BrightHR
BrightHR is a cloud-based HR, payroll, and health-and-safety compliance platform for small and medium businesses, serving 120,000+ customers across the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with 24/7 expert employment law advice and AI-powered HR guidance.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What BrightHR does
BrightHR provides a cloud-based, integrated HR, payroll, and health-and-safety compliance platform for small and medium businesses across five English-speaking markets: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The platform is deployed on Microsoft Azure and modularly covers staff holiday planning, absence and lateness tracking, shift scheduling, performance management, timesheets, document storage, expense management, recruitment support, redundancy navigation, risk assessments, accident reporting, and integrated payroll with managed-service options. Layered on top of the core software are 24/7 employment law and health-and-safety advice lines, an AI-powered chatbot (BRAINBOX+ in the UK/Ireland, BrAInbox in Canada) trained on 5,000-11,000+ pre-resolved HR queries per region, 600+ HSE-style risk assessment templates, e-learning (BrightLearn), employee wellbeing (BrightWellbeing), legal protection insurance (BrightDefence), and an advertising and perks marketplace (BrightExchange) reaching 1M+ users.
Revenue is generated primarily through tiered recurring subscriptions priced per employee per month (€16.67 for the Core tier, €29.10 adding 24/7 expert advice and document templates, and €39.00 for the Full HR, H&S and EAP package in Irish pricing, with regional variants), usually sold on multi-year fixed-term contracts of 24, 36, or 60 months. Customer pricing is supplemented by add-on modules (health-and-safety software, HR insurance, BrightDefence) and by marketplace/advertising economics via BrightExchange. The go-to-market is hybrid: direct sales with free demos and phone-based assisted purchase, self-serve online quote and checkout for standard tiers, and a partner referral programme through accountants, HR consultants, and industry bodies such as HQ Club and Chambers Ireland, with profit-share economics up to 20% in Canada and 40% in Ireland. Customer count stands at 120,000+ globally, segmented by size (start-ups, small 1-49, medium 50-249, large 250+) and by sector (construction, healthcare, hospitality, retail, education), with named testimonials skewed to SMB and non-profit accounts rather than enterprise logos. BrightHR operates as part of the Peninsula Group Global network, drawing on shared employment law expertise across geographies.
BrightHR firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BrightHR
- Legal name
- Bright HR Limited
- Website
- https://brighthr.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- BrightHR is a cloud-based HR, payroll, and health-and-safety compliance platform for small and medium businesses, serving 120,000+ customers across the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with 24/7 expert employment law advice and AI-powered HR guidance.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BrightHR industry classification
Industry- Product category
- HR and Workforce Management Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Business Support Services (5614), Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Document Creation & Office Suites (BPAMAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Managed Workplace Services (DaaS/Workplace-as-a-Service) (BPAEAIAA), Workplace Service Desk & Onsite Support (Deskside/Field Services, VIP Support) (BPAEAIAJ)
Keywords
Where BrightHR is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
BrightHR business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- HR Software Subscription: Core HR software subscription providing staff holiday planning, absence management, shift scheduling, performance management, timesheets, document storage, and related tools on a per-employee-per-month basis.
- Enhanced HR Support Package: Subscription tier adding 24/7 expert HR and employment law advice, document templates, and health & safety advice to the core software package.
- Full HR, H&S & EAP Package: Premium subscription tier combining core HR software, expert advice, and employee wellbeing support including EAP, My Healthy Advantage app, life coaching, and wellness programmes.
- Health & Safety Software Add-on: Optional add-on providing accident reporting, risk assessments, hazardous substances management, health & safety tasks with reminders, and document library.
- BrightExchange Marketplace: Online marketplace enabling businesses to advertise to 1M+ potential customers, drive sales opportunities, and connect with industry partners through the business directory.
