Making the move to BrightPay cloud

You can check which version of BrightPay you are currently using, Standard or Bureau, by looking at the top, right-hand corner of your software’s opening screen.

Yes, you can use the cloud software, for free, for the remainder of the 2024/25 tax year. To sign up, please fill out the form above the FAQs and follow the instructions.  

While we recommend migrating your data to the cloud software to make the most of your free trial, you will still be able to use both BrightPay for Windows/Mac and BrightPay Connect during this time. 

Yes. In addition to having free access for the remainder of the tax year, if you sign up before April you will receive one month’s free access to BrightPay’s cloud software for the 2025/26 tax year. 

Please note, you will continue to be charged as normal for the use of BrightPay Connect for the remainder of the tax year.

All functionality, excluding the CIS module (please see the last question on this list for more information), on BrightPay’s desktop software plus BrightPay Connect will be available in the cloud version of BrightPay by the 2025/26 tax year.  

Stay updated with our feature parity document, which outlines the current capabilities of our desktop and cloud software.

Currently, all features, except for the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) module, are available on the cloud version of BrightPay.

Additionally, some pre-built reports, such as the calendar report and annual leave report, are not yet available in the cloud software. We anticipate that these reporting features will be released before the end of 2024.

While almost all functionality of BrightPay Connect (for standard users) is available as part of BrightPay’s cloud software, there are a few remaining features which are currently in development. 

• Employee mobile app (coming in 2025)* 

• Two-factor authentication for employees (coming in 2025) 

• Document upload facility (will be available for the 2025/26 tax year) 

*While the employee mobile app is not yet available, employees can access all of the same functionality as the app through their online employee portal, accessible via an internet browser. 

To view our pricing for 2025/26, please click here.

From April 2025, BrightPay standard licences will no longer be sold alongside BrightPay Connect. This means that your BrightPay Connect contract will be terminated, and from that date, you will no longer be charged.

Yes, you can purchase a BrightPay Standard licence for the 2025/26 tax year. However, it will not be available in combination with BrightPay Connect. 

Once you have completed the form on this page, you’ll receive an email with a link asking you to log in using your BrightID, and to activate your subscription. Next, follow these 3 steps:  

Step 1: Log in using your BrightID 

You will be asked to log in using your BrightID. Instructions on how to set up a BrightID can be viewed here. 

Step 2: Create your organisation 

Once logged in, you will be asked to create your organisation. Here, you need to enter your organisation name and address, choose your payment plan, and add a payment method. 

Step 3: Import your employer(s) 

Select the option to ‘Import from BrightPay for Windows/Mac’. Select the employer file(s) you wish to import, and BrightPay will import all of the required payroll data. 

When importing a company from BrightPay for Windows/Mac to BrightPay’s cloud software, the employer and employees’ details, pay elements, pension details, payslips, reports and any updated pay periods are imported. 

Please note, you will need to re-enter the HMRC Gateway credentials and Nest credentials, if the Nest is your pension provider. You will also need to send email invitations to other team members through the payroll, to give them access.

This import can be completed mid-year.

Please click here for guidance on how to invite employees to their Employee Self-Service Portals.