Breathe vs Paylocity

Introduction

Choosing the right HRIS (Human Resource Information System) for your business is crucial in streamlining HR processes and improving overall efficiency. In this comparison, we will delve into two prominent HRIS tools: Breathe and Paylocity.

Breathe is a multi-award-winning, simple, and secure people software designed to help SMEs in the UK and Australia transition their core HR processes online. It focuses on saving time, providing peace of mind, and enabling businesses to operate efficiently, regardless of their location.

On the other hand, Paylocity offers a comprehensive product suite that delivers a unified platform for strategic decision-making in benefits, core HR, payroll, talent, and workforce management. It aims to cultivate a modern workplace and enhance employee engagement.

Breathe Overview

Breathe is tailored for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the UK and Australia. Its primary objective is to simplify HR management and transfer core HR functions online, ensuring businesses can work seamlessly no matter where they are.

Key Features

Employee Records: Centralized storage of employment and personal information.
Leave Management: Simplifies the leave request and approval process.
Performance Management: Facilitates regular employee reviews and feedback.
Document Management: Secure storage and easy access to HR documents.
Reporting and Analytics: Generate insightful reports to track HR metrics.
HR Dashboard: A user-friendly dashboard for easy navigation and accessibility.
Onboarding and Offboarding: Streamlined processes for new hires and exits.
Employee Self-Service: Allows employees to manage their own HR data.
Time Tracking: Monitor and manage employee attendance and work hours.

Paylocity Overview

Paylocity is known for its robust feature set aimed at enterprise-level organizations. It integrates various HR functions into a unified system, enabling professionals to make informed strategic decisions and foster a modern, engaging workplace.

Key Features

Core HR: Comprehensive HR management tools covering employee lifecycle.
Payroll Management: Automated and accurate payroll processing.
Benefits Administration: Management of employee benefits and enrollments.
Talent Management: Recruitment and performance management solutions.
Time and Attendance: Tools for tracking employee work hours and attendance.
Workforce Management: Solutions for scheduling and workforce planning.
Employee Self-Service: Empowers employees to manage their HR tasks.
Learning and Development: Training programs and resources for employee growth.
Mobile App: Access to HR functions on-the-go.

Similarities

Both Breathe and Paylocity offer essential HRIS functionalities that streamline core HR processes and improve efficiency. The similarities between these tools include:

Employee Self-Service: Both platforms empower employees to manage their HR information and requests, reducing the administrative burden on HR staff.
Leave Management: Simplified processes for requesting and approving leave, helping maintain accurate records and ensuring compliance with regulations.
Performance Management: Both tools facilitate performance reviews and feedback, promoting continuous improvement and employee development.
Document Management: Secure storage and easy access to important HR documents, enhancing organization and compliance.
Reporting and Analytics: Ability to generate reports and analyze HR data, aiding in informed decision-making.
Onboarding and Offboarding: Streamlined processes to ensure smooth transitions for new hires and departing employees.
Time Tracking: Solutions for monitoring employee attendance and work hours, ensuring accurate payroll and compliance with labor laws.

Differences

Despite their similarities, Breathe and Paylocity have notable differences that cater to different business needs:

Target Market: Breathe is designed specifically for SMEs, emphasizing simplicity and ease of use. Paylocity, however, targets medium to large enterprises with a more comprehensive and advanced feature set.
Payroll Management: Paylocity offers robust payroll management solutions with automated processing and compliance features. Breathe, while providing basic payroll functionalities, does not have the extensive payroll capabilities of Paylocity.
Benefits Administration: Paylocity includes a detailed benefits administration module, allowing for efficient management of employee benefits. Breathe does not focus as heavily on benefits management.
Workforce Management: Paylocity provides extensive tools for workforce planning and scheduling, making it suitable for larger organizations with complex workforce needs. Breathe does not offer the same level of workforce management capabilities.
Learning and Development: Paylocity includes learning and development resources to support training and employee growth. Breathe’s focus is more on core HR functionalities without an integrated learning management system.
Mobile App: Paylocity offers a mobile app, allowing users to access HR functions on-the-go. Breathe’s mobile capabilities are more limited in comparison.

Pros and Cons

Breathe

Pros:

User-friendly interface designed for non-HR professionals.
Ideal for small businesses and SMEs.
Simplifies core HR processes and reduces administrative workload.
Secure document management and storage.
Affordable pricing tailored for small businesses.
Excellent customer support and ongoing feature updates.

Cons:

Limited payroll management features.
Not as comprehensive in benefits administration.
Basic workforce management capabilities.
Limited mobile access compared to more sophisticated solutions.

Paylocity

Pros:

Comprehensive HRIS functionalities covering benefits, payroll, and workforce management.
Advanced talent management and recruitment tools.
Detailed reporting and analytics for strategic decision-making.
Mobile app for on-the-go access.
Scalable solution suitable for medium to large enterprises.
Strong focus on employee engagement and modern workplace culture.

Cons:

Can be complex for small businesses with simpler HR needs.
Higher cost compared to solutions designed for SMEs.
Longer implementation time due to extensive features.
Requires ongoing training to fully utilize all functionalities.

Use Cases

Breathe

Scenario 1: A small UK-based startup looking for an easy-to-use HRIS to manage employee records, leave requests, and performance reviews.
Scenario 2: An Australian SMB aiming to digitize their HR processes, reduce paperwork, and ensure compliance with local regulations.
Scenario 3: A growing business seeking an affordable HRIS that offers secure document management and basic time tracking without the need for complex features.

Paylocity

Scenario 1: A mid-sized company in need of a comprehensive HR platform to handle payroll, benefits administration, and talent management efficiently.
Scenario 2: A large enterprise looking to improve workforce management, streamline employee engagement, and access detailed HR analytics for strategic planning.
Scenario 3: An organization with a dispersed workforce requiring a mobile-friendly HRIS to provide remote access to HR functions and improve overall employee experience.

Conclusion

In comparing Breathe and Paylocity, it is evident that both HRIS tools offer valuable functionalities tailored to different business needs. Breathe is a fantastic choice for SMEs in the UK and Australia seeking a simple, user-friendly solution to digitize core HR processes. It excels in providing essential HR features at an affordable price, making it perfect for businesses with basic HR needs.

Paylocity, on the other hand, is a comprehensive HRIS designed for medium to large enterprises. It offers advanced functionalities in payroll, benefits administration, talent management, and workforce planning. Its extensive feature set, coupled with mobile access and robust reporting capabilities, makes it ideal for organizations looking for a scalable solution to enhance strategic HR management and employee engagement.

For businesses seeking a straightforward, cost-effective HRIS to manage core HR tasks, Breathe is the recommended choice. However, for companies requiring a more extensive and integrated HR platform to handle complex HR functions and support strategic growth, Paylocity stands out as the best option. Carefully assessing your organization's specific needs and long-term goals will guide you in selecting the HRIS that will best support your business objectives.