Payroll Software in UK 2026 | Compare 16 systems

Which payroll systems meet your requirements and needs?

Working with payroll can be complicated and time-consuming as it is, but choosing a payroll system or payroll software to simplify your payroll tasks doesn’t have to be difficult. BusinessWith has mapped out various payroll systems available in the UK market. With our comparison service, you can easily find out which payroll software best suits you and your business. Additionally, by using the filter function, you can quickly create a shortlist of providers that meet your needs and requirements.

For example, you can filter and compare the web-based payroll systems that also offer payroll audits. Furthermore, you can see which providers allow you to add essential core features such as time reporting systems & expense reporting systems. Many decision-makers are looking for an integrated HR & payroll system. This is something you can easily identify using the filter function.

How many payroll systems are available in the UK market?

In the 2000s, there was an explosion of new providers in payroll management. However, in recent years, there have been several acquisitions where larger market players have bought up smaller ones that have introduced more modern technology in their payroll systems. At BusinessWith, we have mapped over 28 systems and providers – and specialized in identifying the business benefits of each player, making it easier for you to make a purchasing decision. Welcome to start comparing to find the payroll system that best fits your business.

Best Payroll Systems = High Utilization Rate

Quick Guide

Related categories to Payroll Software

Payroll Software Accounting Software Expense Management Software Travel Expense Management Workforce Management Software

List of 16 different Payroll Software

Personio

An all-in-one cloud-based HR solution offering core HR management, time tracking, absence management, electronic signatures, recruitment, onboarding, performance and people analytics to streamline and automate HR processes.

Learn more about Personio

ADP Payroll

Cloud-based payroll, HCM, time & attendance and talent solutions plus managed payroll services and global payroll operations, combining software with professional support and compliance expertise.

Learn more about ADP Payroll

BrightPay

BrightPay provides HMRC‑recognised payroll, RTI submissions, auto enrolment, CIS, payroll journals, employee self‑service and integrations (Modulr, Xero, Sage, QuickBooks).

Learn more about BrightPay

IRIS Software Group

Award-winning, HMRC-recognised, MTD-ready accounting solutions delivered via cloud and desktop, designed to streamline reporting, compliance and practice management.

Learn more about IRIS Software Group

Liberty Accounts

Integrated online accounting and payroll: budgeting, VAT/MTD filing, stock, payroll (RTI), donor ledger and charity SoFA reporting with a free trial and 6-month money-back guarantee.

Learn more about Liberty Accounts

MHR Platform

An AI-enabled solution unifying HR, payroll and finance in real time, driving efficiency, compliance and insights.

Learn more about MHR Platform

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Moorepay

Award-winning cloud payroll and HR platform plus managed payroll services: automated calculations, open APIs, mobile app and outsourced payroll for worry-free compliance.

Learn more about Moorepay

Papaya Global Platform

A unified payroll and payments platform delivering compliant global payroll, contractor management, EOR/AOR and cross-border payments with integrations and real-time visibility.

Learn more about Papaya Global Platform

PeopleHR

A cloud-based HR software and payroll platform powered by AI automation, offering HRIS, ATS, absence, appraisal, and analytics in a single scalable subscription service.

Learn more about PeopleHR

The Access Group

A comprehensive ERP system that streamlines finance, HR, supply chain, manufacturing and more

Learn more about The Access Group

ZellisONE

AI-enabled platform unifying HR, Workforce Management, Pay, Talent and Benefits to drive performance and employee experience.

Learn more about ZellisONE

BambooHR

BambooHR provides an all-in-one HR system offering hiring, onboarding, performance management, payroll, time & attendance, reporting and compensation tools.

Learn more about BambooHR

Conta

Conta is an invoicing and accounting platform designed to help small businesses manage billing, expenses, and finances.

Learn more about Conta

Factorial

An all-in-one SaaS HR platform that automates payroll, time tracking, recruitment, performance and document management, with AI features and mobile access.

Learn more about Factorial

Rippling

Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that helps businesses run HR, payroll, IT, and finance operations from a single system. Instead of using multiple disconnected tools, it centralises employee data and automates processes like onboarding, payroll, benefits, device management, and expenses.

Learn more about Rippling

Xero

Xero offers secure, paperless record keeping, automated tasks and real-time insights to streamline invoicing, reconciliation and reporting.

