Comparator

At Umbrella.co.uk, we make contracting simple, secure, and stress-free. As one of the UK’s leading and most compliant umbrella companies, we’ve supported tens of thousands of contractors for over 16 years - helping them get paid on time, stay fully compliant, and enjoy all the benefits of employment without the admin.

Our fully FCSA-accredited umbrella payroll service is built on trust, transparency, and integrity. From fast, hassle-free onboarding to accurate and timely payments, contractors consistently praise us for being “efficient, professional, and friendly,” with reviews on Trustpilot and Google reflecting our Excellent five-star rating. We don’t just meet compliance standards - we set them - working closely with SafeRec and other independent auditors to give agencies and contractors total peace of mind.

Every process at Umbrella.co.uk is underpinned by robust data protection and information security measures. We are ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certified - the international standards for quality management and information security - demonstrating our commitment to safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining service excellence. In addition, our Cyber Essentials certification ensures our systems are protected against modern cyber threats, giving contractors and clients confidence that their personal information is always safe.

But we don’t stop at umbrella payroll. We also offer CIS payroll services for construction workers and have a Limited Company accountancy service, giving contractors the flexibility to choose the payment structure that best suits their working arrangements and goals.

For contractors looking to make the most of their income and plan for the future, we offer a salary sacrifice pension option. This allows you to contribute directly to your personal pension while benefiting from reduced tax and National Insurance contributions. We also pass on the full employment cost saving, making it an efficient and tax-smart way to build long-term financial security.

All employees also have the option to benefit from our Umbrella Rewards Pro platform - packed with valuable benefits including a BHSF healthcare plan for everyday health and wellbeing support, and a discounted fuel card, helping contractors save money on life’s essentials.

Whether it’s a contractor registering online, an agency managing multiple placements, or a client needing a trusted payroll partner, we handle everything with care, clarity, and compliance.

If you’re looking for a reliable umbrella payroll provider that puts people first, prioritises compliance, and delivers exceptional service every time - Umbrella.co.uk is the clear choice.

Here at Danbro, we’re passionate about people; putting contractors like you at the heart of what we do. Having started life as a small, family-run firm with a handful of clients, we now provide specialist financial, payroll, accounting and employment to thousands of contractors and self-employed people across the UK. Danbro is a name you can trust, as our reviews and accreditations attest. Our umbrella employment solution is designed with you in mind. We’ll do everything we can to reduce your administrative burden and make sure you have the support you need for your contracting career. Our experienced team pay thousands of contractors every single week, so you can rest assured you’ll get paid in full and on time, every time. Join today and combine all the benefits of permanent employment with the freedom of running your own business.

You'll receive:

• Business Insurance
• Private medical care
• Private workplace pension
• Full statutory employment rights
• Dedicated HR support
• Access to exclusive Danbro Rewards

Likewise, our contractor accountancy plans include access to award-winning software, as well as:

• Personal & corporate tax returns
• Accounts preparation & submission
• Quarterly VAT returns
• Business Insurance
• Payroll administration
• Long-term tax planning & financial health checks

Our fees are fixed and, what’s more, you’ll also be assigned your very own Personal Accountant because, to us, accountancy is about more than just number crunching. It’s about developing great relationships, overcoming obstacles, providing tangible solutions, and enabling people to achieve their potential.

We believe contractors should be supported and rewarded throughout their careers.

Businesses across the UK rely on skilled contractors every day – bringing specialist expertise, experience and fresh thinking into their teams, often exactly when they need it most.

We have enormous respect for the professionals who choose to work this way and believe they deserve an umbrella company that recognises the contribution they make.

That's why we've been supporting contractors across the UK since 2003. More than two decades and 130,000 contractors later, our principles remain the same: to make umbrella employment straightforward, transparent and supportive, so you can concentrate on doing what you do best.

When operating through your own limited company isn't an option, choosing the right umbrella company matters. As a Key Portfolio employee, you benefit from the protections and rights that come with employment, together with the support of an experienced team that understands the contractor market.

We're FCSA Accredited and SafeRec Certified, providing additional independent reassurance over the standards behind our service and the way your pay is processed.

