Salary & Dividend Scenario Explorer
Put two pay structures head to head. Compare salary, dividend and pension scenarios side by side and see exactly how take-home pay and retained profit differ.
Free to use · No sign-up · Runs in your browser
Compare two scenarios side by side
Sometimes you don't want a single "optimal" answer — you want to understand the trade-off between two specific choices. The Explorer lets you set up two scenarios and compare them directly.
See the difference in tax, take-home pay and retained company profit at a glance, so you can make an informed decision about how to pay yourself.
Side-by-side comparison
Two full scenarios compared on the same screen.
Complete UK tax
Corporation Tax, PAYE, NIC and dividend tax applied to each.
Pension in both
Model employer and employee pension in each scenario.
Clear net difference
See the take-home and retained-profit gap immediately.
How it works
- Set up scenario oneEnter salary, dividends and pension for your first option.
- Set up scenario twoEnter the alternative you want to test.
- Compare the resultsSee tax, take-home and retained profit side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Explorer different from the Optimiser?
The Optimiser finds the best split for you; the Explorer compares two specific scenarios you choose, so you can understand a particular trade-off.
Does it cover pensions and Corporation Tax?
Yes — each scenario applies Corporation Tax, PAYE, National Insurance, dividend tax and your pension contributions.
Is it free?
Yes — every ODOpt tool is free to use with no sign-up. You can go ad-free with an optional subscription.
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