HMRC Basic PAYE Tools vs KLARA
HMRC Basic PAYE Tools
gov.ukKLARA
klara.chSide by side
| Figure | HMRC Basic PAYE Tools | KLARA |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | 4 CHF/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 13 |
| Spec score · Payroll Tax Software | 8.5 (#6) | 8.0 (#11) |
| Audience | It is intended for employers with fewer than 10 employees. | KLARA presents its business packages as administration software for Swiss SMEs and says the modules can be extended with POS, inventory, employee management and online services. |
| Integrations | It can be used alongside commercial payroll software to check an employee’s National Insurance number or send an Employer Payment Summary when that software cannot do those tasks. | The KLARA API page says it has 97 integration endpoints and can connect KLARA Business with webshops, industry software and custom applications. |
| Support | The user guide directs employers to HMRC’s technical support helpline when they cannot submit a correction after a failed submission. | Business Basic includes 24/7 chat and email support, while Business Plus includes telephone support and free one-to-one online meeting support. |
Plans
KLARA
- Business Basic48 CHF a month
- Business Plus69 CHF a month
- Business Premium111 CHF a month
- KLARA Lohn4.90 CHF a month
- Business Basic (2 years, billed yearly)48 CHF a year
- Business Basic (annual)55 CHF a year
- Business Basic (monthly)69 CHF a month
- Business Plus (2 years, billed yearly)69 CHF a year
- Business Plus (annual)79 CHF a year
- Business Plus (monthly)99 CHF a month
In their own words
HMRC Basic PAYE Tools
HMRC Basic PAYE Tools is free payroll software for employers with fewer than 10 employees. It calculates employee tax and National Insurance, sends payroll information to HMRC, and supports Full Payment Submissions and Employer Payment Summaries. Employers can add details for up to nine employees and use calculators for statutory sick, maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, parental bereavement, and neonatal care pay. The tool can create payslips to save as PDFs, print, or email with employee agreement. It can also be used alongside commercial payroll software for certain National Insurance number checks or Employer Payment Summary submissions. Employers need to register with HMRC and have a PAYE Online login before using it. The software runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It does not support pension auto-enrolment or pension contribution calculations, and employers must secure and back up payroll data themselves; HMRC does not keep a copy or recover lost data.
KLARA
KLARA is cloud-based business software for Swiss SMEs, bringing accounting, payroll, point of sale, inventory, appointment booking, website, and online shop functions together. Accounting tools cover offers, delivery notes, invoices, reminders, bank connections, AI-assisted receipt booking, and automated reconciliation. KLARA Lohn automates payroll calculations and electronic authority filings and is Swissdec ELM5 certified. Its point-of-sale offer combines hardware, software, and payments for mobile or stationary use, with support for multiple stores and terminals per location. KLARA Payments lists methods including TWINT and Apple Pay, with a 1.7% transaction fee and no subscription or additional fees. The API page lists 97 integration endpoints. The myKLARA app scans and books receipts and invoices, manages contacts, and records work time; it is included at no charge in Business Basic and Plus. KLARA says it has ISO 27001 certification and stores application data in Switzerland, while communication-only user data may be stored abroad. Business Basic costs CHF 48 a month on a two-year term with annual payment and allows up to three admin users. Business Plus costs CHF 69 a month on those terms and includes unlimited admin users.