Choosing the right payroll service is a critical decision for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. Payroll is not just issuing payslips – it involves navigating HMRC regulations, managing pensions and deductions, and ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.
Each provider is evaluated on key features, pricing, HMRC/legal compliance, integration capabilities, customer support, and user reviews.
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| Provider | Key Features | Pricing | Compliance | Integration | Support | User Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moorepay | Cloud-based payroll & HR platform; mobile app; custom reports | Bespoke (quote-based) | HMRC-approved; CIPP PAS accredited; auto RTI filings | Open API for other software | 24/7 UK-based phone & email support | 4.5/5 |
| ADP UK | Full-service payroll + HR suite; global payroll options | Bespoke (quote-based) | Multi-award-winning provider; ensures UK & international compliance | Integrates with QuickBooks, ClockShark, Wave | Phone & live chat support | 1.8/5 |
| IRIS (Staffology) | Cloud payroll software + services; CIS module for construction sector | From £39/month (up to 19 payslips) | HMRC-recognised; auto-enrolment & tax compliant | Integrates with Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, etc. | Online knowledge base; CIPP-accredited advisors | 3.9/5 |
| OneAdvanced | Cloud payroll for 22k+ users; extensive training & live support | Bespoke (quote-based) | CIPP PAS accredited; expert compliance advice | Integrates with Advanced's HR, finance suite (no open API) | Phone & live chat; one-on-one training sessions | 2.9/5 |
| TopSource Worldwide | Fully-managed payroll service in 150+ countries; Portico mobile app | Bespoke (quote-based) | Excellent compliance record; handles HMRC and global filings | Open API; ready integrations with Sage, Xero, QuickBooks | Dedicated specialists; payroll data accessible 24/7 via app | N/A |
| MHR (iTrent) | Powerful payroll & HR (iTrent); advanced analytics & reporting | Bespoke (quote-based) | CIPP PAS accredited; used by large UK firms; emergency payroll support | Shares data across HR systems; flexible in-house or outsourced model | Phone & live chat; extra consultation when needed | 2.9/5 |
| PayEscape | Streamlined payroll & HR platform; time tracking; rolling 30-day contracts | Bespoke (typically lower cost) | Fully HMRC compliant; all support staff CIPP-qualified | Integrates with third-party accounting software | UK-based support team; no long-term contract obligation | 4.7/5 |
| Rippling | All-in-one HR & IT platform; UK and global payroll in one system | From ~£7 per user/month (software) | HMRC-recognised software; automated tax filings & compliance updates | Extensive integrations (HR, IT, finance apps); unified data platform | Online support and knowledge base; US & UK support teams (24/7 global) | 4.4/5 |
| Deel | Tech-driven global payroll & contractor payments; EOR services | From $29 per employee/month | Handles multi-country tax compliance; local filing in 100+ countries | Modern platform with API; integrates currency exchange and payments | 24/7 customer support; fast, responsive service (globally distributed) | 4.8/5 |
| Employment Hero | All-in-one HR, payroll & benefits 'operating system'; AI-driven automation | Tiered plans from ~£12 per employee/month | HMRC-compliant payroll engine (formerly KeyPay); regular legislative updates | Integrates HR, time & attendance, and benefits in one platform; API for partners | UK support with HR advisors; mobile app for employers & staff | 4.0/5 |
*(CIPP = Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals; PAS = Payroll Assurance Scheme accreditation)*
Ensure your provider is HMRC-approved and handles Real Time Information (RTI) submissions, tax calculations, and statutory payments automatically.
Choose a solution that can grow with your business, handling increased employee numbers and more complex payroll requirements.
Look for providers offering UK-based support with qualified payroll professionals who understand your business needs.
Moorepay is one of the UK's largest payroll providers, offering a cloud-based system that unifies payroll and HR functions. It includes a self-service mobile app for employees (to view payslips, P60s, request leave, etc.) and robust automation for calculations and reporting. Moorepay's platform provides custom report building and analytics, giving SMEs visibility into payroll costs and discrepancies. Notably, Moorepay can handle both part-managed and fully-managed payroll services, allowing businesses to outsource as much or as little of the process as needed.
Moorepay does not publish a fixed price list. Instead, it offers bespoke pricing based on the company's needs (number of employees, services required, etc.). Quotes are provided on request, ensuring you pay only for what you use. While no flat fee is advertised, Moorepay has indicated that fully managed payroll service can cost roughly around £6 per payslip as a general benchmark for small businesses.
Moorepay is an HMRC-approved payroll software and service provider. It is accredited under the CIPP's Payroll Assurance Scheme, meaning its processes meet high standards of payroll governance. Moorepay's team of legislative experts updates the software ahead of any HMRC or law changes, ensuring automatic compliance with the latest regulations (RTI filings, pension auto-enrolment, statutory deductions, etc.). This gives SMEs peace of mind that payroll taxes and filings are handled correctly and on time.
Moorepay's system offers open APIs to integrate with other business software. This flexibility allows it to connect payroll data with accounting systems, time-tracking tools, or ERP software. In practice, Moorepay can serve as an all-in-one solution (with built-in HR modules) or fit into your existing tech stack through integrations. This is useful if you use separate accounting or HR systems and want payroll data to flow seamlessly.
Moorepay is known for strong support and onboarding. New clients get help migrating data and setting up processes – Moorepay will even handle switching you over from a previous provider and ensure all legislative requirements are met during the transition. Ongoing, clients have access to UK-based payroll specialists via phone and email 24/7/365 for any queries or issues. The provider also offers an online knowledge centre with resources on payroll and employment legislation. The high level of support is frequently praised by users who often mention Moorepay staff by name for their helpfulness.