But for us, being a good umbrella company is about more than processing payroll. It's about valuing you as an employee, being there when you need us and making sure you always have someone to turn to when you have a question about your pay or employment.

After all, we've been looking after contractors since 2003 – and we're very proud that more than 130,000 of them have trusted us to do just that.

Putting Contractors First, Every Step of the Way

With over 20 years of experience supporting contractors and freelancers, SmartWork combines the reassurance of full compliance with the personal service you’d expect from a team that genuinely cares about your success.

Compliance You Can Trust

We’ve held FCSA accreditation for 10 years and have been an APSCo Trusted Partner for over 20 years – certifications that are rigorously audited annually to protect contractors and give recruitment agencies complete confidence.

Our ISO 27001 certification protects your data security, while our SafeRec certification helps recruitment partners minimise compliance risk across the supply chain.

A Service Loved by Contractors

Our commitment to supporting contractors is reflected in our outstanding Google and Trustpilot reviews. When you work with SmartWork, you’re not just a number; you get a dedicated account manager and a team that’s there to help every step of the way.

What We Offer:

For Contractors:

 Get paid faster – Same-day payments at no extra cost

 Stay in control – Secure online portal for payslips, timesheets, and documents

 No hidden costs – Transparent pricing with no setup or exit fees

 Fully protected – Comprehensive insurance including Public & Employers’ Liability, Professional Indemnity, and Medical Malpractice

 Proper employment – Full contract of employment with all statutory benefits

 Life perks – Referral reward, private pension support, and access to contractor- specialist mortgages  Quick to start – Set up in as little as 15 minutes, online or by phone

For Recruitment Partners:

 Real-time payroll verification – SafeRec certification for live compliance checking

 Dedicated agency support managers – Your direct line to our team

 Advance payment facilities – Available for preferred partners

 Trusted track record – Featured on over 100 Preferred Supplier Lists

 Seamless contractor experience – Making your candidates’ journey smooth and compliant

Click on one of the links to the left to contact us; we’d love to hear from you.

As one of the UK’s largest and most trusted Umbrella companies, we combine cutting-edge systems with deep industry expertise to ensure your pay is accurate, reliable, and always on time.

We’ve been supporting contractors and recruitment agencies since 1989, paying over 10 million people to date. Our commitment to exceptional customer service, compliance and payroll accuracy has earned us consistently excellent Trustpilot reviews making us the trusted choice for contractors across the UK.

Why Workwell?

• Fast and easy registration – candidates can email hello@workwellcontractorsolutions.com, call 01923 257 257, or register online Umbrella Company Set Up for Contractors - Workwell Umbrella
• Perks and discounts – access to a wide range of savings across high street and online retailers, with potential savings of - up to £1,000 per year Rewards - Workwell Contractor Solutions
• Statutory payments – including sick pay, maternity pay, and paternity pay
• Full employment rights – considered an employee of Workwell
• Holiday pay – option to accrue or receive weekly payments; holiday accrual will be clearly shown on payslips
• Advance payments – same-day payments available where authorised by the agency
• Real-time compliance – through our partnership with SafeRec, all payslips are monitored and audited in real time to ensure full HMRC compliance

Bishopsgate Group is an established, trusted umbrella company with extensive experience serving contractors across various industries, including Construction, IT, Education, Engineering, and Finance. The company is known for its transparent and contractor-centric approach, providing peace of mind and financial security to thousands of professionals across the UK.

Bishopsgate Group provides contracting services, including Umbrella PAYE, Self-employment, Self-employment CIS, Ltd Company, Professional Employment (PEO), and Bureau services.

Bishopsgate Group distinguishes itself by: • Prioritising contractor well-being and financial security above all. • Delivering ethical, transparent, and fully compliant payroll solutions. • Maintaining a high level of client retention and satisfaction through superior service and trust. • Supporting recruitment agencies and contractors with a smooth, efficient process that ensures compliance and mitigates risk for all parties involved

Umbrella Company UK was launched in 2019 and has revolutionised the way contractors and freelancers are paid through an umbrella company. We live in a digital world, and we wanted to modernise the umbrella experience. How did we achieve this? We introduced a state-of-the-art app. The app is intelligent. It will allow you to submit their hours and view your payslips – all while on the go!

