Is PeopleHR the right fit for your business?
PeopleHR has been a popular HR solution for UK businesses, but is it the best option for time and attendance tracking? Many companies find that while it offers core HR functions, its time tracking features are limited, requiring additional tools to manage shifts, payroll, and compliance effectively.
If your business needs a more robust, cost-effective alternative, this guide explores the top five alternatives to PeopleHR for time and attendance in 2025. Whether you’re looking for better scheduling, payroll integration, or full HR functionality, we’ll help you find the right software for your needs.
Helpful summary
Overview: This article compares five of the best PeopleHR alternatives for time and attendance tracking, highlighting their features, benefits, and limitations.
Why trust us: We analyse HR software solutions to help businesses find the best time and attendance tools to streamline workforce management and payroll processes.
Why it matters: Choosing the right time and attendance system improves accuracy, ensures compliance, and reduces administrative workload, helping businesses operate more efficiently.
Action points: Explore Evalu-8 HR for a comprehensive workforce solution, or choose Breathe for simplicity depending on your company’s needs.
Further research: Find out why Evalu-8 HR is the best alternative to PeopleHR for UK businesses.
The 5 Best PeopleHR Alternatives for Time & Attendance
1. Evalu-8 HR – Best all-in-one PeopleHR alternative
Why Evalu-8 HR stands out
Evalu-8 HR offers an integrated Time and Attendance (T&A) module designed to give UK businesses real-time oversight of employee working hours, absences, and patterns—all in one place. Unlike many standalone systems, Evalu-8 HR’s T&A is fully built into its wider HR platform, enabling seamless coordination between attendance, leave management, working time directives, payroll, and more.
This module is particularly well-suited for UK SMEs and mid-sized organisations looking to streamline manual processes, ensure compliance, and gain greater visibility over workforce behaviour—whether their employees are office-based, hybrid, or working in shifts.
The design prioritises practicality over fluff, offering a genuinely useful toolset for businesses that need to manage complex rotas, absence trends, or simply know who’s in and out—without needing multiple disconnected systems.
Core features
Multiple clocking-in methods: Mobile app, tablet kiosk, desktop browser
Geo-fencing: Ensure staff can only clock in from approved locations
Real-time dashboards: See who’s in, who’s late, and who’s missing—at a glance
Custom shift support: Fixed, rotating, split shifts, and overnight working
Absence recording: Late arrivals, early finishes, and missed shifts auto-flagged
Employee self-service: Staff can view their own time records and submit queries
Automated timesheets: Generate digital timesheets from actual clocking data
Manager alerts & approvals: Escalate anomalies or rule breaches to the right people
Advanced features
TOIL and overtime calculation: Auto-track excess hours and convert them to TOIL or paid overtime
Custom compliance alerts: Warn if staff exceed weekly hours or don’t take required breaks (UK Working Time Regs)
Fatigue risk indicators: Spot high-risk working patterns across roles or departments
Integration with ROTA builder: Automatically sync scheduled hours with actual attendance
Biometric compatibility: Supports facial recognition and fingerprint scanners (via hardware)
Audit trails: Full visibility over time edits, approvals, and exceptions for compliance
Constraints and functionality gaps
Biometrics require third-party hardware – not included as standard in the mobile app
Limited out-of-the-box payroll integration – exports data easily, but live syncs depend on provider
Not suited as a standalone product – works best as part of the full HR system
Highly complex union or industry-specific rules may require configuration support
Pricing
- £5 per license per month which includes full core HR system and T&A
Transparent pricing with no hidden charges for access or users
Pros & cons
Pros
- Integrated directly with HR, ROTA, and leave management
- Multiple clocking options including mobile and geo-fenced locations
- Great visibility through live dashboards and automated reports
- TOIL, overtime, and compliance rules are automated
- Works for remote, hybrid, shift-based, and office workers
- Includes fatigue and hours-based risk alerts
Cons
- Biometric features need additional hardware
- Payroll integrations may require some manual steps
- Doesn’t function as a standalone system (needs HR module to manage leave properly)
- Configuration help may be needed for highly complex rules or union setups
Why Evalu-8 HR is a better option than PeopleHR for time & attendance
Evalu-8 HR’s Time and Attendance module goes far beyond basic clock-ins. Unlike PeopleHR, which relies on external integrations and offers limited rota or shift functionality, Evalu-8 provides a fully integrated, real-time attendance system built into its wider HR platform— no third-party workarounds.
For UK businesses, this means everything from clock-ins to TOIL, absence, rota scheduling, and fatigue management is handled in one place. You get accurate, up-to-date insights across your entire workforce without the manual reconciliation headaches that come with disconnected systems.
