BrightPay pricing review – Payroll software buying guide

BrightPay is a popular payroll software choice in the UK, offering a range of features designed to simplify payroll management. This guide provides a detailed overview of the BrightPay pricing structure, features, and the different versions and tiers available to help you make an informed decision.

An overview of BrightPay

BrightPay is a comprehensive payroll software solution tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, accountants, and payroll bureaus.

It offers an intuitive interface, robust payroll processing capabilities, automatic enrolment for pensions, and compliance with HMRC regulations.

BrightPay’s reputation for user-friendliness and customer support makes it a popular choice among businesses and accountants alike.

BrightPay pricing list

Version	Tier	Price (per year)
Standard	1-3 employees	£79 + VAT
Standard	4-10 employees	£119 + VAT
Standard	11-25 employees	£179 + VAT
Standard	Unlimited employees	£229 + VAT
Bureau	1-10 clients	£259 + VAT
Bureau	11-25 clients	£359 + VAT
Bureau	Unlimited clients	£529 + VAT
BrightPay Connect	1-10 employees	£49 + VAT
BrightPay Connect	11-25 employees	£99 + VAT
BrightPay Connect	Unlimited employees	£149 + VAT
BrightPay Connect	Bureau unlimited clients	£249 + VAT

BrightPay pricing structure

BrightPay offers a straightforward pricing model with different versions and tiers tailored to various business needs. The pricing is divided into two main categories: Standard and Bureau. Each category has options based on the number of employees you need to manage. Additionally, BrightPay offers a cloud add-on service, BrightPay Connect, which provides additional functionality for managing payroll tasks.

Standard version

The Standard version of BrightPay is designed for individual businesses that need to manage their payroll internally. This version is suitable for small to medium-sized enterprises and offers essential features to handle payroll tasks efficiently.

1. 1-3 employees: £79 + VAT per year
   This tier is ideal for micro-businesses or startups with a small number of employees. It includes all the essential features needed to run payroll, including automatic enrolment, HMRC submissions, and payslip generation.
2. 4-10 employees: £119 + VAT per year
   Suitable for slightly larger businesses, this tier supports up to 10 employees and offers the same features as the lower tier, with the capacity to manage more employees.
3. 11-25 employees: £179 + VAT per year
   This option is geared towards businesses with a moderate number of employees, providing the ability to handle payroll for up to 25 staff members.
4. Unlimited employees: £229 + VAT per year
   Designed for growing businesses, this tier allows unlimited employees, making it a cost-effective solution for companies with a larger workforce. All features of the Standard version are included, ensuring scalability as your business grows.

Bureau version

The Bureau version is aimed at accountants, payroll bureaus, and service providers who manage payroll on behalf of multiple clients. It includes all the features of the Standard version, with additional tools and capabilities to handle multiple payrolls efficiently.

1. 1-10 clients: £259 + VAT per year
   This entry-level tier is perfect for smaller payroll bureaus or accountants managing payroll for up to 10 clients. It provides all the necessary tools to manage client payrolls, including client reporting and automated processing.
2. 11-25 clients: £359 + VAT per year
   Suitable for medium-sized bureaus, this tier allows managing payroll for up to 25 clients, offering scalability for growing payroll services.
3. Unlimited clients: £529 + VAT per year
   This tier is designed for large payroll bureaus or accounting firms managing payroll for numerous clients. It offers the flexibility to handle unlimited clients, making it ideal for large-scale payroll operations.

BrightPay Connect add-on

BrightPay Connect is an optional cloud add-on that enhances the functionality of the BrightPay desktop software. It offers secure online access to payroll data, automated backup, employee self-service, and employer dashboards.

1. 1-10 employees: £49 + VAT per year
   This add-on provides cloud-based features for businesses with up to 10 employees, including access to payroll reports and employee self-service functionality.
2. 11-25 employees: £99 + VAT per year
   Designed for businesses with a slightly larger workforce, this tier supports up to 25 employees, offering additional online capabilities.
3. Unlimited employees: £149 + VAT per year
   For businesses with a large number of employees, this tier provides unlimited access to BrightPay Connect features, ensuring all employees can access payslips, HR documents, and other relevant information online.
4. Bureau unlimited clients: £249 + VAT per year
   For payroll bureaus, this option allows unlimited client access to BrightPay Connect features, providing a comprehensive solution for managing multiple client payrolls efficiently.

Key features of BrightPay

• Automatic enrolment: BrightPay simplifies the process of auto-enrolment for pensions, ensuring compliance with government regulations.
• HMRC compliant: The software is fully compliant with HMRC’s Real-Time Information (RTI) requirements, making it easy to submit payroll data directly.
• User-friendly interface: BrightPay’s intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate and perform payroll tasks without extensive training.
• Comprehensive reporting: Generate detailed payroll reports, including payslips, P32s, P60s, and P45s.
• Employee self-service: With BrightPay Connect, employees can view payslips, request leave, and access HR documents online.

Conclusion – BrightPay pricing review

BrightPay offers a versatile and cost-effective payroll solution for businesses of all sizes and payroll bureaus. Its clear pricing structure and various tiers make it easy for businesses to select the option that best fits their needs.

Whether you are a small business managing payroll in-house or a payroll bureau handling multiple clients, BrightPay provides the tools and features necessary to streamline payroll processes while ensuring compliance and efficiency.

For more, see our guide to payroll services costs. Or if you’d rather manage your own payroll, check our reviews of the best small business payroll software. Finally, for those on a tighter budget, see free payroll software.

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