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Sage Payroll vs SimplePay

SimplePay starts cheaper at R23.55 /employee /mo against R97 /mo incl VAT for Sage Payroll.

Both handle SARS returns. Both are sold and supported in South Africa.

Sage Payroll price read 11 OCT 2026 · SimplePay price read 11 OCT 2026

Side by sideOur notes

The contenders

Sage Payroll

Sage Group plc

Sold in South Africa

From

R97

/mo incl VAT

R97 including VAT · R84.35 excluding VAT

  • Price read on11 OCT 2026
  • VATIncluded
  • Free planNo
  • Free trialYes
  • Files with SARSYes
Visit Sage PayrollView details

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

Sage Payroll compared with SimplePay
MeasureSage PayrollSage Group plcSimplePaySimplePay
Pricing
Starting priceR97R23.55
Basis/mo incl VAT/employee /mo
Price read11 OCT 202611 OCT 2026
South Africa
AvailabilitySold in South AfricaSold in South Africa
SARS filing
Handles SARS returnsYesYes
SARS returns listed3 listed5 listed
EMP201YesYes
EMP501YesYes
IRP5YesYes
IT3(a)NoYes
e@syFileNoYes
Compliance
Items listed3 listed2 listed
UIFYesYes
SDLYesYes
ETINoNo
POPIANoNo
Features
PAYE, UIF and SDL calculated for youYesNo
Monthly, fortnightly and weekly pay cyclesYesNo
EMP201 declarations and EMP501 reconciliationsYesNo
IRP5 tax certificates and the UIF declarationYesNo
ACB bank payment filesYesNo
Leave management under the BCEAYesNo
Email payslips, with unlimited companies and usersYesNo
PAYE, UIF and SDL calculationsNoYes
SARS e@syFile integration for IRP5 and IT3(a)NoYes
Unlimited custom income and deduction itemsNoYes
Leave management with custom policiesNoYes
Sick and family responsibility leave built inNoYes
Employee self service with iOS and Android appsNoYes
Expense claims and free online trainingNoYes
Plans
Free trialYesYes
Free planNoNo

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

Sage Payroll prices by employee band and connects to Sage. SimplePay prices per employee and connects to Xero.

Sage Payroll lists prices in employee bands from 1 to 2 up to more than 200, starting at R97 a month including VAT, or R1 080 a year when billed annually, with every feature in every package, unlimited companies and users and a 30 day trial. SimplePay is a single plan at R23.55 per employee a month excluding VAT, with its own 30 day trial. Both cover PAYE, UIF and the statutory returns. The better fit depends on which accounting package you use and how many people you pay.

Choose Sage Payroll if

  • You use Sage Accounting and want payroll that connects to it
  • You want banded annual pricing and unlimited companies and users
  • You value a long established vendor with a local phone line

Choose SimplePay if

  • You use Xero or QuickBooks
  • You want an instant quote and a mobile app for employees
  • You want a single plan with every feature switched on
Sage Payroll and SimplePay, side by side
At a glanceSage PayrollSimplePay
PriceFrom R97 a month including VAT, or R1 080 a year, for 1 to 2 employeesR23.55 per employee a month excluding VAT
PackagesAll features in every package, priced by employee bandOne plan, every feature
Free trial30 days, cancel any time30 days with full support
Companies and usersUnlimitedMultiple companies quoted separately
Bank paymentsACB payment file exportBank payment files
Accounting linkSage AccountingXero and QuickBooks, plus an API
Self serviceEmail payslipsSelf service portal with iOS and Android apps

Pricing compared

Sage shows a starting price of R97 a month including VAT, or R1 080 a year when billed annually, for the smallest band of one to two employees, and the price rises by band up to more than 200 employees. SimplePay charges R23.55 per employee a month excluding VAT, about R27 including VAT. For two employees that is about R54 a month including VAT against Sage's R97, and for ten employees R235.50 excluding VAT, about R271 including it. Sage's price for the larger bands is on its page, so put your own headcount into both.

Features compared

Sage Payroll lists pay cycles monthly, fortnightly and weekly, payslips by print or email, ACB payments, leave management under the BCEA, EMP201, EMP501 and IRP5 returns, the UIF declaration, bonuses, travel allowances, commissions, medical aid, retirement funds, contractors and labour brokers. SimplePay lists PAYE, UIF and SDL, custom income and deduction items, leave policies, tax certificate exports, two factor authentication and role based access.

South African fit

Both are South African in purpose. Sage's list reads like a compliance checklist and cites an ISO 27001 certification. SimplePay says it keeps employers compliant with SARS and the Department of Labour and lists a tax certificate export for eFiling or e@syFile. Neither page mentions COIDA, so ask if you need it.

Support and getting started

Sage supports through chat, a help centre, videos and a community hub. SimplePay offers free support, an online help site and free training.

Where each falls short

Sage prices by band, so you need your headcount to know your price. SimplePay sends employers above 500 employees and bureaus to a custom arrangement.

The verdict

Pick Sage Payroll if you run Sage Accounting and like banded annual pricing. Pick SimplePay if you run Xero or QuickBooks or want the quickest quote. Either way, put your real headcount into the tool and compare VAT inclusive figures.

Ready to try one?

Sage Payroll

Sage Group plc

Visit Sage Payroll

SimplePay

SimplePay

Visit SimplePay

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

Compare another pair

Sage Payroll

Sage Group plc

From R97 /mo incl VAT

SimplePay

SimplePay

From R23.55 /employee /mo

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