Gusto, Sage HR, and Moorepay are all well-known names in the HR and payroll world. But for UK businesses, none of them provide the all-in-one solution that growing SMEs and mid-sized organisations really need. Instead, they each leave gaps that force companies to juggle multiple tools or compromise on functionality.
Gusto has built a strong reputation in the US, particularly for payroll and benefits, but it was never designed for UK compliance. It lacks essentials like right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logging, rota scheduling, and advanced time & attendance, making it unsuitable for UK SMEs.
Sage HR is widely recognised in the UK and offers a broad set of HR features. However, its modular approach makes workforce management feel like an afterthought. Rota scheduling and T&A exist, but they’re often clunky, bolted-on, and expensive as part of a bundle.
Moorepay has been a long-standing payroll provider in the UK, but its HR functionality has always been secondary. Businesses that choose it for payroll often end up layering in other systems to cover HR, rota planning, and compliance needs.
The result? Many UK businesses are left managing compliance, rotas, time tracking, and payroll across several disconnected platforms, increasing costs, admin, and risk.
Evalu-8 HR changes that. Built in the UK and designed as an HR-first platform, it combines compliance, rota scheduling, advanced time & attendance, performance management, and payroll integrations in one modular system. Whether you’re a 20-person SME or a 500-strong organisation, Evalu-8 HR gives you everything you need to manage your people in a single, scalable platform.
It’s the UK HR platform that actually replaces Gusto, Sage, and Moorepay in one.
Helpful Summary
Overview: This blog explores why Evalu-8 HR is the UK HR platform that replaces Gusto, Sage, and Moorepay. Each of those systems has strengths, but none deliver HR, rota, T&A, and compliance in one UK-focused package.
Why Trust Us: Evalu-8 HR is a UK-built, HR-first platform created for SMEs and mid-sized organisations. With rota scheduling, advanced T&A, fatigue monitoring, GDPR audit logs, right-to-work checks, and payroll exports included, it replaces the need for multiple systems.
Why It Matters: Running HR, payroll, and compliance across different tools is costly and inefficient. Evalu-8 HR gives UK businesses everything they need in one system, saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance.
Evalu-8 HR: The UK HR Platform That Replaces Gusto, Sage & Moorepay
Why Evalu-8 HR stands out
Evalu-8 HR is a UK-built, HR-first platform designed to cover everything Gusto, Sage HR, and Moorepay do separately but in one scalable system. Where Gusto focuses on payroll, Sage HR spreads itself across modular add-ons, and Moorepay puts payroll first, Evalu-8 HR puts HR, workforce management, and compliance at the centre, while still integrating seamlessly with payroll providers.
For SMEs and mid-sized organisations, this means no more juggling multiple tools. With rotas, advanced time & attendance, fatigue monitoring, compliance checks, and performance tools included, Evalu-8 HR is the only platform that delivers a full UK workforce management system without bolt-ons or compromises.
Core features
Employee Records
A centralised hub that stores all employee data in one place, from contracts and contact details to training history, qualifications, and compliance documents. Managers can access real-time information without chasing spreadsheets, while audit trails ensure accuracy and accountability.Absence & Holiday Management
Automates the entire leave process with request and approval workflows, entitlement calculations, and real-time visibility for managers. Includes sickness logging, Bradford Factor scoring, and calendar syncs, making it easier to manage absence trends and plan resources.Document Management
Securely store policies, contracts, and compliance documents in a GDPR-compliant environment. Features include e-signatures, version control, automated distribution, and acknowledgement tracking, ensuring staff read and sign policies without manual follow-up.Performance Management
Build structured appraisal cycles with goal-setting, competency frameworks, and 360-degree feedback. Track progress against objectives, record development needs, and tie reviews into training plans, creating a clear performance record for each employee.Employee Self-Service
Accessible via both web and mobile app, employees can request holidays, submit documents, update personal information, view their rotas, and clock in/out. This reduces admin pressure on HR teams and increases engagement by giving staff control over their own data.Payroll-Ready Exports
Generate seamless payroll reports formatted for leading UK providers such as Sage, BrightPay, and Xero. Includes absence, overtime, and shift data, ensuring payroll runs smoothly and accurately without duplicate entry or manual reconciliations.
