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Best Sage Alternatives

Written by Steph Leung

Product & Operations Lead

Edited by Paddy Stobbs

Co-Founder & CEO

Updated onMar 14, 2025

Sage HR is a comprehensive human resources management system designed to streamline core HR processes for businesses of various sizes. With modules for attendance tracking, leave management, performance reviews, and employee data storage, Sage offers a traditional approach to workforce management. However, as HR technology evolves rapidly, several specialized alternatives have emerged that may better serve specific business needs. CharlieHR provides a more intuitive experience for small teams prioritizing ease of use, while Rippling HR Cloud delivers superior integration capabilities for companies requiring extensive third-party connections. For organizations focused on workflow automation, Humaans offers more sophisticated automation tools than Sage’s basic functionality. Meanwhile, tech companies needing combined software and hardware management will find Zelt’s unified approach more effective than Sage’s HR-only focus. This comparison explores how these alternatives outperform Sage in their respective specializations, helping businesses identify the solution that best aligns with their unique requirements.

Best alternatives to Sage

For small teams prioritizing ease of use:

CharlieHR

Stackfix Rating:

7.2 / 10

Small teams seeking a user-friendly HR solution will find CharlieHR performs better than Sage in three crucial areas. First, CharlieHR’s intuitive interface allows most employees to master core functions in just a few hours, making navigation significantly easier than Sage’s more complex system. Second, CharlieHR’s setup process is remarkably straightforward, taking under 10 minutes for basic configuration and only 1–2 days for full customization, which is substantially faster than Sage’s more time-consuming implementation. Finally, CharlieHR’s modern, colorful interface with quick page loads creates a more pleasant user experience than Sage’s dated platform where pages often take several seconds to respond.

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For small teams prioritizing ease of use:

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CharlieHR

Stackfix Rating:

7.2 / 10

For companies requiring extensive third-party integrations:

Rippling HR Cloud

Stackfix Rating:

6.9 / 10

Rippling HR Cloud’s extensive integration capabilities make it a compelling choice over Sage for companies requiring robust third-party connections. While Sage offers basic integrations with Slack, Google Calendar, and an open API, Rippling boasts over 500 pre-built integrations with HR, finance, and IT products. Rippling’s integration ecosystem includes essential tools like Workable, JazzHR, QuickBooks, Xero, and Lattice – connections that Sage lacks. Furthermore, Rippling’s powerful reporting functionality combines data from all integrated tools, enabling companies to generate insights across their entire software stack. This comprehensive integration approach allows organizations to create seamless workflows between their HR system and other business applications, significantly reducing manual data entry and potential errors.

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For companies requiring extensive third-party integrations:

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Rippling HR Cloud

Stackfix Rating:

6.9 / 10

For workflow automation for growing companies:

Humaans

Stackfix Rating:

8.1 / 10

Humaans stands out as a workflow automation solution for growing companies compared to Sage HR, primarily due to its intuitive interface and robust automation capabilities. While Sage HR’s workflow automation offers limited functionality beyond basic task assignment, Humaans delivers comprehensive features like event-based triggers, granular task management, and comprehensive historical tracking. The platform’s modern, fast-loading interface enables teams to quickly implement and adapt workflows, whereas Sage HR’s dated interface and slow page loads can hinder productivity. Additionally, Humaans’ automation system integrates seamlessly with its time-off management and document handling features, creating a more cohesive experience than Sage HR’s fragmented approach.

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For workflow automation for growing companies:

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Humaans

Stackfix Rating:

8.1 / 10

For tech companies needing software and hardware management:

Zelt

Stackfix Rating:

7.3 / 10

Tech companies seeking streamlined software and hardware management will find Zelt excels through its unified device management platform and comprehensive SaaS application controls. While Sage lacks these critical IT management capabilities, Zelt enables companies to purchase, configure, and track hardware assets while efficiently managing employee software access – all from a single dashboard. The platform’s modern interface and 1.2-second page loads make it more user-friendly than Sage’s dated design and slower performance. Additionally, Zelt’s built-in MDM functionality provides enhanced security controls that Sage cannot match.

