The bright ZnNi alloy coating on steel surface was prepared by elctrodepostion technique using brightener ethyl vanillin (EV). To know the influence of brightener on deposition and dissolution behaviour of ZnNi alloy, cyclic voltammetric studies were carried out. FT-IR spectroscopic evidence was given to confirm selective adsorption of brightener on steel surface. The brightener enhances current efficiency and throwing power of plating bath during coating. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses in presence of brightener confirmed the change in surface morphology, phase composition and preferred orientation of ZnNi coating. In presence of brightener, nickel content of the coating was reduced at higher current density and thickness. In addition, deposit properties like appearances, hardness, adherence, ductility and corrosion resistance of ZnNi alloy deposits were also improved in bright deposit. Simultaneously, effect of deposition current density and thickness on corrosion behaviour of coating was examined.