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IRIS Payroll vs Merit Payroll: UK Reviews & Prices Compared


Last Updated: 20 May 2025
Reviewed By: Ian Wright (Managing Director)

Which payroll software is better IRIS Payroll or Merit Payroll?

We compare them based on real user reviews, prices and what features they both offer.

IRIS Payroll homepageMerit Payroll homepage

IRIS Payroll vs Merit Payroll Basics


IRIS Payroll
Merit Payroll
Software WebsiteIRIS Payroll WebsiteMerit Payroll Website
Company NameIRIS SoftwareMerit Software
Target Company Size (Small, Medium and/or Enterprise)EnterpriseMedium
Industry FocusNoneNone

IRIS Payroll vs Merit Payroll Reviews

Wondering if IRIS Payroll or Merit Payroll has better user reviews. We compared them below.

IRIS PayrollMerit Payroll
Listed On HMRC WebsiteYesYes
Trustpilot Rating3.6No Rating
Number of Trustpilot Reviews1532No Reviews
iPhone App Rating1.7No iPhone App
Number of iPhone Reviews55No Reviews
Android App Rating2.5No Android App
Number of Android Reviews377No Reviews
Please note ratings we’re accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed

IRIS Payroll vs Merit Payroll Prices

Which is cheaper IRIS Payroll or Merit Payroll? Here are their prices compared.

IRIS Payroll pricingMerit Payroll pricing

Free Plans & Trials

IRIS PayrollMerit Payroll
Listed As Having Free Plan By HMRC?YesNo
Free Plan?NoNo
Free Trial?NoNo
Free Trial Length?Not ApplicableNot Applicable
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Paid Plan Prices

IRIS PayrollMerit Payroll
Cheapest Plan Cost Per MonthFreePricing Not On Website
Mid-Tier Plan Cost Per MonthNANA
Top Plan Cost Per MonthNANA
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

IRIS Payroll vs Merit Payroll Features

IRIS Payroll featuresMerit Payroll features

IRIS Payroll Basic Features

  • Auto Enrolment and Payment Calculations
  • Processing and Printing
  • Free Payroll Software Updates
  • HMRC Recognised

IRIS Payroll Software Integrations

  • HMRC

Merit Payroll Basic Features

  • Cloud hosted or on premise
  • Dedicated UK-based support team
  • On-site or remote certified training
  • Free regular updates
  • HMRC compliant PAYE and RTI submissions
  • Rapid timesheet entries
  • Simple data access and drill-down facilities
  • Holiday pay
  • Limited company invoicing
  • CIS payments and submissions
  • IR35 ready
  • Apprenticeship Levy
  • Integration into front and back office systems
  • Connection to the iMerit Online Portal

Merit Payroll Software Integrations

  • Xero
  • Sage
  • Quickbooks
  • Nest
  • Salesforce
  • The People’s Pension
  • Reed
  • Pegasus

Common Feature Comparison

IRIS PayrollMerit Payroll
Unlimited PayrollsNoNo
Automated Tax Filing and PaymentsNoNo
Live Customer SupportNoNo
Ability To Manage Employee BenefitsNoYes
Employee Access To PlatformNoNo
Direct DepositNoNo
Expense ReimbursementNoNo
Time Off TrackingNoYes
Handle Deductions From PayNoNo
Debt Repayment From PayNoNo
Employee Background ChecksNoNo
Has An APINoYes
Create PayslipNoNo
Create P45NoNo
Create P60NoNo
Pay For Salaried EmployeesYesYes
Pay For Hourly EmployeesYesYes
Bonus / Incentive PayNoYes
Pension FilingYesNo
Statutory Payments (E.g. Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, etc.)YesNo
Direct HMRC SubmissionsYesYes
RTI CompliantYesYes

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