Best Payroll Services for 2024

QuickBooks Payroll provides small businesses with scalable payroll services that easily integrate with QuickBooks accounting software and over a dozen other Intuit product offerings. QuickBooks’ payroll features are available in multiple packages that vary due to add-ons, but each includes unlimited payroll runs, automatic calculations and submissions to HMRC, a workforce portal, payroll reports, and free next- or same-day direct deposit.

You can run payroll for employees at varying pay grades, and the software can handle attachment of earnings orders and PAYE. QuickBooks Payroll can be accessed on various devices, including through iOS and Android mobile apps. With QuickBooks Payroll, you can generate slips, calculate maternity, paternity and sick pay, set up automatic pay runs at your desired frequency and operate a time-sheet system. You also get access to the platform’s employee portal and HR features.

Building and construction firms can use the platform for CIS payments and the software will calculate and send workplace pension submissions to Aviva, NOW, The People’s Pension, Smart Pension, NEST and more.

OnPay is a user-friendly payroll solution that caters to small businesses and startups. You can pay employees via direct deposit or paper check. Best of all, OnPay allows you to run payroll an unlimited number of times, which is helpful for businesses that run payroll weekly or routinely pay contractors for projects.

You can use the OnPay software to add employees to your payroll, set statuses, run payroll and manage paid time off (PTO). The platform includes a PAYE and benefits deduction system, and provides support for end-of-year HMRC submissions. We found its most useful tools to include compliance checklists and audits, automated workflows, and customisable document templates.

OnPay has one all-inclusive package that incorporates HR tools: The cost is £31.50 per month, plus £4.75 per employee per month. It’s also possible to impose six levels of admin permissions, including external collaborators, while integrations are offered with rivals like QuickBooks as well as platforms such as Vestwell and Mineral.

OnPay also allows users to create bespoke expense reports. The reporting tool includes the ability to add up to 50 data points to key reports, reorder columns to emphasise important data and save multiple views for different company stakeholders. We found this valuable for tracking business finances and making informed decisions.

If you plan to expand your business globally, Papaya Global is a great option for payroll processing. The vendor can run payroll in more than 160 countries for all types of employment. That’s why it’s used by large brands like Microsoft, Toyota and Shopify.

The company’s umbrella agency service ensures that you stay compliant with the various employment laws in all the countries where you have workers. Papaya Global will even help you secure short-term or long-term work permits for employees outside their home countries.

Papaya Global doesn’t charge a base fee for running payroll; the payroll package simply costs $20 per employee per month. But if you need to use the company as your global umbrella agency, it costs £515 per month.

Papaya Global is best for businesses looking to expand internationally. If you run a small business and don’t need global payroll tools, the software may come with many features that won’t be beneficial for your organisation. An employee app, launched earlier this year, adds to its flexibility.

ADP offers a scalable payroll platform that provides all the tools and features businesses need to process payroll and pay associated taxes. We found that ADP works well for companies across all industries and is a particularly good option for businesses with complex needs.

The company will run the payroll for small, medium-sized and large businesses, with dedicated plans for companies employing over 1,000 people. If you have fewer than 50 employees, there are four different plans available, but ADP customises pricing and does not reveal costs upfront. We liked ADP’s additional features, such as the employee self-service portal, direct deposit payments and onboarding tools. The advanced plans can include HR support, background checks, employee training and the ability to post job openings on platforms like ZipRecruiter.

Unlike many of its competitors, ADP has an international presence and can offer payroll services in more than 140 countries. You can run payroll on your desktop computer, on your mobile device or over the phone. ADP automatically calculates an employee’s paycheck based on their wages and time off, which saves you time and reduces the likelihood of error.

Gusto has established itself as a cutting-edge payroll service provider for small businesses, especially those that want additional human resources tools. We love that Gusto seamlessly integrates with over 20 time-tracking applications and numerous hiring, performance management and learning platforms. These integrations empower small businesses to better leverage Gusto’s native onboarding, benefits administration and payroll features. With these advantages and more, Gusto stood out as our top choice for the best online payroll service with added HR services.

Gusto’s cloud-based software is easy to use and comes with direct deposit, new-hire reporting and detailed payroll reports. The service also handles tax registration for employees including Scotland, and the software can facilitate contractor payments in more than 120 countries. Most recently, Gusto began supporting international payments in over 75 countries, in partnership with Remote. Other tools we found useful include customisable offer letter templates, an e-signature tool and an onboarding checklist.

