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BrightPay new charges for 2017/18

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Thank you, BrightPay, for a couple of years' great service, incredibly at no cost, for a tiny handful of simple director only companies with no auto enrolment needs.  It's been brilliant and I've been happy to recommend you.   However, for a tiny tax practice doing 5 payrolls for a total 9 employees,  the £229 plus Vat is a steep price hike I can't recover.

Will look again at Moneysoft.  How have others found Capium or other HMRC approved free payroll providers for very simple needs?   (reluctant to go back to using PAYE tools!)

Replies (42)

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Glenn Martin
By Glenn Martin
15th Feb 2017 15:23

Is Brightpay not free if less than 3 staff on payroll?

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Replying to Glennzy:
By JimH
15th Feb 2017 20:28

Glennzy wrote:

Is Brightpay not free if less than 3 staff on payroll?

Hi Glennzy. It has been - regardless of how many employers.

I understand, it will no longer be so if we use it for more than one employer.

Still a wonderful price for those who do lots of payroll; but a huge price hike for we who run a very few.

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By Kevin Kavanagh
15th Feb 2017 16:02

Don't use Brightpay - but even at that price, surely you're charging each client more than £45.80 p.a.?

Whatever, Moneysoft is cheaper, and works well for auto enrolment.

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Replying to Kevkava:
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By dhughes1975
15th Feb 2017 16:07

I'm guessing he wants to turn a small profit and not spend every penny of his payroll turnover on software.

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Replying to Kevkava:
Melchett
By thestudyman
15th Feb 2017 17:23

Brightpay works well for auto enrolment too.

Besides, 20 pounds + vat is not a huge increase. And they have kept the same price for a good few years with the same good service. It shouldn't be that costly to absorb.

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Replying to Kevkava:
By JCresswellTax
16th Feb 2017 09:17

Kevkava wrote:

Don't use Brightpay - but even at that price, surely you're charging each client more than £45.80 p.a.?

Whatever, Moneysoft is cheaper, and works well for auto enrolment.

yeah because all he wants to do is break even!

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By Alex_T
15th Feb 2017 16:06

@JimH, @byGlennzy is correct, BrightPay is free of charge for employers with three employees or less. You shouldn't need to purchase a bureau licence.
I personally think the tiny price increase of £20 for a bureau licence is more than justified for this incredible software. Try getting a quote from Iris or Sage for a similar service, that will put it in perspective! I certainly won't be moving despite it being slightly more expensive than Moneysoft.
Best of luck!

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Replying to Alex_T:
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By waldron
15th Feb 2017 19:40

I use the free version for my own payroll (2 people) but cannot run a paid for version on the same pc without buying a bureau licence

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Replying to waldron:
By JimH
18th Feb 2017 15:51

waldron wrote:

I use the free version for my own payroll (2 people) but cannot run a paid for version on the same pc without buying a bureau licence

Perhaps you didn't need to receive an email today from BrightPay then?

"Important Update for free BrightPay users

Please take time to read this important update for all free BrightPay users. "

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By ScribbleD
15th Feb 2017 16:34

Moving from BrightPay to Moneysoft to save £9 per month doesn't seem worth it to me. Have you considered the amount of money BrightPay has saved you over the years?
I'm more than happy to pay an extra £20 for good payroll, in fact I'd have paid more but don't tell them that.

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By petersaxton
15th Feb 2017 16:43

Why don't you calculate the payrolls manually?

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Replying to petersaxton:
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By Alex_T
15th Feb 2017 17:03

That's like a fate worse than death, Basic tools would be better than that.

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Replying to Alex_T:
By petersaxton
16th Feb 2017 07:39

I certainly wouldn't use it but if the OP doesn't like Basic Tools and is very cost conscious then it is an option.
I use BrightPay and I am happy with it as long as their price is reasonable.
I can't see that £229 + VAT is a reason to change even if somebody only has a few clients on payroll but everybody has a different cost/value opinion.

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By BigBadWolf
15th Feb 2017 17:04

It thought it was £199 per yer not £229 ?

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Replying to BigBadWolf:
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By Alex_T
15th Feb 2017 17:09

The 2017/18 bureau licence has increased by £20 to £229. To be fair to BrightPay, this is the first price increase in many years and £20 seems more than fair IMO.

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Replying to Alex_T:
By petersaxton
16th Feb 2017 07:40

£199 to £229 is £30 not £20

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Replying to petersaxton:
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By MM Bookkeeping Services
16th Feb 2017 09:12

I already pointed this out last night at 19.08hrs!

