When it comes to human resource (HR) software, making the right choice based on your needs is more than just a spur-of-the-moment decision. It is a choice that affects the future of how your team will look, and how your organization works, collaborates, and grows together. The decision might appear straightforward, but for companies with smaller teams or startups, it can mean the difference between survival and failure.  

With an onslaught of options available in the modern market, businesses are faced with the insurmountable challenge of finding an HR solution that meets their specific needs. While there may be hundreds of platforms up for the taking, each one offers a unique approach to HR management, payroll, benefits administration, and a myriad of other services.  

The options we’ll be comparing today are CharlieHR and PeopleHR, helping you decide which platform is the better pick for your unique HR requirements. 

CharlieHR Vs PeopleHR: At A Glance

Features 

CharlieHR 

PeopleHR 

Payroll 

  • No in-built Payroll options offered on site 
  • Payroll managed via integrations with platforms like Paycaptian and Zero 
  • Offers a wide range of in-built Payroll solutions 

Recruitment  

  • No native applicant sourcing  
  • Wide range of onboarding solutions 
  • In-house job posting 
  • Fully integrated recruitment software 

Attendance And Time 

  • Wide range of time-off management and advanced absence tracking 
  • No native time tracking 
  • Provides custom absence tracking software, tailored for small-to-enterprise level businesses via integrations 

Benefits Managment 

  • Offers quick and easy benefits management, along with over 30000 perks and discounts for employees 
  • Provides a wide range of benefits management solutions, via integration with sister platform, Salary Extras. 

Performance Managment 

  • CharlieHR provides an easy to manage performance review system, with automated setup and 360-degree reporting 
  • PeopleHR provides an in-built performance management software with assisted goal setting, tracking, reporting and review 

What Is CharlieHR?

CharlieHR is a comprehensive software designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It has a primary focus on simplifying otherwise complex HR processes such as onboarding, time-off management, and performance reviews. The platform has been praised for its intuitive interface and automation capabilities that help reduce HR administrative workload and foster employee engagement. 

Standout Features 

  • Automated Onboarding And Customizable Checklists: CharlieHR supports onboarding checklists and customizable slides, helping new employees settle in quickly and reducing manual HR related tasks
  • Time-Off And Leave Management: The platform automates PTO requests, approvals, and holiday allowance calculations, including rollover and carryover limits, syncing leave data with calendar apps like Google Calendar and Outlook
  • Performance Management: CharlieHR supports various review types such as 360-degree feedback, probation check-ins, and company-wide reviews, along with scheduled feedback cycles and customizable review templates

Pros 

  • The easy-to-use interface allows employees to stay informed regarding their compensations, without having to contact HR constantly 
  • Multiple admin types offer tailored services for specific needs 
  • Offers simple yet comprehensive HR solutions 

Cons 

  • Lack of key features like In-house payroll and Application Programing Interface creates difficulty in large-scale management  
  • The platform lacks the ability to manage part-time or pro-rata employees 

What Is PeopleHR?

PeopleHR is a UK-focused, scalable HR platform suited for small to mid-sized businesses and larger enterprises. It offers a modular approach with features spanning recruitment, onboarding, payroll integration, absence management, and performance reviews. PeopleHR is recognized for its AI-powered assistant and extensive integrations, helping organizations automate HR processes and gain actionable insights. 

Standout Features 

  • Built-in Applicant Tracking System (ATS): PeopleHR comes with an ATS that allows users to manage the entire recruitment process, from posting job ads to tracking candidates and scheduling interviews, all in one place
  • Customized Performance Reviews: The platform offers performance management features such as goal setting, detailed feedback, appraisal history, and customizable review templates
  • Employee Self-Service Portal: Employees can access a self-service portal (Both web and mobile) to request time off, update personal information, view payslips, and manage onboarding tasks

Pros 

  • The comprehensive nature of the features makes the platform easy-to-use without any need of training for employees 
  • Strategic integrations such as with Sage, save valuable time with tasks like information duplication 
  • Record keeping allows the management of leaves and holidays according to workforce availability 

Cons 

  • Limitations in custom reporting which make report analytics confusing and complicated 
  • Document formation, for hiring and contracting, generates signature forms, but does not allow feedback, changes or edits. 

