Comparator

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.

Compass is leading the way in umbrella employment. Whether you are new to contracting or have been one for some time, Compass has the experience and range of solutions to ensure you are provided with the solution that works best for you. We are committed to providing you with hassle free payment solutions, excellent customer care, market leading technology and reliable compliance based on expert knowledge and industry experience.

With over 20 years of experience, Parasol has grown from providing umbrella payroll services to offering comprehensive employment and payroll solutions. During this time, we’ve supported more than 250,000 professionals and partnered with over 3,000 recruitment agencies and end clients.

We understand the critical priorities for your candidates, clients, and agency: exceptional support, on-time payments, and full compliance with HMRC regulations. These are at the heart of everything we do and are reflected in the loyalty of professionals who choose us year after year, as well as our long-standing partnerships with some of the most recognised names in recruitment. As a founding member of the FCSA and a company created by a contractor for contractors, Parasol makes getting paid simple for the agile workforce. Since our launch in 2000, our goal has been to empower contractors to maximise their careers by offering complete peace of mind through accurate, compliant, and reliable payroll services.

Speedy Onboarding

Getting started is simple. Agencies provide basic details and terms; contractors complete a quick Right to Work check via Trust ID (just three minutes). We handle all paperwork and contracts for a smooth process.

Compliance-First

As an FCSA founding member, we set the gold standard in UK tax, employment, and regulatory compliance—giving agencies and contractors complete peace of mind.

Security & Stability

We safeguard your data with Cyber Essentials Plus certification and maintain strong financial stability to ensure uninterrupted payroll services.

Trusted Guidance

Our expert teams offer tailored support, onboarding assistance, and training workshops—the largest agency and employee support network in the sector.

Big Fish Group Limited is a leading UK provider of umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services, dedicated to serving contractors and recruitment agencies with unwavering reliability. We challenge the traditional stereotype of the sector by combining rigorous professional standards with a genuine passion for what we do. Founded on the principles of authenticity and dedication, we understand that credibility and compliance are the cornerstones of the recruitment industry. For agency partners, from boutique firms to multi-national MSPs, we offer a transparent, "straight-talking" partnership that prioritises your reputation and the welfare of your workforce. While we operate with energy and a personable approach, we never compromise on quality. We are committed to delivering the precise services our partners need, ensuring contractors are paid correctly and on time, every time. Commitment to Compliance

In an industry where regulatory adherence is paramount, Big Fish Group stands as a beacon of trust. We are proud to be FCSA-accredited and SafeRec-certified, ensuring our processes are independently audited and fully compliant with UK tax law and associated legislation. Our accreditations are complemented by our cloud-based payroll compliance portal, Lighthouse. Lighthouse provides our recruitment agency partners and end clients with direct access to and insight into every stage of our payroll process, as well as real-time visibility into our PAYE liability information. Our clients are never left wondering and can rest assured that their supply chain is secure, compliant, and meets the highest standards of integrity.

Big Fish: Not Your Average Umbrella

• Experienced Leadership: Founded and led by a team with over 30 years of combined experience in the payroll and recruitment sector.

• Unrivalled Availability: We understand the demands of the recruitment cycle. We provide exceptional customer service and support that extends beyond the 9-to-5. When we say 24/7, we mean it.

• Comprehensive Service Range: Expert provision of Umbrella PAYE and CIS payroll services tailored to the needs of the modern workforce.

• Reliability & Accuracy: A steadfast commitment to ensuring accurate, on-time payments for contractors, safeguarding agency relationships.

• Client-Centric Culture: A friendly, energetic team that prioritises the things that matter most to our customers, delivering solutions with a personal touch.

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

Looking for a fast, hassle-free way to contract? No Worries Red Umbrella makes contracting effortless—with instant payroll, no IR35 worries, and zero admin stress.

