Get BrightPay Free for the rest of the 2025/26 tax year

FAQs - Feature Comparison

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: Feature Comparison

Q What’s the difference between BrightPay for Windows, BrightPay Connect and BrightPay’s cloud software?

A Click here to view a full feature comparison

Q What is the maximum number of employees allowed?

A BrightPay’s cloud software is currently restricted to 300 employees (including leavers) per employer upon release. This limit will be increased in the future.

Q Is the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) module available on BrightPay cloud?

A We have developed a separate solution called BrightCIS and this is available here. BrightCIS integrates with BrightPay in order to show the correct tax liability on the P30 including Gross CIS Deductions. Please contact our team on [email protected] for assistance.

Need help? Support is available at 0345 9390019 or [email protected].

BrightPay (Cloud) System Requirements BrightPay's Employer Tax Rate Card 2025-26 BrightPay (Cloud) Service Infrastructure What's New in BrightPay?

Logging into BrightPay with your Bright ID

Features not yet available in BrightPay Moving to BrightPay cloud

Why BrightPay cloud FAQs - Feature Comparison FAQs - Making the Move FAQs - Pricing FAQs - Moving from BrightPay Connect FAQs - Support for BrightPay

What's happening to BrightPay for Windows/Mac?Introduction to BrightPay Getting Started

Getting Set up in BrightPay Creating an Organisation Add or Import an Employer

Starting the New Tax Year

How do I start processing 2025-26 payroll?Starting the new tax year - FAQs Importing From 24-25 BrightPay

Importing Into BrightPay from BrightPay for Windows Moving to BrightPay from another payroll software

Importing into BrightPay Methodology used in BrightPay Importing Employees - List of Employee Data that can be Imported into BrightPay Moving to BrightPay mid-year - Recoverable Amounts to Date Moving to BrightPay mid-year - Employment Allowance Moving to BrightPay - Continuing Auto Enrolment from a previous software Moving to BrightPay mid-year - Directors Importing from SAGEImporting using a CSV File - Other software Importing using an FPS File - Other Software

Organisation Members Management

Overview of Team Members' Roles & Permissions Team Member Roles Inviting a Team Member

Two Factor Authentication - Users

Enabling Two Factor Authentication Selecting Method to Receive Verification Code Two Factor Authentication FAQs

Employer Details

Adding a New Employer Adding/Amending Employer DetailsAdding/Amending Departments Adding/Amending Hourly Rates Adding/Amending Daily Rates Adding/Amending Piece Rates Adding/Amending Deduction Types Adding/Amending Addition Types Adding/Amending Savings Scheme Adding/Amending Bank AccountsEmployer Calendar

Employee Details

Personal Employment Starter/Leaver Payment Tax, NICs, RTI HR, Other Generating Employee Works Numbers Adding New Employees from a CSV File Updating Existing Employee Details from a CSV File Employee Count Report

Coding Notices Payroll Calendar Processing PayrollImporting Pay Data using CSV File

Importing Periodic Payments using CSV file Importing Daily Payments using CSV File Importing Hourly Payments using CSV File Importing Additions using CSV File Importing Deductions using CSV File Importing Notes using CSV File Importing Payments, Additions & Deductions in a single CSV File CSV Import Preferences

Distributing Payslips

Printing Payslips Emailing Payslips Exporting Payslips Customising Payslips Download/Email Multiple Payslips for a single Employee

Paying Employees

Paying Employees by Cash Paying Employees by Cheque Paying Employees by Credit Transfer & Creating a Bank File Paying Employees by Modulr

Reporting Contracted Hours - Hourly Bands for FPS Full Payment Submission (FPS)Additional Full Payment Submission Employer Payment Submission

Common HMRC Error Messages Analysis

Saved Reports Creating a New Report Viewing Reports Editing Reports Saving Reports Downloading/Printing/Emailing Reports Exporting Reports Importing Saved Reports from another BrightPay employer Downloading/Printing/Emailing Multiple Reports

Payroll Journals

Payroll Journals - Overview BrightBooks ClearBooks QuickbooksQuickFile SageXeroZohoBooks Creating a Generic Payroll Journal Nominal Ledger Mapping - Custom Items (e.g employment allowance)

