Written by Michael Graw Updated on 3 June 2026 On this page What Is Frontier Payroll and Who Is It Best For? How Much Does Frontier Payroll Cost? What Features Does Frontier Payroll Offer? Frontier Payroll Pros and Cons How Secure Is Frontier Payroll? What Support Resources Does Frontier Payroll Offer? Is Frontier Payroll Scalable? What Is Frontier Payroll's Customer Support Like? How We Reviewed Frontier Payroll Is Frontier Payroll Worth It? Frontier Payroll FAQs Expand We may receive a commission from our partners if you click on a link to review or purchase a product or service. Learn More. Frontier Payroll is best for UK businesses that pay staff in multiple countries and need more than a basic domestic payroll tool. Frontier’s cloud-based payroll platform supports payroll in 26 countries from a single database, and it can be bought as software, a managed payroll service, or a hybrid of both.That international flexibility is the main reason to shortlist Frontier. It also offers payroll verification workflows, employee self-service, claims and expenses, mobile access, and deep reporting. Frontier is a much stronger fit for complex, multi-country employers than for small UK-only teams, that just want a low-cost, fixed-price payroll package.One important update for 2026: Frontier now promotes integration options, including a native API and a Workato connector, so the platform is more integration-friendly than it previously was. Keep reading to see where Frontier stands out, where it falls short, and which UK businesses should consider it. Frontier Payroll at a glance Best forMid-sized and larger businesses with multi-country payroll needsPricingBespoke quote onlyStandout strengths26-country payroll coverage, payroll verification, outsourced payroll option, strong reportingIntegrationsNative API, Workato connector, and links to Frontier’s wider HR and workforce modulesSupportPhone and email helpdesks, webinars, brochures, white papersSecurity highlightsSSO support, secure data communication, access controls, auditable system changesProsStrong fit for international payrollAvailable as software, outsourcing or a hybrid serviceGood payroll control features for approvals and reportingConsNo public pricingLikely too complex for very small UK-only employersPublic self-serve support content is lighter than some rivals Why Should You Trust Us? Our Research Methodology To assess Frontier, we reviewed its current UK product pages, support materials, integration documentation, and service model, then compared what it offers with other payroll providers used by UK businesses.Because Frontier does not publish public pricing or offer a simple self-serve trial, this review focuses on the areas buyers care about most: international payroll coverage, pricing transparency, integrations, support, security and scalability.You can jump to our full methodology below. What Is Frontier Payroll and Who Is It Best For?Frontier Payroll is part of Frontier Software’s wider ichris HR and payroll platform. In practice, that means Frontier is not just a payroll engine. It is a broader people-management system with optional modules for HR, workforce management, claims, mobile access, and outsourced payroll support.For UK buyers, Frontier is best suited to businesses that need one or more of the following:Payroll in multiple countries from one systemMore control over approvals before payroll is finalisedA mix of software and service support, rather than software aloneIntegrated HR and workforce tools alongside payrollIt is a weaker fit for businesses that only need straightforward UK payroll for a small team. If that sounds like you, a simpler platform with public pricing and faster self-serve onboarding may be easier to budget for and to implement.Frontier software vs outsourced payroll: What is the difference?Frontier lets you choose between software, outsourcing or a hybrid model. That flexibility is one of the product’s biggest selling points.Software only: Your team runs payroll in-house using Frontier’s platform. This is the best choice if you want hands-on control over payroll data, approvals, and reporting.Outsourced payroll: Frontier’s payroll specialists handle more of the processing work for you. This is better for businesses that want to reduce admin or need extra compliance support.Hybrid service: Your team keeps control of selected tasks while Frontier supports more complex processing, international payroll, or compliance-heavy work.For many larger employers, that hybrid option will be more appealing than a pure software licence, because it gives them a route to keep internal oversight without carrying the full operational burden. How Much Does Frontier Payroll Cost?Frontier does not publish standard pricing on its UK site. You need to request a bespoke quote.That makes Frontier harder to benchmark quickly than payroll tools with clear monthly plans. It also usually means the platform is aimed at businesses with more complex requirements, where pricing depends on configuration rather than a simple per-employee menu.Your quote is likely to depend on:Employee numbersHow many countries you run payroll inWhether you want software, outsourcing or bothWhich modules you add, such as claims, self-service or workforce toolsIntegration and implementation workTraining and ongoing service supportIf your priority is the lowest possible software cost, Frontier is unlikely to be the cheapest option. If your priority is simplifying international payroll or getting a more tailored service model, the lack of public pricing may be less of a drawback.How do you get a Frontier Payroll quote?Frontier gives UK buyers a few ways to request pricing:Contact the sales team by phone or emailUse the contact form on the Frontier websiteRequest a demo before scoping your quoteBefore you get in touch, have these details ready:How many employees you payWhich countries they are based inWhether you want