If you’re considering payroll service providers, chances are you’re ready to outsource your payroll—or seriously evaluating it. But, why outsource payroll? It’s a smart move for businesses looking to save time, reduce (potentially costly) errors, and stay compliant without the headache of handling it in-house.
To make your choice easier, we’ve picked our 7 best payroll providers in 2025, so you’re armed with all the information you need to make the right decision on every level—from what’s best for your team to your business as a whole.
What is a payroll service provider?
A payroll service provider is a third-party company that manages your payroll processes on your behalf. This includes calculating employee wages, handling tax deductions, issuing payslips, making salary payments, ensuring compliance with payroll legislation... the list goes on!
While you don’t need to know the ins-and-outs when outsourcing, it’s still good practice to have a basic understanding of how the process works. Our post How does Payroll Outsourcing Work? covers all the background you need to know before choosing your provider.
What should you look for in a payroll service provider?
Choosing the right payroll service provider isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about finding a trusted partner that aligns with your business goals and supports your growth.
Picking the wrong provider can lead to delayed payments (which equals a disgruntled workforce), misfiled taxes, and compliance penalties—all of which add up in the long run for your business. So, it’s important to find a provider that aligns with your organisation on every level.
But, with so many providers offering similar-sounding features, how do you separate the good from the great?
Here are the key things to look for when comparing providers:
- Compliance-first approach: This should be a key part of conversations with potential providers so they can find out what the process is for handling things like changes to rates and figures. A reliable provider should stay on top of local laws, HMRC requirements, and pension regulations.
- Cloud-based accessibility: On-demand access to your payroll platform is a must, especially if you have a remote or hybrid team. Cloud-based solutions not only offer flexibility but also improve data accuracy, visibility, and security.
- Automation and accuracy: Time-saving automation is one of the biggest benefits of outsourcing payroll. The best providers offer automated tax filing, payslip generation, and calculations—reducing human error and freeing up your team.
- Scalability for growth: Whether you’re adding to your team or expanding your operations internationally, your provider should be able to grow with you. Choose a platform that’s flexible, customisable, and built for change, so you’re not forced to switch systems later.
- Data security and confidentiality: One of the pillars of compliant payroll is security and confidentiality so it’s something to bear in mind when choosing a payroll provider. What measures do they have in place to guarantee personal data and financial data are secure and is in line with GDPR and data protection?
7 best payroll providers in 2025
Cintra
CIPP Outsourced Payroll Provider of the Year 2024
Cintra is powered by market-leading technology with user experience in mind. Arming users with easy-to-use, automated, cloud-based software, Cintra is supported by the deep expertise of a fully UK-based team of CIPP qualified payrollers. With a 99.9% user accuracy rate that captures all the payroll data needed for a fully compliant platform, it can be customised or scaled to your business’s needs. It’s as easy as that!
Features:
- Fully accessible cloud-based platform: Access the portal wherever you are, on any device, giving you even more flexibility and control over your payroll data.
- Integrated with your HR: All your HR data securely flows through to payroll, so everything is error-free, consistent, and maintained.
- Individual dedicated support: Every customer has a dedicated payroll contact from our UK-based support team. Reachable directly by phone, there’s no waiting in ticketing systems for a response meaning any issues are resolved quickly!
- Bespoke reporting: Create over 60 key payroll reports at the touch of a button or request bespoke reports from a member of the team so you always have the information you need, whenever you want it.
- Automated payslips, P60s, P45s, and more: Automate your payroll documents, from creation to landing in your employee’s inbox, with full compliance assured.
- Full data visibility: Offers a real-time window into the entire payroll cycle, with complete visibility of all your payroll data in one platform.
- Real-time calculations: Ditch the calculators and see instant payroll calculations, making it easy to compare against your budget.
- Scalability: The services can easily be scaled to change alongside your business. Say there’s a sharp change in your headcount or you’re looking to swap to part managed payroll—it’s easy to handle with Cintra!
Access Payroll Services (APS)
Access Payroll Services (APS) provides an accurate, reliable and fully managed payroll outsourcing solution to organisations across the UK and Ireland. Using automation to complete manual and time-consuming processes, APS removes the burden of payroll processing, giving businesses back the time they need to focus on other strategic developments that impact business success.
Features:
- Complete payroll processing: The Access Group offers a comprehensive payroll outsourcing solution that handles all aspects of payroll on your behalf, including importing and processing data, calculating payments, producing payroll checks, executing BACS runs, generating payslips, and submitting Real Time Information (RTI) to HMRC to name a few.
- Secure, cloud-based SaaS platform: Their payroll services are delivered through a secure, 100% SaaS (Software as a Service) platform. This approach eliminates the need for businesses to purchase additional software, making sure that data is safe, secure, and that payroll is processed on time.
- Expert compliance guidance: The Access Group’s payroll team ensures your process is UK regulatory ready, helping you navigate complex tax laws, HMRC requirements, and pension regulations with confidence.
IRS
IRIS Payroll Services offers a complete end-to-end payroll solution for UK businesses. They allow businesses to hand their payroll into the trusted hands of their CIPP-accredited payroll specialists, confident in the knowledge that their payroll will be fully compliant and ran efficiently.
Features:
- Cloud-based employer portal: Submit and manage payroll anytime via the cloud-based Employer Portal—track schedules, receive reminders, and monitor progress from any device.
