Payroll software for UK small businesses
Access a smart, flexible payroll solution designed for UK small businesses.
Modern, fast-growing UK businesses love Bob
Simplified payroll for UK small businesses
Managing payroll for a small business in the United Kingdom brings unique challenges, from navigating complex HMRC regulations to handling diverse payment schedules. Bob's comprehensive payroll software brings everything you need to one platform, ensuring your team can process payroll efficiently, maintain compliance with tax regulations, and create a seamless experience for your people. Say goodbye to spreadsheet errors and manual entry. With Bob, your team can save time, reduce risk, and focus on the initiatives that move your business forward.
Stay HMRC compliant for UK payroll
Keeping up with HMRC requirements is more than just a legal obligation. Bob’s payroll software helps you navigate the complexities of UK payroll compliance with confidence.
- Keeps you current with regulatory changes, automatically updating tax thresholds, pension auto-enrollment requirements, and statutory payment rates
- Sends alerts if your team members don’t meet the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage requirements
- Manages tax codes, National Insurance contributions, and student loan deductions automatically, with built-in validation to catch potential errors before they become problems
- Helps you manage and report your P11D benefits and performs all end-of-tax-year duties on your behalf.
The deep integration between HiBob and Bob UK Payroll has created huge efficiencies in our payroll process. We have eliminated duplication of data, and our employees can view all their payroll information in HiBob without having to log in to a separate system.
Felix MatthewsCFO at SINE Digital
Automate your end-to-end payroll processes
Bob’s payroll automation transforms tedious processes into a streamlined workflow that saves time and ensures payroll accuracy.
- Set up recurring payments like salaries, allowances, and deductions
- Calculate pro-rata, overtime, National Insurance, HMRC, and more
- Get a pay breakdown for enhanced parental pay in real-time, easily report journals, and share payslips after every payday
- Create approval workflows that route payroll changes through the right channels
- Manage variances and automate payroll onboarding and termination of employees
Manage payroll with ease and accuracy
Support teams with flexible pay options
Every business has unique requirements when it comes to paying people. Bob’s flexible payroll cycle options let you configure the system to match exactly how your business operates.
- Run multiple pay schedules simultaneously, including monthly, weekly, or biweekly pay cycles
- Support IR-35 contractors and flexible employees like part-time, zero-hour, seasonal, and shift workers with different overtime or hourly rates
- Manage different payment methods, from direct deposits to alternative payment options, ensuring everyone receives their compensation in the way that works best for them
- Process one-off payments, advances, or corrections without disrupting your regular payroll schedule
We have been using UK Payroll for six months now, and I highly recommend it. The integration with HiBob makes managing starters and leavers smooth and immediate. While I look forward to even more integration between the systems in the future, the difference compared to when we submitted data to a bureau is transformative. We can update information throughout the month, make changes up to the day before payday, and view payslips live. Errors have disappeared, and we now have full control over our data and information.
Tina GarrahieReward & Benefits Partner at Lightcast Discovery
Centralize payroll data and access real-time reporting
Bob’s centralized approach brings all your payroll management data into one secure, accessible system.
- Store historical payroll records, tax documents, and payment details in a single repository that maintains proper audit trails
- Connect payroll data with other HR information like time off, benefits elections, and performance records to create a complete picture of your people costs
- Generate comprehensive reports with just a few clicks, from detailed payroll journals and departmental cost analyses to tax summaries and compliance documentation
- Drill down into specific departments, locations, or time periods to gain deeper insights into your payroll operations
- Schedule regular reports to be delivered automatically to stakeholders, ensuring everyone has the information they need without manual intervention
Empower small businesses with smarter payroll
Access expert payroll professionals
Even the best software needs human expertise behind it. With Bob, you gain access to a network of payroll professionals who understand the nuances of UK payroll regulations and best practices.
- Access CIPP-certified payroll professionals who act as an extension of your team to ensure you’re running payroll efficiently and accurately
- Receive guidance on complex scenarios like managing statutory sick pay, implementing salary sacrifice arrangements, or handling tax implications of benefits
- Get support during critical periods, such as year-end, ensuring you meet compliance requirements and deadlines
- Stay current with the latest HMRC updates and industry trends, and know when and why employees don’t meet various requirements
UK Payroll seamlessly integrates with HiBob, ensuring real-time salary updates and streamlining the payroll process. Its efficiency and accuracy make it an exceptional payroll solution. The platform is very organized, making payroll changes easy to action. It also gives you timely updates on tax code changes and important reminders crucial to HR and Finance Operations. Overall, the synergy between Hibob and UK Payroll has significantly enhanced Kriya's HR and finance operations.