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For tech companies needing software and hardware management:

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Zelt

Stackfix Rating:

7.3 / 10

Meet your expert: Steph Leung

Stackfix Product & Operations Lead

After building HR tech and spending countless hours on vendor selection in my previous roles, I discovered how painful it is to find the right business software. Now at Stackfix, I've dedicated over 800 hours to testing and reviewing software solutions so others don't have to go through the same struggle. I have a particular love for beautiful, opinionated products that do one thing exceptionally well and just work.

Stackfix Comparison

	Sage	CharlieHR	Rippling HR Cloud	Humaans	Zelt

Our rating
Functionality	8 Functionality 8/10 <p>Sage HR provides robust functionality across key features like employee data management, performance reviews, and goal setting. Many tools include all the standard capabilities businesses need, with some offering advanced options, such as automatic actions in time-off management. However, a lot of features are only accessible as paid add-ons, and some, like workflow automation, fall significantly behind competitors.</p>	6 Functionality 6/10 <p>CharlieHR offers some of the functionality most SMBs will need. It offers core HR functionality (e.g. store employee info, manage time-off), very basic performance management and survey functionality, and a native applicant tracking system for recruitment.</p><p>It lacks relatively advanced features such as payroll, benefits management, time tracking and compensation reviews.</p>	10 Functionality 10/10 <p>Rippling offers unmatched functionality compared to other HRIS platforms we tested. You can manage almost any employee-related tasks within one platform. Besides core HRIS features such as storing employee information, managing time off and employee engagement, Rippling also comes with a native recruiting module, payroll, app and device management, advanced automation and more.</p>	7 Functionality 7/10 <p>By design, Humaans focuses on offering high-quality, core HR functionality, including storing employee information, managing time-off, tracking hours worked and workflow automation. It has recently added performance management, but still lacks other functionality such as surveys, payroll and software & device management.</p>	8 Functionality 8/10 <p>Zelt offers most functionality that most SMBs will need. Besides core HR features (store employee info, manage timeoff), Zelt also allows you to run performance reviews, send surveys, run payroll, manage employees' software and hardware and more.</p><p>Only features missing are workflow automation (e.g. automate emails and calendar invites) and any recruiting/ applicant tracking functionality.</p>
Ease of Use	5 Ease of Use 5/10 <p>Some aspects of Sage HR can be unintuitive. For instance, setting up a performance review requires creating a cycle in one section of the settings and then customizing the review in another. Similarly, certain features, like managing time-off requests, are located in less obvious places (e.g., the time-off hub is under the reports tab). That said, with a bit of guidance, most users can get comfortable with Sage's core functionality in about half a day.</p>	8 Ease of Use 8/10 <p>CharlieHR is generally straightforward to navigate, and it will only take a few hours for an average SMB employee to master the key functionalities of the platform.</p><p>However, note that there are a few UX quirks. For example, you're unable to add a custom data field across all employees - you'll have to do this individually in each employee's profile.</p>	6 Ease of Use 6/10 <p>With Rippling's rich functionality comes a complexity that requires time and effort to master. It will require a few days for an average SMB to master key modules of the product. Beyond the initial learning curve, key workflows on Rippling are generally quite intuitive.</p>	10 Ease of Use 10/10 <p>Humaans is highly intuitive and easy to use. Key workflows such as adding new hires, requesting time-off and automating workflows are very straightforward.</p><p>An average startup employee should require less than 30 minutes, independently, to use the product proficiently.</p>	8 Ease of Use 8/10 <p>Despite its very rich functionality, Zelt remains easy to use. Key workflows such as adding new hires, requesting time-off all feel very intuitive. An average startup employee should require around 1-2 hours and minimal guidance to proficiently use all key functionalities of the product. </p>
