Breathe
HCM software
Performance management software
Time & attendance software
Talent management software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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£24 per business per month
Free Trial
Free version unavailable
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What is Breathe
Breathe is a cloud-based HR platform used by small and mid-sized organizations to manage core people processes such as employee records, leave, and HR workflows. It also includes modules for performance reviews, onboarding, and time-related tracking depending on plan and configuration. The product is typically used by HR teams and line managers who need a centralized system for HR administration with employee self-service. It is positioned as a lighter-weight HR system compared with enterprise HCM suites, with an emphasis on usability and UK/Ireland-oriented HR needs.
Strong core HR administration
Breathe supports centralized employee records, document storage, and configurable HR workflows that reduce reliance on spreadsheets and email. Employee self-service helps distribute routine tasks (e.g., updating personal details, requesting leave) to employees and managers. For SMBs that do not need a full enterprise suite, this scope aligns well with common HR operational requirements.
Leave and absence management
The platform includes tools for managing holiday/leave requests, approvals, and balances, which is a frequent primary use case for SMB HR systems. Manager approvals and visibility into team availability help operational planning. This capability is often a baseline requirement when evaluating HR platforms alongside broader HCM products.
Built-in performance workflows
Breathe provides performance review functionality that supports structured review cycles and documentation of outcomes. This can help organizations formalize performance processes without adopting a dedicated performance-only tool. The integration of performance data with employee records can simplify HR reporting and auditability.
Limited enterprise HCM depth
Breathe is generally oriented toward SMB needs and may not match the breadth of functionality found in larger HCM suites (e.g., complex org structures, advanced security models, or highly granular configuration). Organizations with multi-entity, multi-country, or highly regulated requirements may need additional systems or custom processes. This can increase administrative overhead as complexity grows.
Time & attendance may vary
Time and attendance capabilities can be less comprehensive than specialist workforce management products, particularly for shift-based environments and complex scheduling rules. Depending on requirements, organizations may need integrations for clocking, rostering, or advanced compliance reporting. Buyers should validate whether the available time features meet their specific operational needs.
Talent management breadth constraints
While Breathe covers performance reviews and onboarding, broader talent management capabilities (e.g., advanced succession planning, skills frameworks, or deep learning management) may be limited compared with dedicated talent suites. Organizations seeking end-to-end talent programs may need complementary tools. This can lead to fragmented data across systems if integrations are not in place.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Micro (1-10 people) | £24 per month / business | Core HR (holiday & absence management, dashboard & reporting, document & policy management, performance management). 14-day free trial. Prices exclusive of VAT. |
| Starter (11-20 people) | £44 per month / business | Core HR; time logs available on Starter plans and above. 14-day free trial. |
| Regular (21-50 people) | £99 per month / business | Core HR; financial user permissions available on Regular plans and above. 14-day free trial. |
| Pro (51-100 people) | £175 per month / business | Core HR. 14-day free trial. |
| Premium (101-150 people) | £419 per month / business | Core HR. 14-day free trial. |
| Plus (151-200 people) | £579 per month / business | Core HR. 14-day free trial. |
Optional add-ons (monthly, per business):
- Rota, Time & Attendance: +£11 per month.
- Learn (e-learning): +£15 per month.
- Recruitment tracking: +£16 per month.
- Expenses management: +£14 per month.
Notes:
- Pricing is charged per business account (not per user/employee).
- Annual billing discounts: ~15% for Micro/Starter/Regular/Pro plans; ~10% for Premium & Plus (add-ons excluded from annual discount).
- All prices are exclusive of VAT.
- 14-day free trial with access to core features and add-ons; no credit card required.
Seller details
Breathe HR Ltd
Reading, England, United Kingdom
2014
Private
https://www.breathehr.com/
https://x.com/BreatheHR
https://www.linkedin.com/company/breathe-hr
