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BrightPay vs Merit Payroll: UK Reviews & Prices Compared


Last Updated: 20 May 2025
Reviewed By: Ian Wright (Managing Director)

Which payroll software is better BrightPay or Merit Payroll?

We compare them based on real user reviews, prices and what features they both offer.

BrightPay homepageMerit Payroll homepage

BrightPay vs Merit Payroll Basics


BrightPay
Merit Payroll
Software WebsiteBrightPay WebsiteMerit Payroll Website
Company NameBrightPayMerit Software
Target Company Size (Small, Medium and/or Enterprise)MediumMedium
Industry FocusNoneNone

BrightPay vs Merit Payroll Reviews

Wondering if BrightPay or Merit Payroll has better user reviews. We compared them below.

BrightPayMerit Payroll
Listed On HMRC WebsiteYesYes
Trustpilot Rating4.6No Rating
Number of Trustpilot Reviews188No Reviews
iPhone App Rating2.8No iPhone App
Number of iPhone Reviews49No Reviews
Android App Rating3.3No Android App
Number of Android Reviews173No Reviews
Please note ratings we’re accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed

BrightPay vs Merit Payroll Prices

Which is cheaper BrightPay or Merit Payroll? Here are their prices compared.

BrightPay pricingMerit Payroll pricing

Free Plans & Trials

BrightPayMerit Payroll
Listed As Having Free Plan By HMRC?NoNo
Free Plan?NoNo
Free Trial?YesNo
Free Trial Length?60 daysNot Applicable
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Paid Plan Prices

BrightPayMerit Payroll
Cheapest Plan Cost Per Month£79.00Pricing Not On Website
Mid-Tier Plan Cost Per Month£289.00NA
Top Plan Cost Per Month£689.00NA
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

BrightPay vs Merit Payroll Features

BrightPay featuresMerit Payroll features

BrightPay Basic Features

  • One employer
  • Up to 3 employees
  • Full functionality and free support.

BrightPay Software Integrations

  • Exact
  • Kashflow
  • Sage
  • Quickbooks
  • Xero

Merit Payroll Basic Features

  • Cloud hosted or on premise
  • Dedicated UK-based support team
  • On-site or remote certified training
  • Free regular updates
  • HMRC compliant PAYE and RTI submissions
  • Rapid timesheet entries
  • Simple data access and drill-down facilities
  • Holiday pay
  • Limited company invoicing
  • CIS payments and submissions
  • IR35 ready
  • Apprenticeship Levy
  • Integration into front and back office systems
  • Connection to the iMerit Online Portal

Merit Payroll Software Integrations

  • Xero
  • Sage
  • Quickbooks
  • Nest
  • Salesforce
  • The People’s Pension
  • Reed
  • Pegasus

Common Feature Comparison

BrightPayMerit Payroll
Unlimited PayrollsNoNo
Automated Tax Filing and PaymentsNoNo
Live Customer SupportNoNo
Ability To Manage Employee BenefitsYesYes
Employee Access To PlatformNoNo
Direct DepositNoNo
Expense ReimbursementNoNo
Time Off TrackingNoYes
Handle Deductions From PayYesNo
Debt Repayment From PayNoNo
Employee Background ChecksNoNo
Has An APIYesYes
Create PayslipYesNo
Create P45YesNo
Create P60YesNo
Pay For Salaried EmployeesYesYes
Pay For Hourly EmployeesYesYes
Bonus / Incentive PayNoYes
Pension FilingYesNo
Statutory Payments (E.g. Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, etc.)YesNo
Direct HMRC SubmissionsYesYes
RTI CompliantYesYes

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