The 5 Best Payroll Services in London for Small Business
A payroll calculation blunder caused huge frustration among my office staff last quarter. The company relied on virtual assistants for day-to-day data entry, yet handing off statutory sick pay and workplace pension schemes to non-specialists resulted in chaos.
That messy situation motivated a serious search for seasoned providers. I looked at options for small teams, contractors, and firms that hire overseas, so there’s something for most setups.
Read on to discover dependable services that keep financial records completely accurate.
How much do payroll services cost in London?
Payroll services in London usually cost £4 to £12 per employee each month, plus a minimum fee of £25 to £50. Fully managed services cost more, at £15 to £25+ per employee.
| Pricing Tier | Cost Range |
| Per Employee / Payslip | £4 to £12 monthly |
| Minimum Monthly Fee | £25 to £50 monthly |
| Fully Managed Services | £15 to £25+ per employee monthly |
1. First Payroll Services
Website: https://mjaccountantslondon.com/
Address: First Floor, Broadway Chambers, 1 Cranbrook Road, Ilford, IG1 4D
Contact: 020 3838 2001
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
First Payroll Services offers tailored payroll support alongside comprehensive cloud accounting.
I like that employee payments can be linked with bookkeeping and tax calculations, which keeps these areas connected in one system. The setup also supports compliance through real-time information submissions.
The team takes time to understand how your payment setup works rather than forcing you into a rigid system.
Their broader bookkeeping support also means one team can handle both payroll administration and bookkeeping.
The main drawback is that the service is fully outsourced. That may not suit you if you’re looking for temporary in-house payroll cover.
They’re also not a dedicated payroll company, so businesses looking specifically for a payroll specialist may want to consider that before choosing them.
She was very helpful & she answered my questions in a professional, polite & friendly manner.
I contacted Michaella Bidwell, Payroll Administrator at First Payroll Services regarding a payment issue.
She was very helpful & she answered my questions in a professional, polite & friendly manner. I was really impressed with the excellent customer service delivered by her & she was really efficient in getting the payment to me.
H B | Google Review
Payroll can be easy when its done right .
Amazing services by an amazing company . Payroll can be easy when its done right . I started using first payroll about a month ago and i honestly couldn’t be happier . This company prides itself on customer satisfaction an i’ve had an amazing experience with first payroll services . Special thanks to Suzanne , Sarah , James and the rest of the team for a wonderful experience. 10 STARS
Mohamed Mohamud | Google Review
2. BookCheck London
Website: https://www.bookcheck.co.uk/office/london-bookkeeping-management-accounts-payroll-services
Address: 1 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5BW
Contact: 020 7989 0259 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
BookCheck London combines payroll with bookkeeping and management accounts, with strong Xero and Sage capabilities. The firm has been operating since 1994 and focuses on accurate and confidential financial work.
I like the dedicated permanent officer approach. Having someone who gets to know your business setup can make the service more consistent over time.
Local staff also provide holiday and sickness cover, so your payroll doesn’t stop when your usual contact is unavailable.
There’s also a fee refund option if their auto-enrolment service doesn’t meet your needs within the first three months.
Just note that businesses outside the M25 have to use the online service. The broad range of services may also not be ideal if you’re specifically looking for a payroll-only specialist.
We highly recommend BookCheck to any growing business looking for dependable financial support.
We’ve worked with BookCheck for many years as we’ve scaled our business, and they’ve been a consistently reliable and supportive partner throughout our growth. They’ve provided flexible, tailored solutions across payroll, VAT and bookkeeping, adapting to our needs at each stage. The team is responsive, knowledgeable and easy to work with. We highly recommend BookCheck to any growing business looking for dependable financial support.
Sara Trechman | Google Review
The service offers excellent value for money
I operate a one-person payroll so my requirements are essentially quite simple. I’ve always been impressed by the efficiency of Bookcheck’s service,And on the odd occasion that I have had to raise enquiries, these have been dealt with both swiftly and efficiently. The service offers excellent value for money
Chris Harrison | Google Review
3. The Infinity Group
Website: https://theinfinitygroups.com/
Address: 71-75 Shelton Street, WC2H 9JQ
Contact: 020 3283 7633
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Infinity Group focuses on outsourced Construction Industry Scheme payroll for builders and recruiters. I like the specialist approach because they concentrate on IR35 and reducing compliance risks within the construction sector.
