--- title: "Ciphr Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra" description: "Is Ciphr the right Human Resources solution for you? Explore 55 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/147124/CIPHR/reviews/" page_type: "reviews" language: "en" --- Ciphr 4.2 (55) [View alternatives](https://www.capterra.com/p/147124/CIPHR/alternatives/) Provider data verified by our Software Research team, and reviews moderated by our Reviews Verification team. [Learn more](https://www.capterra.com/our-story/) * * * Last updated September 16th, 2026 # Reviews of Ciphr Ease of use 4.3 Customer Service 4.4 ## Pros and Cons in Reviews NM Natalie M HR ManagerCosmetics, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “CIPHR provides us with a solid portal to store all of our employee data in one location (including payroll data). “ July 24, 2026 EB Eden B Insights and Reward PartnerLogistics and Supply Chain, 1,001 - 5,000 employeesUsed the software for: 6-12 months. “For tickets, its frustrating that these auto resolve if I don't respond within so many days but some of my tickets can take a month to be responded to without an update.“ April 17, 2026 JP Jo P HR ManagerElectrical/Electronic Manufacturing, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The team has been consistently helpful in ensuring we can fully utilise the platform and make the best use of its features. Whenever we have had queries, they have been dealt with quickly and efficiently, with our questions being directed to the right members of the team without delay.“ April 27, 2026 FM Freya M Senior HR ManagerEducation Management, 501 - 1,000 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “I often find that I re raise questions with members of the dev team or customer experience team and they are able to identify a solution really quickly but this knowledge appears to be lacking in the customer care team (sometimes!).“ July 16, 2026 un ulrike n Head of HREducation Management, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The processes for new starters and leavers are easy and intuitive, and creating and updating salaries, particularly for bulk changes, can be completed quickly and efficiently.“ May 15, 2026 un ulrike n Head of HREducation Management, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Holiday calculations are also unreliable when employees change roles or entitlements, requiring significant manual intervention.“ May 15, 2026 un ulrike n Head of HREducation Management, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “Navigation throughout the system is straightforward, and the self-service function is user-friendly for staff. While customer service was previously an area of significant concern, it has improved substantially and is now effective which has improved our experience.“ May 15, 2026 BP Bob P Learning and Development Business PartnerNon-Profit Organization Management, 201 - 500 employeesUsed the software for: More than 2 years. “The badges are of little use as they are not transferable, ie: Open Badges, as is the case with other LMS's (Moodle, Tottara, etc).“ December 16, 2025 ## Showing most helpful reviews Showing 1-25 of 55 Reviews Sort by: Most Helpful Rating Company Size Reviewer's Role Length of Use Frequency of Use Claire C. Market Research Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Simply, Easy to Use System " December 15, 2015 5.0 As rapidly growing company we recognised that using Excel documents and paper was not sustainable. We went out a number of companies but shortlisted CIPHR due to the cultural fit that we felt as team was best suited to us. We wanted to be able to give our staff and managers the freedom to be able to manage their work life as they needed to without having to run everything by HR - the self service function has enabled this and within the first day of our launch we had over 90 employees log in and make changes to their records. All in all a brilliant system and is valued by those that use it! Pros Tech support are fantastic - all issues are resolved within 24 hours and the teams knowledge is incredible. The on-boarding functionality that we have recently launched for all new joiners have proved to be incredibly valuable and really helping to start their journey with us once they have have been recruited. System is super easy to use and if you are looking to have a system that when pulled out of the box can do everything you need it to but can be customised as and when you need then look no further. Cons Reporting can be complicated if you aren't an Excel whizz but the training that is offered can help minimise this. Review Source Response from Ciphr January 7, 2016 Thanks for your review Claire, it's great to hear your thoughts and that CIPHR's having such a positive impact within Zoopla! The CIPHR team NM Nick M. Head of People Non-Profit Organization Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Great all in one HR systems provision" November 21, 2025 5.0 We had a great implementation experience, and the customer service are responsive whenever we need anything. They engage us with upcoming improvements and everyone we speak to is genuinely nice. Pros They have an effective module for everything we need in one package, which just works much better than having 6 different systems as we did previously. Each of them has all the customisation options we need to make the system work really well for our processes. The new core UI makes it really easy to see everything in one place, and