Exploring Free Trial HRMS and Online Employee Management Systems in the UK for 2025

Options for UK Businesses to Explore Free Trial and Free Plan HRMS Solutions

For UK companies exploring HRMS solutions with low upfront costs, there are platforms providing free trials or permanently free plans designed to meet diverse business needs.

Deel’s Free HRIS for Global Teams

• Free Forever Plan: Deel offers an HRIS (Human Resources Information System) platform designed to assist with global payroll and compliance. It is suited for startups and remote-first companies with international teams.
• Core Features: Includes tools for 1:1s, pulse surveys, employee onboarding, document management, and self-service portals.
• Global Payroll & Compliance: Deel provides management of payroll, tax compliance, and contracts for contractors and employees in over 150 countries, with Employer of Record (EoR) services available for full-time hires.
• Cost: The HRIS platform is available at no cost; however, payroll services for contractors start at $49 per contractor/month, and EoR services begin at $499.
• Intended For: Companies with distributed teams looking for international hiring and payroll solutions with compliance support.

Zoho People’s Free Plan for Small Teams

• Free Plan Limits: Zoho People offers free access for up to five users (including one admin) on a permanent basis.
• Features Included: Includes mobile app access, employee database management, leave tracking, and an AI chatbot “Zia” for HR-related questions.
• Usability Notes: The platform provides useful basic features suitable for startups, though some users have noted occasional performance lags and a user interface that may feel dated; storage is limited to 250MB.
• Suitable For: Small UK startups or teams already using Zoho CRM interested in integrated tools.

Demo Availability from Sage HR and HR Partner

• Trial Demos: Sage HR and HR Partner offer demo versions or trial access, although specific durations are not publicly detailed.
• Features: These include recruitment management, employee self-service portals, performance tracking, leave management, and payroll integrations.
• Mobile Apps: Sage HR provides mobile applications, which may have fewer features compared to their web platform. HR Partner supports mobile access and integrates with tools like Xero and Microsoft Outlook.
• Appropriate For: Small and medium-sized businesses requiring integrated HR solutions supporting payroll and recruitment functions.

Connecteam’s Features for Deskless and Remote Employees

• Free Plan Availability: Connecteam’s free tier supports up to 10 users, offering attendance tracking, shift planning, and task/document management.
• Mobile Support: Android and iOS apps enable use for employees without email accounts, accommodating deskless workers.
• Functionality: Includes time clock, scheduling, onboarding, and communication tools designed for frontline and remote teams.
• Use Case: Suitable for UK companies with distributed deskless workforces such as retail, hospitality, or cleaning sectors.

Homebase’s Offering for Hourly Workforce Management

• Free Version Details: Homebase’s free option supports unlimited employees but is limited to managing a single location.
• Focus Areas: Scheduling, team messaging, time tracking, and integration with point-of-sale and payroll systems.
• Recommended For: Businesses with hourly and shift-based employees in sectors like hospitality and retail.

Mobile Employee Management and Attendance Apps on Android

Mobile access to HR tools is significant for managing mobile and deskless workforces. Notable apps include:

• Connecteam: Offers an Android application that supports scheduling, attendance tracking, onboarding, and employee engagement without requiring email access.
• Zoho People: Provides mobile access for employee records and leave management, though some users report occasional slower performance.
• Sage HR: Mobile apps function primarily as companions to the web interface, with some reporting limited capabilities.

These applications can help facilitate accurate attendance tracking, shift management, and employee self-service, supporting workforce management on mobile devices.

Support for Recruiting and Hiring Through HRMS Tools

HRMS tools that integrate recruitment functionalities can help streamline hiring workflows:

• HR Partner: Features applicant tracking, candidate note organization, onboarding support, and integration with accounting software such as Xero.
• Deel: Suitable for international recruitment, offering Employer of Record services to assist with compliant hiring across borders.
• Monday.com: While not solely focused on HR, it provides customizable templates for recruitment pipeline tracking, onboarding processes, and lifecycle management.

These tools aim to assist HR teams in organizing candidate pipelines, interview schedules, onboarding steps, and regulatory compliance aligned with scaling needs.

Features That Support Employee Retention

Several platforms include foundational elements that can contribute to employee retention efforts:

• Performance Management: Including regular appraisals, goal setting, and feedback mechanisms available in platforms like Sage HR and HR Partner.
• Employee Engagement: Tools such as pulse surveys and 1:1 meeting frameworks available within Deel help foster communication.
• Onboarding: Efficient onboarding processes offered by HR Partner and Deel facilitate smoother integration for new hires.
• Self-Service Portals: Empower employees to handle personal data, leave requests, and document access, which may enhance employee satisfaction.

These features can be components within broader HR strategies aimed at improving employee experience and retention.

Considerations for Payroll and Global Operations

Although this article does not address payroll outsourcing vendors specific to Saudi Arabia or other particular regions, global platforms such as Deel, WorkMotion, and ADP Workforce Now include:

• Payroll Automation: Providing compliant payroll processing, benefits administration, and tax management.
• Global Compliance: Helping manage local regulations, tax filings, and reporting requirements.
• Software Integration: Supporting data exchange with accounting software such as Xero.
• Employee Access: Offering portals where employees can view pay stubs and update personal information.

Such features can be valuable for UK businesses with international payroll needs or those exploring payroll outsourcing solutions.

Considerations for UK Businesses Evaluating HRMS and Employee Management Apps with Free Trials

1. Utilize Free and Trial Versions: Take advantage of available demo versions from Sage HR, HR Partner, and free plans from Deel and Zoho People to assess core HR capabilities without upfront costs.
2. Incorporate Mobile Tools: For teams without desk access or with remote workers, Connecteam’s Android app offers tools for real-time attendance and communication.
3. Recruitment Support: For businesses focusing on hiring, platforms like HR Partner and Monday.com offer recruitment and onboarding functionalities.
4. Focus on Usability: Choose systems with user-friendly interfaces to ensure efficient adoption by staff and management.
5. Integrate with Existing Systems: Identify HRMS solutions that pair well with current accounting, payroll, and scheduling platforms to streamline operations.
6. Plan for Growth: Start with affordable or free plans suited for startups and consider scaling up as team sizes and business requirements expand.

The HRMS and employee management landscape in 2025 offers accessible solutions for UK businesses across various sizes and sectors. From Deel’s free global HRIS to Zoho People’s entry-level plan, organizations can trial and implement systems tailored to their workforce, mobile access needs, and recruitment objectives. Selecting an appropriate system involves understanding operational priorities, workforce composition, and future growth plans. By exploring these options, UK businesses can support efficient employee management, payroll processing, attendance monitoring, and workforce engagement using suitable HR technology.

Sources

• Capterra UK - The best HR software of 2025 for UK businesses
• SelectSoftwareReviews - 10+ Free HR Software for Startups & SMBs in 2025
• SoftwareSuggest - HR Software Options in the UK

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