For an accounting practice, changing payroll software affects every client deadline, recurring salary and bookkeeping entry. Capium's appeal starts there: its payroll software is built around accountants managing client payrolls.
Borderless AI becomes relevant when a client asks a different question: “Can we employ someone abroad without opening a local entity?” Its EOR service covers that employment arrangement, including contracts, onboarding, payroll and benefits.
If the job is running a UK payroll bureau, Capium is the more relevant product to evaluate. If a client needs an employer for an overseas hire, assess EOR separately. A working UK payroll setup does not have to be replaced to make that hire possible.
What are you buying?
That distinction matters when comparing costs. A software licence for a practice and a service that supplies an employment arrangement have different responsibilities. Comparing their headline fees alone will not tell you which solves the problem.
Where Capium fits a UK practice
Capium supports FPS and EPS submissions, pension auto-enrolment, batch RTI and automated payroll for employees or directors with static wages. These are practical capabilities for a bureau processing repeated pay runs.
The accounting connection may matter as much as the pay calculation. Capium describes payroll journals flowing into its bookkeeping module. For a practice already considering that suite, test the complete path from approved pay run to client accounts.
Use a representative client in the demonstration: one with a starter, a salary change and a pension adjustment. Check who approves changes, how exceptions are reviewed and what the accountant sees across client deadlines. That will reveal more than a generic feature checklist.
How much does Capium Payroll cost?
The published module pricing lists these monthly amounts, excluding VAT:
These are client bands, not employee bands. The same page lists the small accounting suite at £140 plus VAT per month for up to 100 clients. Keep the standalone module and wider suite separate when requesting a quote.
Capium's subscription FAQ states a standard 12-month term, even with monthly payments, and at least 30 days' notice before the term ends to prevent renewal.
Is Capium free or unlimited?
Its Free Plan terms describe payroll for a maximum of three employees. Confirm current signup availability and included features before relying on it.
For bureau work, clause 2.2 also sets a default maximum of 50 employees per client unless a larger number is agreed in writing. Client allocation follows the order form. Get written confirmation for larger payrolls rather than reading a 100-client price band as permission for unlimited employees.
Can Capium run US, Canadian or international payroll?
Capium's service terms specify UK financial operations. A US or Canadian company evaluating it for a UK operation should distinguish that payroll from its home-country requirements.
Capium also has a cloud payroll article discussing international requirements. Before buying for another jurisdiction, request confirmation of the exact supported payroll, filings and contractual scope.
An overseas employee also creates an employment question. Borderless AI's EOR offering supports hiring without establishing your own local entity. If the business already has the necessary employer infrastructure, discuss its separate global payroll service instead. Confirm availability and responsibilities for the intended country and hire.
Can you keep Capium and add Borderless AI?
Yes, that can be a sensible operating arrangement: retain Capium for existing UK payrolls and evaluate Borderless for a particular overseas employee.
Before proceeding, agree who approves compensation changes, supplies the employment-cost breakdown and reconciles it into the client's accounts. If the worker is engaged as an independent contractor, establish that relationship and payment scope separately.
For a UK practice with no overseas employment need, the decision remains about payroll processing, accounting workflow and the contract limits above. For a client hiring abroad, start with who will employ the person. That answer determines whether payroll support or EOR belongs in the proposal.