Advanced features
Rota Scheduling
Create rotas in minutes with a drag-and-drop planner that lets managers assign shifts, manage staff availability, and detect scheduling conflicts automatically. Employees are notified instantly when rotas are published or changed, reducing miscommunication. Features like overtime rules and compliance alerts ensure shifts are both fair and legally sound.Time & Attendance (T&A)
Enable employees to clock in and out via mobile, desktop, or dedicated kiosks, with GPS/IP verification for accurate location tracking. Automatic timesheets calculate working hours, overtime, and breaks, while lateness alerts help managers act quickly. Data flows directly into payroll exports, cutting down manual admin and errors.Fatigue Management
Scheduling intelligence built into Evalu-8 HR helps flag unsafe or non-compliant working patterns before they happen. Managers are alerted if staff are over-scheduled, approaching maximum weekly hours, or breaching rest period requirements, improving safety, wellbeing, and legal compliance.Contractor & Volunteer Profiles
Manage non-permanent staff alongside full-time employees, with controlled access that limits what contractors or volunteers can see. Track their shifts, compliance requirements, and training records while keeping sensitive company data protected.Compliance Tracking
Stay compliant with built-in UK-specific tools such as right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logs, and visa/licence expiry alerts. Every action, approval, or update is logged, creating a reliable audit trail for inspections or legal reporting.Corrective Action Tracking
Turn issues identified in audits, inspections, or performance reviews into trackable tasks with deadlines, owners, and progress updates. This ensures that problems don’t just get recorded, they actually get resolved.Dashboards & Reporting
Access real-time dashboards covering absence trends, overtime costs, compliance risks, and workforce productivity. Reports can be customised for HR managers, finance teams, or the board, ensuring that everyone has the visibility they need without digging through raw data.
Explore Evalu-8 HR
What Customers Say About Evalu-8 HR
Training is very thorough, with recordings sent on request for reference Service is excellent, they get back to you promptly. Great platform, that's customisable for the business needs. Competitively priced.
It is really intuitive and easy to use. They seem to have thought of everything with this software as everything is in one package, with one place to log in. I can easily keep my details up to date, book holiday, see my shifts, receive and sign documents and view my training record.
Pricing
Evalu-8 HR starts at £2.50 per user/month for Core HR. Rota scheduling (£1.45 per user/month) and Time & Attendance (£2.50 per user/month) can be added as modules. This modular pricing keeps costs fair and scalable, businesses only pay for what they need.
Pros & cons of Evalu-8 HR
Pros:
- UK-built, HR-first platform
- Combines what Gusto, Sage, and Moorepay do separately
- Includes rota scheduling, advanced T&A, and fatigue management
- Transparent, modular pricing
- Strong UK compliance (GDPR logs, right-to-work, audit trails)
- Works for small teams and scales with mid-sized organisations
- All-in-one without overkill: Unlike HiBob, which can feel bloated with culture and engagement add-ons, Evalu-8 HR focuses on the features SMEs actually use day to day.
Cons:
- Lower global visibility than Gusto or Sage
- Interface is practical, less flashy than some competitors
Gusto
Gusto is a well-known HR and payroll platform in the US, particularly popular with startups and small businesses. It’s strong in payroll, benefits, and compliance for the US market, making it a trusted name overseas.
However, for UK businesses, Gusto simply doesn’t translate. It lacks UK-specific compliance features and workforce management tools, which makes it unsuitable as a standalone HR solution in this market.
Core features
Payroll: Comprehensive US payroll and tax filing.
Benefits: Health insurance and retirement plans (US-focused).
Employee database: Basic HR records and self-service.
Onboarding: Simple employee onboarding workflows.
Integrations: Links to US-based accounting and benefits providers.
Advanced features
Performance reviews: Basic goal setting and feedback.
Recruitment: Simple applicant tracking.
Automation: Payroll and tax automation for US compliance.
Engagement tools: Employee surveys and feedback features.
Constraints and functionality gaps
Not UK-focused
Gusto is designed for the US market. It lacks UK compliance essentials such as right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logs, and HSE compliance tools, making it unsuitable for SMEs operating under UK employment law.No rota scheduling
Gusto doesn’t include shift planning or workforce management. Businesses relying on rotas or needing to manage hourly staff will need an additional system.No advanced T&A
While employees can log hours, Gusto doesn’t offer GPS/IP clock-ins, automated timesheets, lateness alerts, or fatigue monitoring — all increasingly critical for compliance and safe scheduling.US-only benefits
Gusto’s benefits packages (health insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, etc.) are tailored for the US. They have no application in the UK, leaving gaps in employee engagement and benefits management for UK businesses.Limited scalability for UK SMEs
Built for US startups and small companies, Gusto doesn’t scale effectively for UK organisations. Its feature set isn’t aligned with the needs of mid-sized businesses handling compliance-heavy workforce management.