Moorepay earns excellent feedback from customers. It holds an "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot (approximately 4.5 out of 5), based on over 1,000 reviews. Users commonly commend Moorepay's user-friendly software and reliable service. In particular, many reviews highlight Moorepay's customer service, noting that support staff are knowledgeable and responsive. Moorepay has also won industry awards such as CIPP's Payroll Service Provider of the Year in 2023, reflecting its strong reputation in the payroll industry.
ADP is a global payroll and HR solutions giant with decades of experience (founded 1949). For SMEs in the UK, ADP offers both fully managed payroll services and cloud-based DIY software options, along with a suite of HR tools. ADP's platform is feature-rich: employers can process payroll for UK staff and also handle international payrolls, if needed, through one provider. It stands out for its integrated HR features – beyond payroll, ADP includes native modules for time & attendance, recruitment, background checks, and benefits administration. For example, ADP's hiring module can assist with scheduling interviews and onboarding documents alongside payroll. ADP also provides a mobile app where employees can view payslips and clock in/out for shifts, adding convenience for businesses with hourly workers.
ADP's pricing is custom-quoted. Like many enterprise-grade providers, ADP does not list fixed prices on its website. Costs will depend on factors like number of employees, frequency of payroll, and any additional modules (HR, benefits, etc.) you choose. SMEs can contact ADP for a tailored quote. While ADP tends to be premium in cost, it also allows businesses to pick and pay only for the services they need – this modular approach can help control costs for small businesses.
ADP has an excellent reputation for compliance and accuracy. It has been recognized with multiple industry awards – for instance, ADP won Global Payroll Supplier of the Year (2023) and has been CIPP's International Payroll Service Provider for four years running. ADP's systems are continually updated for UK HMRC regulations. It supports real-time PAYE reporting, automatic tax calculations, and year-end filings. Although ADP is not listed as CIPP PAS accredited, it offers extensive resources on UK payroll law (including tax compliance education for clients). ADP can also manage international compliance, handling multi-country payroll taxes and statutory rules – a big plus if your SME has remote or overseas employees.
ADP's payroll platform is designed to work with other business systems. It can integrate with popular third-party software like QuickBooks accounting, ClockShark (time tracking), and Wave apps. These integrations allow SMEs to connect payroll data with their accounting books or time-sheets, avoiding duplicate data entry. ADP also has APIs and an app marketplace, given its global scale, so many extensions and partner applications are available. This flexibility is useful if you're using other tools and want ADP to fit into your existing workflow.
ADP provides solid customer service with multiple support channels. Clients can reach support via phone and also live chat. Given ADP's scale, they have dedicated support teams for different business sizes – SMEs typically get a regional support team familiar with UK small business needs. ADP also supplies extensive online help resources and a knowledge base. Some small business users note that while support is available, the size of ADP means you might be one client among many, so responsiveness can sometimes vary. However, having 24/7 support options and a large pool of payroll experts is a reassuring factor.
ADP's user reviews are mixed, especially among smaller clients. On Trustpilot, ADP UK's rating is around 1.8 out of 5, with some SMEs citing difficulties in customer service or the platform's complexity. It's worth noting that many satisfied ADP users don't always leave reviews, and negative experiences (which might stem from specific issues during setup or transitions) can dominate online scores. ADP's sheer size and enterprise focus may mean it feels less personalized for very small businesses. That said, many businesses continue to trust ADP for its reliability and expertise, and ADP's long-term clients include companies of all sizes worldwide. For SMEs that plan to grow or need international payroll capabilities, ADP's robust system and experience can outweigh the concerns reflected in some reviews.
IRIS is a well-known UK payroll and accounting software company, and IRIS Staffology is its cloud-based payroll solution tailored to SMEs. IRIS offers a comprehensive range of payroll products and services – it's said that around 1 in 6 UK employees are paid via an IRIS system. The Staffology platform is highly flexible and feature-rich: it allows payroll to be run from any browser with an intuitive interface, supports unlimited employees and multiple companies, and even includes a built-in HR module for basic HR tasks. IRIS Staffology is particularly noted for its third-party integrations (as detailed below) and its sector-specific offerings. For example, IRIS has a specialized Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) module to simplify payroll for construction subcontractors, automating UTR verification and HMRC filings for that sector. This makes IRIS a great fit if your SME operates in construction or other industries with unique payroll needs.
Unlike most competitors, IRIS Staffology is transparent about pricing. The base cloud payroll package starts at £39 per month (which includes payroll processing for up to 19 payslips). Above that, there's a small per-employee fee: for companies with 20–50 employees, it's £1.95 per additional employee per month. Larger organizations (51+ employees) can get a custom quote. This transparent pricing is refreshing and lets small businesses easily estimate costs. IRIS also offers a free "IRIS Payroll Basics" tool for very small businesses (under 10 employees) which is HMRC-compliant – however, that basic tool will be discontinued after the 2025/26 year. Overall, IRIS's pricing is competitive, especially given the rich features; SMEs can start with an affordable monthly plan and scale up.
IRIS Staffology is fully HMRC-recognised for online PAYE filing. It handles all real-time reporting (RTI) requirements and supports pension auto-enrolment, NI and tax deductions, statutory sick pay, maternity pay, etc. The platform keeps you compliant by dealing with all deductions and helping produce year-end forms. IRIS is also accredited by the CIPP's Payroll Assurance Scheme, underscoring that its processes meet strict standards. An advantage of IRIS is that it stays very up-to-date: as a software powerhouse, IRIS updates its systems immediately for new legislation. For example, Staffology will ensure you apply the correct thresholds for national insurance or minimum wage changes as soon as they take effect. In summary, compliance is a strong point for IRIS – it's a trusted name in UK payroll for reliability in this area.
