Overview
Sage HR (formerly CakeHR) is a cloud-based HR and people management solution from Sage, the global accounting and business software provider. Designed for small to mid-sized businesses, Sage HR offers modular functionality covering employee database management, leave and absence tracking, performance management, timesheets, shift scheduling, expense management, and reporting. The platform emphasizes flexibility with pay-as-you-go pricing that allows companies to activate only the modules they need. Sage HR serves over 20,000 customers globally and integrates seamlessly with Sage's accounting and payroll products, creating a unified business management ecosystem. The system includes employee self-service portals, mobile apps for iOS and Android, automated workflows for approvals, and customizable fields to match unique organizational structures. Sage HR supports multi-country operations with localized leave policies, multi-language interfaces (15+ languages), and compliance features for various jurisdictions. The platform is particularly strong in time and attendance management with GPS tracking for mobile clock-ins, shift scheduling, and timesheet approvals.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Modular pricing allows companies to pay only for features they actually use
- ✓Seamless integration with Sage accounting and payroll products creates unified ecosystem
- ✓Strong time tracking and shift scheduling capabilities with mobile clock-in
- ✓Supports 15+ languages and multi-country operations for global businesses
- ✓Employee self-service portal reduces administrative burden significantly
- ✓Trusted Sage brand with established reputation in business software
- ✓Good mobile apps for both managers and employees
Cons
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to newer HR platforms like Rippling or Deel
- ✗Reporting capabilities are limited without purchasing advanced analytics module
- ✗Onboarding and offboarding workflows are less automated than modern alternatives
- ✗Limited third-party integrations outside of Sage ecosystem
- ✗Customer support quality varies by region and can be slow
- ✗Performance management module is basic compared to dedicated tools like Lattice
- ✗Modular pricing can become expensive as you add more features
- ✗Learning curve for administrators configuring complex workflows
Who Should Use This?
Best For
- →Small to mid-sized businesses (50-500 employees) already using Sage accounting or payroll
- →Companies needing strong time tracking, shift scheduling, and attendance management
- →Organizations wanting modular pricing to control costs and add features gradually
- →Businesses operating in multiple countries needing multi-language support
- →Companies in retail, hospitality, or healthcare requiring shift scheduling
- →Organizations prioritizing employee self-service to reduce HR administrative work
Not Ideal For
- →Startups seeking modern, intuitive interfaces and cutting-edge UX
- →Companies requiring advanced talent management and succession planning
- →Organizations needing extensive third-party integrations beyond Sage products
- →Businesses wanting all-in-one pricing rather than modular add-ons
- →Tech companies seeking AI-powered features and automation
- →Companies requiring sophisticated performance management and OKR tracking
Key Features
Implementation
Sage HR implementation typically takes 2-4 weeks for small to mid-sized companies, depending on the number of modules being deployed and the complexity of existing data migration. The platform provides guided setup wizards, data import templates for Excel/CSV files, and comprehensive documentation. Sage offers online training resources including video tutorials, webinars, and a knowledge base. Dedicated implementation support is available for enterprise customers or those purchasing premium support packages. The employee self-service portal and mobile apps can be activated immediately after initial setup, allowing employees to update personal information, submit leave requests, and clock in/out. Administrator training typically requires 4-8 hours to become proficient with system configuration, reporting, and workflow management. The modular nature of Sage HR allows companies to implement core features first and add additional modules over time as needs evolve.
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Quick Info
Sage HR uses modular pricing starting at approximately $6.00 per employee per month for the Core HR module (employee database and leave management). Additional modules are priced separately: Timesheets ($2/employee/month), Shift Scheduling ($2/employee/month), Performance Management ($3/employee/month), Expenses ($1.50/employee/month), and Recruitment ($3/employee/month). Companies can mix and match modules based on their needs, with total costs ranging from $6-15+ per employee per month depending on feature selection. Sage offers a 30-day free trial to test all modules. Annual subscriptions typically receive 10-15% discounts compared to monthly billing. Enterprise customers with 500+ employees can negotiate custom pricing with additional features like dedicated support, advanced security, and custom integrations. Setup fees are not typically charged, though implementation consulting is available at additional cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sage HR
Common questions about Sage HR, including pricing, features, integrations, and who should use it.
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