Brightpay Payroll: Independent Overview, Features, Pricing
Read our full independent review of Gusto payroll covering features, pros and cons, alternatives, pricing, user interface and much more.
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PROS & CONS
USER INTERFACE
ALTERNATIVES
PRICING
Overview
BrightPay is an award-winning payroll software solution designed to simplify and streamline the payroll process for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re a small business owner managing a handful of employees or part of a larger organization with more complex payroll needs, BrightPay offers an intuitive, user-friendly platform that makes payroll processing straightforward and efficient. The software is particularly well-suited for companies looking to stay compliant with ever-changing tax laws and regulations, as it automates many of the tedious tasks associated with payroll, such as tax calculations, pension contributions, and RTI submissions to HMRC.
BrightPay’s appeal lies in its combination of powerful features and ease of use. With its clean interface and step-by-step guides, even users with limited payroll experience can quickly get up to speed. Moreover, BrightPay provides comprehensive support for UK and Irish payroll legislation, making it a versatile choice for businesses operating in these regions. Its ability to handle everything from payslip generation to end-of-year reporting ensures that businesses can focus more on their core activities and less on the administrative burden of payroll.
Brightpay Payroll Features
Payroll Processing
BrightPay allows you to manage payroll for weekly, monthly, fortnightly, or custom pay periods. You can easily set up employee profiles, input salary or hourly wage details, and automate the calculation of taxes, National Insurance, and other deductions. The software also supports different payment methods, including bank transfers, cash, and cheques.
Auto Enrolment and Pension Management
BrightPay simplifies the process of auto enrolment, ensuring that you stay compliant with pension legislation. The software automatically assesses your employees and can manage contributions to various pension schemes, such as NEST, The People's Pension, and Smart Pension. It also handles opt-ins, opt-outs, and postponements, making pension administration hassle-free.
Real Time Information (RTI)
BrightPay is fully RTI compliant, allowing you to submit payroll information to HMRC in real-time. This feature ensures that your payroll data is always up-to-date and that you remain compliant with UK tax laws. The software can automatically generate and send Full Payment Submissions (FPS) and Employer Payment Summaries (EPS) to HMRC.
Payslip Generation
With BrightPay, you can generate payslips for your employees quickly and easily. Payslips can be customized with your company’s logo and can be delivered electronically via email or through the BrightPay Connect self-service portal. This flexibility allows you to cater to the preferences of your workforce.
BrightPay Connect
BrightPay Connect is an optional cloud-based add-on that enhances the functionality of the desktop software. It allows for secure online backups, employee self-service, and employer dashboards. Employees can access their payslips, view their tax details, and request leave through the self-service portal, while employers can manage payroll remotely and access historical payroll data at any time.
Annual Leave Management
BrightPay includes tools for managing employee annual leave and other absences. You can easily set up holiday entitlements, track leave balances, and record different types of absences, such as sick leave, maternity leave, and more. The software automatically calculates holiday pay, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
End-of-Year Reporting
The software streamlines the process of completing year-end payroll tasks. You can generate and submit P60s for your employees, complete final payroll submissions, and prepare for the new tax year with ease. BrightPay also supports the automatic transition to the new tax year, updating tax codes and other relevant information.
Employee Benefits and Deductions
BrightPay allows you to manage a variety of employee benefits, such as childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work schemes, and other salary sacrifice arrangements. The software also supports the calculation and deduction of student loans, attachment of earnings orders, and other statutory deductions.
Customizable Reports
BrightPay offers a range of customizable reports that provide insights into your payroll data. You can generate reports on payroll summaries, employee costs, tax liabilities, and more. These reports can be exported to Excel or PDF, making it easy to share information with stakeholders or import data into other systems.
Integration with Accounting Software
BrightPay integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software, such as Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage. This integration ensures that payroll data is accurately reflected in your financial accounts, reducing the need for manual data entry and minimizing the risk of errors.
Compliance and Updates
BrightPay is regularly updated to comply with the latest tax laws, National Insurance contributions, and other payroll-related regulations. These updates are automatically applied, ensuring that your payroll processes remain compliant without requiring manual intervention.
Multi-Company Support
For payroll bureaus or businesses managing payroll for multiple entities, BrightPay offers multi-company support. This feature allows you to manage the payroll for multiple companies from a single installation, with each company’s data kept separate and secure.
Customer Support and Resources
BrightPay provides excellent customer support, with access to a range of resources, including online guides, webinars, and a comprehensive help center. If you encounter any issues, the BrightPay support team is readily available to assist with troubleshooting and provide guidance.
