If you’re wondering whether CharlieHR or Breathe is the right solution for your team, you’re in the right place.  

HR software can streamline operations, cut down admin, and support auditing for small businesses in the UK. But not all platforms are built the same. 

In this head-to-head comparison, we’ll explore the strengths and differences between CharlieHR and Breathe HR software - covering pricing, performance tools, usability, and more.  

 

At a glance: CharlieHR vs Breathe HR

Pros and cons: Which HR software is right for you

Feature highlights: Comparing CharlieHR and Breathe HR

Pricing breakdown Charlie HR vs Breathe HR (2025)

Why Breathe leads for growing UK businesses

Final verdict: Which HR software should you choose? 

 

Introduction to HR software

HR software is a simple way to take the stress out of managing people. It gives you one place to securely store and manage your team’s data, so you can spend less time on admin - and more time on what matters most.

From keeping on top of holidays and absences to handling onboarding, performance and compliance, HR software, like Charlie HR and Breathe HR, helps small businesses stay organised and in control.

For UK SMEs, it’s not just about saving time. It’s about knowing your people are supported, your records are up to date, and your data is safe, all in one easy-to-use system.

 

What is HR software and why does it matter for UK businesses?

HR software isn’t just about ticking boxes, it’s about making everyday people management simpler, smarter and more supportive.

For growing businesses, it means less time spent on tasks like tracking absences or chasing paperwork, and more time focusing on your people.

This is where software like Charlie HR and Breathe HR help.

Automating things like holiday requests, performance reviews and employee records gives you the headspace to step back and think strategically.

It also helps you stay compliant, make better decisions, and spot what your team needs, right when they need it.

With the right HR software, you’ve got a clear view of your people, your processes, and your potential - all in one place.

 

 

At a glance: CharlieHR and Breathe HR

Feature	Breathe	Charlie HR
Target audience	SMEs (1–250+ employees) for all industries	Startups and micro-teams for tech industries
Essential HR functions	Employee records, holiday management, sickness and absence tracking, document and policy management, reporting library	Entry-level HR features
Performance management	One to ones, objectives, employee and company goals, reviews	Structured reviews and templates
Integrations	Payroll, spend management, employee benefits, ATS, rota, AI support via instant messaging platform (Slack, Teams, WhatsApp)	Payroll, ATS, benchmarking + others
Analytics & reporting	Ready-to-go dashboards and advanced reporting capabilities	Basic reports only
Document & policy storage	Unlimited, secure and permission-based	Plan-restricted
Self-service portal	Employee access	Self-service with plan-based limits
Customer support	UK-based support, live chat, 89% customer satisfaction score	Email and chat based
Free trial	✅ 14 days	✅ 7 days
Billing model	One-off monthly/annual subscription based on company size	One-off cost per company size
Manage hiring	Streamlined recruitment process with integrated tools	Limited hiring management features

 

 

Pros and cons: Which HR software is right for you?

Let's look at Breathe HR vs Charlie HR. 

Breathe HR software – feature-rich HR software for growing UK teams

Why businesses choose Breathe

• Comprehensive HR solution and HR platform with pricing that scales fairly as your team grows (with options to change plans as and when you need)
• Pricing scales fairly as your team grows (with options to change plans as and when you need)
• Wide range of features including performance, holiday and sickness tracking, documents, expenses, and more 
• Helpful support team, with strong UK-based support with free training options 
• Broad integration ecosystem (payroll, rota, recruitment, etc.) 
• Secure cloud storage and intuitive reporting dashboards 
• Excellent self-service experience for employees 
• Compliance tracking helps keep all your important employee information in one place and makes sure your business follows the rules - ready for auditing at any time 
• Streamlines HR processes, saving money and reducing administrative costs
• Engagement surveys to measure employee satisfaction and gather regular feedback 
• Offers a free 14-day trial, so you can test it out for long enough to see how it works for you
  

Ideal if: You want a scalable, all-in-one HR system that’s built for long-term growth. 

CharlieHR - simple, fixed-price HR for start-ups 

Why start-ups pick CharlieHR: 

• Flat monthly pricing based on per-user charges 
• Clean user interface focused on ease of use 
• Designed to be accessible for non-tech users
• Comes with built-in review cycles and performance feedback tools 
• Streamlined payroll, benefits, and attendance tracking 
  

Best for: Early-stage tech companies with fewer than 50 employees and minimal integration needs. 

