BrightPay - Cloud vs Desktop

Can you believe 2025 is just around the corner? It’s a fresh start filled with memories waiting to be made — and yes, payroll to be processed! Fortunately, with today's advanced payroll software, processing payroll is quicker and easier than ever, freeing up more time for payroll processors to focus on the things that really matter.

Cloud payroll solutions aren't just the future — they're the present

"Cloud, cloud, cloud" — sound familiar? It should, because it’s what every software provider is talking about these days. You might be tired of hearing about it, but there's a good reason for all the buzz: the cloud offers significant advantages over traditional desktop solutions, such as:

Accessibility: Cloud allows you to access your payroll data anytime, anywhere, from any device with an internet connection.
Automatic updates: Cloud ensures you’re always using the latest version of the software with updates applied automatically, removing manual installations.
Scalability: Cloud helps you easily scale your resources up or down based on your needs without expensive hardware upgrades.
Collaboration: Cloud lets multiple users access and work on the same data in real-time, enhancing teamwork.
Cost efficiency: Cloud reduces upfront costs by eliminating the need for expensive servers and IT maintenance.
Data security: Cloud payroll software providers offer robust security measures, including encryption and automatic backups.
Disaster recovery: Cloud storage makes it easier to recover data in case of hardware failure or other emergencies.

Only 19% of firms still use a predominantly desktop-based tech stack

In a recent tech survey conducted by Bright, we discovered that only 19% of firms still rely primarily on desktop-based software in their tech stack. Meanwhile, 81% reported that at least half of their systems are cloud-based, and 45% revealed they are using a predominantly, if not entirely, cloud-based tech stack.

Now, payroll processors, it's time to reflect — are you taking advantage of the benefits the cloud offers? If not, make 2025 the year you switch to a fully cloud-based payroll solution and experience the efficiency and flexibility it brings.

BrightPay is coming to the cloud for the 2025 tax year

If you haven’t heard yet, we’ve recently announced that BrightPay is coming to the cloud for the 2025 Irish tax year, and will be available to purchase from December 2024. At Bright, we’re really excited about this significant step forward for our multi-award-winning payroll software, as we know the additional benefits it can bring to our customers.

Our recommendation to the current users of BrightPay’s desktop version is to switch to the fully cloud version. We also recommend that users of BrightPay’s desktop version who use its cloud extension, BrightPay Connect, alongside it, should also make the switch to the fully cloud version.

Want to see BrightPay’s cloud version in action? Join us for an exclusive first look during our webinar on the 25th of October at 2:00 pm. Click the button that best fits your business below to secure your spot.

Accountants and Payroll Bureaus SMEs

BrightPay: Choosing between Cloud, Desktop, and Connect

Click here to see a table which compares the features of BrightPay’s fully cloud-based version, BrightPay’s desktop version, and the desktop version with BrightPay Connect.

As shown in the comparison table, BrightPay’s fully cloud version has a lot more to offer than the desktop version. And if you’re familiar with BrightPay Connect, it includes many of the cloud functionalities you’re used to.

By switching to BrightPay’s cloud version instead of the desktop version, you’ll retain all the functionality you’re familiar with, while gaining additional benefits, including:

Access from any device using a web browser with an unlimited number of users
Multiple users can work on the same employer file, at the same time
New feature! Capability to batch finalise payslips for multiple static payroll clients
The ability to see other users and changes in real time
Additional security measures, including data hosting and automatic software updates
An advanced employee portal (and employer portal coming in 2025)
Two factor authentication
Payslip functionality for multiple schedules for the same pay frequency
Automatic payslip distribution
Flexible payment options when purchasing the software

By choosing BrightPay’s cloud version instead of the desktop version with BrightPay Connect, you'll retain all the features you're familiar with. Some features, including employer portal and employee app, which are coming in 2025, are excluded, but you'll gain additional benefits, including:

Access from any device using a web browser with an unlimited number of users
Multiple users can work on the same employer file at the same time
Flexible payment options when purchasing the software
The ability to see other users and changes in real time
Additional security measures, including data hosting and automatic software updates
Two factor authentication
Multiple payslip schedules for the same pay frequency
Capability to batch finalise payslips for multiple employers

Thinking about moving to BrightPay’s cloud version?

If you're currently using BrightPay's desktop version, we understand you might have questions about transitioning to the cloud version. To make the switch easier and more seamless, we've compiled some FAQs to help address any queries you may have:

Q1. Will BrightPay’s cloud version look similar to BrightPay desktop version?
BrightPay’s cloud version will have a similar look and feel as BrightPay’s desktop version. It has been designed so users will be able to quickly familiarise themselves with the software.

Q2. Will it be easy to switch from my current payroll software to BrightPay’s cloud version?
Yes, switching to BrightPay’s cloud version will be simple. If you're currently using the desktop version of BrightPay, we’ve developed an easy import option to move your payroll data to BrightPay Cloud in minutes.
If you’re using another payroll software, we provide an import facility to help you get started. Plus, our dedicated migration team is available to support you throughout the transition.

Q3. When will I be able to see how BrightPay’s cloud version works?
Our product team has been working hard to get the cloud version of BrightPay ready to demo. Join us for an exclusive first look during our webinar on the 25th of October at 2:00 pm. Register below to secure your spot.

Accountants and Payroll Bureaus SMEs

What’s more, our support team will be available to assist with any queries and they can be contacted at 01 8352074 or brightpayirelandsupport@brightsg.com.

What do our customers have to say?

BrightPay’s cloud version was launched in the UK in 2023. Here are just some of the great things users have had to say about it:

“I find the cloud version of BrightPay very user friendly. I use it for clients' payrolls and I am more than happy with it. I can download monthly payroll journals to Xero at the touch of a button, this saves me a lot of time. It really is a no brainer to use BrightPay cloud.”

Howard Sherbourne | Director at Numbers R Us

"I recently transitioned from the Brightpay Desktop version to the Cloud version to coincide with the start of the new tax year. This was a seamless exercise with all staff and their details being transferred into the cloud version without a hitch.

The Cloud version was easy to navigate as the look and functionality of the Desktop version has been retained letting me quickly and easily get on with the company’s monthly payroll processing.

The Cloud version also has the added advantage of allowing me to train up other remote working members of the finance team, where we were able to process employees in different companies simultaneously."

Lorraine Carvalho | Envitia

Join the waitlist for BrightPay's cloud version

Join the waitlist below to stay updated on the release BrightPay’s cloud version and be among the first to access the software.

Join the waitlist

Cloud vs. Desktop