Payroll software · United Kingdom · Head-to-head
BrightPay vs Sage Payroll UK
Two United Kingdom payroll software options, compared side by side for United Kingdom trades.
Which should you choose?
Sage Payroll UK is Tier S: our check found its prices published on its own website. BrightPay is Tier A. Compare the typical pricing shown for each below. The tier is not a quality ranking: weigh the pros, cons, pricing and United Kingdom-specific notes below against your trade and region.
BrightPay
Tier A · ListedUK payroll software from Bright, on HMRC's recognised list; cloud-only from the 2026/27 tax year
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.
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
United Kingdom 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.
Sage Payroll UK
Tier S · Published pricesCloud payroll from Sage for UK small businesses, on HMRC's recognised list, up to 150 employees
Sage Payroll (listed by HMRC as Sage Business Cloud Payroll) is cloud payroll software from The Sage Group plc, a UK company based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Sage says it supports up to 150 employees, and it bills new UK customers per employee per month, with the first five employees included. Sage also sells the desktop Sage 50 Payroll, which is on HMRC's list as well.
Pros
- + On HMRC's recognised payroll software list
- + First five employees included; extra employees billed per month
- + Receives HMRC P6, P9 and RTI notices in the product
- + Desktop alternative from the same vendor (Sage 50 Payroll), also HMRC-recognised
Cons
- − Capped at 150 employees
- − Extra employees cost more on the higher plans (from £2.40, £4.40 or £6.40 a month each)
- − Payroll only: pair it with separate job-management software
United Kingdom note
Sage Business Cloud Payroll is on HMRC's list of recognised payroll software. Sage's knowledge base says it receives HMRC notices (P6, P9 and RTI) for UK customers.
More United Kingdom options
See all United Kingdom payroll software vendors and the rest of the United Kingdom directory.