Are you looking for payroll companies in London? When it comes to managing business finances, especially payroll, it’s crucial to get it right. The ramifications of a mistake could potentially be costly, both financially and in terms of morale. For businesses in London, the need to find a competent, reliable payroll company cannot be overstated.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 payroll providers in London. By examining their strengths, weaknesses and areas of specialisation, this review should serve as a guide in choosing the most suitable payroll provider for your business.
Best payroll companies in London
| Company | Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Moorepay | Comprehensive services, User-friendly software, SMEs focused | Starting at £50 per month |
| Payescape | Cloud-based, High level of customisation, Excellent customer service | Starting at £60 per month |
| Payroll Business Solutions | Integrated software solution, Ideal for medium to large businesses | Contact for quote |
| Cintra HR & Payroll Services | Exceptional customer service, User-friendly experience | Starting at £75 per month |
| Trace Payroll Services | Mix of payroll and HR management, Over 40 years of experience | Contact for quote |
| Payplus | Flexible services, Dedicated payroll manager for each account | Starting at £45 per month |
| Dataplan Payroll Limited | Strong security and compliance, Wide array of services | Starting at £65 per month |
| RSM Employer Services | Part of a global network, Offers international payroll | Contact for quote |
| Paycheck Plus | Global payroll solutions, Strong compliance protocols | Contact for quote |
| SGW Payroll | Variety of payroll solutions, High levels of accuracy | Starting at £55 per month |
| JGA Payroll Services | Reliable and accurate, Serves various sectors | Starting at £50 per month |
| RapidPay | Fully automated, Real-time reporting, 24/7 support | Starting at £70 per month |
| The Payroll Department | Personalised solutions, Dedicated account manager | Starting at £40 per month |
| FMP Global | Wide range of services, Domestic, international, and expatriate payroll | Contact for quote |
| Symatrix | Outsourced services, Strong commitment to technology | Starting at £80 per month |
Remember, the fees are typically based on a per-employee-per-month basis and may include setup fees. Some companies may have a variable pricing model based on the complexity of your payroll, so be sure to clarify all costs before making a decision.
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1. Moorepay
Moorepay is a well-established payroll company with a rich history dating back to the 1960s. It provides payroll and HR services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the UK. Known for its comprehensive services and user-friendly software, Moorepay is a favourite among businesses that seek to streamline their payroll and HR processes.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive services, User-friendly software, SMEs focused | Starting at £50 per month |
Moorepay pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive services | Pricing could be expensive for smaller businesses |
| User-friendly software | Some clients report slow customer service response |
| SMEs focused |
2. Payescape
Payescape offers a cloud-based payroll solution that is both versatile and efficient. The company is lauded for its commitment to customer service, offering tailored services that match the specific needs of individual businesses. For organisations seeking a high level of customisation, Payescape is a top choice.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Cloud-based, High level of customisation, Excellent customer service | Starting at £60 per month |
Payescape pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cloud-based and easily accessible | May not be ideal for companies without internet access |
| High level of customisation | May require some time to set up and customise |
| Excellent customer service |
3. Payroll Business Solutions
This London-based payroll company offers an integrated software solution called Accord Payroll. Designed to manage complex payroll requirements, Payroll Business Solutions is ideal for medium to large businesses. With a flexible system and in-house development team, they can adapt to meet unique client needs.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Integrated software solution, Ideal for medium to large businesses | Contact for quote |
Payroll Business Solutions pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Integrated software solution | Pricing information not readily available |
| Ideal for medium to large businesses | Might not be suited to small businesses |
4. Cintra HR & Payroll Services
Cintra is renowned for its exceptional customer service and powerful HR and payroll solutions. Their commitment to creating a user-friendly experience while delivering high-quality services makes them a top choice for businesses of all sizes.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Exceptional customer service, User-friendly experience | Starting at £75 per month |
Cintra pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional customer service | Slightly higher starting price |
| User-friendly experience | Might have a learning curve for non-tech-savvy users |
5. Trace Payroll Services
Serving businesses for over 40 years, Trace Payroll Services offers a mix of payroll and HR management services. Their solutions are designed to improve accuracy, save time and reduce the risk of errors. For businesses looking for a seasoned provider, Trace Payroll Services is a robust option.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Mix of payroll and HR management, Over 40 years of experience | Contact for quote |
Trace pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mix of payroll and HR management | Pricing information not readily available |
| Over 40 years of experience | Some may find the interface outdated |
6. Payplus
Payplus offers a range of flexible, fully managed payroll services suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Known for their personal touch, Payplus ensures a dedicated payroll manager for each account, providing a consistent point of contact and personalised service.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Flexible services, Dedicated payroll manager for each account | Starting at £45 per month |
Payplus pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible services | Might not offer as many features as some competitors |
| Dedicated payroll manager for each account |
7. Dataplan Payroll Limited
With a strong reputation for security and compliance, Dataplan Payroll Limited offers an array of services including PAYE, pensions, and gender pay gap reporting. Particularly suitable for larger organisations or those in regulated industries, Dataplan is a secure and dependable option.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Strong security and compliance, Wide array of services | Starting at £65 per month |
Dataplan Payroll pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Strong security and compliance | More expensive than some competitors |
| Wide array of services | Might be more complex than necessary for small businesses |
8. RSM Employer Services
As part of a global network, RSM Employer Services provides a range of payroll services, including international payroll. RSM is an excellent choice for businesses with a multinational workforce or those planning to expand overseas.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Part of a global network, Offers international payroll | Contact for quote |
RSM pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Part of a global network | Pricing information not readily available |
| Offers international payroll | Might be overwhelming for businesses operating only in the UK |
9. Paycheck Plus
