PayRun.io
PayRun.io: A broad UK payroll API with a perpetual free development environment. Ranked #18 of 34 in Payroll APIs by our editors (5.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for UK payroll developers seeking a free API.
At a glance
- Editor score5.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forUK payroll developers seeking a free API
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Payroll data accessYes
- Facts checked29 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free development environment with no stated time limit
- Covers PAYE, National Insurance, HMRC RTI, CIS and pensions
- Produces reports, PDF payslips, P45s and P60s
Where it doesn't
- Production pricing and billing terms are not provided
- Cloud deployment only
- Support is limited to email and documentation
Our verdict on PayRun.io
PayRun.io is a RESTful API for software providers that need to add UK payroll and auto-enrolment capabilities to their products. Its documented scope covers PAYE and National Insurance calculations, payroll runs, multiple pay frequencies, pension contributions, statutory absence pay, Construction Industry Scheme processing, and HMRC Real Time Information submissions. The API also handles payroll data access, worker onboarding, payroll processing and pay calculations, making it suitable for small, mid-market and enterprise software teams building payroll features into a wider application.
A free development environment is available without a time limit, giving developers a way to build and evaluate integrations before production deployment. The feature set is broad for UK payroll: FPS and EPS submissions, CIS verification and returns, pension auto-enrolment, statutory pay calculations, custom reporting and live querying are all documented. Payroll outputs include PDF payslips, P45s and P60s, while mid-year migrations can use year-to-date values. This breadth suits products that need payroll compliance workflows rather than only basic pay calculations.
PayRun.io is hosted in a private cloud and connects through API credentials, so teams should plan around a cloud-based integration model. Email support and documentation are the listed support channels. The product fits developers seeking a focused UK payroll service behind their own software interface, particularly when a no-time-limit development environment matters. Teams needing open-source deployment, non-cloud hosting or broader support channels should consider alternatives aligned with those requirements. Production billing should be assessed directly before launch, while the API’s UK-specific coverage makes it a practical candidate for applications serving domestic payroll workflows.
PayRun.io pricing
PayRun.io fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Payroll data access | Yes |
| Payroll processing | Yes |
| Pay calculation | Yes |
| Worker onboarding | Yes |
| Connection method | Credential |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | payrun.io |
| Facts checked | 29 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to PayRun.io
- ADP Workforce NowA broad payroll and HR suite for established teams that need connected workforce workflows.8.6
- GustoA full payroll and HR suite for small and mid-market U.S. employers.7.8
- WorklioA broad embedded payroll stack for providers that need multi-client and multi-EIN operations.7.7
See all PayRun.io alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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