The right HR platform shapes how your team works and grows. Whether you’re scaling beyond current limits, expanding to new countries, or need features that match how you want to grow, the right Sage HR alternative makes everything from daily tasks to long-term planning work better.

We reviewed the leading HR platforms to help you find your perfect fit. Each one brings different strengths to the table, from global capabilities to UK-specific features. HiBob stands out for growing companies because it combines powerful HR tools with an interface people enjoy using. We’ll look at what each platform does best and where they might fall short.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company. Prospective users are encouraged to conduct their own research to make the best decision for their organization.

Quick guide: 10 best Sage HR alternatives

  1. HiBob: The best overall HR platform for growing companies
  2. BambooHR: Simple option for basic HR needs
  3. Personio: Built for European SMEs with local compliance
  4. CharlieHR: Affordable option for UK startups
  5. Breathe: Straightforward HR for UK small businesses
  6. Workday: Enterprise features for large organizations
  7. ADP: Established HRIS with payroll capabilities
  8. Rippling: Combines HR with IT and finance management
  9. Gusto: Budget-friendly for US small businesses
  10. Namely: Social recognition meets HR basics

How we chose the best Sage HR alternatives

Every company has different reasons for needing a new HR platform. You might be hitting Sage HR’s seat limit, or be ready to add advanced performance management or learning tools. We evaluated each option based on what matters most when leaving Sage—whether platforms handle UK compliance, how they price as you grow, and if they’ll support you beyond basic HR.

  • Global capabilities: Can you manage teams in multiple countries in the same system?
  • Implementation speed: Can you be up and running in weeks?
  • User experience: Will your team enjoy using the platform, or will you fight for adoption?
  • Scalability: Does the platform grow with you, or will you need to move systems as you scale?
  • Integration ecosystem: Does the software work well with your existing tools?
  • Support quality: Can you get help when you need it?

The 10 best Sage HR alternatives

1. HiBob: The best overall HR platform for growing companies

HiBob gives you the advanced HR features you need when you start bumping into Sage HR’s limits. You can manage teams from dozens to thousands of people across multiple countries, with multi-language support and local compliance for each region. You’ll be set up in six to eight weeks, and your people will find the Instagram-like interface familiar and easy to navigate.

You’ll get everything Sage HR offers, alongside the extra tools growing companies need. You can run 360-degree performance reviews with anonymous feedback, manage compensation across multiple currencies with visual salary benchmarking, and use the workforce planning tool to map future positions before you hire.  

With HiBob, you get tools that put your people’s development front and center: you can align individual goals with company objectives using the OKR framework, or integrate content from Udemy or LinkedIn Learning with Bob Learning. Your managers get dashboards that show team insights and coaching recommendations, and the culture tools—peer recognition, company newsfeeds, milestone celebrations—help build connection, even in distributed teams. 

With over 200 integrations including Slack, Teams, and major payroll providers, your data moves where it needs to without manual exports. Real-time analytics turn all this information into insights you can use for decisions about promotions, retention risks, and team development.

HiBob’s key features

  • Core HR with automated workflows: HiBob streamlines onboarding, time-off, and documentation
  • 360-degree performance reviews: Aligns goals to team and company objectives
  • Compensation management: Supports multiple currencies and global pay cycles
  • People Analytics: Real-time data with customizable reports
  • Workforce planning tool: Maps and tracks current and future positions
  • Time tracking: Clock in/out buttons with Slack and Teams integration

HiBob pros and cons

Pros:

  • “It’s much more user friendly and is a modernized, culture focused HRIS” – verified review
  • “The platform’s user-friendly interface, robust features, and responsive support team have made it a valuable asset” – verified review
  • “We can connect and interact with employees from any location, creating a sense of unity through culture” – verified review
  • “HiBob has been great for our time off, performance management” – verified review
  • “Performance management with a lot of data behind it” – verified review
  • “Helped us to streamline our performance review cycle” – verified review

Cons:

  • “I can no longer easily see all the ‘essentials’ in one long list” – verified review
  • “I’ve noticed notifications can be a bit inconsistent” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

2. BambooHR: Simple and user-friendly for basic HR needs

BambooHR gives you straightforward HR tools that work well for companies under 350 people. You’ll have people records management, onboarding workflows you can customize, and time tracking that handles accruals and requests. The interface is intuitive, so your team will be able to learn their way around quickly.

You’ll use traditional review cycles for performance management, which covers most basic needs. BambooHR could work for you if you want reliable HR basics, especially if your company operates standard workflows. That said, if you need advanced payroll features or automatic resume reading for high-volume recruiting, you might find it limiting. 

BambooHR key features

  • People records management: Centralized database with self-service
  • Streamlined onboarding: Customizable workflows and checklists
  • Time tracking: Time-off requests and accrual management
  • Performance management: Review cycles and training tracking

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the BambooHR website as of the publication date.)

BambooHR pros and cons

Cons:

  • “While the simplicity of Bamboo is beneficial for navigation, it’s also a negative because it limits the ability to handle complex HR situations” – verified review
  • “It doesn’t integrate with many of our other systems which makes reporting, tracking, and other HR components difficult.” – verified review
  • “Your company set up needs to be fairly cookie cutter to get the most efficiencies out of BambooHR” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

<<Compare HiBob vs. BambooHR – See which fits your business best>>

3. Personio: Built for European SMEs with local compliance

Personio handles European compliance for companies with 10-2,000 people. You’ll get core HR with centralized people data, performance management including 360-degree reviews, and document management that meets GDPR requirements. You won’t have to worry about compliance because all these features were built with European regulations in mind. 

You can run native payroll in the UK, Ireland, and Germany, but keep in mind that if you operate in other countries, you’ll need third-party payroll integrations. 

Personio key features

  • Core HR: Centralized employee data and document management
  • Performance management: Continuous feedback and 360-degree reviews
  • Talent management: Full journey from hiring to offboarding
  • Integration marketplace: 100+ vendor integrations

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the Personio website as of the publication date.)

Personio pros and cons

Pros:

Cons:

  • “Its pricing can be a bit steep for smaller businesses or startups” – verified review
  • “At renewal they decided to sneak in a new model where they changed the contract to commit us to many more seats than we ever needed” – verified review
  • “The mobile app could benefit from additional functionality to match the desktop version” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

<<Compare HiBob vs. Personio – See which fits your business best>>

4. CharlieHR: Affordable option for UK startups

CharlieHR combines ATS and HRIS in one platform for UK companies with 7-50 people. You can move from hiring straight through to onboarding without switching systems, which can be helpful if you don’t yet have dedicated HR personnel and need to keep things simple. You’ll get easy holiday tracking and leave accrual via the intuitive time-off management tool.

Keep in mind that there are limited customization options, so if you’re planning to expand internationally or need flexible workflows, you might outgrow it fairly quickly. If you’re just looking for HR basics for your UK startup, CharlieHR may be a good choice.

CharlieHR key features

  • Onboarding: Checklists and self-service process
  • Performance reviews: 360-degree feedback capabilities
  • Document storage: Secure access with e-signatures
  • Benefits and perks: Discounts at 30,000+ brands

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the CharlieHR website as of the publication date.)

CharlieHR pros and cons

Pros:

Cons:

  • “Was not useful nor helpful when extracting the data. The customer service did not help.” – verified review
  • “Somewhat unstable, it crashed a few times and was out of service for a few days” – verified review
  • “Some elements on the platform can be a bit clunky” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

5. Breathe: Straightforward HR for UK small businesses

Breathe offers per-business pricing for UK companies up to 250 people, so your costs stay flat, helping you stay on budget as you grow. You’ll get leave management, document storage, and HR basics through a cloud-based platform, and a 14-day free trial to test everything without committing.

Breathe might work if you’re a UK small business that needs affordable HR basics to handle the essentials. It’s worth noting that performance reviews and reporting capabilities are a little basic compared to other platforms, so if you need advanced features or detailed analytics, you might want something with more depth. 

Breathe key features

  • Leave management: Easy tracking and reporting
  • Document management: Secure storage with e-signatures
  • Rota scheduling: Drag-and-drop shift management
  • Basic performance tracking: Objectives and kudos system

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the Breathe website as of the publication date.)