employees rarely need help finding what the need. The payroll integration works really well and saves us upkeeping two different sets of employment data. The bureau are really responsive and knowledgeable. Cons The recruiters portal is hopefully next on the list for a UI refresh as it's a bit dated but it does everything we need. Self service of changing the email notifications is apparently coming which will be better for us to more frequently update them. Switched from [OpenHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/228160/OpenHR/) Support was ending for the old version we had and we needed more features. Review Source Response from Ciphr November 25, 2025 Hi Nick, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with Ciphr and our software. We really appreciate it! It's great to hear that having all your HR functionality in one place is working better for your organisation than your previous system did. And that our payroll bureau team are responsive to your requests. The recruitment platform is on our roadmap for a UI refresh, so look out for that coming soon. If you have any further comments or feedback about your experiences with Ciphr, don't hestitate to get in touch. VR Verified Reviewer TA Manager Museums and Institutions Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "iRecruit okay, customer care good" May 7, 2026 3.0 Pros Some members of the Customer Care team are excellent - Stu Armstrong in particular has helped us out massively. Cons Some of the iRecruit features cause a fair amount of errors on our side. I would like to be able to upgrade the iRecruit features more to allow for more advanced job adverts. Review Source Response from Ciphr May 12, 2026 Hi, thanks for reviewing your experience of Ciphr iRecruit, our ATS, and our customer care team. It's fantastic to hear that our customer care team has been supportive and helped resolve issues you've had with the system. Our product team is always keen to hear feedback and suggestions for our products, including iRecruit. You can reach us by submitting a request through the Customer Care Portal, or email us directly at info@ciphr.com. MC Mairead C. HR Director Information Services Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Ciphr review" May 28, 2026 3.0 Good - better couple of years ago when people on helpline with support. We do find it frustrating as a system and the onboarding portal was a nightmare - took nearly a year to get it runnning Pros Got use to the system now so we know our way around it. The new layout works well loving the new 'Ask' button Cons Inaccessible for people with disabilities; can be quite a clunky system and not logical at times. Work to do. Alternatives considered [HiBob](https://www.capterra.com/p/156106/Hibob/)[Hive](https://www.capterra.com/p/150991/Hive/) Reason for choosing Ciphr Recommended via one of our Trustees at the time Review Source EB Eden B. Insights and Reward Partner Logistics and Supply Chain Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Intuitive & great support" April 17, 2026 4.0 Overall, I think we have a great account manager and I feel supported in my role. I had no handover of the system but I have worked on a similar system previously which definitely helped me understand the system. However, \[sensitive content hidden\] has been amazing in helping with my confidence on the system. The cons seem to be longer than the pros but these are just things that we as a team see day in and day out when using ciphr and would be great to have solutions for these. Pros Ciphr is user intuitive for those with system knowledge. The Articles in the knowledge base are also really useful and 90% of the time I have been able to find the answer to my query without having to raise a ticket. I have also found our account manager, \[sensitive content hidden\], to be super helpful and always happy to help me when needed. As well as \[sensitive content hidden\] being helpful with any technical queries I have. Cons My cons for Ciphr are only small bugbears, but when you make a change in the system for an employee, you have to go into their current job and end the job, it would be useful if this ended automatically when you insert the new job record. When you have ended the job and create a new entry, it doesn't detect the end date of the previous job, so you have to populate this. In the policies, we can't search keywords in a document, this would be useful to have access to. When we upload personal documents, we always add a description in the notes but this doesn't pull through onto the main screen so if the file name isn't something that relates to the document eg File1234, we are having to resave files to see what they are on the main screen. Personal Development area isn't user friendly, we get a lot of queries on how to insert objectives, probation reviews etc. For tickets, its frustrating that these auto resolve if I don't respond within so many days but some of my tickets can take a month to be responded to without an update. Review Source Response from Ciphr April 27, 2026 Hi Eden, thanks for your review. It’s fantastic to hear that you have a great relationship with your customer experience manager & feel supported by us. Your customer experience manager has been in touch with you to discuss some of the 'cons' you raised, many of which are actually possible in the system, and we are thrilled you were able to go over these together. For example: \* Job changes - we've shown you how to add a new job record & that this