Yomly Startup Story: Revolutionizing HR and Payroll in UAE

Yomly Startup Story founder

What started as a solution to messy spreadsheets and non-local software is now powering HR for 60,000+ users in 50+ countries. Yomly was built in the UAE to fix region-specific HR problems—fast, mobile-first, and fully compliant.

Today, it’s helping enterprises automate everything from onboarding to payroll, while setting a new standard for how modern HR should work.

In this guide, we’ll break down its business model, the key problems it solves, what makes it different from global competitors, and how it helps companies automate and simplify workforce management.

TL;DR – Yomly startup key highlights

  • Yomly is a cloud-based HR & Payroll software built for enterprise teams.
  • Launched in 2018 in the UAE as EmiratesHR, rebranded to Yomly.
  • Helps automate HR tasks like onboarding, payroll, and leave requests.
  • Trusted by over 300 clients, including large enterprises in MENA and beyond.
  • Designed with local compliance, mobile-first access, and self-service tools.
  • Headquartered in Dubai, with offices in India, the UK, and the US.

What does Yomly do?

Yomly is a cloud-based HR and payroll software company headquartered in Dubai, UAE.

It helps businesses automate HR processes, such as employee onboarding, leave management, and global payroll. Designed with a focus on the MENA region, Yomly supports local labor laws, multiple languages, and mobile access.

The platform is designed for enterprises that want to streamline operations, reduce manual work, and empower employees with more control through self-service tools. With clients in over 50 countries, Yomly provides a flexible and scalable solution for modern workforce management.

Company NameYomly
Website URLwww.yomly.com
IndustryHR Tech, Payroll Software
Business TypeSaaS / B2B
Founded In2018
Founder(s)Mark JP Nutter
Headquarter(s)Dubai, UAE
OfficesDubai, Riyadh, Doha
Team Size80+ employees
Clients Served200+
Countries Served50+ countries

How Yomly started

Mark JP Nutter, a British entrepreneur living in Dubai, realized something was broken. HR departments across the region were drowning in manual processes, siloed systems, and non-localized software. In 2018, he assembled a team of developers, product thinkers, and HR experts to launch EmiratesHR, a platform specifically designed for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

But as demand grew beyond borders, so did the vision. EmiratesHR became Yomly, a global brand with regional DNA. The mission: build a platform that works for people, not just processes.

The problem Yomly solves

Before Yomly, HR teams often relied on scattered spreadsheets, manual approvals, and tools that didn’t align with local labor laws, especially in the MENA region. These outdated processes led to delays, payroll errors, and frustrated employees. 

Yomly solves this by bringing everything into one cloud-based platform. It automates HR and payroll tasks, ensures regional compliance, and provides employees with self-service access, all within a user-friendly, mobile-first interface. The result is faster workflows, fewer mistakes, and a more connected workforce.

How Yomly is different from other companies in the HR tech industry

Yomly didn’t copy a Western model. It started by solving problems in the GCC and MENA. It understands the nuances of local labor laws, Arabic language support, and Gulf-specific compliance requirements, which global platforms often overlook.

But it didn’t stop there. Yomly combines regional intelligence with enterprise-grade scalability. It’s intuitive enough for small HR teams, yet powerful enough to run payroll for thousands across multiple countries.

What makes Yomly truly different is its user-first mindset. It’s not just about features, it’s about building trust between HR teams and their employees.

Services and Products Offered by Yomly

Yomly offers a powerful suite of HR and payroll tools designed to simplify operations and boost efficiency across your organization. Here’s what you can expect when using their platform:

Human Resources

  • Core HR

Yomly’s Core HR module provides instant access to all your personnel data. From employee records and job histories to departmental information and compliance documents, everything is centralized and secure. You can generate accurate reports that help managers and stakeholders make timely, data-driven decisions.

  • Shift Scheduling

Assigning shifts is no longer a manual headache. With Yomly, you can create and adjust team schedules in seconds. The system helps you monitor attendance, track time, and ensure every shift is covered, making it ideal for businesses that operate across multiple time zones or around the clock.

  • ATS / Recruitment

Yomly simplifies recruitment by combining applicant tracking, job posting, and onboarding into a single, streamlined workflow. You can manage candidate pipelines, coordinate with hiring teams, and get new hires up to speed quickly.

  • Performance Management

Yomly helps you measure what matters. Set goals, run evaluations, and gather feedback to support employee development. Their tools make performance reviews less stressful and more impactful.

  • Reporting & Dashboards

Turn data into action with customizable dashboards and real-time reports. Track turnover, attendance, performance, and more, so you always know where your people stand.

