Evaluate payroll software program for UK small companies

Choosing the proper payroll software program can’t solely prevent cash; it could actually additionally prevent useful time. It’s an necessary determination to get proper, as in any other case you can end up wanting to change supplier not lengthy after you’ve arrange with one.

Key Takeaways

The very best general payroll software program for UK small companies in 2026 is Sage (£20/month) for as much as 10 workers – its key options embrace CSI, payslips, auto-enrolment and RTI, with out requiring any additional software program. If you’re in search of free payroll software program, Primo Payroll additionally helps as much as 10 workers and is RTI compliant; nonetheless, the software program contains paid advertisements from third events.

What to Look For in Payroll Software program

• Examine it’s HMRC suitable – all of the suppliers listed on this article are HMRC suitable
• Auto-enrolment pension administration
• Easy dashboard
• Integration with different software program (accounting/ HR programs/ pension suppliers)
• Variety of workers supported
• Skill to scale up
• Value
• Trustpilot critiques
• Examine whether or not it’s a part of an current ecosystem (e.g. solely obtainable with accounting/HR software program)

Sage – finest general supplier

Sage is an industry-leading payroll supplier for UK companies, combining value-for-money with an easy-to-use dashboard and accuracy. If you have already got Sage accounting software program, you’ll mechanically combine to have an entire overview of your enterprise.

Sage is finest for small companies trying to help as much as 10 workers with a cloud-based payroll resolution. As much as 150 workers will be added simply at extra prices.

Proper now, Sage are providing 90% off every plan for six months, making them a aggressive possibility for these on a finances. Nevertheless, costs will enhance after this low cost interval.

Trustpilot rating: 3.8/5 (19,281 critiques)

Execs:

• Straightforward-to-use dashboard
• Mechanically integrates with Sage Accounting
• Auto-enrolment for pensions
• Straightforward scalability with plans

Cons:

• Discounted value solely lasts for six months
• Begins at 10 workers, which can be too could or too few for some small companies
• Prices so as to add workers could make the product not as worth for cash

Xero – finest for current Xero prospects

Xero is trusted by thousands and thousands of companies worldwide for its accounting software program, with payroll a further function for current prospects at a small value. At £1.50 per worker (in Develop and Complete plans), Xero is without doubt one of the least expensive suppliers for value per worker.  

Finest for small companies that have already got Xero accounting software program.

Xero is at the moment providing 90% off every plan for the primary six months, making them the most cost effective non-free payroll resolution. Nevertheless, costs will enhance after this low cost interval, so issue this into your determination.

Trustpilot rating: 4.1/5 (10,601 critiques)

Execs:

• Nice price-per-employee
• 24/7 buyer help
• Good all-in-one accounting and payroll resolution

Cons:

• Payroll solely obtainable as a part of accountancy bundle
• Discounted value solely lasts for six months
• Small minimal variety of workers supported per plan

Employment Hero – finest mixed HR & payroll resolution

Employment Hero makes use of AI to streamline HR and payroll, lowering guide admin and saving customers useful time. Employment Hero does supply a free payroll possibility separate from HR software program with no trial interval or bank card wanted, which fulfils all of the important necessities of payroll software program.

Whereas this can lower your expenses, customers will maximise the advantages of Employment Hero by selecting an all-inclusive HR plan. You possibly can learn our evaluate of their HR software program right here.

Finest for small companies in search of a mixed HR and payroll resolution.

Trustpilot rating: 3.8/5 (391 critiques)

Execs:

• Free payroll resolution with no trial interval or bank card required
• Cellular-friendly interface
• Straightforward dashboard for workers to handle their particulars

Cons:

• Time saved with Employment Hero payroll is perhaps wasted when you have a separate HR software program supplier

QuickBooks – finest for current QuickBooks purchasers

QuickBooks payroll software program is simply obtainable if you’re a QuickBooks accounting buyer and is available in two tiers: Core and Superior. When you don’t use QuickBooks for accounting, you will want to contemplate whether or not its accounting costs and options are best for you.

QuickBooks payroll add-ons are £5/month (Core) or £10/month (Superior) with £1.30/worker/month value.  

Proper now, QuickBooks are providing 90% off for the primary six months, which makes them a aggressive possibility out there. Nevertheless, costs will enhance after this low cost interval, so issue this into your determination.

Finest for companies already with QuickBooks.