- HR Insurance/Defence: HR insurance products including BrightDefence providing legal representation coverage of up to $50,000 per event for Canadian customers. FCA regulated for non-investment insurance products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Core HR software for day-to-day people management |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Core package plus 24/7 expert advice and HR document templates |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Enhanced package plus full employee wellbeing support and advice |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Health & Safety Software Add-on |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
BrightHR product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BrightHR provides cloud-based HR, payroll, and health & safety software for small and medium businesses, supplemented by 24/7 employment law and H&S expert advice. The platform consolidates holiday planning, absence tracking, shift scheduling, document storage, performance management, risk assessments, payroll processing, and AI-assisted HR query resolution (BRAINBOX+) into an integrated subscription-based solution. Services are localized for UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with optional add-ons for employee wellbeing, e-learning, and legal defence insurance.
Product overview
BrightHR is a unified HR, payroll, health & safety, and compliance platform designed for small and medium businesses. The core platform consists of HR Software (covering leave management, time tracking, scheduling, performance, documents, and recruitment) with integrated modules for Health and Safety (risk assessments, incident reporting, 600+ templates) and Payroll (self-service and managed options). The product suite is extended through add-on modules including: BRAINBOX+ AI chatbot for instant HR advice; BrightLearn e-learning with 70+ CPD-certified courses; BrightExchange marketplace connecting 1M+ consumers with employee perks; BrightWellbeing employee assistance programme; BrightDefence legal protection; and 24/7 expert employment law advice lines. All modules share a unified data layer enabling seamless HR and payroll integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BRAINBOX+: AI chatbot that answers HR and H&S questions in seconds, available 24/7 with over 11,000+ pre-resolved queries.
- BrAInbox
- Blip
- BrightExchange
- BrightDefence
Products and services
- HR Software Core HR management platform covering staff holiday planning, clocking in, sick leave and lateness tracking, shift scheduling, performance management, timesheets, document storage, overtime tracking, expense management, recruitment, employee recognition, and redundancy navigation for SMBs.
- Health and Safety Software Workplace safety management suite covering risk assessments with 600+ pre-built templates (UK/Ireland) or 400+ templates (AU/NZ/CA), accident and near miss reporting (including RIDDOR), hazardous substances (COSHH) management, health and safety task management with reminders, a document library, a mobile app, and a 24/7 advice line with qualified safety experts.
- Payroll Software Online payroll system for UK SMBs offering instant calculations, HMRC compliance, and seamless sync with HR/employee data. Available as self-service software or as a managed payroll service handled by a CIPP-qualified team, with accuracy guaranteed.
- 24/7 Employment Law Advice (BrightAdvice) Round-the-clock access to qualified employment law specialists, real-time legal updates, AI-enhanced search, and an HR document/policy library; available as part of the enhanced HR support subscription tier for SMBs needing on-demand compliance guidance.
- BrightLearn E-Learning Learning management system providing 70+ CPD-certified courses (UK) or 120+ online certified courses (Canada) covering essential HR, employment law, and workplace health & safety topics for SMB employee training.
Quantifiable outcome
- 68% of businesses have seen a decrease in staff lateness after using BrightHR's transparent recording system
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use BrightHR
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
BrightHR technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
BrightHR partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MicrosoftcoreBrightHR deploys on Microsoft Azure platform, utilizing Azure's in-built protection and access controls for security. Azure infrastructure provides the foundation for hosting multiple software instances in data centres.
- ZapiercoreZapier integration allows BrightHR to connect with 5,000+ other web applications, enabling automated workflows between HR software and tools like Slack, Google Workspace, and project management platforms.
- XerocoreIntegration with Xero accounting software enables seamless sync between HR/employee data and payroll for accounting workflows.
- HubSpotcoreIntegration with HubSpot CRM allows businesses to connect HR data with customer relationship management and marketing automation workflows.
- Peninsula Business ServicescoreBrightHR is part of the Peninsula Group Global, providing access to 50+ years of employment law expertise, 24/7 expert advice capabilities, and shared legal defense resources across all markets.
- HQ ClubminorPartnership with HQ Club offering first-class HR support across their thousands of member businesses in Ireland. Solutions described as simple, professional, and cost-effective.
