Looking for a BrightHR alternative?
BrightHR is a broad, Peninsula-backed HR platform with an advice line and no free tier. Rotaleave is a simpler, cheaper leave-and-rota tool — free for 10 or fewer, with your BrightHR history imported in one click.
| Feature | Rotaleave | BrightHR |
|---|---|---|
| Price — 10 people | £0 (free tier) | Paid — quoted per employee |
| Price — 15 people | £10/mo | More — per-employee pricing |
| Free tier | Yes — up to 10 people, forever | No — paid from the first employee |
| Product focus | Leave + rota, done well | Broad HR suite + HR advice line |
| HR advice line | No — we are software, not legal advice | Yes — Peninsula-backed advice line |
| Holiday in hours | Yes — minute-accurate balances | Day-based leave |
| Rota / shift scheduling | Built in — same account | Yes — rota included |
| Approval rules | Configurable, multi-approver per department | Manager approval |
| Bradford factor | Built in | Available |
| Department cover limits | Yes (max-off per department) | Limited |
| UK bank holidays | Built in, per person | Built in |
| Import your history | One-click BrightHR import | — |
| Mobile apps | Web app today — iOS & Android apps coming soon | Yes — iOS/Android apps |
| Maturity | New (launched 2026) | Established HR platform |
BrightHR figures are from brighthr.com as of July 2026 (per-employee pricing, quote-based, no free tier) — check their site for current pricing. Comparison last reviewed July 2026.
Switching questions
Is switching from BrightHR hard?
No. Export your data from BrightHR, upload it to Rotaleave, and your people, departments, leave types, allowances and booking history come across in one import. Most teams are done in under 15 minutes.
Where is Rotaleave weaker than BrightHR?
BrightHR is a broader HR platform and, being Peninsula-backed, bundles an HR advice line and native mobile apps (ours are coming soon). If you need HR legal advice, BrightHR offers something we do not. Rotaleave focuses on leave and rota — so if that is all you need, it is simpler and cheaper. We are honest about being new — that is why the free tier and 30-day trial exist.
Why is Rotaleave cheaper?
Different model: instead of per-employee pricing with no free tier, Rotaleave is free up to 10 people and then £5/month plus £1 per person over 10. A 15-person team pays £10/month.
Can I book holiday in hours, not just days?
Yes. Rotaleave tracks balances to the minute, which suits shift and part-time staff. BrightHR leave is day-based.
Bring your BrightHR history with you
One import. 30 days free. Free forever for 10 or fewer.
Start free