One of IRIS Staffology's biggest strengths is integration. It has more pre-built integrations for accounting and HR systems than perhaps any other provider on this list. Out-of-the-box, Staffology connects with Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, AccountsIQ and several other popular software tools. This means your payroll data can sync with your accounting ledgers automatically, or you can pull in HR data from other sources. Such integration is invaluable for SMEs that already use tools like Xero for accounting – it avoids double entry and ensures consistency across systems. Furthermore, IRIS provides APIs for developers, so if you have a custom system, you could integrate that as well. In effect, IRIS can act as part of an integrated software ecosystem for your business.
IRIS offers a variety of support resources. Users of Staffology have access to extensive online documentation and training materials, which is important since IRIS also targets accountants and payroll bureaus who use their software. For direct support, IRIS has helpdesk support via phone or online for subscribers. Additionally, because IRIS is CIPP accredited, it can provide expert payroll advice when needed. One notable aspect is IRIS's focus on training: they provide webinars and guides, and even within the software, there are tooltips and help sections to guide new users. While IRIS is a large company (meaning support might be less personalized than a small bureau), they do bring a lot of expertise. Many users report positive interactions, though as with any fast-growing software, some have experienced wait times during peak periods. Overall, IRIS's support is solid and bolstered by an active community of payroll professionals familiar with their products.
IRIS as a whole (the software business) has a Trustpilot rating around 3.9 out of 5, which is considered good. This rating covers all IRIS products, not just Staffology, but it indicates generally positive user sentiment. Customers often praise IRIS Staffology's ease of use and say it saves them significant time on payroll. The integration capabilities and cloud accessibility are frequently highlighted as major positives. Some mixed reviews point to the learning curve of a feature-rich system and occasional support delays, but these are in the minority. It's also worth noting IRIS has a huge user base (over 100,000 UK businesses use some IRIS software), so a few negative experiences are not uncommon in absolute numbers. Given IRIS's long history (est. 1978) and broad adoption, the company has a strong reputation – especially among accountants and payroll bureaus – for reliability. For SMEs, IRIS Staffology offers enterprise-grade capabilities with small-business-friendly pricing, and reviews reflect that value.
TopSource Worldwide is a specialist in fully-managed payroll services, known particularly for handling multi-country payroll for globally expanding businesses. For a UK SME, TopSource can manage every aspect of payroll administration on your behalf – from registering your PAYE scheme with HMRC to processing monthly pay and even handling year-end reporting. TopSource does not offer a part-managed (bureau) option; it's all-in, which can be ideal if you want to completely outsource payroll. They bring strengths in an associated suite of HR, recruitment, and benefits software that integrate with their payroll service. This means if you also need HR software or applicant tracking, TopSource has modules that work seamlessly with payroll, so you avoid dealing with multiple vendors. A standout feature is TopSource's capability to pay international employees and ensure compliance in different countries – they can run payroll in over 150 countries worldwide. This is complemented by their Portico portal and mobile app, which let both you and your employees access payroll information anywhere, any time (great for remote teams in different time zones).
Like others in this category, TopSource Worldwide operates on a bespoke pricing model. You will need to contact them for a quote tailored to your business size and payroll complexity. Typically, costs will depend on the number of employees and how many countries you operate in (for international payroll, costs are higher per country). TopSource doesn't publicize any flat rates, and being a fully-managed service with a lot of hands-on involvement, expect the pricing to be at a premium compared to basic payroll software. However, for many SMEs the value comes from not needing any in-house payroll effort. It's also worth mentioning that TopSource only offers rolling contracts or standard agreements; there isn't a long lock-in beyond what's agreed, so you could negotiate terms that suit seasonal or changing needs, though it's not as flexible as PayEscape's month-to-month model.
TopSource prides itself on an "excellent level of compliance." In practice, they ensure your payroll is fully compliant with HMRC rules – they will handle everything from calculating PAYE and NICs to submitting RTI reports and producing P45s/P60s. TopSource is accredited by CIPP (Payroll Assurance Scheme), which indicates their processes are audited for compliance and accuracy. The biggest differentiator is their expertise in global compliance: if you have employees abroad or plan to expand, TopSource can manage local tax withholdings, labor law requirements, and filings in each jurisdiction. This one-stop international compliance is something few SME-oriented providers offer. They also keep abreast of UK legal changes (minimum wage updates, holiday pay rules, etc.) and ensure those are reflected in your payroll. Essentially, TopSource acts as your outsourced payroll department with compliance officers ensuring nothing is missed.
Despite being a fully managed service, TopSource does support technological integration. It offers an open API that IT teams can use to interface the TopSource system with other software. For less technical integration, TopSource already has ready-made integrations for popular accounting software like Sage, Xero, and QuickBooks. This is very useful – for example, once payroll is run, the journal entries can flow into your Xero accounts automatically. They also integrate with their own HR and recruitment platforms as noted. This level of integration is somewhat uncommon for a pure service provider; TopSource has clearly invested in making data flow easier. The integration with accounting packages is especially a time-saver for SMEs who otherwise would manually input payroll totals into their ledgers. By bridging that gap, TopSource helps maintain accuracy and reduces duplicate work.
As a service-centric provider, TopSource offers more hands-on support than most. When you sign up, you typically get a dedicated account manager or a small team who will handle your payroll each cycle. They essentially become an extension of your company's staff. TopSource's team will manage implementations and provide guidance on any payroll queries. The availability of the Portico self-service portal/app means that many routine questions (like "How much was my last net pay?" or "Can I see my payslip?") can be answered by employees themselves online, reducing your need to intermediate. For employer queries, TopSource is known to be responsive via email or phone. Given their focus on compliance, they also proactively inform clients of any upcoming changes in law that might affect payroll. The only potential downside is, since it's fully managed, you rely on them to make changes – you might have less immediate control than an in-house system. But for most SMEs, handing off that responsibility is exactly the point of using TopSource. All in all, the support quality is high – it has to be, as you entrust them with critical payroll tasks.
