Best Free HR Software UK (2026)
Starting with HR software does not have to mean a big upfront cost. Several platforms offer free tiers or generous trials that let small UK businesses digitise their people management before committing to a paid plan.
What we evaluated
Grove HR
UK businesses wanting to test full HR software before committing
Grove HR offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans, letting you try the full platform risk-free. While not a permanent free tier, you get access to every feature during the trial period with no functionality restrictions.
Pros
- Full feature access during trial
- UK compliance built in from day one
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- No credit card traps or hidden limitations
Cons
- Not a permanent free tier
- Requires payment after trial period
Zoho People Free
Micro-businesses already in the Zoho ecosystem
Zoho People offers a free plan for up to 5 employees covering basic HR administration including leave tracking, employee records, and document management. Part of the wider Zoho ecosystem.
Pros
- Genuinely free for up to 5 employees
- Integrates with other Zoho products
- Basic leave and attendance tracking
- Mobile app available
Cons
- Not designed for UK employment law
- Very limited features on free plan
- UK statutory calculations require manual setup
- Free plan lacks reporting
Orange HRM
Tech-capable businesses wanting free, self-hosted HR software
An open-source HR management system that can be self-hosted for free. OrangeHRM covers employee records, leave management, and basic HR admin but requires technical setup.
Pros
- Free open-source version available
- Self-hosted for full data control
- Covers basic HR administration
- Active community and documentation
Cons
- Requires technical setup and hosting
- No UK employment law features built in
- Interface feels dated
- Support only available on paid plans
Freshteam (Freshworks)
Growing businesses wanting a generous free HR tier with recruitment basics
Freshteam offers a free plan covering basic HR features including employee records, an organisational chart, and leave management for up to 50 employees. Part of the Freshworks business software suite.
Pros
- Free for up to 50 employees
- Includes basic recruitment features
- Clean, modern interface
- Good mobile experience
Cons
- Limited UK-specific features
- Free plan lacks advanced reporting
- Statutory compliance needs manual configuration
- Fewer UK-focused integrations
Breathe HR
Small UK businesses wanting a quick evaluation of a UK-focused HR tool
Breathe HR offers a 14-day free trial of its full platform. While not permanently free, it provides enough time to evaluate whether the platform suits your small business needs.
Pros
- Full feature access during trial
- Built for UK businesses
- Simple interface easy to evaluate quickly
- Good UK compliance features
Cons
- Only 14 days free
- Limited features compared to full HR platforms
- No free permanent tier
Our Verdict
Truly free HR software with strong UK compliance features is rare. Freshteam and Zoho People offer the most generous free tiers, but lack UK-specific features. For UK businesses, starting with Grove HR's money-back guarantee or Breathe HR's trial gives you access to properly localised software. Open-source OrangeHRM suits technically capable teams willing to self-host.
Frequently asked questions
Is free HR software really free?
Some platforms offer genuinely free tiers with limited features or employee caps. Others offer time-limited trials. Always check what happens to your data after the free period ends and whether key features require upgrading to a paid plan.
What are the risks of free HR software?
Free tiers may lack UK compliance features, have limited support, or restrict data export. Ensure any free platform stores data in compliance with UK GDPR and offers a clear data export path if you switch later.
Can free HR software handle UK employment law?
Most free HR tools are built for global markets and lack UK-specific features like statutory leave calculations, Bradford Factor tracking, and bank holiday management. You may need to configure these manually or accept limitations.
When should I upgrade from free HR software?
Upgrade when you outgrow the employee cap, need features like onboarding workflows or performance reviews, require better reporting, or find yourself spending time on manual workarounds for UK compliance that paid platforms handle automatically.
Try Grove HR with our 30-day money-back guarantee
Purpose-built for UK employment law. Bradford Factor, statutory leave, and everything your growing team needs, from just £2.40 per employee per month.
30-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.