Softwr

HR · head to head

Cezanne HR vs Freshteam

Cezanne HR logo

Cezanne HR

HR

Mid-market HR system for UK and multi-country European employers, with per-country configuration and EU or UK data hosting

From
On request
Rated
-
Freshteam logo

Freshteam

HR

Smart HR software for growing businesses

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Freshteam has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cezanne HR there is no payroll calculation, so every country needs its own payroll provider and an export that someone maintains when statutory formats change.; Freshteam no pricing information published on the website
  • They diverge on capability: Cezanne HR covers Per-country configuration, Freshteam covers Applicant Tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cezanne HR and Freshteam actually diverge.

Attributes where Cezanne HR and Freshteam differ
AttributeCezanne HRFreshteam
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotesubscription
Free tierNoYes
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (HR).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Cezanne HR

  • Per-country configuration
  • Data residency choice
  • Absence management
  • Performance management
  • Career and succession
  • Timesheets
  • Reporting

Only in Freshteam

  • Applicant Tracking
  • Time Off
  • Employee Directory
  • Time Tracking
  • Documents
  • Org Chart
  • Freshdesk
  • Freshsales

Both cover

  • Onboarding

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Cezanne HR

  • A UK company with subsidiaries in France, Germany and Spain that needs different absence rules under one systemnot Freshteam
  • An organisation whose data protection assessment rules out US-hosted HR systemsnot Freshteam
  • A mid-market employer that has outgrown a small business HR tool but will not fund an enterprise HCM programmenot Freshteam
  • A professional services firm that needs timesheets against projects alongside HR recordsnot Freshteam

Freshteam

  • Onboarding new hires through automated employee lifecycle workflowsnot Cezanne HR
  • Processing expense and procurement approvals without manual email routingnot Cezanne HR
  • Managing maintenance requests with centralized tracking and approval trailsnot Cezanne HR
  • Automating contract reviews and document request handlingnot Cezanne HR
  • Routing HR, Finance, Facilities, Legal requests through structured catalogsnot Cezanne HR

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Cezanne HR

  • There is no payroll calculation, so every country needs its own payroll provider and an export that someone maintains when statutory formats change.
  • Modules are licensed separately, so the quoted per employee price for core HR rises considerably once performance, recruitment and onboarding are added.
  • The interface is functional rather than modern, and organisations that expect employees to adopt it enthusiastically without prompting are usually disappointed.
  • The report builder is capable but has a genuine learning curve, and most customers end up with one or two people who can write reports rather than self-service across the business.
  • The mobile app covers common employee tasks but not administrative work, so HR staff are tied to a desktop for anything beyond approvals.

Freshteam

  • No pricing information published on the website
  • Requires contacting sales or requesting a demo for pricing details

Pricing, plan by plan

Cezanne HR

On request
  • Cezanne HR$undefined/year
    • Priced per employee per month on annual terms with volume banding
    • Core people management included
    • Performance, recruitment, onboarding and timesheets licensed as modules

Freshteam

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 50 Employees
    • Basic ATS
    • Time Off
  • Growth$1.2/month
    • All Free features
    • Onboarding
    • Time Tracking
  • Pro$2.4/month
    • All Growth features
    • Custom Reports
    • Advanced Workflows

Which should you pick?

Choose Cezanne HR if

  • You need per-country configuration.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want data residency choice.

Choose Freshteam if

  • You need applicant tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want time off.

Questions people ask

Is Cezanne HR or Freshteam better?
Neither clearly leads. Cezanne HR starts at On request and Freshteam at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cezanne HR or Freshteam?
Freshteam has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Cezanne HR and Free for Freshteam.
Does Cezanne HR or Freshteam run on more platforms?
Cezanne HR runs on Web, iOS, Android. Freshteam runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Freshteam for free?
Yes. Freshteam has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cezanne HR starts at On request.
What is Cezanne HR best used for?
Cezanne HR is most often used for a uk company with subsidiaries in france, germany and spain that needs different absence rules under one system, an organisation whose data protection assessment rules out us-hosted hr systems, a mid-market employer that has outgrown a small business hr tool but will not fund an enterprise hcm programme, a professional services firm that needs timesheets against projects alongside hr records. Of those, a uk company with subsidiaries in france, germany and spain that needs different absence rules under one system and an organisation whose data protection assessment rules out us-hosted hr systems are not what Freshteam is typically brought in for.
What can Cezanne HR do that Freshteam cannot?
Cezanne HR covers Per-country configuration, Data residency choice, Absence management, Performance management. Freshteam covers Applicant Tracking, Time Off, Employee Directory, Time Tracking. Both handle Onboarding.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cezanne HR: Does Cezanne HR run payroll?

No. It holds the HR record and exports to payroll providers in each country. Payroll remains a separate contract.

Freshteam: How much does Freshteam cost?

Freshteam (formerly Freshservice HRMS) does not publish specific pricing information. The vendor focuses on describing product features and benefits across HR, Finance, Facilities, and Legal departments on their public website.

Source
Cezanne HR: Where is our data stored?

You choose between UK and EU hosting, which is the reason many public sector, education and works-council-sensitive buyers shortlist it.

Freshteam: Does Freshteam offer a free version?

Freshteam includes a 'Start for free' call-to-action on their website, suggesting a freemium model or free trial option. However, specific details about free tier capabilities or duration are not published.

Source
Cezanne HR: Can it handle different rules per country?

Yes. Absence, calendars, working patterns and documents are configured per country within a single instance rather than needing separate systems.

Cezanne HR: What size organisation is it for?

Roughly 100 to 3,000 employees. Below that it is more system than needed; above it, enterprise HCM products become competitive.

Share

Related pages

Other head to heads