- CPF and IR8A automation are non-negotiable for any Singapore payroll tool
- Singroll is the only free option; paid tools deliver deeper accounting integrations
- Managed payroll services suit smaller teams that want full compliance without the admin
Choosing the best payroll software in Singapore goes beyond a tidy interface. Payroll here carries specific statutory obligations: every employer of Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents must calculate and remit CPF contributions on time, generate MOM-compliant payslips, and submit IR8A data through IRAS’s Auto-Inclusion Scheme each year. Get any of these wrong, and you face CPF Board penalties, MOM scrutiny, or unhappy employees.
That’s why picking the right payroll software is so important. In this guide, we’ll walk you through our top picks for Singapore businesses.
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Direct answer The best payroll software for Singapore automates CPF and IR8A/AIS submissions, integrates with your accounting system, and scales with headcount. Most Singapore SMEs shortlist Talenox, JustLogin, or Payboy for their local compliance depth; Singroll is the only free option. Teams with fewer than ten employees often find a managed payroll service more practical than operating software themselves. |
What should you look for in the best payroll software for Singapore?
The right payroll software for Singapore needs to handle the statutory requirements that apply here, not just generic global payroll rules. Four criteria matter most.
First, check whether the tool automates CPF contributions for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. CPF applies to employees earning more than S$50 per month, with rates varying by age band. The software should handle both employer and employee portions automatically and generate the GIRO or CPF e-payment file.
Second, verify that IR8A submission is built in. IRAS requires employers to file employee earnings data through the Auto-Inclusion Scheme by 1 March each year. Any tool worth shortlisting also handles the payroll taxes and statutory levies that apply to your workforce, including the Skills Development Levy.
Third, look at accounting integrations. If your books are on Xero or QuickBooks, a payroll tool that syncs payroll journals automatically saves your team significant time each month. A tool that works in isolation leaves manual data entry on your plate.
Fourth, compare pricing models. Some tools charge per employee per month; others price by module or payroll-run count. A tool that is affordable at five employees should remain practical at 25.
Which are the 7 best payroll software options in Singapore?
Here is how the leading Singapore payroll platforms compare on the criteria that matter most for local compliance.
Software | Best for | CPF/AIS automated | Key integrations | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Talenox | SMEs; Xero/QuickBooks users | Yes | Xero, QuickBooks, banks | Subscription |
Times Software | Larger SMEs and enterprises | Yes | Microsoft Azure-hosted | Contact vendor |
Singroll | Micro-businesses and startups | Yes | Basic | Free |
Payboy | SMEs with mixed workforce types | Yes | Accounting tools | Subscription |
Frontier e-HR | Multi-country operations | Yes | HR modules | Contact vendor |
JustLogin | HR-payroll integration focus | Yes | Full HR stack | Subscription |
HReasily | Cost-conscious SMEs | Yes | External tools | Low-cost subscription |
1. Talenox
Best for: SMEs that want an easy, locally compliant payroll system with strong integrations
Talenox is cloud-based payroll software built specifically for Singapore. It handles CPF, SDL, and tax calculations automatically, generates MOM-compliant payslips, and connects directly to banks, IRAS, and accounting tools including Xero and QuickBooks. The platform is ISO 27001-certified, with your data hosted securely in the cloud.
Sleek uses Talenox as the foundation of its managed payroll service, combining the platform’s automation with a dedicated team for accurate monthly payroll runs and year-end filings.
2. Times Software
Best for: Larger SMEs and enterprises needing a full-suite payroll and HR system
TIMES Payroll is a comprehensive payroll software built to handle the growing complexity of modern payroll in Singapore. It is fully compliant with local statutory requirements and stores all records in a secure, centralised cloud environment hosted on Microsoft Azure. The platform allows access from anywhere via a web browser. Employees can also view their payslips at any time.
3. Singroll
Best for: Micro businesses, startups, and SMEs that want no-cost, compliant payroll software
Singroll is a free, Singapore-focused payroll software built by SME owners for SME owners. It follows MOM and CPF rules, helps you generate itemised payslips, and supports unlimited users. You can manage leave, track time and attendance, and run payroll and reports in one place.
There is also a Singroll Community that helps you raise brand awareness among other SMEs.
4. Payboy
Best for: SMEs looking for an affordable, automated payroll tool with strong integration features
This payroll software Singapore simplifies complex payroll tasks for local businesses. It handles all employee types, such as full-time, part-time, contract, and freelance. It also automates CPF, levies, and IRAS submissions to help you stay compliant without the manual work.
5. Frontier e-HR
Best for: Businesses that need payroll across multiple countries with built-in HR tools
Frontier e-HR is cloud-based payroll software designed for businesses in Singapore. It handles monthly payroll runs, bonuses, and back payments. Employees can log in through a portal or mobile app to see their payslips and tax forms anytime. For admins, it simplifies payroll with quick data gathering, simpler reports, and dashboards.
The system links directly with Frontier e-HR’s leave, claims, and time attendance modules, so you can cut down on manual work.
6. Justlogin
Best for: Businesses looking for a fully integrated HR and payroll system with compliance automation
JustLogin offers a cloud-based payroll software in Singapore that simplifies compliance and reduces manual work. The system is built to meet CPF, IRAS, and MOM requirements, with features like auto-generated IR8A and real-time CPF submissions. It also supports multi-payroll schedules, custom pay items, and leave encashment.