If you’re frustrated with the lack of visibility, clunky workflows, or compliance blind spots in PeopleHR’s setup, Evalu-8 offers a smarter path: one system, built for UK operational realities, with live dashboards, compliance checks, and automation baked in.
It’s a better fit for organisations that need more than just admin-friendly HR—it’s designed for teams who want true visibility, accountability, and control over how time is worked and recorded.
2. BambooHR – Best for growing teams
BambooHR is a well-known HR platform in the global market, primarily focused on US-based businesses. While it offers an attractive user interface and core HR features, its Time and Attendance (T&A) capabilities are limited and not well-optimised for UK businesses—especially those with complex shift patterns, fatigue compliance concerns, or Working Time Regulation requirements.
Crucially, BambooHR’s time tracking offers only basic functionality. For UK organisations, this means little to no built-in support for rota planning, TOIL, UK-specific compliance, or fatigue risk monitoring. Businesses managing shift workers, hourly staff, or regulated roles will likely find BambooHR’s time tracking insufficient without investing in external tools or extensive workarounds.
It’s best suited for simple, salaried workforces with predictable hours—but less ideal for operationally complex, regulated, or safety-critical environments.
Core features
Basic clock in / clock out functionality via desktop or mobile
Automatic timecard generation for approval
Manual time entry and adjustments by employees or managers
Basic overtime tracking
PTO and sick leave syncing with BambooHR’s core HR features
Simple reporting on hours worked and time off
Advanced features
Mobile app with geolocation tagging for clock-in (basic use only)
Approval workflows for submitted hours
Integration with payroll platforms (mostly US-centric)
Custom policies for overtime or break rules (limited in scope)
Constraints and functionality gaps
Structural Limitations
Time tracking is an add-on, not built into the core platform
No rota or shift scheduling – requires third-party software for even basic rota functionality
No fatigue management tools – unsuitable for sectors with safety concerns or hour restrictions
No TOIL (Time Off In Lieu) management – must be managed manually
Lacks granular rule-building – unable to fully model UK-specific break laws or weekly hour limits
No real-time dashboards – visibility is limited to reports or manager approvals
UK Compliance Gaps
Not built with UK Working Time Regulations in mind – lacks alerts or safeguards for breaches
Geolocation is basic – no geo-fencing to restrict clock-ins to authorised areas
No biometric integrations – cannot prevent buddy punching without third-party tools
Audit trails are limited – hard to monitor manual edits or disputed records effectively
Overtime rules are simplistic – no nuanced calculation models for sector-specific needs (e.g. night shifts, enhanced rates)
Integration and Scalability Issues
Payroll integrations are US-focused – limited UK payroll providers supported
API access is restricted to higher plans – makes integration with UK payroll or ROTA tools difficult and expensive
No built-in support for contractor or agency worker tracking
Pricing
BambooHR pricing is not publicly listed – often requires a demo before receiving a quote
Time tracking is only available on Advanced/Pro tiers or as a paid add-on
UK customers frequently report exchange rate and VAT complications
Expect to pay £7–£12 per employee/month for T&A access depending on tier, making it expensive relative to UK-specific alternatives
Pros & cons
Pros
- Clean, user-friendly interface
Suitable for salaried, office-based teams with simple time tracking needs - Mobile clock-ins with location tagging
Integrates with BambooHR’s own PTO tracking - Good for teams already using BambooHR for HRIS purposes
Cons
- Not designed for UK compliance (no Working Time Regulation support)
- No rota, shift scheduling, or fatigue monitoring
- No TOIL or nuanced overtime management
Basic location tagging—no geo-fencing or biometric safeguards - Difficult to scale in operational environments
Why BambooHR is a good alternative to PeopleHR
While BambooHR may lack the operational depth and compliance support needed for shift-heavy UK organisations, it can be a viable alternative to PeopleHR for businesses seeking:
A visually clean, easy-to-use HR platform
Basic time tracking for salaried or remote-first teams
Strong core HR data handling and onboarding tools
A solution for simple HR admin, where time tracking is a low-priority add-on
That said, UK businesses with more complex needs—such as multi-site operations, night shifts, compliance with working hours legislation, or detailed attendance reporting—may find both BambooHR and PeopleHR lacking and should consider solutions more tailored to the UK operational and compliance landscape, like Evalu-8 HR.
3. Breathe – Best for small businesses
Breathe is a UK-based HR platform that caters primarily to micro and small businesses looking for simple, low-cost HR administration tools. While the system offers clean UX and core HR functions like leave tracking and document storage, its Time and Attendance functionality is minimal and not fit for more complex or operationally demanding businesses.
