Best payroll software for accountants and bureaus

The right payroll software for an accountancy practice or bureau depends on how many clients you run, whether you want cloud or desktop, and how you want to be charged: per licence, per client or per payslip. This page compares four packages widely used by UK practices, BrightPay, Capium, IRIS and Moneysoft, using each provider’s own website on 6 November 2026. We list them alphabetically and do not rank them.

How we compared bureau payroll software

We looked for features a multi-client practice needs and the price published by each provider. All four appear on HMRC’s list of recognised payroll software, updated 16 October 2026. HMRC’s list says “HMRC cannot recommend one product or service over another.” Prices exclude VAT unless stated.

We could not check Sage payroll, as Sage’s pricing page blocked our checks on 6 November 2026.

Bureau payroll pricing compared

The four packages use different pricing models, which matters more than the headline figure.

The four packages in brief

BrightPay

BrightPay’s pricing page says “for the 2026/27 tax year and beyond, only the new cloud version of BrightPay is available” and that BrightPay for Windows was discontinued after 5 April 2026. The page shows no prices. It links to a cloud pricing calculator and offers annual and monthly plans, and its sign-up form has a “Multiple companies (Bureau / Accountant)” option. Sales are on 0345 939 0019. Practices still on the desktop version need a plan to move clients to the cloud.

Capium

Capium prices Payroll as a monthly module by the number of clients in the practice.

• Small, 1 to 100 clients: £20 a month + VAT
• Medium, 101 to 300 clients: £40 a month + VAT
• Large, 301 to 500 clients: £60 a month + VAT
• Enterprise: by demo

The page does not make clear whether Payroll is included in the main plan prices or billed on top, so confirm before you buy. Capium also sells accounts production and tax modules on the same platform; see accounts production software.

IRIS

IRIS sells three bureau products. Its comparison page describes them like this.

IRIS calls Staffology Bureau “the product IRIS is actively investing in” and maintains the two desktop products for legislative updates only. Staffology Bureau has a client portal, white labelling and an API, and uses a “per payslip” charging model with no published rate. IRIS’s FAQ says it does not yet offer some specialist features of the desktop products, including 52-week average holiday pay and full occupational sick pay schemes.

Moneysoft Payroll Manager

Moneysoft sells desktop annual licences that run for 12 months from purchase and include updates and email support.

• Payroll Manager 20: £95 a year, one employer only, up to 20 employees
• Payroll Manager 100: £190 a year, no limit on employers, up to 100 employees each
• Payroll Manager 250: £285 a year, no limit on employers, up to 250 employees each

Only the 100 and 250 licences suit bureau work. The employee limit includes leavers in the tax year.

What should bureau payroll software do?

Bureau software has to handle HMRC, pension and client work for many employers at once. Check that it can:

• file Full Payment Submissions and Employer Payment Summaries for every client PAYE scheme; see Real Time Information
• run weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly and monthly payrolls, including week 53; see choosing a payroll frequency
• handle automatic enrolment, which the Pensions Regulator says means assessing staff, calculating contributions, sending data to the pension scheme, managing opt-outs and keeping records for up to six years
• deliver payslips online or by email, on or before payday
• give clients a portal for approving pay and viewing reports
• cope with CIS, directors’ National Insurance and P11D benefits if your clients need them

Which applies to your practice?

• If you want a fixed annual cost and are happy on desktop, Moneysoft’s multi-employer licences have published prices.
• If you already use Capium for accounts or tax, its payroll module keeps clients on one platform.
• If you run large or complex payrolls on IRIS desktop, check the feature gaps before moving to Staffology Bureau.
• If you used BrightPay for Windows, you need the cloud version for 2026/27 and should get a quote from the calculator.
• If you are deciding whether to run payroll yourself at all, read payroll bureau vs software.

How to choose: a checklist

1. Count your clients, employees and payslips per month.
2. Decide between per-licence, per-client and per-payslip pricing, and model your cost at your current and planned size.
3. Confirm the product is on HMRC’s recognised list.
4. Test automatic enrolment and pension provider connections.
5. Check data migration from your current package.
6. Run a parallel payroll for one client before you switch.

See all our payroll software guides for more.

Frequently asked questions

Which payroll software is best for accountants?

No package suits every practice, and HMRC does not recommend any product. Compare pricing model, client numbers, cloud or desktop, and automatic enrolment support.

Is BrightPay desktop still available?

No. BrightPay says only the cloud version is available for 2026/27 and later, and BrightPay for Windows was discontinued after 5 April 2026.

How much does Moneysoft Payroll Manager cost?

Payroll Manager 20 costs £95 a year, Payroll Manager 100 £190 and Payroll Manager 250 £285, all ex VAT. Only the 100 and 250 licences allow more than one employer.

Does IRIS publish Staffology Bureau prices?

No. IRIS says Staffology Bureau uses a per payslip charging model, but you need a quote for the rate.

Is HMRC’s free payroll software suitable for a bureau?

Usually not. HMRC says the free software on its list is for businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and none of the four packages on this page is in that free list.