Staffology is well known as a payroll-first system, and that’s where it performs best. But when it comes to HR, especially rota scheduling and time & attendance (T&A), many businesses quickly find its functionality limited. For organisations that manage shift workers, track overtime, or need compliance-ready attendance logs, Staffology often means bolting on extra systems or relying on spreadsheets.
That’s why more UK SMEs and mid-sized businesses are looking for alternatives. The right HR platform doesn’t just handle absence requests and employee records, it should also manage rotas, clock-ins, overtime, and fatigue risks in one place.
In this blog, we’ll explore the Top 5 Staffology HR alternatives with rota and time tracking. Each one offers HR essentials, but also brings a different approach to workforce management, compliance, and scalability. Leading the way is Evalu-8 HR, a UK-built, HR-first platform designed to give businesses everything they need without compromise.
Helpful Summary
Overview: This blog compares the top alternatives to Staffology HR for businesses that need rota scheduling and time tracking built in. Staffology is a payroll-first system, but its HR and workforce tools are limited. The alternatives we explore here offer stronger rota, T&A, and compliance features, with Evalu-8 HR standing out as the most scalable UK option.
Why Trust Us: Evalu-8 HR is a UK-built, HR-first platform created for SMEs and mid-sized businesses. Unlike payroll-led systems, it puts people management at the centre. With rotas, time & attendance, fatigue monitoring, and GDPR/right-to-work compliance included, it delivers what Staffology doesn’t.
Why It Matters: If you rely on spreadsheets or add-ons to schedule staff, track attendance, or prove compliance, you’re wasting time and creating risk. Choosing the right HR software ensures your workforce is managed efficiently, your compliance is watertight, and your business is ready to scale. Evalu-8 HR provides all of this in one simple, modular platform.
Evalu-8 HR: Best all-in-one platform
Why Evalu-8 HR stands out
Evalu-8 HR is a UK-built, HR-first platform designed to work for any size team, from small businesses to mid-sized organisations. Unlike Staffology, which is payroll-first with HR features bolted on, Evalu-8 HR was built from the ground up to make HR simpler, more compliant, and more scalable.
It doesn’t just cover core HR, it integrates rota scheduling, time & attendance (T&A), and fatigue management as standard modules. For UK businesses that need to balance people management with compliance, Evalu-8 HR offers a streamlined, all-in-one solution.
Core features
Employee records: Central hub for contracts, training history, absence logs, and compliance documents.
Absence & holiday management: Automated requests, approvals, and entitlement tracking with shared calendars.
Document management: Secure storage with e-signatures, version control, and acknowledgement tracking.
Performance management: Goal-setting, appraisal cycles, and competency frameworks.
Employee self-service: Staff can book leave, clock in/out, and update personal details via web or mobile app.
Payroll-ready exports: Seamless reporting formats for Sage, BrightPay, Xero, and other UK payroll providers.
Advanced features
Rota scheduling: Drag-and-drop shift planning with conflict detection, availability management, and instant notifications.
Time & attendance: GPS/IP-enabled clock-ins, overtime tracking, lateness alerts, and automated timesheets.
Fatigue management: Monitors unsafe scheduling patterns and flags risks before they become compliance issues.
Contractor & volunteer profiles: Manage non-permanent staff securely with restricted access.
Corrective action tracking: Turn compliance issues into tasks with owners and deadlines.
Analytics dashboards: Real-time insights into absence, overtime, workforce costs, and compliance trends.
Audit logs: Capture approvals and acknowledgements for compliance and legal proof.
Explore Evalu-8 HR
What Customers Say About Evalu-8 HR
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.
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.
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 approach keeps pricing transparent and scalable, businesses only pay for the tools they actually use.
Pros & cons of Evalu-8 HR
Pros:
- UK-built, HR-first design
- Includes rota scheduling, T&A, and fatigue management
- Transparent modular pricing
- Strong UK compliance tools (GDPR logs, right-to-work, visa expiry alerts)
- Scales from small teams to larger organisations
Cons:
- Less brand recognition than global vendors
- Interface prioritises compliance over design polish
Breathe HR
Breathe HR is one of the most popular HR systems for small UK businesses. It’s known for being affordable, simple to set up, and easy to use. For companies moving away from spreadsheets, it’s often the first HR tool they try.
