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Head-to-head · Direct Deposit Payroll

SurePayroll vs Sage Payroll

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score SurePayroll #5 in Direct Deposit Payroll 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit SurePayroll
Sage Payroll #8 in Direct Deposit Payroll 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Sage Payroll

SurePayroll leads on 0 checks, Sage Payroll on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSurePayroll · 8.5/10
  • Most featuresSurePayroll · 2 of 2

SurePayroll scores higher on our rubric for direct deposit payroll: 8.5 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

SurePayroll is the better fit for small restaurants paying tipped employees. Sage Payroll is the better fit for UK employers seeking payroll and HMRC submissions.

  • SurePayroll fits best

    Small restaurants paying tipped employees

  • Sage Payroll fits best

    UK employers seeking payroll and HMRC submissions

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Side by side

Feature SurePayroll 8.5/10 Visit ↗ Sage Payroll 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 8.2
Ranking #5 in Direct Deposit Payroll #8 in Direct Deposit Payroll
Best for Small restaurants paying tipped employees UK employers seeking payroll and HMRC submissions
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $20/mo —
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Live chat Live chat, Phone, Community, Docs · 24/7
Built for Small business, Solo Small business, Mid-market
Features SurePayroll 2/2 · Sage Payroll 1/2
Payroll tax filing ✓ ✓
Employee self-service ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Pay frequency Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deposit speed Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll countries Not checked yet Not checked yet
Employee limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
  • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
  • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through self-service
  • Calculates PAYE, National Insurance and pension contributions
  • Submits RTI electronically and retrieves HMRC notices
  • Tracks salary payments and gives employees payslip self-service
Cons
  • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
  • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
  • Restaurant POS integration is not established
  • UK tax and HMRC coverage limits suitability outside the UK
  • There is no free plan; Sage Payroll is paid software
  • Advanced scheduling and performance tools require the Premium tier
Our verdict

SurePayroll is an online payroll service from Paychex for small businesses, including restaurants that pay tipped employees. Its restaurant payroll support includes tip reporting and multiple pay rates for different roles. Employees can…

Read the review →

Sage Payroll is cloud-based payroll and HR software for UK start-ups, small businesses and growing employers. It calculates wages, PAYE, National Insurance and pension contributions, then submits RTI information electronically to HMRC.…

Read the review →
  1. SurePayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 8.5Paid
  2. Sage PayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 8.2Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SurePayroll — where it wins

    • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
    • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
    • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
    • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
    • Restaurant POS integration is not established

  • Sage Payroll — where it wins

    • Calculates PAYE, National Insurance and pension contributions
    • Submits RTI electronically and retrieves HMRC notices
    • Tracks salary payments and gives employees payslip self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • UK tax and HMRC coverage limits suitability outside the UK
    • There is no free plan; Sage Payroll is paid software
    • Advanced scheduling and performance tools require the Premium tier

More comparisons

All direct deposit payroll comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update