Frontier Software (ichris) Review: Pricing, Features, Pros and Cons

Frontier Software has been building HR and payroll systems since 1983, long before “cloud HCM” became a category. Its core product, ichris, handles payroll in 26 countries and serves over 1,700 customers across the public, private, and third sectors. For organizations with employees spread across the Asia-Pacific, UK, and Europe, it remains one of the few platforms that manages multi-country statutory compliance from a single database.

But longevity comes with trade-offs. The interface carries the weight of four decades of development, the learning curve is steep, and pricing is entirely opaque. This review breaks down what ichris does well, where it falls short, and whether it deserves a place on your shortlist in 2025.

What Is Frontier Software?

Frontier Software is a privately held company founded in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia. It employs approximately 550 staff across 16 offices in Australia, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and the UK. The company is ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified, holds SOC 2 Type II certification, and claims to reinvest at least 20% of annual revenue into R&D.

The flagship product is ichris (International Comprehensive Human Resource Integrated Software), an end-to-end HCM and payroll platform. In Singapore and Southeast Asia, the product is marketed as Frontier e-HR, with a smaller SME version called Entrée. The legacy product name “chris 21” is no longer under active development; Frontier confirmed in September 2025 that it has not been offered as a new solution for more than five years, and existing clients are encouraged to migrate to ichris. Frontier also offers payroll outsourcing services at three tiers: Bureau, Part-Managed, and Fully Managed.

Frontier Software (ichris) Key Features

Multi-Country Payroll (Pay21)

The Pay21 payroll engine is ichris’s strongest module. It handles statutory compliance, tax calculations, and regulatory reporting across 26 countries, with a particular strength in the UK (HMRC RTI compliant), Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Malaysia. The system supports multi-currency and multi-language payroll processing from a single database, which is a genuine differentiator for organizations operating across Commonwealth nations.

One important limitation: Frontier does not currently support US or Canadian payroll. Organizations with North American operations will need to pair ichris with a separate payroll provider for those jurisdictions.

Core HR and Employee Records

ichris provides a centralized employee database with unlimited data history. You can manage employee records, organizational structures, and employment lifecycle events from a single platform. The system includes an organization charting tool and supports complex reporting hierarchies, which is useful for large or matrixed organizations.

Employee Self-Service and Mobile App

A self-service portal lets employees view payslips, submit leave requests, update personal details, and manage claims and expenses without HR intervention. A mobile app is available on both Android and iOS for common self-service tasks. The responsive design works across devices, though the self-service experience is more functional than polished.

Recruitment and Onboarding

ichris includes recruitment management and onboarding modules that handle applicant tracking, offer management, and new-hire workflows. These modules are functional but represent one of the areas where the platform lags behind purpose-built recruitment tools. The workflows are customizable, but they lack the modern, candidate-friendly interfaces found in dedicated applicant tracking systems.

Learning, Development, and Performance Management

The talent management suite includes learning management, performance reviews (with support for 360-degree feedback), succession planning, and coaching/feedback tools. These capabilities are integrated directly into the employee record, which avoids the data silos that occur when bolting on third-party talent management tools. That said, organizations with advanced talent management needs may find the feature depth limited compared to specialists like Cornerstone or SAP SuccessFactors.

Time and Attendance / Workforce Scheduling

ichris includes time and attendance tracking and workforce scheduling modules. These are particularly relevant for Frontier’s industry-specific solutions in hospitality, retail, logistics, and healthcare, where shift-based scheduling and accurate time capture are critical to payroll accuracy.

Reporting and Human Capital Intelligence

A built-in Report Designer lets you create custom reports on any data in the system, with scheduling capabilities for automated distribution. The Human Capital Intelligence module provides workforce analytics covering trends, performance, compliance, and pay equity (including gender pay gap reporting in the UK). Reporting is consistently cited as one of ichris’s strongest capabilities.

chatHR (Conversational AI)

Frontier has introduced chatHR, a conversational AI feature that lets employees interact with HR systems through natural language. This is a newer addition to the platform and signals Frontier’s effort to modernize the user experience. Details on chatHR’s full capabilities and availability are still limited; prospective buyers should ask for a demo of this feature specifically.