Look and feel	5 Look and feel 5/10 <p>While Sage is visually acceptable, we found that pages would often take a few seconds, or more, to load.</p>	8 Look and feel 8/10 <p>CharlieHR's interface is simple and colourful, with acceptable page load times.</p>	6 Look and feel 6/10 <p>We find Rippling's interface sleek and modern, with fast page load times.</p>	10 Look and feel 10/10 <p>Humaans is one of the most visually stunning B2B platforms we've come across. Its uncluttered and modern user interface is a breath of fresh air. It also shines with blazingly fast page loads.</p>	8 Look and feel 8/10 <p>Zelt has a clean, uncluttered UI, whose abundance of white space makes it visually appealing. It also has lightning fast page load times.</p>
Customisability	8 Customisability 8/10 <p>Sage HR offers strong customizability in time-off policies, performance reviews, and surveys, with features like tailored eligibility, conditional logic, and flexible question settings.</p>	3 Customisability 3/10 <p>We find that CharlieHR lacks some common customisability options offered by most HRIS's. For example, you're only able to ask one type of question for employee surveys, you're unable to include upward feedback for performance reviews or set them for specific employee groups only - the list goes on.</p>	9 Customisability 9/10 <p>Rippling is one of the most customisable HRIS we have come across. You are able to customise data fields, employee groups, set up complex approval chains and even highly customised workflows based on things as granular as an employee's response to a survey question or days after onboarding.</p>	7 Customisability 7/10 <p>You can customise most things on Humaans, from data fields, reports, leave policies, workflow templates and more.</p><p>However, it still lacks the deeper customisability offered by more mature HRIS (e.g. Rippling, Deel), such as creating more complex approval chains and customising the layout of the platform.</p>	7 Customisability 7/10 <p>You can customise most things on Zelt, from data fields, reports, leave policies, workflow templates, the platform's layout and more.</p><p>However, it lacks the deeper customisability offered by more mature HRIS (e.g. Rippling, Deel), such as creating workflows with conditional logic, and setting survey questions as optional.</p>
Ease of Setup	6 Ease of Setup 6/10 <p>Sage HR does offer a free trial without needing to speak to sales. Purchasing does not require speaking to sales if you purchase after using the free trial. It takes 10-30mins to compete basic setup (entering company info, adding employees). Fully customizing and setting up the platform takes approximately 1 week; customization and setup is simple enough that you don't require an expert to assist you. More complicated customization can be done with help from the help center.</p>	10 Ease of Setup 10/10 <p>CharlieHR offers a self-serve free trial without needing to talk to sales. It also takes a short time to complete basic setup (<10 minutes). Users are also able to fully customize the platform within 1-2 business days.</p>	3 Ease of Setup 3/10 <p>Rippling does not offer a free trial and requires speaking to sales before making a purchase. Fully customizing and setting up the platform takes >1week and will likely require assistance from an expert.</p>	6 Ease of Setup 6/10 <p>Humaans does not offer a free trial and purchasing requires talking to sales. It takes <10mins to complete basic setup (entering company information and adding employees). Fully customizing and setting up the platform can be done within 1-2 business days. Customization and setup is simple enough to not require an expert and more complicated processes can be done with help from the help center.</p>	7 Ease of Setup 7/10 <p>Zelt does not offer a free trial. Purchasing requires you to talk to sales. It takes <10 minutes to compete basic setup (entering company information, adding employees). Fully customizing and setting up the platform takes 1-2 business days.</p>
