As organizations continue to grow, efficient human resource management becomes highly important. According to a 2023 report by Grand View Research, the global HR software market, valued at USD 16.43 billion in 2023, is projected to reach USD 36.63 billion by 2030, growing at a 12.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

The increasing popularity of cloud-based software platforms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning in HR processes fuels this growth. As organizations strive to streamline HR operations and improve the employee experience, choosing the right HR software becomes imperative. PeopleHR and Personio are two popular software solutions helping businesses with their key HR operations.

This comparison will explore their key features, usability, pros, and cons to help you make a decision based on your own judgments.

Comparing PeopleHR Vs Personio: At A Glance

Features

PeopleHR

Personio

Time And Attendance Tracking

QR codes, geo-sensing, mobile, manual login, and payroll integration

PIN/QR login, custom rules, project tracking, real-time analytics

Payroll Processing

Auto-run via Paycircle, RTI, managed services for UK/IE

Preliminary payroll, tax-compliant automation, Sage/Xero/API integration

Applicant Tracking System

Job posting, mobile apply, video interviews, custom ratings

Multi-source intake, CV parsing, scheduling, e-signatures, analytics

Performance Management

OKRs, 360° reviews, feedback, learning links, trend analysis

Automated reviews, bonus-linked goals, training, and real-time feedback

HR Task Management

Task prompts, alerts, and real-time tracking

Automated tasks, recurring schedules, dashboard/email reminders

Pricing

Starts from £3/month with a 14-day trial for ‘Starter’ or ‘Core’ plans

Custom pricing, with a 14-day free trial

What Is PeopleHR?

Access PeopleHR is a cloud-based HR software designed to streamline and automate core HR functions for small, medium, and large-sized businesses. It provides an all-in-one solution to manage routine operations, including capabilities for managing employee records, absence tracking, expense reporting, payroll, recruitment, and performance reviews.

The platform enables automated workflows and self-service capabilities that improve productivity and employee engagement. PeopleHR also incorporates AI-powered capabilities like a smart HR assistant, advanced people analytics, and customizable employee workplaces.

Unique Features Of PeopleHR

  • HR Appraisal Software: Keeps track of employee performance and helps employees stay focused on their professional development, while helping them stay productive and satisfied in their roles
  • Pre-Employment Checks: Help employers assess a candidate’s background, credentials, and employment history to assess their suitability for the role. It can include anything from accessing character references to running criminal background checks
  • Built-In Bradford Factor Scoring Tool: Automatically analyzes the impact of short, frequent, and unscheduled absences caused by repeated lateness. It also helps manage the disruption they cause by providing employee-specific time and attendance support

Pros And Cons Of PeopleHR

Pros

  • Unlimited document storage, valuable for sorting extensive employee records
  • Advanced customization capabilities for creating custom forms help capture additional data, removing the need for third-party app integrations
  • Frequent system updates are beneficial to keep the system up to date with no additional costs

Cons

  • Lacks a customer roadmap feature showing platform development
  • Some users noted that the system lacks resource material to help explore the in-depth processes

What Is Personio?

Personio is a comprehensive HR platform developed for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). It's a cloud-based solution that automates essential HR functions like recruiting, onboarding, time tracking, absence management, performance reviews, payroll, and employee data management.

The software enables its users to save time and costs by centralizing recruitment activities, ensuring a smoother and structured hiring process. Trusted by over 15,000 companies, Personio helps businesses to make informed recruiting decisions and strategically build high-performance teams.

Unique Features Of Personio

  • Compensation Management: Centralizes all compensation data, allowing HR teams to streamline salary reviews, bonuses, and pay adjustments. It facilitates budget control, approval workflows, multi-currency pay, and salary bands, making the process more efficient and transparent
  • Digital Employee File: Securely organizes employee data, enables self-service updates, automates documents with e-signature, and ensures GDPR compliance, simplifying HR processes and reducing administrative burden
  • Whistle Blowing Portal: It’s a safe, anonymous reporting channel that allows employees to report misconduct confidentially. It incorporates two-way case communication and a centralized dashboard for case managers

Pros And Cons Of Personio

Pros

  • Comprehensive reporting and analytic features offer detailed reports on various HR metrics, aiding in data-driven decision-making
  • The ability to access and manage personal information, submit vacation requests, and view pay stubs helps enhance user autonomy while reducing HR workload
  • Customizable HR workflows help accommodate unique workforce needs and improve organizational efficiency

Cons

  • Some users reported the applicant management dashboard to be a bit glitchy
  • As per some users, the system lacks a direct interview invite feature

PeopleHR Vs Personio: Key Features Comparison

1. Time And Attendance Tracking

PeopleHR's Time and Attendance module provides a comprehensive solution for tracking employee hours and attendance. It includes QR codes, mobile apps, biometric devices, and geo-sensing technology, ensuring employees only log time while at work. Employees can manually enter their time in and out or use a clock icon to automatically record time spent on specified projects.

Timesheets are automatically generated based on these entries to streamline the process. The system also integrates with payroll, so timesheet data can be utilized to calculate variable pay elements like overtime or shift work. Additionally, it offers integration with existing time and attendance software, providing organizations with more flexibility.

