5 reasons why customers choose MHR over Zellis

In the world of workforce management, two names consistently lead the way in the UK and Ireland: MHR and Zellis. With decades of experience and a shared commitment to innovation, both companies empower organizations to transform how they manage people, payroll, and performance. They lead the market by offering:  

• Proven expertise
• Scalable cloud-based technology
• Trusted partnerships with major employers
• Commitment to compliance, data security, and continuous innovation

Still, one option must be better suited to your needs than the other, and here are five reasons why MHR comes in first.  

1. Superior payroll accuracy (99.99%+)

While both MHR and Zellis market themselves as payroll leaders, only MHR’s People First delivers real-time payroll accuracy and error detection, achieving a 99.99% accuracy rate. Zellis relies on batch processing, meaning live data isn’t visible until payroll runs, often missing errors and resulting in lower accuracy of around 99.5%.  

MHR’s real-time approach gives HR, finance teams, and employees up-to-date, live payroll visibility throughout the month, not just at payday.

2. Robust automation capabilities

MHR stands out for its robust automation capabilities, offering end-to-end workflow automation, integrated time tracking, and dynamic, real-time reporting that significantly reduces manual effort across HR and payroll functions.  

MHR’s People First, streamlines tasks such as onboarding, absence management, approvals, and pay calculations, with minimal human intervention and administrative overhead.  

In contrast, Zellis, while feature-rich and enterprise-focused, relies on more traditional processing methods, including scheduled batch data transfers, manual inputs, and external system integrations for functions like time tracking. Workflow automation within Zellis tends to be more rigid and less responsive, requiring technical setup or additional services to achieve the same level of efficiency.  

3. Fully UK-based support

MHR offers dedicated, fully UK-based support teams that provide personalised, regionally informed guidance tailored to each client's specific needs. Our in-house experts are closely aligned with UK payroll legislation and HR best practices, ensuring faster response times and consistent, high-quality service.  

Customers praise MHR for its communication such as Sarah Ashley-Ruff, Head of People and Shared Service at British Gymnastics who states: “The support from MHR with the implementation of People First has been really strong” and Connor Clement, Senior HR Manager/ Data protection officer at PPC who shares “The team at MHR were friendly and approachable and answered any questions we had."  

In contrast, Zellis operates with a mixed support model, combining UK-based teams with offshore service centres. This setup can lead to communication delays, less tailored support, and a less cohesive service experience.  

4. Industry-specific solutions

MHR offers industry-specific tailored features for sectors such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, and the public sector. Our platforms offer configurable features like complex workforce scheduling, absence management, and talent retention tools, tailored to the operational realities of different industries.  

MHR supports shift-based environments with advanced workforce management, helping organisations handle compliance with working time regulations, and also provides robust analytics and employee engagement tools addressing challenges like high turnover and skill shortages.  

While Zellis offers strong core functionality, its solutions are generally broader and less targeted, requiring more customisation to meet niche sector needs. MHR’s ability to adapt quickly to industry demands makes it a more agile partner for organisations seeking sector-aligned solutions.

5. Seamless integration of HR and payroll systems

MHR’s People First platform is a fully unified HR and payroll solution, built from the ground up to function as a single, integrated system. Data flows effortlessly between HR, payroll, time tracking, and talent management modules, eliminating duplication, reducing errors, and ensuring a consistent user experience. Processes like onboarding, pay adjustments, and leave management are all managed within one platform, without the need for middleware or manual reconciliation.  

This approach enhances efficiency, accuracy, and user experience for both HR teams and employees.  

In contrast, Zellis requires multiple touchpoints or separate modules, sometimes involving third-party systems, to achieve this same workflow coverage. This can introduce delays, integration complexity, and cause IT dependency.  

Discover what’s possible with People First

Discover more how MHR’s People First platform can transform your operations with real-time payroll, seamless automation, and tailored industry solutions, all supported by dedicated UK-based support.

Find out how People First could work for your business: