Compare HR Software Providers
The Best HR Software Alternative to Plumm
Looking for an HR solution that does more? HR Duo offers an all-in-one platform, combining shift scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and HR tools without needing multiple subscriptions.
In this comparison, we’ll break down the key differences between HR Duo and Plumm, demonstrating why HR Duo is the smarter choice for businesses looking to simplify their people operations and HR processes, whilst gaining complete workforce oversight.
Complete HR and Workforce Management
Plumm focuses on HR, engagement, and collaboration tools. HR Duo delivers both full HR and workforce management, combining digital rotas, geofence time tracking, shift scheduling, subcontractor management, and payroll all in one integrated system. That means fewer systems, fewer integrations, and no missed data between HR and operations.
Compliance and Risk Management Built In
Plumm provides templates and digital documents but lacks structured compliance support. HR Duo includes model HR letters, HR policy templates, connected forms, and employee relations assistance, ensuring every process from onboarding to termination stays compliant and audit-ready. This reduces legal risk and helps HR teams manage sensitive issues confidently.
A Full AI HR Assistant
Plumm’s “Emma AI” supports engagement and surveys. Duo AI in HR Duo is a full HR assistant that helps create job descriptions, anonymise CVs, translate policies into 30+ languages, answer HR questions, and generate documents instantly. It saves hours of admin and supports your HR team by providing managers with access to real-time assistance.
Fully Integrated Payroll Engine
Plumm handles payroll efficiently, but HR Duo’s new full payroll engine goes further. Combining payroll processing, RTI submissions, payslip generation, and payroll analytics in one place. Because payroll is connected to HR and time-tracking data, it eliminates manual imports and ensures complete accuracy every pay cycle.
For Deskless, Multi-Site, and Shift-Based Teams
Plumm supports hybrid teams but lacks dedicated tools for on-site or shift-driven operations. HR Duo’s mobile-first system includes geofence-enabled clock-ins, task management, project tracking, and subcontractor oversight, helping operational businesses manage their entire workforce from anywhere.
End-to-End Automation and Scalability
Plumm helps streamline HR tasks but still relies on manual oversight for many processes. HR Duo automates over 80% of HR administration from onboarding and leave approvals to policy management and performance reviews.
It scales with your business, allowing you to add modules as your team grows.
HR Duo
That's us!0 /month
Plumm
Other Provider8 /month
HR Duo
Plumm
Workforce Management
HR Software
Talent Management
Disclaimer: We’ve done our best to provide up-to-date and accurate information, as of March 2025, to help you compare your options. HR Duo provides this information to offer general insights and it shouldn’t be taken as professional advice. Some of the competitor data comes from competitor sites with the information they provide as well as platforms like Capterra and G2, and while we trust these sources, we haven’t independently verified every detail. We recommend doing your own research and seeking expert advice before making any big decisions.
Everything you need to manage your workforce
One HR platform tailored to your specific requirements. Get a custom price with the right blend of software, service and support.
Workforce Management
Everything to help manage your frontline teams, keep costs in check, and enhance operations.
What's Included:
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Time-Tracking
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Absence Management
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Payroll
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Shift Scheduling
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Digital Rotas
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Leave and Holiday
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Employee Profiles
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Analytics and Reports
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Project Tracking
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Payroll Reporting
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Mobile App
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Employee Self-Service
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Geofence Clock-In
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Subcontractor Management
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Skills Matrix
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Task Manager
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Document Storage
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Equipment Tracking
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Permission Groups
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Benefit Recording
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Instant Messaging
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Organisation Charts
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Knowledge Centre
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Language Translation
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Platform Support
MoreLess
HR Assist
Everything to simplify your core HR processes and automate over 80% of your routine tasks.
What's Included:
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HR Policy Templates
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Employee Relations Assistance
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On-Demand Pay
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Connected Forms
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Digital Contracts
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Secure E-Signature
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AI Assistant
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Model HR Letters
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Integrated Emails
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Employee Assistance Programme
EmployPath
Everything you need to recruit the right people, improve performance, and nurture your people.
What's Included:
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Applicant Tracking System
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CV Anonymisation
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Enhanced Onboarding
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Performance Management
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360 Reviews
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One-to-ones
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Improvement Plans
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Goal & Objective Tracking
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Performance Analytics
Choose the tools that work for you.
Create your customised HR platform today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HR Duo and Plumm?
HR Duo is a complete HR and workforce management platform, designed to manage people, compliance, and operations in one place.
Plumm focuses on collaboration and performance tools but lacks advanced workforce features such as subcontractor management, project tracking, and compliance workflows.
HR Duo includes a full payroll engine, Duo AI HR Assistant, and HR compliance package, offering deeper automation and stronger regulatory control than Plumm.
Is HR Duo better than Plumm for compliance and HR risk management?
Yes. HR Duo is purpose-built to simplify compliance and reduce legal risk. While Plumm includes templates and digital documents, HR Duo goes further with:
- Model HR letters and policies
- Connected HR forms
- Secure digital contracts and e-signatures
- Employee relations support
- Built-in audit trails and document logs
This helps HR teams stay compliant across every stage of the employee lifecycle from onboarding to exit.
Does HR Duo include payroll like Plumm?
Yes. HR Duo includes a full payroll engine for processing, reporting, and HMRC RTI submissions.
Unlike Plumm, which focuses mainly on HR and engagement, HR Duo connects payroll, time-tracking, leave, and scheduling data in one system, eliminating duplicate entry and payroll errors.
What makes Duo AI different from Plumm’s Emma AI?
Plumm’s Emma AI focuses on engagement surveys and employee sentiment. Duo AI, exclusive to HR Duo, is a full HR assistant that supports real HR operations. It helps users:
- Generate job descriptions and performance reviews
- Translate HR policies into 30+ languages
- Anonymise CVs for fair hiring
- Access HR guidance instantly within the platform
- HR teams can query employee start dates, contract types, leave balances, and more
- Line managers can quickly check team availability, training history, or job roles
- Employees can access their own records, including contracts and policies
Duo AI uses HR Duo default documents and your pre-set templates for compliance and consistency. This saves HR teams hours each week and brings genuine intelligence into daily people management.
Is HR Duo better for deskless or shift-based teams than Plumm?
Yes. HR Duo is designed for shift-based, mobile, and multi-site teams, making it a stronger choice for industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and construction.
It includes digital rotas, geofence time-tracking, task management, and project tracking, features Plumm doesn’t provide.
HR Duo helps ensure your workforce is scheduled, compliant, and productive wherever they’re working.
Can HR Duo replace Plumm for performance and engagement?
Yes. HR Duo includes all of Plumm’s engagement tools like 360 reviews, one-to-ones, goal tracking, and performance reporting, but also links them to skills management, compliance, and workforce data.
This means HR Duo provides a more holistic view of performance, helping HR leaders connect individual performance with operational efficiency and business outcomes.
Why should my business switch from Plumm to HR Duo?
Businesses switch from Plumm to HR Duo for one main reason: coverage. HR Duo delivers everything Plumm offers plus more, including:
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Full payroll processing
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Comprehensive workforce management
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Built-in HR compliance tools
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Duo AI for HR automation and guidance
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Subcontractor, equipment, and project tracking
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Scalable modules for recruitment, onboarding, and performance
This makes HR Duo a true end-to-end HRMS and workforce management platform, not just an HR tool.
Is HR Duo suitable for UK and Irish businesses?
Yes. HR Duo is developed for UK and Irish employment law, supporting local compliance requirements such as HMRC, RTI, GDPR, and WTD regulations.
It’s trusted by organisations across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and professional services to manage people, payroll, and compliance confidently.