- Responsive, on-demand reporting: Access detailed payroll reports anytime using the secure self-service portal; track progress in real time and use insights for both short-term oversight and long-term planning.
- Connect payroll and HR: Their software comes with open API meaning the software can connect multiple systems together, streamlining workflows and reducing manual admin like submitting employee data to multiple systems.
MoorePay
With quality and ease in mind, MoorePay provides a managed payroll outsourcing service that combines HMRC-recognised software with expert support with compliance and precision as a standard.
Features:
- Intuitive cloud software & data automation: Clients enter payroll data via Moorepay’s user-friendly online system, and the platform validates entries, calculates payments (including statutory sick pay, pro-rata, etc.), and issues BACs instructions.
- Expert UK-based service & quality assurance: Backed by payroll specialists accredited by CIPP, Moorepay ensures a 99.9% payslip accuracy rate and full legislative adherence.
- Comprehensive reporting & year-end services: The service produces tailored payroll reports, stores historical output, manages Employer Payment Summary (EPS) and Full Payment Submission (FPS), P60s, P11Ds, and supports end-of-year tax preparations.
ADP
ADP combines industry-leading expertise and over 20 years’ of providing managed services into their payroll outsourcing. They offer flexibility, with solutions that can be scaled to fit any sized business, ensuring a smooth, safe, process.
Features:
- Flexible service tiers: Choose the level of service that suits your needs—from software access with a personalised service to fully managed payroll and HR services—designed for adaptability and growth.
- Compliance, tax & reporting assurance: ADP handles HMRC/RTI submissions, tax and National Insurance calculations, pension auto‑enrolment, end-of-year processing, and continuous compliance monitoring—even amidst frequent legislative changes.
- Global reach with local expertise: Supported by 45 UK help centres and over 3,000 payroll professionals in 140 countries, ADP offers unified payroll data, real-time analytics, and secure payment processing in multiple countries.
CIPHR
CIPHR is a UK-based provider of outsourced payroll, designed to help organisations manage people data more efficiently. With over four decades of experience, they deliver reliable, compliant outsourced payroll services tailored to meet the needs of mid-sized and large businesses. Their expert team ensures organisations can streamline operations and focus on strategic growth.
Features:
- End-to-end, HMRC compliant payroll: CIPHR provides a comprehensive outsourced payroll service that handles all aspects of the payroll process — from calculating pay and deductions to submitting RTI returns to HMRC. Their team of payroll experts manages compliance with UK legislation, reducing risk and giving employers peace of mind.
- Seamless integration with HR and time systems: CIPHR’s service integrates smoothly with HR and time-and-attendance systems to streamline processes and improve data security. This eliminates data duplication, reduces manual entry, and ensures consistent, up-to-date information across platforms.
- Dedicated support: CIPHR offers a personalised service with a dedicated payroll team for each client. This end-to-end model ensures faster resolution of queries, and a smooth payroll cycle every month.
MHR
MHR is a trusted payroll outsourcing provider, delivering compliant, and fully managed payroll services to organisations across the public and private sectors. With over 35 years of expertise, MHR helps businesses streamline payroll operations, reduce risk, and ensure employees are paid correctly and on time with their flexible, UK-delivered service.
Features:
- End-to-end managed payroll with built-in compliance: Their fully managed payroll service covers everything from calculations and reporting to year-end processing. Their payroll experts stay up to date with changing legislation, ensuring clients remain compliant with HMRC.
- Powered by iTrent technology: MHR’s outsourced payroll service is powered by their own award-winning iTrent platform. This integration gives clients access to real-time payroll data and valuable reporting tools.
- UK-based expertise and support: MHR’s services are delivered entirely from within the UK, offering peace of mind with GDPR compliance and data security.
Best payroll providers at a glance
| Provider | Best for | Key features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cintra | Scalable, hands-on UK-based service | Dedicated support contact, real-time payroll calculations, automated payslips and reporting | Bespoke - on request |
| The Access Group | All-in-one, secure SaaS platform | Fully managed payroll, secure cloud platform, expert compliance guidance | Bespoke - on request |
| IRIS | Ease of use and integrations | Cloud-based employer portal, API to connect HR systems, on-demand reports | Bespoke - on request |
| Moorepay | Simplicity and compliance-focused | User-friendly cloud system, automated calculations & reporting, UK-based support | Bespoke - on request |
| ADP | Global reach with flexible service tiers | Flexible packages, real-time analytics, multi-country payroll capabilities | Bespoke - on request |
| CIPHR | Mid-large UK businesses, seamless HR link | Integrated with HR/time systems, dedicated payroll team, fully HMRC-compliant | Bespoke - on request |
| MHR | Organisations needing advanced tech stack | Powered by iTrent platform, real-time data and reporting, UK-based expertise | Bespoke - on request |
Outsource your payroll with us
No one wants to deal with ever-changing legislation headaches and manage spreadsheet after spreadsheet of personal data. That’s where we come in. Payroll outsourcing isn’t just a smart option; it’s the best option when you choose Cintra.
Combining 40+ years of expertise, efficiency, and tailored support, we’re a provider who is committed to excellence in every step of the outsourcing process. Sound good? Book a demo today to see Cintra in action and find out why we are the best payroll provider for you.
Payroll Outsourcing Buyers Guide
Download everything you need to know in your payroll outsourcing buyers journey—covering services and solutions in depth.
