IT Contractors UK Logo

Top Tips for Comparing Umbrella Companies in the UK

When choosing an umbrella company in the UK, it’s essential to compare different providers to ensure you're getting the best deal. With a variety of options available, understanding the key factors that impact costs, services, and compliance can help you make an informed decision.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top 15 tips for comparing umbrella companies in the UK. These insights will help you evaluate essential factors such as fees, services, customer support, and reputation, enabling you to make an informed decision. Whether you're new to contracting or looking to switch providers, this guide will give you the tools to choose the best umbrella company for your business.

At the end of this page, we have also listed our trusted umbrella companies to help you compare your current umbrella company's services with their offerings. Our trusted umbrella companies are either FCSA accredited, Professional Passport approved or SafeRec certified. But first, let's go through 15 essential tips for comparing umbrella companies.

Top 15 Tips for Comparing Umbrella Companies in the UK

  • 1. Check for Accreditation

    • Look for Professional Passport or SafeRec certification, which ensures compliance with regulations.

  • 2. Understand the Fee Structure

    • Compare weekly/monthly fees and check if there are hidden costs like processing fees.

  • 3. Look for Transparent Payslips

    • Ensure your payslips are clear and show all deductions, including tax, National Insurance, and fees.

  • 4. Verify Tax Compliance

    • A legitimate umbrella company will deduct PAYE tax and National Insurance correctly and not offer schemes promising unrealistic take-home pay.

  • 5. Avoid "Too Good to Be True" Take-Home Pay Claims

    • If an umbrella claims you can take home 80-90% of your earnings, it’s likely operating a tax-avoidance scheme.

  • 6. Check Holiday Pay Policy

    • Some umbrella companies automatically withhold holiday pay, so confirm whether it’s paid with your wages or retained.

  • 7. Look for Additional Deductions

    • Be aware of extra charges like insurance fees, admin fees, or margin increases for different payment frequencies.

  • 8. Ensure Quick and Efficient Payments

    • Check how often they process payments and if they offer same-day or next-day payments.

  • 9. Confirm IR35 Compliance

    • A good umbrella company will ensure you’re working compliantly inside IR35 without engaging in tax avoidance.

  • 10. Assess Customer Support Quality

    • A reliable company should have good customer service, offering quick responses via phone, email, or chat.

  • 11. Review Insurance Coverage

    • Make sure they provide necessary Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, and Employer’s Liability insurance.

  • 12. Understand How Expenses Are Handled

    • Since the 2016 travel and subsistence rule changes, most contractors cannot claim expenses—be cautious if an umbrella suggests otherwise.

  • 13. Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations

    • Look at Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and contractor forums to see what others are saying.

  • 14. Get a Sample Contract

    • Request a sample contract and review the terms regarding notice periods, payment terms, and dispute resolution.

  • 15. Ask About Exit Fees or Notice Periods

    • Some umbrella companies may charge an exit fee or require a notice period—avoid these traps if possible.

Our Trusted Umbrella Companies

Umbrella Company Services Offered Company Profile
DASA Umbrella Logo
 FCSA & Professional Passport Accredited Payroll Company
Same day payments & wage advances available upon request
Free subscription to DASA Rewards money-saving App
All statutory entitlements including holiday, sick & maternity/ paternity pay
 View Profile
Templeton Brook Umbrella Logo
 Professional Passport Accredited
Payroll flexibility (Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly)
Free tax investigation consultation*
Free employment dispute advice
Contractor portal
Outstanding customer service		 View Profile