TopSource Worldwide is a bit less visible on generic review sites due to its niche focus. It doesn't have the volume of Trustpilot reviews that others like Moorepay or PayEscape do. However, within the industry, TopSource has a solid reputation. It was named "Best International Payroll Provider" by CIPP for multiple years, indicating client satisfaction and excellence in service. For SMEs that have reviewed their experience in case studies or testimonials, common praise includes reliability, expert knowledge, and the benefit of consolidating multi-country payroll under one provider. There are few complaints publicly noted; however, an SME without international needs might find TopSource's offering more than they require. In fact, one expert commentary suggests that if you don't need cross-border payroll, providers like IRIS or PayEscape (which advertise pricing and simpler setups) could be more straightforward. In summary, TopSource is highly regarded for what it does best – comprehensive, international-ready payroll outsourcing – and clients who need that breadth are generally very satisfied.
MHR provides payroll services built around its powerful iTrent software – a platform well-known in the UK for its depth of HR and payroll capabilities. MHR's solutions are used by large organizations and public sector bodies, but they also cater to growing businesses that want top-tier functionality. One of the hallmark features of iTrent (and MHR's service) is its advanced reporting and analytics. It won CIPP's Software Product of the Year in 2023, largely due to its rich reporting features that can produce insights on everything from pay cost modeling to employee performance correlations. For an SME that is data-driven, this means you can slice and dice payroll data in meaningful ways. MHR also uniquely offers emergency payroll support – if your in-house team is overwhelmed or something goes wrong, MHR's experts can step in to assist or run a payroll on short notice. This safety net can be invaluable during busy periods or complex payroll changes. Finally, MHR is very flexible in service delivery: you can use their software in-house, fully outsource your payroll to MHR's team, or even do a mix (e.g., run payroll in-house but have MHR do quarterly audits or year-end processing). This hybrid approach is great for SMEs who might want to retain some control but still need backup and expertise.
MHR's pricing is custom quoted. Given the enterprise-level capabilities of iTrent, the cost tends to be on the higher side and is bespoke depending on what modules and services you use. MHR doesn't publish any standard pricing; an interested SME would discuss their needs with MHR's team to get a proposal. Because MHR can serve companies with a few hundred or a few thousand employees, the pricing scales accordingly. For smaller businesses, MHR might bundle essential features to make it cost-effective. If you only want to use their software (and not outsourcing service), they might have a per-employee software license model. If outsourcing, likely a base fee plus per-payslip charge. While it may be more expensive than leaner providers like PayEscape, the value is in the robust features and flexibility – you're somewhat paying for an enterprise-grade system that can grow with you.
MHR is very strong on compliance. It is CIPP Payroll Assurance Scheme accredited, ensuring its processes meet the highest standards. The iTrent system is always updated for HMRC changes, and MHR's staff are well-versed in UK payroll legislation. All standard compliance tasks (RTI submissions, tax calculations, statutory pay, pension enrolment) are handled seamlessly by the system. One thing to note from expert analysis: MHR does not proactively offer compliance advice or guidance to clients as much as some others do. For instance, Moorepay or ADP might provide newsletters or direct advice on legislative changes, whereas MHR's approach is more that the system will handle it but it's assumed you know what you need. That said, the emergency support feature means if there's a compliance crisis (say a payroll manager is off sick before a tax deadline), they will jump in to help. MHR's long track record (founded in 1984) means they have navigated decades of UK tax changes; in other words, they know compliance inside out. If your SME operates in the public sector or has complex pension schemes, MHR has particular expertise there as well.
MHR's iTrent system is a fully integrated HR and payroll system by itself. It allows payroll data to be shared across different HR and finance systems – for instance, HR updates (like a new joiner or pay grade change) flow directly into payroll calculations. If you use MHR's full HCM suite, everything is in one database, so integration is native. MHR also can interface with other systems; they provide options for data export or API connections to, say, a finance system. Many MHR clients use it alongside ERP systems like Oracle/SAP for bigger operations, so integration at that level is possible (though for a small business this might not be relevant). The key point is data doesn't exist in a silo: MHR ensures that payroll, HR, time management, and even talent management data can talk to each other. This prevents double-entry and fosters a single source of truth for employee information. MHR might not advertise plug-and-play integrations with small business software like Xero or QuickBooks as much (since they target bigger firms), so SMEs should consider if they want to adopt MHR's suite wholesale or ensure compatibility with their current apps. Given the complexity of iTrent, integration might require some IT support if you're connecting to external software, but the capability is there.
MHR provides standard support via phone and email/helpdesk, and they are known to be responsive. As a family-owned company ("M" in MHR stands for the founder, Mrick), they often tout personalized service. All customer service agents are UK-based and many are payroll experts. One standout aspect is their MHR Assist program (based on references, this provides extra help when needed). For example, during the COVID-19 furlough scheme rollout, MHR provided additional support to clients to manage those changes. The emergency payroll support is a distinguishing support feature – if your staff cannot run the payroll for any reason, MHR's team can literally run it for you to make sure everyone gets paid. This is like an insurance policy and not something every provider offers. On the flip side, one noted weakness is that MHR does not offer live training sessions for all clients by default (unlike OneAdvanced which emphasizes training). They do have training available, but it might come at extra cost or require scheduling. In summary, support is robust and MHR staff are very knowledgeable, but new small users might need to proactively seek training resources or guidance since the platform is so feature-rich.
MHR (and iTrent) get high praise from larger organizations for functionality, but for small businesses, there isn't a lot of public review data. The Trustpilot presence is minimal (only a few reviews, averaging ~2.9/5, which isn't meaningful given the low count). On software review sites, iTrent often scores well for features but can be seen as complex. SMEs who use MHR often do so because they have outgrown simpler systems and need more power. Those who review it positively cite the depth of reporting and customizability as major benefits. Some negative feedback revolves around the initial learning curve – it's a robust system that can be "too much" if your needs are simple. However, MHR's clients include names like Microsoft and Experian, which shows credibility. If your SME is on a growth trajectory or you require detailed HR integration, the investment in MHR can pay off. Consider MHR as a "bigger gun" in payroll: possibly more than a very small business needs, but immensely valuable for those managing complex payroll scenarios or anticipating rapid growth. The absence of abundant small-business user reviews means you should engage directly with MHR (or existing clients) to evaluate fit, rather than rely solely on scores.