Paycheck Plus offers an award-winning payroll service, delivering global payroll solutions with the precision of local expertise. With strong compliance protocols and a range of payroll services, Paycheck Plus is suitable for businesses of all sizes.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Global payroll solutions, Strong compliance protocols | Contact for quote |
Paycheck Plus pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Global payroll solutions | Pricing information not readily available |
| Strong compliance protocols | Not as beneficial for businesses operating only domestically |
10. SGW Payroll
SGW Payroll offers a variety of payroll solutions including fully managed services, payroll consultancy, and bespoke payroll solutions. Known for their attention to detail and high levels of accuracy, SGW is an excellent choice for businesses looking for comprehensive payroll services.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Variety of payroll solutions, High levels of accuracy | Starting at £55 per month |
SGW Payroll pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Variety of payroll solutions | Might be more than necessary for simple payroll needs |
| High levels of accuracy |
11. JGA Payroll Services
JGA provides reliable and accurate payroll solutions to businesses across various sectors. Known for their prompt and professional service, JGA is a good choice for businesses seeking hassle-free payroll management.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Reliable and accurate, Serves various sectors | Starting at £50 per month |
JGA pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable and accurate | Some users report the software isn’t as intuitive |
| Serves various sectors |
12. RapidPay
RapidPay offers a fully automated payroll solution with real-time reporting and round-the-clock support. Ideal for businesses looking to digitise their payroll, RapidPay’s services are both efficient and reliable.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Fully automated, Real-time reporting, 24/7 support | Starting at £70 per month |
RapidPay pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fully automated | Some users may prefer more manual control |
| Real-time reporting, 24/7 support | More expensive starting price |
13. The Payroll Department
The Payroll Department offers personalised payroll solutions for small to medium-sized businesses. With a dedicated account manager for every client, The Payroll Department provides high-quality service with a personal touch.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Personalised solutions, Dedicated account manager | Starting at £40 per month |
Payroll Department pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Personalised solutions | Might not be ideal for companies looking for a one-size-fits-all solution |
| Dedicated account manager |
14. FMP Global
FMP Global is a well-established payroll company that offers a wide range of payroll services including domestic, international, and expatriate payroll. Particularly suitable for businesses with diverse payroll needs, FMP Global is a versatile and reliable provider.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Wide range of services, Domestic, international, and expatriate payroll | Contact for quote |
FMP Global pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide range of services | Pricing information not readily available |
| Domestic, international, and expatriate payroll | Might offer more features than necessary for small, local businesses |
15. Symatrix
Symatrix is a leading provider of outsourced payroll services, known for their strong commitment to technology and automation. They offer comprehensive, cloud-based payroll solutions, making them an excellent choice for businesses seeking an efficient and modern payroll system.
| Key Features | Fees (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Outsourced services, Strong commitment to technology | Starting at £80 per month |
Symatrix pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Outsourced services | Not ideal for companies wanting to maintain in-house control |
| Strong commitment to technology | Higher starting price |
Final words – Payroll companies in London
In conclusion, choosing the right payroll provider for your business involves considering factors such as the size of your business, the complexity of your payroll, your budget, and the level of customer support you need.
Whether you’re a small start-up or a well-established corporation, London boasts a diverse range of top-quality payroll companies to meet your needs.
The most important thing when choosing payroll companies in London is to do your research, compare your options, and choose a provider that fits your business model and growth plans.
FAQ – Choosing payroll companies in London
Outsourcing your payroll can save your business valuable time and resources, while reducing the risk of errors that can result in penalties. It also ensures you remain compliant with evolving legislation and tax codes.
The cost of outsourcing payroll varies widely based on your company size, the complexity of your payroll, and the specific services you require. Contact providers directly for an accurate quote.
Yes, payroll companies in the UK are regulated by various bodies including the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP).
Absolutely. Payroll providers handle tax calculations and deductions, ensuring compliance with current tax laws.
This depends on your needs. Local providers may offer more personalised service, while national providers may have more resources and advanced technologies.
Most payroll providers will assist with the transition process, helping to import your data and set up your new system.
Red flags include poor customer service, a lack of transparency about fees, outdated technology, and negative reviews from current or past clients.
Payroll providers cater to all business sizes, from small start-ups to large multinational corporations. It’s important to choose a provider that specialises in businesses of your size.
Yes, many payroll companies offer services for international payroll. This can be especially beneficial if your company has employees in multiple countries.
Reputable payroll providers have stringent security measures in place to protect your data, including encryption, secure servers, and strict privacy policies.
Many payroll companies offer integrations with popular HR software. Check with the provider to confirm this.
Yes, many payroll providers also offer benefits administration services, including pension contributions, health benefits, and employee perks.
Consider factors like pricing, services offered, customer service quality, and technology used. Also, consider recommendations from other businesses and online reviews.
Good payroll providers offer robust customer support, including a dedicated account manager and multiple channels of communication such as phone, email, and live chat.
Most payroll providers assign a dedicated account manager to each client to provide consistent, personalised service. However, this may vary, so it’s worth checking.
Most companies process payroll on a weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly basis. The frequency will depend on your agreement with the payroll provider.
Yes, many payroll providers can handle payroll for all types of employees, including full-time, part-time, contract, and freelance workers.
Absolutely. Year-end reporting and P60 issuance are standard services offered by most payroll providers.
Ye, many payroll providers will manage auto-enrolment pensions as part of their service, ensuring your business is compliant with pension regulations.
Yes, it’s possible to switch payroll providers mid-year, though it’s often easier to switch at the end of a tax year. The new provider will typically help you make the transition.