MHR's People First is a modular HRMS built around a core HR module that includes employee profiles, an org chart, audit trails, engagement tools, and reporting. What sets it apart is the social engagement layer, an intranet-like, LinkedIn-inspired feed with posts, recognition, polls, communities, and policy management, that turns the HRMS into something employees can open daily to stay updated on company news, not just when they need a payslip. From there, organizations add modules a la carte: learning, performance management, recruitment, absence management, onboarding, and more.
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PROS
- Modular architecture lets you start with core HRM (profiles, org chart, audit, insights) and add only the modules you need.
- AI-powered performance check-ins suggest talking points based on prior conversations and department-level sentiment analysis.
- Includes a 90,000-course learning library alongside a full LXP with SCORM support and CPD credit tracking.
- WCAG 2.2 compliant, with ongoing accessibility testing through UX teams and local charities.
- US compliance covers FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, I-9, and E-Verify.
CONS
- No native payroll; MHR relies on third-party partners including ADP for the US market.
- Review footprint on G2 and Capterra is thin compared to incumbents like BambooHR or Rippling, so peer validation is limited.
- MHR has operated fully in the US for at least 18 months, but they are still in expansion. State-specific constraints may still exist for some teams and it’s worth discussing during a demo.
- The UI is functional and powerful, but looks dated compared to newer entrants in the HRMS space.
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MHR has been building HR software since 1984, and People First is their cloud-native HRMS aimed at mid-market organizations of 100 to 2,000 employees. We demoed the platform with their solutions team and came away with a clear sense of where it stands.
The standout is the engagement layer. The default landing page is a social feed where employees post updates, recognize colleagues with tags like "collaboration" or "leadership," vote in polls, and join communities. MHR says this is the most-used feature on their own internal instance, and we can see why: unlike Rippling or BambooHR, People First treats engagement as a core HRMS function rather than a bolt-on. For teams struggling with platform adoption, that's a meaningful difference.
The AI touches are practical. Performance check-ins surface talking points from prior conversations and flag sentiment shifts across departments. The recruitment module does CV parsing, candidate-to-job matching with percentage scores, and generates interview prep from the candidate's resume. We also liked Data Explorer, a flexible reporting tool that supports natural language queries and lets you build cross-module reports.
The modular pricing works well for mid-market buyers. Core HRM includes profiles, org charts, audit trails, and insights; you layer on learning, recruitment, absence management, or onboarding as needed, similar to how HiBob structures its add-ons.
The drawbacks are real. Payroll is third-party only. The UI feels a tad behind tools like Rippling or HiBob. And while MHR has invested heavily in US compliance (FMLA, COBRA, HIPAA, I-9) and opened an Atlanta office, US buyers should ask specifically about state-level support depth during their evaluation.
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Deel
Deel
Paylocity
Paylocity
Workforce
Workforce
BambooHR
BambooHR
HiBob
HiBob
MHR’s People First is used by the likes ot The Salvation Army, Revlon, LG, Skechers USA, The National Gallery, and Priory Healthcare.
MHR does not publish pricing. Plans are custom based on organization size and module selection. The core HRM module (engagement, employee profiles, org chart, audit, insights, comparison view) is the required foundation. Additional modules — learning, performance management, recruitment, absence management, onboarding, case management, goals — are added individually. Contact MHR for a quote.
Mid-market organizations (100–2,000 employees) that want a modular HRMS with unusually strong employee engagement features built into the core platform. Particularly well-suited for companies that have struggled with HRMS adoption and want a system employees will engage with daily for internal communication. Naturally, it is also a strong fit for UK-headquartered organizations or those with UK operations, where MHR has deep expertise and a large customer base.
MHR has been in the HR technology space since 1984, originally through their iTrent payroll and HR platform. People First is their more modern, cloud-native offering aimed at the mid-market. Recent development has focused on embedding AI across modules — performance check-in suggestions, recruitment matching, content filtering, and an employee chatbot being reintroduced to the mobile app.
The company has also invested in US market expansion, adding FMLA, ADA, COBRA, HIPAA, I-9, E-Verify, and multi-state compliance, and opening an office in Atlanta.
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