Breathe pros and cons

Pros:

Cons:

  • “There are occasional limitations with customisation, especially around reporting and integrating with other systems.” – verified review
  • “I do find the layout a little tricky to navigate sometimes” – verified review
  • “The onboarding and recruitment process for new staff could be better. Although the system does provide this, it is very limited in its capabilities.” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

<<Compare HiBob vs. Sage HR – See which fits your business best>>

6. Workday: Enterprise powerhouse for large organizations

As a complete HCM suite for companies with 500+ people, Workday gives you hire-to-retire lifecycle tracking. As well as talent management and AI-powered skills development, you’ll get real-time workforce data and performance insights to help guide informed strategy and decisions. 

This enterprise focus might mean you may need dedicated people to manage Workday—something to consider when the software is already a little more expensive than some other solutions.

Workday key features

  • Comprehensive HCM suite: Complete hire-to-retire functionality
  • Global payroll: Native in five countries, partners for 100+
  • Advanced talent management: Performance and succession planning
  • Mobile-first interface: Intuitive user experience

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the Workday website as of the publication date.)

Workday pros and cons

Pros:

  • “I especially like the format they provide for performance and development reviews” – verified review
  • “Very easy to use software to review the team goals and performance” – verified review
  • “Provides a fast and easy way for our team to input their goals” – verified review

Cons:

  • “One potential drawback of Workday HCM can be the complexity of implementation and configuration, which may require significant time and resources” – verified review
  • “Not the fastest or nicest looking platform.” – verified review
  • “Workday is a complex tool, and I went through a steep learning curve to navigate the platform.” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

<<Compare HiBob vs. Workday – See which fits your business best>>

7. ADP: Established player with strong payroll capabilities

ADP Workforce Now can help you handle payroll and tax management if you’re a US-based company. You’ll get automatic compliance updates, multi-state processing, and comprehensive payroll features—helpful if you’re working in multiple states or countries with changing rules. 

If your main priority is payroll accuracy and compliance, ADP could work for you. Just keep in mind that implementation takes about three months, and once you’re set up, you might find that the interface feels traditional compared to newer platforms. 

ADP key features

  • Advanced payroll: Multi-state processing with tax compliance
  • Benefits administration: Carrier connections and automation
  • Time and attendance: Workforce management tools
  • Talent management: Recruiting, performance, and learning modules

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the ADP website as of the publication date.)

ADP pros and cons

Pros:

Cons:

  • “Requires navigating multiple disconnected areas to complete even basic tasks.” – verified review
  • “It’s difficult to create customized reports, and it’s easy to make manual errors that the system won’t catch.” – verified review
  • “There are too many customer service reps who are unqualified and not knowledgeable about the service we need help with” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

8. Rippling: Combines HR with IT and finance management

Rippling puts HR, IT, and finance all in one place, so your data syncs across all your systems. When you update information in your people’s records, it flows to payroll, benefits, and device management automatically. You’ll get access to tools like Talent Signal AI, which uses data about your people’s work output to help you with performance analysis.

Rippling’s unified approach can save time in your daily operations. But if you’re dealing with shift workers or other irregular schedules, you might find that Rippling’s time and attendance module isn’t quite as flexible as you need it to be. 

Rippling key features

  • All-in-one HR cloud: Single source of truth for employee data
  • Workflow automation: Custom triggers based on events
  • Global payroll: Services for distributed workforces
  • IT device management: Integrated directly into HR

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the Rippling website as of the publication date.)

Rippling pros and cons

Pros:

  • “It has significantly reduced the complexity of managing employee data, benefits, onboarding, and device management” – verified review
  • “Rippling streamlines our payroll and HR processes” – verified review
  • “The automated workflows save so much time” – verified review

Cons:

  • “The platform is cluttered and disjointed. I either experience multiple notification about features and issues irrelevant to my organization or having to dig through confusing sub menus and help articles to find a clear answer to a question” – verified review
  • “Many of the issues we’ve experienced have been caused by a poor sales experience that promised functionality that either doesn’t exactly exist as presented, or only exists in higher tiers” – verified review
  • “While support has improved, there’s still room for better follow-through on commitments.” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

<<Compare HiBob vs. Rippling – See which fits your business best>>

9. Gusto: Budget-friendly for US small businesses

If you’re a small US-based business, Gusto can help you manage HR and payroll in one place. You’ll get unlimited payroll runs, automatic tax filing, and multi-state capabilities with all your compliance needs taken care of. Setup takes minutes, not weeks, and the interface is fairly easy to navigate. 

