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: Moving from BrightPay Connect
 

Q Can I use BrightPay Connect with BrightPay’s cloud software?

A No. BrightPay’s cloud software and BrightPay Connect are two separate products. BrightPay Connect is only designed to work with BrightPay’s for Windows

Q Can I use BrightPay Connect for the 2025/26 tax year?

A If you hold a bureau desktop Licence, you can use BrightPay Connect for the 2025/26 tax year. BrightPay Connect is no longer available alongside standard desktop licence.

Q What functionality on BrightPay Connect is not currently available on BrightPay’s cloud software?

A 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.

• Automatic enrolment letters aren’t available on the portal by default. However, you can enable this by going to Employer tab > Employee Portal > Enable 'Make Auto Enrolment letters available alongside finalised payslips where relevant' under Document Availability

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

A BrightPay Connect will not be available to standard users for the 2025/26 tax year. However, to support their transition, these users will retain access to Connect for the first three months of the 2025/26 tax year, extended now until 31st August 2025. Employees will lose access to their Employee Self-Service portal after 5th April 2025.

Similarly, bureau licence users will have access to BrightPay Connect for the first three months of the 2026/27 tax year, with employee access ending after 5th April 2026.

Bureau licence users migrating to the cloud for the 2025/26 tax year will not receive extended access to BrightPay Connect unless they continue to pay for the service.

Q Do I need to invite my employees to access the Employee Self Service Portal in BrightPay cloud?

A Yes as this is a separate employee self service portal than Connect you will need to send invitation emails to employees in order to access the new employee self service portal. Click here for more information

Q Do I need to invite users and managers to access the Client Portal and Manager's Portal?

A 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 please click here for more information.

Q Is Two Factor Authentication available for employees on BrightPay cloud's Employee Self Service Portal?

A Yes the option for two factor authentication for employees for the self service portal is optional and can be enabled. To enable two factor authentication for employees please find information here.

Q Will employees lose access to Connect when we move to BrightPay Cloud?

A Once the employer is on BrightPay Cloud and the Connect subscription has been cancelled, employees will no longer be able to access Connect via the app or web browser. They can use the new BrightPay Employee app or browser to access payslips or book leave.

Note: If you have imported data from Connect to BrightPay Cloud, payslips and documents can only be viewed by employees on the Employee Self Service Portal. The information imported from Connect is not visible in the Client portal.

If the employees were previously accessing payslips and documents via the employee app while you were using Connect, there is a new BrightPay Employee app for Cloud. It can be downloaded from the iStore or Google Play Store.

Payroll processed in Cloud will not be available in Connect. Connect is only for BrightPay desktop. Employees will have to sign up for the BrightID again to access the new Employee self service portal.

After moving to BrightPay Cloud, in order to stop email reminder notifications being received for synching alert for Connect, log into your Connect account at https://brightpay.cloud/Account/Login > Choose an employer > Settings > Employer details and untick the backup warning email option and save. Repeat for any other employers.