PayEscape is a UK-based payroll service focused on practicality and simplicity for small businesses. It offers a modern online payroll platform that also encompasses HR and time management tools. This means with one login you can run payroll, manage employee leave, record working hours, and handle some HR admin tasks – giving a nice all-in-one solution for SMEs. A major attractive feature of PayEscape is its flexible contract terms: it provides rolling monthly contracts rather than long-term commitments. Small businesses can sign up and, if for any reason it's not working out, cancel with just 30 days' notice – a rarity in this industry. PayEscape's payroll system includes features like custom report building, employee self-service (employees can view payslips online), and even an option to handle off-payroll (contractor) payments in compliance with IR35 rules. While PayEscape does not support international payroll (UK employees only), it excels for domestic UK companies that need a straightforward solution with no frills and no heavy commitments.
PayEscape used to advertise its pricing publicly, and it was known for being quite affordable. While as of now PayEscape has moved to bespoke pricing (you request a quote), industry comparisons often find PayEscape to be cheaper than larger competitors like ADP or MHR for equivalent services. This is likely because PayEscape's model and overhead are optimized for small businesses. You typically pay a setup fee (sometimes waived during promotions) and then a monthly fee per employee. In the past, their starting price for a handful of employees was around £20-£30 per month, plus a small per-payslip fee – but you should get an updated quote based on your current staff count. The key is that the 30-day rolling contract means there's no risk in trying PayEscape; you won't be locked into a long contract or hit with cancellation fees if your needs change.
PayEscape ensures full HMRC compliance for your payroll. The software handles all PAYE calculations, produces P45s/P60s, and submits RTI reports on your behalf. A notable point is that all of PayEscape's client support team are CIPP qualified. This means whenever you speak to someone at PayEscape about payroll, you're talking to a certified payroll professional who understands UK legislation. They also keep you compliant with pension auto-enrolment – the system will manage enrolment, contributions, and communications for workplace pensions. PayEscape's platform has built-in checks for things like minimum wage compliance (ensuring no employee's hourly rate falls below legal minimum). It may not have the international compliance bells and whistles, but for UK operation it covers everything an SME needs, from statutory sick pay to maternity/paternity calculations, and handles the apprenticeship levy where applicable. Reviews often note that PayEscape's compliance support is excellent, likely because their staff proactively help clients navigate new laws.
PayEscape can integrate payroll data with third-party accounting software such as Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage. It can export journals that you can import into your accounting system, and they advertise integration to eliminate manual data entry. Additionally, because PayEscape's platform includes HR and time-tracking, it natively integrates those functions – for example, approved holidays or logged work hours automatically flow into the payroll calculations. This reduces the need for separate systems: your time & attendance module inside PayEscape can act as your integration point for time data. For anything outside their scope, PayEscape may not have an open API publicly available, but they do offer data import/export which covers most needs. Essentially, PayEscape focuses on being self-contained for payroll+HR, but they ensure at least your accounting ledgers can sync by providing output in compatible formats. If you use an external HR system, you might need to manually update both, as PayEscape is more geared toward being your one-stop HR & payroll system.
PayEscape earns high marks for its customer support quality. Being a UK-focused provider, they have a UK-based support team that is known for fast response times. Clients often get a dedicated point of contact who knows their account. Since the team members are payroll qualified, they can help with both software queries and payroll guidance. Support is available via phone and email during working hours, and because they're a smaller specialist firm, the service feels personal. In reviews, small business owners frequently mention how PayEscape's team guided them through setup and even helped correct mistakes promptly. Another plus: because the contracts are monthly, PayEscape is highly incentivized to keep customers happy every month (not just at renewal time) – this tends to show in their attentive support. The platform itself is user-friendly, which means less need for constant support, but when you do have questions (e.g., how to handle a statutory payment or a student loan deduction), PayEscape is there to assist. The one limitation is that there's no 24/7 support – you'd typically get help during business hours, but payroll schedules usually align with that.
PayEscape enjoys an excellent reputation among its user base. It boasts a Trustpilot rating of about 4.7 out of 5, which indicates a very high level of customer satisfaction. Though the number of reviews (~140) is smaller than some big providers, the consistency of positive feedback is impressive. Users frequently highlight PayEscape's easy-to-use system and the benefit of not being tied into a contract. Many reviews applaud the "hassle-free" nature of the service, saying that switching to PayEscape saved them time and headaches. Customer service is another recurring theme – clients feel well-supported and often mention staff by name who have gone the extra mile. These glowing reviews align with PayEscape's strategy of focusing on SMEs and providing a top-notch experience. In summary, PayEscape is highly recommended for UK SMEs, especially those wanting flexibility and a combined payroll/HR solution. The strong user ratings reflect that it delivers on its promises of simplicity, quality support, and good value.
Rippling is a newer entrant in the payroll market, known for its Silicon Valley tech approach to HR and payroll. It provides an all-in-one platform that includes payroll, HR, IT management, and more in a single system. For UK businesses, Rippling offers full-service UK payroll capabilities alongside its global payroll features. One highlight is Rippling's emphasis on automation and unified data: employee information, time tracking, benefits, and even computer access can all be managed through Rippling, which then automatically updates payroll. It's designed to eliminate manual work – for example, when you onboard a new hire, Rippling can automatically add them to payroll, enroll them in benefits, and order their laptop (if you use those IT features). Rippling also supports Employer of Record (EOR) services and global contractor payments, meaning if you have international contractors, you can pay them through Rippling easily. Its user interface is very modern and easy to navigate, often compared to using a well-designed consumer app. Additionally, Rippling provides robust security (end-to-end encryption of data) and custom workflow automation (you can set triggers and rules in the system). Essentially, Rippling's key selling point is unifying disparate systems – instead of separate payroll, HR, and IT tools, you have one integrated solution.
