Moonworkers vs Pinwheel

Moonworkers8.2Visit PPinwheel7.8Visit

Higher score Moonworkers #5 in Payroll APIs 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Moonworkers

vs

P Pinwheel #8 in Payroll APIs 7.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Contact Pinwheel

• Moonworkers fits best

  UK employers needing HMRC payroll APIs

• Pinwheel fits best

  Fintechs accessing payroll data and paystubs

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Side by side

Feature	Moonworkers 8.2/10 Visit ↗	PPinwheel 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.2	7.8
Ranking	#5 in Payroll APIs	#8 in Payroll APIs
Best for	UK employers needing HMRC payroll APIs	Fintechs accessing payroll data and paystubs
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	Pricing on request
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Docs	Email
Compliance	GDPR, 2FA	SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Moonworkers 0/4 · Pinwheel 2/4
Payroll data access	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Payroll processing	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Pay calculation	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Worker onboarding	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Connection method	Not checked yet	Both
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	Retrieves income, employment, historical paystubs, and payroll tax forms Supports direct-deposit allocation updates with user permission Link SDK, webhooks, and sandbox and development modes support integration
Cons	No free plan is available Monthly employer pricing is calculated by payroll volume Payroll payout coverage is limited to the UK	API access requires contacting Sales or a Client Success Manager Production API calls are billable Integration depends on supported payroll employers and platforms
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 →	Pinwheel provides payroll connectivity infrastructure for banks, fintechs, lenders, and other financial platforms. With a consumer’s permission, its APIs retrieve income, employment, current and historical paystub data, and payroll tax… 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

• Pinwheel — where it wins

  • Retrieves income, employment, historical paystubs, and payroll tax forms
  • Supports direct-deposit allocation updates with user permission
  • Link SDK, webhooks, and sandbox and development modes support integration

  Where it doesn't

  • API access requires contacting Sales or a Client Success Manager
  • Production API calls are billable
  • Integration depends on supported payroll employers and platforms

• Moonworkers8.2/10 · Paid

  UK-focused payroll API with deep CIS, PAYE, RTI and accounting support.

  Visit MoonworkersFull verdict →
• PPinwheel7.8/10 · Pricing on request

  A payroll connectivity API for fintechs retrieving payroll data and updating direct deposits.

  Contact PinwheelFull verdict →