triggered the auto-closing of the old record \* Searching keywords in documents - we confirmed this is possible within PDFs, and you were able to do this \* We've offered a workaround for the challenge with personal document uploads and visibility \* We reviewed the personal development area with you, & you clarified that the functionality is clear, & that challenges are internal, but we will support you in next review cycle to support If you have any other feedback please get in touch. JA Jan A. HR Project Manager Utilities Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Inspired feedback for CIPHR" June 15, 2026 5.0 our experience with CIPHR has been positive. Tickte items are managed in a timely fashion and the support team is extremely helpful. Pros Direct contact with a knowledgeable, supportive CSM team. \[sensitive content hidden\] have initiated regular check ins to check on service and provide updates. Cons The switch to v10 took a little getting used to. Onboarding needed a lot of updating and business priorities meant this was out of action for some time. Review Source Response from Ciphr June 17, 2026 Hi Jan, thank you for reviewing your experience with Ciphr - we really appreciate it. It's fantastic to hear that you have had a positive experience using our software and interacting with our helpful customer care team. If you have any further feedback for us, don't hesitate to get in touch. Thanks again! Team Ciphr AK Aliya K. Senior HR Advisor Hospital & Health Care Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Great experience with new version of CIPHR & Clients support" February 9, 2026 5.0 Overall experience has been excellent. The new CIPHR version is very logical and easy to navigate. The support from the client support team has been outstanding, with special thanks to \[sensitive content hidden\] for his great assistance. Pros The new CIPHR version is very logical. Your customer support from \[sensitive content hidden\] is absolutely fantastic! Cons CIPHR has a steep learning curve, and reporting could be time-consuming. We have had some issues with CIPHR payroll / payroll bureau since Sam has left. Review Source Response from Ciphr February 17, 2026 Hi Aliya, thanks for leaving a review! It's great to here that Ciphr is easy to use, and our customer care team has been really supportive. On the flip side, it's disappointing that you've had issues with our payroll/bureau service. Do reach our to our customer care team to get that sorted out. Similarly, if you need support with the reporting tool, or would like to see our new, more intuitive, analytics tool in action, drop us a line! Thanks Team Ciphr VR Verified Reviewer Senior People Lead - Talent, Operations and Data Non-Profit Organization Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Core HRIS - consistent and reliable" February 9, 2026 4.0 Pros System reliability is strong, allowing consistent functionality for users and integrations from our ATS and into payroll. Report writer is extremely useful, with adaptable and powerful configuration options without needing coding knowledge The ability for HR system admins to configure new areas of the system enables increased functionality without additional cost investment. We have therefore been able to create areas to help us achieve our DEEI and ER priorities without additional cost. Cons Not many cons. It is a good system. The service desk response times can be delayed during busier periods. Review Source Response from Ciphr February 17, 2026 Hi, thank you for reviewing your experiences with Ciphr - we really appreciate it! It's great to hear that the site is reliable and you're benefiting not only from the integrations with your ATS and payroll software, but also with our report writer tool. And that you've been able to configure the HR software to do more, but without extra costs. That's a win all round! Sorry to hear that our customer care team can take a while to respond to queries. We work hard to respond to all requests as soon as we can, and are regularly introducing new ways of working so we can deliver a better level of service. Thanks again for leaving a review. Please get in touch with us if you have any further feedback or need our help. Team Ciphr SK Sue K. Payroll Manager Logistics and Supply Chain Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Efficient HR & Payroll Management with Excellent Customer Support" January 29, 2026 5.0 My overall experience with Ciphr is that it is a reliable, supportive HR and payroll system that keeps improving and makes day‑to‑day processes smoother. Pros What I like most about Ciphr is how proactive and helpful their customer support team is. Every interaction I’ve had with them has been genuinely positive. The system itself is easy to navigate, with plenty of resources to help you along the way (not that you need them). It’s also really flexible—there’s lots you can configure, and it handles a wide range of scenarios like absence management without any fuss. Ciphr are clearly focused on further modernising and improving the platform. The planned updates really show their commitment to making things even more user‑friendly and keeping them ahead of the game. Cons Honestly, I’m struggling to find any negatives – I’ve always been able to find a solution with help from the Customer Services and Payroll teams. One thing I’ve learned is that just because you think the system can’t do something, doesn’t mean it actually can’t. Just reach out to Ciphr, and they’ll come