Xero Payroll Review 2025
Beautiful cloud payroll built for SMEs
Xero Payroll is a cloud-based payroll solution designed for small and medium enterprises in Singapore. Part of the popular Xero accounting ecosystem, it offers a clean, intuitive interface with powerful automation for CPF contributions, tax filing, and leave management. Known for its reliability and excellent mobile experience.
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Rating Breakdown
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Beautiful, intuitive user interface
- Excellent mobile app for iOS and Android
- Seamless integration with Xero accounting
- Reliable cloud-based infrastructure
- Strong leave management features
- Good value for growing businesses
- Regular updates with new features
- Active user community and resources
Cons
- Requires Xero accounting subscription
- Higher pricing for larger teams
- Limited customization options
- Some advanced features require add-ons
- Customer support can be slow during peak periods
Key Features & Services
Seamless Payroll Processing
Automated salary calculations, CPF contribution automation, IRAS tax filing support, multiple payment methods, digital payslip distribution, bank file generation, and comprehensive year-end reporting.
Comprehensive Leave Management
Full leave tracking system with annual leave, medical leave management, custom leave types, approval workflows, public holiday calendar, leave balance visibility, and automatic carry-forward calculations.
Time & Attendance Tracking
Complete time management including timesheet entry, overtime tracking, project time tracking, approval workflows, mobile time entry, and seamless integration with payroll processing.
Employee Self-Service Portal
Empower employees with online access to view payslips, download tax documents, submit leave requests, update personal details, mobile app access, and expense claim submission.
Reporting & Compliance Tools
Comprehensive reporting including real-time payroll reports, CPF submission files, IR8A/IR21 tax forms, full audit trail, custom report builder, and Excel export capabilities.
Xero Accounting Integration
Seamless integration with Xero accounting software enabling automatic journal entries, synchronized financial data, real-time reporting, and streamlined month-end processes.
Pricing & Plans
Pricing Model: Subscription-based pricing bundled with Xero accounting.
Early
Basic payroll for up to 5 employees with core features
Growing
Full payroll features for up to 10 employees
Established
Unlimited employees with advanced features and priority support
What Clients Say
"Xero Payroll has transformed how we handle payroll. The interface is so clean and easy to use. The leave management alone saves us hours every month."
"The mobile app is fantastic - I can approve leave and review payroll from anywhere. Integration with Xero accounting makes our month-end so smooth."
"Great value for money and very reliable. Setup was straightforward with good guidance. Support could be faster, but the product itself is excellent."
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Xero Payroll cost in Singapore?
Xero Payroll is bundled with Xero accounting subscriptions. The Early plan starts at $30/month (up to 5 employees), Growing at $60/month (up to 10 employees), and Established at $120/month (unlimited employees). All prices include both accounting and payroll functionality. Additional user licenses cost $10/month each.
Can I use Xero Payroll without Xero accounting?
No, Xero Payroll is integrated with Xero accounting and requires an active Xero subscription. This integration is one of Xero's key strengths, automatically syncing payroll costs with your accounting records. If you prefer standalone payroll software, consider Talenox or Payboy instead.
Does Xero automatically submit CPF and IRAS forms?
Xero automatically calculates CPF contributions and generates the necessary submission files in the correct format. However, you'll need to manually upload these files to the CPF and IRAS portals. Xero also prepares IR8A and IR21 forms with all required data pre-filled for easy submission.
How easy is it to migrate from another payroll system to Xero?
Xero provides import templates and migration guides to help transfer employee data, pay history, and leave balances. Most businesses complete migration in 1-2 weeks. Xero's support team offers migration assistance, and there are Xero-certified advisors who specialize in payroll migrations for more complex scenarios.
What integrations does Xero Payroll support?
Xero integrates with 1,000+ apps through its marketplace. Popular integrations include time tracking (Deputy, TimeDock), HR management (Employment Hero, BambooHR), expense management (Expensify, Receipt Bank), and project management tools. The Xero API also allows custom integrations.
Is Xero suitable for businesses with multiple entities?
Yes, Xero supports multiple organizations (entities) under one login. Each entity requires its own subscription, but you can easily switch between them. This is ideal for business owners managing multiple companies or for accountants handling several clients. Consolidated reporting across entities requires third-party apps.
What customer support does Xero provide?
Xero offers email and phone support during Singapore business hours (8 AM - 6 PM SGT, Monday-Friday). Established plan subscribers get priority support. Xero also provides extensive online resources including Xero Central (knowledge base), video tutorials, webinars, and an active community forum. Response times typically range from 2-24 hours.
Does Xero offer a free trial?
Yes, Xero offers a 30-day free trial with full access to all features including payroll. No credit card required to start the trial. During the trial, you can process test payrolls, explore all features, and import your data. Xero also offers free onboarding webinars to help new users get started quickly.
Alternative Providers
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Services Offered
- Cloud Payroll Processing
- CPF Contributions & Filing
- IRAS Tax Submissions
- Leave Management System
- Employee Self-Service Portal
- Bank Integration & GIRO
- Timesheet Management
- Payslip Generation
- Mobile Payroll Access
- Compliance Management