GDPR Compliance
BrightPay takes data security seriously and is designed to help businesses comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The software includes features like password protection, encryption, and audit trails to safeguard employee data.
Pros
User-Friendly Interface
One of BrightPay’s most significant strengths is its intuitive, user-friendly interface. Even users with limited payroll experience can navigate the software with ease. The layout is clean, and the steps to complete payroll tasks are straightforward, reducing the learning curve for new users.
Comprehensive Payroll Features
BrightPay offers a wide range of features that cover all aspects of payroll management. From automatic tax calculations and RTI submissions to auto enrolment and pension management, the software is designed to handle complex payroll tasks efficiently. The inclusion of customizable reports and integration with accounting software further enhances its appeal.
Compliance and Regular Updates
BrightPay ensures that your payroll processes remain compliant with the latest regulations, such as RTI, auto enrolment, and GDPR. The software is regularly updated to reflect changes in tax laws and other payroll-related legislation, giving businesses peace of mind.
BrightPay Connect Add-On
The optional BrightPay Connect add-on provides additional functionality, such as cloud backup, employee self-service, and remote payroll management. This add-on is particularly useful for businesses that want to offer employees easy access to their payslips and other payroll information or need to manage payroll remotely.
Cost-Effective Pricing
BrightPay offers a transparent and competitive pricing structure. Unlike some other payroll software solutions, there are no hidden fees, and businesses can choose from different licensing options based on their specific needs. This makes it a cost-effective solution, particularly for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Excellent Customer Support
BrightPay is known for its responsive and knowledgeable customer support team. Users can access a variety of resources, including online guides, webinars, and a help center, which are invaluable for troubleshooting and getting the most out of the software.
Cons
Limited Cloud Functionality Without Add-On
While BrightPay offers robust desktop software, its cloud functionality is somewhat limited unless you opt for the BrightPay Connect add-on. This add-on incurs an additional cost, which might not be ideal for businesses that are looking for a fully cloud-based solution without additional expenses.
Primarily UK and Ireland Focused
BrightPay is primarily designed for businesses operating in the UK and Ireland. While this makes it highly effective for companies in these regions, it may not be the best choice for businesses with payroll operations in multiple countries outside of the UK and Ireland. The software lacks the versatility to handle international payroll needs.
No Mobile App
As of now, BrightPay does not offer a dedicated mobile app. While BrightPay Connect provides some remote access via a web interface, the lack of a mobile app can be a drawback for users who prefer to manage payroll on-the-go using their smartphones or tablets.
Not Ideal for Large Enterprises
While BrightPay is excellent for SMEs, it may not scale as effectively for very large enterprises with thousands of employees or highly complex payroll requirements. Larger organizations might find that they need more advanced features or integrations that are not available in BrightPay, making it less suitable for their needs.
Manual Backups for Desktop Version
The standard desktop version of BrightPay requires users to manually back up their data unless they purchase the BrightPay Connect add-on. This could be a disadvantage for businesses that prefer automated backups as part of their payroll software package.
Limited Third-Party Integrations
Although BrightPay does integrate with some popular accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage, the range of third-party integrations is somewhat limited compared to other payroll solutions on the market. Businesses that rely heavily on a wide array of software tools might find this restrictive.
Gusto Payroll User Interface
The user interface (UI) of BrightPay is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind, making it accessible even to those with limited experience in payroll management. The interface is clean, intuitive, and organized in a way that allows users to quickly find and access the features they need.
Layout and Navigation
The main dashboard is the central hub of the software, presenting an overview of your payroll tasks and status. The dashboard is designed to be uncluttered, with key information and common actions prominently displayed. From here, users can easily navigate to different sections of the software, such as employee management, payroll processing, reports, and settings.
Menu Structure
BrightPay uses a straightforward menu structure, typically located at the top or on the side of the interface, depending on the screen size. The menu is logically organized, with clear labels like "Payroll," "Employees," "Reports," and "Pensions," making it easy to locate specific features or functions.
Each menu option expands into sub-menus or tabs, offering more detailed options. For instance, under the "Employees" section, users can add new employees, edit existing profiles, and manage specific details like tax codes or salary information. The navigation between these menus is seamless, with minimal clicks required to move from one task to another.