back with a solution every time. Switched from [chris 21](https://www.capterra.com/p/38720/chris-21/) The need for a better self service system . Review Source Response from Ciphr February 10, 2026 Hi Sue, thanks for taking the time to review Ciphr's integrated HR and payroll system. We really appreciate it! It's great to hear that our customer care team is proactive and helpful, and that you are seeing the benefits of our schedule of regular product releases. If you have any further feedback, don't hesitate to get in touch! Team Ciphr MD Maya D. Employee Relations Officer Retail Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Ciphr Review - Sterling Furniture Group Limited" February 2, 2026 4.0 Pros The overall set up of the HR system was very well explained and we felt fully supported throughout the entire process, especially given we went from having no HR system at all. \[sensitive content hidden\], our HR implementation consultant, was extremely helpful and always went out of his way to support us and answer any queries, making sure that the system was tailored to our needs. Our project Manager, \[sensitive content hidden\], was also really great and helped keep the process running smoothly, despite the amount of changes we had to make due to re-starting our payroll implementation. We also really like the new interface, it's really easy to use and have had good feedback from staff. Cons I think it sometimes take a while to get a response to tickets, however we have found that this has improved massively as of recently. Alternatives considered [Sage HR](https://www.capterra.com/p/128705/SageHR/) Reason for choosing Ciphr Ciphr was a cheaper alternative to Sage. Review Source Response from Ciphr February 11, 2026 Hi Maya, thanks for taking the time to review Ciphr's HR software. We appreciate it! We're pleased that you felt "fully supported" throughout the implementation process, especially as it was your organisation's first HR system. And it's great to here that recent improvements to the user interface have been well received, and that you've seen a noticeable improvement in responses to tickets. If you have any further feedback for us, don't hesitate to get in touch! Team Ciphr MF Melanie F. Colleague Services Assistant Education Management Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Customer Support really good!" October 17, 2025 4.0 I have mainly used Ciphr support for iRecruit issues, and a few My Trust issues. The experience has always been positive and the people in the support team are reactive and very helpful. Pros When it comes to iRecruit, Hassan is a godsend, and is always able to understand our requests and action those that he can help with very quickly. He has also advised us when some of our suggestions have been put to the development team, which is helpful. He includes screenshots and clear information, to help us understand and guides us when there are things we can resolve for ourselves. Cons Having to put in a service ticket rather than being able to pick the phone up quickly (especially when something is super urgent and potentially a very quick resolution) - it's not made easy to get through to a person quickly. Review Source Response from Ciphr October 23, 2025 Hi Melanie, thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review! It's fantastic to hear that our customer care team - and Hassan in particular - are able to swiftly resolve any issues your might experience with our ATS, iRecruit. We appreciate that many of our clients prefer to speak to our team directly rather than submitting a ticket through our support portal. Logging tickets online does help us to monitor the nature and volume of issues, so we can resolve them more efficiently. If you have any further queries or feedback for us, don't hestiate to get in touch. LK Lisa K. Senior People Business Partner Non-Profit Organization Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "CipHR - HR Management System" April 30, 2025 5.0 User-friendly interface and ease of navigation, new reporting / analytics. Reliable and improved customer support service and knowledgeable workforce with regular updates and improved communications. Many years as a customer working with CipHR. Pros We use the system for our employee data/information and payroll which works really well. Customer support. CipHR academy. HR tools all in one place. New user friendly interface. Employee self service. Performance insights with new analytics tool. Cons Some of the features which have now been rectified in the new update such as time out and having to click into data numerous times to reach the correct area of system. Also reporting can be time consuming in excel. Review Source AP Anne P. HR Hospitality Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Everything seems to be an Extra cost" November 1, 2018 4.0 Definitely allows us to provide more detailed management information but has not taken away a lot of the time consuming admin burden due the cost issues around all the additional modules. We found the initial training and implementation rushed and not overly user friendly. If this is your first HR Management system ensure you do your research very thoroughly. Pros From the sales talk everything looked perfect. It was only when it came to the post implementation stage that we realised what wasn't included or was an additional cost. This has limited our use of the system. Help desk are generally good and supportive although a little slow on responding with a final