Managing payroll efficiently is critical for businesses of all sizes, ensuring compliance with regulations and maintaining employee satisfaction. Shape Payroll is a popular choice among UK businesses, offering various plans tailored to different needs. This guide provides a comprehensive review of the Shape Payroll pricing structure, including its Lite version, and offers insights to help businesses choose the right payroll software.
Why payroll software is essential
Before examining Shape Payroll’s options, it’s important to understand the benefits of using payroll software:
- Accuracy and Compliance: Payroll software helps ensure accurate calculations and compliance with tax laws and regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and fines.
- Time-saving: Automating payroll processes saves time, freeing up HR and finance teams to focus on strategic tasks rather than manual calculations.
- Employee satisfaction: Timely and accurate payroll processing enhances employee trust and satisfaction, contributing to a positive workplace environment.
- Data security: Payroll software protects sensitive employee information, reducing the risk of data breaches and fraud.
Overview of Shape Payroll
Shape Payroll is a cloud-based payroll solution designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. The software offers a range of features to streamline payroll processing, tax calculations, and compliance reporting. With its user-friendly interface, Shape Payroll is accessible to businesses without dedicated HR or payroll departments.
Shape Payroll pricing structure
Shape Payroll offers a flexible pricing model based on the number of employees, making it scalable as businesses grow. Below is an overview of the different pricing options:
| Plan | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Features Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lite Plan | Up to 5 | £10 | – Basic payroll processing – PAYE and NIC calculations – Auto-enrolment for pensions – Employee self-service |
| Basic Plan | Up to 10 | £20 | – All features of Lite Plan – Enhanced payslip generation – Basic tax compliance |
| Standard Plan | 11 to 50 | £50 | – All features of Basic Plan – Automated pension enrolment – Advanced tax reporting |
| – Employee self-service portals | |||
| Premium Plan | More than 50 | £100 | – All features of Standard Plan – Integration with accounting software – Customisable reporting |
| – Priority customer support |
Key features of Shape Payroll
Shape Payroll provides a range of features that cater to businesses of different sizes and needs. Here’s a look at some of the key features:
- Automatic Tax Updates: The software is regularly updated to reflect changes in tax laws, ensuring businesses remain compliant without manual intervention.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Employees can access payslips, update personal information, and manage leave requests, reducing the administrative burden on HR teams.
- Integration Capabilities: Shape Payroll integrates seamlessly with popular accounting and HR systems, creating a unified platform for managing payroll and financial data.
- Scalability: The software is designed to scale as your business grows, accommodating an increasing number of employees without a significant increase in cost.
- Customer Support: Shape Payroll offers robust customer support, including online resources, live chat, and phone support, ensuring businesses can quickly resolve any issues.
Shape Payroll Lite: a solution for small businesses
Shape Payroll Lite is a streamlined version designed specifically for small businesses and startups. It offers essential features at a lower price point, making it ideal for companies with basic payroll needs.
Key Features of Shape Payroll Lite:
- Basic Payroll Processing: Simplified payroll processing for up to 5 employees.
- PAYE and NIC Calculations: Ensures accurate PAYE and National Insurance calculations.
- Auto-Enrolment for Pensions: Automatic pension enrolment compliance, even for small teams.
- Employee Self-Service: A portal for employees to access payslips and update their information.
Shape Payroll Lite is perfect for businesses looking for an affordable and straightforward payroll solution, without the need for advanced features.
Pros and cons of Shape Payroll
Understanding the strengths and limitations of Shape Payroll can help in making an informed decision.
Pros:
- User-friendly interface suitable for non-specialists
- Scalable pricing model based on employee count
- Regular updates ensure compliance with tax laws
- Strong customer support
Cons:
- Limited customisation options for businesses with complex payroll needs
- Shape Payroll Lite may lack advanced features required by larger businesses
How to choose the right payroll software
When selecting payroll software, consider the following factors:
- Business Size and Growth: Choose a solution that fits your current needs and can scale as your business grows.
- Budget: Evaluate the cost relative to the features provided, ensuring the software offers good value for money.
- Ease of Use: The software should be intuitive and easy to use, even for those without specialised training.
- Integration: Look for software that integrates with your existing systems, such as accounting and HR software.
- Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial for addressing issues quickly and effectively.
- Compliance Features: Ensure the software is regularly updated to comply with the latest UK tax laws and regulations.
Conclusion – Shape Payroll pricing review
Shape Payroll offers a range of solutions to meet the diverse needs of UK businesses, from the streamlined Lite version for small companies to the feature-rich Premium plan for larger organisations. By understanding your business’s specific payroll needs and considering the factors outlined in this guide, you can choose the right Shape Payroll plan to streamline your payroll processes, ensure compliance, and support your company’s growth.
For UK businesses seeking to manage payroll effectively, Shape Payroll, including the Lite version, is a valuable option to consider.
For more, see our guide to payroll services costs. Or if you’d rather manage your own payroll, check our reviews of the best small business payroll software. Finally, for those on a tighter budget, see free payroll software.
Shape Payroll pricing FAQ
The starting price for Shape Payroll is £10 per month for the Lite Plan, which is designed for businesses with up to 5 employees.
Shape Payroll charges £20 per month for the Basic Plan, which is suitable for businesses with up to 10 employees and includes enhanced payslip generation and basic tax compliance features.
The Standard Plan from Shape Payroll costs £50 per month and is designed for businesses with 11 to 50 employees. This plan includes features such as automated pension enrolment and advanced tax reporting.
The Premium Plan from Shape Payroll costs £100 per month and is tailored for businesses with more than 50 employees. This plan includes all the features of the Standard Plan, plus integration with accounting software, customisable reporting, and priority customer support.
Yes, Shape Payroll offers a free trial period. While the exact duration can vary, it typically provides businesses with a trial period to test the software’s features before committing to a paid plan.
Shape Payroll generally includes all features in its monthly subscription fees, but there may be additional costs for customisation or additional services, depending on specific business needs and requirements.
Shape Payroll’s pricing is scalable. For example, if you start with the Lite Plan at £10 per month for up to 5 employees, you can move to the Basic Plan at £20 per month as you grow to 10 employees, and further up to the Standard Plan at £50 per month if your workforce expands to between 11 and 50 employees.
Shape Payroll may offer discounts for annual subscriptions, providing savings compared to monthly payments. These discounts vary, so it is advisable to contact Shape Payroll directly to get the latest offers and details.
Yes, Shape Payroll can handle payroll for businesses with over 100 employees. The Premium Plan at £100 per month is designed to cater to larger businesses and can be customised to suit the specific needs of companies with a larger workforce.
Shape Payroll accepts various payment methods, including credit cards and direct debits, for its monthly or annual subscription plans, ensuring flexibility for businesses of all sizes.