Parim — Independent Software Review

The Ultimate Shift Scheduling Software

Compliance Transparency Index

Grade: C — Score: 60/100

Best For

• UK security firms that need automated daily SIA badge checks, NFC guard tours, and lone worker check calls in one platform
• Live event staffing operations (festivals, sports venues, racecourses) running 1,000+ staff across multi-day events
• Temp staffing agencies with large candidate databases that bill clients per shift and need pay-and-bill automation
• Operations teams managing field workers across many sites where GPS clock-in and geofencing reduce timesheet disputes
• Businesses with high shift volume and a mid-to-large roster who benefit from the unlimited-users pricing model

Not Ideal For

• Buyers who require public per-tier pricing before booking a sales call (all three tiers are quote-only)
• Small teams of under 20 staff with low shift volume, where simpler tools like When I Work or Homebase are cheaper to operate
• Organisations that need full HRIS functionality (employee records, onboarding, performance reviews, benefits). Parim integrates with HRIS systems rather than replacing them
• US-only operations needing local payroll tax filing. Parim exports payroll data but does not file taxes, and the platform is built around UK working-time rules
• Buyers who require SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 certification documentation upfront, as neither is publicly advertised on the vendor's site

Operational Overview

Pricing Structure

Starter: Request pricing (from £47/month)

• Employee scheduling
• Configurable shift list
• Locations and roles
• Time off requests
• Automated shift reminders
• Dedicated staff and management apps
• Create shifts via the mobile app
• SIA badge expiry reminders

Pro: Request pricing

• Everything in Starter
• Scheduling patterns
• Configurable timesheet list
• Configurable people list
• Pay run report
• Configurable automated pay schedules
• CSV exports

Premium: Request pricing

• Everything in Pro
• Shift cancellation tracking
• Timesheet analytics and insights
• Payroll export
• Manage staff by employment types
• Invoicing report
• Position coverage report
• Pay lock
• Client shift requests

Add-on Modules: Request pricing

• Events Manager (multi-day event templates and coverage tracking)
• Checkpoints (NFC tags and iBeacon for guard tours)
• Incident Reporting (real-time logs with alerts)
• Check Calls (custom alarm policies for lone workers)
• Assets Tracking (uniforms and equipment assignment)

Alternative Consideration

Consider switching to When I Work: Similar functionality in shift scheduling but may lack some advanced features.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Parim compare to Deputy for security guard scheduling?

Deputy publishes per-seat pricing from $4.50/user/month for scheduling, while Parim is quote-based across all three tiers with a £47/month entry-point. Parim is built around shift-volume pricing and includes security-specific features Deputy lacks, including automated daily SIA badge checks, NFC and iBeacon guard tour checkpoints, and lone worker check calls. Deputy wins on transparent pricing and faster setup for general workforce management; Parim wins for UK security firms that need licence compliance and patrol verification baked in.

Does Parim offer a free trial?

Yes, Parim has a free trial accessible via the Try For Free page on parim.co, with no credit card required to start. The trial gives you the full scheduling, time clock, and staff database setup so you can import employees, build shifts, and test the mobile app before committing. Conversion to a paid plan still requires a quote from sales since per-tier pricing is not published.

Which payroll and HRIS systems does Parim integrate with?

Parim integrates with 40+ HRIS and payroll platforms including BambooHR, Gusto, Rippling, Workday, ADP Workforce Now, Paychex, Paycor, Paylocity, Personio, HiBob, Deel, UKG Pro, SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM, and Zenefits. For accounting it connects to Xero and Sage Intacct, with QuickBooks and Sage 200 Standard listed as in development. Zapier covers anything not on the native list, and the platform provides API documentation for custom integrations.

Can Parim handle automated SIA licence checks for UK security operatives?

Yes, Parim runs daily SIA badge checks automatically in the background, verifying each operative is licensed and compliant before they are deployed to a shift. Expiry notifications fire ahead of time so non-compliant guards never go on site, and the same expiry logic covers other qualifications, certificates, and visas attached to employee profiles. This is a core differentiator versus general workforce tools like Deputy or When I Work, which do not include SIA-specific compliance.

How does Parim's GPS time clock and geofencing work?

Staff clock in via the Parim mobile app using GPS, on a tablet set up as a kiosk at the site, by SMS, or by phone call, depending on what works for the location. Geofencing can auto-start shifts when a worker arrives in the configured radius, which reduces time-theft and removes the need for staff to remember to clock in. Real-time clock-in views show late, running, and upcoming shifts in one screen for shift managers, and timesheets generate automatically the moment the shift ends.

Does Parim support lone worker safety with check calls?

Yes, Parim includes a Check Calls module that lets you set custom alarm policies and check-in periods for each lone worker. If a worker misses a scheduled check-in, the system triggers automated phone calls and real-time alerts to the configured escalation contacts. Combined with NFC checkpoint tags for patrol verification, this is positioned at security firms managing remote-site or out-of-hours coverage where the worker is alone.

Can Parim manage event staffing for festivals and large venues?

Yes, Parim has a dedicated Events module designed for live event scheduling, with shift templates, multi-day event tracking, and bulk shift creation. Chester Racecourse manages roughly 1,500 staff and contractors per day across event days using Parim, and Chelsea F.C. uses it to staff matchday operations. The system tracks attendance in real time across multiple job sites and can trigger replacements quickly when shifts go uncovered.

How easy is Parim to implement for a new security or staffing business?

Implementation typically starts with a guided demo call and uses a free-trial onboarding flow, with most teams able to import employees and build their first schedules within days. The interface is straightforward enough that minimal training is required, though G2 and Capterra reviewers note the customisation options can feel overwhelming initially given the depth of pay-and-bill rules and shift patterns. For a 50-200 person operation, expect a couple of weeks to fully configure pay rules, integrate payroll, and roll out the mobile app to staff.

Does Parim let you export your data if you cancel?

Yes, Parim's data processing addendum confirms that on termination the customer can elect to have all personal data deleted or returned. CSV exports of timesheets, schedules, and pay-run data are available throughout the contract via the platform's reporting tools, so historical records can be downloaded before cancellation. The terms of service note that all user content is promptly deleted from Parim upon cancellation and cannot be recovered, so export before you close the account.