Software Comparison

BrightPay vs Payroller - Irish Payroll Software Compared

Choosing between BrightPay and Payroller is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating payroll software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.

View BrightPay

View Payroller

Last verified: 05 Apr 2026 data verified to the older of the two vendor profiles Methodology

Quick Verdict

BrightPay vs Payroller - Feature Comparison

Feature	BrightPay	Payroller
PAYE Modernisation	Full PAYE Modernisation real-time reporting with direct Revenue Online Service submission.	PAYE Modernisation supported with Revenue integration for real-time payroll reporting.
SEPA XML Payments	Generates SEPA XML payment files compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, and Ulster Bank for bulk payroll payments.	No SEPA XML payment file generation. Bulk payroll payments must be handled outside the platform.
Irish Bank Support	Compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, and Ulster Bank via SEPA XML export.	No Irish bank compatibility for payroll payment processing.
Irish Support	Irish-based customer support included.	No dedicated Irish support channel.
Cloud Access	Desktop application. BrightPay Connect add-on provides cloud backup and employee self-service portal for payslips and leave requests.	Fully cloud-based with mobile app access. No installation required.
GDPR Data Residency	EU data residency.	EU data residency.
Market Origin and Irish Fit	Built in Dublin specifically for the Irish market. Multiple Irish Accountancy Awards Payroll Software of the Year wins.	Originally developed for the Australian market and expanded to Ireland.
Pricing
Starting Price	From €229/month	Free tier available
Free Trial	✓	✓
Irish Compliance
Revenue Integration	✓	✗
PAYE Modernisation	✓	✗
Irish Bank Feeds	✗	✗
GDPR Data Residency	EU	EU
SEPA Direct Debit	✓	✗
Irish IBAN Support	✓	✗
VAT Handling	✗	✗

Irish Compliance Comparison

For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how BrightPay and Payroller compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.

Revenue Integration

BrightPay supports full Revenue Online Service (ROS) integration for VAT returns and tax submissions, while Payroller does not offer native Revenue integration. This is a significant gap for Irish businesses that need to file directly with Revenue from their software.

PAYE Modernisation

BrightPay includes full PAYE Modernisation support with real-time payroll submissions to Revenue. Payroller does not have native PAYE Modernisation - if you choose Payroller, you will need a separate payroll solution (such as BrightPay or Collsoft) to handle your PAYE obligations. This is a critical consideration for any Irish employer.

Irish Bank Feeds

BrightPay supports AIB, BOI, PTSB, Ulster Bank. Payroller supports no Irish banks directly. BrightPay has broader Irish bank compatibility, which matters if you bank with AIB or BOI or PTSB or Ulster Bank - you will get automatic bank feeds or SEPA payment file support that Payroller cannot offer.

GDPR Data Residency

Both BrightPay and Payroller store data in EU data centres, providing strong GDPR compliance out of the box. Irish businesses can use either platform without worrying about cross-border data transfers to the US or other non-EU jurisdictions.

SEPA and IBAN Support

BrightPay supports SEPA Direct Debit and Irish IBAN format, making euro payments and bank transfers seamless. Payroller does not support SEPA natively, which could mean extra manual steps when processing euro payments or setting up direct debits for Irish customers.

VAT Handling

Neither BrightPay nor Payroller handles Irish VAT directly. This is expected for payroll tools - your accounting software should manage VAT compliance.

Pricing Comparison

All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change - we verify vendor pricing monthly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.

BrightPay

€229 /mo

Pricing model: Flat rate
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes

View BrightPay pricing →

Payroller

Free

Pricing model: Per user
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: No - may fluctuate with exchange rates

View Payroller pricing →

Payroller does not publish entry-level pricing - request a quote directly. Total cost of ownership depends on users, plan tier, add-ons and features, so always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.

Who Should Choose BrightPay

BrightPay is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Businesses that need built-in payroll with PAYE Modernisation support
✓ Companies that value Irish-based phone and email support
✓ Businesses banking with AIB, BOI, PTSB, Ulster Bank who want reliable bank feed or payment file support
✓ Growing businesses with 21-50 employees that need a platform which scales

Who Should Choose Payroller

Payroller is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Those who value: very simple interface - good for non-payroll specialists
✓ Those who value: mobile app access
✓ Those who value: free tier for very small businesses

Our Verdict

Payroller's free tier and simplified interface make it a reasonable starting point for sole traders or micro-businesses who process payroll themselves and prioritise ease of use over feature depth. Neither product handles VAT or accounting, so both require a separate accounting solution. For any Irish business with five or more employees, or one that needs reliable Irish support and SEPA bulk payment capability, BrightPay is the clear pick.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer - their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is BrightPay or Payroller better for Irish SMEs?

BrightPay is the stronger choice for the vast majority of Irish SMEs, from sole traders up to 50-employee businesses, because it was built in Dublin specifically for the Irish market and covers every Irish compliance requirement out of the box, including PAYE Modernisation, Revenue Online Service submissions, and SEPA XML payment files compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, and Ulster Bank. Payroller handles the core Irish requirements of PAYE, PRSI, USC, and PAYE Modernisation reporting, but it was originally developed for the Australian market, carries no Irish-specific support, and does not generate SEPA XML files, meaning employers must handle bulk payment processing separately. BrightPay's optional Connect add-on adds cloud backup and an employee self-service portal for payslips and leave requests, giving businesses a cloud option without sacrificing Irish compliance depth. Payroller's free tier and simplified interface make it a reasonable starting point for sole traders or micro-businesses who process payroll themselves and prioritise ease of use over feature depth. Neither product handles VAT or accounting, so both require a separate accounting solution. For any Irish business with five or more employees, or one that needs reliable Irish support and SEPA bulk payment capability, BrightPay is the clear pick.

Which is cheaper, BrightPay or Payroller?

BrightPay starts at From €229/month, while Payroller starts at Free tier available. Payroller is the more affordable option at entry level, though total cost depends on the number of users and features you need.

Does BrightPay or Payroller have better Irish bank feeds?

BrightPay supports AIB, BOI, PTSB, Ulster Bank. Payroller supports None. BrightPay has broader Irish bank support.

Which has better GDPR compliance, BrightPay or Payroller?

BrightPay stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). Payroller stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). Both offer EU data centre options, though configuration may be required.

Can I switch from BrightPay to Payroller?

Yes, migrating between BrightPay and Payroller is possible. Most payroll platforms allow you to export your data in CSV or standard formats. We recommend working with your accountant or IT provider to plan the migration, ideally at the start of a new financial year or payroll period to minimise disruption.

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