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Head-to-head · Small Business Payroll Software

Xero Payroll vs Rippling

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Xero Payroll #3 in Small Business Payroll Software 9.0/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Xero
Rippling #8 in Small Business Payroll Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Rippling

Xero Payroll leads on 0 checks, Rippling on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreXero Payroll · 9.0/10
  • Free trialonly Xero Payroll
  • Most featuresXero Payroll · 3 of 3

Xero Payroll scores higher on our rubric for small business payroll software: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Xero Payroll is the better fit for UK businesses needing detailed HMRC payroll support. Rippling is the better fit for small firms seeking payroll within a connected HR platform.

  • Xero Payroll fits best

    UK businesses needing detailed HMRC payroll support

  • Rippling fits best

    Small firms seeking payroll within a connected HR platform

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Xero Payroll 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Rippling 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in Small Business Payroll Software #8 in Small Business Payroll Software
Best for UK businesses needing detailed HMRC payroll support Small firms seeking payroll within a connected HR platform
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price £39/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs, Community · 24/7 Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
Integrations 1,000+ integrations 650+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Xero Payroll 3/3 · Rippling 0/3
Tax filing included ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Direct deposit ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Employee self-service ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Pay frequencies weekly, fortnightly, four-weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually Not checked yet
Worker pay types employees, directors, off-payroll workers (IR35) Not checked yet
Payroll runs Unclear Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Files Full Payment Submissions and Employer Payment Summaries to HMRC
  • Calculates PAYE, NIC, pensions and leave automatically
  • Supports employees, directors and off-payroll workers
  • Connects payroll and benefits with employee records and time tools
  • Automates onboarding, offboarding, approvals, and workflows
  • Supports web and mobile access with 650 integrations
Cons
  • Ignite payroll costs £1.50 per person per month on top of accounting
  • Grow, Comprehensive and Ultimate plans cost £39, £55 and £70 monthly
  • Support channels listed are documentation and community
  • Pricing requires a custom quote
  • Payroll and tax capabilities are not described in detail
  • Availability and pricing may vary by country and selected modules
Our verdict

Xero Payroll is cloud payroll software for UK small businesses that need to calculate pay and meet payroll reporting requirements. It suits businesses with employee, director or off-payroll worker payroll, particularly those that also want…

Read the review →

Rippling brings payroll into a cloud workforce management platform for organizations managing employee data and HR operations. For small firms, its appeal is the ability to place payroll alongside benefits administration, time tracking,…

Read the review →
  1. Xero PayrollSmall Business Payroll Software 9.030-day trial
  2. RipplingSmall Business Payroll Software 8.5Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Xero Payroll — where it wins

    • Files Full Payment Submissions and Employer Payment Summaries to HMRC
    • Calculates PAYE, NIC, pensions and leave automatically
    • Supports employees, directors and off-payroll workers

    Where it doesn't

    • Ignite payroll costs £1.50 per person per month on top of accounting
    • Grow, Comprehensive and Ultimate plans cost £39, £55 and £70 monthly
    • Support channels listed are documentation and community

  • Rippling — where it wins

    • Connects payroll and benefits with employee records and time tools
    • Automates onboarding, offboarding, approvals, and workflows
    • Supports web and mobile access with 650 integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a custom quote
    • Payroll and tax capabilities are not described in detail
    • Availability and pricing may vary by country and selected modules
  • Xero Payroll9.0/10 · 30-day trial

    A UK-focused payroll option with pension reporting, multiple pay schedules and Xero accounting plans.

    Visit XeroFull verdict →
  • Rippling8.5/10 · Pricing on request

    Payroll sits within a broad HR platform that also connects time, benefits, and workflows.

    Visit RipplingFull verdict →

More comparisons

All small business payroll software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update