Frontier Software Pricing and Plans

Frontier Software does not publish public pricing. All pricing is custom and requires direct engagement with the sales team. Costs depend on several variables:

• Which modules you select (HR only, payroll, full HCM suite)
• Deployment model (cloud SaaS vs. on-premise)
• Number of countries for payroll compliance
• Number of employees
• Service level (self-managed software vs. managed payroll outsourcing)

Third-party review platforms have characterized ichris as a significant financial investment that delivers ROI over years rather than months. It tends to be more expensive than standard-tier payroll solutions. For organizations with straightforward, single-country payroll needs, more affordable options exist.

The Singapore Entrée product (for SMEs) is positioned as a lower-cost SaaS option. Singapore-based SMEs may also qualify for up to 50% off through the government’s Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) under the IMDA SMEs Go Digital programme.

A free demo is available by contacting Frontier directly. No free trial has been identified. To request pricing, contact sales@frontiersoftware.com or call +44 1276 456902 (UK office).

Integrations

Integration capabilities are one area where the available information is somewhat contradictory. Frontier’s own website references web services integration, API access, and Workato connector support. The Entrée (SME) product integrates with Xero for accounting. ichris can also generate GL interface files compatible with various accounting software packages.

However, at least one third-party review focused on the UK payroll product states that Frontier lacks an API, making custom integrations difficult. This discrepancy may reflect differences between product versions, regions, or deployment types. If integration with your existing tech stack is critical, we recommend asking Frontier directly about API availability for your specific deployment scenario and confirming whether the Workato connector supports the workflows you need.

ichris does not appear to have a public integration marketplace or app store. Custom integrations may be developed by Frontier’s Professional Services team at additional cost. There is no mention of Zapier or Make (Integromat) support in any available documentation.

Customer Support

Frontier provides phone and email support. UK helpdesk hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm. With offices spanning Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the UK, support coverage approaches near-24/5 availability across time zones, though this is not formally guaranteed as a 24/7 service. Live chat is not available.

Implementation follows a “train the trainer” approach, where Frontier trains your internal team to become system administrators and end-user trainers. A Professional Services team handles project management, consultancy, and hands-on training during rollout. e-Learning tutorials are available for ongoing self-service education.

Support quality receives mixed marks. Some organizations report good responsiveness and helpful guidance. Others note that customer support response times can be slower than desired, particularly for non-critical issues. The implementation process itself is frequently described as complex and time-consuming, requiring significant coordination and technical expertise. Budget for a longer implementation timeline than you might expect from a modern SaaS product.

Pros and Cons

Based on our analysis of ichris’s capabilities, market positioning, and real-world feedback, here is where the platform excels and where it struggles.

Who Should Use Frontier Software (ichris)?

ichris is best suited for mid-to-large organizations (roughly 200 to 80,000 employees) that operate across multiple countries, particularly in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and other Commonwealth nations. If multi-country payroll compliance is your primary pain point and you want it managed from a single system, ichris belongs on your shortlist.

Industries with complex workforce scheduling needs (hospitality, retail, logistics, healthcare) will benefit from the integrated time and attendance and scheduling modules. Public sector organizations and NGOs, which often have complex leave and compliance requirements, are also well served.

ichris is not the right fit for several buyer profiles. Companies based primarily in the US or Canada will find a critical gap in payroll coverage. Small businesses (under 50 employees) or organizations with basic HR needs will find the platform over-engineered and overpriced for their requirements. If a modern, consumer-grade user interface is a top priority, or if you need to be live within weeks rather than months, look elsewhere. And if budget transparency matters in your procurement process, the lack of published pricing will be frustrating.

Frontier Software Alternatives

SAP SuccessFactors: A stronger choice for very large enterprises (5,000+ employees) that need deep talent management, advanced analytics, and global coverage including North America. It offers a more modern interface and a larger integration ecosystem. However, it comes with significantly higher costs and implementation complexity, making it overkill for mid-sized organizations.