Gusto has four tiers of service, with the Simple plan starting at £31,50 per month, plus £4.75 per employee per month. We liked that Gusto doesn’t include hidden fees for syncing time tracking tools or accounting software. The variety of packages means the software can grow with your business, and you can add on more features as you’re ready.

Paycor offers intuitive online payroll software that comes with a comprehensive employee self-service portal. This portal can be used to review compensation data and update personal or financial information. Employees can also use the portal to request paid time off, monitor their payments, review their benefits and access their pay stubs, while the Paycor Time solution offers physical or app-based time clocks.

Paycor has four plans, each with a flat monthly base rate and per-employee fee. Here is an overview of each of the packages.

• Basic: The Basic plan is £78 per month, plus £3.95 per employee per month. It comes with payroll processing, PAYE submissions, PDF reports, access to the Paycor mobile app, and employee self-service for attachment of earnings orders and child support information.
• Essential: The Essential plan is £117 per month, plus £5.50 per employee per month. It expands on the Basic plan with PTO requests and manager approvals, new-hire onboarding and tax filing, and compliance checklists and templates.
• Core: The Core plan is £159 per month, plus £6,32 per employee per month. It comes with everything offered in the first two plans, plus HR and career management services.
• Complete: The Complete plan is £159 per month, plus £11 per employee per month. It adds advanced analytics and data benchmarking, integrations with pensions providers, and dedicated account manager support.

We liked that Paycor was designed for simplicity, with payroll running automatically (while generating updates through the accompanying mobile app) and proactive alerts sent out if there is missing information. Like Paychex, staff can examine pay stubs up to three days before payment is received, to proactively report mistakes.

Paychex is a payroll service that’s a great option for businesses of all sizes. The company offers weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly payroll schedules. Paychex can accommodate all types of workers, including full-time and part-time employees. Team members can choose to receive their paycheck as a bank transfer, cheque or prepaid debit card.

You can manage your payroll with the computer software or the Paychex mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android devices. To run payroll in as little as two clicks, you just need to enter the necessary information and submit it for processing. The self-service feature allows employees to log in to the system and view their pay stubs and year-end tax documents, while the optional Pre-Check service enables employees to flag payroll issues before payment is issued. We also liked that Paychex offers more than 250 integrations, from AIG to Xero.

Paychex offers three packages, which start at £31 per month, plus £3.95 per employee per month. The most basic plan includes payroll processing and tax preparation services, while the more advanced plans come with attachment of earnings payment management and onboarding services. In our research, Paychex was unique in having hundreds of compliance experts monitoring regulatory changes across the UK, feeding this back into the software.

You may know Square as a payment processing platform, but the company also offers an online payroll service. Square Payroll is easy to use and has all the features we looked for in a payroll software company, including a dedicated payroll smartphone app.

You can use Square Payroll to process payroll for PAYE employees and self-employed contractors within IR35 accurately and on time.. The software automatically prepares necessary tax forms based on the information that’s already in your system, reporting them back automatically to HMRC.

Customer service is available via phone, email and live chat. The live chat tool is built directly into the software and allows you to contact payroll specialists, who understand how to optimise payroll processes. Speaking of specialists, Square has copied Intuit in outsourcing the HR and compliance services it offers to external partner Mineral.

Square can integrate with the best time and attendance systems as well as POS software. The system tracks employee hours automatically, and when it comes time to process payroll, you can pay employees using their Square balance rather than their bank account. We are impressed with Square’s new AI tools as well. These include AI-generated content for your emails and business communications.

There is no contract requirement for Square Payroll, which we found ideal for companies looking to avoid long-term contracts or commitments. Pricing plans start at £27.50 per month, plus £4.95 per employee per month. Alternatively, there is a contractors-only option, which allows you to pay third-party contractors within IR35 for £4.95 per payment with no monthly base fee.

Rippling’s online payroll software has a user-friendly interface and requires little training for new users. The software works with over 500 third-party applications to improve your payroll process, tax preparation and other business operations. The payroll process is so simple that you can run it in as little as 90 seconds.

The software tracks important metrics like total hours worked per employee, paid time off and labour expenses. You can set up bank transfers directly in Rippling or give employees paper checks. The software automatically deducts an employee’s tax and National Insurance based on their tax code, and it automatically files international taxes. Automated workflows support Boolean rule processing, with outcomes such as approval automatically being requested for certain expense values or types.

