How much does compliance software cost in the UK?
For operational-compliance platforms — the kind most UK businesses need — expect roughly £15 to £80 per month depending on sector, business size and pricing model. RAMS-focused tools sit in a similar range; enterprise GRC suites are custom-quoted and considerably higher. But the headline number is the least useful part of the answer: the pricing model, the hidden costs and the total cost over several years matter far more, and that's what this guide is about. To choose a platform, pair this with our best compliance software comparison and buyer's guide.
Compliance software pricing models
Per-user
A price per seat per month. Predictable for a fixed team, but the bill rises every time you add a worker — so it can quietly penalise you for growing. Watch this model closely if your headcount changes.
Per-business / flat
One subscription for the whole business regardless of headcount, often tiered by size band. Easier to budget and it does not punish you for hiring. Complys uses size-based per-business pricing.
Per-site / per-property
A charge per site, property or location. Common in property and multi-site operations; sensible if sites are few, expensive if you have many.
Modular / add-on
A base platform plus paid modules for specific needs. Flexible, but the true cost is whatever combination you actually need — price the modules, not just the base.
Enterprise / custom quote
Bespoke pricing for large organisations, typical of GRC suites. Powerful, but heavy to implement and rarely transparent — expect a sales process rather than a price list.
The hidden costs to ask about
The subscription is rarely the whole story. Before you sign, get clear answers on each of these:
Setup / implementation
One-off fees to configure the platform. For SME operational tools this should be zero; for enterprise GRC it can be substantial.
Onboarding & training
Whether training is included or charged. Good SME software needs none; heavier platforms may require paid onboarding.
Data migration
Getting your existing certificates, workers and documents in. Ask whether it's included or a re-keying job you pay for.
Support
Whether support is included in the plan or an expensive add-on tier. This one bites later if you don't check upfront.
Per-seat creep
On per-user pricing, the real cost is next year's headcount, not today's. Model it before you sign.
The stack tax
Buying several point tools means several subscriptions, several renewals and integration effort — often the biggest hidden cost of all.
Total cost of ownership
The real comparison is the multi-year total, not the monthly headline. Over three to five years the picture usually looks like this:
| Approach | What you pay for | Ongoing cost | 3–5yr TCO |
|---|---|---|---|
| One all-in-one platform | Single subscription (size-based) | Lowest — one bill, no integration | Lowest |
| A stack of point tools | RAMS + training + docs + contractor + asset tools | Several subscriptions + integration effort | Highest |
| Spreadsheets + folders | £0 in software | Hidden admin time + risk of a missed renewal | False economy |
Illustrative, to show the shape of the decision rather than exact figures. The dominant driver of total cost is usually how many separate subscriptions you run, not the price of any one.
What should you expect to pay, by size?
Small business (5–50)
Expect operational-compliance platforms from roughly £15–£80/month. Prioritise a free trial, a free tier and flat pricing that won't spike as you hire. Enterprise GRC is overkill at this size.
Mid-size (50–250)
More sites, workers and contractors mean you need multi-site visibility and contractor management. Still well below enterprise pricing — look for per-business tiers rather than per-seat, and confirm the cost at your projected headcount.
Multi-site / larger
Portfolio visibility and per-user permissions matter most. Judge total cost of ownership across all sites, and weigh one connected platform against several per-site or per-department tools.
Smaller business? See compliance software for small businesses for the SME view, and work costs into your choice with the how to choose compliance software process.
Compliance software pricing comparison
Indicative pricing across the main platforms. Because vendor pricing changes, treat this as a starting point and confirm current figures on each vendor's own site:
| Platform | Pricing model | From | Trial | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complys | Per-business, size-based | From £15/mo | 90-day, no card | Free tier; plans from £15/mo (sector plans from ~£79/mo). |
| swiftRMS | Per-business | From ~£49/mo | Free tools | RAMS-focused; transparent published pricing. |
| HandsHQ | Per-seat | Quote / per seat | Demo | Enterprise RAMS; cost scales with users. |
| Citation | Consultancy contract | Annual contract | — | Consultancy + templates rather than SaaS pricing. |
| Connecteam | Per-user (free tier) | Free / per user | Free tier | Workforce ops; free for very small teams. |
| Enterprise GRC | Custom quote | Enterprise | Varies | Governance/risk suites; sales-led pricing. |
How we researched this pricing
Last reviewed: September 2026. Pricing checked: September 2026. Sources: official vendor websites and published documentation. Complys figures reflect the live product; competitor pricing is indicative, at a category level, and changes over time — where a vendor does not publish a price we say so rather than guess. Always confirm the current figure with the vendor before deciding.
Complys pricing
Complys is priced transparently and for growth: a 90-day free trial with no card, a free tier to stay on afterwards, and paid plans from £15/month, with size-based per-business pricing per sector (sector plans from around £79/month) so the cost scales with the business rather than per seat. Because it is one platform, it replaces the stack of separate tools that drives most of the hidden cost. See the full pricing.