Moonworkers review
A focused UK payroll platform for CIS contractors, employees and accountants.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Moonworkers is UK payroll software for businesses paying CIS subcontractors, PAYE employees, directors and other worker types. It is particularly suited to construction firms, accountants, sole traders and small to mid-sized businesses that need contractor-focused payroll administration. Its feature set covers HMRC subcontractor verification, CIS deductions, CIS300 monthly returns, deduction statements, PAYE payroll and RTI submissions. Employers can also generate payslips, P45s, P60s and P11Ds, while pension auto-enrolment integrations support broader payroll administration.
Pricing is split between a main payroll plan and a separate document-focused option. The Monthly Payroll · Employer plan includes PAYE, National Insurance and pension auto-enrolment, automated FPS and EPS submissions, variable hours, holiday pay, accounting integrations and payslip delivery. The Instant Payslip Generator costs £3.99 per payslip, billed monthly, and provides HMRC-compliant PDF payslips, PAYE and National Insurance calculations, CIS subcontractor support and no subscription or account requirement. Accounting and payroll connections include Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, KashFlow, IRIS, Modulr and Deputy, alongside pension platforms such as NEST, Smart Pension and The People's Pension.
Moonworkers stands out through its coverage of UK contractor payment requirements rather than a broad international payroll scope. A REST API covers employees, pay runs, documents and payroll submissions, giving businesses and software providers a route to embedded payroll workflows. That combination makes it a practical fit for firms that need CIS compliance, scheduled payroll submissions and accounting connectivity in one UK-focused system. Businesses paying workers across multiple countries should choose a platform designed for multi-country payroll instead; Moonworkers is most appropriate when UK rules and HMRC processes are the central requirement.
Moonworkers pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Handles HMRC verification, CIS deductions and CIS300 returns
- Supports PAYE, RTI submissions, pensions and payroll documents
- Integrates with Xero, Sage, QuickBooks and other accounting tools
- Where it doesn't
- Designed for UK payroll rather than multi-country operations
- Main payroll pricing is presented through a volume calculator
- The instant payslip plan is charged per payslip rather than by subscription
Moonworkers fact sheet, pricing and score →
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