Businesses in the UK often rely on Bacs (Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services) to manage payroll, supplier payments, and other direct credit transactions efficiently.
Choosing the best Bacs software is a critical decision for ensuring compliance, security and reliability. This article outlines the best Bacs providers in the UK, what their software offers, why it matters for business operations, and an overview of typical pricing structures.
If your business is considering which Bacs software provider is best, read on or click here to contact us directly for advice.
Bacs software simplifies the process of sending bulk payments and collecting direct debits by integrating directly with a company’s accounting or payroll system. For organisations that process high volumes of transactions, it ensures:
• Faster and automated payments
• Secure data handling
• Error reduction in payment processing
• Full audit trails for compliance
Using approved Bacs software also ensures that a business stays aligned with regulations and Bacs-approved security protocols.
Below are some of the leading Bacs software providers in the UK, along with the key features and pricing considerations for each:
Paygate is a trusted name among Bacs-approved software providers. It is used by organisations of all sizes, including large enterprises and public sector bodies.
Key Features:
• Direct integration with payroll and ERP systems
• Secure cloud-based access or on-premises options
• Built-in reporting and audit trail features
• Support for Direct Debit and Direct Credit
• End-to-end bacs payment automations
Pricing:
paygate offers custom pricing based on the size of the organisation and the number of transactions processed. We provide scalable solutions suitable for both SMEs and large enterprises, with support and implementation services available too.
Pros:
• Excellent customer service based in the UK at no extra cost
• Offers both cloud and on-premises deployment
• Comprehensive audit and reporting features
• Good integration with ERP and payroll systems
Cons:
• Requires setup assistance
Bottomline is a long-standing provider of payment automation solutions and is known for its BACS-approved software used by banks and corporates.
Key Features:
• Secure Bacs payment submissions
• Compliance with latest HMRC and BACS regulations
• Real-time dashboards and reporting
• API integrations and scalable cloud infrastructure
Pricing:
Bottomline typically offers tailored pricing, depending on the deployment model (cloud or on-premise) and transaction volume. A one-time implementation fee is common, with ongoing subscription costs.
Pros:
• Established provider with a strong client base in banking and finance
• Offers real-time reporting and dashboards
• Highly secure and compliant with UK financial regulations
• Scalable for large enterprises
Cons:
• Can be expensive for smaller organisations
• Implementation process may be complex
• Some features may require add-ons or additional licensing
AccessPay offers a modern interface and focuses heavily on cloud-first and secure payment solutions.
Key Features:
• Automation of Bacs payments and collections
• Connectivity with major banks and finance systems
• Real-time monitoring and alerts
• Data encryption and compliance assurance
Pricing:
AccessPay uses a subscription-based model, with pricing based on usage and number of connected bank accounts. It is well-suited for mid-sized to large organisations.
Pros:
• Modern, intuitive cloud-based platform
• Strong integration options with finance systems and banks
• Emphasis on automation and real-time alerts
• Good customer support and onboarding
Cons:
• Subscription costs can add up, especially with advanced features
• May offer more features than needed for small companies
• Cloud-only model may not suit firms needing on-premises solutions
SmarterPay offers Bacs-approved software tailored for both SMEs and larger businesses.
Key Features:
• On-premise and hosted software options
• Payment scheduling and approval workflows
• Audit-ready reporting tools
• HMRC-recognised payroll integrations
Pricing:
They offer modular pricing depending on features selected (e.g., number of users, integrations). Support packages are available at different levels depending on business needs.
Pros:
• Flexible options: cloud-hosted or on-premises
• Customisable workflows for approval and scheduling
• Designed to support SMEs as well as large organisations
• Offers secure data handling and audit trails
Cons:
• Interface is less intuitive compared to newer platforms
• Support options vary by package; limited on lower tiers
• Limited self-service documentation
Interbacs provides flexible Bacs software along with bureau services for organisations that want to outsource their payment processing.
Key Features:
• Direct submission to Bacs
• User-friendly interface
• Secure hosting options
• Integration with Sage, Xero, and other accounting platforms
Pricing:
Interbacs provides tiered packages with clear monthly pricing for SMEs and custom enterprise solutions for larger organisations.
Pros:
• Offers both software and Bacs bureau services
• Integrates with widely used platforms like Sage and Xero
• Competitive pricing for SMEs
• User-friendly with a straightforward setup
Cons:
• Enterprise-level features may require custom pricing and development
• Limited advanced analytics or real-time monitoring
• Smaller provider compared to others, so fewer enterprise-level integrations
paygate features
Our data validation modules help our customers stay Bacs compliant, prevent fraudulent payments verify customer data.
Although cloud is usually better for businesses, we also offer on-premise solutions and we won’t force you to switch.
Our customer services team received a rating out of 4.6 out of 5, with over 86% of our customers rating them 5 out of 5.
If you’re looking for a Bacs Software provider, we’re here to help – click the button below to get in touch.