Customer Support	8 Customer Support 8/10 <p>Users can use the SageHR knowledge base which provides useful articles on how to use different features on the platform. Users can also access the in-app AI chat bot and if unsatisfied can ask for a human customer support agent; response times in our experience being around 10 minutes. The human customer support agent is able to answer questions about different features on the platform and users also have an option to hop on a demo call where human customer support agents will demonstrate how to do different actions users are unsure/curious about.</p>	8 Customer Support 8/10 <p>CharlieHR offers in-app support with live human agents during UK business hours. Our testers usually get a response immediately, and have found the team to be friendly and helpful.</p>	4 Customer Support 4/10 <p>We've found Rippling’s customer support to be poor.</p><p>Navigating their AI chatbot just to reach a human agent is a frustrating experience. On top of that, their account managers often come across as overly sales-focused, making it feel like their main goal is to upsell rather than assist. This sentiment is echoed by many customers we’ve spoken to. Rippling doesn’t allow you to self-demo the product before committing to their minimum 1-year contract, which feels both overly aggressive and unhelpful.</p>	9 Customer Support 9/10 <p><span style="color: rgb(9, 9, 11);">Humaans offers excellent in-app support and live chat with human agents. Our testers usually get a response within an hour, and have found the team to be friendly and open to feedback.</span></p>	7 Customer Support 7/10 <p>Zelt offers support via email, with live chat available on the highest tier. When tested, Zelt's support team is quick to respond (< 2 hours), friendly and helpful.</p>
Integratability	4 Integratability 4/10 <p>While Sage HR offers an open API for building custom integrations, its selection of pre-built integrations is incredibly limited. It doesn't integrate with many popular HR tools like QuickBooks (Accounting), Lattice (Performance Management), and Workable (ATS). Sage HR really only works for teams planning to use Sage for all their HR needs, rather than integrating with third-party solutions.</p>	5 Integratability 5/10 <p>CharlieHR only offers a handful of pre-built integrations with the most relevant third party software, such as Slack, Xero and Pento for payroll. It also has an API for custom integrations.</p>	10 Integratability 10/10 <p>Rippling offers one the richest integrations ecosystem out of all HRIS's with over 500 integrations with HR, finance and IT products. It also has an API for your custom integrations.</p>	6 Integratability 6/10 <p>Humaans supports 40+ pre built integrations with most relevant 3rd party products in relevant categories, such as ATS, performance management, finance, benefits and more. It also has an API for custom integrations.</p>	3 Integratability 3/10 <p>Zelt only supports a handful of integrations with the most relevant third-party software, such as Slack, Google Calendar, Xero for accounting, and Workable for ATS. It also lacks an API for custom integrations.</p>
Ease of Migration	7 Ease of Migration 7/10 <p>In addition to the open API, users can export a lot of the data throughout the HRIS.</p>	9 Ease of Migration 9/10 <p>Export of key data is available via self-serve, and a full account export is readily available on request.</p>	8 Ease of Migration 8/10 <p>Rippling allows users to export key data data via self-serve. Export of most other data are also available via API or on request.</p>	8 Ease of Migration 8/10 <p><span style="color: rgb(9, 9, 11);">Exports of key data are available via self-serve, and most other data are available via self-serve or their API. </span></p>	7 Ease of Migration 7/10 <p>You can export key data via the web application, but Zelt currently lacks a customer-accessible API.</p>

