# BrightHR vs Payworks Self Service

The clearest difference is review sentiment: BrightHR at 54% against Payworks Self Service's 16%. BrightHR also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). Payworks Self Service's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

BrightHR ships an update weekly, Payworks Self Service every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrightHR | Payworks Self Service |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (166 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brighthr/id1031619349/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **166** | — |
| Positive reviews | **53.6% of reviews** | 16.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 146 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BrightHR](https://appshunter.io/developer/1031619348) | [Payworks Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1568141202) |

## What reviewers say

### BrightHR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brighthr/id1031619349)

This app simplifies HR tasks by allowing instant communication of attendance, sickness, and holidays. It provides secure access to important documents and notifications for changes, streamlining HR processes for both employees and managers.

**Highlights:** Instant attendance communication, Update sickness and holidays, Secure 24/7 access, HR info and time off in pocket, Shift and rota access, Document upload and access, Performance tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Convenient for booking holidays
- 🚀 User-friendly interface
- 👍 Helpful HR system
- 👍 Great for managing staff

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 🐛 Frequent log-outs
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with older devices
- 💰 Overpriced for the features
- 💰 Difficult to cancel/get out of contracts

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when trying to enter emergency contact info
- Booked leave disappearing after app outage
- Unable to update/delete leave requests
- Clocking in/out feature not working consistently

**Requested features**

- Calendar integration for shifts and leave
- Dedicated leave types (sick, personal, etc.)
- Improved rota/schedule view
- Communication features between staff
- Dark mode option


### Payworks Self Service

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/payworks-self-service/id6504584369)

Access your pay information and manage your work schedule from anywhere. View pay statements, submit time off requests, clock in/out, and update personal details. Secure login with biometrics is available.

**Highlights:** View pay statements and history, Submit time off requests, Clock in/out of shifts, View work calendar and team schedules, Request and take shift coverage, Update personal employee information, Biometric login

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BrightHR free?

BrightHR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Payworks Self Service free?

Payworks Self Service is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do BrightHR or Payworks Self Service have ads?

BrightHR shows ads; Payworks Self Service does not.

### Which is updated more often, BrightHR or Payworks Self Service?

BrightHR ships an update weekly, and Payworks Self Service every 5 weeks. Most recently, BrightHR was updated on October 29, 2026 and Payworks Self Service on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*