Software Comparison

Collsoft Payroll vs SimplePay - Irish Payroll Software Compared

Choosing between Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating payroll software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.

View Collsoft Payroll View SimplePay

Last checked: 07 Sept 2026data estimated for at least one vendor - confirm with the vendorMethodology

Quick Verdict

Where Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay actually differ

SimplePay publishes the lower starting price: EUR 4 against EUR 199 for Collsoft Payroll.
Collsoft Payroll supports SEPA Direct Debit collection out of the box; SimplePay needs a third-party add-on or manual handling.

Collsoft Payroll vs SimplePay - Feature Comparison

Feature	Collsoft Payroll	SimplePay
Deployment	Desktop application, installed locally	Cloud-based, accessible via browser and mobile app
PAYE Modernisation and Revenue Integration	Full PAYE Modernisation with automatic RPN fetching and direct ROS submission	Full PAYE Modernisation with automatic RPN fetching and single-click ROS submission
SEPA Payment File Output	Generates SEPA XML payment files; specific target banks not listed	Generates SEPA payment files compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB portals
Employee Self-Service	Not available	Included: employees access payslips and manage leave via web and mobile app
Accounting Integrations	QuickBooks, Sage Line 50, Twinfield, and Xero	Xero and QuickBooks Online
Bureau and Multi-Employer Support	Dedicated Bureau licence (EUR 499/year) for unlimited employers, suits accountancy practices	Per-active-employee model suits bureaus running multiple small client payrolls
Free Trial	60-day free trial before purchase	30-day free trial with all features and full support included

Irish Compliance and Pricing Matrix

A side-by-side data comparison of pricing and Irish regulatory compliance for Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay. Values are derived from each vendor's published data and verified weekly.

Requirement	Collsoft Payroll	SimplePay
Pricing
Starting price	From €199/year	From €4/employee/month
Pricing model	Annual licence	Monthly flat rate
EUR pricing guaranteed	✓	✓
Free trial	✓	✓
Irish Compliance
Revenue (ROS) integration	✓	✓
PAYE Modernisation	✓	✓
Irish bank feeds	✗	✗
Bank compatibility	None listed	AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB
SEPA direct debit	✓	✗
Irish IBAN support	✓	✓
VAT handling	✗	✗
EU data residency (GDPR)	EU only	EU only
Irish support	✓	✓
Revenue-approved	✗	✗
CBI regulated	✗	✗

Pricing notes

Collsoft Payroll: Priced per employer (not per employee) per tax year, ex VAT, with unlimited employees on all tiers. Small Business: €199/year (up to 5 employers). Micro Bureau: €299/year (up to 10 employers). Bureau: €499/year (unlimited employers). A 60-day free trial is available before purchase. Source: collsoft.ie/pricing, verified 2026-05-28. - Source

SimplePay: From EUR4.00 per active employee per month, exclusive of VAT. Per active employee model: no charge for admin users. Free 30-day trial with all features and full support included. - Source

Irish Compliance Comparison

For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.

Revenue Integration

Both Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay support Revenue Online Service (ROS) integration, meaning you can file VAT returns and manage your tax obligations directly from either platform. For Irish businesses, this is table stakes - and both vendors deliver.

PAYE Modernisation

Both Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay fully support PAYE Modernisation with real-time payroll reporting to Revenue. Irish employers are legally required to submit payroll data in real time, so having this built in saves significant time and reduces the risk of non-compliance penalties.

Irish Bank Feeds

Collsoft Payroll supports no Irish banks directly. SimplePay supports AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB. SimplePay has broader Irish bank compatibility, which matters if you bank with AIB or Bank of Ireland or PTSB - you will get automatic bank feeds or SEPA payment file support that Collsoft Payroll cannot offer.

GDPR Data Residency

Both Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay store data in EU data centres, providing strong GDPR compliance out of the box. Irish businesses can use either platform without worrying about cross-border data transfers to the US or other non-EU jurisdictions.

SEPA and IBAN Support

Collsoft Payroll supports SEPA Direct Debit and Irish IBAN format, making euro payments and bank transfers seamless. SimplePay does not support SEPA natively, which could mean extra manual steps when processing euro payments or setting up direct debits for Irish customers.

VAT Handling

Neither Collsoft Payroll nor SimplePay handles Irish VAT directly. This is expected for payroll tools - your accounting software should manage VAT compliance.

Pricing Comparison

All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change - we verify vendor pricing weekly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.

Collsoft Payroll

€199/mo

Pricing model: Flat rate
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes

View Collsoft Payroll pricing →

SimplePay

€4/mo

Pricing model: Flat rate
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes

View SimplePay pricing →

At entry level, SimplePay is the more affordable option. However, total cost of ownership depends on the number of users, add-ons, and features your business requires. Always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.

Who Should Choose Collsoft Payroll

Collsoft Payroll is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓Those who prioritise user satisfaction - Collsoft Payroll has a higher editorial rating (4.6/5)
✓Those who value: strong irish revenue compliance with paye modernisation and rpn fetching
✓Those who value: cso earnings, hours and employment costs survey reporting built in

Who Should Choose SimplePay

SimplePay is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓Budget-conscious businesses - SimplePay from €4/employee/month
✓Businesses banking with AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB who want reliable bank feed or payment file support
✓Those who value: submit payroll data to ros with a single click; usc and prsi handled automatically

Our Verdict

The meaningful Irish-specific differentiator is SEPA output: SimplePay explicitly names AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB as compatible bank portals, while Collsoft generates SEPA XML files without specifying target banks. The shared limitation worth noting is that neither product provides live Irish bank feeds, so both require a manual upload step to initiate payroll payments.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer - their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Collsoft Payroll or SimplePay better for Irish SMEs?

Collsoft Payroll suits Irish employers and accountancy practices that prefer a proven desktop application with fixed annual pricing, particularly bureau practices managing multiple client payrolls, where the Bureau licence at EUR 499 per year covers unlimited employers and employees. SimplePay is the stronger choice for businesses that want cloud access, employee self-service for payslips and leave, and a per-active-employee cost model that scales down to zero for quiet months with fewer active staff. Both products cover the core Irish compliance requirements: PAYE Modernisation with automatic RPN fetching, Revenue Online Service integration, PRSI, USC, My Future Fund auto-enrolment, and SEPA payment file generation, so neither carries a compliance gap versus the other. The meaningful Irish-specific differentiator is SEPA output: SimplePay explicitly names AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB as compatible bank portals, while Collsoft generates SEPA XML files without specifying target banks. The shared limitation worth noting is that neither product provides live Irish bank feeds, so both require a manual upload step to initiate payroll payments.

Which is cheaper, Collsoft Payroll or SimplePay?

Collsoft Payroll starts at From €199/year, while SimplePay starts at From €4/employee/month. SimplePay is the more affordable option at entry level, though total cost depends on the number of users and features you need.

Does Collsoft Payroll or SimplePay have better Irish bank feeds?

Collsoft Payroll supports None. SimplePay supports AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB. SimplePay has broader Irish bank support.

Which has better GDPR compliance, Collsoft Payroll or SimplePay?

Collsoft Payroll stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). SimplePay stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). Both offer EU data centre options, though configuration may be required.

Can I switch from Collsoft Payroll to SimplePay?

Yes, migrating between Collsoft Payroll and SimplePay is possible. Most payroll platforms allow you to export your data in CSV or standard formats. We recommend working with your accountant or IT provider to plan the migration, ideally at the start of a new financial year or payroll period to minimise disruption.

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