BrightHR vs. HRdirect Smart Apps

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
BrightHR
Score 7.8 out of 10
N/A
British company BrightHR offers a human resources platform which helps replace paper documents with edocuments and contains features for managing employee scheduling and ROTA, sick leave and tardiness, vacation and holiday shift planning, as well as providing employment law legal advice.
$4.50
HRdirect Smart Apps
Score 8.4 out of 10
Small Businesses (1-50 employees)
HRdirect Smart Apps is an HR Management software solution from HRdirect, a a division of ComplyRight, Inc., dedicated to developing and delivering “Solutions for Smart Employers” since 1985. The vendor says HRdirect supports business managers at more than 500,000 locations with essential employee management and compliance tasks. HRdirect Smart Apps aims to help users work efficiently and affordably. The vendor's goal is to simplify complex processes and free employers from compliance…N/A
Pricing
BrightHRHRdirect Smart Apps
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
BrightHRHRdirect Smart Apps
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesYes
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsPrices start at £4.50 (per employee/per month)NO PER EMPLOYEE PRICING, NO BUNDLED FEATURES. JUST $60 A YEAR PER APP. Simple Pricing, No Matter How You Slice It Only use the Smart Apps that best fit your unique needs and pay the same, low price for each one: just $60 a year. It's easy to add more at any time, too - either as your needs change or as our solutions expand.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
BrightHRHRdirect Smart Apps
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
BrightHRHRdirect Smart Apps
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
7.0
1 Ratings
11% below category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
10.0
1 Ratings
24% above category average
Employment history8.21 Ratings00 Ratings
Job profiles and administration7.31 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.5.51 Ratings00 Ratings
Organization and location management7.31 Ratings00 Ratings
Employee demographic data00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
7.0
1 Ratings
14% below category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Pay calculation7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Leave and Attendance Management
Comparison of Leave and Attendance Management features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
8.8
12 Ratings
9% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
1.0
1 Ratings
156% below category average
Approval workflow8.612 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Balance details8.711 Ratings00 Ratings
Annual carry-forward and encashment9.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Employee Self Service
Comparison of Employee Self Service features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
8.5
13 Ratings
5% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
10.0
1 Ratings
21% above category average
View and generate pay and benefit information8.01 Ratings10.01 Ratings
Update personal information8.713 Ratings10.01 Ratings
View company policy documentation8.713 Ratings10.01 Ratings
HR Reporting
Comparison of HR Reporting features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
9.0
1 Ratings
17% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
1.0
1 Ratings
153% below category average
Pre-built reports9.01 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Report builder00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Performance Management
Comparison of Performance Management features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
8.0
1 Ratings
1% above category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Review reminders8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Recruiting / ATS
Comparison of Recruiting / ATS features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
7.0
1 Ratings
10% below category average
HRdirect Smart Apps
-
Ratings
Notifications and Alerts7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Onboarding
Comparison of Onboarding features of Product A and Product B
BrightHR
-
Ratings
HRdirect Smart Apps
1.0
1 Ratings
156% below category average
New hire portal00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Manager tracking tools00 Ratings1.01 Ratings
Best Alternatives
BrightHRHRdirect Smart Apps
Small Businesses
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Patriot Software
Patriot Software
Score 9.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Paypro Workforce Management
Paypro Workforce Management
Score 9.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
Infor Human Resources
Infor Human Resources
Score 7.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
BrightHRHRdirect Smart Apps
Likelihood to Recommend
8.5
(15 ratings)
10.0
(1 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
1.0
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
1.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
BrightHRHRdirect Smart Apps
Likelihood to Recommend
BrightHR
For a new part of our business, we have input staff details on Bright HR. There have been times when calls have been made to the helpline for guidance. It does not take long to get to know the staff you are speaking to. In relation to the query addressed with a team member today the service was excellent. Matthew has a great depth of knowledge of the system and works through the shift and annual leave calculations at the click of a finger. Thank you Mathew for your support, you are a star!
Read full review
ComplyRight
UPDATE 3/20/2020: I initially gave HRDirect a "0" recommendation due to all the issues we had with the PTO Module. However, since purchasing the Harassment Training Module ($90), this product is the best value for the money and puts us in compliance with mandated requirements. It is easy to use and well-presented. At this point in time, with the issues and frustration level of all our employees, managers, and payroll department, it would be difficult for me to recommend this app as suitable in any scenario. However, should HRdirect fix the issues and get the app to perform as it was originally designed, it would be a great product for a small to medium company that has limited resources yet wants a good product for the money. In our experience, the new hire portal did not appear to be functioning properly; our new hires were not able to access the blank documents. They could see them but not open them (PDFs).
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Pros
BrightHR
  • When a query has been dealt with via the helpline an email confirming the outcome is often issued which is great for reference at any time.
  • The system is easy to use and the screens are clutter free.
  • The support service offered is easy to access and the staff are friendly and helpful.
Read full review
ComplyRight
  • Initially, you were able to see all activity and drill down for details.
  • It was easy-access for all our employees in the 7 states we operate in.
  • It provided tracking for the managers.
  • Payroll had access to all PTO requests.
Read full review
Cons
BrightHR
  • Direct-dial telephone numbers rather than going through the Peninsula helpline numbers.
  • Setting up annual leave profiles often needs the assistance of a Bright HR representative when staff works quirky shifts. Providing examples of how to set the system up in user guides may help to set the system upright the first time.
Read full review
ComplyRight
  • HRdirect performed an upgrade in 2019 and that's where things went awry.
  • You could no longer drill down through the calendar to see the details - i.e. Doctor's appointment, illness, childcare issues, vacation, etc.
  • Previous year PTO requests were not archived and you now had to scroll through hundreds of PTO requests to see the most current.
  • Previous PTO requests were listed oldest to most current, resulting in much frustration trying to locate specific ones.
  • The print option was not longer functional.
  • The online help request form was no longer accessible.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
BrightHR
No answers on this topic
ComplyRight
As previously described, there are too many unresolved issues.
Read full review
Support Rating
BrightHR
No answers on this topic
ComplyRight
Due to the fact that we were patient for more than 6 months with no resolution in sight, we decided to end our relationship with HRdirect for PTO tracking. 3/20/2020: We have purchased the Harassment Training Module. Excellent product with great value for the money.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
BrightHR
I chose BrightHR as it offered a one-stop platform for HR management for which we have dedicated UK and ROI HR specialists who not only give HR advice but also write policies and handbooks, etc. They are a one-stop-shop, which was very important as when I signed the contract I did not have an HR person in my team and they were essentially my back office. Also, by signing up, I got access to Bright Safe too; which is great as again it's a one-stop-shop for Health and Safety in the workplace. So I can roll out toolbox talks, training, and accident management.
Read full review
ComplyRight
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
BrightHR
  • Saved admin time in filing and then searching for documents.
  • Saved admin time in chasing for managers' approvals for holiday requests.
  • Saved admin time in chasing managers/employees to update their profiles.
Read full review
ComplyRight
  • Initially, HRdirect was proving to be an excellent tool, and we were getting a quick turnaround on small issues. However, the upgrade messed things up on our accessibility, with no resolution in sight.
  • Harassment training module is excellent.
Read full review
ScreenShots

