Petl Pay

Petl Pay is a project-billing and contributor-payment platform for agencies, studios, consultancies and UK construction subcontractors. It is best for teams that need client invoices and multi-person payouts connected to each project. The main qualification is cost: contributor payment tools begin on a paid plan, while international transfers add variable fees.

Overview

Petl links project billing with contributor allocations, approvals and payout records, so a team can see how an invoice relates to what several contributors should receive. That makes it more specialised than a general payroll product and a better fit for project-based work where money is split among participants.

Projects, invoices, payment links and pay runs can be prepared through ChatGPT, Claude, Slack and WhatsApp. Completed pay runs and statements can be pushed to Xero. Petl supports bank and stablecoin payment workflows across the UK, EU, US, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and South Africa, subject to availability. Transfer fees range from 0.2% to 1.2%, depending on transfer type, corridor and volume, so subscription fees do not represent the full cost of cross-border payouts.

Key features

Billing, allocations and approvals

Multi-party invoicing and contributor allocations connect incoming client charges with amounts owed to individuals or other participants. Approval steps and payout records provide an audit trail for bills, invoices, approvals, payments and payouts. Money movement requires the appropriate approval and verification step, which adds control for shared finance responsibilities but can introduce an extra checkpoint before a payment is released.

Chat-based workflows

Using Petl from ChatGPT, Claude, Slack or WhatsApp lets teams create projects, raise invoices, generate payment links and prepare pay runs inside tools they may already use. This is particularly relevant to distributed project teams; readers seeking a conventional standalone payroll interface may find the positioning less suitable.

Compliance and security

For eligible UK construction workflows, Petl calculates and tracks CIS deductions, but it does not file with HMRC. KYC and KYB checks are performed where required. Petl says it is non-custodial, works with licensed payment providers and does not hold customer funds. It also says it does not store card numbers, bank-login credentials, private wallet keys or government-issued identity documents.

Pricing

The Free plan works for teams that only need project and invoice automation; its lack of payees, wallets and payouts makes it unsuitable for actually paying contributors. Solo is aimed at a small operation with no more than three active payees. Business is the more practical tier for finance controls, reconciliation and up to 20 payees, while larger or more customised operations need Enterprise pricing. The separate 0.2% to 1.2% transfer-fee range should be budgeted alongside the subscription.

Platforms

Petl Pay is offered through its web platform and API. ChatGPT, Claude, Slack and WhatsApp provide additional ways to initiate supported workflows.

Who it's for

Agencies, studios and consultancies can use Petl when project invoices must feed into contributor pay runs with clear approvals and records. UK construction subcontractors may benefit from CIS calculation and tracking. It is less appropriate for a team that needs a full payroll suite, HMRC filing, or free contributor payouts.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Project-linked money flows: invoices, allocations, approvals and payouts stay connected to a project.
• Multiple payment routes: bank and stablecoin workflows cover several major markets, subject to availability.
• Strong record keeping: audit trails and Xero export support reconciliation and accountability.
• Security-conscious design: non-custodial handling and stated exclusion of sensitive credentials reduce the information Petl retains.

Cons

• Free-plan restriction: there are no active payees, wallets or payouts, so payment functionality starts at $10 per user per month.
• Variable transfer costs: fees of 0.2% to 1.2% can materially affect international payment budgets.
• Construction compliance is partial: CIS is calculated and tracked, but HMRC filing remains outside Petl.
• Small Solo ceiling: three active payees may quickly be insufficient for a growing project team.

Alternatives

Choose Contractor Payment Software for a broader category comparison. Cleo Pay suits vendors and contractors wanting unlimited incoming payments on its free tier, but that tier includes no outbound payments. PayWow is worth considering for contractor payroll, with a free plan for unlimited contractors and check payments. Zoho Payroll fits teams seeking employee payroll, including a free tier for up to 10 employees and a trial option. BuildFair is the construction-focused choice, with owners invited to projects at no charge. Payoneer Payer is a paid business payment option with custom pricing and fees that vary by method and location. Plane Contractor Management is better when hiring, onboarding, directories and time tracking are the priority. IRIS Practice Engine and TLC IT are paid alternatives.

Verdict

Petl Pay is a strong choice for project-led businesses that need billing, contributor allocations and controlled payouts in one workflow, especially across supported countries and chat platforms. Pick it when those linked records and approvals matter more than a broad payroll suite. Look elsewhere if you require free outbound payments, HMRC filing, or a larger payee allowance without moving to a higher-priced plan.