Gusto might work for you if you’re looking for straightforward payroll and basic HR, especially for companies of 50-75 people. 

Gusto key features

  • Full-service payroll: Unlimited runs with AutoPilot
  • Benefits administration: Health insurance broker services included
  • Time tracking: Syncs automatically with payroll
  • Hiring tools: Post jobs to LinkedIn and Indeed

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the Gusto website as of the publication date.)

Gusto pros and cons

Pros:

Cons:

  • “Sometimes the loading times can be annoying, especially if I have to open Gusto multiple times a day” – verified review
  • “I’ve noticed that some of the reporting tools are a bit limited or not as customizable as I’d like.” – verified review
  • “The settings are not intuitive, there are constantly adjustments to the accounts, syncing issues, and limited options for tracking purposes” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

10. Namely: Social recognition meets HR basics

Namely takes a mobile-first approach that could work for companies that prioritize engagement. Alongside core HR functionality, you’ll get a company newsfeed and social recognition features, helping build culture even in distributed teams. The interface feels more like a regular social app than traditional HR software, so you won’t have to spend time training people. 

That said, Namely’s experience focus means you may find fewer features than you would with other platforms. You might need workarounds for advanced reporting, or a separate hiring system if you’re planning considerable growth. 

Namely key features

  • Core HR: People’s files, self-service, and company newsfeed
  • Full-service payroll: Integrated with tax services
  • Benefits administration: Technology with broker services
  • Performance management: 360-degree reviews and goal-setting

(This article includes platform features that reflect the information available on the Namely website as of the publication date.)

Namely pros and cons

Pros:

  • “The platform is user friendly and we like the social media like home page” – verified review
  • “Fun and interactive from an end user perspective” – verified review
  • “Namely has made my work easier in various ways” – verified review

Cons:

  • “It lacks flexibility to create our own forms, particularly for performance management. The reporting option is too limited” – verified review
  • “Reporting is difficult. Most times I have to run a report in HRIS and in Payroll to get what I want.” – verified review
  • “The payroll side does NOT flow well” – verified review

(Pros and cons are compiled from reviews found on G2.)

Comparison summary: The best Sage HR alternatives

1. HiBob

  • Designed for: Growing companies (50-5,000 people)
  • Global support: ✓ Multi-national with multiple languages
  • Performance management: 360-degree reviews with OKRs
  • Mobile app: Full-featured experience

2. BambooHR

  • Designed for: Simple needs (<350 people)
  • Global support: 100+ countries
  • Performance management: Basic review cycles
  • Mobile app: Available

3. Personio

  • Designed for: European SMEs (10-2,000 people)
  • Global support: 70+ countries (EU focus)
  • Performance management: 360-degree feedback
  • Mobile app: Limited functionality

4. CharlieHR

  • Designed for: UK startups (7-50 people)
  • Global support: UK-focused
  • Performance management: 360-degree feedback
  • Mobile app: Available

5. Breathe

  • Designed for: UK micro-businesses (up to 250 people)
  • Global support: UK and Australia
  • Performance management: Basic tracking
  • Mobile app: Available

6. Workday

  • Designed for: Large enterprises (500+ people)
  • Global support: Native in 5, partners for 100+
  • Performance management: AI-powered continuous
  • Mobile app: Mobile-first interface

7. ADP

  • Designed for: Payroll and compliance (50-500 people)
  • Global support: 140+ countries
  • Performance management: Standard reviews
  • Mobile app: Available

8. Rippling

  • Designed for: Unified HR/IT needs
  • Global support: Expanding globally
  • Performance management: AI-powered analysis
  • Mobile app: Available

9. Gusto

  • Designed for: US small businesses (<150 people)
  • Global support: US only (EOR in 10 countries)
  • Performance management: Basic features
  • Mobile app: Available

10. Namely

  • Designed for: Mobile-first companies (50-350 people)
  • Global support: US-based with partnerships
  • Performance management: Customizable reviews
  • Mobile app: Mobile-first design

What should you look for when moving from Sage HR?

