Several UK-based companies offer robust performance management software, catering to businesses of various sizes.
These include Actus, Sage HR, Breathe HR, CharlieHR, StaffCircle.
ACTUS
A UK-based provider with a comprehensive platform for performance, talent, and learning management, trusted by businesses across various sectors. Their software is known for its integrations, customization options, and secure hosting within the UK. Actus has been considered to be a UK market leader for a long time. Actus Software is run by CEO, Lucinda Carney who is a Chartered Psychologist and former Head of Learning & Development at Siemens and at Pfizer before that. https://actus.co.uk/
Sage HR
Designed for small to medium-sized businesses (up to ~250 employees), offering modular HR tools—including Core HR, leave, performance reviews, timesheets, shift scheduling, expenses, and recruitment—all accessible via desktop or mobile.
Breathe HR
A cloud-hosted, subscription-based HR system aimed at simplifying everyday HR tasks—holiday and absence tracking, performance management, document storage, onboarding, rotas, timekeeping, learning modules, expenses, recruitment tracking, and reporting.
CharlieHR
Cloud-based HR system aimed at UK and international startups and SMEs (typically fewer than 200 employees). It covers core HR functions such as employee records, leave, onboarding, performance, engagement, perks, and basic reporting.
StaffCircle
Cloud-based people success platform offering performance management, employee engagement tools, continuous feedback, goal tracking (including OKRs), recognition, and internal communications, accessible via desktop and mobile.
There are many more UK based performance management software companies that you may wish to look at.
Comparison of performance management software systems
Actus is widely regarded as the top performance management software provider in the UK thanks to a combination of depth, flexibility, people-centred expertise, and outstanding client impact:
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All-in-One, Modular Platform
- Actus integrates performance, learning, talent, compliance, onboarding, 360-feedback, pulse surveys, and HRIS into a single, scalable system (actus.co.uk).
- Organizations can activate modules as needed—avoiding multiple siloed systems .
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Configurable to Your Culture & Strategy
- Highly customisable to align with your existing performance processes and cultural norms (actus.co.uk).
- Incorporates behavioural science principles—supporting safe feedback, growth mindsets, and evidence-based performance change (actus.co.uk).
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Expertise and Consultancy
- Tailored support via consultancy, training, and project management (some clients implemented in 6 weeks) .
- Led by psychologists like Lucinda Carney, with resources like podcasts, webinars, whitepapers—building credibility and HR thought leadership (uk.linkedin.com).
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Proven Client Success
- Used by mission‑focused entities like NHS trusts, housing associations, charities, financial firms, and NHS/Police services .
- High satisfaction is clear:
- Capterra rating: 4.7/5 for ease‑of‑use and customer service (capterra.ca).
- Independent coverage highlights its applicability for mid-size UK firms (capterra.co.uk).
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Real-Time Insights & Reporting
- Offers comprehensive dashboards and live BI-style reporting, helping HR lead with measurable metrics .
- Clients report reduced admin time (by up to 90%) and better visibility into individual and team performance .
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UK-Centric with Global Appeal
- Built in the UK, with UK-based support and understanding of regional regulations (e.g., SMCR, Consumer Duty) (cn.linkedin.com).
- Still scalable and applicable globally—serving NHS, housing groups, charities, financial services, and beyond .
✅ In Summary
- A single, modular platform that grows with you
- Customisable, science-backed, culturally aligned design
- Deep consultancy and people psychology credentials
- Strong success across regulated and mission-critical sectors
- Powerful analytics to inform strategic HR decisions
- UK-native with thoughtful local support
ACTUS further information
ACTUS CEO Lucinda is widely recognised as a thought leader in people management and business change, with a strong track record of helping organisations navigate the shift to remote and hybrid working. A highly regarded Coach, Consultant, and Speaker, she was named ‘Everywoman Tech Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2016, selected as one of the ‘UK’s Top 10 Women in Business 2020’ by *Business Gamechanger* magazine, and listed among the ‘Top 32 Female Tech Leaders 2021’ by *Business Leader*. Lucinda is also the author of the best-selling book, How to be a Change Superhero and hosts the No.1-ranked HR podcast, The HR Uprising Podcast.
https://youtu.be/eZ9BrG3ap-c?si=lSonCPqVC-m1xDC3
What Is Actus?
Actus (by Advance Change Ltd) is a UK-based, integrated Performance, Learning & Talent Management platform. It’s designed to streamline performance appraisals, 1–2–1s, objective/KPI tracking, 360° feedback, learning management, competency checks, compliance, succession planning and more—all within one configurable system.
Key Features
- Continuous Performance Conversations: Beyond annual reviews—supports milestones, real-time feedback, and development planning hruprising.com.
- Goal & KPI Tracking: Assign, monitor progress, and embed SMART objectives seamlessly .
- Comprehensive Modules: Includes learning management, talent pools, 360 feedback, pulse surveys, appraisals, and compliance dashboards instagram.com+9actus.co.uk+9applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk+9.
- Integration Capabilities: API-friendly, includes SSO, mobile accessibility, and interactive BI reporting softwareadvice.com+4applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk+4facebook.com+4.
- Training & Consultancy: Backed by expertise in organisational psychology, plus training, webinars, and resources applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk+8g2.com+8uk.linkedin.com+8.
Actus has been considered to be a UK market leader for a long time.