Software Comparison

Payroller vs Thesaurus Payroll Manager - Irish Payroll Software Compared

Choosing between Payroller 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.

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View Thesaurus Payroll Manager

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

Quick Verdict

Payroller vs Thesaurus Payroll Manager - Feature Comparison

Feature	Payroller	Thesaurus Payroll Manager
PAYE Modernisation / Revenue Integration	Supported - real-time Revenue PAYE Modernisation submissions included	Supported - direct Revenue Online Service submissions with long compliance track record
SEPA Payment File Generation	Not supported	Supported - generates SEPA XML files compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB
Irish IBAN Support	Not supported	Supported
Irish-Based Support	Not available	Available
Cloud / Mobile Access	Cloud-based with mobile app - accessible anywhere	Desktop only - no cloud layer or mobile access
Free Trial	Yes, including a free tier for very small businesses	Yes, free trial available
GDPR Data Residency	EU data residency	EU data residency
Pricing
Starting Price	Free tier available	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 Payroller and Thesaurus Payroll Manager compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.

Revenue Integration

Thesaurus Payroll Manager supports full Revenue Online Service (ROS) integration for VAT returns and tax submissions, while Payroller does not offer native Revenue integration. If direct Revenue filing is important to your workflow, Thesaurus Payroll Manager has the edge here.

PAYE Modernisation

Thesaurus Payroll Manager includes full PAYE Modernisation support with real-time payroll submissions to Revenue. Payroller does not have native PAYE Modernisation - if you choose Payroller, you will need a separate payroll solution to handle your PAYE obligations. This is a critical consideration for any Irish employer.

Irish Bank Feeds

Payroller supports no Irish banks directly. Thesaurus Payroll Manager supports AIB, BOI, PTSB. Thesaurus Payroll Manager has broader Irish bank compatibility, which matters if you bank with AIB or BOI or PTSB - you will get automatic bank feeds or SEPA payment file support that Payroller cannot offer.

GDPR Data Residency

Both Payroller 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

Thesaurus Payroll Manager supports SEPA Direct Debit and Irish IBAN format, making euro payments and bank transfers seamless. Payroller 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 Payroller 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.

Payroller

Free

Pricing model: Per user
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: No - may fluctuate with exchange rates

View Payroller pricing →

Thesaurus Payroll Manager

€229 /mo

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

View Thesaurus Payroll Manager pricing →

Payroller does not publish entry-level pricing - request a quote directly. Total cost of ownership depends on users, plan tier, add-ons and features, so always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.

Who Should Choose Payroller

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

✓ Those who value: very simple interface - good for non-payroll specialists
✓ Those who value: mobile app access
✓ Those who value: free tier for very small businesses

Who Should Choose Thesaurus Payroll Manager

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

✓ Businesses that need built-in payroll with PAYE Modernisation support
✓ Companies that value Irish-based phone and email support
✓ Businesses banking with AIB, BOI, PTSB who want reliable bank feed or payment file support
✓ Those who prioritise user satisfaction - Thesaurus Payroll Manager has a higher editorial rating (4.6/5)

Our Verdict

Payroller suits sole traders and micro-businesses of one to five employees who prioritise a clean, guided interface and want to avoid upfront annual costs, thanks to its free tier and mobile app access. Thesaurus Payroll Manager wins for most Irish SMEs with one to twenty staff who need proven, fully compliant payroll: it offers SEPA XML payment file generation compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB, Irish-based support, and over twenty years of Revenue compliance track record that Payroller cannot yet match. Payroller integrates with Revenue PAYE Modernisation, but it was not built for the Irish market and lacks Irish-based support, SEPA payment file output, and Irish IBAN handling, all of which Thesaurus provides as standard.

Both products lack native Irish bank feeds and neither handles VAT. For any Irish employer running payroll for five or more staff who processes bulk salary payments through an Irish bank, Thesaurus is the stronger and more dependable choice at EUR 229 per year excluding VAT.

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 Payroller or Thesaurus Payroll Manager better for Irish SMEs?

Which is cheaper, Payroller or Thesaurus Payroll Manager?

Payroller starts at Free tier available, while Thesaurus Payroll Manager starts at From €229/month. Payroller is the more affordable option at entry level, though total cost depends on the number of users and features you need.

Does Payroller or Thesaurus Payroll Manager have better Irish bank feeds?

Payroller supports None. Thesaurus Payroll Manager supports AIB, BOI, PTSB. Thesaurus Payroll Manager has broader Irish bank support.

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

Payroller 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 Payroller to Thesaurus Payroll Manager?

Yes, migrating between Payroller 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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