- CentrixminorPartner logo displayed on BrightHR Ireland partner page indicating business relationship for client referrals.
- DPH Management ServicesminorPartner logo displayed on BrightHR Ireland partner page indicating business relationship for client referrals.
- Chambers IrelandminorPartnership with Chambers Ireland for providing HR solutions to chamber members.
- Peninsula Business Services (Ireland) LimitedcoreOfficial service provider for BrightHR in Ireland. Block W, East Point Business Park, Dublin 3, providing localized employment law services.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BrightHR competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Rippling: Unified HR, IT, and finance platform primarily serving US SMBs and mid-market. Comparable in integrated workforce management and AI-enabled features, though broader in scope (HR + IT).
Direct peers
- HiBob: Modern HR platform targeting mid-market and SMB companies globally. Comparable in HR core functionality, multi-country capability, and subscription SaaS model, with broader mid-market positioning.
- Gusto: US-based payroll, HR, and benefits platform for small businesses. Comparable in integrated HR+payroll product, SMB focus, and recurring subscription model, though primarily US-focused.
- Personio: European HR and payroll SaaS platform focused on SMBs and mid-market. Comparable in target segment (SMBs), European geographic focus, and HR/payroll product breadth, though more venture-backed and tech-forward.
- BambooHR: Leading SMB-focused HR software platform in North America and expanding internationally. Closely comparable in target customer (SMB HR buyers), core HR modules, and subscription pricing model.
- Zenefits: SMB-focused HR, payroll, and benefits platform in North America. Comparable in target customer (small businesses), integrated HR/payroll/benefits offering, and subscription model.
- CIPHR: UK-based HR, payroll, and recruitment software provider targeting SMBs. Highly comparable product offering, target customer (UK small businesses), and SaaS subscription model.
Broad incumbents
- IRIS Software Group: UK-based provider of business-critical software including HR, payroll, and accountancy solutions for SMBs. Comparable in UK SMB focus, HR/payroll product suite, and multi-country operations.
- Workday: Enterprise HCM and financial management platform. Comparable in HR/payroll product breadth and AI capabilities, but targets large enterprises rather than SMBs like BrightHR.
- Peninsula Business Services: Sister company within Peninsula Group Global that provides employment law and HR advisory services. Direct comparison given BrightHR explicitly leverages Peninsula's 50+ years of expertise and shared resources across all markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BrightHR social profiles
Digital presenceBrightHR compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
BrightHR financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BrightHR leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
BrightHR funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BrightHR M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BrightHR
What does BrightHR do?
BrightHR provides cloud-based HR, payroll, and health & safety software for small and medium businesses, supplemented by 24/7 employment law and H&S expert advice. The platform consolidates holiday planning, absence tracking, shift scheduling, document storage, performance management, risk assessments, payroll processing, and AI-assisted HR query resolution (BRAINBOX+) into an integrated subscription-based solution. Services are localized for UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand with optional add-ons for employee wellbeing, e-learning, and legal defence insurance.
Is BrightHR a public or private company?
BrightHR is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was BrightHR founded?
BrightHR was founded in 2015. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is BrightHR based?
BrightHR is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does BrightHR make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. HR Software Subscription is the primary driver. The others are enhanced HR Support Package, full HR, H&S & EAP Package, health & Safety Software Add-on, brightExchange Marketplace and HR Insurance/Defence.
Who are BrightHR's main competitors?
Rippling is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are HiBob, Gusto, Personio, BambooHR, Zenefits and CIPHR. Broad incumbents are IRIS Software Group, Workday and Peninsula Business Services.
Does BrightHR have an API?
Yes. BrightHR offers a Customer API that enables integration with third-party applications. The API is listed under the integrations section of their website. Developer documentation is at www.brighthr.com/integrations/customer-api.
What industry is BrightHR in?
BrightHR's product category is HR and Workforce Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAMAD, Document Creation & Office Suites, with a secondary code of BPAEAIAA, Managed Workplace Services (DaaS/Workplace-as-a-Service). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7372.