When selecting a Bacs provider and software, businesses should assess both technical capabilities and service quality. The right solution will align with your transaction needs, compliance requirements, and internal processes. Key factors to consider include:
1. Bacs approval
Ensure the software is Bacs-approved by Bacs Payment Schemes Ltd, and using approved software guarantees compliance and secure payment processing.
2. Integration capabilities
Check compatibility with existing payroll, ERP, and accounting systems (e.g., Sage, Xero). Make sure the platform includes the inegrations your business needs to reduce manual input and processing time.
3. Deployment options
Decide whether you need cloud-based, on-premise, or hybrid deployment. Cloud options are typically faster to implement and easier to scale, but some businesses may have IT infrastructure and security requirements that can only facilitate an on-premise solution.
4. Security and compliance
Look for features like encryption, audit trails, user access controls, and compliance with GDPR and HMRC standards. Data security is crucial, especially for payroll and supplier payments.
5. Ease of use
The software should have an intuitive interface with clear workflows. Consider how easy it is to train staff and onboard users, so that you can set up and start using the software sooner.
6. Support and service
Assess the level of technical support, training, and documentation provided. Look for providers with dedicated UK-based support if local assistance is important.
7. Pricing structure
Understand the total cost, including setup fees, licensing, support, and transaction-based charges. Also consider scalability — does the cost model suit your growth plans?
8. Scalability and features
Choose software that can handle your current transaction volume and scale as your business grows. Features like payment scheduling, batch processing, and real-time reporting add long-term value.
Whether your business is handling a few hundred payments or tens of thousands, paygate is scalable and reliable, making it a strong choice for a long-term Bacs partner. Our platform offers:
Flexible deployment options: choose between a cloud-based solution for ease of access and scalability or an on-premises installation for organisations with specific IT infrastructure or security requirements.
Smooth integration: our software is designed to connect with a wide range of payroll, finance, and ERP systems, helping to streamline the payment process and reduce the risk of errors.
Get control over data: our built-in reporting tools and audit trails support accountability and provide transparency across the payment workflow, which is particularly valuable for compliance and internal governance.
Security and user control: our platform includes strong encryption and user access permissions, ensuring that sensitive financial data is protected at every stage, and supports automation and approval workflows, making it suitable for organisations with complex or multi-level payment authorisation processes.
User-friendly and highly flexible, our Bacs payment solution is fully customisable to your needs.
Hundreds of businesses trust our solution to process more than £10.4bn in transactions, without fail, every month.
So whether you’re a big or small business, or operating as a bureau, we can help you improve payment efficiency, streamline your processes, reduce costs, and eliminate risk of failed payments.
Our Bacs experts are here to help, let’s discuss your requirements.
Watch our video to learn more:
User-friendly and highly flexible, our Bacs payment solution is fully customisable to your needs.
Over 1,000 businesses trust our solution to process more than £4bn in transactions, without fail, every month.
So whether you’re a big or small business, or operating as a bureau, we can help you improve payment efficiency, streamline your processes, reduce costs, and eliminate risk of failed payments.
If you’re considering a Bacs Solution and looking for a provider, contact us using the button below – we’re always on hand to offer advice and support.
Organisations should prioritise reliability, security, automation features and integration capabilities when selecting Bacs software. Strong support, compliance with banking standards and scalability are also important considerations.
Many Bacs platforms connect directly to payroll or accounting software, allowing salary data to be exported automatically and securely into a payment file. This reduces manual entry and helps ensure accurate employee payments. This type of integration also provides robust protection of personal data and helps avoid fraud risk.
If using a bureau service, the bureau handles submission approvals, and you typically do not need your own SUN.
Bacs-approved software allows organisations to submit payments securely while meeting banking standards. It also improves efficiency by automating file creation, validation checks and payment submission processes.
Smaller organisations can use Bacs-approved software to take control of payroll and supplier payments, without relying on manual transfers or your bank. Automated workflows free up small teams, while a robust payment processing foundation scales as your business grows.
Providers implement encryption, authentication controls and audit trails to protect payment data. They also follow industry rules and security standards required for secure interaction with the Bacs network.
