Choosing the right compliance software is no longer a luxury—it's a legal necessity. With fines from the ICO and HSE on the rise, relying on "memory and luck" is a dangerous strategy.
We analyzed 10 of the most popular methods and tools used by UK firms today. We graded them on Ease of Use, Security, Automation, and Price.
Quick Comparison
Short on time? Here is how the top three methods stack up against each other.
| Feature | Corlix Cert | Spreadsheets | Legacy ERP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automated Email Reminders | |||
| Centralized Cloud Storage | |||
| Setup Time | Instant | Manual | 6 Months |
| UK Data Hosting | Varies | Varies | |
| Mobile Optimized | Rarely | ||
| Price | £19/mo | Free | £5k+/mo |
The Ranking
Corlix Cert
The Verdict
"The definitive 'Gold Standard' for modern UK businesses. It balances powerful automation with an incredibly simple interface that requires zero training."
The Pros
- Dedicated to document compliance (not a generic HR tool)
- Automated 'Smart Reminders' at 60/30/14/7/1 days
- Bank-grade AES-256 encryption & UK Data Hosting
- Generates audit-ready PDF reports instantly
The Cons
- Currently focused on UK/EU legislation primarily
- No offline mode (100% cloud-based)
Legacy Enterprise ERPs
The Verdict
"Powerful beasts for multinational corporations, but overkill (and over-budget) for SMEs needing specific compliance tracking."
The Pros
- Extremely comprehensive feature sets
- Integrates with complex payroll/logistics systems
- Global support infrastructure
The Cons
- Setup often takes 6-12 months
- Costs can exceed £50,000/year
- User interface is often dated and clunky
- Steep learning curve for new staff
Generic HR Platforms
The Verdict
"Great for booking holidays and sick leave, but often lacks the specific 'expiry date' logic needed for complex licenses like SIA or H&S."
The Pros
- Great for general employee management
- Good mobile apps for staff self-service
- Handles payroll integration well
The Cons
- Document storage is often unstructured
- Alerts are often limited to 'Employee Birthdays'
- Not designed for 'Company Level' certs (e.g., Insurance/ISO)
Excel / Google Sheets
The Verdict
"The default choice for startups, but the most dangerous choice for growth. One broken formula can lead to a missed deadline and a massive fine."
The Pros
- Free (usually included in office packages)
- Infinitely customizable if you know code
- Everyone knows how to open a spreadsheet
The Cons
- Zero automated email reminders
- No audit trail (who deleted that row?)
- Security risk: easily emailed to the wrong person
- Files become slow/corrupt with large datasets
The Best of the Rest
5. Asana/Trello
Great for tasks, but documents get lost in comments. No recurring compliance logic.
6. Outlook Calendar
Good for a single alert, but you can't attach secure document proof to the date easily.
7. Physical Filing
Score: 1/10. Vulnerable to fire, theft, and coffee spills. Impossible to search.
8. Bespoke Software
Can be perfect, but expect to pay £20k+ upfront and wait 6 months for development.
9. Outsourced Agencies
You pay humans to do what software does instantly. High ongoing monthly retainer costs.
10. Sticky Notes
We listed this for fun, but sadly many companies still rely on them. Do not do this.
Our Verdict
If you have an unlimited budget and 5,000+ staff, an Enterprise ERP (#2) might be necessary.
If you are a solo freelancer with 1 certificate, Excel (#4) is probably fine.
But for the vast majority of UK SMEs who need security, reliability, and automation without the enterprise price tag, Corlix Cert (#1) is the clear winner for 2026.