Head-to-head · Payroll APIs
Moonworkers vs 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 |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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.
- Moonworkers6.9/10 · Paid
UK-focused payroll API with deep CIS, PAYE, RTI and accounting support.
Visit MoonworkersFull verdict → - Papaya Global6.7/10 · From $29/mo
Managed global payroll with payment, tax, analytics, and workforce options.
Visit Papaya GlobalFull verdict →
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All payroll APIs comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
Last updated · How we research and update