ADP Global Payroll: If multi-country payroll is the primary need and you require US and Canadian coverage (which Frontier lacks), ADP is the natural alternative. ADP offers broader geographic reach and more transparent pricing tiers. On the other hand, ADP’s HR modules are less tightly integrated than ichris’s all-in-one approach, and mid-market buyers may find ADP’s sales process equally opaque.

IRIS Software (UK): For UK-based organizations that primarily need payroll with basic HR, IRIS offers more accessible pricing and a simpler setup. It lacks ichris’s multi-country depth and HCM breadth but will get a single-country payroll operation running faster and cheaper.

Employment Hero: An Australian-born HR and payroll platform that targets SMEs with a modern interface, transparent pricing, and fast implementation. It covers Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and the UK. Choose Employment Hero if you have under 200 employees and value ease of use over depth. It cannot match ichris’s configurability or scalability for large, complex workforces.

Ramco HCM: Another multi-country HCM and payroll suite with strong coverage in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Ramco offers a more modern UI and has invested heavily in AI-driven features. It competes directly with ichris for mid-market multi-country buyers but has less market penetration in the UK and Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ichris, chris 21, and Frontier e-HR?

ichris is Frontier Software’s current, actively developed HCM and payroll platform. chris 21 is the legacy predecessor; Frontier confirmed in 2025 that chris 21 has not been offered as a new solution for over five years and existing clients are being transitioned to ichris. Frontier e-HR is the branding used in Singapore and Southeast Asia for the same core platform, with a smaller SME version called Entrée.

Does Frontier Software support US or Canadian payroll?

No. Frontier’s payroll engine (Pay21) covers 26 countries, with strong coverage across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and other Commonwealth nations. The US and Canada are not currently supported. Organizations with North American payroll needs will need a separate provider.

Is ichris available as both cloud and on-premise?

Yes. ichris can be deployed as a cloud SaaS solution or installed on-premise. The cloud deployment uses dedicated (non-multi-tenant) environments, meaning each client gets their own discrete instance rather than sharing infrastructure. This is a notable distinction from multi-tenant SaaS platforms.

How much does Frontier Software cost?

Frontier does not publish pricing. All quotes are custom and depend on the modules selected, deployment model, number of countries, employee count, and service level. Expect a significant investment; ichris is generally positioned above standard-tier payroll solutions in cost. Contact Frontier directly at sales@frontiersoftware.com for a tailored quote.

How long does ichris implementation take?

Implementation timelines vary based on the complexity of your requirements, the number of countries, and the modules deployed. The process is widely described as complex and time-consuming, requiring significant coordination and technical resources. Frontier uses a “train the trainer” model and provides a Professional Services team for project management. Plan for a multi-month rollout rather than a quick deployment.

Does ichris have a mobile app?

Yes. ichris offers a mobile app for Android and iOS that covers common employee self-service tasks such as viewing payslips, submitting leave requests, and updating personal information. The core administrative interface is web-based and accessible via browser on any device.

What security certifications does Frontier Software hold?

Frontier Software holds ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certifications, as well as SOC 2 Type II certification. The platform uses SSL connectivity, encrypted SAN and backup storage, a Web Application Firewall, and undergoes regular penetration and vulnerability testing.

The Bottom Line

Frontier Software’s ichris is a mature, capable HCM and payroll platform that earns its place in the market through genuine multi-country payroll strength and a deeply integrated suite of HR modules. For organizations managing payroll compliance across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia, it solves a real and painful problem that many competitors cannot match without bolting on third-party payroll providers.

The trade-offs are real, though. The interface is dated, implementation is a significant undertaking, and the complete absence of public pricing makes early-stage evaluation difficult. The platform rewards organizations willing to invest the time and budget to configure it properly; it punishes those looking for quick wins or a modern out-of-the-box experience. If you need US or Canadian payroll, ichris is a non-starter.

We rate ichris a 3.5 out of 5. It is a solid, reliable workhorse for the right buyer, but not a product we can recommend broadly. If your organization operates across multiple Commonwealth countries and needs a single, compliant payroll and HR backbone, ichris deserves serious consideration. Everyone else should explore more modern, more accessible alternatives first.