Payroll software · New Zealand
Smartly
New Zealand payroll software, formerly SmartPayroll, with self-run and Smartly-run payroll plans
Market position
Smartly, formerly SmartPayroll, is New Zealand payroll software that pays employees into their bank accounts, deducts PAYE, KiwiSaver and other deductions, and files returns with Inland Revenue. It sells self-managed payroll plans, optionally with people management tools, and Smartly-run plans where its team runs the payroll.
New Zealand-specific note
Built for New Zealand payroll: PAYE and KiwiSaver deductions and filing with Inland Revenue. Pricing is per employee per pay run plus a monthly platform fee, excluding GST.
Pros
- + Handles PAYE, KiwiSaver deductions and Inland Revenue filing
- + Choice of running payroll yourself or having Smartly run it
- + Optional people management tools on top of payroll
Cons
- − A monthly platform fee applies on top of per-employee charges
- − Prices exclude GST
- − Charges apply per employee on every pay run, so weekly pay cycles cost more than monthly ones
Typical New Zealand pricing
Published by Smartly (indicative, excluding GST): Payroll $2.60 per employee per pay run plus a $51.50 monthly platform fee; Payroll + People Management adds $10 per employee a month; Smartly-run Payroll $6.20 per employee per pay run, from $365 a month minimum. Banking transaction fees may apply.
Why this matters for New Zealand trades
Only EWRB-registered and licensed workers can carry out or supervise prescribed electrical work, with the practising licence renewed every 2 years; the PGDB registers and licenses plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers and prosecutes unauthorised work; and Restricted Building Work on homes must be done or supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner. WorkSafe enforces the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and says amendments take effect on 1 April 2027. The payroll tools listed here file payday information with Inland Revenue, and some act as PAYE intermediaries that pay PAYE to Inland Revenue for you. Master Builders and Master Plumbers membership is voluntary and does not replace licensing.
New Zealand trades vendor selection is shaped by registration and licensing (the EWRB for electrical workers, the PGDB for plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers, and the LBP scheme for Restricted Building Work on homes), payday filing with Inland Revenue, KiwiSaver deductions, Holidays Act leave calculations, 15% GST, and health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Frequently asked
Is Smartly a good fit for New Zealand trades?
Smartly, formerly SmartPayroll, is New Zealand payroll software that pays employees into their bank accounts, deducts PAYE, KiwiSaver and other deductions, and files returns with Inland Revenue. It sells self-managed payroll plans, optionally with people management tools, and Smartly-run plans where its team runs the payroll. Built for New Zealand payroll: PAYE and KiwiSaver deductions and filing with Inland Revenue. Pricing is per employee per pay run plus a monthly platform fee, excluding GST.
What does Smartly cost in New Zealand?
Published by Smartly (indicative, excluding GST): Payroll $2.60 per employee per pay run plus a $51.50 monthly platform fee; Payroll + People Management adds $10 per employee a month; Smartly-run Payroll $6.20 per employee per pay run, from $365 a month minimum. Banking transaction fees may apply. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current New Zealand pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Does Smartly publish its prices?
Yes. Smartly is Tier S in our New Zealand directory, which means our check found its prices published on its own website (see the typical pricing above). The tier is not a quality ranking, so compare it against the alternatives for your trade and region.