solution. Cons The costs as everything seems to be an additional module with an extra cost. Not a great experience with 2 different account managers Review Source Response from Ciphr November 14, 2018 Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We're sorry to hear that you have concerns about the costings for additional products and, having spoken to your Account Manager, we understand that you are currently in dialogue regarding this. Due to internal promotions and role changes it is sometimes unavoidable that a new Account Manager is assigned to a customer. We're committed to providing the best possible service to our customers, therefore please feel free to get in touch should you wish to discuss further. MK Maria K. HR Manager Primary/Secondary Education Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Useful Product, Highly Customisable" December 8, 2015 4.5 Pros CIPHR are great & offer easy access support via an online helpdesk & a phone line. During the set up process we also had several sessions with our own consultant ensuring we had the system working the way we wanted it to. The product is great - we have been able to adapt fields to hold pertinent data & the reporting functions are great. Self service section is easy even for non computer users. Cons You need a different user name & password for every different CIPHR product unless you pay extra for another level of security that logs you into all at once. Be prepared to have a list! Review Source NS Nick S. Director of IT Services Primary/Secondary Education Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Nice end user interface, but VERY slow HR management interface" May 9, 2018 3.0 Nice. But expensive and slow. Pros End users lover it. Browser based, cloud based. Access on or off site. Access on mobile devices. Very easy to use. Cons Slow. HR have to access via a remote desktop connection to a CIPHR data centre machine which runs very slowly. You have to wait for screens to refresh. Think modem days! :) Review Source NU Nettie U. HR Manager Insurance Used the software for: 2+ years ### "User friendly HR system, strong customer service and support." December 15, 2015 4.0 Pros User friendly system, adaptable and can grow/ develop with the business. Ideal for businesses that may not have the IT infrastructure in place and who would require Computers in Personnel to host the system. Cons I think it would always be the cost, even if it's competitively priced! Review Source LS Lisa S. HR Director Logistics and Supply Chain Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "Changed the view of HR to a strategic partner" December 16, 2015 4.5 Pros The ease of report generation and the vast array of reports that can be tailored to the business needs. It gives a great visibility of terms and conditions across all business units and varying sites. The support from our Account Manager is fantastic and she is extremely knowledgeable about the product. The mobile function is great for employees and managers who work remotely. Cons The internal forms can sometimes be restrictive in flexibility and in terms of who can add narrative but this can be worked around. All issues can be solved but there is nearly always a cost hence 'work around' are sort. Review Source JO Jumoke O. HR Director Used the software for: Less than 6 months ### "very user friendly and eay to pick up" December 15, 2015 4.0 Pros Being able to download reports into excel. I use reports a lot in my role and find this function very useful. Cons I really don't dislike anything about this product Review Source NM Natalie M. HR Manager Cosmetics Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Game-changing system!" July 24, 2026 5.0 I cannot fault the experience with CIPHR and the team. Every person that we have interacted with has been helpful, and if they can't help you then they know someone who can. Any issues are dealt with swiftly and we also like that CIPHR do not have a huge turnover in their own employees which as an end user means that we get consistency in who we are interacting with. Pros CIPHR provides us with a solid portal to store all of our employee data in one location (including payroll data). From implementation through to present day the team are on hand to resolve any issues quickly and ensure we have a system that adds value to our business. For the HR teams it has been a gamechanger in having access to data when needed, and the ease of creating and running reports has helped us immensely. Cons Implementing the project alongside a challenging day job! I would advise anyone looking at implementation ensures that time is dedicated for this part of the process. If there was one improvement, and this is partly on us is the manual upload of documents which is quite timely but then we benefit from having these in the system. Alternatives considered [ADP Workforce Now](https://www.capterra.com/p/155895/WorkforceNow/)[Kronos HR](https://www.capterra.com/p/10033938/Kronos-HR/) Reason for choosing Ciphr Felt that this was the system that most met our needs, and one that we could mould to our personal requirements. Review Source FM Freya M. Senior HR Manager Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Good with room for improvements" July 16, 2026 4.0 Mixed - but most definately improving and there are stand out members of staff who go above and beyond to work through solutions with us as clients. Pros It is all in one place. The navigation for the most part is intiutive and the ability to move