Breathe does not offer a dedicated or advanced Time and Attendance module. Instead, attendance is tracked passively through holiday, sickness, and other absence records, with no support for actual clock-in/out, real-time tracking, or shift planning. There are no rota-building tools, no Working Time Regulation (WTR) compliance features, and no automated TOIL or overtime management.
In short, Breathe is not suitable for organisations that need proper visibility over who is working, when, and for how long. It works best for salaried teams with predictable hours, but will fall short for any business with variable shifts, hourly workers, or compliance requirements.
Core features
Absence logging (sickness, annual leave, other types)
Employee time-off calendar
Manager approval for absence requests
Basic customisable working patterns per employee
Limited reporting on leave/absence trends
Advanced features
There are no advanced Time & Attendance features in BreatheHR. However, the platform does offer:
Third-party integration with RotaCloud (for an additional fee and separate login)
API access (on higher-tier plans) for custom integrations
Notifications for managers when leave or sickness is recorded
Constraints and functionality gaps
No clock-In/out capability
- No ability for employees to clock in or out via mobile, desktop, or hardware
- No support for start/finish time tracking—only absence tracking
No rota or shift scheduling
- No built-in rota planner or scheduler
- Users must manually manage rotas elsewhere or pay for external tools like RotaCloud
No TOIL or overtime tracking
- No functionality to record or automate time off in lieu
- No ability to track or alert on overtime worked
Compliance limitations
- No built-in safeguards for UK Working Time Regulations
- No break management, maximum hours alerts, or rest period controls
- No fatigue risk indicators or working hour thresholds
Lack of real-time visibility
- No live dashboards or attendance status overviews
- Managers cannot see who is currently working or where they are
No geolocation or biometric options
- Cannot restrict clock-ins by location or verify attendance with biometrics
Pricing
Starts from £18/month for up to 10 employees
Larger plans scale based on employee count, up to £200+/month for 200+ staff
No dedicated Time and Attendance module – attendance is only managed through leave tracking
Third-party rota or T&A integrations (e.g. RotaCloud) come at additional cost and complexity
API access is restricted to higher-tier plans
Pros & cons
Pros
- Clean interface and easy for small teams to use
- Simple absence recording and approval workflows
- UK-based support and designed with small UK businesses in mind
- API access available (on higher plans) for custom integrations
Cons
- No actual clock-in/out tracking
- No TOIL, overtime, rota, or shift planning tools
- No compliance support for UK Working Time Regulations
- No real-time visibility into attendance
- Limited reporting on working hours
- Add-ons required for rota functionality
- Not viable for hourly staff or operational teams
Why Breathe is a good alternative to PeopleHR
Breathe may be a suitable alternative to PeopleHR for very small UK businesses that need a straightforward, low-cost HR tool with basic absence tracking and leave management—and have no real need for proper Time and Attendance.
Compared to PeopleHR, Breathe has a simpler interface, more affordable pricing for smaller teams, and slightly more intuitive absence flows. If your business operates Monday to Friday, 9–5, with salaried staff and minimal compliance pressure, Breathe can be a decent fit.
However, for any business that needs accurate tracking of hours worked, rota planning, fatigue prevention, or operational oversight, Breathe quickly becomes inadequate—just like PeopleHR—and a more comprehensive, integrated solution like Evalu-8 HR would be the better long-term investment.
4. HiBob – Best for mid-sized companies
HiBob positions itself as a modern, people-first HR platform with sleek branding and a wide range of functionality. While its core HR features—like performance reviews, engagement tools, and org charts—are well designed, its Time and Attendance (T&A) offering is relatively lightweight, especially for UK businesses with operational or compliance-driven needs.
Although time tracking is part of the overall HR suite, it lacks depth when compared to more operationally focused UK platforms. There’s no built-in rota builder, no fatigue tracking, and limited support for complex working time rules—meaning UK businesses looking for control over shift work, TOIL, or regulatory compliance will likely hit roadblocks.
HiBob is best suited to tech-forward, salaried teams with predictable working patterns, but less effective for shift-based, hourly, or regulated workforces. For UK businesses needing true attendance visibility, integrated scheduling, or real-time compliance oversight, it’s not yet a complete solution.