However, Breathe HR was designed for micro and small businesses, so while it handles the basics well, it lacks the workforce management depth that scaling companies often need.
Core features
Employee database: Stores contracts, policies, and personal information.
Absence & holiday management: Simple leave request and approval system with shared calendars.
Performance management: Appraisal and feedback tools for small teams.
Document management: Upload and share policies and contracts.
Employee self-service: Staff can update details and request leave.
Advanced features
Recruitment: Basic applicant tracking and vacancy posting.
Expenses management: Submit and approve staff expenses.
Training records: Record training history and certificates.
Reporting: Standard HR reports for absence, headcount, and performance.
Constraints and functionality gaps
No rota scheduling: Doesn’t include workforce planning tools.
No advanced T&A: No GPS/IP clock-ins, automated timesheets, or overtime tracking.
Compliance is basic: Lacks right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logging, or expiry alerts.
Limited scalability: Works well for small teams, but often outgrown as compliance and workforce needs increase.
Reporting is shallow: Useful for small teams but not configurable enough for mid-sized businesses.
Pricing
Breathe HR uses tiered pricing based on employee headcount, which makes it affordable for microbusinesses. However, as headcount increases, costs rise while functionality remains largely the same.
Pros & cons of Breathe HR
Pros:
- Affordable and simple to use
- Good starter HR system for small businesses
- Covers HR basics (holidays, documents, appraisals)
Cons:
- No rota scheduling
- No advanced time & attendance
- Weak compliance tools compared to UK-focused systems
- Limited scalability for SMEs and mid-sized firmsList Item
Factorial HR
Factorial HR has gained popularity as a modern, affordable HR platform designed for small and growing businesses. Its clean design and user-friendly interface make it attractive for teams that want something simple to roll out quickly.
It covers the essentials well and adds some useful extras like recruitment and performance tracking. But for UK businesses with compliance-heavy requirements or shift-based workforces, Factorial HR shows its limitations.
Core features
Employee records: Centralised staff data, documents, and contracts.
Holiday and absence management: Leave requests and approvals with shared calendars.
Document management: Upload, store, and share HR files securely.
Performance management: Goal-setting and appraisal tools.
Recruitment: Basic applicant tracking and job posting.
Advanced features
Workflow automation: Set up approval chains and reminders.
Expenses and benefits: Manage employee expenses and perk schemes.
Integrations: Works with payroll and other third-party platforms.
Reporting dashboards: Pre-set HR reports for absence, turnover, and engagement.
Constraints and functionality gaps
Limited UK compliance support: No built-in right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logging, or HSE tools.
No rota scheduling: Doesn’t support workforce planning or shift management.
No advanced T&A: Lacks GPS/IP clock-ins, fatigue monitoring, and timesheet automation.
Reporting is shallow: Dashboards are not highly customisable for SME needs.
Not built for scaling UK SMEs: Designed for startups and small businesses; struggles with mid-sized organisational needs.
Pricing
Factorial HR uses a per-employee pricing model, which makes it affordable for very small teams. However, costs grow as headcount increases, and without rota or advanced T&A features, many businesses end up adding other systems to fill the gaps.
Pros & cons of Factorial HR
Pros:
- Affordable and easy to implement
- Modern, user-friendly interface
- Covers HR basics plus some extras like recruitment
Cons:
- No rota scheduling
- No advanced time & attendance
- Weak UK compliance features
- Reporting is limited
- Less suited for mid-sized, scaling businesses
Employment Hero
Employment Hero markets itself as an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform. It’s especially popular with businesses that want to combine HR management with employee perks, engagement tools, and payroll in a single system.
For companies prioritising payroll and benefits, it can be appealing. But for UK SMEs that need compliance, rota scheduling, or advanced time & attendance, Employment Hero leaves important gaps.
Core features
Employee records: Centralised HR database with contracts and personal details.
Leave management: Request and approve holidays and absences.
Document storage: Upload and share HR documents.
Performance reviews: Goal setting and appraisal tools.
Payroll integration: Strong payroll focus, especially in markets like Australia.
Advanced features
Employee records: Centralised HR database with contracts and personal details.
Leave management: Request and approve holidays and absences.
Document storage: Upload and share HR documents.
Performance reviews: Goal setting and appraisal tools.
Payroll integration: Strong payroll focus, especially in markets like Australia.