Things to consider:

• Customer support team is limited to email and chat only, which could impact response times 
• Minimal third-party integrations 
• Some features are reserved for higher-tier plans only 
• Offers a shorter 7-day free trial  

The benefits of modern HR software

Charlie HR and Breathe management software, also supports compliance with employment regulations, helping you to ensure that all necessary documentation and processes are up to date.

With reporting capabilities, businesses and organisations gain valuable insights into workforce trends, enabling smarter decisions around recruitment, training, and employee engagement.

It’s not just about saving time, though. HR software helps you stay on top of compliance, keep your documents organised, and give your team a better experience - all while giving you clear insights into how your people are doing.

From spotting trends in time off to making more informed decisions around hiring and development, the right HR software puts you in control.

And when your admin’s running smoothly, you’ve got more time to focus on growing your business and supporting the people behind it.

 

How HR software transforms UK workplaces

 HR software like Charlie HR and Breathe, makes people management simpler for everyone - not just HR teams. It gives employees the tools to do things themselves, like check their details, book time off, or update their records. No chasing. No fuss.

For managers, it’s a window into how their teams are doing, from attendance to performance, helping them spot where support or development’s needed.

And for businesses? It means smoother processes, safer data, and a better experience for everyone.

By bringing everything together in one easy-to-use system, HR software helps UK businesses stay organised, save time, and put people first.

 

 

HR software made for UK SMEs

SMEs often face challenges in managing employee data, ensuring compliance, and keeping up with HR processes due to limited resources.

That's why Charlie HR and Breathe software are built for SMEs - providing a user-friendly interface and automated workflows that simplify tasks like payroll integration, absence management, and employee onboarding.

Running a small business or organisation comes with enough challenges - HR shouldn’t be one of them.

For UK SMEs, HR software offers a simple, cost-effective way to stay on top of people management without needing a big team. It keeps everything in one place, from time-off tracking to onboarding and payroll, so you can spend less time on admin and more time supporting your people.

Whether you’re growing fast or just starting out, the right HR software helps you stay compliant, make better decisions, and focus on what matters most: your people and your business.

Feature highlights of modern HR software: Comparing CharlieHR and Breathe HR

Choosing the right HR software is a critical decision for any UK business or organisation, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises looking to streamline processes and improve employee experiences. 

Two popular choices, CharlieHR and Breathe HR software, offer overlapping features but differ significantly in how they approach HR management, user support, scalability, and engagement. Below, we explore their similarities and differences to help you make an informed choice.  

(This comparison is based on the author's own research and analysis of both platforms.)

Core HR functions and administration 

At the heart of any HR software is the ability to manage core HR tasks efficiently.

Both CharlieHR and Breathe deliver on essentials like employee data management, absence tracking, and integrations with payroll systems. 

However, Breathe HR provides deeper integrations with payroll and accounting tools like Xero, coupled with more granular control over absence types, holiday management, and time-tracking features.  

CharlieHR, on the other hand, offers a simpler approach with automated absence workflows and a focus on essential HR admin but with fewer customisation options. 

For businesses looking for a more scalable solution, Breathe leads the way. 

Employee management and engagement

When it comes to managing and engaging employees, Breathe HR offers a more rounded suite of tools. It enables employees to manage their own data, request time off, and access documents through an intuitive self-service portal.  

The employee self-service features allow staff to easily access and update their personal information, view payroll details, and manage leave requests, streamlining HR processes and improving user experience.

Performance management features in Breathe are comprehensive, allowing for structured one-to-ones, goal-setting, and feedback cycles that help drive engagement and productivity. 

CharlieHR also supports self-service capabilities and provides performance review templates, but these are more templated and offer fewer customisation options.  

Its focus leans toward recognition tools and perks, providing a lighter approach to engagement that may suit smaller or more informal teams. 

For businesses seeking a holistic approach to employee experience and wellbeing, Breathe offers more depth and flexibility. 