Pricing
Gusto uses a subscription model with per-employee pricing, affordable for small US businesses but irrelevant for UK SMEs due to lack of compliance and workforce tools.
Pros & cons of Gusto
Pros:
- Popular in the US for payroll and benefits
- User-friendly interface
- Good for US-based startups
Cons:
- No UK compliance support
- No rota scheduling
- No advanced time & attendance
- US-focused benefits irrelevant to UK businesses
- Not a viable solution for UK SMEs
Sage HR
Sage HR is one of the most recognised HR systems in the UK, known for covering a wide range of HR functions. It appeals to SMEs that already use Sage for payroll or accounting, making integration a key selling point.
However, Sage HR’s modular approach means rota scheduling and time tracking feel like add-ons rather than core features. Many businesses find it overly complex, with clunky workflows that make workforce management harder than it should be.
Core features
Employee records: Store contracts, policies, and staff details.
Absence & holiday tracking: Leave request and approval workflows with shared calendars.
Document management: Store policies, contracts, and compliance documents.
Performance reviews: Appraisal cycles, goal-setting, and competency tracking.
Recruitment: Applicant tracking and onboarding.
Advanced features
Rota & shift scheduling: Available, but often complex to use and not fully integrated.
Time & attendance: Basic clock-in/out functionality but lacks GPS/IP tracking.
Workflow automation: Approval chains and notifications.
Reporting: Standard HR dashboards and reports.
Integrations: Links with Sage payroll and accounting software.
Constraints and functionality gaps
Clunky rota scheduling
While Sage HR offers rota and shift planning, the functionality often feels bolted on rather than seamlessly integrated. Many SMEs find it cumbersome to build schedules, with limited flexibility for real-world shift changes.Weak time & attendance
Sage HR includes clock-in/out functionality, but it lacks GPS/IP-enabled verification, automated timesheets, and fatigue monitoring. For businesses managing shift-heavy or compliance-sensitive workforces, these gaps create inefficiencies.Compliance gaps
Sage HR doesn’t provide built-in tools for right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logs, or visa/licence expiry alerts. These are essential for UK businesses to remain compliant without manual workarounds.Costly add-ons
Its modular pricing structure means rota, T&A, and other advanced features are additional costs. As businesses scale, this quickly becomes more expensive than modular but HR-first platforms like Evalu-8 HR.Overkill for small teams
While broad in scope, Sage HR can feel unnecessarily complex for small teams. The learning curve and admin burden are often greater than with SME-focused alternatives.
Pricing
Sage HR uses a modular pricing model, charging per employee and per module. While flexible in theory, it often becomes more expensive than SME-focused alternatives like Evalu-8 HR.
Pros & cons of Sage HR
Pros:
- Recognised UK brand
- Covers a wide range of HR functions
- Integrates with Sage payroll and accounting
Cons:
- Rota and T&A feel bolted on and clunky
- No advanced workforce management (fatigue monitoring, GPS/IP clock-ins)
- Compliance tools are limited
- Costs rise quickly with modules
- Overly complex for smaller teams
Moorepay
Moorepay is a long-established UK provider, best known for payroll and HR outsourcing. It appeals to businesses that want payroll handled externally, with HR software available as an add-on.
While it offers some HR features, Moorepay’s strength is in payroll, not HR or workforce management. Businesses looking for rota scheduling, advanced time & attendance, or compliance tools will quickly find themselves needing additional systems.
Core Features
Payroll services: Outsourced payroll processing and compliance.
Employee records: Basic HR database for staff details.
Absence & holiday management: Request and approval workflows.
Document storage: Upload and manage HR policies and files.
Performance reviews: Simple appraisal tools.
Advanced Features
HR outsourcing: Access to Moorepay consultants for HR support.
Recruitment tools: Limited applicant tracking and onboarding.
Reporting: Payroll-focused reports with some HR metrics.
Integrations: Connects payroll with accounting and finance tools.
Constraints and Functionality Gaps
Payroll-first, HR second
Moorepay is fundamentally a payroll outsourcing provider. While HR features exist, they are add-ons rather than core functionality, meaning businesses often need extra systems for proper workforce management.No rota scheduling
Moorepay does not include shift planning or rota management. Companies with hourly or shift-based staff must use separate tools, which adds unnecessary complexity.Weak time & attendance
Beyond basic absence tracking, Moorepay lacks GPS/IP clock-ins, overtime monitoring, lateness alerts, and fatigue management. These gaps make it unsuitable for businesses that require detailed workforce oversight.Compliance limitations
Unlike HR-first platforms, Moorepay doesn’t offer right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logs, or licence/visa expiry alerts. Compliance processes are often manual or outsourced, adding costs and risks.Costly and less transparent pricing
Moorepay uses a quote-based pricing model, often tied to payroll outsourcing contracts. This can make costs unpredictable and higher than SME-focused solutions like Evalu-8 HR, where pricing is modular and transparent.Limited scalability
While suitable for smaller businesses outsourcing payroll, Moorepay struggles to meet the needs of mid-sized organisations that require deeper HR, rota, and compliance functionality.
