What Thesaurus Software does

Thesaurus Software Ltd, trading as Bright Software Group, is an Ireland-based software company developing payroll, HR, and accounting software for small and medium employers and payroll bureaus. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Duleek, County Meath, the company is the self-described payroll software market leader in Ireland with nearly 30 years of continuous product development and more than 330,000 businesses across Ireland and the UK using its products. The core product portfolio consists of Thesaurus Payroll Manager (the established flagship desktop payroll product), BrightPay (a newer cloud-focused payroll product available in both Ireland and the UK and positioned as the focus of future development), Thesaurus Connect (a Microsoft Azure-hosted cloud add-on providing secure backup and employee/employer self-service portals), Thesaurus Accounts (a bookkeeping package), Bright Contracts (employment document management), and Enterprise Payroll via EuroPay.

The underlying technology is a Windows desktop payroll application with a cloud services layer; Thesaurus Connect and the employee self-service mobile apps (iOS/Android) are hosted on Microsoft Azure. Differentiated technical capabilities include direct API integration with the Irish Revenue Commissioners for PAYE Modernisation real-time reporting (Payroll Submission Requests and Revenue Payroll Notifications), embedded payment processing through Modulr with two-factor authentication approval flows, and API-level integrations with Surf Accounts, Xero, Sage Line 50, QuickBooks, and One4all. Thesaurus Payroll Manager 2026 supports Ireland's MyFuture Fund auto-enrolment system and Enhanced Reporting Requirements under Section 897C of the Finance Act 2022.

The company operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model with downloads from thesaurus.ie, a 60-day free trial, phone and email sales support, and a nationwide network of certified training partners across all 26 Irish counties. Revenue is generated primarily through annual per-tax-year software licenses priced €95–€949 depending on product tier and Standard versus Bureau edition, plus a usage-based recurring stream from Thesaurus Connect at approximately €0.71 per active employee per month. The company is privately held with no disclosed external investment.

Name

Thesaurus Software

Legal name

Thesaurus Software Ltd

Website

https://thesaurus.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Thesaurus Software Ltd, trading as Bright Software Group, is an Ireland-based software company that develops payroll, HR, and accounting software for Irish and UK small and medium employers and payroll bureaus, with 330,000+ businesses using its products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Payroll and HR Software

NAICS

Payroll Services (541214), Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (54121), Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (5412)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Payroll Software & Payroll-as-a-Service (SaaS) (BPACAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Human Capital Management (HCM) & Payroll Platforms (HDAEAEAJ), Employer Payroll Processing (SMB & Enterprise) (FSAMAKAA), Benefits Deductions & Payroll Integration Administration (BPAAAHAF)

Keywords

• Payroll software
• HR software
• Accounting software
• PAYE compliance
• Employee self-service

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashbourne

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Payroll Software Licenses: Annual/per-tax-year software licenses for Thesaurus Payroll Manager. Available in Standard (employer) and Bureau (payroll service provider) variants with tiered pricing based on number of employees or employers. License is required after 60-day free trial.
2. Accounting Software Licenses: Annual/per-tax-year software licenses for Thesaurus Accounts. Standard license for single company; Bureau license for unlimited companies. Free trial up to 100 transactions.
3. Thesaurus Connect Cloud Services: Monthly subscription service for cloud backup, self-service portals, and related features. Billed per active employee per month. Payment collected automatically via Bright ID billing. Annual contract options available for savings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Thesaurus Software develops, sells and supports desktop-based payroll and HR software (Thesaurus Payroll Manager and the newer BrightPay) primarily for Irish SMEs and payroll bureaus, with an annual per-tax-year licence and tiered pricing based on employer/employee count. Its flagship product is augmented by Thesaurus Connect, a Microsoft Azure-hosted cloud add-on providing secure payroll backup and employer/employee self-service portals (web and mobile), plus Thesaurus Accounts bookkeeping software and Bright Contracts HR document software.

Product overview

Thesaurus Software is a payroll, HR, and accounting software provider operating primarily in Ireland and the UK, serving over 330,000 businesses. The product portfolio consists of two core desktop payroll solutions: Thesaurus Payroll Manager (the established market leader in Ireland for nearly three decades) and BrightPay (the newer cloud-focused product receiving active development). Both payroll products integrate with Thesaurus Connect, a cloud add-on providing secure backup and employee/employer self-service portals. Thesaurus Accounts provides bookkeeping and accounting functionality. Additional products include Bright Contracts (employment document management), BrightPay Connect (enhanced cloud features for BrightPay with exclusive client payroll entry capabilities), and the Employee Self-Service App (mobile access through Thesaurus Connect). The Standard and Bureau licensing models serve both direct employers and payroll service providers/bureaus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thesaurus Payroll Manager: Flagship payroll software for Ireland, the market leader in the country with nearly three decades of development.
• BrightPay
• Thesaurus Connect
• Thesaurus Accounts
• Bright Contracts