Emily PyrathonPeople Advisor at Kriya
Provide self-service experiences for your team
Team members want quick access to their payroll information. With Bob’s self-service tools, your people stay informed and your HR and finance teams save time on manual requests.
- Collect P45 details as part of the onboarding process and define when new starters should be added to payroll
- Give your people secure access to any HR and payroll documents in one platform—employment contracts, payslips, P11Ds, P60s, and more
- Create a transparent experience around benefits and deductions, helping people understand exactly what makes up their total compensation
- People can use Bob’s mobile app to check payment details, download tax documents, and manage information from anywhere
Meet Bob, the modern payroll software for SMBs in the UK
Bob brings everything UK SMBs need to run payroll smoothly—no matter their size. The platform’s intuitive design makes it easy for anyone to manage payroll, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a business owner handling payroll alongside many other responsibilities. Bob simplifies complex tasks, so teams spend less time on admin and more time supporting people. From your first few hires to a growing team across multiple locations, Bob offers the flexibility and depth to keep payroll accurate, compliant, and effortless at every stage.
Learn more about Bob
FAQS on payroll software in the United Kingdom
Why do small businesses use payroll software?
Small businesses implement payroll software to transform a traditionally complex, time-consuming process into something more manageable and accurate. With the right payroll software, UK small businesses can:
- Reduce the administrative burden on their teams, freeing up valuable time for more strategic activities
- Minimize costly errors in tax calculations, deductions, and payments that could lead to penalties or employee dissatisfaction
- Stay compliant with changing HMRC regulations without needing specialized tax expertise
- Provide a better experience for their people with accurate, timely payments and transparent access to payroll information
- Generate detailed reports for business planning, budgeting, and financial analysis
- Scale their payroll operations efficiently as the business grows, without proportionally increasing administrative costs
The right payroll solution becomes a competitive advantage, helping small businesses operate more efficiently while providing a better experience for their people.
How does Bob simplify UK payroll?
Bob transforms UK payroll from a complex, error-prone process into a streamlined workflow. This platform offers:
- Built-in payroll compliance features that keep you updated on the latest HMRC requirements and help you meet reporting deadlines
- Intelligent automation that handles repetitive calculations and data entry, reducing manual work and minimizing errors
- Integrations with your existing HR data to eliminate duplicate entry and ensure consistent information across systems
- User-friendly interfaces that make complex payroll tasks accessible to team members with varying levels of expertise
- Customizable workflows that adapt to your specific business processes rather than forcing you to change how you work
- Self-service capabilities that empower your people while reducing the administrative burden on your payroll team
Bob creates a payroll experience that’s both powerful and approachable—simplifying complexity without sacrificing functionality.
Does Bob work with HMRC guidelines?
Yes, Bob is designed specifically to help UK businesses maintain compliance with HMRC requirements. Bob’s UK Payroll platform solves the complexities of staying compliant with HMRC by syncing and updating employee tax codes and student loans and alerting you if team members don’t meet the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage requirements. It also keeps pace with legislative changes, helps you manage and report your P11D benefits, and performs all year-end payroll duties on your behalf.
Is Bob's payroll solution suitable for growing businesses?
Bob is particularly well-suited for growing businesses thanks to its scalable architecture and flexible capabilities, including:
- Role-based permissions and approval workflows that adapt to increasingly complex organizational structures
- Integrations that connect with other business systems like accounting software, time tracking, and benefits platforms
- Implementation and support resources that help you maximize value at each stage of your business growth
Whether you’re experiencing steady growth or rapid expansion, Bob provides the foundation you need to scale your payroll operations efficiently.
What is the easiest way to do payroll for a small business?
To effectively manage payroll, small businesses should integrate technology with well-defined processes. This includes establishing clear schedules and deadlines for predictable workflows and consistently validating employee data to maintain accuracy. Thorough documentation of payroll procedures also ensures consistency—even with staff changes. Regular reviews of the payroll system and processes can identify areas for improvement.
What is the best payroll software in the UK?
The best payroll software for UK small businesses should offer:
- Comprehensive compliance capabilities that keep you aligned with HMRC requirements
- Intuitive user experience that makes complex payroll tasks accessible to all users
- Flexible configuration options that adapt to your specific business needs
- Robust security to protect sensitive payroll and personal data
- Reliable payroll automation that reduces manual work while maintaining accuracy
- An integrated approach that connects payroll with broader HR and people management
- Responsive support from experts who understand UK payroll regulations and best practices
Bob brings these qualities together in a modern, cloud-based platform designed specifically for the needs of UK businesses. While different organizations may prioritize different features, Bob’s comprehensive approach makes it an excellent choice for small businesses looking to optimize their payroll operations.
Choose the best UK payroll software for your small business