Constraints and functionality gaps
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Payroll at the centre: HR feels secondary to payroll and benefits.
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UK compliance: No right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logging, or fatigue management.
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No rota scheduling: Doesn’t include shift planning or ROTA management.
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No advanced T&A: Lacks GPS/IP clock-ins, automated timesheets, and overtime tracking.
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Escalating costs: Bundled pricing can become expensive as features are added.
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Scaling limits: Best for smaller businesses; less suited to mid-sized UK organisations.
Pricing
Employment Hero uses a tiered subscription model that bundles HR, payroll, and benefits. While it looks attractive at first, costs can climb quickly as businesses add employees or need more features.
Pros & cons of Employment Hero
Pros:
- Combines HR, payroll, and benefits in one system
- Includes employee engagement and perks
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Payroll and perks are the main focus, not HR
- No rota scheduling or advanced T&A
- Weak UK compliance support
- Escalating costs for growing businesses
- Less suited for SMEs with shift-heavy or compliance-driven needs
Cezanne HR
Cezanne HR is a UK-based HR platform with a strong reputation among mid-sized and larger organisations. It offers a wide range of HR features, making it one of the more comprehensive systems on the market. For companies that need depth and configurability, it’s a powerful option.
But with that power comes complexity and cost. For SMEs and growing businesses, Cezanne HR often feels like too much system, requiring more time, budget, and resources than they can justify.
Core Features
Employee records: Robust database for all staff details, contracts, and HR files.
Absence & holiday management: Leave tracking with configurable approval workflows.
Document management: Secure storage with version control and e-signatures.
Performance management: Structured appraisals, goal tracking, and competencies.
Recruitment: Applicant tracking and onboarding tools.
Advanced Features
Configurable workflows: Tailor approval chains and processes to complex needs.
Learning & development: Training management and career planning.
Analytics & reporting: Highly configurable dashboards with drill-downs.
Compensation & succession planning: Tools for larger organisations with layered structures.
Integrations: Payroll, finance, and third-party HR tools.
Constraints and Functionality Gaps
Complex to use: Steeper learning curve compared to SME-friendly systems.
Costly: More expensive than SME-focused alternatives like Evalu-8 HR or Breathe HR.
Not SME-friendly: Best for larger organisations, overkill for small businesses.
Limited rota and T&A: While configurable, it lacks the simple, built-in rota scheduling and advanced T&A UK SMEs often need.
Resource-heavy: Requires more time and admin effort to configure and manage.
Pricing
Cezanne HR uses a quote-based pricing model, which typically puts it at the higher end of the market. For SMEs, it can be a significant investment compared to transparent modular platforms like Evalu-8 HR.
Pros & Cons of Cezanne HR
Pros
- UK-based and trusted by larger organisations
- Wide range of HR features
- Highly configurable and customisable
Cons
- Expensive compared to SME-focused platforms
- Steep learning curve for smaller teams
- Overkill for many SMEs and mid-sized businesses
- Limited rota scheduling and advanced T&A
- Requires significant admin to configure and manage
Overview: The Best Staffology HR Alternatives with Rota & Time Tracking
Comprehensive HR Platforms (Best for Mid-to-Large Organisations)
These platforms deliver enterprise-level functionality with broad HR coverage, but they often bring higher costs and added complexity. They suit larger organisations, though SMEs may find them excessive.
Evalu-8 HR: Offers the compliance and workforce depth of a larger system, rotas, T&A, fatigue monitoring, GDPR logging, but in a modular package that avoids the complexity and cost of enterprise suites.
Cezanne HR: UK-based and highly configurable, designed for mid-to-large organisations. Powerful but can be resource-heavy and too costly for smaller businesses.
Integrated & Flexible Solutions (Small-to-Midsize Businesses)
These platforms strike a balance between ease of use and functionality, giving SMEs access to rota, T&A, and compliance without enterprise overheads.
Evalu-8 HR: UK-built and HR-first, designed to grow with SMEs and mid-sized firms. Includes rota scheduling, advanced T&A (GPS/IP clock-ins, overtime, fatigue monitoring), and compliance tools built in.
Employment Hero: Payroll and benefits-focused. Attractive for perks, but HR, rota, and compliance features feel secondary.
Factorial HR: Affordable and modern with a clean UI, but limited compliance depth and no rota or advanced T&A.
