Software Comparison
SimplePay vs Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) - Irish Payroll Software Compared
Choosing between SimplePay and Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) 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
SimplePay is the clear choice for Irish SMEs actively running payroll today.
Where SimplePay and Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) actually differ
- SimplePay publishes the lower starting price: EUR 4 against EUR 229 for Surf Payroll (now BrightPay).
SimplePay vs Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) - Feature Comparison
| Feature | SimplePay | Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) |
|---|---|---|
| Product Status | Actively developed cloud payroll product | Discontinued; consolidated into BrightPay under Bright Software Group |
| PAYE Modernisation | Supported; RPN retrieval and ROS submission automated | Not supported on Surf Payroll |
| Revenue Integration | Direct ROS submission with a single click | Not available |
| SEPA Payment Files | Native SEPA XML export compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB | Not available |
| Irish Bank Feeds | Not available; payment handled via SEPA file export | Not available |
| GDPR Data Residency | EU | EU |
| Free Trial | 30-day free trial with all features and full support | Listed as available but product is discontinued |
Irish Compliance and Pricing Matrix
A side-by-side data comparison of pricing and Irish regulatory compliance for SimplePay and Surf Payroll (now BrightPay). Values are derived from each vendor's published data and verified weekly.
| Requirement | SimplePay | Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | From €4/employee/month | From €229/year |
| Pricing model | Monthly flat rate | Annual licence |
| EUR pricing guaranteed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Irish Compliance | ||
| Revenue (ROS) integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| PAYE Modernisation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Irish bank feeds | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bank compatibility | AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB | None listed |
| SEPA direct debit | ✗ | ✗ |
| Irish IBAN support | ✓ | ✗ |
| VAT handling | ✗ | ✗ |
| EU data residency (GDPR) | EU only | EU only |
| Irish support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Revenue-approved | ✗ | ✗ |
| CBI regulated | ✗ | ✗ |
Pricing notes
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
Surf Payroll (now BrightPay): Surf Payroll consolidated into BrightPay. Contact Bright Software Group for migration path and BrightPay pricing. - Source
Irish Compliance Comparison
For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how SimplePay and Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.
Revenue Integration
SimplePay supports full Revenue Online Service (ROS) integration for VAT returns and tax submissions, while Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) 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
SimplePay includes full PAYE Modernisation support with real-time payroll submissions to Revenue. Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) does not have native PAYE Modernisation - if you choose Surf Payroll (now BrightPay), 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
SimplePay supports AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB. Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) supports no Irish banks directly. SimplePay has broader Irish bank compatibility, which matters if you bank with AIB or Bank of Ireland or PTSB - you will get automatic bank feeds or SEPA payment file support that Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) cannot offer.
GDPR Data Residency
Both SimplePay and Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) 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
Neither SimplePay nor Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) offers native SEPA Direct Debit support. This is less relevant for payroll tools, but if you need to process euro payments, ensure your accounting or invoicing software covers SEPA compliance.
VAT Handling
Neither SimplePay nor Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) 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.
SimplePay
€4/mo
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes
Surf Payroll (now BrightPay)
€229/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 SimplePay
SimplePay is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓Budget-conscious businesses - SimplePay from €4/employee/month
- ✓Businesses that need built-in payroll with PAYE Modernisation support
- ✓Businesses banking with AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB who want reliable bank feed or payment file support
Who Should Choose Surf Payroll (now BrightPay)
Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓Those who value: migration path to brightpay (the active irish-hosted payroll product)
- ✓Those who value: same bright software group support team
- ✓Those who value: continues integration with brightbooks (formerly surf accounts)
Our Verdict
SimplePay is the clear choice for Irish SMEs actively running payroll today. It offers direct ROS submission with a single click, automatic PAYE Modernisation compliance, USC and PRSI calculation, and SEPA payment file export compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB, all backed by EU data residency and Irish support. Surf Payroll, by contrast, is a discontinued product that has been consolidated into BrightPay under Bright Software Group; it carries no active PAYE Modernisation support or Revenue integration, making it unsuitable for any new payroll evaluation.
The only shared limitation between the two is the absence of native live bank feeds, though SimplePay addresses payment processing through its SEPA XML export. Any business currently on Surf Payroll should migrate to its successor product; any business evaluating payroll software from scratch should go straight to SimplePay.
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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Is SimplePay or Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) better for Irish SMEs?
Which is cheaper, SimplePay or Surf Payroll (now BrightPay)?
Does SimplePay or Surf Payroll (now BrightPay) have better Irish bank feeds?
Which has better GDPR compliance, SimplePay or Surf Payroll (now BrightPay)?
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