Our cloud-based payroll software is HMRC recognised and fully RTI compliant. The system is updated automatically to reflect changes in UK payroll legislation, helping your team stay compliant without extra admin.
Payroll software that makes payday simple
Run accurate, confident payroll in less time
Our API-led, cloud-based payroll software helps UK payroll teams run accurate, compliant pay runs without spreadsheets, rekeying or late-night stress. It’s designed by payroll experts, for payroll experts, and is built to work seamlessly with your Ciphr HR software – so your people data flows automatically at every step, from hire to payday.


Award-winning payroll software
Ciphr payroll software was named the best Software Product of the Year at the CIPP Annual Excellence Awards 2025. So when you choose us, you know you’re choosing a solution that just works
Payroll software designed around the way payroll teams actually work
If you run payroll for a growing organisation, you’ll recognise these challenges:
- Data scattered across HR, finance and spreadsheets
- Last-minute changes before pay runs
- Manual rekeying between systems
- Constant legislative updates to track
- Employees chasing payslips and tax documents
Payroll becomes reactive. Stressful. And far more manual than it should be.
We fix that.
Our cloud payroll software brings payroll, HR and people data into one connected platform. So your information is accurate, your processes are smooth, and payday arrives without surprises.
“I would highly recommend Ciphr to any business looking to modernise their payroll operations… importing timesheets is quick, efficient and accurate. The system is user-friendly and processing is faster overall thanks to [the] HR integration… I don't have any negative comments! Which just proves their level of service.”
Fiona | Feb 2026
Built for payroll professionals. Designed for modern HR teams
Paying people shouldn’t feel like a monthly fire drill. Ciphr in-house payroll software gives you the control, accuracy and visibility you need to run payroll with confidence.
Paying people shouldn’t feel like a monthly fire drill. Ciphr in-house payroll software gives your team greater visibility across every pay run, so you can review payroll with confidence, catch issues before payday and keep track of changes and outstanding actions without relying on manual checks.
With our payroll software, you can:
Run accurate pay calculations in real time
Stay compliant with UK payroll legislation
Automate complex tasks like backpay and holiday pay
Connect payroll with HR, finance and time systems
Give employees secure access to their payroll information
The result? A smoother payroll process for your team – and a better experience for your people.
Payroll software you can rely on
Ciphr online payroll software is trusted by organisations across the UK to deliver accurate, compliant payroll every month.
Our API-led software is HMRC recognised, RTI compliant, and built around the real needs of payroll professionals.
Your data is securely hosted in UK-based AWS data centres, with robust security and access controls protecting your information at every stage.
So you can focus on running payroll – not worrying about it.
"I have always received great customer service and [felt] my needs and concerns were being listened to. Implementation of the payroll system was very well supported and was launched on time. System setting are easy to navigate and use once trained. Good value for money."
Epru H | May 2024
Review via Capterra
Clear payroll pricing. No surprises
We know you need what you need – nothing more, nothing less. Our payroll software pricing is tailored to your organisation’s size, complexity and support needs, so you get the right solution – not a bloated one.
Ciphr payroll system features that remove the hard work
Payroll shouldn’t require endless manual checks. Our API-led software automates the complex tasks so your team can focus on running payroll smoothly.
API-led payroll software
Data is continually transmitted from another system, giving you the most up-to-date information and a connected experience
Automated backpay and holiday pay
Handle backdated adjustments and average holiday pay automatically
Flexible reporting and finance exports
Generate Bacs listings, cost journals and audit reports instantly
Real-time payroll calculations
See pay changes instantly, without waiting for batch processing
Pension auto-enrolment
Fully configured to support UK pension schemes and compliance
Direct HMRC integration
Download tax notices directly from HMRC without manual rekeying
Employee self-service
Employees can securely access payslips, P60s, P45s, P11Ds and other payroll documents anytime.
Our software has everything you need to run payroll efficiently – in one secure cloud platform.
Built for growing UK organisations
Ciphr payroll is designed for organisations with 200 – 2,000 employees that need payroll software capable of keeping up with growth.
Whether your payroll team supports a few hundred employees or several thousand, our platform gives you the control, flexibility and compliance you need to run payroll confidently.
And with expert UK payroll specialists on hand, support is always there when you need it.
"[It] has truly transformed the way we manage our payroll operations. Its ease of use and seamless integration with our Coople platform have made it an invaluable tool for our team. What once was a time-consuming weekly task has now become a smooth, efficient process – saving us countless hours on our agency payrolls. [It’s] been a game-changer for our business, and we couldn’t be happier with the results."
Prasanna Ijam, Payroll & Billing Manager, Coople (UK) Ltd
Switching payroll software doesn't have to be disruptive
Moving payroll systems can feel like a risk. But with the right setup, it doesn't have to interrupt your pay cycle. Ciphr supports implementation, testing and onboarding, so your team can transition with less risk, less pressure and a smoother path to go-live.
