HR software without a long contract, for UK teams
Some HR software is sold on multi-year terms, paid up front, with a notice window you have to remember. Before you sign anything, check the term, the notice, the renewal, the price rises, the exit fees and how you get your data out. This page walks through each one, and sets out Leavely’s own terms in full.
What to check in any HR software contract
Term length and how you pay
Ask for the initial term in writing before any demo. Across the market, terms of 24, 36 or 60 months are routinely offered, and some are paid annually in advance. Check both the length and whether you pay monthly or up front.
Notice periods and renewal
Check how much written notice is needed, how it must be given and what happens if you miss it. Requirements of three to six months are common, and some agreements renew for the same period again.
Price rises, exit fees and data export
Look for uplift clauses at renewal and for early-termination charges. Ask whether any increase is capped, what leaving would cost, and how you get your data out in a usable format.
General guidance describing clauses commonly found in UK HR software agreements, not a statement about any particular supplier. Terms vary by vendor and by contract, so always read your own.
Leavely’s terms, in full
Short, fair and written down before you sign.
- £8 per user per month, one published price
- 12-month term, billed monthly, so there is no big upfront annual payment
- No setup fee and no minimum seats
- Free trial first, no card needed, so you know it fits before you commit
- Export your data any time, in-product
- No multi-year terms
The 12-month term applies to new customers who sign up from 23 September 2026. Existing customers keep their current terms.
Your options, honestly
Including the ones that aren’t us.
Leavely
£8/user/month on a 12-month term, billed monthly. Leave, rotas, clock-ins, TOIL, expenses, performance and documents together on Standard. No setup fee, no seat minimum, and an in-product workspace export whenever you want it.
Other HR software
Suppliers use a mix of monthly, annual and multi-year terms. Check the order form and agreement rather than the pricing page alone: term, billing, notice, renewal, price review, exit charges and data export.
Spreadsheets
Free and contract-free. Honest downside: no approvals, no clash detection, no audit trail, and the real cost arrives as admin time and balance disputes.
Third-party pricing models can change, so confirm current terms with each vendor before buying.
HR software contract FAQs
Is there HR software without a long contract in the UK?
Yes. Leavely is £8 per user per month on a 12-month term, billed monthly, with no setup fee and no multi-year terms. Other suppliers use a mix of monthly, annual and multi-year terms, so verify the order form and agreement rather than relying on a pricing page alone.
What are Leavely’s contract terms?
New customers sign up to a 12-month minimum term, billed monthly at £8 per user. There is no setup fee and no minimum seats, and you can export your data any time. The 12-month term applies to new customers who sign up from 23 September 2026. Existing customers keep their current terms.
What should I check before signing an HR software contract?
Six things in writing: the initial term length, how you are billed, the notice period and how notice must be given, whether the contract renews and into what, any renewal uplift or early-exit charges, and how you get your data out. If a vendor will not put these in writing before a demo, treat that as your answer.
Why do HR software suppliers use fixed terms?
Fixed terms can support implementation planning, commercial discounts or revenue certainty. The important question is whether the term, renewal process and exit route are clear and proportionate for your organisation.
Can I try Leavely before committing to the term?
Yes. The free trial needs no card, and you can book a demo to walk through your own leave rules, rotas and approvals first. The term only starts when you choose to subscribe.
See Leavely with your own leave rules
£8 per user per month on a 12-month term, billed monthly. No setup fee, and you can try it free first with no card needed.