CharlieHR: Sage alternative for small teams prioritizing ease of use

CharlieHR

Stackfix Rating:

7.2 / 10

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Starting at

$6.83

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Updated onMar 14, 2025

CharlirHR - Employee Profile

Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Sage vs. CharlieHR.

Pros

Integrated HRIS + ATS

Good time-off management functionality

Excellent UK-based customer support

Cons

Unintuitive data management functionality

Less suitable for non-UK companies

Poor Performance Review System

Limited Survey Capabilities

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Rippling HR Cloud: Sage alternative for companies requiring extensive third-party integrations

Rippling HR Cloud

Stackfix Rating:

6.9 / 10

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Starting at

$10

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Updated onMar 14, 2025

Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Sage vs. Rippling HR Cloud.

Pros

Highly customisable

Best-in-class automation functionality

Fast pace of product iteration

Richest functionality out of all HRIS’s

Best-in-class reporting functionality

Cons

Lacks some advanced settings

Steep learning curve

Expensive, and forces an annual contract

Inconsistent customer support

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Humaans: Sage alternative for workflow automation for growing companies

Humaans

Stackfix Rating:

8.1 / 10

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Updated onMar 14, 2025

Humaans' Who's Away Calendar showing which employees are not available in the coming weeks.

Humaans People list showing list of people at your company and their details.

Humaans reporting customisation page showing a selection of information which can be exported to a CSV file.

Humaans mobile view. Here, it shows the interface used to book time-off.

Humaans public holiday view showing public holidays across different countries which employees are affected by these.

Humaans' Who's Away Calendar showing which employees are not available in the coming weeks.

Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Sage vs. Humaans.

Pros

Excellent customer support

Excellent DE&I (diversity, equity and inclusion) reporting

Excellent data management functionality

Delightful User Experience

Robust Time Management Features

Effective Workflow Automation

Cons

Not as feature-rich as some all-in-one HR platforms

Gates key functionality behind more expensive tier

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Zelt: Sage alternative for tech companies needing software and hardware management

Zelt

Stackfix Rating:

7.3 / 10

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Starting at

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Updated onMar 14, 2025

Zelt - Run performance reviews

Want to know more? See a detailed comparison of Sage vs. Zelt.

Pros

Easy to use

Exceptional breadth of functionality

Attractive look & feel

Excellent device management

Cons

Occasional glitches

UK-centric

Limited workflow automation

Integration gaps

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How we test products

With Core HR software at the heart of people operations, we focus on identifying the best solutions for small and midsize businesses. Our evaluation process reflects real-world usage, prioritizing functionality, ease of use, and overall value. Here’s how we do it:

Functionality

Core HR software should simplify and centralize HR operations. We start by identifying key use cases—employee record management, payroll, benefits administration, compliance tracking, and reporting—then test how well each platform supports these needs. Tools that provide essential features without unnecessary complexity score highest.

User Experience & Onboarding

HR teams need software that is intuitive and easy to implement. We test each platform’s interface by navigating core features without prior training and track onboarding time—from account setup to adding the first employees. Platforms that require extensive setup or technical expertise lose points.

Compliance & Security

HR software must help businesses stay compliant with labor laws, tax regulations, and data protection standards. We assess built-in compliance tools, payroll tax support, and security measures such as encryption and role-based access control. Platforms with weak compliance support or limited security features score lower.

Integrations & Compatibility

Core HR software should integrate seamlessly with payroll systems, benefits providers, and workforce management tools. We test how well each product connects with essential HR systems and assess whether native integrations or third-party connectors are required.

Pricing & Value

We compare pricing across competitors, analyzing what each plan includes and whether critical features are locked behind paywalls. Hidden costs—such as per-employee fees, add-ons for compliance tools, or premium support charges—are factored into our assessment. Platforms that offer strong core functionality at a fair price score highest.

Stackfix’s Fit Score

All of these factors contribute to Stackfix’s Fit Score, a proprietary ranking system that measures how well each Core HR tool aligns with a buyer’s needs. It combines two key elements:

Requirements Met – How many buyer requirements the software fulfills
Stackfix Rating – Our expert assessment of the software’s overall quality, usability, and value

The result? A clear, data-driven recommendation that helps businesses choose the right Core HR software—without hours of trial and error.

FAQs

What is Core HR Software?

Put simply, Core HR Software (or HRIS - HR Information Software) is a platform that helps businesses manage, track, and streamline HR processes efficiently. It acts as a central hub where teams can handle employee records, payroll, benefits, and compliance—ensuring smooth operations and a great employee experience. The key features of HR information software usually include:

Employee Database & Records: A structured system to store and manage employee details, job histories, contracts, and compliance documents.
Payroll & Benefits Management: Tools to automate payroll processing, tax calculations, and benefits administration, reducing manual work and errors.
Time & Attendance Tracking: Features like clock-in/out systems, leave management, and scheduling to keep track of working hours and absences.
Onboarding & Performance Management: Automated workflows for new hire onboarding, performance reviews, goal tracking, and employee feedback.
Compliance & Reporting: Built-in compliance checks for labor laws, tax regulations, and GDPR, along with reporting tools for workforce insights.