in and around the system is useful. The roadmap over the last 2 years has definately improved user ease of use though some things do not seem to have been thought through and end of breaking internal processes e.g. SSO for which there is often no quick solution. Cons Length of time to achieve fixes when there are problems or having to go beyodn the helpdesk as their answers seem quite profunctory and they don't tend to dig a bit deeper into the issue. I often find that I re raise questions with members of the dev team or customer experience team and they are able to identify a solution really quickly but this knowledge appears to be lacking in the customer care team (sometimes!). We have not had the smoothest ride with CIPHR however in the last year collectively I feel we have found the right trajectory for a balance partnership. It would be really really helpful to have the ability to view from a different user profile and/or have a test environment that system admins could use. Alternatives considered [Everyware](https://www.capterra.com/p/192500/Everyware/)[Access PeopleHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/211952/Access-People-HR-Software/)[iTrent](https://www.capterra.com/p/69009/iTrent/)[Breathe](https://www.capterra.com/p/126547/BreatheHr/) Reason for choosing Ciphr At the time of initial choosing it seemed the best to manage dual/multiple roles - though this was perhaps a little bit missold. The system has improved over time. During the contract renewal we did look again at alternative providers but felt given the high costs of all products it was better the devil you know. Review Source Response from Ciphr July 21, 2026 Hi Freya. Thanks for sharing such detailed feedback, and for recognising the team members who go above and beyond for you. It's great that improvements over the last 2 years have made a difference to your daily use of Ciphr. We take on board your comments about SSO and the impact this can have on internal processes when things do not go smoothly. We also hear your feedback about the customer care experience. It's not the standard we want for our customers, and we don’t want you having to re-raise issues to get to the right answer. We will feed this back directly to the customer care team so they can look at how they dig deeper into root causes earlier in the process. Your suggestion of the ability to view the system from a different user profile is a great one. We’ll pass this on to our product team. We're really glad that, overall, things feel like they are on the right trajectory, and we want to keep building on that. Please reach out to your CXM if you'd like to discuss further. SP Sharon P. HR Business Partner Construction Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "Customer Review - Peaks and Plains " August 24, 2026 5.0 We have found Ciphr to be highly customer-focused and responsive. Over the past 12 months, we have required some additional support with our HR system due to the maternity leave of a colleague who is one of our key super users. Our Customer Experience Manager has been excellent in supporting us, helping to resolve system queries and taking the time to explain solutions thoroughly. This has not only enabled us to resolve issues quickly but has also helped to build our knowledge and confidence in using the system. Pros Speed and quality of support from Ciphr customer care and helpdesk for the HR and LMS system and also from the payroll provider. Cons That the webexpenses system is a separate system to the HR system. It would be helpful if these systems were integrated to reduce manual inputting. However the benefits we receive from having the Ciphr system outweigh this issue. Alternatives considered [Sage Accounting](https://www.capterra.com/p/168740/Sage-One-UK/)[TPT](https://www.capterra.com/p/239454/TPT/)[Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/) Reason for choosing Ciphr It provided the most of what we needed and works very well for the size and scale of the business Switched from [chris 21](https://www.capterra.com/p/38720/chris-21/) Old fashioned, difficult to use. We were sending lots of reports to the payroll provider who were sending reports back, lots of checking and manual spreadsheets. Review Source uN ulrike N. Head of HR Education Management Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Positive HR Experience, with Payroll Requiring Improvement" May 15, 2026 3.0 overall experience is positive for the HR part ( with some exception) but difficult and too manual in relation to payroll Pros The HR module is simple to use. The processes for new starters and leavers are easy and intuitive, and creating and updating salaries, particularly for bulk changes, can be completed quickly and efficiently. Navigation throughout the system is straightforward, and the self-service function is user-friendly for staff. While customer service was previously an area of significant concern, it has improved substantially and is now effective which has improved our experience. I can see an overall improvement with HR module and this is welcomed. Cons Reporting is generally effective but can be overly complex, and customer support still struggles to assist, particularly with absence reporting. Some pre-built reports (e.g. Gender Pay Gap) have produced inaccurate data, and resolving these issues requires external consultancy, which is costly and time-consuming. Payroll integration is not seamless, relying on Paylink rather than full automation, with gaps in areas such