Software Comparison

Collsoft Payroll vs Thesaurus Payroll Manager - Irish Payroll Software Compared

Choosing between Collsoft Payroll and Thesaurus Payroll Manager 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 Thesaurus Payroll Manager

Last verified: 05 Apr 2026 data verified to the older of the two vendor profiles Methodology

Quick Verdict

Collsoft Payroll vs Thesaurus Payroll Manager - Feature Comparison

Feature	Collsoft Payroll	Thesaurus Payroll Manager
PAYE Modernisation and Revenue Compliance	Full PAYE Modernisation, PRSI, USC, and Revenue Online Service submissions supported	Full PAYE Modernisation, PRSI, USC, and Revenue Online Service submissions supported
RCT and Construction-Specific Features	Built-in Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT) support and CSO statistical reporting included	No RCT or CSO reporting features
SEPA XML Bank Compatibility	Generates SEPA XML payment files for AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB	Generates SEPA XML payment files for AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB
Irish Bank Feeds	Not available	Not available
Best-Fit Business Size	6 to 50 employees	1 to 20 employees
Best-Fit Sectors	Construction, Professional Services	Retail, Hospitality, Professional Services
GDPR Data Residency and Irish Support	EU data residency, Irish-based support included	EU data residency, Irish-based support included
Pricing
Starting Price	From €199/month	From €229/month
Free Trial	✓	✓
Irish Compliance
Revenue Integration	✓	✓
PAYE Modernisation	✓	✓
Irish Bank Feeds	✗	✗
GDPR Data Residency	EU	EU
SEPA Direct Debit	✓	✓
Irish IBAN Support	✓	✓
VAT Handling	✗	✗

Irish Compliance Comparison

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

Revenue Integration

Both Collsoft Payroll and Thesaurus Payroll Manager 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 Thesaurus Payroll Manager 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 AIB, BOI, PTSB. Thesaurus Payroll Manager supports AIB, BOI, PTSB. Both support the same Irish banks, so bank compatibility is not a deciding factor here.

GDPR Data Residency

Both Collsoft Payroll and Thesaurus Payroll Manager 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

Both Collsoft Payroll and Thesaurus Payroll Manager support SEPA Direct Debit and Irish IBAN format. This means you can process euro payments, set up direct debits, and handle bank transfers in the standard European format without any manual workarounds.

VAT Handling

Neither Collsoft Payroll nor Thesaurus Payroll Manager 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 monthly, 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 →

Thesaurus Payroll Manager

€229 /mo

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

View Thesaurus Payroll Manager pricing →

At entry level, Collsoft Payroll 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:

✓ Budget-conscious businesses - Collsoft Payroll starts at just €199/month
✓ Growing businesses with 21-50 employees that need a platform which scales
✓ Those who value: strong irish compliance

Who Should Choose Thesaurus Payroll Manager

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

✓ Those who value: very affordable
✓ Those who value: solid revenue compliance
✓ Those who value: long track record in ireland

Our Verdict

Collsoft Payroll is the stronger choice for Irish businesses in construction or professional services with 6 to 50 employees, thanks to its built-in RCT (Relevant Contracts Tax) support and CSO statistical reporting, which are features Thesaurus Payroll Manager does not offer. Both products deliver equivalent core Irish payroll compliance, covering PAYE Modernisation, PRSI, USC, and SEPA XML file generation for AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB, so neither has an edge on day-to-day Revenue submission capability. Thesaurus Payroll Manager, starting at EUR 229 per year for up to 10 employees, is the more cost-conscious option for micro-businesses and small employers in retail or hospitality with 1 to 20 staff who have no need for RCT or CSO reporting.

Neither product offers native Irish bank feeds or a cloud self-service layer for employees, which is a shared limitation buyers coming from more modern platforms will notice. Both carry EU data residency and Irish-based support, so compliance fundamentals are met by either product for an Irish SME.

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.

Not sure which is right for you?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Collsoft Payroll or Thesaurus Payroll Manager better for Irish SMEs?

Which is cheaper, Collsoft Payroll or Thesaurus Payroll Manager?

Collsoft Payroll starts at From €199/month, while Thesaurus Payroll Manager starts at From €229/month. Collsoft Payroll 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 Thesaurus Payroll Manager have better Irish bank feeds?

Collsoft Payroll supports AIB, BOI, PTSB. Thesaurus Payroll Manager supports AIB, BOI, PTSB. Both offer similar Irish bank compatibility.

Which has better GDPR compliance, Collsoft Payroll or Thesaurus Payroll Manager?

Collsoft Payroll stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). Thesaurus Payroll Manager 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 Thesaurus Payroll Manager?

Yes, migrating between Collsoft Payroll and Thesaurus Payroll Manager 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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