Compare the UK’s Best Payroll Systems & Payroll Software

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

List of 16 Payroll Software

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

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

Learn more about BrightPay

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

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

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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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

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

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

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

Learn more about The Access Group

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

Learn more about ZellisONE

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

Learn more about Conta

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

Learn more about Xero

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 features

Absence and leave management

Automated management of absence and leave, with support for approval workflows and a correct link to the payroll calculation.

Accounting documents in several formats

Lets you export accounting documents from payroll in several file formats, so they can be imported into different accounting systems.

API integrations

Connect the payroll system to other systems through APIs, so that data such as employees, time and payments can move between them automatically.

Automatic calculation of variable pay

Calculates variable pay such as overtime, unsocial-hours supplements, commission and bonuses automatically from the underlying data.

Bank file for salary payments

Creates a payment file for your bank, so salaries can be paid out to all employees in one go.

Benefits management

Supports the management of common benefits and allowances that affect salary payments.

Dashboard

A popular feature for anyone who handles a lot of payroll data. Gives a good overview and helps you keep track of key parameters. Works well together with the report generator.

Digital payslips

Lets you send payslips digitally to your employees through channels such as email or an app. Check whether digital payslips are included in the licence.

Employee and manager self-service

Employees and managers can handle tasks such as personal details, absence, approvals and requests themselves, directly in the system.

Holiday pay calculation

Automatic holiday calculations in line with statutory holiday rules, collective agreements and different holiday terms.

HR system

Many organisations value having HR and payroll in the same system. Centralising all HR data in one system brings clear synergies, with better coordination and synchronisation between the HR and payroll departments. Benefits, performance-based pay and administrative processes become more flexible and transparent. The drawback can be that you are heavily locked in to one supplier.

Import file to ERP system

Creates a file with payroll data that can be imported into your ERP system.

Invoicing data and invoice management

Create invoicing data from reported time and manage the invoices, for example when staff hours are invoiced to customers.

Payroll outsourcing

The supplier can take responsibility for all or part of the payroll process.

Recruitment module

Some payroll systems include recruitment features. Managing recruitment in the same payroll and HR system is an advantage, as you have access to internal and external pay statistics and a good overview of staff turnover, vacancies and staffing needs. Consider, however, whether the recruitment module really meets your needs for digitising the recruitment process.

Report generator

Create, customise and visualise reports based on payroll and HR data for tracking and analysis.

Salary review

Supports a structured salary review process in which managers and the payroll team work together in the system and manual errors are minimised.

Salary statistics

Compile statistics on salaries and pay trends across the company, for example for salary reviews or reporting.

Scheduling

Create staff rotas for upcoming work periods and see who is working when and what salaries this will generate.

Staff handbook and policy documents

Keep the staff handbook and policy documents in one place, so employees can easily find the current version.

Support for multiple collective agreements

Lets you apply different collective agreements to different groups of employees, with the right rules for pay, holiday and supplements.

Tax calculations

Calculates tax deductions and employer contributions on each salary payment.

Time reporting

Employees can record hours worked, absence and deviations, linked directly to payroll calculation.

Travel and expense claims

Record and manage travel expense claims, expenses and mileage logs, with digital approval and a direct link to payroll.

Workforce planning

Supports planning and gives an overview of staffing, rotas and resource needs across projects and periods.