The team manages the payment process from checking hours worked through to calculating deductions.
They also handle subcontractor verification and act as the employer for tax purposes. That means you don’t need to create and manage your own complex payroll system for this type of work.
However, their services are designed almost exclusively around the construction industry and CIS arrangements. That makes them less suitable for regular freelancers or retail businesses that don’t use the CIS model.
If your payroll needs fall within construction and CIS, though, the specialised approach can be useful.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a dependable and efficient payroll service.
“Outstanding service from The Infinity Group. Professional, responsive, and extremely reliable throughout the entire process. Everything was handled quickly and transparently, making payroll and administration completely stress-free. Excellent communication, great attention to detail, and always willing to help. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a dependable and efficient payroll service.”
maks Zhupnik | Google Review
I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a reliable payroll service.
The Infinity Group has been excellent to work with. They make the payroll process simple and stress-free. Payments are always accurate and on time, and their customer service is very professional. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a reliable payroll service.
Mr Grigas | Google Review
4. PeoplePay Global
Website: https://peoplepayglobal.com/
Address: 124 City Road, EC1V 2NX
Contact: 020 3965 6700
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
PeoplePay Global is designed for businesses that need to manage an international workforce.
They support expansion across more than 140 countries. I find this particularly useful for startups and mid-sized companies that want to hire overseas without setting up foreign legal entities.
The team can set up new employees in about a week and usually responds to queries within around fifteen minutes.
Their single remittance feature also simplifies international payments, while reports are matched to each country’s local laws.
The main drawback is that the global scope can create scheduling and communication challenges for local clients.
The range of features may also be more than you need if your business only operates in London.
For companies planning to hire overseas, though, the wider international coverage can be a strong advantage.
If you’re looking for a responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable payroll partner, I’d highly recommend PPG.
We run multiple payrolls across different countries, and Matt supported us throughout the integration with clarity and patience. Every query was handled quickly, and nothing ever felt like too much trouble. The team consistently goes the extra mile, which really stands out.
If you’re looking for a responsive, knowledgeable, and reliable payroll partner, I’d highly recommend PPG. A genuinely great experience all around.
Elena | Google Review
Working with Peoplepay Global has genuinely been a breath of fresh air.
Working with Peoplepay Global has genuinely been a breath of fresh air. Their team is kind, attentive, and consistently goes the extra mile to make sure everything is done right. they have taken so much stress off our shoulders by handling each payroll with care, accuracy, and real professionalism. what we appreciate most is how approachable and supportive all our account managers are. No matter the question or request, Alicia is very quick with response and always make us feel properly looked after.
amarachi jennifer | Google Review
5. Payments Pro Umbrella
Website: https://www.paymentspro.co.uk/
Address: 215-221 Borough High Street, SE1 1JA
Contact: 020 3819 7220 | [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Payments Pro Umbrella is an accredited umbrella service for contractors and temporary agency workers. They hold Freelancer and Contractor Services Association accreditation and also provide substantial insurance cover.
I like that they support both PAYE and CIS workers while handling the correct tax deductions. Using an umbrella service can also cost less than running your own limited company.
They take care of year-end books as well, while you retain your full statutory employee rights
The main limitation is how closely their processes are tied to agency workflows. That makes them more suitable for contractors and temporary workers who operate through agencies rather than standard employers.
If you need general in-house staff administration for a regular workforce, this probably isn’t the right type of payroll service for you.
I am really happy with Payments Pro.
I am really happy with Payments Pro. I have a dedicated point of contact (Ashlee H) who responds to my emails in record timing. The customer services is amazing and the online portal is easy to use. I can access my timesheets quickly. Also forgot to mention that payroll is done daily (I think)… long story short, I get paid quickly and efficiently in comparison to others on my team using a different umbrella company.
Kelly Kels | Google Review
Really good service.
Really good service. Joe is our account Manager and he’s always available when we need anything and quick to respond to emails. Any candidates we send over to Payments Pro seem happy with the service.
James Cooke | Google Review