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Replying to MM Bookkeeping Services:
By petersaxton
16th Feb 2017 11:16

I know now but because of the way AccountingWeb orders messages I hadn't read it before posting. I am quite happy to make an announcement admitting that you were first if it makes you feel better.

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Replying to petersaxton:
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By MM Bookkeeping Services
16th Feb 2017 13:42

Miaow! Don't be silly as it was meant to be said in a joking manner - that's the problem with things being 'said' in writing!
Maybe you were being the same with your reply to me? :)

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By SpreadsheetUser
15th Feb 2017 18:35

Having used both Moneysoft and BrightPay, Brightpay is easier for autoenrolment. Also they are interested in helping if you have a problem with autoenrolment whereas Moneysoft's stock answer is to go and talk to NEST

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By MM Bookkeeping Services
15th Feb 2017 19:08

Eh? I thought it was a £30 increase - was £199 but going up to £229?
Small increase IMO - you will probably pay more that £229 for support only from Sage!
I won't be moving from Brightpay anyway - excellent software, excellent support.

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Replying to MM Bookkeeping Services:
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By Alex_T
15th Feb 2017 19:31

Whoops! Well spotted @MMBookkeeping.

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Replying to Alex_T:
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By MM Bookkeeping Services
15th Feb 2017 20:07

Yeah, that's why I am good at bookkeeping - well that is what my clients say you understand - its not me saying it! :)

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Replying to MM Bookkeeping Services:
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By Alex_T
15th Feb 2017 20:15

It'll give you an idea of the type of day I've had. I need to sleep!

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By JimH
15th Feb 2017 20:17

Until now, BrightPay has been free for a user with any number of employer companies with 3 or fewer employees.

BrightPay has today emailed an amendment to their policy. It will continue to be free for one single employer company for one user. But for 2 or more employers the full bureau fee will be payable.

The price for a 2 or more companies will therefore increased from £0 to £229 plus VAT - if I look at under the tab for their 2017/18 fees.

I'd be delighted to learn otherwise.

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Replying to JimH:
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By Alex_T
15th Feb 2017 20:50

I didn't have a chance to read that email yet so I wasn't aware of this change. Have you spoken to BrightPay? I've always found them very reasonable. They might be able to suggest some kind of workaround. Worth a shot!

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Replying to Alex_T:
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By MM Bookkeeping Services
15th Feb 2017 21:02

Thought you were needing to sleep?
get away to yer bed!

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Replying to MM Bookkeeping Services:
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By Alex_T
15th Feb 2017 21:06

I don't help myself! I'm off home now. Till next time...

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FT
By FirstTab
15th Feb 2017 21:10

I am moving on from BP in April. For me, as I have mentioned before' it fails on:

1) ADVERTS

2) BP logos everywhere

3) Can only email payslips from BP.

4) No Batch processing of payrolls

5) Overall fails on efficiency and too much flogging of BP at my face.

I will be moving back to efficient and subtle moneysoft. They do not need to flog their wares.

Karen of BP will come along soon...

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Replying to FirstTab:
By JimH
15th Feb 2017 21:14

FirstTab wrote:

I am moving on from BP in April. For me, as I have mentioned before' it fails on:

1) ADVERTS

2) BP logos everywhere

3) Can only email payslips from BP.

4) No Batch processing of payrolls

5) Overall fails on efficiency and too much flogging of BP at my face.

I will be moving back to efficient and subtle moneysoft. They do not need to flog their wares.

Karen of BP will come along soon...

So go into settings and remove the BrightPay logo. Easy!

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Replying to JimH:
Glenn Martin
By Glenn Martin
15th Feb 2017 22:43

It's easier just to complain about it, spit the dummy out and move on

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Replying to FirstTab:
JCACE
By jcace
15th Feb 2017 22:46

FirstTab wrote:

I am moving on from BP in April. For me, as I have mentioned before' it fails on:

1) ADVERTS

2) BP logos everywhere

3) Can only email payslips from BP.

4) No Batch processing of payrolls

5) Overall fails on efficiency and too much flogging of BP at my face.

I will be moving back to efficient and subtle moneysoft. They do not need to flog their wares.

Karen of BP will come along soon...