as maternity processes. Overall, payroll remains a key concern. The system handles multiple roles and variable hours poorly. There is no simple way to process variable hours payments, and the timesheet module is not fit for purpose. Holiday calculations are also unreliable when employees change roles or entitlements, requiring significant manual intervention. Alternatives considered [iTrent](https://www.capterra.com/p/69009/iTrent/) Reason for choosing Ciphr seemed cost effective with similar functionality however, some of those functionality were later not developed Review Source Response from Ciphr May 26, 2026 Thank you for your detailed feedback. We’re pleased to hear the HR module is working well for you, particularly around usability and core processes, and that you’ve seen improvements in our support. We recognise the challenges you’ve highlighted with payroll. Integration via Paylink, handling of variable hours, multiple roles, and holiday calculations are known areas for development. We are actively investing in improving our solutions to reduce manual effort and deliver a more seamless experience. We’d welcome the opportunity to review your specific setup and support you further through your customer experience manager. Please get in touch with us to arrange time for us to speak. Many thanks Team Ciphr JP Jo P. HR Manager Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing Used the software for: 2+ years ### "Customer Review - 2 years after implementation" April 27, 2026 4.0 We have had a very positive experience working with Ciphr and feel well supported in getting the most out of the system. The team has been consistently helpful in ensuring we can fully utilise the platform and make the best use of its features. Whenever we have had queries, they have been dealt with quickly and efficiently, with our questions being directed to the right members of the team without delay. This has made a real difference in helping us resolve issues smoothly and keep things moving. We have also had excellent support from \[sensitive content hidden\] throughout our time working with Ciphr. They have been incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and flexible in supporting our needs. They take the time to really understand our business and have built strong working relationships with us, which has been invaluable in helping us get the most out of the system. Their guidance and responsiveness have played a key role in enabling us to use the product to its full potential, and their support is always delivered quickly and effectively. Overall, we really value the support provided and the responsiveness of the team, and we would be happy to recommend Ciphr to others. Pros What I like most about Ciphr is the ease of use of the system and the value it brings in improving the efficiency of our HR processes. The platform continues to develop in a way that feels aligned with real business needs, particularly with the launch of Ciphr Analytics and the clear roadmap towards making the system even more business-focused and insight-driven. The support we receive is also excellent. The team are responsive, knowledgeable, and always ensure our queries are handled quickly and directed to the right people. This combination of a strong system and great support makes the overall experience very positive. Cons There are occasional areas where the system could feel more intuitive, particularly when navigating less frequently used features or those parts which are complex. At times, some processes require support or guidance to fully understand. However, the support team are always very helpful in resolving these queries quickly, which helps minimise any impact. Alternatives considered [IRIS Cascade](https://www.capterra.com/p/128430/Core-HR/) Reason for choosing Ciphr We chose Ciphr over alternative products, due to its greater flexibility, more modern and user-friendly design, and overall system aesthetics. Ciphr offered a more intuitive and scalable solution that better aligned with our business needs and future plans. While the initial implementation period was challenging, the Ciphr team have since gone above and beyond to re-engage with us and support us through that phase. Their commitment, responsiveness, and willingness to work closely with us have made a significant difference in turning the experience around. We now feel well supported and are getting far more value from the system as a result. Switched from [Access PeopleHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/211952/Access-People-HR-Software/) Our previous system was approaching end of life, and we had not undertaken a system upgrade or change of provider for a considerable period. As the business had grown and developed into multiple entities, we were also operating across a number of different HR systems, which created duplication and inefficiencies. We were looking for a more modern, flexible, and future-ready solution that could better support the evolving needs of the organisation. A key requirement was also the ability to integrate directly with an in-house payroll solution, enabling a more streamlined and connected approach across HR and payroll. Overall, the main challenge was moving away from a fragmented legacy setup towards a single, scalable system that could support both our current requirements and future growth. Review Source Response from Ciphr April 29, 2026 Hi Jo, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful and detailed review — it genuinely means a lot to the whole team. We're delighted to hear that Ciphr is making a real difference to your HR processes and that you’re seeing the value of Ciphr Analytics. It’s also good to know that our product roadmap aligns with what matters most to you. It's especially meaningful to hear how far the relationship has come since your initial implementation. Supporting you through that journey and seeing the experience turn around is exactly what we strive for. Thank you again for recommending Ciphr — we look forward to continuing to grow with you. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need our support or if you have any further feedback for us. Team Ciphr PS Phoebe S. HR Project Support Officer Non-Profit Organization Management Used the software for: 6-12 months ### "Ciphr review - with special thanks to \[sensitive content hidden\]" April 21, 2026 4.0 My experience with Ciphr has been positive overall. Our implementation timeline faced some delays due to changes in consultants and periods of sickness, but the level of support we received remained strong throughout. In particular, our project manager \[sensitive content hidden\] made a significant impact. Joining partway through the project, she integrated seamlessly and quickly became a reliable point of contact. She was consistently responsive, set realistic expectations around timelines, and approached challenges with a clear mindset. Her support played a key role in helping keep the project on track and moving forward effectively despite the initial setbacks - thank you so much \[sensitive content hidden\] for your patience and hard work. Pros The core HR system is very intuitive and accessible, making it easy to navigate even for users without a strong technical background. The platform supports efficient employee management, with well organised data that helped streamline everyday HR tasks. Overall, it made managing employee information and processes straightforward and user-friendly. Cons The reporting function - I found this difficult to use when trying to extract information at a specific point in time, and the filtering options weren’t always as flexible as needed. Alternatives considered [HiBob](https://www.capterra.com/p/156106/Hibob/)[Cezanne HR](https://www.capterra.com/p/12452/Cezanne-HR/) Reason for choosing Ciphr Due to our Procurement process limitations Switched from [Jobtrain](https://www.capterra.com/p/85213/Jobtrain/)[OpenHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/228160/OpenHR/) Needed something more modernised to move away from manual processes Review Source Response from Ciphr April 23, 2026 Hi Phoebe, thanks for taking the time to review your experience of Ciphr HR and your implementation journey. It’s fantastic to hear that the platform is helping to streamline everyday HR tasks and is generally easy to use. Thanks also for the great feedback about your project manager, and how much they contributed to the success of your project. If you have any other feedback for us, don’t hesitate to contact one of our team directly, or email info@ciphr.com JA Jennifer A. Learning and Development Manager Retail Used the software for: 1-2 years ### "CIPHR Review | Sterling " February 2, 2026 4.0 I would say it was mixed, a few hurdles however overall we're a lot more settled with the system now, if we'd looked back we may have changed the order for some areas as the system began being implemented eg Reporting possibly nearer the end rather than earlier on however most people were very supportive and more than happy to help when needed. There would be a few details I'd probably spend a bit more time on at the time if I'd known but our teams seem engaged and it's helping us build on more streamlined processes across the business. Pros I felt that the support and response from Mel the project manager was done really well and would always action queries as quickly as possible. The guidance and support for the LMS was great; Beth was fantastic and really encouraging when getting to know the system and how it works, especially helping get areas set up for future work. Cons I found sometimes the general responses to questions could take a longer time and some details asked I didn't feel would be so complex for the system but seemed to be a little more challenging at the time. I do find some of the CIPHR system quite clunky and feels things could be a little smoother and done in less steps or actions as a back end user. There was times things were communicated and then when queried it would be a different response and sometimes it would differ to the original comment/ discussion. Alternatives considered [Sage HR](https://www.capterra.com/p/128705/SageHR/)[Thrive](https://www.capterra.com/p/203407/THRIVE/) Reason for choosing Ciphr Unsure of others that were considered at the time as everything was signed and prior to me joining Review Source Response from Ciphr February 11, 2026 Hi Jennifer, thanks for taking the time to review your experiences using Ciphr's HR software and LMS. We really appreciate it! It's great to here that our project team supported you well during implementation. Remember, our experts are on hand any time to help you get the most out of your software - system optimisation sessions, for example, are a great way to uncover hidden opportunities for using the software fully and streamlining your processes even further. If you'd like to book that in, or have any other feedback for us, please get in touch! 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