Lightweight HR platform from Sage, formerly CakeHR, with leave and performance management
Last verified: 21 Apr 2026 Methodology
Price may vary with exchange rates
Free trial available
Read our full Sage HR review →No native Revenue Online Service (ROS) connection. Tax submissions must be exported and filed manually, or handled via a paired Irish accounting tool.
No native PAYE Modernisation. Real-time payroll reporting to Revenue is not supported in this product, or requires a paired payroll tool.
No native AIB / BOI / PTSB feed. Bank reconciliation flows rely on third-party gateways.
No native SEPA Direct Debit XML export. Collection requires a third-party gateway.
Irish VAT rates are not handled natively. Manual workarounds required.
No Irish-business-hours support tier. Tickets answered from the vendor HQ time zone.
Sage HR (formerly CakeHR) is a cloud-based HR management platform offering leave management, shift scheduling, timesheets, performance reviews, and an employee directory. It is part of the broader Sage ecosystem, which may appeal to Irish businesses already using Sage for accounting or payroll. Sage HR provides EU data hosting for GDPR compliance. Published pricing runs to approximately GBP 4.50 to USD 5.50 per employee per month depending on region; no public Ireland-specific EUR pricing is shown, so confirm current rates directly with Sage. It is suited to Irish SMEs with 6 to 50 employees in professional services and tech who need a straightforward HR tool without the complexity of enterprise HRIS platforms.
Compliance reference
Irish terms that shape how this software is bought, configured, and audited.
WRC Code of Practice giving Irish employees the right to disengage from work outside normal hours, in force since 1 April 2021. Admissible in WRC and Labour Court proceedings.
Irish anti-discrimination regime covering employment. Prohibits discrimination across nine grounds, requires reasonable accommodation for disability, and is enforced through the WRC.
Primary Irish statute governing maximum weekly working hours, daily and weekly rest periods, breaks, Sunday premiums, public holidays and annual leave for most employees.
Statutory right for Irish employees with six months service to formally request remote working. Created by the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.
Mandatory paid sick leave for Irish employees, introduced by the Sick Leave Act 2022. Phased in from 3 days in 2023, rising to 10 days from 2026 onward.
Irish statute requiring employers to provide a written statement of core employment terms within five days of starting, and a fuller written statement within one month.
Irish statutes setting out when a dismissal is presumed unfair, the fair procedures employers must follow, and the WRC remedies of reinstatement, re-engagement or compensation up to two years' pay.
Ireland's statutory body that resolves employment disputes, inspects workplaces and adjudicates complaints under most employment, equality and industrial relations legislation.
Sage HR (formerly CakeHR) is Sage's cloud HR platform, distinct from the Sage accounting products. It covers leave management, performance, and basic HR records. For businesses already using Sage accounting software, it offers a familiar vendor relationship. Irish employment law specifics require configuration. HRLocker offers comparable or stronger Irish-specific HR functionality at a similar price point with better Irish support.
| Criterion | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CRO active | Not met | |
| Revenue integration | Not met | |
| PAYE Modernisation | Not met | |
| Irish bank feeds | Not met | |
| GDPR (EU residency) | Pass | |
| Irish support | Not met |
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Each card surfaces the single most decisive fact between the two vendors, dated and sourced.
Local product vs international platform.Alkimii wins on Irish market depth. The other has wider scale and a larger ecosystem.
Data residency is the differentiator.Sage HR wins on guaranteed EU residency.
The price gap drives the decision.Sage HR wins on price. The other product earns its premium through deeper compliance or a wider feature set.
Data residency is the differentiator.Sage HR wins on guaranteed EU residency.
Two close matches.pick on accountant familiarity and Irish support.
Two close matches.pick on accountant familiarity and Irish support.
Local product vs international platform.HRLocker wins on Irish market depth. The other has wider scale and a larger ecosystem.
Local product vs international platform.Workvivo wins on Irish market depth. The other has wider scale and a larger ecosystem.
Sage HR is the global product sold by Sage plc; Ireland is routed to the UK Sage Business Cloud People page, which does not list public prices. Third-party sources confirm roughly USD 5.50 / GBP 4.50 per employee per month base tier plus module fees. Free trial confirmed historically via Sage UK. EU data hosting stated but specific region not publicised - verify with Sage for EU residency on contract. Not Irish-support-staffed; queries go through Sage UK.
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Get matchedPricing and feature data is indicative and may not reflect current vendor offerings. Always verify details directly with the vendor before purchasing.