How we review

Every comparison follows the same rules, so you can see how a conclusion was reached and check it yourself.

1. Prices from the official page, with the date

We only use prices published by the vendor. Next to each price is the date we last checked it. Our tracker re-checks pricing pages every week; when a price changes, the page is updated and the date moves.

2. Cost for a real team, not the headline price

We calculate the yearly cost for teams of 5, 10, 25 and 50 people, on the plan a team of that size would realistically need, including required add-ons. Monthly and annual billing are shown separately.

3. European fit

• Where customer data is stored, and whether a data processing agreement is offered.
• VAT handling, multi-currency, and readiness for national e-invoicing rules.
• Languages of the product and of support.

4. The jobs a small office repeats

We test the work that comes back every week or month: issuing an invoice, approving a timesheet, running payroll, adding a new employee, closing the month. Features that a team of 5 to 50 will not use do not earn points.

5. Commissions do not decide rankings

Some tools pay us a commission, some do not. A tool without an affiliate programme can still be our top pick, and we say so when it is.