Payroll software · United Kingdom
Sage Payroll UK
Cloud payroll from Sage for UK small businesses, on HMRC's recognised list, up to 150 employees
Market position
Sage Payroll (listed by HMRC as Sage Business Cloud Payroll) is cloud payroll software from The Sage Group plc, a UK company based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Sage says it supports up to 150 employees, and it bills new UK customers per employee per month, with the first five employees included. Sage also sells the desktop Sage 50 Payroll, which is on HMRC's list as well.
United Kingdom-specific note
Sage Business Cloud Payroll is on HMRC's list of recognised payroll software. Sage's knowledge base says it receives HMRC notices (P6, P9 and RTI) for UK customers.
Pros
- + On HMRC's recognised payroll software list
- + First five employees included; extra employees billed per month
- + Receives HMRC P6, P9 and RTI notices in the product
- + Desktop alternative from the same vendor (Sage 50 Payroll), also HMRC-recognised
Cons
- − Capped at 150 employees
- − Extra employees cost more on the higher plans (from £2.40, £4.40 or £6.40 a month each)
- − Payroll only: pair it with separate job-management software
Typical United Kingdom pricing
Published by Sage: Payroll Essentials £12, Standard £23 and Premium £34 a month excluding VAT, each with 5 employees included; extra employees from £2.40, £4.40 or £6.40 a month; up to 150 employees. On 2026-09-30 Sage offered 90% off for 3 months.
Why this matters for United Kingdom trades
Gas Safe Register is the register approved by HSE: a business must be on it to legally do gas work within the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and HSE prosecutes unregistered gas fitters. For electrical work in dwellings, NICEIC (Certsure) is one of several authorised competent person schemes, alongside BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, NAPIT and OFTEC, that let installers self-certify instead of getting building regulations approval, and OFTEC is one of six schemes authorised for oil appliances. The payroll tools listed here are on HMRC’s list of recognised payroll software, while CIS returns may need an add-on or a separate product; insurers such as Hiscox and AXA note that employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement once you employ staff.
UK trades vendor selection is shaped by the Gas Safe Register for gas work, competent person schemes such as NICEIC and OFTEC that let installers self-certify building work, payroll duties (HMRC RTI reporting, workplace pension auto enrolment and, in construction, CIS returns), VAT, and lead services such as Checkatrade, MyBuilder and TrustATrader.
Frequently asked
Is Sage Payroll UK a good fit for United Kingdom trades?
Sage Payroll (listed by HMRC as Sage Business Cloud Payroll) is cloud payroll software from The Sage Group plc, a UK company based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Sage says it supports up to 150 employees, and it bills new UK customers per employee per month, with the first five employees included. Sage also sells the desktop Sage 50 Payroll, which is on HMRC's list as well. Sage Business Cloud Payroll is on HMRC's list of recognised payroll software. Sage's knowledge base says it receives HMRC notices (P6, P9 and RTI) for UK customers.
What does Sage Payroll UK cost in United Kingdom?
Published by Sage: Payroll Essentials £12, Standard £23 and Premium £34 a month excluding VAT, each with 5 employees included; extra employees from £2.40, £4.40 or £6.40 a month; up to 150 employees. On 2026-09-30 Sage offered 90% off for 3 months. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current United Kingdom pricing on the vendor's site before committing.
Does Sage Payroll UK publish its prices?
Yes. Sage Payroll UK is Tier S in our United Kingdom 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.