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US & UKPayroll

Payroll

Payroll services and software, compared on what they cost for a given number of people paid.

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Products, prices and protections differ by country, so each market has its own comparison in its own currency.

US edition · dollars

Best payroll software for small businesses in the US (2026)

Four full-service payroll services compared on what five employees cost a month, with the base fee and per-person fee separated out.

  • 1. Square Payroll Full service$65.00
  • 2. Wave Payroll Payroll$70.00
  • 3. Homebase Payroll Payroll$79.00
5 comparedRead 29 October 2026Figures a month
UK edition · pounds

Best payroll software for small businesses in the UK (2026)

Six UK payroll options compared on what five employees cost a month, from HMRC's free software to cloud payroll priced per payslip.

  • 1. HMRC Basic PAYE Tools Basic PAYE Tools£0.00
  • 2. Moneysoft Payroll Manager Payroll Manager 20£7.92
  • 3. FreeAgent Sole trader£19.00
6 comparedRead 29 October 2026Figures a month
Guide · US & UK

What an employee really costs: US payroll taxes vs UK employer National Insurance

The salary is only the visible part. Here are the employer taxes, minimum pay rules and statutory costs on top of it in the US and UK, with worked examples.

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Payroll software cost calculator

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From the sourceEvery price is read from the provider’s own page and dated. How we rank
Rank isn’t for saleProviders may pay to be evaluated, never to be placed. How we make money
Analysis, not adviceWe explain costs and trade-offs; the decision is yours. Disclaimer