Honest comparison

Salstead vs Access Group

Built for care homes, not bolted onto an HR suite.

Access Workspace for Care is a long-established product suite, but it shows its age. Operators tell us it is heavy, slow, and priced by module rather than outcome. Salstead is a modern, single-platform alternative with transparent per-bed pricing and PAYE built in.

Side by side

Feature comparison

  • Pricing transparency

    Salstead

    Per-bed from £4/mo, no per-seat fees

    Access Group

    Multi-module licensing, per-seat

  • PAYE payroll built-in

    Salstead

    Yes, with full transparency

    Access Group

    Add-on via separate Access People module

  • CQC evidence packs

    Salstead

    One-click, auto-built from live data

    Access Group

    Manual report builder

  • Mobile-first care

    Salstead

    Designed mobile-first, offline-tolerant

    Access Group

    Mobile feels like a port of the desktop

  • Workforce insights

    Salstead

    Predictive forecasting included

    Access Group

    Premium add-on

  • Family portal

    Salstead

    Included on Standard plan

    Access Group

    Separate Engage module

  • NHS DSPT integrations

    Salstead

    On Enterprise plan

    Access Group

    Yes (mature)

  • Migration support

    Salstead

    6-week guided migration, free

    Access Group

    Paid migration service

  • Customer support

    Salstead

    UK team, direct line to product

    Access Group

    Tiered ticket system

Based on publicly available information and customer interviews as of 2026. We are happy to update this if you spot anything inaccurate: hello@salstead.com.

Why teams switch

3 reasons operators move from Access to Salstead

1

You stopped being a customer, you became a renewal

Operators tell us Access support feels transactional after the contract is signed. Salstead keeps your onboarding lead on your account.

2

You pay for modules you do not use

Access charges by module. Salstead gives you the full platform per bed, so adding the family portal or eMAR does not change your bill.

3

Your team finds it slow

Salstead loads in under a second on a hot connection. Carers do not have time for 8-second page loads on a phone.

Migration

6-week switch from Access to Salstead

A guided, low-risk migration. Your current system stays live until you say go.

Week 1
Kickoff and data export
We export your worker, resident and roster data using your existing system's reporting tools. No vendor lock-in panic.
Week 2
Compliance & user import
Worker compliance passports, residents, family contacts and care plans are imported into Salstead and verified.
Week 3
Manager training
2-hour live session for registered managers, deputies and senior carers. Recorded for refresher.
Week 4
Soft-launch one site
Run Salstead in parallel with your current system on one home. Daily check-ins with your dedicated onboarding lead.
Week 5
Full cutover
Switch all sites onto Salstead. Old system retained read-only for 90 days as a safety net.
Week 6
Optimise & launch family portal
Tune the rota matching, switch on the family portal, sign off the first CQC evidence pack.

Considering a switch from Access Group?

Book a no-obligation migration consultation. We will walk through your current setup, scope the move, and give you a written plan.

Book a migration consultationSee Salstead pricing
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