Core features
Basic time tracking – employees can log time worked manually or via clock-in/clock-out
Time sheets – managers can approve submitted hours
Leave and absence management integrated into the same platform
Working pattern configuration for each employee
Basic reporting on time logs and absences
Mobile access for self-service time logging
Advanced features
Work-from-anywhere visibility – optional fields for location, e.g., home/office
Custom policies for work hours and break requirements (limited automation)
Employee tags and groupings to tailor working time expectations
Approval workflows for submitted hours
API access for integrations with third-party tools
Integrations with some payroll systems (mostly mid-market and US-focused)
Constraints and functionality gaps
Operational Limitations
No rota or shift scheduling tools – teams must manage rotas externally
No TOIL tracking – cannot convert extra hours worked into time off
No overtime automation – no rules-based calculations or alerts for overwork
Manual clock-ins – no hardware integration (e.g. biometric readers)
No geo-fencing or location restrictions on clock-ins
No fatigue tracking or risk profiling – unsuitable for safety-critical industries
UK Compliance Gaps
No built-in Working Time Regulation (WTR) checks or alerts
Break compliance is limited to manual policy settings
No escalation rules for breaches of hour limits
Minimal audit trail – hard to monitor disputed hours or edits to logs
Visibility & Reporting Issues
No real-time dashboard showing who is in/out or actively working
Time reports are basic and rely heavily on manual input or exporting
No configurable alerts for late clock-ins, no-shows, or absences
Integration Constraints
Limited UK payroll integrations – focuses more on global or US-centric platforms
API-based workarounds often required for real-time scheduling or time tracking tools
External tools needed for advanced attendance needs—driving up cost and complexity
Pricing
HiBob does not publish pricing publicly – typically operates on a quote basis depending on headcount and modules required
Market feedback suggests starting costs around £7–£12 per employee/month, increasing with feature sets
Time tracking is part of the core system but lacks the depth of dedicated T&A tools
Additional implementation, API work, or integrations can add to cost
Minimum user count and contract lengths may apply
Pros & cons
Pros
- Clean, modern interface that’s easy to navigate
- Time and leave features are part of the same HR system
- Great for hybrid or remote-first teams with salaried staff
- Approval workflows help maintain oversight
- Some flexibility through custom policies and API access
Cons
- No built-in rota or shift scheduling
- No TOIL, overtime, or fatigue tracking features
- Weak UK compliance support (no WTR automation or alerts)
- No geo-fencing, biometrics, or real-time attendance dashboards
- Reporting is basic and not built for operational visibility
- Not suitable for safety-critical, hourly, or shift-based workforces
Why HiBob is a good alternative to PeopleHR
HiBob may be a suitable alternative to PeopleHR for mid-sized UK companies looking to modernise their HR systems while keeping things people-centric. It offers a far better user experience, more customisation, and broader HR functionality than PeopleHR—but only if time tracking isn’t a core operational requirement.
It’s a solid upgrade for businesses that:
Rely on salaried staff with flexible work-from-anywhere setups
Want better engagement, performance, and culture tools
Don’t need deep control over rotas, shift visibility, or compliance tracking
However, for any business needing a genuinely robust Time & Attendance solution—especially those managing operational teams, hourly staff, or regulated sectors—HiBob falls short in the same ways as PeopleHR. In these cases, a UK-specific platform like Evalu-8 HR, with real-time tracking, rota planning, TOIL, and WTR compliance support, would be a significantly better choice.
5. iSAMS by IRIS – Best for schools & education
iSAMSÂ is a popular MIS (Management Information System) for independent and international schools in the UK. It excels at student record-keeping, timetabling, and academic reporting. However, when it comes to Time and Attendance for staff, iSAMS lacks the flexibility and depth required by HR and operations teams looking for real-time workforce management.
The time and attendance capabilities within iSAMS are primarily designed for student tracking, not employees. While there are optional staff attendance features, they are not built to handle the operational needs of shift work, real-time tracking, absence management, or compliance monitoring—all of which are essential for robust HR oversight. To fully manage attendance, leave, and working hours for staff, most schools using iSAMS must integrate with a separate HR platform, which adds complexity and cost.
In short, while iSAMS performs well as a student-centric MIS, its staff attendance functionality is limited, outdated in places, and poorly integrated with modern HR needs—making it a weak fit for UK schools that want accurate, automated Time and Attendance tools for workforce visibility and compliance.
Core features
Basic staff attendance logging (arrival/departure times manually recorded or entered by staff/admin)
Student attendance monitoring (more advanced than staff T&A)
Integration with school timetables for expected working hours
Absence recording (sickness, leave, late arrivals, etc.)
