CoDash vs Access PeopleHR
PeopleHR is a long-established UK HR system, now part of The Access Group, with its own payroll and a London data centre. Here is how its tiered per-employee pricing and contract terms compare with one flat plan.
Access PeopleHR is a UK HR system sold in four tiers from £3 to £9.50 per employee per month, with its own UK payroll available. Expenses and e-signatures start at the second tier, and performance management and timesheets at the third. CoDash puts all of those in its base plan. PeopleHR's parent company's standard terms set a 36-month initial term with 90 days' notice unless your order says otherwise. CoDash is monthly. If you want HR and payroll from one established UK supplier, PeopleHR is a strong option; CoDash does not run payroll.
Where is Access PeopleHR strong?
- Payroll from the same supplier. PeopleHR sells its own UK payroll, as software or a managed service, described as HMRC RTI compliant, and bundles it with HR in its Full Suite plans from £7 per employee per month. CoDash does not run payroll.
- UK data centre. Its security page says: "For UK and EU customers we store your data in Telehouse N2 (London)", and that it is an ISO 27001 certified organisation.
- A low entry price. Starter is from £3 per employee per month, with absence, documents, a mobile app and self-service on every plan, and implementation included in the package price.
- Mobile apps on Android and iOS, with clock-in by app, QR code or geofencing on the time and attendance tier.
- Track record and a route upwards. PeopleHR says it launched in 2011 and is used by over 7,000 UK businesses. Above 500 employees The Access Group steers customers to a larger product.
Where is CoDash different?
- One plan instead of four tiers. On PeopleHR's comparison table, expenses, e-signatures, the open API and reward and recognition start at Core; performance management, timesheets, time tracking, benefits and custom surveys start at Pro; and recruitment is an add-on on every plan. In CoDash all of these are in Core, except the API, which is on Pro.
- A published price, not a "from" price. Every figure on PeopleHR's pricing page is a "From" price. CoDash's price for any headcount is on the pricing page.
- A monthly contract. The Access Core Terms define the initial term as "36 months from the Start Date, or any other period the Order specifies", renewing automatically for 12 months unless either side gives "at least 90 days' notice". CoDash monthly plans end at the close of the billing period.
- Rotas built in. CoDash includes rota planning, clock-in and timesheets. PeopleHR lists timesheets and rotating work patterns, and offers rota scheduling through an integration.
- Anonymous voice by design. Suggestions are stored with no author column and manager-facing survey figures are gated by k-anonymity.
How do the prices compare?
| CoDash | Access PeopleHR | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Core: £99 a month including 20 people, then £2.50 per person | Starter: from £3 per employee |
| With expenses and e-signature | Core (the same plan) | Core: from £5.50 per employee |
| With performance and timesheets | Core (the same plan) | Pro: from £8 per employee |
| Top HR tier | Pro: £199 a month including 20 people, then £4 per person | Elite+: from £9.50 per employee |
| Recruitment | Included | Add-on, £1.50 per employee |
| Payroll | Not offered | From £3 per employee, or in Full Suite from £7 |
| Free trial | Open live demo, no sign-up | 14 days on Starter and Core |
A worked example, 50 people. CoDash Core is £99 plus 30 people at £2.50: £174 a month. PeopleHR Pro, the tier with performance and timesheets, is from £8 per employee: from £400 a month, or from £475 with the recruitment add-on. PeopleHR Starter is from £150 a month and is cheaper than CoDash, without expenses, e-signature, performance or timesheets. PeopleHR says discounts are available for annual customers, so ask for its real quote.
What do the contract terms say?
| CoDash | Access (Core Terms) | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial term | Monthly, or annual if you choose it | 36 months, or as the order specifies |
| Renewal | Month to month | Automatic, for a further 12 months |
| Notice to stop | Cancel any time; ends with the billing period | At least 90 days |
| Price increases | List prices are published | "no more than once in each Contract Year"; no cap stated |
PeopleHR's pricing page describes its pricing as "Transparent, monthly, no surprises", and Access's terms mention separate terms for products bought directly from its website, which we could not find. So the term you would actually be offered may be shorter than the default. Ask for it in writing before you compare.
Who should pick which?
Choose Access PeopleHR if you want HR and payroll from one established UK supplier, need your data in a London data centre, or only need the Starter tier's core HR at a low per-person price.
Choose CoDash if you would be buying PeopleHR's third tier anyway to get performance and timesheets, want hiring, surveys and rotas without add-ons, or do not want to commit beyond a month. The guide to switching HR software covers notice periods and getting your data out.
Frequently asked questions
Is CoDash a good Access PeopleHR alternative?
Yes if you want expenses, performance, timesheets, rotas and hiring in one plan on a monthly contract. PeopleHR is the stronger choice if you want HR and payroll from one supplier, because CoDash does not run payroll.
How much does Access PeopleHR cost?
PeopleHR's pricing page lists four HR plans as from-prices per employee per month: Starter from 3 pounds, Core from 5.50, Pro from 8 and Elite+ from 9.50. Payroll starts from 3 pounds per employee. Checked 5 October 2026.
Which PeopleHR plan includes performance management?
On PeopleHR's plan comparison table, performance management and timesheets are included from the Pro plan upwards, and are shown as optional add-ons at 2 pounds and 1.50 pounds per employee per month. Expenses and e-signatures start at the Core plan.
How long is an Access PeopleHR contract?
The Access Core Terms set a default initial term of 36 months, or any other period the order specifies, with automatic 12-month renewals and at least 90 days' notice. Terms for purchases made directly online may differ, so confirm the term on your own order.
Sources
Every figure about the other product was read from its own website on 5 October 2026.
- Access PeopleHR: pricing - plans, from-prices, the plan comparison table and add-ons
- The Access Group: core terms and conditions - initial term, renewal, notice and fee increases
- Access PeopleHR: security - data centre location and certification
- Access PeopleHR: about us - launch date, customer numbers and ownership
- Access PeopleHR: integrations - rota scheduling by integration
Prices and features move. Everything here was checked on the date shown against each vendor's own published pricing, and we link to it so you can confirm rather than take our word for it. If we have a detail wrong, tell us and we will correct it.
Check it yourself: Access PeopleHR publishes its own terms - see their pricing page. Checked 5 October 2026. Prices and packaging move, and theirs are theirs to state, so confirm before you decide.
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