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Xero Payroll vs 1st FREE Payroll & HR: UK Reviews & Prices Compared


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

Which payroll software is better Xero Payroll or 1st FREE Payroll & HR?

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

Xero Payroll homepage1st FREE Payroll & HR homepage

Xero Payroll vs 1st FREE Payroll & HR Basics


Xero Payroll
1st FREE Payroll & HR
Software WebsiteXero Payroll Website1st FREE Payroll & HR Website
Company NameXero Inc1st Money
Target Company Size (Small, Medium and/or Enterprise)Small – MediumMedium
Industry FocusNoneNone

Xero Payroll vs 1st FREE Payroll & HR Reviews

Wondering if Xero Payroll or 1st FREE Payroll & HR has better user reviews. We compared them below.

Xero Payroll1st FREE Payroll & HR
Listed On HMRC WebsiteYesYes
Trustpilot Rating4.2No Rating
Number of Trustpilot Reviews5831No Reviews
iPhone App Rating4.6No Rating
Number of iPhone Reviews1800No Reviews
Android App Rating4.5No Rating
Number of Android Reviews7880No Reviews
Please note ratings we’re accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed

Xero Payroll vs 1st FREE Payroll & HR Prices

Which is cheaper Xero Payroll or 1st FREE Payroll & HR? Here are their prices compared.

Xero Payroll pricing1st FREE Payroll & HR pricing

Free Plans & Trials

Xero Payroll1st FREE Payroll & HR
Listed As Having Free Plan By HMRC?NoYes
Free Plan?NoYes
Free Trial?YesNo
Free Trial Length?30 daysNot Applicable
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Paid Plan Prices

Xero Payroll1st FREE Payroll & HR
Cheapest Plan Cost Per Month£7.50Free
Mid-Tier Plan Cost Per Month£15.00£1.00
Top Plan Cost Per Month£27.50£3.00
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Xero Payroll vs 1st FREE Payroll & HR Features

Xero Payroll features1st FREE Payroll & HR features

Xero Payroll Basic Features

  • Send invoices and quotes
  • Enter bills
  • Reconcile bank transactions
  • Submit VAT returns to HMRC
  • Capture bills and receipts with Hubdoc
  • Automatic CIS calculations and reports
  • Short-term cash flow and business snapshot
  • Payroll
  • Claim expenses
  • Track projects
  • Analytics Plus
  • Submit CIS returns

Xero Payroll Software Integrations

  • BlueHub
  • LimeCloud
  • Outserve

1st FREE Payroll & HR Basic Features

  • HR, people management, & org charts
  • Self onboarding & completion tracking
  • Onboarding docs & sigs
  • Paid & unpaid time off requests & approval
  • Salaried & hourly paid employees
  • Employee time tracking & timesheets
  • Expense claim requests & approval
  • Payday expense reimbursement
  • Doc signature requests & tracking
  • Paystub PDF emailing & printing
  • Unlimited P60s, P45s & P11Ds

1st FREE Payroll & HR Software Integrations

  • QuickBooks
  • Zoho
  • Kashoo
  • AccountingSuite
  • FreshBooks
  • Xero

Common Feature Comparison

Xero Payroll1st FREE Payroll & HR
Unlimited PayrollsNoYes
Automated Tax Filing and PaymentsYesYes
Live Customer SupportYesYes
Ability To Manage Employee BenefitsYesNo
Employee Access To PlatformYesNo
Direct DepositYesNo
Expense ReimbursementYesYes
Time Off TrackingYesYes
Handle Deductions From PayYesYes
Debt Repayment From PayNoNo
Employee Background ChecksNoNo
Has An APIYesNo
Create PayslipNoNo
Create P45NoYes
Create P60NoYes
Pay For Salaried EmployeesYesYes
Pay For Hourly EmployeesYesYes
Bonus / Incentive PayNoNo
Pension FilingYesYes
Statutory Payments (E.g. Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, etc.)NoYes
Direct HMRC SubmissionsYesYes
RTI CompliantNoNo

More Comparisons

Xero Payroll vs Primo Payroll
Xero Payroll vs Capium Payroll (up to 3 employees)
Xero Payroll vs Free Payroll
Xero Payroll vs EnrolPay
Xero Payroll vs Hartigan RTI Payroll

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