Managing payroll can feel like juggling flaming torches. One slip and… chaos. We’ve all been there: chasing tax filings, wrestling with spreadsheets, and praying you didn’t miss a deadline. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone.

In this post, we’ll compare two leading solutions:

TriNet HR Plus Payroll – A US-focused platform known for its built-in tax-filing support.
Buddy Payroll – A truly paperless, cloud-first solution built for SMEs and payroll service providers in the UK and Malta.

By the end, you’ll see why Buddy Payroll delivers more flexibility, compliance and ease—giving you the comprehensive payroll management you really need.

Why Comprehensive Payroll Management Matters

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and payroll bureaux face ever-changing tax laws, data errors and time-draining manual tasks. Missing a payroll deadline can cost thousands in fines—and erode team trust. A comprehensive payroll management system must:

Automate calculations and tax filings
Integrate with your accounting tools
Scale as your organisation grows
Keep data secure and compliant

Let’s see how our two contenders stack up.

TriNet HR Plus Payroll: Strengths & Limitations

TriNet’s HR Plus Payroll solution is known for:

Built-in tax filings (federal, state and local US jurisdictions)
Unlimited payroll runs, garnishments support and 1099 contractor payments
Integrations with major accounting and retirement platforms
Mobile paystubs and on-demand reporting

But here’s the catch:

US-Centric Compliance
TriNet focuses on W-2s and 1099s for the US market. If you’re in the UK or Malta, you’ll need workarounds for PAYE, Real Time Information (RTI) and local pension schemes.
Paper Processes Remain
Despite mobile paystubs, some reports and forms still require manual sign-offs and mailouts.
Limited Customisation for SMEs
Designed for larger PEOs, TriNet can feel heavyweight for small payroll bureaux.
Pricing Complexity
Lots of add-ons. Know exactly what you need… or face surprise costs.

Buddy Payroll: A Paperless, Scalable Alternative

Enter Buddy Payroll Software—a cloud-native platform built from the ground up for payroll service providers and SMEs in the UK and Malta. Here’s how Buddy stands out:

Paperless Payroll
Say goodbye to couriered payslips. Electronic director-only and multi-pay-schedule runs, delivered securely online.
Local Compliance, Real-Time Updates
Automated PAYE and RTI submissions, pension auto-enrolment support and GDPR-grade data security.
Intuitive Interface
Payroll teams, accountants and employees collaborate in one place. No endless email threads.
Advanced Reporting & Analytics
Live dashboards to track labour costs, tax liabilities and headcount data. Perfect for strategic planning.
Scalability
From solo practices to fast-growing SMEs, Buddy adapts without endless custom builds.
Payroll Learning Module
On-demand training so your staff and clients stay on top of best practices and regulatory changes.

Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

Feature	TriNet HR Plus Payroll	Buddy Payroll Software
Market Focus	US federal, state & local	UK & Malta PAYE, pensions
Payroll Runs	Unlimited	Unlimited with director-only option
Tax Filing	W-2, 1099 (US)	PAYE, RTI, pension enrolment
Integration	Accounting & retirement platforms	CRMs, accounting tools, spreadsheets
Mobile Access	Mobile paystubs	Full mobile-optimised portal
Compliance Updates	Manual tracking by team	Automated real-time updates
Reporting	Standard reports	Custom dashboards & analytics
User Training	Self-serve resources	Payroll Learning Module included
Pricing	Base + add-ons	Transparent, tiered for SMEs

Why Buddy Payroll Wins for SMEs and Bureaux

You want comprehensive payroll management without the hassle. With Buddy, you get:

Total automation from pay calculation to tax submission.
Paperless collaboration for clients, contractors and finance teams.
Local expertise—we speak PAYE, RTI and GDPR as a native language.
Growth-friendly pricing that won’t shock your budget.

Plus, the Payroll Learning Module means you’re never left guessing about the latest rules. It’s like having an expert on-call.

Real Stories, Real Impact

I recently spoke to Emily, owner of a payroll bureau in Manchester. She switched to Buddy after struggling with fragmented US-first platforms. Within days, she was running director-only payrolls and auto-submitting RTI without lifting a finger. Her clients loved the seamless portal access. And Emily? She finally reclaimed weekends.

Get Started with Paperless Payroll Today

Ready to leave manual processes behind? Discover how Buddy Payroll delivers comprehensive payroll management for businesses of all sizes.

👉 Start your free trial at https://www.buddy.hr/uk and experience truly paperless payroll.