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| paygate on prem | paygate v2 | paygate v3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Security policy manager * Includes: password complexity manager, inactive timeout, time restrictions, IP address restrictions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
AWS ISO27001 hosted * Primary fail over and back up UK data centres | ✓ | ✓ | |
SFTP file uploads/downloads *Secure way to move files across the internet, customers can use their own certificates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gemalto security tokens MFA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Email MFA | ✓ | ||
| SMS MFA | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
APP MFA * Works with common auth apps such as Google Authenticator, Authy. Works on Android or iOS. | ✓ | ||
| PG Platform ISO27001 | ✓ | ||
Fraud tool *Currently support Blacklists and Whitelists. In a blacklist you add various sortcodes / account numbers and the system will prevent any payment to those accounts. In a whitelist you add sortcodes and account numbers and the system will ONLY allow payments to accounts on the whitelist. We include various tools to help build and maintain the lists. | ✓ | ||
GDPR subject access request * Search tools to help perform a GDRP lookup. Then can optionally ‘sanitise’ personal data from the system. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
GDPR Data cleansing *Remove historical data by bulk or individual. | ✓ | ||
Browser compatbility * We maintain support for Chrome, Edge and Firefox. | ✓ | ||
Built for performance * Version 3 runs on super modern, high-end infrastructure | ✓ | ||
Single Platform * Customers have a single user account that they can use across all services (Enterprise, Online, Validate, etc). | ✓ | ||
Agent rebuilt key management system * Very secure way to get files to and from the Paygate cloud. Supports ways to automate files being sent into the paygate cloud and retrieving reports from the cloud. Key management was rebuilt for V3 to further increase security. | ✓ | ||
HTTPS uploads/downloads * paygate v3 supports both SFTP and HTTPS. | ✓ | ||
In browser File and Folder handling * Allows customers to securely organise their files and folders that are stored on paygate | ✓ |
| PG on prem | PG Ev2 | PGv3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logging tickets by email | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Logging tickets by portal | ✓ | ||
| Logging tickets by phone | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated account management | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Uptime improvements | ✓ | ||
| Ongoing development | ✓ | ||
| Bug fixing | ✓ | ||
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Auto File Import *Automatically imports a payment file and validates it. Users no longer need to manually browse for and import a file, paygate will do this in the background and present the validation results to the user. |
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| PG on prem | PG Ev2 | PGv3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Designer in browser * In V2 Workflows use an older style desktop app. In V3 workflows are built and managed in the Paygate Browser app. It’s much easier to deploy and manage. |
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| Designer 3rd party app | ✓ | ✓ | |
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Improved logging * A feature mainly for PS/CS to help them diagnose problems with workflows. Problems can be diagnosed and fixed faster. |
✓ | ||
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New scheduler triggers * A new trigger type that allows the user to set up a workflow like you set up a meeting in Outlook. For some, this is more flexible and easier to understand than using CRON. |
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Triggers for multiple workflows * You can use a single trigger to start multiple workflows. It’s a simple feature that will make things easier to manage if you have a lot of workflows. |
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Workflow validation * Troubleshoots new workflows, validation |
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Workflow chaining * Allows a workflow to call another workflow. Using this you can simplify large complicated workflows in smaller separate ones. Easier to manage and diagnose issues. |
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New nodes * Various new nodes that help to build new types of workflows or help manage existing workflows. |
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Full documentation V3 will be fully documented with help guides and tutorials.
and tutorials * |
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Multiple filename variables * Supporting multiple filename variables should make designing complex workflows a bit easier. |
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Future developments * Pure Excel Importer – XLSX; BACS Calendar Widget; Workflow Timeline; Workflow / Mobile App notification / management; S3 Connector |
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Download and distribute A Reports * When you have workflow and HSM you can automate the entire BACS report download process. They can automatically be converted to other formats for integration into finance apps. They can be emailed to customers as html, pdf or zips. They can be made available for collection via SFTP. Or, if you use Agent, they can be security delivered to the customer’s private network. |
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| Partial submission | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
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Lightsout submission * No signing |
✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Standard nodes for initiation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| PG on prem | PG Ev2 | PGv3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batched bureau submissions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manual & Automated submission builder | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Customer import | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bacs reporting tools | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recall Bureau Customers by ID | ✓ | ||
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Submission Re-entry * Complete your submissions over any amount of time
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Familiar workflow throughout *It will be familiar to V2 customer but they will notice improvements. |
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| Revamped manual submission mode *This is completely new in V3 Bureau.
Those customers wanting a more manual way of building their submission (Rather than using Jobs) will find a new, efficient way of working.
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Drag and drop files from anywhere *Like in other areas of V3. User can just drag and drop file in Bureau for processing. They can also use the Restricted File Browser and Server file browser – that add more security – if they wish. |
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Support for multiple file formats per submission * No longer limited to single Standard 18 submission for example
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Better default filename support *Makes working with files easier. |
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Usage Reporting over data range *Small but useful improvement to reporting. User can set a date range on the usage report. |
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| PG on prem | PG Ev2 | PGv3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Validate *Validate is integrated in V3 and so customers that have both products can access them from the same client with the same account. |
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API Access *Validate API and the Payment API.
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| 4x Faster | ✓ | ||
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Save Submissions *Save an ‘in-progress’ submission and return to it later. Build up a submission during the day |
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| Improved payment and submission searching | ✓ | ||
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Customisable dashboard *Many useful, module specific, dashboard widgets, e.g. Payments, collections, workflow, etc. |
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| PG on prem | PG Ev2 | PGv3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced reporting including real-time usage | ✓ |