Rippling is relatively transparent about certain costs. Payroll in Rippling is priced per user; according to recent info, it starts at £7 per user, per month for the basic payroll software (this might roughly translate to ~$8-10, as quoted in some sources). However, that base price typically requires also being subscribed to Rippling's core HR platform. In general, Rippling uses a modular pricing approach: you pay for the modules you need (Core HR, Payroll, IT, Finance, etc.). So a small UK business might pay a monthly fee per employee that covers HR + payroll. There may also be implementation fees depending on the complexity. Rippling's pricing is considered affordable for small businesses given the broad functionality, especially when compared to buying multiple separate systems. It's sold as a SaaS product with monthly billing, and you can scale up or down as your employee count changes. Quotes are easily obtained online by going through their website's quote tool or contacting sales. Keep in mind that adding advanced modules (like device management or app management for IT) will increase the cost, but those aren't mandatory for pure payroll use.
Rippling supports UK payroll fully in compliance with HMRC. It calculates PAYE, National Insurance, pension contributions, etc., and can file the necessary RTI submissions automatically on your behalf. Rippling keeps track of UK bank holidays, new tax codes, student loan thresholds, and all the local nuances. It's recognized by HMRC as an approved software. Moreover, Rippling has compliance guardrails – for instance, it can notify you of changes in minimum wage or automatically adjust pension auto-enrolment contributions when an employee's age or earnings change. One interesting aspect is compliance assistance: Rippling provides alerts and to-dos to help you stay on top of payroll deadlines and legislative changes. Internationally, Rippling can handle compliance in multiple states/countries if you have US employees or others, making it a unified global solution. It's not an accountant or advisor though, so complex questions may still require consulting a professional, but the software does a lot of heavy lifting to ensure calculations and filings are correct. Rippling also offers a lot of educational materials and a help center that covers compliance topics, which can be handy for new employers.
Integration is a strong suit for Rippling. It's designed to connect with a vast array of apps. Out of the box, Rippling integrates with over 500 apps (according to their marketing) – including Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, expense systems, accounting software, and more. For payroll specifically, Rippling can sync with accounting systems like QuickBooks or Xero to automatically post payroll entries. It also has open APIs, so developers can create custom integrations if needed. Essentially, Rippling can act as your central hub (HRIS), and it will either natively perform a function (like managing time-off requests) or integrate with a specialist tool (like a project time-tracking app) and pull that data in. For example, if you use TSheets for time tracking, Rippling can integrate and fetch hours to run payroll. If you use an applicant tracking system, Rippling can integrate to import new hires. This integrated ecosystem approach is one of Rippling's big appeals – it reduces the number of separate systems that an SME has to manage. Many small businesses enjoy that Rippling's integrations mean less duplicate data entry and more consistent records across their software.
Rippling offers customer support through multiple channels, including an in-app chat, email, and phone support (for certain plans or issues). Being a tech-forward company, they also have an extensive online knowledge base and community forums. Users often report that the interface and guided prompts are so intuitive that they rarely need to contact support for day-to-day tasks. However, when you do need help, Rippling's support is generally well-rated for responsiveness. One thing to consider: Rippling, while serving UK clients, is a US-based company (headquartered in San Francisco). Support operates in English and can handle UK issues, but it might be primarily during US business hours, although they are expanding globally. They do mention 24/7 support in some cases, likely as they grow. Another support feature is that Rippling assigns implementation specialists for new customers to ensure a smooth setup (especially if you're migrating from another system). Overall, support is competent and tech-savvy, befitting the product, but some very UK-specific payroll queries might occasionally require escalation to their payroll experts who understand HMRC intricacies (which they do have on staff).
Rippling has quickly garnered a strong reputation. On Trustpilot it has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on over 1,000 reviews, which is impressive for a relatively young company. Users frequently praise the user interface and ease of use – many say that tasks that were complicated in other systems are simple in Rippling. Small business owners like that they can manage HR, payroll, and even IT onboarding all in one place. The positive reviews also highlight time savings and error reduction due to Rippling's automation. Negative reviews exist but often relate to specific issues like a desired feature not being present yet, or initial setup hiccups; as a still-evolving platform, Rippling updates frequently. Importantly for UK SMEs, Rippling is expanding its features to fully localize in the UK (it launched global payroll not long ago), and early adopters in the UK have been enthusiastic about having a modern alternative to legacy payroll systems. Tech reviewers often put Rippling at or near the top of best payroll software lists for its innovation. In summary, if you are a modern SME that values integration and automation, the user feedback suggests high satisfaction with Rippling. It's a compelling option for those who want more than just basic payroll – essentially a unified platform to manage their workforce.
Deel is a global payroll and compliance platform that specializes in helping businesses hire and pay workers internationally. While not a traditional UK payroll bureau, it's highly relevant for SMEs that engage remote freelancers or employees abroad. Deel's core features include the ability to onboard employees or contractors in over 100 countries, generate locally compliant contracts, and run payroll with automatic currency conversions and local tax withholding where needed. In essence, Deel can act as an Employer of Record (EOR) – meaning they legally employ the worker in their country and handle all the local HR, while your company just pays Deel a fee. This is incredibly useful if you, say, find a great developer in another country and want to hire them without setting up a foreign entity. For UK-based workers, Deel can also handle standard payroll but its sweet spot is the global functionality. The platform itself is very user-friendly; you can add a contractor in minutes and choose to pay them in their local currency. Deel handles things like exchange rate management (so employees don't lose out on conversion fees). It also provides self-service portals for workers to download payslips or invoices, and tools for companies to manage time-off and expenses for their remote team. In short, Deel's key feature is simplifying international payroll and compliance for SMEs who are "born global" or hiring overseas talent.