Employee Management
In the "Employees" section, the interface presents a list of employees in a simple table format, showing key details such as names, National Insurance numbers, and pay frequency. Clicking on an employee’s name opens their profile, where all relevant information is neatly categorized under tabs like "Personal Details," "Pay Details," "Pension," and "Leave." This tabbed structure allows users to access and update information without needing to navigate away from the employee’s profile page.
Payroll Processing
The payroll processing area is particularly user-friendly. When running payroll, BrightPay guides users through a step-by-step process. The interface clearly highlights each stage, such as entering pay details, applying deductions, and generating payslips. Calculations, such as tax and National Insurance contributions, are automatically handled by the software and presented in an easy-to-understand format.
BrightPay also displays a summary of the payroll run, showing total gross pay, deductions, and net pay. Any errors or issues are flagged with clear notifications, helping users to address them before finalizing the payroll.
Customizable Reports
The reporting section allows users to generate a variety of reports with just a few clicks. The interface for reports is designed to be both powerful and straightforward. Users can select from predefined reports or customize their own by choosing specific data fields. The generated reports are presented in a clear, tabular format, and can be easily exported to Excel or PDF for further analysis or sharing.
BrightPay Connect Interface
For users who opt for the BrightPay Connect add-on, the interface integrates smoothly with the cloud-based features. The Connect dashboard mirrors the simplicity of the main software, allowing for easy access to employee self-service features, cloud backups, and employer dashboards. Employees can log in via a clean, responsive interface to view payslips, request leave, or check their tax details.
Visual Design
BrightPay's visual design favors functionality over flashy aesthetics. The color scheme is generally muted, with a focus on readability and contrast, ensuring that text and data are easy to read. Icons are used sparingly and are generally intuitive, enhancing the overall user experience without cluttering the screen.
Help and Support Integration
Throughout the interface, there are contextual help options available, often marked with a small "i" icon or help text. Clicking on these provides users with immediate guidance relevant to the task at hand, reducing the need to leave the interface to search for help.
Alternatives to Brightpay Payroll
BambooHR Payroll
BambooHR Payroll is a streamlined payroll solution designed specifically for small to mid-sized businesses that need efficient, user-friendly payroll management. Integrated with BambooHR's broader HR platform, it offers an intuitive, secure, and scalable way to handle payroll, automate calculations, and ensure compliance. Ideal for companies looking to simplify their payroll processes, BambooHR Payroll provides real-time insights and a seamless experience, making it easy to manage employee compensation accurately and efficiently.
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SAP SuccessFactors Payroll
SuccessFactors Payroll is a comprehensive payroll solution tailored for large enterprises with complex payroll needs. Integrated with SAP’s SuccessFactors HCM suite, it offers a powerful, secure, and scalable platform for managing payroll across multiple locations and countries. Ideal for organizations that require advanced functionality and global compliance, SuccessFactors Payroll automates payroll processes, provides real-time analytics, and ensures accuracy and efficiency in managing employee compensation on a large scale.
Oracle Cloud HCM Payroll
Oracle Cloud HCM Payroll is a robust payroll solution designed for large enterprises that require advanced, scalable payroll management. Fully integrated with Oracle’s HCM suite, it offers a comprehensive, secure platform to manage complex payroll processes across multiple locations and jurisdictions. Ideal for organizations with diverse payroll needs, Oracle Cloud HCM Payroll automates payroll tasks, ensures compliance with global regulations, and provides real-time insights, enabling accurate and efficient management of employee compensation on a global scale.
Sage People Payroll
Sage People Payroll is a robust payroll solution tailored for mid-sized to enterprise-level organizations, especially those with complex, multi-location payroll needs. Integrated with Sage People HCM and built on the Salesforce platform, it offers a secure, scalable solution that simplifies payroll management, ensures compliance, and provides real-time insights, making it ideal for businesses seeking to streamline payroll operations across diverse jurisdictions.
Papaya Global Payroll
Papaya Global Payroll is an innovative payroll solution designed for businesses of all sizes that operate across multiple countries. Offering a fully automated, cloud-based platform, Papaya Global simplifies global payroll management, ensuring compliance with local regulations while handling complex payroll needs across diverse jurisdictions. Ideal for companies with a distributed workforce, Papaya Global Payroll provides seamless integration, real-time analytics, and centralized payroll management, making it easy to manage employee compensation accurately and efficiently on a global scale.
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Brightpay Payroll Pricing
Brightpay Payroll pricing depends on a number of factors such as the number of employees, the number of states and more. To get access to pricing, download our full guide now.
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