Pricing
Moorepay uses a quote-based model, often tied to payroll outsourcing contracts. This makes it more costly and less transparent than modular HR-first platforms like Evalu-8 HR.
Pros & Cons of Moorepay
Pros
- Strong payroll services
- HR outsourcing support available
- Established UK brand
Cons
- HR is secondary to payroll
- No rota scheduling
- Weak T&A functionality
- Limited compliance tools
- More expensive and less transparent pricing
Overview: The UK HR Platform That Replaces Gusto, Sage or Moorepay
Comprehensive Platforms (Payroll & HR Together)
These systems try to cover HR and payroll, but often focus on payroll first, leaving workforce management tools as secondary.
- Evalu-8 HR: Combines HR, rota scheduling, advanced time & attendance, and compliance with seamless payroll exports, giving you the best of both worlds without compromises.
- Moorepay: Strong payroll outsourcing, but HR functionality is secondary and lacks rota/T&A.
Integrated & Flexible Solutions (For SMEs & Mid-Sized Businesses)
These tools balance functionality and usability but often require bolt-ons or extra complexity to handle workforce management.
Evalu-8 HR: UK-built and modular, making rota scheduling, GPS/IP-enabled T&A, fatigue monitoring, and compliance central to HR, not add-ons.
Sage HR: Covers many HR areas, but its modular design makes rota and T&A feel clunky and costly.
Specialist & Simpler Platforms
These tools focus on payroll or specific HR basics. They’re simple but not designed for UK workforce management needs.
Evalu-8 HR: Goes beyond the basics with rota, fatigue, compliance, and workforce management, while still being simple enough for small teams to adopt.
Gusto: Popular in the US for payroll, but lacks UK compliance, rota, and time tracking.
How to Choose the Best Alternative
Check what’s core vs bolted-on: Payroll-first platforms often leave rota and HR as afterthoughts.
Think UK-first: Right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logs, and HSE compliance are non-negotiable.
Balance simplicity with depth: Look for a platform that’s easy for staff to use but scalable as your team grows.
Focus on workforce management: Rotas, time tracking, and fatigue tools are essential for SMEs managing shift workers.
Evalu-8 HR is the only platform that replaces Gusto, Sage, and Moorepay in one. It’s UK-built, HR-first, and scalable, combining compliance, workforce management, and payroll integration into a single system.
Final Thoughts
Gusto, Sage HR, and Moorepay all have their strengths, but none provide the complete, UK-focused HR solution that growing businesses need. Gusto excels in US payroll but doesn’t meet UK compliance standards. Sage HR covers many HR areas, but makes rota scheduling and time tracking overly complex. Moorepay is payroll-first, leaving HR and workforce tools as secondary add-ons.
Evalu-8 HR is different. It was built in the UK, HR-first, with rota scheduling, GPS/IP-enabled time & attendance, fatigue management, and compliance tools at its core. By also integrating seamlessly with payroll providers, it removes the need for multiple systems, saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance.
For SMEs and mid-sized organisations that want to replace Sage HR, Moorepay, or Gusto with one scalable platform, Evalu-8 HR is the smarter choice.
FAQs
Gusto is designed for the US market. While it’s strong in payroll and benefits there, it doesn’t include UK-specific compliance like right-to-work checks, GDPR logging, or rota/time tracking, making it unsuitable for UK SMEs.
Sage HR covers a wide range of HR functions but relies on modular add-ons. Rota scheduling and time tracking often feel clunky and complex, and compliance tools like right-to-work checks or fatigue monitoring aren’t included.
Moorepay is payroll-first, with HR features added on. While it’s strong in outsourced payroll, it lacks rota scheduling, advanced time & attendance, and built-in compliance tools.
Evalu-8 HR is UK-built and HR-first. It combines core HR (records, absence, performance) with rota scheduling, advanced T&A, fatigue monitoring, and UK compliance tools while integrating smoothly with payroll providers.
Yes. Evalu-8 HR is modular and cost-effective, starting at £2.50 per user/month. Small teams can adopt it easily, and as the business grows, rota, T&A, and compliance modules scale with them.
