Best BrightPay Alternatives in 2026
The top BrightPay alternatives are RUN Powered by ADP, QuickBooks Payroll and OnPay: 15 direct deposit payroll our editors would look at instead of BrightPay, in our ranking order.
BrightPay: A focused payroll option for UK and Irish teams needing statutory reporting and employee self-service. Where it falls short: country-specific editions may require choosing UK or irish payroll.
Switching from BrightPay? For most direct deposit payroll buyers the best BrightPay alternative is RUN Powered by ADP, built for small businesses needing payroll and tax support. On a budget, Papaya Global starts at $5/user/mo. Zoho Payroll has a free plan, which BrightPay does not.
Why People Look for a BrightPay Alternative
- Country-specific editions may require choosing UK or Irish payroll
- Desktop software may not suit teams seeking a cloud-only setup
- Paid product with no free plan
- No free plan — 1 of the alternatives below has it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallRUN Powered by ADP9.2
Small businesses needing payroll and tax support
Visit RUN Powered by ADP - Lowest pricePapaya Global8.3
Paid plans from $5/user/mo
Visit Papaya Global - Best free optionZoho Payroll7.8
Has a free plan (BrightPay has none)
Visit Zoho Payroll
All 15 BrightPay Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forSmall businesses needing payroll and tax support
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.8
Small-business payroll with tax filing, direct deposit and optional HR tools.
- Employee self-service
- Payroll tax filing
9.2/10★★★★★Visit ADP -
Best forQuickBooks users needing fast direct deposit
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.8
QuickBooks Payroll delivers automated tax filing and fast direct deposit for QuickBooks-centered teams.
- Employee self-service
- Payroll tax filing
9.1/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forSmall employers with multi-state payroll needs
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.8
A multi-state payroll service with direct deposit, tax filings, and optional HR tools.
- Employee self-service
- Payroll tax filing
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit OnPay -
Best forSmall businesses seeking low-cost direct deposit
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.8
A low-cost payroll option for small businesses that can handle tax remittance themselves.
- Payroll tax filing
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Patriot -
Best forSmall restaurants paying tipped employees
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.8
Restaurant payroll with tip reporting, direct deposit and employee self-service.
- Employee self-service
- Payroll tax filing
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit SurePayroll -
Best forCanadian small businesses managing payroll and remittances
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.8
Canadian payroll with direct deposit, tax remittances and year-end forms.
- Payroll tax filing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Wagepoint -
Best forMid-market and enterprise global payroll teams
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.8
Managed global payroll with payments, compliance, analytics, and HRIS/ERP links.
- Payroll tax filing
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Papaya Global -
Best forUK employers seeking payroll and HMRC submissions
- Better than BrightPay:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.8
UK payroll with HMRC submissions, salary payments and employee self-service.
- Payroll tax filing
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Sage Payroll -
Best forSmall US businesses combining payroll and benefits
A small-business payroll and HR platform with benefits, time tracking, and mobile access.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Gusto -
Best forIndian businesses paying employees and contractors
- Better than BrightPay:
- Free plan
A flexible India-focused payroll option with unified employee and contractor pay runs.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Zoho Payroll -
Best forLarger UK payroll teams with specialist needs
Desktop UK payroll for complex organisations, with specialist pension and CIS support.
- Employee self-service
- Payroll tax filing
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit IRIS -
Best forOrganizations wanting payroll inside a broad HCM system
A broad HCM system that brings payroll, employee records, and workforce tools together.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Paycom -
Best forAustralian or UK teams wanting payroll with HR tools
A broad HR suite with payroll and payslip access included in Employment Unlimited.
7.5/10★★★★☆Try Employment Hero -
Best forEmployers seeking payroll with integrated HR services
A payroll platform that adds employee self-service, HR workflows, and reporting.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Paycor -
Best forEuropean SMEs wanting payroll with HR workflows
Payroll processing and broad HR workflows for European SMEs.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit PayFit
BrightPay Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to BrightPay?
RUN Powered by ADP: #1 in our Direct Deposit Payroll ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. Small-business payroll with tax filing, direct deposit and optional HR tools.
Is there a free alternative to BrightPay?
Yes. Zoho Payroll has a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to BrightPay?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Papaya Global starts lowest, at $5/user/mo.
Why do people look for BrightPay alternatives?
Country-specific editions may require choosing UK or Irish payroll; Desktop software may not suit teams seeking a cloud-only setup; Paid product with no free plan.
How do I switch from BrightPay?
Export your data from BrightPay (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel BrightPay.
How to Switch from BrightPay
- Export your data from BrightPay (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel BrightPay.
BrightPay vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Payroll tax filing | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | BrightPay | No | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 1 | RUN Powered by ADP | No | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 2 | QuickBooks Payroll | No | $50/mo | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | OnPay | No | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 4 | Patriot Payroll | No | $17/mo | Yes | 8.7 |
| 5 | SurePayroll | No | $20/mo | Yes | 8.5 |
| 6 | Wagepoint | No | CA$20/mo | Yes | 8.4 |
| 7 | Papaya Global | No | $5/user/mo | Yes | 8.3 |
| 8 | Sage Payroll | No | Yes | 8.2 | |
| 9 | Gusto | No | 7.8 | ||
| 10 | Zoho Payroll | Yes | ₹1,000/mo | 7.8 | |
| 11 | IRIS Payroll Professional | Yes | 7.7 | ||
| 12 | Paycom | No | 7.6 | ||
| 13 | Employment Hero | No | 7.5 | ||
| 14 | Paycor | No | 7.3 | ||
| 15 | PayFit | No | €16/user/mo | 7.2 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update