What HR21 does

HR21 is a web-based function evaluation and classification system purpose-built for the Dutch municipal sector. Developed by BuitenhekPlus and Leeuwendaal under a VNG (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten) mandate, it provides a standardized framework — a 'gemeenschappelijke meetlat' — for describing, classifying, and valuing job functions across municipalities, safety regions, environmental services, social work companies, and municipal health services (GGDs). The legal owner of the system is the VNG itself, making HR21 effectively a sector utility rather than a commercial product. The core platform combines a pre-built library of standard functions with digital classification tools, cross-organizational benchmarking, and optional Expert modules covering competency management (Competentiemanagement), result-oriented work (Resultaatgericht Werken), and coordination task valuation (Coordinatiemodule).

The technology stack centers on a hosted SaaS web application managed by RheiGroup, with role-based access tiers (GB1, GB2, certified users) and native integration into the Afas HR/payroll system. Revenue is generated through tiered monthly subscriptions priced by organization size (€72/month for special categories up to €570/month for organizations with >500 fte), recurring certified user training (€447–€952 per person, with mandatory 1.5-year renewal cycles), and hourly implementation support (€161/hour as of 2026). Go-to-market is partner-led via Leeuwendaal, BuitenhekPlus, RheiGroup, and Human Capital Group, with VNG endorsement providing sector-wide reach. As of May 2026, HR21 serves nearly 400 organizations, including 270 of the ~342 Dutch municipalities, and is increasingly positioned as a compliance tool for the EU Pay Transparency Directive (2023/970) effective June 2026.

Name

HR21

Legal name

HR21

Website

https://hr21.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HR21 is a VNG-owned, web-based function evaluation and classification system serving nearly 400 Dutch municipal-sector organizations, including 270 municipalities, with standardized job descriptions, digital classification, and benchmarking tools delivered via a partner-led SaaS model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HR / Talent Management Software

NAICS

Human Resources Consulting Services (541612)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Core HR & HRIS (BPACAPAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

HR Compliance, Policy, EEO & Labor Law (BPACAPAM), HR Technology (HRIS/HCM) Advisory & Implementation (BPAHAGAG), Human Capital Management (HCM) & Payroll Platforms (HDAEAEAJ)

Keywords

• Job evaluation software
• Function classification system
• Municipal HR software
• Competency management platform
• Talent management software

Headquarters

HQ city

Nijkerk

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses: Monthly subscription licenses based on organization size (fte). Pricing tiers range from €72/month for special organizations to €570/month for organizations with >500 fte. Licenses are standardized agreements developed in consultation with VNG.
2. Training Services: In-person and incompany training for certified user qualification (Vakbekwaam Toepasser HR21), web application training, practice sessions, and retake exams. Training provided by Leeuwendaal, Human Capital Group, and RheiGroup partners.
3. Implementation and Support Services: Hourly-based consulting for HR21 implementation, function maintenance, and organizational support. Rates are €161/hour (as of January 2026).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HR21 is a web-based function evaluation and classification system (functiewaarderingssysteem) built for the Dutch municipal sector under VNG mandate. The platform delivers standardized function descriptions with pre-assigned valuations, digital job classification with motivation capture, benchmarking across organizations, and add-on expert modules for competency management and result-oriented work agreements. Licensed as a hosted SaaS subscription to municipalities, safety regions, environmental services, social work companies, and other Dutch public-sector bodies following the CAO Gemeenten collective labor agreement.

Product overview

HR21 is a web-based function evaluation and classification system developed by BuitenhekPlus and Leeuwendaal for the Dutch Association of Municipalities (VNG), targeting all organizations under the Municipal Collective Labor Agreement. The core platform provides standardized function descriptions with pre-assigned valuations, a benchmark comparison tool, and a digital classification module. It is extended through optional Expert modules: Competentiemanagement (providing competency profiles per function) and Resultaatgericht Werken (enabling result-oriented performance agreements). The Coördinatiemodule separately values coordination tasks for non-managers. HR21 is delivered as a hosted web application with associated training and implementation support services provided by Leeuwendaal, RheiGroup, and Human Capital Group. A native integration with Afas HR/payroll software enables direct import of job classifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Competentiemanagement: Expert module providing guidance for managing behavior and attitude
• Resultaatgericht Werken (RGW)