Deel is transparent about pricing for its different services. Its global payroll service (for full-time employees via EOR) typically starts at a flat fee per employee (varies by country, but often around a few hundred dollars per month per employee). However, for contractors, Deel is particularly attractive: it doesn't charge a monthly fee for contractors; instead, it adds a payment processing fee (like a small percentage) on each contractor payment or a minimal per-contractor fee. In the Wise article it's noted that payroll service starts at $29 per employee per month for some of Deel's offerings – likely referring to the contractors plus platform usage. This is a straightforward cost if you have just a few contractors. For full EOR service, costs are higher, but you only incur them if you use that service. Overall, SMEs find Deel cost-effective compared to setting up foreign subsidiaries or using big international HR firms. You can also pay as you go; there's no long-term lock-in, which is great for flexibility. Because Deel publishes many prices, you can estimate your cost on their website easily by entering how many contractors or employees you plan to pay through them. Considering the time and compliance hassles saved, many see the pricing as good value.
When it comes to compliance, Deel's focus is on ensuring you follow local laws for whichever country you're hiring in. For UK companies, if you're paying UK contractors via Deel, they will help ensure documentation and tax forms (like ensuring the contractor is classified correctly) are handled, though UK payroll for your direct employees isn't Deel's main offering. For international workers, Deel either partners with local legal entities or has its own, to make sure things like taxes, social contributions, and benefits are managed according to that country's laws. For example, if you use Deel to hire someone in France, Deel will ensure their payslip meets French requirements, their taxes are withheld, and their statutory benefits are given. Local tax compliance is a core service – one of the reasons SMEs use Deel is to avoid unknowingly violating a labor law abroad. Deel also generates the necessary tax documents for contractors (like 1099s in the US, or equivalent) and provides guidance on things like visa or contractor status. In terms of HMRC, if you pay UK-based contractors through Deel, you'd still likely treat them as contractors, so HMRC compliance is minimal (just ensure they handle their taxes). If using Deel for UK employees via EOR (less common, since you're in the UK already), they would handle PAYE for those employees too. Essentially, Deel takes on the compliance burden wherever your worker is located. They also have a legal team constantly updating their country guides, so you have up-to-date info on hiring in new regions.
Deel offers integrations with other systems to streamline workflows. It can integrate with popular HR systems (like Workday, BambooHR) to sync employee data, and with accounting software (like QuickBooks, Xero) to sync payroll expenses. Deel also has an API, allowing you to build custom integrations if needed. Additionally, Deel can integrate with time-tracking tools to import hours for contractors. If you use Deel, you might also be using other fintech or payment platforms (like Wise or traditional banks) – while direct integration with a banking app might not be needed, Deel's payments system can connect to your bank accounts to pull the funds for payroll. Another useful integration is Slack – Deel can send notifications via Slack (for instance, reminding you of an upcoming payment or letting a manager know a contract is ready to sign). Overall, while Deel's main proposition is the service, they recognize that companies might have an existing HR or accounting ecosystem and have built connectors accordingly. They also have a partnership with Wise (the wise.com platform) for moving money internationally efficiently, which underscores their integration with modern payment solutions.
Deel provides 24/7 customer support, knowing that its users span many time zones. They offer support via chat and email, and many customers report very fast response times (sometimes within minutes on chat). Deel also assigns account managers for business clients, especially if you're using EOR for multiple employees. Because compliance is complex, Deel's support often involves guiding you through requirements or clarifying doubts about local laws. They are known to be highly responsive and hands-on – which is reflected in their excellent reviews. When starting out, Deel's team will often help you get everything set – from advising on whether a person should be a contractor or employee to helping them onboard. Their platform also has a robust help center with country-specific FAQs. The intuitive nature of the platform means less need to contact support for technical issues, so most interactions tend to be about compliance or specific cases, and on those, Deel's specialists are quite adept. They are a relatively young company (founded 2019), so they have a modern approach to support, heavily focusing on customer success. Client feedback frequently praises Deel's support as quick and knowledgeable, which is crucial when you're dealing with something as sensitive as paying people correctly across the world.
Deel stands out with exceptionally high user ratings. It has about 4.8/5 on Trustpilot with thousands of reviews – an indication that users overwhelmingly have positive experiences. In those reviews, common themes include ease of use, speed, and peace of mind. Businesses appreciate that they can expand globally without legal headaches, and workers like that they get paid promptly and can withdraw money in their local currency. The onboarding process for both employer and employee is often lauded as being very smooth via Deel. Any negative feedback usually concerns certain limitations (for example, a specific country might not be supported for a certain type of benefit yet, etc.), but these are rare and often addressed as Deel rapidly updates its offerings. The wide adoption by startups and SMEs alike (Deel grew explosively in a short time) shows that it tapped into a real need. If your SME is considering hiring remotely or already has a distributed team, Deel's stellar reputation suggests it's a safe pair of hands to manage your international payroll. Users essentially highlight that Deel made something very complex become incredibly easy – which is high praise for a payroll service.
Employment Hero is an all-in-one platform that combines HR management, payroll, and employee benefits in a single system. Originally from Australia, it has expanded its presence in the UK (partly by acquiring local payroll software KeyPay). For SMEs, Employment Hero offers a comprehensive "Employment Operating System" that covers hiring, core HR (leave, policies, personnel files), intelligent payroll with automation, and even engagement tools like an employee wellness and benefits marketplace. Key payroll features include automated calculations, HMRC-compliant pay runs, and a self-service portal for employees to access payslips and request leave. Because it's integrated with HR, when you onboard a new employee through the HR module, their data flows straight into payroll. Employment Hero also has a mobile app which employees and managers can use for a range of tasks (from clocking in to browsing perks). Another unique aspect is Employment Hero's focus on employee experience – offering Earned Wage Access (letting employees withdraw part of their earned wages before payday), reward and recognition tools, and e-learning modules. For a small business, using Employment Hero means you're not just outsourcing payroll, you're adopting a platform that can handle the employee lifecycle end-to-end, which can be highly efficient.