Specialist & Simpler HR Tools
These are lightweight and affordable, ideal for microbusinesses or startups. They cover the basics but usually lack workforce management and compliance features, meaning they’re quickly outgrown.
Evalu-8 HR: Combines simplicity with scalability. Easy enough for smaller teams, but unlike most lightweight tools, it includes rota scheduling, T&A, and compliance features, so businesses don’t outgrow it.
Breathe HR: Popular starter option for small UK businesses. Affordable and simple, but lacks rota scheduling, advanced T&A, and robust compliance.
How to Choose the Best HiBob Alternatives
How I Chose the Top 5 Staffology HR Alternatives with Rota & Time Tracking
When comparing HR software, it’s easy to get distracted by flashy extras or global brand names. But for SMEs and mid-sized UK businesses, the priorities are different: you need tools that handle everyday HR and give you rota scheduling, time tracking, and compliance in one place. Here’s the process I used to choose the best Staffology alternatives:
First, I narrowed down the must-haves:
Core HR features like employee records, absence management, and document storage.
Rota scheduling to plan shifts, avoid clashes, and reduce reliance on spreadsheets.
Time & attendance (T&A) with GPS/IP clock-ins, automated timesheets, and overtime tracking.
Compliance tools including right-to-work checks, GDPR audit logs, and fatigue management.
Then, I considered the practical things that make these tools usable every day
Ease of use: The system should be intuitive for both HR teams and employees.
Mobile access: Staff should be able to clock in, request leave, or check their rota on the go.
Integration: Smooth payroll exports or links to systems like Sage, BrightPay, or Xero.
Scalability: The platform needs to grow with the business without forcing costly upgrades.
Finally, I looked for advanced features that separate the good from the great
Fatigue management to prevent unsafe scheduling.
Automated workflows for approvals, notifications, and corrective actions.
Real-time dashboards to give managers visibility into absence, overtime, and compliance risks.
Customisable reporting so leadership gets insights, not just raw data.
Why Evalu‑8 HR came out on top
Evalu-8 HR is the only option that ticks all of these boxes. It combines the simplicity of lightweight tools with the scalability and compliance strength of enterprise platforms, without the price tag or complexity. By including rota scheduling, advanced T&A, fatigue monitoring, and UK compliance features as standard, it goes beyond what Staffology or most competitors can offer.
For SMEs and mid-sized organisations in the UK, Evalu-8 HR is the most balanced, practical, and future-ready Staffology alternative.
Final thoughts
Staffology remains a solid choice for businesses that prioritise payroll above everything else. But for SMEs and mid-sized organisations that need proper rota scheduling, time & attendance, and compliance tools, it quickly shows its limitations.
That’s where alternatives step in. Platforms like Breathe HR, Factorial HR, Employment Hero, and Cezanne HR each bring something to the table, but they also come with trade-offs in compliance, workforce depth, or scalability.
Evalu-8 HR is different. Built in the UK, it was designed HR-first, not payroll-first, meaning rota management, GPS/IP clock-ins, fatigue monitoring, GDPR logs, and right-to-work checks all come built in. With modular pricing, it’s affordable for small teams yet powerful enough to scale with mid-sized businesses.
👉 If you’re tired of Staffology’s HR gaps, Evalu-8 HR is the smarter, more scalable alternative.
FAQs
Staffology is payroll-first. Its HR features are limited and don’t cover rota scheduling, advanced time & attendance, or UK-specific compliance like right-to-work checks.
Without rota and T&A built in, businesses often rely on spreadsheets or separate tools, creating admin headaches and compliance risks. A platform with integrated workforce tools saves time and reduces errors.
Yes. Staffology’s strength is payroll, but Evalu-8 HR is HR-first. It includes rota planning, GPS/IP clock-ins, fatigue monitoring, and UK compliance tools as standard, while still integrating smoothly with payroll systems.
Evalu-8 HR starts at £2.50 per user/month for Core HR, with rota (£1.45) and T&A (£2.50) available as add-ons. This modular model makes it cost-effective and predictable. Staffology’s HR features are tied to payroll bundles, which can push costs up as you grow.
Evalu-8 HR is built for scalability. It works for small teams but includes the rota, T&A, and compliance tools that mid-sized businesses need as they expand, making it a stronger long-term option than Staffology.