We’ve been helping contractors get paid quickly and compliantly since 2005. Our FCSA-accredited umbrella service guarantees you’re working with a fully compliant, transparent, and reliable provider, trusted by agencies, end clients, and thousands of contractors across the UK.

Why Choose No Worries Red Umbrella? ✅ Get Paid Fast – Daily payroll runs mean you get paid the same day we receive funds from your agency. No delays, no hassle. ✅ Zero Setup or Exit Fees – No lock-in periods, no hidden costs. Join or leave whenever you want. ✅ Fully Transparent – Fixed, all-inclusive fees with no surprise deductions. We handle all tax, NI, and compliance so you don’t have to. ✅ 100% Online & Instant Setup – Get started in under 10 minutes and submit timesheets from anywhere. ✅ Expert Support – Our team of payroll, tax, and compliance specialists are on hand to make contracting smooth and stress-free. ✅ Free Insurance Cover – £10M Employers’ Liability, £5M Public Liability, and £5M Professional Indemnity included at no extra cost. ✅ Pension & Perks – Access flexible salary sacrifice pension contributions and tax-saving schemes like Cycle to Work.

Whether you're new to umbrella contracting or switching from another provider, No Worries Red Umbrella gives you a stress-free, fully compliant payroll solution that works for you.

Get set up today and start getting paid—fast, simple, no worries. 🚀

SG Umbrella is run by experienced contractor accountants, designed for contractors and backed by the UKs leading contractor compliance body, the FCSA. Rest assured that you’re getting the best advice and the best service:

SUPER FAST PAYMENTS Once your client or agency has paid us we turn the payments around without delay – so you get your money as quickly as possible

TRULY ALL INCLUSIVE PRICING There are no hidden costs…everything you need is included in your monthly or weekly fee

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE Our team are the very best in the industry with years of contractor accountancy and taxation experience. Their qualifications include ICAEW, ACCA, AAT, ATT and CTA and your fee entitles you to unlimited advice and support, including with IR35 and tax planning

GROW AND FLEX WITH US Set up a Limited company with SG Accounting and switch between the two if needed due to IR35. Just ask which set-up would be best for you.

REAL PEOPLE EVERY TIME You speak directly to a real person when you call or email us. No call centre or “press button 1 for this and button 2 for that” service

NO MINIMUM CONTRACT We are so sure you’ll love our service we don’t have a minimum commitment. Fees are deducted from your pay so there are no up-front costs

COMPLIANCE AS STANDARD We’re FCSA Accredited, assuring the highest standards of compliance. As contractor experts, we can advise you on IR35 and Tax matters too

WELL KNOWN AND ESTABLISHED We have been established for more than 20 years dealing specifically with contractors, consultants and freelancers.

Omnia is your professional, compliant Payroll Partner providing a range of outsourced services to help with the management, retention and well-being of your temporary contractors and permanent staff. Omnia are also FCSA accredited for both CIS and Umbrella PAYE.

Why Core?

We put you first! We have a team of experts here to ensure you have all the support you may want or need through every process. We work hard to ensure our reputation is second to none and you can rest assured that compliance, efficiency, and professionalism are key values we uphold here at Core. We are an accredited member of Professional Passport and a tier one founding member of trade association body Prism.

Lauren Baker also sits on the executive board of Prism as their Payroll Intermediary Representative, meaning we are always ahead of the curve when it comes to legislation changes. We work with thousands of contractors in both the Public and Private Sectors and are specialists in IR35, allowing you to safely navigate this legislation and get on with what you do best, your contracting work. We would welcome a call; Matt and the team would be delighted to hear from you on 0800 211 8121. You’ll receive:

• Dedicated Relationship manager

• Set up (paperless) in as little as 24 hours with no exit fee

• Online portal for payslips and document viewing

• IR35 assessments

• Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Monthly payroll services

• Insurance cover, Professional Indemnity up to £5 million, Employers Liability up to £10 million, Public Liability up to £10 million

• Workplace pension via NOW or Salary Sacrifice

• Full statutory employment rights