Umbrella Comparison Table

Umbrella Company Professional Passport FCSA SafeRec
Magic Umbrella Yes No No
Abacus Umbrella Yes No No
Pendragon Consultancy No Yes No
Adroit Payroll Yes No No
Numbermill No Yes No
Alpha Saint Yes No No
Brookson One No Yes No
AmaanahPay Yes No No
Umbrellaphant Limited No Yes Yes
Arch Finance Yes No No
Global Challenge Umbrella Services No Yes No
Azure Global Yes No No
Advance No Yes No
Big Fish Group Yes No Yes
iConsult No Yes No
Bishopsgate Yes Yes No
SSC Services No Yes No
Bonzai Yes No No
Umbrella.co.uk No Yes No
Bright Sky Contracting Yes Yes No
Omnia No Yes No
Citadel Collective Yes No No
Eden Group No Yes No
Compass Yes No No
The Indigo Group No Yes No
Competex Pro Yes No No
NASA No Yes No
Contractor Bureau Yes No No
Cool Company Yes No No
Exchequer Solutions No Yes No
Core Finance Management Yes No No
SG Umbrella No Yes No
DASA Umbrella Yes Yes No
Rebus No Yes No
Dynasty Payroll Solutions Yes No No
PAYME No Yes No
ePayMe Yes No No
Sterling No Yes No
Exceed Outsourcing Yes No No
Black Diamond (A part of Danbro Group) No Yes No
EZ PAYE Yes No No
Clipper Contracting Group No Yes No
Fair Pay Services Yes Yes No
Carrington Umbrella No Yes No
Fruition Outsourcing Ltd Yes No No
Propaye Yes No No
Husp No Yes No
Granite BPO Yes Yes No
Workwell Group No Yes No
I-PAYE Ltd Yes No No
Smartwork No Yes No
ForeTwo Group No Yes Yes
Rocket PAYE Yes No Yes
Navigate People No No Yes
We Contracting Limited No Yes Yes
IPS Umbrella Ltd Yes No No
New Red Planet No Yes No
JMK Umbrella Yes No No
Oasis Group No Yes No
Lesters Yes No No
Amaze Umbrella Ltd No Yes No
Mint Yes No No
Exact Payroll No Yes No
AJ Rayson Yes No Yes
Ellier No No Yes
Compass Contracting Yes No Yes
AGPayroll No No Yes
Umbrella Company UK No Yes Yes
Clockwork Contracting No No Yes
Orbital Payroll Group Yes Yes Yes
MyPay Yes Yes No
Clarity Umbrella No Yes No
Odyssey Payroll Yes No No
Contractor Umbrella No Yes Yes
Optimum Pay Group Yes No No
Stonebridge Payment Solutions Ltd No Yes No
Honest Payroll No No Yes
Orbital Group Yes Yes No
Ship Shape No Yes No
Ovations Umbrella Ltd Yes No No
Parasol No Yes No
PAYBRELLA Yes No No
Mortimer Childe No Yes No
People Group Yes No No
Giant Pay No Yes No
Pinnacle and Partners Yes No No
Plus Pay Yes No No
Churchill Knight Umbrella No Yes Yes
Ricson Services LTD Yes No Yes
Orca Pay Group No No Yes
Quad Management Yes No No
Focused No Yes No
Quickstep Contracting Services Yes No No
Liquid Friday No Yes No
Ricson Services Yes No No
Granite BPO No Yes No
Rise Contracting Services Ltd Yes No No
Reddingtons Payroll No Yes No
Same Day Pay Umbrella Yes No No
Azebra Group Ltd No Yes No
Sandbeck Yes No No
Sapphire Contracting No Yes No
Social Work Employment Services Yes No No
Payments Pro No Yes No
Solucionis Yes No No
Trafalgar No Yes No
Swann Accountants Umbrella Services Yes No No
Paystream No Yes No
TGI Payday Yes No No
Swift Employment No Yes No
TJW Contract Solutions Yes No No
Quest Pay Solutions NE Ltd No Yes No
Trusted Employment Solutions Yes No No
Generate No Yes No
TUS Umbrella Yes No No
No Worries Umbrella No Yes No
UC Contractors Yes No No
NWM Umbrella No Yes No
Ultra Payroll Yes No No
ICS Accounting No Yes No
Umbrella Zone Yes No No
Fair Pay Services No Yes No
Unicorn Development Solutions Yes No No
Crest Plus No Yes No
Universal Umbrella Yes No No
JMK Group UK No Yes No
Virtue Payroll Services Yes No No
Champion Contractors No Yes Yes
Vision Payroll Yes No No
Well Pay Yes No No
Westlakes Fusion Yes No No

Request a call back

 

Sign up for latest news, offers and updates

Industry specific news & updates directly to your inbox.

All Rights Reserved. Content Copyright Protected (c) 2025 ITContractorsUK.com