Recording Payments to HMRC P30 & P32 Paying HMRC - Useful HMRC Guidance Paying HMRC using Modulr

Making Corrections in Payroll

Re-opening Payslips Editing a Pay Schedule

Setting up a Director Directors' NIC Directors appointed during the tax year

Off-Payroll Working (IR35)Starters

Setting up a new employee mid-year New Starter Checklist

Processing a Leaver Processing Payments After Leaving

Student Loan Deductions Postgraduate Loan Deductions Attachment of Earnings

Attachment of Earnings (Northern Ireland)Child Support Deductions from Earnings Order (DEO)Civil Judgment Debt Attachment of Earnings Order (County Court)Council Tax Attachment of Earnings Order (CTAEO) - England Council Tax Attachment of Earnings Order (CTAEO) - Wales Current Maintenance Arrestment (CMA)Direct Earnings Attachment Magistrates Court Attachment of Earnings Order Maintenance Attachment of Earnings Order Other Attachment of Earnings Orders

Expenses & Benefits

Expenses & Benefits - Overview Expenses & Benefits - Setting the Tax Accounting Method Applying an Expense or Benefit in BrightPay Expenses & Benefits - P11D & P11D(b) End of Year Return

Pensions (outside of Automatic Enrolment)Payroll Giving Year End

Year End - Frequently Asked Questions Year End Checklist for Tax Year 2024-25 Year End - Support Hub 2024-25 Year End - Video Tutorial Year-End Procedure for Tax Year 2024-25 - 5 Step Guide

Rates & Thresholds at a Glance

Rates & Thresholds at a Glance 2023-24 Rates & Thresholds at a Glance 2024-25 Rates & Thresholds at a Glance 2024-25

Tax Codes - Overview Tax Rates and Thresholds for 2025-26 Tax Rates and Thresholds for 2024-25 Scottish Rate of Income Tax (SRIT)Welsh Rate of Income Tax 50% Overriding Regulatory Limit

National Insurance

NIC Category Letters NIC Thresholds & Rates for 2025-26 NIC Thresholds & Rates for 2024-25 State Pension Age & BrightPay Directors' NIC Directors' NIC - where appointed during the Tax Year

National Minimum Living Wage

National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage - April 2025 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage - April 2024

Mileage Allowance Payments (MAPs)Employment Allowance Apprenticeship Levy Termination Awards & Sporting Testimonials Gender Pay Gap Reporting Statutory Payments

Statutory Payment Rates for 2025-26 Statutory Payment Rates for 2024-25 Statutory Sick Pay Statutory Maternity Pay Statutory Adoption Pay Statutory Paternity Pay (Birth)Statutory Paternity Pay (Adoption)Statutory Shared Parental Pay (Birth)Statutory Shared Parental Pay (Adoption)Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay Statutory Neo-Natal Pay

Employee Self Service PortalTwo Factor Authentication - Employees

Enabling Two Factor Authentication for Employees Selecting Method to Receive Verification Code Employee Two Factor Authentication FAQs

Manager's Portal

Manager's Portal - Overview ManagersManager's Portal - Processing Requests Invitation Template for Managers

BrightPay Client PortalPayslip Translations Automatic Enrolment

Automatic Enrolment Journey Report

Employment Verification

About Employment Verification How to Opt Out Employers - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Employees - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Importing Information From Connect into BrightPay cloud

Importing Information From Connect into BrightPay cloud Import from Connect to BrightPay video Frequently Asked Questions

Client Payroll Requests

Payroll Entry Requests - Bureau Guidance Payroll Entry Requests - Employer Guidance Payroll Approval Requests - Bureau Guidance Payroll Approval Requests - Employer Guidance Bureau - Audit Trails Bureau - View/Manage an Employer's Requests Bureau - Client Requests Status on Employer Dashboard.Batch Operation for Payroll Approval Requests - Bureau Guidance Batch Operation for Payroll Entry Requests - Bureau Guidance

TimeKeeper Integration

TimeKeeper Integration with BrightPay TimeKeeper and BrightPay Video Tutorials

Release Notes Bureau Enhancement Features - Useful Functionality for Payroll Bureaus or Accountants

Bureau Statistics Report Batch Processing PayrollBatch Processing Payroll Entry and Approval Requests