Trustpilot rating: 3.9/5 (16,378 critiques)

Execs:

• Low price-per-employee
• Aggressive low cost
• Conversant in many UK accountants

Cons:

• Requires accounting software program to utilise payroll software program
• Payroll is an add-on function with prices

Primo Payroll – finest free payroll software program

Primo Payroll (by Accentra Applied sciences) is free for one employer and as much as ten workers, providing RTI submission, auto-enrolment, payslips by e-mail, and calculators for gross to internet and internet to gross. Whereas this supplies excellent value-for-money, you’ll have adverts in your dashboard.

Finest for micro companies on a finances.

Trustpilot rating: 3.9/5 (13 critiques)

Execs:

• Glorious price-per-employee (£0)
• Cloud-based software program
• Extra beneficiant than HMRC’s

Cons:

• Primary interface
• Adverts with free plan
• Low precedence software program help with free plan

HiBob – finest for scaling-up globally

HiBob’s all-in-one HR and payroll software program resolution is geared in the direction of world companies and trusted by over 4,400 corporations worldwide. Its potential to deal with US and UK payroll makes it ultimate for corporations with a cross-Atlantic presence. Nevertheless, HiBob’s payroll software program is a part of its wider HR software program plan and can’t be bought individually.

Finest for medium-sized companies trying to scale-up globally.

Trustpilot rating: 4.4/5 (153 critiques)

Execs:

• Easy system design constructed with customers in thoughts.
• Handles UK and US payroll
• AI instruments to assist summarise critiques and pull workforce insights

Cons:

• Not a separate payroll software program – payroll is a part of HR software program plan
• Some customers have reported buyer help response instances exterior of standard UK enterprise hours
• Smaller UK-based organisations could discover the options exceed their necessities
• Costs should be quoted instantly by HiBob gross sales workforce

Moorepay – finest for switching suppliers

Moorepay is an award-winning, UK-based, cloud-based payroll software program supplier ultimate for medium-sized companies with advanced payroll necessities. Its software program is easy-to-use, filled with automation and obtainable on cell units.

Whereas Moorepay boasts a variety of options, many small companies could discover the choices extreme to their wants. Moorepay is good for medium-sized companies who have to scale up from their earlier supplier and are aware of payroll software program.

Trustpilot rating: 4.4/5 (1,794 critiques)

Execs:

• 24/7, 365 day buyer help
• Free, personalised quote
• Straightforward to change from earlier supplier
• Open API infrastructure permits you to hook your current software program as much as your payroll system

Cons:

• Doesn’t cater to worldwide workers
• Startups and small companies would possibly discover the price and options extreme

Cintra (PSSG) – finest for outsourcing payroll

Trusted by Sunderland AFC, Cintra is an award-winning, complete HR and payroll resolution primarily based in north-east England. It affords in-house and outsourced payroll. Not like some suppliers, Cintra doesn’t supply rolling month-to-month contracts, as an alternative locking purchasers into 3-5 yr contracts.

Cintra is finest for medium-sized companies contemplating outsourcing payroll.

Trustpilot rating: 3.5/5 (50 critiques)

Execs:

• Skill to outsource payroll with dual-model
• ISO 27001 and Cyber Necessities licensed

Cons:

• Trustpilot critiques counsel a declining service
• No public pricing

Which Payroll Software program Ought to You Select?

Whereas there are numerous components that may affect your determination, together with whether or not the payroll software program is a part of an ecosystem (e.g. solely obtainable with accounting/HR software program), these are key causes to decide on a supplier:

• Select Sage if you need the very best general product
• Select Xero if you have already got Xero accounting software program
• Select Employment Hero if you need finest mixed HR and payroll software program
• Select QuickBooks if you have already got QuickBooks accounting software program
• Select Primo Payroll if you need essentially the most complete free possibility
• Select HiBob if you’re scaling globally
• Select Moorepay if you need a personalised quote
• Select Cintra when you would possibly wish to outsource payroll later down the road

Regularly Requested Questions

What’s Payroll Software program?

Payroll software program retains a document of all of your workers, how a lot they need to be paid, tax and nationwide insurance coverage contributions. Some payroll software program contains the flexibility to ship payslips and preserve data.

How A lot Does Payroll Software program Value?

Costs are between £7 per 30 days and £33 per 30 days.  

Is There Free Payroll Software program?

Sure. HMRC has an inventory of suitable, free payroll software program suppliers and affords its personal Primary PAYE Instruments.

Which Payroll Software program is Proper For Me?

There are a number of components that may decide which payroll software program is best for you:

• Value
• Ease of use
• Buyer critiques
• Model popularity
• Skill to develop as your organization scales up
• Whether or not you’re already in an current ecosystem (e.g. you have already got the corporate’s accounting/HR software program)

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