Xero Moves Pay Run to Read-Only Mode, Full Retirement in April 2026

Xero has officially transitioned its payroll tool, Pay Run, to read-only mode on July 23, 2025, with full retirement scheduled for April 2026, as reported by Xero Central.

The retirement decision was attributed to the significant investment required in keeping Pay Run compliant with changing global payroll regulations. 

The feature, previously used by small businesses to pay employees in their base currency, manage staff details, and generate payroll reports will no longer allow users to create new pay runs but only view their past payroll records with this transition.

To avoid losing important payroll records, users are urged to download their pay run data before the retirement date through email or print payslips for existing pay runs or through generating and downloading reports from the Xero Report Centre.

Best Xero Pay Run alternative

If you’re in Malaysia, the best alternative to Xero Pay Run is undoubtedly PayrollPanda. It’s a free and easy-to-use payroll and HR software trusted by thousands of businesses nationwide.

And the best part? PayrollPanda has a seamless Xero Accounting integration. As a Xero user, this means you can continue managing your finances without disruption while enjoying a more intuitive, LHDN-compliant payroll experience.

Switching payroll systems can feel overwhelming, but with PayrollPanda, you don’t have to stress. Our dedicated onboarding team ensures your transition is smooth, fast, and hassle-free from start to finish.

How PayrollPanda Can Level Up Your Payroll Experience

Here are other great reasons that make PayrollPanda a solid Xero Pay Run alternative:

• Built for Malaysian Compliance – LHDN-approved and always updated to meet the latest statutory requirements.
• Simple, Fast, and Accurate – Complete payroll in minutes with automated calculations for taxes and contributions.
• Employee Self-Service – Give your team easy access to payslips and personal info anytime, anywhere.
• Seamless Experience – A clean, intuitive interface with no training required.
• Secure & Accessible – Manage your payroll from anywhere, protected by SSL encryption.
• Expert Support – Access our free payroll help center and in-app live chat whenever you need help.

Run payroll in minutes, stay LHDN-compliant, and keep your business moving without disruption.