We’re relatively new on the scene, but we have already received exceptional feedback from our clients. When you join us, you’ll be able to take advantage of:

• Our state-of-the-art app (meaning you’ll have hardly any administration) • Easy sign-up process • £25 million insurance package • Same Day Faster Payments • Employee Benefits, including Sick Pay and Maternity/Paternity Pay • No tie in period, and no joining or leaving fees • Access to Umbrella Company UK Rewards – our employee discount scheme* • Fully compliant payroll (PAYE) – we’re proudly accredited by the FCSA.

• Available for clients who opt for the Umbrella Company UK premium service only.

Payments Pro is designed to ensure that you get the most reliable, most efficient, and most rewarding umbrella service on the market. We offer an unparalleled level of worker support and incentives that will help ensure that you never want to leave!

CF Contractor

Trusted Payroll. Robust Compliance. Contractor Focused.

CF Contractor is a specialist UK provider of Umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll solutions, supporting contractors, recruitment agencies and businesses across the UK.

Our approach is built around three fundamental principles: compliance, transparency and reliability. We recognise that recruitment businesses need more than a payroll provider; they need a trusted supply-chain partner capable of protecting their reputation, supporting their contractors and consistently delivering to the highest professional standards.

Whether working with an independent recruitment consultancy, a national agency or a complex MSP supply chain, CF Contractor provides a responsive and straightforward service tailored to the requirements of each client.

Our objective is simple: make contractor payroll secure, compliant and dependable.

We combine robust processes with a highly personal service, ensuring contractors are paid accurately and on time while providing our recruitment partners with the confidence that their workforce is being managed responsibly.

Compliance at the Core

Compliance is fundamental to everything we do.

The contractor payroll landscape continues to evolve, placing increasing responsibility on recruitment agencies and end clients to understand and manage risk throughout their labour supply chains.

CF Contractor is committed to operating to the highest standards of UK tax, employment and payroll compliance.

Our systems, procedures and controls are designed to provide transparency throughout the payroll process, giving recruitment partners greater confidence in the integrity of their contractor supply chain.

We believe compliance should be visible, demonstrable and verifiable — not simply promised.

By combining rigorous operational controls with clear communication and transparent processes, CF Contractor helps agencies minimise payroll risk while maintaining a professional and dependable experience for their contractors.

Why CF Contractor?

Experienced Industry Leadership Our team brings extensive experience across contractor payroll, recruitment and workforce management, providing clients with practical expertise and a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by modern recruitment businesses.

Responsive Support Recruitment does not always operate within conventional office hours. Our service model is therefore designed around accessibility and responsiveness, ensuring agencies and contractors can obtain support when they need it.

Umbrella PAYE & CIS Solutions We provide specialist Umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services designed around the requirements of temporary, contract and contingent workforces.

Accurate & Dependable Payroll Getting people paid correctly and on time is fundamental. Our payroll processes are designed around accuracy, consistency and reliability, helping agencies maintain strong relationships with their contractors.

Compliance-Led Approach We place compliance at the centre of our business. Robust procedures and transparent processes help protect contractors, recruitment agencies and end clients throughout the supply chain.

Partnership Mentality We don’t believe in being a faceless payroll provider. CF Contractor works alongside its recruitment partners, understanding their businesses and providing a service that complements their own contractor proposition.

Protecting Your Contractors. Protecting Your Business.

The relationship between an agency and its contractors is valuable.

CF Contractor understands that every interaction we have with a contractor reflects upon the recruitment agency that introduced them to us. We therefore place considerable emphasis on service quality, communication and professionalism.

From onboarding through to payroll and ongoing support, our aim is to make the process straightforward for contractors while giving agencies confidence that their workers are being looked after properly.

For our recruitment partners, that means a payroll provider focused not only on processing payments, but on protecting relationships, strengthening compliance and supporting the long-term reputation of their business.

CF Contractor

Compliance you can demonstrate. Service you can depend on.