Breathe HR Review 2026: Pros, Cons, Features and Pricing
Breathe HR is HR service delivery software for small and growing businesses that need one place for employee records, leave, onboarding, and performance management. I’d choose it over Sage HR if you want performance tools, peer recognition, and a suggestions box included in Breathe’s Essentials plan, rather than paying extra for Sage HR’s performance module.
Breathe HR Evaluation Summary
- From $32/month (billed annually)
- 14-day free trial
Why Trust Our Software Recommendations
Our team has been testing and reviewing software since 2012. As HR experts ourselves, we know how difficult—and important—it is to choose the right software.
For this guide, we evaluated tools using hands-on testing and independent research, scoring tools using our selection criteria. We also draw on insights from industry thought leaders and practicing HR experts.
Our reviews reflect our human editorial judgment, not a sales pitch.
Expert reviewers:
Breathe HR Overview
I’d choose Breathe HR for a growing small business that wants employee records, leave, onboarding workflows, and performance tools in one intuitive hub. Its per-business pricing makes costs predictable, though paid add-ons can increase the total. Compared with broader HR suites, it keeps core people management approachable, with a clean interface, setup guides, and live chat and email support. Its API and app marketplace support integrations, but check compatibility with your existing systems before choosing it. I think it’s best suited to teams of up to 250 people, not complex multinational operations.
pros
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Employee records, documents, and self-service sit in one hub.
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Leave requests, sickness tracking, and shared calendars cover routine cases.
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Goals, appraisals, and one-to-ones come with core HR.
cons
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Users report leave entry and entitlement changes can take time.
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Reviewers say reporting lacks depth and flexibility for larger teams.
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Recruitment tools may be too basic for complex hiring workflows.
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Justworks
Visit WebsiteThis rating combines scores from multiple user review sites to reflect overall customer sentiment about the product.4.6 -
Eletive
Visit WebsiteThis rating combines scores from multiple user review sites to reflect overall customer sentiment about the product.4.6 -
Prevue Assessments
Visit WebsiteThis rating combines scores from multiple user review sites to reflect overall customer sentiment about the product.4.6
How We Test & Score Our Tools
We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (25% of final score)
The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.
Standout Features (25% of final score)
Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Ease of Use (10% of final score)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final score)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final score)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Customer Reviews (10% of final score)
Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final score)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.
Core Features
Employee Records
Breathe keeps contact and job details, leave and sickness records, contracts, and documents in central employee profiles, with permissions controlling access. Managers can check current information in one place instead of reconciling separate files.
Leave And Absence Management
Employees submit leave requests for manager approval, while a shared calendar displays annual leave, sickness, and other absences. Configurable leave types and clash alerts help managers apply policies and plan cover.
Onboarding Workflows
Breathe assigns new hires role-specific tasks, deadlines, documents, and email reminders, with portal access before their first day. For example, HR can share policies and track whether a new starter has completed paperwork and introductions.
Performance Management
Managers set goals and objectives, track progress, and schedule one-to-ones and appraisals using review templates and prompts. Recording actions and conversation history gives check-ins clear follow-up between annual reviews.
Document Management And E-Signatures
HR can store files online, control who can access them, send contracts or policies for electronic signature, and track document reads. Timestamped signature records create an audit trail, useful for confirming a new hire has signed key paperwork.
Employee Self-Service
Employees can update personal details, request leave, view documents, and report sickness through self-service. For example, they can check their leave records without asking HR to retrieve them.
Ease of Use
Breathe HR is easy to navigate for routine people administration, and reviewers praise its clean interface, quick setup, and usability for employees, managers, and HR. Employee profiles, self-service, leave requests, and a shared absence calendar keep everyday tasks together rather than scattered across files. I think that simplicity suits smaller teams, though reviewers say reporting and customization can feel limited as needs grow.
Integrations
Breathe HR integrates with Xero Payroll, Microsoft Outlook, Hireful ATS, RotaCloud, and Pleo, among others.
Breathe HR also offers an API for custom integrations and connects with third-party automation tools such as Make through a community-maintained connector.
Breathe HR Specs
- 2-Factor Authentication
- 360 Degree Feedback
- API
- Application Tracking
- Attendance Tracking
- Batch Permissions & Access
- Compliance Tracking
- Dashboard
- Data Export
- Data Import
- Data Visualization
- Employee Database
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Incentive Management
- Employee Onboarding
- Employee Training
- Expense Tracking
- External Integrations
- Feedback Management
- Multi-User
- Notifications
- Payroll
- Performance Appraisal
- Scheduling
- Time Management
- Timesheets
- Travel Management
- Vacation & Absence Calendar
