Compare the United Kingdom's Best HCM Systems and Solutions

How should I think about HCM system solutions (Human Capital Management)?

Human Capital Management encompasses Talent Management and refers to your overall management of all human resources within the organization or company. In short, HCM systems include all processes related to personnel management. Your company simply cannot survive without an HR system that manages your human resources and ensures that employees have the conditions they need to develop within the organization.

There are several points that an HCM system should include. Everything from HR master data, payroll management, and analytics to performance management and onboarding. When you are comparing HCM systems, make sure that it largely includes self-service, which facilitates for your organization. The more employees can do themselves, the better for everyone.

What is the best HCM system for you and your company? Consider what problem you are trying to solve with an HCM system, and you will have made significant progress. BusinessWith helps you compare and choose the best HCM systems on the UK market.

Which HCM system should I choose?

List of 25 HCM Software

An all-in-one HR platform that centralises Core HR, onboarding, time & attendance, payroll hub, recruitment, performance, learning and people analytics to automate workflows and improve people decisions.

Learn more about Bob

SD Worx provides HR and talent management solutions alongside payroll and workforce management tools across Europe.

Learn more about SD Worx HR

Oracle Cloud HCM is an enterprise HR and talent management platform that combines core HR, talent development, and workforce analytics.

Learn more about Oracle Cloud HCM

An all-in-one cloud-based HR solution offering core HR management, time tracking, absence management, electronic signatures, recruitment, onboarding, performance and people analytics to streamline and automate HR processes.

Learn more about Personio

A cloud-first HR platform offering core HR, talent acquisition (ATS), learning, performance, analytics and conversational AI (Cegid Pulse) with modular deployment and integrations to payroll and ERPs.

Learn more about Cegid HR

A broad portfolio of cloud and on-premise business management solutions including ERP, payroll, workforce and HCM tools, integrations and AI-enhanced construction management.

Learn more about Access Construction

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ADP offers industry-leading online payroll and HR solutions, plus tax, compliance, benefit administration and more.

Learn more about ADP

A cloud-based HR platform that centralises employee records, automates workflows, supports onboarding, e-signatures, absence tracking, reporting and integrated learning – with flexible subscription plans and a free trial.

Learn more about Breathe HR

A comprehensive SaaS platform offering HR, payroll, health & safety and employee apps. Streamline leave, clocking in, performance reviews, recruitment and reporting with 24/7 advice and unlimited cloud storage.

Learn more about BrightHR

CharlieHR automates HR tasks like onboarding, time off, performance reviews and benefits, providing a centralised, self-service platform to manage people data and drive high-performing teams.

Learn more about CharlieHR

Ciphr HR is a fully integrated, cloud-based platform that streamlines HR administration, payroll, talent acquisition and development, with analytics and automation to enhance people strategy.

Learn more about Ciphr HR

Darwinbox provides an agile, AI-centric HR platform covering core HR, recruitment, onboarding, performance, payroll integration, analytics and employee self-service.

Learn more about Darwinbox HCM

Bob is an all-in-one cloud HCM: Core HR, onboarding, payroll hub, hiring (ATS), performance, compensation, learning, time & attendance, people analytics and AI-powered assistant, delivered as a configurable SaaS platform.

Learn more about HiBob

IRIS Cascade HRi is a cloud-based HR system offering core HR, recruitment, payroll, timesheets, expenses and training modules, plus self-service, reporting and automation to streamline your HR processes.

Learn more about IRIS Cascade

A unified, mobile-first HCM platform (People First) offering HR, payroll (real-time), recruitment, onboarding, learning management, workforce/time & attendance and analytics — with SSO, MFA and Azure hosting for security.

Learn more about People First

A cloud-based HR software and payroll platform powered by AI automation, offering HRIS, ATS, absence, appraisal, and analytics in a single scalable subscription service.

Learn more about PeopleHR

A suite of cloud and on-premise ERP, financial and HR products including Sage Intacct, Sage 100, Sage 300 and Sage X3, offering automation, AI features, payroll and integrations.

Learn more about Sage

AI-enabled platform unifying HR, Workforce Management, Pay, Talent and Benefits to drive performance and employee experience.

Learn more about ZellisONE

BambooHR provides an all-in-one HR system offering hiring, onboarding, performance management, payroll, time & attendance, reporting and compensation tools.

Learn more about BambooHR

A modular, multi-country HRIS with onboarding, recruitment, performance, payroll, self-service and compliance features delivered as a subscription SaaS platform.

Learn more about Cezanne HR

Cornerstone Galaxy enables AI-driven learning management, talent management, HR intelligence, and workforce planning solutions.

Learn more about Cornerstone Galaxy

Infor delivers cloud-based, industry-specific ERP, SCM, HCM and financial solutions with built-in analytics, AI and micro-vertical capabilities to modernise operations and accelerate transformation.

Learn more about Infor

PageUp provides an end-to-end talent acquisition suite including recruitment marketing (Clinch), ATS, onboarding, learning, performance, succession and HR analytics, with AI capabilities and extensive integrations.

Learn more about PageUp

SAP SuccessFactors HCM provides global HR capabilities powered by AI to recruit, develop, and empower employees, streamline processes, and deliver actionable insights.

Learn more about SAP SuccessFactors

Cloud-native HCM and finance platform with AI agents, workforce management, payroll, recruitment and analytics.

Learn more about Workday

Which HCM system should I choose?