"We have been very impressed with its efficiency and how user friendly it is. The previous software we used was challenging because of the time it took to process our payroll and the inefficiency of what it could offer in the way of reporting. We have future plans to utilise the APIs with our in-house software, which will mean we will have live payslips available for all colleagues. The support we have received in transferring our software has been excellent and the ongoing support is always fast and efficient. We would highly recommend Ciphr Payroll."
Sarah Chambers, Payroll Manager, Home From Home Care
HR and payroll. Better together
Payroll works best when it isn’t operating in a silo.
With our integrated HR and payroll platform, employee data flows automatically from your HR system into payroll. No manual entry. No duplicated records. No chasing missing information.
When HR updates an employee’s role, salary or benefits, payroll is instantly updated too. That means fewer errors, faster pay runs and consistent people data across your organisation. It’s a smarter way to manage people, pay and compliance – all in one connected HRIS platform.
Because when HR and payroll work together, everything runs smoother.
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FAQ: cloud payroll software
Yes, Ciphr payroll software integrates directly with Ciphr HR.
Yes. Employees can securely view and download payslips, P60s and other payroll documents through self-service access.
Payroll software is a system that helps organisations calculate employee pay, process wages accurately, and manage payroll tasks efficiently and compliantly. Modern cloud payroll software, like Ciphr’s, brings together payroll, HR, and employee data into a single connected platform, ensuring accuracy and reducing manual work.
Payroll software works by collecting, processing, and calculating employee data to produce accurate pay each pay cycle.
Step-by-step process:
- Data input and integration: Employee data (salary, hours, benefits, tax codes) flows into the system – often automatically from HR systems
- Real-time calculations: the software calculates pay, tax, and deductions
- Automated payroll tasks: Complex processes such as backpay, holiday pay, and pension contributions are handled automatically
- Compliance and reporting: The system ensures payroll is compliant with HMRC requirements and can generate reports and submissions
- Employee access and output: Employees can securely access payslips, P60s, and payroll documents via self-service tools
In practice: a payroll system turns multiple manual steps into a streamlined, automated workflow.
Payroll software helps organisations manage every stage of the payroll process, from data handling to employee payments.
Core functions:
- Calculate pay and deductions accurately in real time
- Ensure compliance with UK payroll legislation and HMRC requirements
- Automate repetitive tasks, reducing manual administration
- Integrate payroll with HR and finance systems for consistency
- Provide employee self-service access to payslips and documents
- Generate reports and finance outputs such as BACS listings and audit reports
Outcome: Payroll software transforms payroll from a manual, error-prone process into a faster, more accurate, and controlled operation.
Using in-house payroll software typically involves setting up your system, maintaining employee data, and running regular pay cycles.
How to use it effectively:
- Set up your system: Configure employee data, pay structures, tax settings, and pension schemes
- Integrate with HR systems: Connect payroll to HR so employee data flows automatically and stays accurate
- Maintain accurate data: Keep employee records up to date (eg salaries, benefits, role changes)
- Run payroll cycles: Process pay runs with automated calculations and compliance checks
- Review and submit payroll: Generate reports, handle submissions to HMRC, and export finance data
- Provide employee access: Allow employees to view payslips and documents securely through self-service
Best practice: use integrated, cloud-based payroll software to reduce manual input and minimise errors.
The cost of payroll software varies depending on factors such as:
- Organisation size (number of employees)
- Required features (automation, reporting, integrations)
- Level of support and implementation services
- Number of users or employees
- Complexity of payroll requirements
- Integration with HR and finance systems
- Implementation and ongoing support
While pricing can differ, solutions like Ciphr’s are designed for mid-sized organisations (around 200–2,000 employees) and aims to deliver value through efficiency, automation, and compliance support.
What influences in-house payroll software pricing:
- Number of users or employees
- Complexity of payroll requirements
- Integration with HR and finance systems
- Implementation and ongoing support
Key consideration: rather than just cost, organisations should evaluate time savings, reduced errors, and compliance benefits, which can significantly offset investment.
Payroll software delivers significant benefits by automating processes, improving accuracy, and reducing administrative burden.
Key benefits:
- Improved accuracy: Real-time calculations reduce payroll errors and inconsistencies
- Time savings: Automation removes manual tasks like rekeying data and processing updates
- Regulatory compliance: Built-in compliance with UK payroll legislation helps organisations stay up to date
- Integrated data management: Payroll, HR, and employee data are connected in one platform
- Better employee experience: Self-service access improves transparency and reduces admin queries
- Reduced stress and manual effort: Streamlined processes replace reactive, manual payroll workflows
Overall outcome: online payroll software enables organisations to move from manual, reactive payroll processes to automated, efficient, and reliable payroll management.
AWARD-WINNING CLOUD PAYROLL SOFTWARE
Put your people front and centre
Integrated HR, payroll, learning and recruitment solutions that amplify the voice and value of your talent.