IRIS Payroll Business
Compare IRIS Payroll Business to Sage HRMS, QuickBooks Payroll, and BrightPay. Includes a detailed review with pros and cons, pricing info, and FAQs.
Updated on February 17th, 2022
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Updates:
Updated 15th of November 2021
We updated the review format and added comparisons to Sage HRMS, QuickBooks Payroll, and BrightPay.
IRIS Payroll Business is one of IRIS' SME-specific payroll solutions for businesses in the United Kingdom (U.K.). The software includes online filing, compliance, payment calculations, and reporting functionalities.
Pricing:
Plan | Pricing |
---|---|
IRIS Payroll Business (25 payslips) | £99.00 + VAT |
IRIS Payroll Business (25 payslips) + 1 Additional Company | £180.00 + VAT |
IRIS Payroll Business (25 payslips) + 1 Additional User | £265.00 + VAT |
IRIS Payroll Business (25 payslips) + 1 Additional Company + 1 Additional User | £346.00 + VAT |
Review:
IRIS Payroll Business is an affordable payroll software developed specifically for U.K. businesses with up to 100 employees. Features include a detailed absence and holiday diary, online filing and compliance tools, and unlimited phone and online support. Businesses can also benefit from an in-depth reporting functionality.
While IRIS Payroll Business is a strong option for small, U.K.-based businesses, it is not suitable for U.S.-based businesses as it lacks features specific to payroll processing in the U.S., such as multistate payroll and W-2 and 1099 form preparation. Great alternatives for small businesses in the U.S. include Gusto and TriNet Zenefits.
Pros:
- Businesses can use the software to file forms, including P45s, with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) services.
- The software is compliant with Automatic Enrolment and RTI legislation.
- The in-depth reporting functionality lets employers track employee data and generate comprehensive, customized reports.
- The software calculates PAYE, NI, and other U.K. statutory payments.
- The IRIS Payroll Business package includes unlimited phone and online support.
- Users can process multiple payments and deductions and receive automatic month-end P32 summary updates.
Cons:
- The software is designed for businesses in the U.K. and is not suitable for U.S.-based businesses.
- IRIS Payroll Business does not feature built-in timesheets or an employee database.
Reputation:
We were unable to find reviews of IRIS Payroll Business. However, we did find more than 160 reviews of IRIS Software on TrustPilot, where the company has a rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars. While users generally found the software to be user-friendly and praised the customer service, some expressed dissatisfaction with the company's responsiveness.
At-a-Glance:
Feature | IRIS Payroll Business |
---|---|
Automated taxes | ✓ |
Built-in timesheets | x |
Compliance management | ✓ |
Reporting | ✓ |
Customer support | Phone, email, and chat. |

IRIS Payroll Business vs. Sage HRMS:
While Sage HRMS is a plan geared toward the U.S. market, IRIS Payroll Business is designed for U.K.-based businesses. Sage HRMS stands out as the more comprehensive solution, including a range of HR tools. Sage also offers products specific to the U.K., including Sage Payroll, which meets similar business needs as IRIS Payroll Business.
IRIS Payroll Business vs. Sage HRMS Comparison:
Feature | IRIS Payroll Business | Sage HRMS |
---|---|---|
Starting Price | £99.00 + VAT | Contact for quote. |
Automated taxes | ✓ | ✓ |
Compliance management | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee portal | Available as an add-on (IRIS My ePay Window). | ✓ |

IRIS Payroll Business vs. QuickBooks Payroll:
While QuickBooks Payroll offers a more extensive range of features overall, IRIS Payroll Business offers some features that QuickBooks Payroll doesn't, such as compliance with Automatic Enrolment and RTI legislation. However, as these are specific to the U.K. market, the software is not suitable for businesses in the U.S.
IRIS Payroll Business vs. QuickBooks Payroll Comparison:
Feature | IRIS Payroll Business | QuickBooks Payroll |
---|---|---|
Starting Price | £99.00 + VAT | $45.00 /mo. + $4.00 /employee /mo. |
Automated taxes | ✓ | ✓ |
Compliance management | ✓ | x |
Employee portal | Available as an add-on (IRIS My ePay Window). | ✓ |

IRIS Payroll Business vs. BrightPay:
BrightPay and IRIS Payroll Business both cater to the U.K. market and are HMRC-recognised and RTI compliant. Both solutions offer an employee self-service portal as an add-on product only. Unlike IRIS Payroll Business, BrightPay's pricing varies by the number of employees. However, IRIS also offers a range of other payroll software products.
IRIS Payroll Business vs. BrightPay Comparison:
Feature | IRIS Payroll Business | BrightPay |
---|---|---|
Starting Price | £99.00 + VAT | £49.00 +VAT |
Automated taxes | ✓ | ✓ |
Compliance management | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee portal | Available as an add-on (IRIS My ePay Window). | Available as an add-on (BrightPay Connect). |
Key Information:
Legal Name | IRIS Software Group Limited |
Founder | David Guest |
Founding Date | Nov 01, 1978 |
Address | 4th Fl. Heathrow Approach, 470 London Rd., Slough SL3 8QY United Kingdom |
Number of Employees | 2500 |
Number of Customers | 335000 |
Telephone | |
Website |
FAQs:
What is IRIS Payroll Business?
IRIS Payroll Business is an IRIS payroll software product designed for U.K. businesses with up to 100 employees.
What does IRIS Payroll Business cost?
IRIS Payroll Business's pricing starts at £99.00 + VAT for a plan that includes 25 payslips.
Is there a free trial for IRIS Payroll Business?
Yes, users can sign up for an IRIS Payroll Business free trial.