Learn more about Xero

Quick Guide

Best Payroll Systems = High Utilization Rate

Our mapping of payroll systems in the UK market is tailored for you and those working in sole proprietorships, small businesses, medium-sized enterprises, or large corporations. Regardless of company size, it can be challenging to keep track of all the new updates occurring in the system market. Many new innovative features are being added to the product range that buyers need to consider in their purchasing process. However, one of the most common "problems" is the gap between the utilization of the system's capacity compared to how much you pay. In other words – it’s important to not only look at the price but also the pricing model and whether support and training are included in the price or not. The best payroll software might be the one that costs you more if you find that the business model is built around how much you utilize the payroll system, compared to a license that costs less but does not take into account whether you utilize the system or not.

Compare payroll systems and evaluate them before making your choice. BusinessWith is here to assist you with your decision – don’t hesitate to reach out if you need more guidance.

How should I choose the payroll software that best fits my company?

There are many different payroll systems in the UK, and the influx of new providers has significantly increased in recent years. Many providers have now followed the trend and started developing their payroll systems as a fully developed cloud service where customers can access their payroll management online daily. Many payroll systems used to be like a payroll software that required downloading a client and storing all payroll data on your own server, but there is now a clear shift towards companies valuing a web-based payroll management system more highly.

To make a qualified choice, it’s important to review the provider behind the payroll software or payroll system. What we mean is to assess how the provider works with their customers:

Are they a proactive provider who updates their customers with new regulations or innovations?
Do they offer ongoing training?
Do they hold webinars?
Do they charge for support and training, or is it included in the license?

There are many questions, and you can quickly get answers to many of them through a demo from the provider. Start comparing systems with us at BusinessWith.

Description of payroll software and payroll software functions

Absence management

Leave and absence management is a core function. Automatic absence management (preferably with a built-in approval process) ensures that there are no errors when including absence in the payroll.

Dashboard

A very appreciated feature for those who handle a lot of payroll data. Provides a good overview and helps you keep track of key parameters. Works well in combination with the report generator.

Digital salary specification

Ensures that you can send the salary specification digitally to your employees. Can be done via different digital channels such as email or app. However, check if digital salary statements are included in the license or not.

Holiday calculation

Carry out holiday calculations for all salaries and ensure that it is correct according to the holiday law and holiday conditions.

HR system

There are many who value having an HR/Personnel and Payroll system in the same system. There are good synergies, centralising all HR data into one system, as it leads to better management and synchronisation between the HR department and the payroll department. Benefits, performance-based pay, administration processes, etc. become more flexible and transparent. The disadvantage can be that you are very "locked in" with one provider.

Recruitment function

Some payroll systems have recruitment functionalities included in the payroll system. It is an advantage to be able to manage your recruitments in the same payroll & HR system because there you have access to internal and external payroll statistics, you have a good overview of staff turnover, vacancies, staffing needs etc. However, think about whether the recruitment module really meets your digitisation needs of the recruitment process.

Report generator

Having access to a well-functioning reporting function that allows you to easily create, design (different graphs/diagrams) and customise reports in a payroll system makes it much easier. Might be worth investigating the flexibility.

Salary review

The payroll audit process usually requires a lot of time in preparation and management, with access to a payroll audit module, managers and the payroll department can have a common systemised process that includes features that ensure that manual errors are eliminated. The result is that all payroll audits are accurate. A valuable module to the payroll system, especially if you manage it via excel today.

Self-service

A self-service function can simplify some administrative processes. For example, employees could order a new computer or mobile phone themselves, which could be certified directly via their manager and thus not have to go through the payroll department, or perhaps allow employees to update their own personal data, which is automatically updated via the HR/payroll system, etc.

Time reporting

Make it easy for employees to record time (hours worked, absences, etc.) Some payroll systems have this functionality and even offer a mobile solution in addition so that those who travel on business can easily perform their time reporting.

Travel invoice management

A payroll system that has a good travel expense management module can simplify administration for employees and administrators considerably. Recording all expenses digitally and driving records in a system that also has an automated approval process, simplifies the process considerably. This feature usually works as an add-on module.

Workforce planning

Ensures that you can get a good overview of the scheduling of different projects and in what level it is staffed. You can efficiently plan resources as well as easily enter your company's own accountancy concepts. This feature usually works as an add-on module.