Making the move from BrightPay Connect + Standard

We've created this dedicated page for our customers to answer common questions about the transition to BrightPay cloud from BrightPay Connect with BrightPay standard licences.

You can also click through see more about BrightPay's features and pricing on our main website.

Learn more about BrightPay

Get ready for the change

We’re making an important update to enhance your payroll experience. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we’re transitioning to a fully cloud-based payroll solution.

Starting April 2025, BrightPay with Connect for standard customers will no longer be available. If you need cloud access, it’s time to switch to BrightPay cloud.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions and resources to guide you through the transition from BrightPay Connect with a standard license to BrightPay cloud.

Looking ahead, BrightPay for Windows (both bureau and standard licenses) will remain available until the end of the 2025/26 tax year. From the 2026/27 tax year onward, BrightPay will be exclusively cloud-based.

Start planning your move today to ensure a smooth transition!

Step 1

Watch the migration webinar

Watch as our migration team takes you through the steps of moving your data into BrightPay cloud.

The videos are hosted on YouTube to make it easy to refer back to later. 

For Windows users

 

Step 2

Sign up for BrightPay cloud 25/26

Sign up for BrightPay cloud to create your account and choose your subscription type. 

Subscribe

Step 3

Start your migration

Once you’ve subscribed, you’ll receive a copy of our 3 step guide to help you through migration. Along with the webinar and the downloadable guide, you can easily migrate from BrightPay Standard with Connect to BrightPay cloud.

Step 4

Start using BrightPay cloud

You’re ready to start the new tax year using BrightPay cloud!

Now that you're all set up and ready to use BrightPay cloud for the 2025/26
tax year – there is just one last step.

Bookmark BrightPay in your web browser so it’s right there wherever and whenever you need it.

Employee onboarding

All of the employee onboarding resources are also available on our dedicated
Getting Started for Employees landing page.

FAQ sheet

Read our FAQs to find an answer to the most popular queries that are asked by employees.

Download

Info sheet

Download and share this info sheet with employees to easily update them on the employee portal.

Download

Employee self service portal overview

 

Employee portal access with BrightID

 

Employees viewing documents

 

Employees requesting change of personal details

 

Employees requesting leave

 

We're here to help

support icon

Followed the steps and still need help?

Contact our team who can help you with your migration on 01502 441104 or send us an email to hellomigration@brightsg.com

FAQs

BrightPay cloud help centre

For support using BrightPay online, you can check our help centre where you'll find lots of useful documentation.

Open help centre

BrightPay cloud video tutorials

See our library of video tutorials to where you can watch walkthroughs of key features of BrightPay's online version.

Open videos page

When will the sale of BrightPay Standard with Connect cease?
The combination of a standard BrightPay desktop licence with BrightPay Connect is no longer available.
How do I check which version of BrightPay I am using?

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.

check BrightPay version

 

How much will BrightPay cloud cost for the 2025/26 tax year?

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

I use BrightPay’s desktop software without BrightPay Connect. Will the desktop standard licence be available for the 25/26 tax year?

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. 

I am a customer using a BrightPay desktop Bureau licence along with BrightPay Connect. Will this option still be available for the 25/26 tax year?
Yes, you will still be able to purchase a BrightPay Bureau desktop licence along with BrightPay Connect for the 2025/26 tax year. Please note, that starting in the 2026/27 tax year, BrightPay will be exclusively cloud-based. The desktop version (Standard and Bureau licences) will no longer receive updates, support, or legislative compliance.
My BrightPay Connect contract has already been renewed this year. What happens to my contract after April 2025? 

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.

 

How long will my employees and users be able to access the Connect portal? 

BrightPay Connect will not be available to Standard users for the 2025/26 tax year. To support your transition, these users will retain access to Connect for the first three months of the 2025/26 tax year, until 5th July 2025. Employees will lose access to their Employee Self-Service portal after 5th April 2025. 

Moving to the cloud

 

How do I sign up to BrightPay's cloud software?
Sign up here.
What steps are involved in moving?

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. 

Download this handy checklist to help you with the move. 

 

What information/data comes across when I import from BrightPay for Windows/Mac?

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.

Will any annual leave in BrightPay Connect transfer to the cloud software?
Yes, they can be transferred. However, all pending requests in BrightPay Connect must be either approved or declined before the transfer.
How do I set up employees for self-service?
For information on how to enable employees’ access to their Employee Self-Service Portals, check out our step-by-step guide here. 
How do I invite employees to their Employee Self-Service Portals?

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

How do I invite a new user/team member to BrightPay cloud?

There are four types of users with different permissions in BrightPay: Owner,
Administrator, Payroll Processor and Billing Manager. Learn more about the user types here. 

Within ‘My Organisation’ select the ‘Team Members’ tab, followed by the ‘Invite New
Member(s)’ button. Enter the email address for the user you wish to invite, and select whether
you would like their role to be an ‘Administrator’, a ‘Payroll Processor’ or a ‘Billing
Manager’. Learn how to invite a user here.

Can I upload documents like handbooks to the Employees Self Service Portal?
 Yes, you can upload, store and manage key employee documents such as individual contract of employment and handbooks. For more details click here.

 

Do I need to invite users and managers to access the Client Portal and Manager's Portal?
Yes, you need to invite users to the Client Portal to access Employer and Employee details, including financial information, and managers to access employee personal and leave information on the Manager Portal. To add a user for the Client Portal please click here for more information. To add a manager please click here for more information.
 

Feature Comparison

 

Will BrightPay’s cloud payroll software have the same functionality as BrightPay’s standard licence with Connect?

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

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

  • Employee mobile app (coming in 2025)*
  • Payroll Entry Requests (May 2025)
  • Payroll Approval Requests (May 2025)
  • Employees can view colleagues' leave on the calendar (April 2025)

*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. 

Will the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) module be available on BrightPay (cloud) for the 25/26 tax year?
CIS functionality is currently only available on BrightPay for Windows. We are developing a separate solution and this will be available later in 2025. If you require CIS functionality now, you can use BrightPay for Windows for CIS alongside BrightPay cloud. Please contact our team on brightpaysales@brightsg.com for assistance.
What is the maximum number of employees allowed?

For 2025/26, BrightPay’s cloud software is currently restricted to 300 employees (including leavers) per employer upon release. This limit will be increased in the future.

If you require a licence for more than 300 employees please contact our team on brightpaysales@brightsg.com for assistance.

Other resources

We've linked some helpful resources for you to make your transition to BrightPay cloud simple. 

Followed the steps and still need help? Contact our team who can help you with your migration on 01502 441104 or send us an email to hellomigration@brightsg.com