Comparator

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.

A team of experienced industry professionals who are passionate about our core values, the temporary recruitment industry and of course, the flexible workforce market in the UK. Collectively, we bring together over 90 year’s industry experience from across the recruitment, contractor payroll and contractor accountancy sectors. We’ve worked with some of the largest and most established players in both the UK and international payroll markets. We bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and understanding – but most importantly, we bring a fresh approach to our duty of care – because we care.

ADVANCE provides world-class service and works in partnership with recruitment businesses and their candidates, adding value throughout the contracting supply chain. ADVANCE continuously invests in its infrastructure and people to ensure every part of the contracting journey for both candidate & recruiter is efficient, simple, and reliable. Whether you’re a contractor looking for support or a recruitment professional who wants the very best for your candidates, ADVANCE has the solution.

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.

Winner of ‘Best Umbrella Company’ at The Contracting Awards 2019 and 2022 finalists. Contractor Umbrella was established in 2001, as one of the most trusted, longest standing umbrella companies in the UK, we ‘guarantee’ our employees peace of mind, absolute compliance and complete security.

• You can chat with us by phone, email or via our Livechat.
• Fully accredited by FCSA, so you can rest assured that you are working with a compliant business.
• New contractors can register online in just a few minutes.
• You will have your very own dedicated Contract Manager.
• Make tax and NI savings by contributing a portion of your earnings into our company pension or your personal pension fund/SIPP. • Same day payments offered as standard, every working day.
• Fixed margin rate and we only deduct our margin when we are paying you.
• We offer a Service Guarantee to ensure that you will be looked after at every step of the way.
• Contractor Umbrella offer an employee rewards scheme which includes a fuel discount card, foreign currency exchange, contractor accommodation, contractor mortgages and much more.
• Included is a comprehensive £20m insurance package.
• Contractor Umbrella employees are entitled to 5.6 weeks of holiday each year.
• Flexible limited company accountancy - when you sign up to our sister company Dolan Accountancy’s monthly accountancy package (£105 + vat).

Navigate People was created and is managed by a team of conscientious and dependable people who have seen a real gap in this market for genuinely excellent proactive support in delivering umbrella, PEO and CIS sub-contracting focussed on providing first class service and real added value for both workers and recruitment businesses. As workers and agencies increasingly want to know where to find the best value added benefits packages, including, for example, Personal Accident cover and fuel discounts for workers, we are constantly looking to improve our offerings for the benefit of all who work with Navigate People.

Since 2005, AZebra Group have delivered expert payroll solutions to contractors and businesses across multiple sectors. Our specialist services cover Umbrella, PEO - fully outsourced employment and CIS payroll models, designed to meet the needs of both contractors and agencies.

We take care of everything, from payroll to statutory compliance, so you don’t have to worry about administration. Our dedicated team provides clear communication and reliable support, making it easy to work with us.

AZebra Group is proudly accredited by the FCSA and SafeRec, demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards of compliance and ethical practice. We also partner with Brabners and Markel Tax, offering expert guidance on complex payroll and employment matters, giving agencies and contractors confidence and peace of mind.

We also invest in your agency and your contractors with exclusive benefits, including 750+ CPD courses, wellbeing & fitness resources and an interactive performance hub - all completely free!

Pay Guardians operate a simple and efficient umbrella and PEO service for agencies and workers. Our processes are fully documented and comply wholly with employment and tax legislation leaving you free from the burden of ensuring yours and your temporary workers affairs are fully managed. Our team of qualified accountants and payroll specialists with years of experience will ensure piece of mind and provide the highest quality of personal service throughout.

MainPay is a leading provider of services to agency workers across the UK. We pride ourselves on our outstanding service, our people and bespoke systems.