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Panda Payroll Software

Affordable, SARS-compliant payroll for South African SMEs

Payroll SoftwareSARS ComplianceSouth AfricaSMEPayroll AutomationHR SoftwareTax ComplianceBusiness SoftwareHuman ResourcesFinancial ManagementSouth African Tech
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Collected: 2025/8/26

What is Panda Payroll Software? Complete Overview

Panda Payroll Software is an all-in-one payroll solution designed specifically for South African small and medium businesses. It automates salary processing while ensuring full compliance with SARS regulations, including calculations for PAYE, UIF, and SDL. The software helps businesses save 50-70% on payroll costs compared to traditional methods while eliminating manual errors and reducing administrative workload. Ideal for entrepreneurs and growing companies, Panda Payroll supports weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly pay runs with guaranteed accuracy and compliance. The platform also offers employee self-service features and integrates with popular tools like Xero and WhatsApp for seamless HR management.

Panda Payroll Software Interface & Screenshots

Panda Payroll Software Panda Payroll Software Interface & Screenshots

Panda Payroll Software Official screenshot of the tool interface

What Can Panda Payroll Software Do? Key Features

Automated SARS-Compliant Payroll

Panda Payroll automatically calculates all statutory deductions including PAYE, UIF, and SDL in line with the latest SARS regulations. This eliminates manual calculation errors and ensures your business remains fully compliant with South African tax laws with every pay run.

Real-Time HR Reporting & Analytics

Access customizable reports and real-time business analytics to gain insights into workforce costs, staff trends, and payroll expenses. The reporting dashboard helps business owners make data-driven decisions about their human resources and financial planning.

Employee Self-Service Portal

Employees can securely access their payslips, tax certificates, and other documents 24/7 through the self-service portal. This reduces HR admin queries and gives staff instant access to their important payroll documents from any device.

WhatsApp HR Integration

Unique WhatsApp integration allows employees to download payslips and apply for leave directly through the messaging app. No additional apps or passwords required, leveraging a platform employees already use daily for convenient HR access.

Xero Accounting Sync

Seamless integration with Xero accounting software enables automatic reconciliation and financial oversight. The one-click setup eliminates double entry and ensures your payroll data always matches your accounting records.

Best Panda Payroll Software Use Cases & Applications

Small Business Payroll Automation

A small retail business with 15 employees transitions from manual Excel payroll to Panda Payroll. They eliminate calculation errors, reduce payroll processing time from 2 days to 2 hours monthly, and ensure full SARS compliance without needing external accountants.

Growing Company Scaling Payroll

A rapidly expanding tech startup uses Panda Payroll's scalable pricing to accommodate staff growth from 10 to 50 employees over 18 months. The automated system handles increasing complexity without additional administrative burden.

Multi-Site Business with Remote Teams

A company with offices in three South African provinces centralizes payroll management through Panda Payroll. Employees across all locations access payslips via WhatsApp, reducing HR queries and improving document accessibility.

How to Use Panda Payroll Software: Step-by-Step Guide

1

Sign up for a 30-day free trial through the Panda Payroll website. No credit card is required to start exploring the platform's features.

2

Set up your company profile by entering basic business information, pay frequency (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly), and employee details.

3

Configure your payroll settings including SARS tax tables, benefits, and deductions. The system will automatically apply the correct calculations for PAYE, UIF, and SDL.

4

Run your first payroll. The system will process salaries, generate payslips, and create all necessary SARS-compliant reports automatically.

5

Invite employees to access their self-service portal where they can view payslips, download tax certificates, and manage leave requests.

6

Connect with Xero for accounting sync or enable WhatsApp integration for employee access, completing your automated payroll ecosystem.

Panda Payroll Software Pros and Cons: Honest Review

Pros

Significant cost savings (50-70% reduction in payroll expenses compared to traditional methods)
Guaranteed SARS compliance with automatic updates to tax tables and regulations
User-friendly interface designed specifically for South African SMEs and entrepreneurs
Flexible pricing scales with your business growth, becoming more cost-effective as you add employees
Time-saving automation reduces payroll processing from days to hours

Considerations

Currently only supports South African payroll requirements (not suitable for multinational businesses)
Advanced HR features may be limited compared to enterprise-level solutions
WhatsApp integration, while convenient, may raise security concerns for some businesses

Is Panda Payroll Software Worth It? FAQ & Reviews

Yes, Panda Payroll offers a 30-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card is required to sign up for the trial period.

Pricing starts at R25/month for 1 employee, with additional employees costing between R3.75-R7.50 each depending on your total employee count. The more employees you have, the lower the per-employee cost becomes.

Yes, the system automatically updates to reflect the latest SARS tax tables and regulation changes, ensuring your payroll remains compliant without requiring manual updates from your side.

Yes, employees can access their payslips 24/7 through the secure self-service portal or via WhatsApp integration, from any device with internet access.

Panda Payroll currently offers seamless integration with Xero accounting software, with automatic reconciliation capabilities to eliminate double data entry.

How Much Does Panda Payroll Software Cost? Pricing & Plans

Base Plan

R 25.00/month
1 employee included
Automated payroll processing
SARS-compliant calculations
Basic reporting

Scaled Pricing

Variable based on employee count
2-10 employees: +R 7.50 each
11-50 employees: +R 5.50 each
51-100 employees: +R 4.75 each
101+ employees: +R 3.75 each
All base features included

Panda Payroll Software Support & Contact Information

Last Updated: 8/26/2025
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