Moving away from Sage HR means thinking about what you really need as you grow. Think about why Sage isn’t working for you anymore: do you want flat fees instead of modular pricing? Are you planning to grow beyond 250 people, or open an office outside the UK? Maybe you need more advanced features that go beyond basic HR?

If you’re expanding internationally, you’ll need multi-country support for payroll, compliance, and leave policies. You should also consider whether you want everything in one platform or prefer to choose your own software for functions like payroll and people development and then integrate them. Think about your team’s technical skills—can they handle configuration, or do you need something that works out of the box or offers drag-and-drop functionality?

Don’t forget about data migration. You’ll want a platform that makes it easy to transfer your existing information, and one that keeps everything connected once you’ve switched. Some HR platforms, like HiBob, have dedicated migration teams that handle everything for you.

Which Sage alternative is easiest to implement?

Implementation speed varies wildly across platforms. Gusto gets you running in minutes to days if you’re a small team with simple needs. Rippling takes just 2-4 weeks with their automated setup process. HiBob and BambooHR both take 6-12 weeks, giving you time to configure everything properly.

What makes implementation easy isn’t just speed though—it’s how much you can handle on your own. HiBob’s workflows let you set things up without needing technical knowledge or expensive consultants. You get dedicated support during setup, but after that, you can make changes independently. Compare that to platforms like Workday (3-4 months with specialists required) or ADP (3 months with significant hand-holding), and the difference is clear.

Why HiBob is one of the topt Sage HR alternative

HiBob gives you everything Sage HR does, then adds the features you’ll need as you grow. Instead of capping you at 250 people, HiBob scales smoothly even to thousands. You get built-in culture and engagement tools that turn mandatory HR processes into strategic advantages.

Your team will love using HiBob because it feels like the apps they use outside work. The Instagram-like interface drives adoption—no more chasing people to update their information. Meanwhile, you get customizable workflows that automate the repetitive tasks eating up your time.

The best thing about HiBob is that you’ll be able to replace other tools you might be using alongside Sage HR. Instead of separate systems for performance reviews, pulse surveys, and analytics, everything works together in HiBob. You get a full picture of what’s happening across your business, with all your information updating automatically. 

Get started with HiBob’s modern HR platform →

FAQs about Sage HR alternatives

Who are Sage HR’s competitors?

HiBob, BambooHR, Gusto, and Personio are Sage HR’s main competitors. HiBob excels for growing global companies because it gives you engagement features and multi-national support. BambooHR offers simplicity for basic HR needs, Gusto focuses on US small businesses with affordable payroll, and Personio serves European SMEs needing GDPR compliance.

Is Sage HR good?

Sage HR works for UK businesses with up to 250 people who need basic HR functionality. The modular pricing lets you pay only for what you use, and the platform can handle UK compliance. However, you might find you outgrow it when you need advanced features, international support, or scale beyond 250 people.

Is Sage HR UK-only?

Sage HR isn’t technically UK-only, but is heavily UK-focused. While you can access it from other countries, features like payroll and compliance tools are built around UK regulations. If you’re operating internationally, you’ll find platforms like HiBob offer better multi-country support.

Recommended For Further Reading

Which is the best HR software for the UK?

HiBob stands out as the best HR software if you’re a UK company that’s planning to grow or operate internationally. It handles UK requirements perfectly and includes native UK payroll, while offering advanced features you’ll need as you grow and scalable support for your growth. You’ll also get built-in learning tools and culture tools, all packaged in an interface your team will love using. 

Which is better, Sage HR or HiBob?

HiBob offers more advanced features and better scalability than Sage HR. While Sage might work for your UK businesses if you’re under 250 people, HiBob handles companies from 50 to thousands globally. You get performance management, compensation tools, and culture features built in, not as expensive add-ons. HiBob’s modern, social media-inspired interface also drives higher adoption rates than Sage’s traditional design.

Oz Tollman

From Oz Tollman

Oz Tollman is an experienced marketing strategist specializing in SaaS and HR technology. With over eight years in the field, he helps companies grow their online presence through data-driven SEO, content strategies, and digital innovation.