider the implementation and onboarding process when choosing an HR software, as it can significantly impact the success of the system.  

By providing a comprehensive onboarding process, HR software providers can help businesses reduce the risk of errors and ensure a smooth transition to the new system. 

• Breathe HR software makes onboarding simple with a step-by-step 'Getting set up' hub, setup checklist, and free training videos. Breathe also has a fantastic 'Knowledge Base' to help you navigate as you need. Businesses can get set up in as little as 60 minutes. And if you use Breathe through our Partner network, partner support is available if needed. 

• BrightHR offers an easy-to-navigate 'Help Centre', onboarding templates, and CPD-accredited training via BrightLearn. Users also get access to live chat, phone, and email support for a smooth setup. 

Time and attendance management

Both BrightHR and Breathe HR software offer time and attendance management, but their approaches differ. 

BrightHR delivers a comprehensive, mobile-first solution, including: 

• Blip clock-in/out app with GPS and selfie verification 

• Automated timesheets linked to rotas 

• Real-time attendance dashboards and absence tracking 

• Advanced shift scheduling and rota management  

But at a premium.  

Breathe, while primarily focused on simple absence and leave tracking, offers a Rota add-on, which includes: 

• Shift planning and Rota creation 

• Team availability views and shift swap requests 

• Visibility of hours worked and scheduled 

• Time tracking and timesheets are available through integrations with tools like RotaCloud 

• Clear visibility of employee leave balances and requests 

• Customisable absence categories and reporting 

This makes Breathe more competitive for businesses wanting basic scheduling alongside core absence management. 

Pricing breakdown (2025)

Breathe is ideal for growing businesses that need scalable pricing per month and flexibility.

BrightHR offers fixed-fee plans that may appeal to companies focused on straightforward pricing and contracts.

Pros and cons: Which is right for you? 

Breathe HR software – the ‘all-in-one’ HR solution for scaling businesses ✅

• Scales with your business size 

• Broad feature set including holiday and absence management. 

• UK-based support and training 

• Strong integration ecosystem 

• Free 14-day trial with no commitment 

• Excels in HR management by streamlining recruitment, employee engagement, and talent management 

• User-friendly HR systems designed for non-technical users, with an intuitive interface and robust compliance tools to keep you audit-ready 

Best for: SMEs looking for flexibility, affordability, audit-trails, performance tools, and customisation. 

Bright HR – Compliance-first ✅

• Legal helpline and document templates 

• 24/7 advice line for employment issues 

• Bundled pricing for simplified budgeting 

BrightHR's software helps businesses streamline HR operations like recruitment, onboarding, and performance management - but keep a look out for what's included in your essential package and what comes at an extra cost.

This software is designed to save time by simplifying complex administrative processes, reducing the time spent on these activities and minimising potential errors. 

Best for: Businesses seeking built-in legal protection and document control with fewer integration needs. 

Real use cases: Which should you choose?

Choose Breathe software if...

• You're a business looking for an ‘all-in-one’ solution to streamline your HR processes and centralise your people’s data in one easy-to-use system, including holiday and absence management, performance reviews, document storage, and employee self-service. 

• Your business is growing and needs scalable, customisable workflows to manage recruitment, onboarding, performance, and compliance. 
• You prefer an HR solution that integrates flexibly with other platforms, such as payroll or specialist time-tracking tools, rather than relying solely on inbuilt features. 
  
• Your priority is empowering managers and employees through self-service portals and streamlined admin processes, rather than heavy compliance features. 

• You want to add basic shift scheduling through Breathe’s Rota add-on, giving you visibility over team availability and hours without adding complex tools. 

Choose BrightHR if... 

• Your business is highly regulated and requires a compliance-focus to mitigate business risk with access to 24/7 HR and legal advice, including document templates, policies, and notifications. 

• You need time and attendance tools built-in, such as the Blip clock-in/out app with GPS and selfie verification, making it easy for managing mobile, remote, or field-based teams. 

• You require advanced shift scheduling, rota management, and real-time absence tracking, with dashboards and reporting that help manage productivity and absence trends. 

• You want to pay more for an HR toolkit with added wellbeing, health & safety, and performance tools, all managed through BrightHR’s desktop and mobile platforms. 
  

Final verdict: Is Breathe HR software or BrightHR better for UK businesses?

If you’re a business in the UK aiming to grow, empower your team, and streamline operations, Breathe HR software is the more feature-rich and scalable choice at a price that doesn't break the bank. 

Its intuitive interface, flexible pricing, and essential HR functionality make it a strong partner for long-term success.  

Additionally, Breathe offers expert e-learning courses and facilitates effective team training, making it a cost-effective solution for scaling your training efforts. 

If legal advice and compliance documentation are your top priorities, and you prefer a bundle package, BrightHR may suit you better, especially if your business isn’t focused on performance and employee engagement just yet.  

FAQs

What are the best HR software UK options for SMEs?

For small and medium-sized organisations in the UK, Breathe and BrightHR are popular choices. They offer comprehensive HR solutions that can streamline HR processes and enhance the employee experience.

Does either platform offer a free trial?

Breathe offers a 14-day free trial. BrightHR requires a sales-led demo.

Which is better for growing teams?

Breathe’s pricing and add-on features make it a better choice for scalable growth.

Which platform integrates with payroll?

Breathe HR software integrates with multiple payroll systems. BrightHR focuses more on in-house tools.

Is Breathe or BrightHR better for performance management?

Breathe includes goal setting, one-to-ones, and review tools – BrightHR only offers these features at an extra cost.

What absence management features do these platforms offer?

Breathe provides effective absence management tools that help track and manage employee absences efficiently, which is crucial in hybrid and remote working environments. BrightHR also offers absence management features, but they are less comprehensive compared to Breathe HR software.