Payroll software · New Zealand · Head-to-head

iPayroll vs Thankyou Payroll

Two New Zealand payroll software options, compared side by side for New Zealand trades.

Which should you choose?

iPayroll edges ahead on our New Zealand tiering (Tier S vs A), but both are workable — the right pick depends on your trade, region, and the New Zealand-specific notes below.

iPayroll

Tier S · Recommended

NZ-built payroll — full PAYE/IRD compliant, cloud-native

iPayroll is NZ-built cloud payroll — full PAYE compliance with IRD (Inland Revenue Department), KiwiSaver handling, ACC levy calculation native. Strong fit for NZ SMB trades businesses wanting NZ-specific compliance without Xero subscription dependency.

Pros

+ NZ-built with native PAYE/IRD compliance
+ KiwiSaver handling automated
+ ACC levy auto-calculated
+ Cloud-native vs legacy NZ payroll options

Cons

− NZ-only — no cross-market value
− Smaller scale than Xero NZ
− Pricing higher than free competitors (Thankyou Payroll)

New Zealand note

IRD-compliant PAYE submissions native. KiwiSaver employer contributions handled. ACC levy auto-calculated.

Typical New Zealand pricing: NZ$15-$50/month based on employee count

Full review → Visit →

Thankyou Payroll

Tier A · Workable

NZ cloud payroll + IRD PAYE intermediary — files PAYE/KiwiSaver for you

NZ-only cloud payroll for small businesses, charities and NFPs. It acts as an IRD-accredited PAYE Intermediary — filing and paying PAYE/KiwiSaver to IRD on the employer’s behalf, more hands-off than DIY tools. It competes with iPayroll/Smartly/PayHero on price and simplicity, with a social-enterprise/carbon-positive identity.

Pros

+ Full PAYE-intermediary service — automated payday filing + IRD payments
+ Transparent capped NZD pricing (charged only for pays you run)
+ Free until first pay run; 100% free for registered charities
+ Native Xero; employee app + payslips

Cons

− Per-pay base fee can add up for weekly cycles
− Smaller brand than iPayroll/Smartly
− Lighter feature depth (small-team geared)
− Transitioning to charity ownership (minor structural note)

New Zealand note

IRD payday filing explicitly automated; acts as an IRD PAYE Intermediary; handles KiwiSaver, PAYE and Holidays Act leave/holiday-pay calculations.

Typical New Zealand pricing: From ~NZ$8/mo; per-pay base + per-employee; monthly caps NZ$44–$399 by headcount; charities free

Full review → Visit →

More New Zealand options

See all New Zealand payroll software vendors and the rest of the New Zealand directory.

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