Products and services

• Thesaurus Payroll Manager Flagship desktop payroll software for Ireland, the payroll software market leader with nearly three decades of continuous development, providing in-house payroll processing, PAYE Modernisation compliance with Revenue API integration, SSP tracking, statutory leave management, and full Irish tax compliance. Available in Standard (single employer) and Bureau (payroll service providers) variants with tiered employee/employer counts.
• BrightPay Newest cross-jurisdiction payroll software product for Ireland and the UK, built using modern technology and UI design. Marketed as the focus of the company's future development with rapid growth and high customer satisfaction.
• Thesaurus Connect Cloud add-on subscription for Thesaurus Payroll Manager delivering secure cloud backup of payroll data, an employer dashboard and a web/mobile employee self-service portal with leave management, document access and multi-user collaboration. Hosted on Microsoft Azure, billed per active employee per month.
• BrightPay Connect Cloud add-on for BrightPay providing exclusive client payroll entry and client payroll approval workflows, allowing bureau clients to enter employee hours and approve payroll through an online dashboard.
• Thesaurus Accounts Desktop bookkeeping and accounts package for Irish businesses handling prime books of entry, sales invoices, VAT returns, bank reconciliations and management accounts. Available in Standard (single company) and Bureau (unlimited companies) annual licences.
• Bright Contracts Staff handbook and contract of employment management software for Ireland and UK businesses, enabling quick and easy creation and management of professional employment documents.
• Enterprise Payroll (EuroPay) Enterprise-level payroll solution for larger organisations requiring advanced payroll capabilities beyond the standard SME offerings of Thesaurus Payroll Manager.

Quantifiable outcome

• 330,000+ businesses use Thesaurus/BrightPay products across Ireland and the UK
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ModulrcoreTechnology or IntegrationModulr is the payment partner enabling direct employee payments through Thesaurus Payroll Manager. Provides same-day payment capabilities, 24/7 payment processing, and secure approval flows with two-factor authentication. Modulr technology is used by over 10,000 businesses to process billions in payments.
• Surf AccountscoreTechnology or IntegrationSurf Accounts is a cloud-based accounting software provider. Thesaurus Payroll Manager integrates via API to automatically post payroll journals to Surf Accounts' general ledger, eliminating manual export/import processes.
• Revenue Commissioners (Ireland)coreTechnology or IntegrationRevenue Commissioners are Ireland's tax authority. Thesaurus Payroll Manager provides direct API integration for PAYE Modernisation real-time reporting, enabling seamless PSR submissions and RPN retrieval through ROS.
• Microsoft AzurecoreTechnology or IntegrationThesaurus Connect cloud services are powered by Microsoft Azure for ultimate performance, reliability, and scalability. Azure provides the infrastructure for secure cloud backup and self-service portals.
• Bright Software GroupcoreOthersThesaurus Software Ltd trades as Bright Software Group. The BrightPay brand serves the UK market while Thesaurus serves the Irish market. BrightPay Connect offers exclusive features like Client Payroll Entry and Approval not available in Thesaurus Connect.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IRIS Software Group: UK-focused payroll and HR software provider serving accountancy practices and SMEs. Competes directly with Thesaurus/BrightPay for the bureau and accountant channel in the UK market, with overlapping payroll bureau and practice management offerings.
• Moneysoft: UK-based payroll and payslip software for small employers and bureaus. Directly comparable in target market (UK/Irish SMB payroll), desktop/cloud hybrid delivery model, and accountant channel focus.
• Moorepay: UK payroll and HR software provider focused on small and mid-sized employers. Direct competitor in the UK SMB payroll market that BrightPay and Thesaurus target, with similar pricing tiers and bureau-friendly features.
• Cintra (Payroll Bureau): UK HR and payroll service bureau and software provider. Competes with Thesaurus in the payroll bureau market, offering both managed payroll services and software platforms to accountants and small businesses.

Broad incumbents

• Xero: Cloud-native accounting platform with payroll add-on (Xero Payroll) serving UK/Ireland SMBs. Competes with Thesaurus on the integrated accounting + payroll workflow that Thesaurus Addresses through Surf Accounts / Sage / QuickBooks / Xero export integrations.
• Sage Group: Global incumbent in accounting and payroll software serving SMBs across UK and Ireland. Overlaps heavily with Thesaurus in payroll for Irish/UK SMEs but operates a far broader portfolio (accounting, HR, ERP) and competes for the same employer customer base through Sage Payroll integrations.
• MHR (formerly Northgate Arinso): UK-based HR, payroll, and talent management provider serving mid-market and enterprise. Competes with Thesaurus in the larger-employer segment that the Enterprise Payroll / Europay subsidiary addresses.
• SD Worx: European HR and payroll services and software provider operating across multiple countries including UK and Ireland. Adjacent competitor for mid-market payroll outsourcing and HCM, particularly relevant as a multi-country payroll alternative.
• Intuit QuickBooks: Global cloud accounting platform with payroll add-ons (QuickBooks Payroll) serving SMBs including UK & Ireland. Competes with Thesaurus via the integrated bookkeeping-plus-payroll stack the company addresses through export integrations to QuickBooks.

Emerging players

• KeyPay: Cloud-native payroll platform for SMBs and accountants. Operates mainly in UK/Australia and competes with Thesaurus on the modern, cloud-first approach (similar positioning to BrightPay Cloud).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ThesaurusIre
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCaZzlas-kE8JU3BJP21WhZQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/thesauruspayroll
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thesaurus-software-ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thesaurus Software