software, outsourcing or a hybrid serviceWhich payroll, HR or workforce tools you need to connectThat should help you get a more accurate quote faster. What Features Does Frontier Payroll Offer?Frontier’s feature set is strongest when you need control, international coverage and modularity. The table below focuses on the capabilities most likely to matter to UK business buyers.FeatureWhy it mattersCore payrollHandles core payroll processing, statutory tables and reports, payroll accounting entries, deductions, benefits, and user-defined payroll parametersMulti-country payrollLets you run payroll in 26 countries from one database, which is Frontier’s clearest differentiator for international employersPayroll verificationSends calculated payroll data to nominated authorisers for review, approval, or rejection before pay is finalisedSelf-service and mobile HRGives employees access to personal data, timesheets, leave requests, and payroll-related information without routing every task through HR or payroll staffClaims and expensesLets employees submit claims and helps businesses process reimbursements through payroll more cleanlyReportingOffers standard and custom reporting, including individual and consolidated views across the geographies where you pay staffIntegrationsFrontier now promotes a native API and a Workato connector, alongside links to its own HR and workforce modulesOutsourced payroll optionGives businesses a route to buy service support as well as software, which is useful when internal payroll resource is limitedWhich Frontier features stand out most?For most UK buyers, three features deserve the most attention:Multi-country payroll: This is the main reason to buy Frontier instead of a more domestic-focused payroll product.Payroll verification: Useful for businesses that need extra approval control before payroll is released.Hybrid delivery options: Frontier can support teams that want software control with outsourced help around the edges.Those strengths make Frontier more attractive to growing international employers than to small businesses that simply need to run a monthly UK pay run. Frontier Payroll Pros and ConsFrontier has a clear niche. It does not try to be the simplest payroll platform on the market. It tries to be a more flexible payroll and human capital management (HCM) option for employers with broader needs.ProsExcellent for international payroll – Frontier supports payroll in 26 countries from one database, which is a major advantage for businesses with overseas employees.Good operational control – Payroll Verification, reporting and modular configuration give teams more oversight than many simpler payroll tools.Flexible delivery model – You can buy software, outsourced payroll or a blend of the two, depending on internal resource and complexity.ConsNo public pricing – You cannot benchmark Frontier quickly against fixed-price competitors without speaking to sales.Probably too much for smaller UK-only employers – Businesses with straightforward payroll needs may end up paying for flexibility they do not use.Support content is less self-serve than some rivals – Frontier offers webinars and documents, but its public help resources are not as extensive as the best searchable help centres. How Secure Is Frontier Payroll?Frontier’s public documentation points to a solid enterprise-style security setup, even if the website does not market security as aggressively as some rivals.Key security features include:Single sign-on support using Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) or SAML2Secure data communication over TLS for internet accessAccess controls and user privileges to limit who can see or change payroll dataAuditable system changes so database updates can be tracked and reportedThat is reassuring for larger organisations, especially those with stricter IT and identity-management requirements. Frontier also talks more broadly about user authentication, database protection and secure architecture in its cloud security materials.The bigger caveat is not weak security, but limited public detail for buyers who want quick, marketing-led proof points. Compared with some payroll rivals, Frontier expects buyers to engage in a more consultative sales process rather than reading everything from a single security page. What Support Resources Does Frontier Payroll Offer?Frontier offers a better mix of human support than self-serve support.On the public UK site, buyers can access:Webinars on demandWhite papers and brochuresPhone and email support contactsRegional support centres and helpdesksThat is helpful, but Frontier’s support experience looks more traditional than modern self-serve payroll platforms that offer searchable help centres, in-app walkthroughs and large libraries of short how-to articles.If your team values direct help from a provider, Frontier should appeal. If your team prefers to troubleshoot independently inside a big online help centre, it looks less compelling. Is Frontier Payroll Scalable?Yes, Frontier looks well suited to businesses planning to grow across teams, geographies or processes.Its scalability is strongest in four areas:Employer size: Frontier says it serves organisations from around 100 employees up to 100,000.International growth: Payroll is currently compliant in 26 countries, with more countries listed as coming soon on Frontier’s payroll materials.Module expansion: You can add HR, workforce management, claims, mobile access and outsourced services around the core payroll product.Integration flexibility: Frontier now offers a native API and a Workato connector, which should make it easier to connect payroll with other business systems.That makes Frontier a much better fit for complex or growing employers than for businesses that expect to stay small and UK-only.What software does Frontier Payroll connect with?Frontier is designed to connect tightly with its own wider platform, including:ichris for broader