Custom reasons and categories for staff absences
CSV export of attendance data for reporting
Advanced features
Biometric or swipe-card system integration (via third-party partners, not native)
Optional integration with iSAMS HR Manager module for more HR recordkeeping
Report generation for individual or group attendance logs
Linked permissions for department heads or line managers to view or approve entries
Constraints and functionality gaps
System design limitations
iSAMS is not a purpose-built HR platform – Time and Attendance is a secondary function
No real-time clock-in/out functionality for staff
No mobile app for staff T&A logging
Attendance records often need to be manually entered or updated
Lacks flexible scheduling/rota building—assumes fixed school hours
No TOIL or overtime calculation capabilities
No support for custom shift patterns or flexible working tracking
Compliance and automation gaps
No built-in logic for Working Time Regulations (e.g., weekly hour caps, rest periods)
No alerts for lateness, unauthorised absences, or overwork
No fatigue tracking or risk indicators for overworked staff
No audit trail or change tracking for edited time entries
Integration & reporting limitations
Staff time & attendance data does not fully integrate with payroll systems
Requires additional HR software (e.g., iSAMS HR Manager or external tools) to manage leave, TOIL, and HR policies
Reporting lacks depth and automation—mostly manual exports or static reports
Limited API functionality to integrate attendance data with modern HR systems
Pricing
iSAMS pricing is modular and bespoke—schools purchase individual modules depending on need
Time and attendance features are often bundled within the HR Manager or Staff Management modules, or built through custom setups
Schools must often pay separately for integrations with biometric tools or external HR systems
Market feedback suggests that iSAMS pricing is on the higher end, especially when HR features are added
Pros & cons
Pros
- Already in use at many UK independent schools—no new platform needed
- Integrates well with school timetables and student attendance
- Supports custom absence codes for school-specific reporting
- Works well for basic staff attendance logging and static schedules
- Can be extended through third-party tools or the iSAMS HR Manager module
Cons
- Not built for real-time staff attendance tracking
- Manual workflows lead to data entry errors and inconsistent tracking
- No TOIL, overtime, or fatigue management
Poor visibility into who is working, where, and when - No rota/scheduling support for non-academic staff (e.g. estates, support, catering)
- No UK compliance features for WTR or HR audit
- Requires external HR software to function as a complete attendance system
Why iSAMS is a good alternative to PeopleHR
iSAMS can be a suitable alternative to PeopleHR only within the context of UK schools that already use the platform for student records and want to centralise staff data in one system. For academic environments with fixed working hours, it may provide a basic but familiar way to log attendance, without the need for separate logins or platforms.
However, iSAMS suffers from many of the same issues as PeopleHR: lack of real-time functionality, compliance blind spots, and reliance on manual processes. It is not suitable for schools needing visibility into flexible or shift-based work, nor for those aiming to meet best-practice HR compliance standards.
For schools looking to manage both academic and non-academic staff more effectively, especially in roles with variable hours, Evalu-8 HR offers a much more modern, automated, and compliant Time & Attendance solution—fully integrated with leave, rotas, and HR data.
Choosing a stronger time and attendance solution in 2025
As UK organisations continue to prioritise workforce visibility, compliance, and operational efficiency, the limitations of traditional HR platforms like PeopleHR have become increasingly clear—especially when it comes to Time and Attendance.
Across the alternatives we’ve reviewed—BambooHR, Breathe, HiBob, iSAMS, and Evalu-8 HR—a consistent theme has emerged: many platforms offer basic or bolt-on attendance features, but fall short in key areas like real-time tracking, rota management, TOIL, overtime, mobile clock-ins, and UK Working Time Regulation compliance.
Whether it’s systems not designed for operational staff, overly manual workflows, or poor integration between attendance and HR data, the reality is that most alternatives still leave UK businesses piecing together multiple tools.
That’s why Evalu-8 HR stands out as the most complete and practical alternative. Purpose-built for UK businesses, Evalu-8 offers a fully integrated Time and Attendance module that connects seamlessly with rotas, leave, compliance, and HR records—giving organisations true visibility and control over how time is worked, tracked, and managed.
FAQs – Finding the best PeopleHR alternative
Evalu-8 HR is the best alternative for UK businesses, offering comprehensive time tracking, payroll integration, and compliance tools—all in one platform.
Breathe is ideal for micro-businesses, but Evalu-8 HR provides a more scalable solution with additional workforce management tools.
Evalu-8 HR and iSAMS by IRIS provide built-in compliance tools, while other platforms require additional integrations.
Yes. Evalu-8 HR offers better compliance tracking, payroll integration, and workforce management features, making it a more complete solution.
Evalu-8 HR offers affordable, flexible pricing, making it cost-effective for UK businesses of all sizes.
