General
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Platform | Windows BrightPay for Mac will not be available from tax year 2025/26 |
Windows BrightPay for Mac will not be available from tax year 2025/26 |
Access from any device using a web browser |
| Number of employees | Unlimited Find out more |
Unlimited Find out more |
Up to 250 employees Per employer (including leavers) |
| Number of employers / clients | Unlimited Depending on licence type |
Unlimited Depending on licence type |
Unlimited |
| Number of devices / users | Up to 10 users | Up to 10 users | Unlimited |
| Multiple users on the same employer |  |
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| See other users and changes in real time | |
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| Pricing |
Upfront cost |
Upfront + monthly cost |
Flexible payment options |
Security
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Automatic payroll backups | |
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| Data hosting |
You will need to host your payroll data on your own PC or server. |
You will need to host your payroll data on your own PC or server. |
No need to worry about data hosting - data is stored on secure servers. |
| Automatic software updates |
Software needs to be installed each tax year, with manual upgrades required as the software is updated. |
Software needs to be installed each tax year, with manual upgrades required as the software is updated. |
You will always have the latest version of the software without needing to run upgrades. |
Payslips
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Pay frequencies | Weekly, Fortnightly, 4-Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly | Weekly, Fortnightly, 4-Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly | Weekly, Fortnightly, 4-Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Yearly |
| Multiple pay frequencies | |
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| Multiple schedules for the same pay frequency | |
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| Unlimited additions & deductions | |
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| Custom additions & deductions | |
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| Import payments, additions and deductions via CSV file |
Limited to 5 pay items |
Limited to 5 pay items |
Import up to 10 pay items |
| Batch add additions / deductions / notes for multiple employees | |
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| Import employees via CSV file | |
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| Attachment orders | |
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| Expenses and Benefits | |
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| Employer calendar | |
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Payments
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Pre-built bank files |
Includes 19 file formats |
Includes 19 file formats |
Includes 56 file formats |
| Modulr integration to pay employees & HMRC | |
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Statutory Pay
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Statutory payments | |
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| Additional statutory pay reports and forms | |
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Coming 2025 |
Payroll Journals
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Direct API integration with accounting software |
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| CSV file export for accounting software | |
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| Custom CSV file export | |
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Automatic Enrolment
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Automatic employee assessment & alerts | |
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| Automatic enrolment letters to employees | |
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| Process opt-in, opt-out, and joiner requests | |
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| Postponement | |
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| Automatic re-enrolment alerts | |
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| Direct API integration with pension providers |
Includes integration with NEST, The People's Pension, Smart Pension and Aviva |
Includes integration with NEST, The People's Pension, Smart Pension and Aviva |
Includes integration with NEST, The People's Pension and Smart Pension (Aviva coming soon) |
| CSV file integration with pension providers | |
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| Approve payments with NEST | |
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HMRC Recognised
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| HMRC submissions (FPS, Additional FPS, NVR, EPS) | |
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| Coding notices | |
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| Employment Allowance | |
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| Apprenticeship Levy | |
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| P11Ds & Payrolling of Benefits | |
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Batch Operations
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Batch check for coding notices | |
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| Batch finalise payslips | |
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| Batch send submissions to HMRC | |
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Employee Portal
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Employee self service portal giving employees access to payslips and payroll documents | |
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| Employee requests for annual/unpaid leave | |
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| Employee requests to update personal details | |
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| Employee leave approval | |
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| Mobile app for employees | |
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Coming 2025 |
| Two-factor authentication for employees | |
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Coming 2025 |
| Document upload facility | |
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Coming 2025 |
Employer Portal
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Employer / client portal | |
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Coming 2025 |
| Payroll Entry Requests | |
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Coming 2025 |
| Payroll Approal Requests | |
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Coming 2025 |
| Client dashboard to access payslips, payroll reports and HMRC payments | |
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Coming 2025 |
Reporting
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Custom report builder | |
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| Other pre-built reports (e.g. calendar report, annual leave report) | |
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Coming 2024 |
CIS
| Features | BrightPay (Desktop) | BrightPay (Desktop) + Connect | BrightPay (Cloud) |
| Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) | |
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| Note: You can use a desktop licence free of charge if you need CIS functionality. |
Sign up to BrightPay's cloud payroll software
Download BrightPay for Windows / Mac
Still unsure if you should use cloud or desktop?
