Software Comparison
BrightPay vs SimplePay - Irish Payroll Software Compared
Choosing between BrightPay and SimplePay 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.
Last checked: 07 Sept 2026data estimated for at least one vendor - confirm with the vendorMethodology
Quick Verdict
BrightPay is the stronger choice for Irish SMEs that want a proven, locally built payroll solution with a predictable flat annual licence and the broadest Irish bank SEPA XML compatibility, covering AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, and Ulster Bank.
Where BrightPay and SimplePay actually differ
- SimplePay publishes the lower starting price: EUR 4 against EUR 229 for BrightPay.
- BrightPay supports SEPA Direct Debit collection out of the box; SimplePay needs a third-party add-on or manual handling.
BrightPay vs SimplePay - Feature Comparison
| Feature | BrightPay | SimplePay |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Desktop application for Windows. Cloud backup and employee self-service available via BrightPay Connect add-on. | Fully cloud-based. No desktop installation required. Accessible via browser and mobile app. |
| PAYE Modernisation and Revenue Integration | Full PAYE Modernisation and direct Revenue Online Service submission supported. | Full PAYE Modernisation and single-click ROS submission supported, with automatic RPN retrieval. |
| SEPA XML Bank Compatibility | Generates SEPA XML payment files compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, and Ulster Bank. | Generates SEPA payment files compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB. Ulster Bank not listed. |
| Accounting Software Integration | No native accounting software integration. Payroll-only product. | Native integrations with Xero and QuickBooks Online included. |
| Employee Self-Service | Available via BrightPay Connect cloud add-on. Covers payslips and leave requests. | Included in the base product. Covers payslips and leave management via web and mobile app. |
| Auto-Enrolment Support | Auto-enrolment supported as part of Irish compliance feature set. | My Future Fund auto-enrolment supported. |
| GDPR Data Residency | EU data residency. | EU data residency. |
Irish Compliance and Pricing Matrix
A side-by-side data comparison of pricing and Irish regulatory compliance for BrightPay and SimplePay. Values are derived from each vendor's published data and verified weekly.
| Requirement | BrightPay | SimplePay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | From €229/year | From €4/employee/month |
| Pricing model | Annual licence | Monthly flat rate |
| EUR pricing guaranteed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Irish Compliance | ||
| Revenue (ROS) integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAYE Modernisation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Irish bank feeds | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bank compatibility | AIB, BOI, PTSB, Ulster Bank | AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB |
| SEPA direct debit | ✓ | ✗ |
| Irish IBAN support | ✓ | ✓ |
| VAT handling | ✗ | ✗ |
| EU data residency (GDPR) | EU only | EU only |
| Irish support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Revenue-approved | ✗ | ✗ |
| CBI regulated | ✗ | ✗ |
Pricing notes
BrightPay: Tiered annual licence: ~€229 ex VAT for up to 10 employees, ~€349 for up to 25, ~€459 unlimited. Bureau licences priced separately. BrightPay Connect (cloud add-on) priced per employer. - Source
SimplePay: From EUR4.00 per active employee per month, exclusive of VAT. Per active employee model: no charge for admin users. Free 30-day trial with all features and full support included. - Source
Irish Compliance Comparison
For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how BrightPay and SimplePay compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.
Revenue Integration
Both BrightPay and SimplePay support Revenue Online Service (ROS) integration, meaning you can file VAT returns and manage your tax obligations directly from either platform. For Irish businesses, this is table stakes - and both vendors deliver.
PAYE Modernisation
Both BrightPay and SimplePay fully support PAYE Modernisation with real-time payroll reporting to Revenue. Irish employers are legally required to submit payroll data in real time, so having this built in saves significant time and reduces the risk of non-compliance penalties.
Irish Bank Feeds
BrightPay supports AIB, BOI, PTSB, Ulster Bank. SimplePay supports AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB. BrightPay has broader Irish bank compatibility, which matters if you bank with BOI or Ulster Bank - you will get automatic bank feeds or SEPA payment file support that SimplePay cannot offer.
GDPR Data Residency
Both BrightPay and SimplePay 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. SimplePay 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 SimplePay 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 weekly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.
BrightPay
€229/mo
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes
SimplePay
€4/mo
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes
At entry level, SimplePay is the more affordable option. However, total cost of ownership depends on the number of users, add-ons, and features your business requires. 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 banking with AIB, BOI, PTSB, Ulster Bank who want reliable bank feed or payment file support
- ✓Those who prioritise user satisfaction - BrightPay has a higher editorial rating (4.8/5)
- ✓Those who value: built specifically for irish payroll
Who Should Choose SimplePay
SimplePay is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓Budget-conscious businesses - SimplePay from €4/employee/month
- ✓Those who value: submit payroll data to ros with a single click; usc and prsi handled automatically
- ✓Those who value: per active employee pricing with no charge for admin users, well suited to payroll bureaus
Our Verdict
BrightPay is the stronger choice for Irish SMEs that want a proven, locally built payroll solution with a predictable flat annual licence and the broadest Irish bank SEPA XML compatibility, covering AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB, and Ulster Bank. SimplePay suits businesses or accountancy practices that prefer per-active-employee cloud pricing, native Xero and QuickBooks Online integration, and a single-click ROS submission workflow without any desktop installation. Both products cover PAYE Modernisation, Revenue integration, PRSI, USC, employee self-service, and EU data residency, so Irish compliance fundamentals are met by either.
BrightPay's edge is its track record, its Irish Accountancy Awards recognition, and its SEPA XML support for Ulster Bank, which SimplePay does not list. SimplePay's edge is its fully cloud-native architecture and accounting software integrations, which BrightPay requires the Connect add-on to partially match. Neither product offers native Irish bank feeds, so bank reconciliation must be handled separately.
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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