Human Capital Management is a category of HR systems that has become more and more popular over the years. It can be difficult to understand the differences between the various systems and modules at times, as many overlap with each other. With BusinessWith's smart comparison tool, you can easily get an overview.

But how should you choose an HCM system? What are you looking for? There are some questions you can ask yourself that will make it much easier. BusinessWith lists the three most important things to consider when choosing and comparing HCM systems.

1. What solution do you want?

When you have reached the point of visiting BusinessWith to start comparing HCM systems, you have probably already formulated a question for yourself. There is something you want to solve in your current organization. Perhaps you have simply decided to implement an HCM system for the very first time. Or is there something your current solution cannot handle? Once you have articulated your wishes and requirements, it becomes much easier to go out and compare.

2. How do you think about the future?

Does your company or organization have big plans for growth and expansion? What does the future look like, what do you think? What are your future goals? A good HCM system should be adaptable, and if you are in a growth phase, it is important that the system can offer you flexible adjustments, where the product can easily be modified as growth occurs. Dare to think long-term and do not be afraid to take one step at a time. Most systems can be expanded over time.

3. How important is support?

An HCM system will sooner or later be used by everyone in your company. This means that many questions and concerns may arise from employees. Make sure to have someone who has ownership of the software in-house. That is, someone who becomes your expert. Additionally, offering a short training session on how the software works is preferable, especially as part of your onboarding. Does the provider offer training? How good is their support? Only via phone, or can you email as well? What are their opening hours? How quickly do they respond? Remember to try to avoid time thieves to achieve the smoothest implementation and management possible.

The HCM system should fit the company's image

One last important thing to consider when purchasing and implementing a system is to find one that reflects you as a company. How well does the system fit into your corporate culture? New technology should be adapted and "align well" with the company's or organization's values. If employees feel that it is too difficult to grasp or find information, their view of you as a company will deteriorate. Flexibility, clarity, and quick responses are essential for providing employees with the best experience. Your goal is to attract, retain, and develop your talents and skills. An HCM system should contribute to that.

Description of product features

360-degree feedback

Collects feedback from colleagues, managers and sometimes clients to give a holistic view of an employee's strengths and development areas.

Absence recording

Employees and managers record absence such as sick leave, holiday and parental leave, which is then used for payroll and reporting.

Approval

Managers approve time, absence, expenses and other requests directly in the system before they go on to payroll.

Benefits management

Some HR systems offer benefits management, giving you an overview of all group benefits and making it easier to manage and communicate pension schemes and insurance.

Bonus & incentives

Set up and manage bonus and incentive schemes, with targets, calculations and payouts linked to each employee.

Career planning

Plan employees' career paths and identify internal successors for key positions.

Case management

Collect HR cases, such as employee questions and requests, in one place and follow each case until it is closed.

Compensation management

Plan and manage employees' total compensation, including salary, bonuses and benefits, based on budget and pay structures.

Consultation

The supplier offers consultants who can help with implementation, configuration or HR processes alongside the system.

Core HR

Core HR covers three fundamental functions: payroll, time reporting and benefits management. Suppliers that focus on core HR usually offer HR and payroll in one system.

Digitising personnel files

Scan and store employee documents, such as contracts and certificates, digitally in each employee's file instead of on paper.

Electronic signature

Sign employment contracts and other HR documents electronically, directly in the system.

Exit surveys

Send surveys to employees who are leaving to find out why they are leaving and what the company can improve.

Has its own payroll system

The supplier has its own payroll system, so HR and payroll run in one solution and employee data doesn't have to be transferred between systems.

HR analytics

HR relies on data from many different sources. An HR analytics module helps you streamline the data flow and get a good overview of activities and KPIs. Particularly useful if you work with a lot of data.

Learning management

Plan, deliver, document and track all training and courses in one place. Reduces administration and makes it easier to create e-learning courses with follow-up tests.

Onboarding

Plan and follow the introduction of new employees, with checklists, information and tasks for the employee, manager and HR.

Performance management

If you want to reward performance and set goals for employees that lead to a financial reward, a performance management module is for you. It clarifies company goals and how each individual can contribute to them. The goals must be measurable.

Performance reviews

An important tool for companies that want to structure conversations between managers and employees about goals and development. It can contribute to a better company culture, better-informed pay decisions, clarity and clear guidelines.

Recruitment

Some HR systems include a recruitment module that digitises and streamlines the recruitment process, making it easier to attract the right talent. It supports every step from sourcing to employment contract.

Reports & KPIs

Create reports and follow KPIs such as headcount, staff turnover, absence and personnel costs.

Salary review

Salary reviews usually take a lot of time to prepare and manage. With a salary review module, managers and the payroll department share a systematic process with features that eliminate manual errors.

Self-service

Employees and managers handle their own HR tasks, such as updating personal details, applying for leave and viewing payslips, without going through HR.

Single sign-on (SSO)

Allow employees to log in to the system using their existing company credentials.

Skills development

A skills development module simplifies skills mapping and gives an overview of how skills are used within the company. It also helps prevent gaps between existing skills and current or future needs.

Time reporting

Make it easy for employees to record time (hours worked, absence, etc.). Some HR systems include this and also offer a mobile app, so staff travelling on business can easily report their time.

Training package

The supplier offers a training package that teaches your administrators and users how to use the system.

User rights management

Control who can see and edit what in the system, for example so managers only see their own team's information.

Workflow automation

Automate recurring HR processes, such as onboarding, offboarding and approvals, so tasks are sent to the right person at the right time.