Payroll software · United Kingdom
BrightPay
UK payroll software from Bright, on HMRC's recognised list; cloud-only from the 2026/27 tax year
Market position
BrightPay is payroll software from Bright Software Group (Thesaurus Software Ltd), with a UK office in Leamington Spa. Bright says BrightPay is used to pay 3.5 million employees every month. From the 2026/27 tax year only the cloud version is sold: BrightPay for Windows was discontinued after 5 April 2026.
United Kingdom-specific note
BrightPay is on HMRC's list of recognised payroll software and Bright describes it as RTI and HMRC recognised. It automates auto enrolment tasks and links to NEST, The People's Pension and Smart Pension for contribution submissions. CIS returns need BrightCIS, a separate Bright product.
Pros
- + On HMRC's recognised payroll software list
- + Auto enrolment alerts and links to NEST, The People's Pension and Smart Pension
- + Annual or monthly billing on the cloud version, with a free trial
- + Companion BrightCIS product for CIS returns
Cons
- − Desktop version discontinued after 5 April 2026; desktop users must move to the cloud version
- − No published price list: cloud prices come from Bright's online calculator
- − CIS needs a separate product (BrightCIS)
- − Payroll only: pair it with separate job-management and accounting tools
Typical United Kingdom pricing
Quote-based through Bright's online cloud calculator; no public price list. Annual and monthly plans; more than 250 employees for one employer by quote
Why this matters for United Kingdom trades
Gas Safe Register is the register approved by HSE: a business must be on it to legally do gas work within the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, and HSE prosecutes unregistered gas fitters. For electrical work in dwellings, NICEIC (Certsure) is one of several authorised competent person schemes, alongside BESCA, Blue Flame Certification, NAPIT and OFTEC, that let installers self-certify instead of getting building regulations approval, and OFTEC is one of six schemes authorised for oil appliances. The payroll tools listed here are on HMRC’s list of recognised payroll software, while CIS returns may need an add-on or a separate product; insurers such as Hiscox and AXA note that employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement once you employ staff.
UK trades vendor selection is shaped by the Gas Safe Register for gas work, competent person schemes such as NICEIC and OFTEC that let installers self-certify building work, payroll duties (HMRC RTI reporting, workplace pension auto enrolment and, in construction, CIS returns), VAT, and lead services such as Checkatrade, MyBuilder and TrustATrader.
Frequently asked
Is BrightPay a good fit for United Kingdom trades?
BrightPay is payroll software from Bright Software Group (Thesaurus Software Ltd), with a UK office in Leamington Spa. Bright says BrightPay is used to pay 3.5 million employees every month. From the 2026/27 tax year only the cloud version is sold: BrightPay for Windows was discontinued after 5 April 2026. BrightPay is on HMRC's list of recognised payroll software and Bright describes it as RTI and HMRC recognised. It automates auto enrolment tasks and links to NEST, The People's Pension and Smart Pension for contribution submissions. CIS returns need BrightCIS, a separate Bright product.
What does BrightPay cost in United Kingdom?
Quote-based through Bright's online cloud calculator; no public price list. Annual and monthly plans; more than 250 employees for one employer by quote. Pricing and availability can change by region; confirm current United Kingdom pricing on the vendor's site before committing.