The Time and Attendance Tracking features in Personio provide a flexible and compliant solution for tracking employee work hours across on-site and remote teams. Employees can clock in and out using QR codes or PINs on desktops, mobiles, or shared devices. At the same time, managers can define custom rules for breaks, overtime, and working hours to ensure compliance with local labor laws.

The software allows project-based tracking, which enables employees to log time against specific tasks for enhanced transparency. Personio also integrates with payroll and provides accurate compensation by automatically sending time data. Real-time analytics would allow managers to monitor attendance trends and make smart staffing decisions.

Winner: Personio, for its stronger compliance controls, real-time analytics, and better support for hybrid teams that is lacking in PeopleHR.

2. Payroll Processing

Powered by Paycircle, PeopleHR's payroll module provides automated, cloud-based payroll processing, including auto-run payroll, real-time compliance alerts, employee self-service access, and seamless interaction with PeopleHR's HR software. It enables HMRC-compliant RTI submissions, pension auto-enrolment, and customizable reports.

PeopleHR also offers managed payroll outsourcing services, which include tasks such as BACS payments, pay slip generation, and year-end processing, ensuring accuracy and compliance for UK and Irish businesses.

Personio's payroll processing features include Preliminary Payroll, which generates accurate exports, seamless integration with Xero and Sage 50, and an API for synchronizing with external providers. It automates data transmission from HR modules like time tracking and performance management, ensures tax compliance, and provides real-time input validation.

Employees can access pay slips through digital personnel files, and users can also get validation by tax adviser partners with the Expert Plan.

Winner: Personio, with deeper HR integration, tax advisor validation, and broader accounting software support, which PeopleHR lacks.

3. Applicant Tracking System (ATS)

PeopleHR's Applicant Tracking System (ATS) streamlines the entire recruitment process. It enables HR professionals to easily create and publish job vacancies while automatically capturing candidate data in the system. The platform allows for flexible video interviews and provides a mobile-friendly application experience to attract more candidates.

Recruiters can assess candidates based on custom criteria, handle all candidate information centrally, and seamlessly transition new hires into onboarding. Integrated analytics help analyze time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, and other crucial parameters, allowing for data-driven hiring decisions.

On the other hand, the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) in Personio streamlines the recruiting process by combining applications from several sources for fast applicant screening and automatic reminders for review. It provides bulk actions, auto-responses, and CV parsing to help with recruitment tasks. Integrated scheduling tools sync with calendars to provide seamless interview coordination.

The software uses e-signatures to generate quick offers and seamlessly moves applicants into onboarding. It also gives data analysis on critical metrics like time-to-hire and channel performance, which can help optimize recruitment strategies.

Winner: Personio outperforms PeopleHR with its features like CV parsing, automated communication, calendar-sync interviews, and e-signature offers.

4. Performance Management

PeopleHR's Performance Management module features various tools that help with employee development and performance alignment. It enables configurable performance review cycles and incorporates objectives and key results (OKRs) that are tied to company goals. The system facilitates continuous feedback, regular check-ins, and 360-degree reviews for comprehensive assessments.

It also supports career advancement tracking and integration with learning systems. Advanced analytics can assist in tracking individual and team performance trends, allowing for data-driven improvements and goal alignment.

Personio offers customizable review cycles, such as 360-degree feedback, continuous feedback for real-time recognition, and goal management tied to performance-based bonuses. It incorporates training management for employee development and offers advanced analytics for performance insights.

The platform uses automation to reduce administrative workload and ensure fast, consistent reviews. This aligns individual achievements with company goals and promotes a high-performance culture via tailored assessments and actionable data.

Winner: Personio wins due to its automation, integrated training, and performance-linked bonuses, missing in PeopleHR.

5. HR Task Management

PeopleHR centralizes and automates HR operations, improving efficiency and compliance. HR departments can create and delegate tasks, such as onboarding steps, probation reviews, or document renewals, using simple prompts and role-specific assignments. Built-in alerts and notifications help users complete critical tasks like updating payroll after changing bank details or performing right-to-work checks.

The software also tracks task completion and provides real-time insights, allowing HR teams to keep on top of deadlines and compliance requirements.

Personio automates and simplifies administrative workflows by automating task creation, assignment, and tracking. HR professionals can schedule recurring tasks tied to events like onboarding, performance reviews, and contract deadlines, and assign them to specific individuals.

Smart reminders, via dashboard alerts and emails, ensure timely completion, while automatic status updates minimize the need for manual follow-ups, allowing HR to retain control, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Winner: Personio leads with its recurring task automation, real-time progress updates, and dashboard/email reminders, not offered by PeopleHR.

Which HR Software Fits Your Business Best: PeopleHR Vs Personio?

Both PeopleHR and Personio provide advanced HR capabilities, yet they serve distinct purposes. PeopleHR is a cost-effective option for small to medium businesses looking for essential features and UK-specific compliance.

Personio offers deeper automation, stronger integration, and a broader performance management feature set, making it a better choice for scaling teams seeking to optimize complicated HR processes.

You can also explore some more options, like  Namely HR, Paycor software, and isolved HCM, for a better understanding. Your decision depends on your budget, specific needs, and feature preference.