Employment Hero operates on a tiered pricing model, with several plans (for example: Lite, Standard, Premium) depending on the features you need. According to the Startups comparison, the Lite plan starts at around £12 per employee per month. This entry plan would include basics of HR and payroll. Higher-tier plans (costing more per employee) add advanced features like performance management, more complex rostering, or advanced analytics. There's also likely a small base fee per company. The pricing is transparent on their website and you can choose the level that fits your budget and needs. Considering it bundles HR + Payroll, many SMEs find the per-employee cost reasonable compared to buying separate systems. It's worth noting that if you only need payroll and not the other features, Employment Hero might be more than you need – but even then, its KeyPay payroll engine can be purchased standalone by accountants or bureaus. For direct SME customers, however, Employment Hero sells the integrated solution. There might be minimum monthly fees if you have very few employees. Overall, the cost scales with your team size, making it predictable, and there's flexibility to upgrade plans as you grow.
Employment Hero's payroll module (stemming from KeyPay) is fully geared for UK payroll compliance. It is HMRC-recognised and handles all the Real Time Information submissions, tax calculations, National Insurance, and statutory pay requirements. The system updates automatically with UK Budget changes, tax code updates, and new legislation. A strong compliance benefit is that Employment Hero also includes HR compliance features – templates for UK HR policies, guidance on employment law, etc., which complements payroll compliance (for example, making sure employee contracts and pay rates meet NLW/NMW rules). They even offer an HR advisory service in some plans where you can get expert advice on tricky issues. On the payroll side, the automation reduces manual errors that lead to compliance issues (like incorrect tax withholding). Pensions auto-enrolment is supported too, with integration to pension providers for sending contributions. Employment Hero being a global platform means it also can handle multi-country compliance if needed (though in the UK context, that's less of a focus than tools like Deel). Importantly, Employment Hero is ISO certified for data security, ensuring your payroll data is kept safe – an indirect aspect of compliance (GDPR and data protection). All in all, you can trust that using Employment Hero will keep your payroll legally compliant; they maintain the system in line with HMRC's requirements and even prompt you if, say, an employee's visa is expiring or an apprenticeship levy applies.
Employment Hero offers a range of integrations, especially given it positions itself as a central HR system. It can integrate with accounting software (like Xero or QuickBooks) to sync payroll journals – so once you run payroll, the financials are reflected in your books. It also integrates with time and attendance systems if you're not using its built-in one. There are integrations for recruiting (they have their own ATS, but they can integrate with others too), and for other third-party apps like learning management or expense management tools. They also have an open API for cases where a custom integration is needed. For many SMEs, though, one appeal of Employment Hero is that it reduces the need for multiple systems – it already has modules for most HR and payroll needs. For example, instead of integrating a separate benefits platform, SMEs can use Employment Hero's built-in perks and rewards features. If you do want to use best-in-class tools for certain functions, Employment Hero's integration list is pretty good (they have a directory of integration partners on their site). And because they partner with many bookkeeping and outsourcing firms, it's designed to play well with others. Notably, it integrates with Xero very well, which is beneficial for UK businesses since Xero is popular for accounting.
Employment Hero provides support through different channels, often depending on your plan level. Generally, there's online support (help center, email ticketing) and for higher tiers, phone support or a dedicated customer success manager. Since payroll is a critical function, Employment Hero does ensure payroll-specific support is strong – they inherited KeyPay's UK support team expertise. They also have a community forum and a library of training webinars. Because it's a cloud platform, you also continuously get new features and improvements (with notes and support around those). Employment Hero being a global company means support hours are extended; they have offices in the UK, Australia, etc., so UK users get local business hours coverage for support. User feedback suggests their support is helpful especially during implementation – they guide you through setting up your payroll calendars, imports, etc. Additionally, if you opt for their managed payroll service (they do offer fully managed payroll outsourcing as an add-on in some regions), you'd get a payroll specialist assigned. For most, though, the software is do-it-yourself with the safety net of support when needed. The trustpilot reviews (4-star average) indicate customers find it a reliable platform, and any issues raised are addressed by the support team.
Employment Hero has a solid reputation, often praised by small businesses who want to modernize their HR and payroll. Its Trustpilot rating is around 4 out of 5, and it has positive reviews on software sites like Capterra (HR and payroll combined). Users love the centralization of functions – comments frequently mention how convenient it is to have everything from contracts to payslips in one place. The payroll engine (KeyPay) is well-reviewed for being robust and flexible (it's used by many payroll bureaux too). Some users note that because the system has so many features, it can take some time to learn all of them – but once learned, it streamlines admin work significantly. On the HR side, SMEs appreciate built-in compliance templates and the ability to offer employees a mobile app for engagement. Critiques occasionally mention that certain advanced features could be improved (like more customization in reporting, or interface tweaks), but the company often rolls out updates addressing these. Employment Hero was recognized in various startup awards, indicating it's seen as an innovative solution. Summing up the sentiment: users find Employment Hero extremely useful for saving time and improving accuracy, and it's especially recommended for growing businesses that want to ensure both payroll and HR processes scale smoothly together.
While the providers above offer excellent software and services, many SMEs find themselves paying premium prices for features they don't need, or struggling with impersonal support from large corporations. At Your Team in Asia (YTA), we offer something different: a dedicated, full-time payroll professional who becomes an integral part of your team.
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