1. Adverts for what? and where?
2. As has been pointed out, you can remove logos from within settings.
3. Save/export payslips as pdfs and email from whatever email program you prefer.
4.5. No batch processing of multiple payrolls, if that what you mean, but I'm not sure that any do, and the speed with which I can process in BP saves loads of time over others that I've used.
The Auto Enrolment features of BP alone make it worth having, IMHO, and much more intuitive than any others I've come across. But add on the other features and I'm more than happy to stick with it
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Replying to jcace:
Euan's picture
By Euan MacLennan
16th Feb 2017 11:07

jcace wrote:

4.5. No batch processing of multiple payrolls, if that what you mean, but I'm not sure that any do, and the speed with which I can process in BP saves loads of time over others that I've used.

If by "batch processing of multiple payrolls", you mean batch filing of RTI returns for multiple payrolls, Moneysoft does it.

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Replying to Euan MacLennan:
Tom McClelland
By TomMcClelland
19th Feb 2017 22:58

Euan MacLennan wrote:

jcace wrote:
4.5. No batch processing of multiple payrolls, if that what you mean, but I'm not sure that any do, and the speed with which I can process in BP saves loads of time over others that I've used.

If by "batch processing of multiple payrolls", you mean batch filing of RTI returns for multiple payrolls, Moneysoft does it.

As does 12Pay

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Replying to FirstTab:
By petersaxton
16th Feb 2017 11:17

FirstTab said: "I am moving on from BP in April. For me, as I have mentioned before' it fails on:

1) ADVERTS

2) BP logos everywhere

3) Can only email payslips from BP.

4) No Batch processing of payrolls

5) Overall fails on efficiency and too much flogging of BP at my face.

I will be moving back to efficient and subtle moneysoft. They do not need to flog their wares."

1 What adverts?
2 What logo?
3 Not true
4 Practically all my clients who don't have non-director salaries don't need monthly payroll so it's not an issue
5 I think it's great software; Sage Payroll wanted 10 times the price.

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Man of Kent
By Kent accountant
15th Feb 2017 23:38

I'm moving to Brightpay. Support is good, product far more user friendly and for auto enrolment its a godsend.

Moneysoft is great but fails massively on auto enrolment.

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By chewmac
16th Feb 2017 10:43

This appears to be a case of complain about the price rise and BP might think twice next year. I get that. We all must look after our own pockets but I can't see there will be many moving from BP based on this. Whilst I'm losing my status as a new convert I'm still a happy one.

As for the licence allowing bureau use if all employers had less than three employees. Well, good while it lasted but was probably never intentional.

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By NYB
16th Feb 2017 11:11

Quite amazed at this. The "free license" offered by Brightpay for 3 users or less is to help very small business running their own payroll not a small bureau with loads of small clients wanting a free license for each. Can't afford under £300? Rubbish. Can factor that in to fees. The product and support from Brightpay is second to none and I think it represents excellent value for money.

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Replying to NYB:
By JimH
16th Feb 2017 19:16

No, you're quite mistaken NYB. Not every member on this site has the same practice size, model and specialism. And some of us cannot factor cost increases into the fees for a tiny clutch clients with single or married couple payrolls. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be in practice or have offered a simple payroll to favoured small clients as part of a complete package.

Nor would I dispute the fact that BrightPay's offering has seemed too good to be true or that for practices with more than a handful of director only clients it is absolutely fantastic value! Hence my thanks for their service to date.

Moving on, I've had PMs from contributors reminding me of other free providers but untested - is anyone happy with one they use. If not, I'll revert to trialling a few and Moneysoft alongside my excellent experience of BrightPay without helpful direction from members.

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By tom123
16th Feb 2017 20:34

I am currently using Payroo - which is free.

Granted, not as slick as Moneysoft. It's cloud based and a bit of a pig, but I just have two one person payrolls to do - so not worth the full Moneysoft fee.

Granted, if I had payrolls any more complex than this, I would revert to Moneysoft.

I even have the pleasure of Sage Payroll in my 'day job' too!

(I won't even tell you how much we pay for 30 staff)

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Euan's picture
By Euan MacLennan
17th Feb 2017 15:04

OFHS

Next, we will have someone complaining about HMRC withdrawing their free CT Online software from agents.

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By oor001
19th Feb 2017 22:20

I honestly do not have an issue with the increase - the software is more than worth it. I do understand that many of you have been in the lucky position of getting the software free of charge up to now, but as the original poster said - it really was incredible that this fantastic software was available free to such an extent!!

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