FAQs - Moving from BrightPay Connect

Starting in the 2026/27 tax year, BrightPay will be exclusively cloud-based. The desktop version will no longer receive updates, support, or legislative compliance.

Bright’s cloud solutions offer enhanced functionality, security, and a modern payroll experience. To stay at the forefront of innovation, we are focusing our development on advancing the platform, ensuring a seamless transition for users.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions about moving to BrightPay cloud, feature comparison, Connect and support. Our download our pdf version here. 

FAQs: Moving from BrightPay Connect

Q Can I use BrightPay Connect with BrightPay’s cloud software?

A No. BrightPay’s cloud software and BrightPay Connect are two separate products. BrightPay Connect is only designed to work with BrightPay’s for Windows

Q Can I use BrightPay Connect for the 2025/26 tax year?

A If you hold a bureau desktop Licence, you can use BrightPay Connect for the 2025/26 tax year. BrightPay Connect is no longer available alongside standard desktop licence.

Q What functionality on BrightPay Connect is not currently available on BrightPay’s cloud software?

A While almost all functionality of BrightPay Connect is available as part of BrightPay’s cloud software, there are a few remaining features which are currently in development.

• Employee mobile app (coming in 2025)*
• The option for employees to view other employees’ leave on the calendar (April 2025)
• Payroll Entry Requests (available May 2025)
• Payroll Approval Requests (available May 2025)

*While the employee mobile app is not yet available, employees can access all of the same functionality as the app through their online employee portal, accessible via an internet browser.

Q How long will my employees and users be able to access the Connect portal?

A BrightPay Connect will not be available to standard users for the 2025/26 tax year. However, to support their transition, these users will retain access to Connect for the first three months of the 2025/26 tax year, until 5th July 2025. Employees will lose access to their Employee Self-Service portal after 5th April 2025.

Similarly, bureau licence users will have access to BrightPay Connect for the first three months of the 2026/27 tax year, with employee access ending after 5th April 2026.

Bureau licence users migrating to the cloud for the 2025/26 tax year will not receive extended access to BrightPay Connect unless they continue to pay for the service.

Q Do I need to invite my employees to access the Employee Self Service Portal in BrightPay cloud?

A Yes as this is a separate employee self service portal than Connect you will need to send invitation emails to employees in order to access the new employee self service portal. Click here for more information

Q Do I need to invite users and managers to access the Client Portal and Manager's Portal?

A Yes you need to invite users to the Client Portal to access Employer and Employee details, including financial information, and managers to access employee personal and leave information on the Manager Portal.  To add a user for the Client Portal please click here for more information. To add a manager please please click here for more information. 

Q Is Two Factor Authentication available for employees on BrightPay cloud's Employee Self Service Portal?

A Yes the option for two factor authentication for employees for the self service portal is optional and can be enabled. To enable two factor authentication for employees please find information here.