Why We Chose Breathe HR: The Best Small Business HR Software to Cut Admin & Save Time

Running a small business is non-stop. Between juggling customers, managing teams, and trying to find time for an actual lunch break, HR admin shouldn’t be another thing eating up your day. But let’s be honest—keeping on top of holiday requests, employee records, and compliance can quickly turn into a time-consuming mess.

That’s where HR software comes in. The right system saves you time, reduces admin headaches, and makes staying compliant easier. But with so many options out there, how do you know which one actually works for small businesses?

At Oxford People Solutions, we’ve tested various HR platforms, and after much comparing, clicking, and muttering “Why is this so complicated?”, we partnered with Breathe HR. Here’s why.

What is Breathe HR?

Breathe HR is a cloud-based HR system built for small businesses. It centralises employee records, automates holiday tracking, and keeps everything neatly stored—so you can stop drowning in spreadsheets and rummaging through email chains to find that one holiday request from two months ago.

Why We Chose Breathe HR Over Other Software

We didn’t just pick Breathe HR because it looked nice (although, we do appreciate clean, stress-free design). We picked it because it actually makes life easier for small businesses.

✔️ It’s Simple & Does What You Need – Some HR systems try to do everything and end up being way too much. Breathe keeps it simple, focusing on the core HR tasks small businesses actually need—without unnecessary extras getting in the way.

✔️ It Won’t Break the Bank – Many HR systems are priced for big corporations with even bigger budgets. Breathe is designed for SMEs, meaning you get a solid HR system without the hefty price tag. It suits many micro organisations with prices starting as low as £15 per month. That’s not per employee- that’s the total price.

✔️ It’s Not Just Another ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Tool – We’ve seen systems that try to do HR, payroll, and accounting all in one—and end up being not great at any of them. Breathe focuses on HR and does it well.

✔️ It Works for Small Teams & Growing Businesses – Whether you’ve got a handful of employees or a growing team, Breathe scales with you. So, no need to switch to something else as you expand.

✔️ It Helps with Compliance (Without the Confusion) – Employment law is ever-changing, and keeping track of what you need to do is half the battle. Breathe HR helps keep your records organised, policies up to date, and reporting straightforward.

What Does Breathe HR Actually Do?

✅ Employee Records – Store and manage employee details, contracts, and documents securely.
✅ Holiday & Absence Tracking – Automate leave requests and keep track without the spreadsheet struggle.
✅ Performance Management – Set goals, track progress, and manage appraisals with built-in tools.
✅ HR Document Storage – Keep handbooks, policies, and contracts easy to find and up to date.
✅ Reporting & Compliance – Generate reports to keep on top of trends and legal requirements.

Is Breathe HR Right for You?

If HR admin is eating up time you’d rather spend running (or growing) your business, Breathe HR could be exactly what you need.

As a trusted Breathe HR partner, we can help you get it set up, show you how to use it, and provide actual human support (not just a chatbot) if you ever need help.

Want to know more? Get in touch with Oxford People Solutions—we’ll help you figure out if Breathe HR is the right fit for your business.