What should I consider when buying Core HR software?

Choosing the right Core HR software can make or break your people operations—so it’s essential to find one that fits your company’s needs, integrates with your existing tools, and aligns with your budget. Here are the key factors to consider before making your decision.

Your HR Needs. Start by assessing your current and future HR requirements. Do you need a simple employee database, or are you looking for a full-suite HR platform with payroll and benefits? Are you hiring rapidly and need strong recruiting features? Identifying your priorities will help you choose the right tool.
Ease of Use. HR software should make HR processes smoother, not more complicated. Look for an intuitive interface that HR teams, managers, and employees can use without extensive training. Overly complex systems can lead to errors, inefficiencies, and frustrated employees. That’s why Stackfix rates every HR platform on ease of use—click into each product above to see how they compare.
Integration with Your Tech Stack. Your HR platform needs to work seamlessly with your payroll provider, accounting software, and collaboration tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. If you’re using an applicant tracking system (ATS) or performance management tools, check if the software offers native integrations or requires third-party connectors.
Scalability & Flexibility. As your business grows, your HR needs will evolve. Ensure that the software can handle a growing workforce, new locations, and additional compliance requirements. Look for flexible configurations, such as custom approval workflows, multi-country payroll, and role-based access controls. Check the vendor’s product roadmap to see if they regularly release useful updates.
Pricing & Hidden Costs. HR software pricing can vary widely, often based on per-employee fees, feature add-ons, or premium support. Check pricing tiers carefully—what seems affordable now may become expensive as you scale. Watch out for extra costs for payroll processing, integrations, or advanced analytics.
Customer Support from the Vendor. HR software is critical for compliance and payroll, so reliable customer support is essential. If something breaks or you need help with setup, will the vendor be there? Look at response times, support availability (24/7 or business hours?), and self-serve resources like knowledge bases or community forums. Stackfix rates each platform on support quality—click into each product to see how they compare.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when buying Core HR software?

Avoiding common pitfalls when choosing Core HR software can save you time, compliance risks, and operational headaches. Here are some of the biggest mistakes startups make—and how to avoid them.

Choosing based on features, not usability. Some platforms offer advanced features but have a steep learning curve. Make sure you’re picking a tool that fits your team’s workflow, not just one with a long feature list.
Ignoring automation. Many startups still manage HR tasks manually when automation could significantly reduce workload. Look for tools that automate payroll, benefits enrollment, onboarding, and compliance tracking.
Overlooking self-service options. Employees should be able to access payslips, request leave, and update their details without needing HR intervention. A lack of self-service features can increase administrative overhead.
Not planning for scaling. Startups often choose software based on current needs, without considering future growth. Will the platform support more employees, new offices, or evolving compliance requirements?
Underestimating integration depth. A platform might claim to integrate with your payroll provider, but does it sync real-time data properly? Always test integrations before committing to a tool.

How much does Core HR Software typically cost?

Most Core HR software ranges from $5-50 per employee monthly, with entry-level options starting around $5-10 and premium software exceeding $50 monthly. Most vendors structure pricing in tiers based on features and employee count, so be sure to enter your requirements as accurately as possible in our pricing calculator.

A few providers offer limited functionality at the lower end of the pricing spectrum, though these typically restrict advanced features like performance management and engagement surveys.

For enterprise plans and above, you can expect to speak to sales for a bespoke price. These custom quotes typically factor in integration needs, compliance requirements, and advanced analytics capabilities. To skip the demo calls, be sure to check out our pricing calculator.

Compare other Human Resource Information Systems

View our comparisons of other HRIS

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Personio vs Employment Hero

Workable vs Gusto