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SimplePay vs PaySpace

PaySpace gives its price on request.

SimplePay handles SARS returns. Both are sold and supported in South Africa.

SimplePay price read 11 OCT 2026

Side by sideOur notes

The contenders

Prices are compared only when both are on the same VAT footing.

All prices are in rand. Where a vendor lists in dollars, pounds or euros we convert at R16.53 per US dollar, R21.86 per pound and R18.53 per euro (European Central Bank reference rates, via Frankfurter, 9 OCT 2026).

Side by side

SimplePay compared with PaySpace
MeasureSimplePaySimplePayPaySpacePaySpace
Pricing
Starting priceR23.55On request
Basis/employee /moNot applicable
Price read11 OCT 202611 OCT 2026
South Africa
AvailabilitySold in South AfricaSold in South Africa
SARS filing
Handles SARS returnsYesNot listed
SARS returns listed5 listedNot listed
EMP201YesNot listed
EMP501YesNot listed
IRP5YesNot listed
IT3(a)YesNot listed
e@syFileYesNot listed
Compliance
Items listed2 listedNot listed
UIFYesNot listed
SDLYesNot listed
ETINoNot listed
POPIANoNot listed
Features
PAYE, UIF and SDL calculationsYesNo
SARS e@syFile integration for IRP5 and IT3(a)YesNo
Unlimited custom income and deduction itemsYesNo
Leave management with custom policiesYesNo
Sick and family responsibility leave built inYesNo
Employee self service with iOS and Android appsYesNo
Expense claims and free online trainingYesNo
Payroll with automated tax updates and statutory reportingNoYes
Configured for 49 countriesNoYes
Employee records, leave and onboardingNoYes
Employee self service through WhatsAppNoYes
AI assistant for payroll questionsNoYes
Self serve or managed payrollNoYes
Lite for up to 50 employees, Premier and Master for larger employersNoYes
Plans
Free trialYesNot listed
Free planNoNot listed
DemoNot listedYes

In each row the stronger cell is dark and the weaker is grey. A row of ticks appears only where a vendor's page lists the item.

Our detailed comparison

Researched 11 October 2026 from both vendors' own pages

SimplePay is the simple option with its price in plain sight. PaySpace is the broader platform that scales up.

SimplePay is one plan with every feature, at R23.55 per employee a month excluding VAT for a ten employee business, with an instant quote for your own headcount and a 30 day trial. PaySpace has Lite, Premier and Master tiers, payroll plus HR, reach across more than 45 countries, and gives its per employee rate in a demo. For a small employer who wants to start quickly, SimplePay is the easier path. For a company that expects to grow or run staff in several countries, PaySpace has more room.

Choose SimplePay if

  • You want to get an instant quote and start a free trial in minutes
  • You keep books in Xero or QuickBooks and want payroll to connect
  • Nobody on your team is a payroll specialist

Choose PaySpace if

  • You expect to grow beyond 50 employees or operate in several countries
  • You want HR, AI assistance and WhatsApp self service in the same platform
  • You want the option of outsourced, managed payroll
SimplePay and PaySpace, side by side
At a glanceSimplePayPaySpace
ModelOne plan, every featureLite, Premier and Master tiers
PricingR23.55 per employee a month excluding VAT, quoted instantly for your headcountPer employee per month, given in a demo
Free trial30 days with full supportSandbox environments, with a demo
ReachSouth African employers45 plus countries
Size limitContact above 500 employees or for bureausLite up to 50 employees, higher tiers above
HRLeave and self serviceHR module with onboarding and performance
IntegrationsXero, QuickBooks, APIXero, QuickBooks, Acumatica, Workday, Power BI

Pricing compared

SimplePay shows R23.55 per employee a month excluding VAT, which is R235.50 a month for ten employees, and its calculator gives your own figure instantly. It warns that multiple companies are quoted separately. PaySpace describes transparent per employee per month pricing with no annual licence and gives the rate in a demo. Ask PaySpace for a written rate and its VAT basis, then compare like with like.

Features compared

SimplePay covers PAYE, UIF and SDL, tax certificate exports for eFiling or e@syFile, leave with custom policies, self service, mobile apps, two factor authentication and bank payment files. PaySpace covers payroll with automated tax updates, more than 95 country specific reports, HR with leave, onboarding and performance, an AI assistant and WhatsApp self service, plus managed payroll for those who prefer to outsource.

South African fit

SimplePay says it keeps employers compliant with SARS and the Department of Labour and lists tax certificate and UIF outputs. PaySpace is a South African payroll platform and handles statutory deductions across its countries, but does not list SARS returns, UIF or Employment Equity by name on its homepage, so ask for a written list.

Support and getting started

SimplePay includes free support, training and a full featured trial. PaySpace offers sandbox environments and claims a support NPS of 97, a figure from its own pages.

Where each falls short

SimplePay is not for employers above 500 employees or for bureaus on the standard plan. PaySpace is more than a small employer may need and gives its rate only in a demo.

The verdict

SimplePay for a small or mid sized South African employer who wants to start now. PaySpace for a growing or multi country employer who wants HR and room to scale. Get PaySpace's rate in writing and compare both with VAT on the same footing.

Ready to try one?

SimplePay

SimplePay

Visit SimplePay

PaySpace

PaySpace

Visit PaySpace

Prices are read from each vendor's own pages and dated. How we read prices.

Compare another pair

SimplePay

SimplePay

From R23.55 /employee /mo

PaySpace

PaySpace

Price on request

Prices in rand, plans, features and SARS filing side by side. No winner is picked for you.