Managing payroll in Hong Kong is more complicated than it appears. Between MPF contributions, IRD tax filings, compliance with the Employment Ordinance, and keeping accurate employee records, even small businesses often find themselves overwhelmed.
To help companies choose the right approach, this guide compares the top five payroll solutions in Hong Kong:
Growing SMEs, mid-sized companies, large teams (10–50+ staff)
Internal HR/payroll system (e.g., BambooHR, Workday, Zoho, or custom)
Full control and oversight
Immediate responsiveness
Deep company-specific knowledge
Scales with growing headcount
✅ FastLane is one of the few providers that shows pricing upfront — typically HK$300–500 per employee/month, with discounts for higher volume.
Other firms usually require custom proposals due to complexity or bundled services.
1. FastLane Group
FastLane Group, established in 2013, is a trusted provider of payroll and HR outsourcing solutions in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. With over 1,000 businesses served, the company specializes in helping startups, SMEs, and multinational corporations streamline their payroll processes. FastLane’s solutions focus on compliance, advanced technology, and tailored services, ensuring efficient and accurate payroll management for businesses of all sizes.
FastLane’s payroll services start from HKD $280 per staff per month, with customized quotes available for businesses requiring additional services or cross-border payroll solutions.
For more information or to get started, contact FastLane Group today!
2. FastLane Recruit – Best for Hiring + Payroll Onboarding
FastLane Recruit focuses on helping businesses hire and onboard new employees, then smoothly transition those employees into FastLane’s payroll ecosystem.
Key services include:
Talent recruitment and sourcing
Employment contract preparation
New hire documentation
Onboarding + payroll setup
HR workflow guidance
Why it stands out FastLane Recruit provides value far beyond payroll: it supports businesses from the moment they start hiring. For companies scaling quickly, this ensures that HR processes and payroll setup are not fragmented across different providers.
Best for: Companies hiring frequently or scaling headcount.
3. FastLane HR – Best for HR Administration + Compliance
FastLane HR provides essential HR support that many SMEs lack — especially those without an HR manager. It ensures that employee documentation, policies, and compliance processes are handled correctly.
Key services include:
HR advisory and compliance
Employee data management
Attendance and leave management
HR policy development
Integration with payroll (FastLane Group)
Why it stands out It centralises HR and payroll within the same ecosystem, reducing miscommunication and administrative burden. This helps businesses maintain compliance with Hong Kong labour laws while also supporting employees through structured HR processes.
Best for: SMEs without a dedicated HR team or those wanting to consolidate HR + payroll under one provider.
4. DIY Payroll – Best for Micro Teams and Cost-Sensitive Businesses
DIY payroll means handling payroll internally using tools like Excel, Xero, QuickBooks, or the official MPF contribution portal.
Typical tasks include:
Manual payroll calculations
MPF uploads/submissions
Preparing IR56 forms
Leave and holiday tracking
Compliance record-keeping
Why businesses choose DIY DIY is the cheapest option, making it attractive for solo founders or companies with fewer than 3 employees. However, it is time-consuming and significantly increases the risk of compliance errors, which can lead to penalties.
Best for: Very small businesses, freelancers, and cost-sensitive founders.
5. In-House Full-Time HR / Payroll Team
This option involves hiring dedicated staff (part-time or full-time) to manage payroll, MPF, compliance, HR records, leave, benefits, onboarding/offboarding — essentially building an internal HR/payroll function.
When this makes sense
You have a mid-size or large workforce (10–50+, or more).
Payroll and HR needs are complex (benefits, multiple offices, many full-time staff, regular hires/terminations).
You prefer full internal control, quick responsiveness, and keeping data in-house.
Strengths of In-House Team:
Full control and oversight.
Deep institutional knowledge of your business context.
Immediate access when issues arise (no vendor delays).
Potential to scale HR functions beyond payroll: talent management, performance reviews, culture, benefits, compliance changes, etc.
Limitations:
Requires ongoing training to stay updated with HK labour laws, MPF regulations, IRD changes.
High fixed cost: salary + benefits for HR/payroll staff.
Management overhead.
Risk of errors if team lacks expertise or compliance knowledge.
Which Option Should You Choose?
👉 Choose In-House Team if
You have many employees (e.g. 10+), and payroll/HR tasks are frequent and complex.
You value having full control, data privacy, and internal oversight.
You plan to grow significantly and want HR as part of your core operations (not just outsourced admin).
👉 Choose outsourced providers (FastLane Group / FastLane HR / FastLane Recruit) if
You want to avoid the overhead of hiring HR staff.
You prefer predictable monthly costs over fixed salary burdens.
You need compliance, reliability, and scalability without building internal HR infrastructure.
👉 Choose DIY only if
Your team is small (1–2 people).
You want to minimise cost and are comfortable handling paperwork and compliance manually.
Payroll/HR is simple and infrequent.
Final Thoughts
Payroll and HR management isn’t just a back-office task — it’s a strategic element of your business infrastructure. For small teams or startups, outsourcing via providers like FastLane Group (or combining with FastLane Recruit / FastLane HR) is often the most efficient, cost-effective, and low-risk option. As your company grows, you might consider building an in-house HR/payroll team for maximum control and flexibility.
That said, every business is different. The “right” solution depends on your headcount, growth plans, internal resources, and how much control and flexibility you want.
Author
Ang Wee Chun
Wee Chun Ang is a seasoned professional with expertise in business expansion, global workforce solutions, accounting, and strategic marketing, backed by a strong foundation in financial markets. He began his career managing high-value FX transactions at Affin Moneybrokers, a subsidiary of Affin Group, and KAF Astley & Pearce, a subsidiary of KAF Investment Bank. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in setting up FX options desks, achieving significant milestones, including a 300% increase in desk revenue.