CharlieHR Vs PeopleHR: Key Feature Comparison

Onboarding And Recruitment

CharlieHR offers a wide range of dynamic solutions for onboarding, including one-click onboarding, employee type selection, customizable onboarding checklists and slides. However, the platform does not offer a built-in applicant sourcing or tracking feature. Instead, it relies on integrations with tools like Teamtailor and Workable ATS to sync and manage applicant information.

The platform allows you to delegate customized onboarding tasks to recruiting teams and new employees.

PeopleHR allows applicant sourcing via platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor, automatically adding new recruits to your ATS. The platform’s ATS allows users to review applications, read CVs, and manage interviews with ease.

Electronic signatures and automated onboarding are also among the features offered by PeopleHR, making it a comprehensive and independent tool for onboarding and recruitment.

Winner: With the all-encompassing nature of its onboarding services and its advanced ATS, PeopleHR takes the win in this category.

Time Tracking And Leave Management

CharlieHR offers a comprehensive leave management and time off system, that lets users cater to company specific leave types, slack integrations, delegate approval responsibilities and the choice of a seven-day review. The platform automatically syncs holidays, generates a company calendar, and generates annual leave reports.

The platform does not offer built-in timekeeping and tracking features; instead, it relies on integrations to generate related reports.

PeopleHR provides users with fully integrated timekeeping software and generates custom timesheets according to unique requirements. The system includes powerful time analytics and automated geo-sensing, simplifying leave and absence tracking.

The platform uses location-specific codes for check-ins and creates automated timesheets, tracks holidays, and monitors the impact of unplanned absences.

Winner: Though the more detail-oriented approach to leave management from CharlieHR is impressive, its lack of an in-house time tracking system gives PeopleHR the edge. PeopleHR wins.

Payroll And Compensation

CharlieHR does not run payroll directly; however, it does provide detailed compensation management, and calculations. The platform supports features that let you track salaries, bonuses, and integrate payroll changes.

It supports payroll configuration and localization, including details like currency, salary frequency, and national insurance numbers.

PeopleHR offers a native payroll feature, providing both integrated and outsourced payroll support. The platform’s compensation management features are less developed, but it excels in handling time tracking, shift management, and absence management, all which are feed into its automated payroll calculations.

Winner: Due to the lack of in-house payroll software at CharlieHR, PeopleHR takes the win yet again.

Performance Management

CharlieHR offers a detailed system of feedback and reviews, based on a variety of templates that can be customized to meet unique requirements. These include one-on-one monthly reviews, 360-degree feedback, mid-task check-ins, and live reviews.

The platform also offers a review archive to avoid recency bias, along with a three-step review process, and automated emails.

PeopleHR provides a more advanced and customizable performance management suite, including the same 360-degree feedback, tailored review templates, automated reminders, and detailed analytics. Employees will benefit from meaningful and defined objectives that clearly align to business goals, regular check-ins, and efficient performance reviews.

Additionally, the platform offers fully curated performance management software to make feedback more streamlined.

Winner: Each software offers a detailed performance review; thus, this category comes to a tie.

Employee Data Management

CharlieHR uses a singular archive for managing employee data, allowing users to access stored data, including analytics and reports in CSV format. The platform lets users update employee data across all integrated HR platforms.

The platform also offers employees a self-service option to let them add and edit their details, while also letting employers maintain control over access to valuable data.

PeopleHR on the other hand offers secure HR Database Software that stores employee data, manages reports, and provides access to employee records. Both employers and employees can upload and view documents, keeping employee information organized and secure.

Winner: Though PeopleHR offers a more detailed system of data management, the simplistic, yet comprehensive data management offered by CharlieHR gives it the edge in this category. CharlieHR wins this one.

Pricing

The core plan for CharlieHR costs £20/month, with three possible add-ons, Charlie.concierge at £20 per month, Charlie.recruit at £55 per month and Charlie.advice at £179 per month. 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

PeopleHR on the other hand has four preset plans to choose from, these are the Starter at £3/ month, the Core at £5.50/month, the Pro at £8/month and finally the Elite+ at £9.50/month. 

Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change. 

The Final Answer: The Better Choice For You

In the end, both of these platforms offer powerful and robust features. However, PeopleHR takes the victory in this match up account. Suited ideally for large scale UK based companies, PeopleHR provides comprehensive solutions to all kinds of HR needs. CharlieHR on the other hand, is better suited for the needs of organizations with simpler requirements. 

The ultimate choice rests on the unique HR needs of your organization. If you still feel confused and need further assistance in making the right choice for your business, feel free to contact our experts for help.