Employees can use self-service features and get their payslips on mobile.
7. HReasily
Best for: SMEs that need a low-cost, cloud-based software for payroll, leave, and attendance
HReasily offers a basic HR and payroll solution built to reduce manual work. It also improves day-to-day efficiency. The platform covers payroll processing, leave and claims management, and time tracking through a mobile-friendly interface. It also supports facial recognition for attendance and shift scheduling.
Designed for small to mid-sized teams, HReasily provides a self-service portal for employees and integrates with external tools and systems where needed.
What do CPF and IR8A require from your payroll software?
CPF and IR8A are the two compliance tests that any Singapore payroll tool must pass. Both are specific enough to rule out generic global software that has not been localised for Singapore.
CPF is a mandatory savings scheme under the Singapore Employment Act that covers all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents earning more than S$50 a month. Contribution rates vary by employee age band. Your payroll software must hold current rate tables, calculate both employer and employee portions accurately, and generate the monthly CPF e-payment file.
IR8A is the annual statement of employee earnings that all employers must submit to IRAS under the Auto-Inclusion Scheme by 1 March each year. IRAS uses this data to pre-populate employee income tax returns. A payroll tool that does not produce IR8A files forces you to compile and upload the data manually at year-end.
The Skills Development Levy applies to all employees earning below S$4,500 per month. Your payroll software should calculate SDL automatically and include it in the CPF payment file, removing a separate manual step from each monthly payroll run.
Should you use payroll software or a managed payroll service?
The choice comes down to team size, risk tolerance, and how much of your time the monthly payroll cycle is actually worth.
Payroll software makes sense when you have a dedicated person to operate it, a stable workforce, and the confidence to handle CPF compliance internally.
A managed payroll service removes the operational burden entirely. This model suits founders who are also directors, since the rules around paying yourself as a director involve CPF decisions that differ from standard employee payroll and benefit from specialist oversight.
When choosing a payroll provider, look for transparent per-employee pricing, a Singapore-licensed team, and a clear SLA for monthly payslip delivery. Integration with your accounting software is a key differentiator, as it eliminates the manual journal entry that builds up at month-end.
|
Factors |
Payroll software |
Managed payroll service |
|---|---|---|
|
Best for |
Teams with a finance admin (15+ employees) |
Teams under 15; founders wanting hands-off compliance |
|
CPF accuracy |
Depends on correct operator setup |
Handled by specialist team |
|
IR8A filing |
You manage the upload |
Included in service |
|
Accounting sync |
Via software integration |
Depends on provider |
|
Sleek price |
n/a |
S$300 per employee per year |
How Sleek helps you handle payroll without the stress
Sleek’s managed payroll service runs on Talenox and is staffed by a dedicated payroll team in Singapore. Monthly payslips, CPF submissions, GIRO file generation, and annual IR8A filing are all handled for you, with no software to configure or rate tables to maintain.
At S$300 per employee per year, payroll is included in Sleek’s Accounting Premium plan for teams of up to five employees. It is a practical add-on for founders already using Sleek for their books, combining payroll with accounting services under a single point of contact.
We run our payroll services on Talenox payroll software, trusted for its accuracy, automation, and compliance with CPF, SDL, and MOM requirements in Singapore. Our clients get all the benefits of a secure, cloud-based payroll system without having to manage it themselves.
With Sleek, you get:
- Fully managed payroll outsourcing, from monthly salary calculations to CPF and IRAS submissions
- Compliance taken care of, with updates to match changing statutory requirements
- More time to focus on growing your business while we handle the details
- Transparent pricing, flexible plans, and first-class support
Whether you choose a free tool like Singroll, an all-in-one HR suite like HReasily, or a customisable solution like QuickHR, you still have to run it.
With Sleek, you get the power of Talenox combined with a dedicated payroll team that does the work for you. Forget the monthly dread and enjoy payroll that simply works.
Ricky Ho, a Sleek payroll client, described his team’s payroll support as “an excellent job in handling all the payroll-related matters”, month after month.
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FAQs about the best payroll software in Singapore
What is the best payroll software in Singapore for small businesses?
For most small Singapore businesses, Talenox offers the best balance of CPF automation, accounting integrations, and local support. Singroll is a strong free alternative for micro-teams with simpler needs. The key criteria to compare are CPF accuracy, IR8A submission support, and compatibility with your existing accounting software.
Does payroll software in Singapore handle CPF submissions automatically?
Yes, all seven tools in this guide automate CPF calculations and generate the payment files required for GIRO submission. Before choosing, confirm whether the software handles CPF e-payment directly through the CPF Board portal or produces a file you then upload manually. The latter adds a step to every payroll run.
How much does payroll software cost in Singapore?
Singroll is free for unlimited users. Most paid platforms charge a per-employee monthly subscription. Managed services such as Sleek charge per employee per year: Sleek’s service is S$300 per employee per year, covering monthly payslips, CPF, IR8A, and GIRO handling. Verify current vendor pricing directly before committing, as subscription tiers change.
What is the difference between payroll software and a managed payroll service?
Payroll software is a tool you operate: you input data, run payroll, and verify the output each month. A managed payroll service has a specialist team do this on your behalf. The managed model is typically more cost-effective for teams under 15 employees once you factor in the time cost of running software correctly and handling compliance queries.