Recruitment and onboarding

Recruitment and onboarding are areas where Breathe offers a user-friendly experience. It allows businesses to manage the entire recruitment journey from vacancy posting and applicant tracking to onboarding with customisable checklists and automated workflows. 

CharlieHR offers applicant tracking and onboarding task lists within its premium plans. The onboarding experience is simple and less configurable, making it best suited for companies with more straightforward hiring processes. 

If you’re looking to create a seamless and structured hiring and onboarding experience, Breathe offers an option for organisations looking to grow and scale.

Compliance, security and reporting

Both CharlieHR and Breathe HR take compliance and data security seriously, with both platforms holding ISO 27001 certifications and strong data encryption standards.  

This gives businesses confidence that employee data is handled securely and in compliance with GDPR and UK employment laws. 

Where Breathe HR takes the lead is in its audit-ready compliance features, structured documentation, and an extensive reporting suite.  

Businesses can generate detailed reports on absence, turnover, and performance, as well as custom reports for deeper insights tailored to unique business needs. Breathe HR also offers robust document management features, allowing secure storage and easy organisation of compliance documents and other important records.

This is a great way to provide valuable insights that help with strategic decision-making.

In addition, Breathe's Learn add-on helps organisations to keep on top of mandatory training.  

CharlieHR includes essential compliance documentation and reporting, but with simpler dashboards and fewer customisation options.  

For businesses that require greater visibility, compliance support, advanced reporting and efficient document management, Breathe HR offers a more comprehensive solution - as well as a Partner network that can offer consultancy support. 

Support, training and usability

One of the standout differences between CharlieHR and Breathe HR, is the approach to support and training.  

Breathe HR software offers UK-based support, live chat, webinars, onboarding support, and dedicated customer success managers, ensuring users are well-guided from day one. 

In addition, Breathe's customer support team is available to provide ongoing assistance, helping users resolve issues quickly and enhancing the overall experience.

CharlieHR provides helpful self-serve resources and chat support but offers fewer personalised touchpoints.  

While both platforms are designed for ease of use, Breathe’s focus on customer success and proactive support makes it a more attractive choice for businesses that value ongoing assistance and smooth onboarding. 

Pricing breakdown (2025)

Note: Flexible pricing options, such as free trials and scalable plans, can help businesses save money as they grow by allowing them to choose only the features they need and adjust their subscription as their team size changes.

Why Breathe leads for growing UK businesses

While both CharlieHR and Breathe HR provide essential HR tools, Breathe emerges as the more comprehensive, scalable, and support-focused solution, particularly for growing UK businesses that need a balance of automation, compliance support, and employee engagement.  

Final verdict: Which HR software should you choose?

If you’re a start-up of fewer than five people and need a basic, low-cost HR tool, CharlieHR might do the job.

But for any SME and business planning to grow, manage performance, or integrate systems, Breathe offers the depth and support you need.

✅Scalable pricing that grows with your team

✅Broad feature set with a suite of add-ons

✅Proven support and onboarding resources

✅Built for UK SMEs, with compliance in mind

✅Reliable data security measures to protect sensitive information

✅User-friendly cloud-based HR system to streamline HR processes

Still curious? Check out our best UK HR software comparison page. 

FAQs

Q: How does CharlieHR software compare to Breathe HR? 

A: Breathe includes more integrations, deeper functionality, and better support, making it ideal for businesses with plans to grow.  

It also offers robust human resources software that streamlines HR operations and includes essential features like payroll integration, which automates payroll tasks and reduces administrative burdens.  

CharlieHR suits micro-teams that need a simple, cost-effective solution. 

Q: Can I integrate Breathe with other software? 

A: Yes. Breathe integrates with a wide range of tools, including payroll platforms, spend management, rota systems, applicant tracking software, and AI support connected through your instant messaging systems like Slack, Teams and WhatsApp.  

Additionally, it offers expense tracking functionalities to streamline financial activities and improve efficiency in managing employee expenses.  

Breathe also enhances HR management capabilities with employee tracking features, automating reminders and consolidating employee data for efficient performance monitoring, time-off management, and onboarding processes. 

Q: Is there a free trial for Breathe HR software? 

A: Yes. You can explore Breathe risk-free with a 14-day free trial. No card required.