PayStream

What PayStream does

PayStream, operating as PayStream Accounting Services Ltd, is a UK-based provider of umbrella employment, accountancy, payroll, and contractor compliance services headquartered in Altrincham, Cheshire. Founded circa 2000 and operating with 251-500 employees, the company serves thousands of UK contractors, freelancers, sole traders, landlords, and small business owners, primarily those working through recruitment agencies within IR35 regulations. Its flagship product is My Max, an umbrella company service that provides continuous employment status with statutory benefits, accessible via a secure cloud-based online portal and mobile application offering 24/7 access to payslips, expense management, and a retailer rewards scheme.

The platform extends into a broader contractor services portfolio, including limited company accountancy and personal tax services, Self Assessment filings, International Payroll for overseas contractor moves, a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offering, outsourced payroll processing, and the Tifo candidate screening software with integrated ID and background checks. Adjacencies include IR35 status review (IR35 Comply), contractor mortgages, and Kingsbridge-partnered business insurance. Technology is delivered through a multi-product cloud portal rather than bespoke infrastructure; the mobile app is positioned as a self-serve access layer for payslips and onboarding, while Tifo functions as a B2B channel sold into recruitment consultancies.

Revenue is generated across four streams: a margin on the umbrella assignment rate (after PAYE, NI, and statutory deductions), recurring subscription fees for accountancy and tax services, recurring fees for International Payroll engagements, and per-transaction fees for Tifo candidate screening. Go-to-market is sales-led, combining direct phone sales and online self-serve onboarding, indirect distribution via recruiter and agency referral partnerships (with a dedicated Recruiter section on the website), SEO/content marketing around HMRC compliance topics such as MTD for ITSA, and a member referral program. Pricing is quote-based and tailored per contractor circumstance, with no publicly disclosed pricing tiers.

Name

PayStream

Legal name

PayStream Accounting Services Ltd

Website

https://paystream.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

PayStream is a UK-based provider of umbrella employment, accountancy, payroll, and contractor compliance services to thousands of individual contractors, freelancers, small businesses, sole traders, and recruitment agencies, generating recurring subscription and margin-based fees through its My Max umbrella platform, Tifo screening software, and adjacent tax and payroll offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contractor Payroll and Umbrella Services

NAICS

Payroll Services (541214)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Contractor Payroll, Invoicing & Payment Services (BPACAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Managed Payroll Services (Full-Service Payroll Outsourcing) (BPAAAHAA), Global Payroll & Multi-Country Payroll Management (BPACAHAC), Global/Multi-Country Payroll & Cross-Border Payments (BPACAIAD), Payroll & Employment Tax Services (BPAHABAD)

Keywords

• Umbrella company services
• Contractor payroll services
• International payroll processing
• Candidate screening software
• Accountancy tax services

Headquarters

HQ city

Altrincham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Umbrella PAYE Services: PayStream operates an umbrella company (My Max) that employs contractors working on assignments. Revenue is generated through a margin on the employment services, deducting PAYE, National Insurance, and other employment costs from the contractor's assignment rate before paying the net wage.
2. Accountancy and Tax Services: Tailored accounting and tax services for contractors, small businesses, sole traders, and landlords including limited company accounting, tax returns, and MTD for ITSA compliance.
3. International Payroll: Payroll services for companies expanding overseas, ensuring candidates are paid on time without requiring establishment of new entities abroad.
4. Candidate Screening: Background check and screening services for recruitment consultants, utilizing cloud-based software with integrated ID verification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PayStream operates the UK's leading umbrella company under the My Max brand, delivering continuous PAYE umbrella employment, payroll processing, and accountancy and tax services to contractors, freelancers, and sole traders. It complements these consumer-facing services with international payroll for businesses expanding overseas, outsourced payroll for UK SMBs, Tifo candidate screening for recruitment agencies, a PEO offering, and IR35 Comply status review and ongoing support.

Product overview

PayStream is a UK-based services provider offering a unified platform of contractor services centered around umbrella employment, accountancy, payroll, and compliance solutions. The core offering is My Max, their umbrella company service providing continuous employment for contractors inside IR35, accessible via a secure online portal and mobile app. This is complemented by Accountancy Services (including limited company accounting, tax services, and Self Assessment returns), International Payroll for overseas expansion, and Candidate Screening (Tifo) for background verification. Additional add-on services include IR35 Comply reviews, contractor mortgages, business insurance, and MTD for ITSA compliance. The portfolio is accessible through a customer portal and mobile app, with services designed for contractors, freelancers, and small businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Max: Umbrella company brand offering continuous employment for contractors with features including online portal, mobile app access, and rewards program

Products and services

• My Max Umbrella Company Service
• PEO (Professional Employer Organization) Service
• Accountancy and Tax Services
• International Payroll
• Outsourced Payroll
• Tifo Candidate Screening
• IR35 Comply

Quantifiable outcome

• Contractors can save £100s each month through salary sacrifice pension contributions by reducing both PAYE and NI contributions.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• FCSA (Freelancer & Contractor Services Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFCSA accreditation for both umbrella and accountancy services. The FCSA accredits compliant umbrella companies and promotes best practice within the contractor services industry. This partnership provides regulatory credibility and assurance of compliance standards.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Orange Genie: UK-based umbrella company and contractor accountancy provider offering PAYE umbrella, limited company accountancy, and IR35 services. Directly overlaps PayStream's contractor services portfolio.
• Dolan Accountancy: UK contractor accountancy and umbrella services provider. Directly comparable to PayStream across the umbrella employment and contractor accountancy offering.
• Brookson Group: UK contractor accountancy and umbrella services provider with similar IR35-focused positioning and recruiter channel distribution. Comparable to PayStream across contractor accountancy and umbrella segments.
• SJD Accountancy: UK contractor and freelancer accountancy specialist offering limited company accounting, personal tax, and IR35 support. Closely comparable to PayStream's accountancy services division.
• Giant Group: UK umbrella and contractor accountancy provider serving contractors and recruitment agencies. Comparable to PayStream across umbrella employment, accountancy, and international payroll, and is one of PayStream's closest direct competitors.
• ClearSky Contractor Accounting: UK contractor-focused accountancy firm offering limited company services, tax returns, and IR35 support to freelancers and contractors. Competes with PayStream's accountancy and tax service line.
• Parasol Group: One of the largest UK umbrella companies, providing PAYE umbrella employment and accountancy services to contractors. Directly comparable to PayStream's My Max umbrella offering and competes for the same recruiter and contractor base.

Broad incumbents

• Remote.com: Global EOR and payroll platform enabling companies to hire and pay contractors and employees internationally without local entities. Directly comparable to PayStream's international payroll service, with significantly broader geographic coverage.
• Deel: Global Employer of Record and international payroll platform serving contractors and full-time employees worldwide. Compares to PayStream's international payroll and PEO offerings from a much larger, technology-led base.

Others

• Kingsbridge Contractor Insurance: UK specialist contractor insurance provider, already a PayStream partner for contractor insurance. Listed here because it is a closely adjacent ecosystem player in the UK contractor services stack.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/paystreamltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/paystream
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/paystream

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PayStream