UK business software / Glasgow
HR and payroll software for Glasgow employers
Employing people in Glasgow means running payroll for Scottish taxpayers, with six income tax bands instead of three. These are the payroll and HR platforms we recommend for Glasgow employers, and what to check before you buy.
Scottish income tax and your payroll
- People who live in Scotland pay Scottish income tax on their wages. For 2026 to 2027 the bands are: starter rate 19% (£12,571 to £16,537), basic 20% (to £29,526), intermediate 21% (to £43,662), higher 42% (to £75,000), advanced 45% (to £125,140) and top 48% above that. GOV.UK
- Scottish income tax depends on where the employee lives, not where the employer is based. Dividends and savings interest are taxed at the same rates as the rest of the UK. GOV.UK
Payroll software must apply the Scottish bands to employees who live in Scotland and the rest-of-UK rates to everyone else, including staff who move across the border mid-year. All the payroll platforms we recommend run UK payroll; ask each to show a Scottish taxpayer and a non-Scottish taxpayer on the same payroll in a demo.
UK employer rates for 2026 to 2027
| National Living Wage (21 and over) | £12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Employer National Insurance | 15% above £5,000 a year (£96 a week) |
| Employment Allowance | £10,500 |
| Statutory Sick Pay | £123.25 a week (or 80% of average weekly earnings if lower) |
| Statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay | £194.32 a week (or 90% of average weekly earnings if lower) |
GOV.UK, Rates and thresholds for employers 2026 to 2027
Every platform below is built for UK payroll and employment, so these rates are applied for you. Check each provider updates them before the start of each tax year.
Software we recommend for Glasgow employers
Links to vendors are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. It does not change which tools we list.
Payroll software
Compare UK payroll software- Visit Employment Hero
Employment Hero
Best for: UK businesses wanting HR, payroll and benefits in one platform
Integrated HR and payroll with UK compliance features, an employee benefits marketplace, learning management and automated onboarding.
- Visit HiBob
HiBob
Best for: Mid-size UK companies wanting a modern HRIS with centralised payroll
HRIS with a payroll hub that connects to local payroll providers, plus time and attendance, compensation management and workforce analytics.
- Visit Xero
Xero
Best for: Businesses already using Xero for bookkeeping
Cloud accounting with built-in UK payroll that handles PAYE, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment and HMRC submissions.
HR software
Compare UK HR software- Visit Deel HR
Deel HR
Best for: UK companies with international teams wanting a free, scalable HR platform
HR platform with a free HRIS tier, people analytics, workflow automation and org charts, with paid modules for payroll, EOR and contractors.
- Visit Moorepay
Moorepay
Best for: UK businesses wanting managed HR services with dedicated support
UK-specialist HR and payroll provider offering managed HR services alongside its software, with support on employment law, absence and employee relations.
- Visit Breathe HR
Breathe HR
Best for: UK SMEs with up to 250 people
UK-built HR software for small and medium businesses: holiday and absence, rotas and shift scheduling, time tracking, performance, recruitment and a Xero payroll integration.
Employer of record
Compare UK employer of record providers- Visit Deel
Deel
Best for: Fast-growing UK companies hiring across multiple regions
Employer of record covering 150+ countries, with a built-in HRIS and automated UK compliance including PAYE and pension auto-enrolment.
- Visit Multiplier
Multiplier
Best for: Budget-conscious UK startups making first international hires
Employer of record with flat, transparent pricing that handles UK statutory requirements including pension contributions, holiday pay and PAYE.
- Visit Velocity Global
Velocity Global
Best for: UK enterprises requiring premium support and immigration services
Employer of record covering 185+ countries with dedicated account management and immigration services, including UK Skilled Worker and Global Talent visas.
Payments and POS
Compare UK card processing- Visit Square
Square
Best for: UK small businesses, market traders and hospitality venues
Card readers, POS, payment links and invoicing with flat-rate pricing and no monthly fees; funds settle the next business day to UK bank accounts.
- Visit Lightspeed POS
Lightspeed POS
Best for: UK retail, restaurant and hospitality businesses
Cloud POS with integrated card payments, multi-location stock and reporting, settling in GBP and integrating with Xero and QuickBooks.
How to choose in Glasgow
Test Scottish and rest-of-UK employees together
If you employ people on both sides of the border, run a sample payroll with both before you commit.
Plan for April changes
Scottish bands can change separately from the rest of the UK. Make sure your provider updates rates in time for the new tax year.
Consider managed support
If you have no in-house payroll specialist, Moorepay’s managed HR and payroll services add hands-on support.
Questions from employers
Who pays Scottish income tax?
Anyone who lives in Scotland pays Scottish income tax on wages, pensions and most other taxable income, regardless of where their employer is based.
What are the Scottish income tax rates for 2026 to 2027?
Starter 19%, basic 20%, intermediate 21%, higher 42%, advanced 45% and top 48%, after the standard £12,570 Personal Allowance.
Which payroll software handles Scottish income tax?
UK payroll platforms including Employment Hero, HiBob’s payroll hub and Xero run payroll for Scottish taxpayers. Confirm the provider applies Scottish bands correctly in a demo.
Is National Insurance different in Scotland?
No. National Insurance is UK-wide, so employers pay 15% above the £5,000 secondary threshold in 2026 to 2027 wherever staff live.