Payroll

  • Payroll Processing

With Yomly, you can run payroll across multiple countries in minutes. The platform handles tax calculations, deductions, benefits, and final settlements, all with full compliance and audit readiness.

  • Expense Claim Management

Employees can submit claims directly through the system, attach receipts, and track their approval status. Managers can review and approve with a click, and reimbursements are automatically synced with payroll.

  • Benefits Administration

Design and manage benefits packages tailored to each team or region, ensuring optimal coverage and alignment with organizational goals. Yomly allows you to track entitlements, usage, and costs in one place, ensuring every benefit is delivered fairly and accurately.

Achievements and Growth Milestones of Yomly

Yomly team achievements
  • Founded in 2018 as EmiratesHR, with a mission to modernize HR and payroll for the MENA region.
  • Expanded globally, now supporting businesses in 50+ countries across multiple industries.
  • Grew user base to 60,000+ daily active users, making Yomly a trusted platform for thousands of HR professionals.
  • Serves over 300 enterprise clients, including leading brands in the UAE and beyond.
  • Opened offices in India, the UK, and the USA to support a growing international client base.
  • Scaled team from 25 to 80+ professionals, including software engineers, HR experts, and product designers.
  • Rebranded from EmiratesHR to Yomly to reflect its global vision and platform evolution.
  • Recognized as a top HR and payroll software provider in the GCC, known for flexibility, compliance, and user experience.

Where Yomly stands today

Today, Yomly stands as a trusted HR technology partner for companies across various sectors, including real estate, healthcare, logistics, education, and more. Its platform runs in multiple languages, works on any device, and continues to evolve with new features, AI enhancements, and deeper integrations.

Yomly isn’t just keeping up with the future of work, it’s building it.

Location and contact details of Yomly

FAQs

What is Yomly?

Yomly is a cloud-based HR and payroll software designed for enterprises, founded in Dubai in 2018. It helps automate HR tasks, such as onboarding, payroll, and performance management, while ensuring regional compliance. Yomly supports over 60,000 users across more than 50 countries with mobile-first, self-service functionality.

How did Yomly start?

Yomly started in 2018 as EmiratesHR, created to solve HR inefficiencies in the MENA region. Founder Mark JP Nutter saw local HR teams struggling with outdated tools. The platform rebranded as Yomly to reflect its global growth and now powers HR operations in over 50 countries.

What problem does Yomly solve?

Yomly solves the problem of manual HR processes by unifying payroll, leave requests, and compliance into one cloud-based system. It eliminates errors caused by spreadsheets and non-local platforms, particularly in the MENA region, while offering mobile access and self-service tools for employees.

How is Yomly different from other HR software?

Yomly is different because it was built specifically for the MENA region, rather than being adapted from Western platforms. It supports Arabic, follows local labor laws, and combines enterprise scalability with regional compliance, making it user-friendly for HR teams across diverse industries.

What is Yomly’s business model?

Yomly operates on a SaaS (Software as a Service) subscription model. It offers cloud-based HR and payroll solutions tailored for medium to large enterprises. Clients pay a recurring fee—monthly or annually—based on features used, number of employees, and deployment needs. Yomly’s model includes onboarding support, compliance updates, mobile access, and regular feature upgrades. 

This approach ensures scalable, cost-effective HR management without the need for internal IT infrastructure.

What services does Yomly offer?

Yomly offers services such as core HR, payroll processing, shift scheduling, recruitment, performance management, and expense tracking. These tools help organizations automate operations, stay compliant, and manage employees efficiently across global and local teams.

How many users does Yomly support?

Yomly supports over 60,000 daily active users across more than 50 countries. These users rely on its platform for managing HR and payroll with speed, accuracy, and mobile access.

What industries use Yomly?

Industries using Yomly include real estate, healthcare, logistics, education, and professional services. Its flexibility and compliance tools make it ideal for companies with diverse operational needs and international teams.

Is Yomly mobile-friendly?

Yes, Yomly is mobile-friendly. The platform offers a mobile-first design and self-service access, enabling employees to manage HR tasks such as leave requests and payroll from any device.

Authors

  • himanshu sharma, cofounder of UAE Startup Story

    Himanshu is a builder at heart who loves turning raw ideas into structured systems. At UAE Startup Story, he focuses on the tech, research, and operations behind every feature and founder story. He’s passionate about spotlighting startups that solve real problems and inspiring the next wave of entrepreneurs across the region.

  • sk rafiqul islam, cofounder of UAE Startup Story

    Rafiqul is a storyteller with a founder’s mindset. At UAE Startup Story, he crafts deep-dive narratives, interviews, and features that decode what makes startups succeed in the UAE and beyond. He works closely with entrepreneurs to capture lessons, failures, and turning points that can inspire others on their own journeys.