Products and services

• HR21 Core Platform Web-based function evaluation and classification system developed for the Dutch municipal sector by VNG. Provides standardized function descriptions, function weighting (valuatie), digital classification (Digitaal Indelen), cross-organizational benchmark comparison, and organizational function book management to municipalities and municipal organizations operating under CAO Gemeenten.
• Competentiemanagement (Competency Management) Module Expert module of HR21 providing a competency profile for each standard function, serving as a framework for behavior and attitude management (function as a guide for hiring and managing competencies).
• Resultaatgericht Werken (RGW) Module Expert module of HR21 facilitating the creation and management of result-oriented agreements (performance and development agreements) linked to standard functions.
• Coördinatiemodule (Coordination Module) Module within HR21 that separately assesses and values the weight of coordination tasks performed by employees who are not managers, addressing the additional responsibility of coordinating duties outside the line-management role.
• Vakbekwaam Toepasser HR21 Training Two-day (three half-days) certified training covering the theory and practice of the HR21 vision and functionalities, including content and application exercises, coursework assignments, and a written examination. Certification must be renewed every 1.5 years via a refresher day. Delivered at €952/person or €4,166 per incompany session; available via Leeuwendaal, Human Capital Group, and RheiGroup.
• Webapplicatie HR21 Training (Knoppen-training) Hands-on 'button training' by RheiGroup covering administrator functionality of the HR21 web application, including conversion table management, digital classification, function book maintenance, indentation list management, and bulk import. Requires certified user status for admission. Half-day training priced at €447 per person (minimum 5 participants).
• Oefenmiddag Vakbekwaam Toepasser (Practice Session) Practice session for certified HR21 users to reinforce application of the system. Priced at €232 per person.
• Implementation & Advisory Support Support services for HR21 implementation in organizations and ongoing function maintenance, provided by BuitenhekPlus and Leeuwendaal. Covers organizational design, HRM, legal matters, IT, and E-HRM support. Billed at €161/hour (2026 rate) on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400+ organizations have adopted HR21
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• VNG (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVNG (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten) is the initiative owner and legal proprietor of the HR21 system. VNG commissioned the development of HR21 and chairs the parity management commission that validates content changes. VNG provides technical chairmanship for the governance structure.
• LeeuwendaalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeeuwendaal co-developed HR21 with BuitenhekPlus and is responsible for maintenance and management of HR21 until at least 2025. They provide support services including implementation assistance, function maintenance, and Vakbekwaam Toepasser training. Leeuwendaal's consultant Antoinette Eerden-Lenz serves as Project Bureau contact.
• BuitenhekPluscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuitenhekPlus co-developed HR21 with Leeuwendaal and is responsible for maintenance and management until at least 2025. They manage license agreements with municipal organizations and provide implementation support services.
• RheiGroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationRheiGroup handles the technical management and digitization of the HR21 application. They provide web application training (knoppen-training) and technical support ([email protected]) for the software platform. RheiGroup developed the new web application released in 2022.
• Human Capital GroupsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHuman Capital Group is an authorized training provider for HR21 Vakbekwaam Toepasser certification. They offer both in-person training in Utrecht and online self-paced training options. Training registration is available through their website.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Leeuwendaal: Co-developer and certified implementation partner for HR21, providing training and implementation services. Not a direct competitor but a core ecosystem participant that effectively co-produces the HR21 platform and could in theory compete with adjacent HR advisory offerings.

Direct peers

• Korn Ferry (Hay Group): Global job evaluation methodology provider (Hay method) widely used for function classification. Highly comparable to HR21 in core activity (standardized function evaluation) but operates through consulting engagements rather than SaaS and without HR21's Dutch municipal sector focus.
• Mercer: Global HR consulting firm offering job evaluation methodologies (e.g., IPE/Points Factor) and workforce-related advisory. Comparable to HR21 in function evaluation/classification but delivered as consulting services rather than a SaaS platform.
• Aon (Job Evaluation practice): Global HR consulting firm with a dedicated job evaluation methodology and tooling practice. Directly comparable to HR21 in standardized function evaluation but delivered through consulting rather than as a SaaS municipal-sector platform.

Broad incumbents

• Raet: Dutch HR/payroll software provider serving mid-market and public-sector organizations. Comparable as a Dutch HR software peer but offers a broader HRIS/payroll suite, not a specialized municipal function evaluation product.
• Workday: Global cloud HCM platform with HCM Core, Compensation, and Talent modules. Overlaps with HR21's competency management and job profile capabilities but operates as a broad enterprise HRIS rather than a sector-specialized function evaluation tool.
• Afas Software: Leading Dutch HR/payroll/ERP vendor with native integration to HR21. Overlaps with HR21 in HR data management for Dutch organizations but operates as a broad HCM/ERP suite rather than a sector-specialized function evaluation system.
• SD Worx: European HR/payroll outsourcer with significant presence in the Netherlands and Belgium. Comparable to HR21 as a Dutch-market HR services provider but offers broad payroll/HR outsourcing rather than a specialized municipal function evaluation system.
• Visma (Raet/Visma Prosoft): Nordic-originated software group with significant Dutch HR/payroll operations. Comparable to HR21 in the Dutch HR market but operates as a multi-product suite rather than a single-sector function evaluation system.

Emerging players

• Loket.nl: Dutch online payroll and HR software vendor targeting SMBs. Comparable to HR21 as a Dutch HR software provider for small/mid employers, though lacks HR21's municipal sector specialization and function evaluation depth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HR21_HR
• Facebookfacebook.com/HR21-224989221033237
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hr21

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HR21