HR and people managementTime & Attendance and other workforce modulesClaims and Expenses, Self Service and other Frontier add-onsIt also now promotes:A native APIA Workato connector for wider integration projectsThat is a meaningful improvement over older Frontier messaging and it makes the platform easier to consider if integration flexibility is high on your shortlist. What Is Frontier Payroll’s Customer Support Like?Frontier lists dedicated support centres and helpdesks in the UK, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore. UK support is available by phone and email, which will suit businesses that prefer speaking directly to a support team.That regional footprint matters if you run payroll across more than one country, because it suggests Frontier is set up to support customers beyond a single domestic helpdesk.The main limitation is convenience. Frontier’s public support setup appears more traditional than the best SaaS payroll providers:No obvious public live chatNo large public knowledge base visible on the UK siteMore reliance on direct contact, webinars and documentsThat is not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it does shape the type of customer experience you should expect. How We Reviewed Frontier PayrollWe use the same editorial approach across our payroll reviews so UK businesses can compare providers more fairly. For this review, we focused on the questions most likely to influence a Frontier buying decision:How strong is Frontier for international payroll?How transparent is its pricing?What payroll controls, support options and integrations does it offer?How suitable is it for growing or more complex organisations?Because Frontier sells through a consultative process rather than a simple public pricing page or free trial, this review draws on Frontier’s current UK site, payroll materials, support pages and integration documentation, alongside comparisons with other payroll providers serving UK businesses. As with all of our reviews, humans write and edit the copy.We regularly research a wide range of market-leading payroll products and services to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, data security and customer support, so we can make the most useful recommendations for UK businesses.Our rigorous research process means these products have been scored and rated in five main categories of investigation and 10 subcategories — in fact, we covered 56 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting’ to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers.Our main testing categories for payroll products and services are:Control: The level of customisation and flexibility provided by the payroll software in managing and processing payroll, such as the ability to define pay periods, set up tax withholding rules and manage employee data.Data security: The measures and protocols implemented by the payroll software to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive payroll information.Expertise: The level of knowledge and guidance provided by the payroll software vendor or support team. This can include resources such as documentation, tutorials and training materials.Scalability: The ability of the payroll software to accommodate the growth and changing needs of a business, including the capacity to handle an increasing number of employees and support multiple locations or entities.Customer support: The various channels and methods available for users to seek assistance and support from the payroll software vendor, such as email or ticket-based support, phone support, or live chat. Is Frontier Payroll Worth It? Frontier Payroll is worth considering if your business needs multi-country payroll, deeper approval control or a mix of software and managed support. Its strongest qualities are international payroll coverage, modularity and the ability to run payroll from a single database across multiple geographies.It is less compelling if you only need straightforward UK payroll for a small team. In that situation, Frontier’s bespoke pricing and broader HCM structure may feel heavier than necessary.Overall, Frontier is a specialist fit rather than a universal one. For international or more complex employers, that specialism is exactly why it deserves a place on the shortlist. Frontier Payroll FAQs Which countries does Frontier Payroll support? Frontier says its payroll module is currently available in 26 countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and a range of Pacific jurisdictions. If your business needs payroll in multiple countries from one system, that is one of Frontier’s biggest strengths. Does Frontier Payroll have an API? Yes, Frontier now promotes a native API and a Workato connector for integration projects. That is a notable improvement over older Frontier messaging and makes the platform easier to connect with HR, finance and other business systems. Does Frontier Payroll have an employee self-service app? Yes, Frontier offers Self Service and Mobile HR, which are designed to give employees access to personal data, timesheets, leave requests and payroll-related information, without relying entirely on HR or payroll administrators. Does Frontier Payroll support the US or Canada? No, Frontier’s current published payroll country list does not include the US or Canada, so businesses needing North American payroll will need to confirm alternative coverage with the provider or consider a different platform. Written by: Michael Graw Michael is a prolific business and B2B tech writer whose articles have been published on many well-known sites, including TechRadar Pro, Business Insider and Tom's Guide. Over the past six years, he has kept readers up-to-date with the latest business technology, corporate finance matters and emerging business trends. A successful small business owner and entrepreneur, Michael has his finger firmly on the pulse of B2B tech, finance and business.