Rippling advertises a price of £6.35 per person per month but requires bespoke quotes for the base fee. The platform also requires all payroll customers to use its workforce software, Rippling Unity, which houses all data related to payroll, onboarding, benefits administration, and time and attendance. Indeed, we like the fact that all employee data is combined into a unified record, allowing Rippling to automate functions like box dispatch so departing employees can return hardware.

The system automatically compiles the necessary data for PAYE submissions and automatically identifies applicable tax rates in Scotland. You can then file and remit payments directly through Rippling. If your business operates across national borders, Rippling offers international payment support. Bill paying software will be added soon, covering global invoices and expenses, while domestic receipts can already be forwarded and viewed digitally.

Remote Payroll is an all-in-one payroll provider for businesses with an international workforce. The company is compliant in more than 60 countries and even offers country-specific benefits packages, with payments made in employees’ local currencies.

There are a variety of plans available depending on whether you want to use the software to manage contractors, a remote workforce or a global payroll. The standard solution comes with an employee self-service portal, HR library, new-hire reporting and analytics. We liked that there are no contracts or minimum employee headcounts, making this ideal for companies who rely heavily on third-party contractors or firms with fluctuating workforce numbers.

You can also use Remote Payroll as an umbrella agency. If you choose this option, the company will manage the local payroll, taxes and benefits for you to ensure your business stays compliant in various countries. The umbrella company service costs £475, but you will need to contact the vendor for a global payroll quote. It costs £23 per contractor per month to manage and pay international contractors, with no exchange fees and one-click approval for recurring invoices.

With Deluxe’s easy-to-use payroll software, payroll can be completed in just three simple steps. The software allows you to adjust pay for fractions of hours worked, and you can issue paper checks or direct deposit payments. All the core services are offered: full-service PAYE filings and submissions across the UK (including Scotland), P60/P11D/P45 processing, and pension scheme contributions..

Deluxe interfaces with dozens of third-party software providers, including accounting software and point-of-sale (POS) systems. The integration process includes seamless data migration, while the in-house integration between HR, benefits and payroll ensures changes in one automatically are applied to the others.

As a Deluxe customer, you’ll have access to a dedicated customer service team that can offer tax advice and general guidance. These reps can ensure you’re tax-compliant and help you find ways to save time and money on your reporting and filing processes. Even with this consultative approach, the vendor has simple pricing plans: £35 per month, plus £5.50 per employee per month, for its Payroll + HR Essentials package and £35 per month, plus £10.10 per employee per month, for its Payroll & HR Enhanced package with custom reporting fields and unlimited workflow automation.

Deluxe’s Microsoft partnership means its services can be accessed via Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. This all-in-one solution is meant to simplify your business software needs via a single platform. Deluxe now offers integrations with several popular accounting software services, including QuickBooks, Xero and Sage. The ability to sync payroll and accounting software is another advantage for business owners seeking to streamline their operations.

Zenefits Payroll is a smartly presented software platform that can run payroll in just three mouse clicks. It offers all the core functionality we look for in our review of payroll services at a highly competitive cost. There’s extensive report functionality, including pre-prepared reports, while niche features include reported tips and assistance with child support remittance. Part-month payments are automatically prorated, dynamic pay stubs can be personalised with messages, and workers are able to view documents even after they’ve left the company to work elsewhere.

There’s something inherently likeable about Zenefits, from the simplicity of its colourful user interface to the firm’s straightforward pricing structure and available upgrades. It doesn’t try to blind its users with science, focusing instead on logical processes and practical support. We especially appreciated the presence of a 25-course learning path, showing new clients under the hood and offering support with specific challenges like pension scheme transfers.

In terms of pricing, Zenefits offers modular packages that can be built on one of three base plans, which range from £6.33 to £16.62 per month, plus £4.75 per employee per month. Additional costs range from advisory services (£6.33 per month) to recruiting and applicant tracking software (£255 per month).

Over the last four decades, isolved has grown into a suite of HR and workforce management tools, of which payroll is an integral component. Its unusual approach to payroll is reflected in the creation of a full learning experience platform called People Heroes University, which covers a wide variety of training and self-tuition.

While some rivals encourage you to upgrade to premium software subscriptions to receive employee self-service, this functionality is baked into isolved. Staff can view everything from paid time off balances and personal data pension schemes and P60 forms with updates automatically sent to pension providers and insurance companies.. Meanwhile, managers and admins view consolidated payroll benefits and HR data for each employee through a straightforward user interface.

Other simplification tools include automatic tax calculations, filing and agency payments, tax credit eligibility, and the usual threshold-monitoring rules and alerts.