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Head-to-head · Payroll APIs

Moonworkers vs Papaya Global

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Moonworkers #5 in Payroll APIs 6.9/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Moonworkers
Papaya Global #7 in Payroll APIs 6.7/10 From $29/mo ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Papaya Global

Moonworkers leads on 0 checks, Papaya Global on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMoonworkers · 6.9/10

Moonworkers scores higher on our rubric for payroll apis: 6.9 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

Moonworkers is the better fit for UK employers needing HMRC payroll APIs. Papaya Global is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise global payroll.

  • Moonworkers fits best

    UK employers needing HMRC payroll APIs

  • Papaya Global fits best

    Mid-market and enterprise global payroll

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Side by side

Feature Moonworkers 6.9/10 Visit ↗ Papaya Global 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.9 6.7
Ranking #5 in Payroll APIs #7 in Payroll APIs
Best for UK employers needing HMRC payroll APIs Mid-market and enterprise global payroll
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published $29/mo
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Docs, Community · 24/7
Compliance GDPR, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations 11 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Moonworkers 0/4 · Papaya Global 0/4
Payroll data access Not published Not published
Payroll processing Not published Not published
Pay calculation Not published Not published
Worker onboarding Not published Not published
Specs
Connection method Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • CIS verification, deductions, CIS300 returns and statements
  • PAYE, RTI, pensions and statutory document generation
  • REST API plus integrations with major accounting platforms
  • Payroll Plus combines managed payroll, automated processes, and payslips.
  • Payroll calculations, approvals, tax filing, and payment execution are included.
  • HRIS and ERP connections include Workday, NetSuite, and SAP SuccessFactors.
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • Monthly employer pricing is calculated by payroll volume
  • Payroll payout coverage is limited to the UK
  • Payroll Plus starts at $29 per employee monthly, with no free plan.
  • Contractor of Record and Employer of Record have separate per-person pricing.
  • Its breadth may be more than needed for organizations with single-country payroll.
Our verdict

Moonworkers is UK payroll software and an API for organisations paying CIS subcontractors, PAYE employees, directors and IR35 workers. It is aimed at sole traders, small and mid-sized businesses, accountants, construction firms and larger…

Read the review →

Papaya Global brings managed payroll, payments, compliance, and reporting together for organizations operating across countries. Payroll Plus is the core global payroll offering, with centralized workforce data, automated payroll…

Read the review →
  1. MoonworkersPayroll APIs 6.9Paid
  2. Papaya GlobalPayroll APIs 6.7From $29/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Moonworkers — where it wins

    • CIS verification, deductions, CIS300 returns and statements
    • PAYE, RTI, pensions and statutory document generation
    • REST API plus integrations with major accounting platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Monthly employer pricing is calculated by payroll volume
    • Payroll payout coverage is limited to the UK
  • Papaya Global — where it wins

    • Payroll Plus combines managed payroll, automated processes, and payslips.
    • Payroll calculations, approvals, tax filing, and payment execution are included.
    • HRIS and ERP connections include Workday, NetSuite, and SAP SuccessFactors.

    Where it doesn't

    • Payroll Plus starts at $29 per employee monthly, with no free plan.
    • Contractor of Record and Employer of Record have separate per-person pricing.
    • Its breadth may be more than needed for organizations with single-country payroll.

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update