BrightHR Screenshots

Screenshot of BrightHR dashboardScreenshot of BrightHR LightningScreenshot of Bright ExchangeScreenshot of BrightSafeScreenshot of BrightBaseScreenshot of PoP by BrightHR

HRdirect Smart Apps Screenshots

Screenshot of EMPLOYEE RECORDS
Smarter, Centralized Employee Management

 - Directory & Records
 - Employee Self-Service
 - Document StorageScreenshot of ATTENDANCE CALENDAR
Take Control of Employee Attendance

 - 12-Month Calendars
 - Absence Code Management
 - Absence NotesScreenshot of I-9 & W-4
Ease the Burden of Completing I-9 and W-4 Forms

 - Onboarding Workflow
 - Guided I-9 & W-4 Forms
 - History & Audit TrackingScreenshot of JOB APPLICATION
Smart Hiring Begins Before the Interview

 - Compliant Questions Library
 - Customizable Application
 - Online Application LinkScreenshot of PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE
Your Guide to an Effective Disciplinary Program

 - Employee Warning Notices
 - Discipline History
 - Action Plan DocumentationScreenshot of TIME OFF REQUEST
Let Employees Handle Time Off Requests for You

 - Employee Time Off Requests
 - Supervisor Approval Workflow
 - Attendance Calendar Sync