Airtable vs Employment Hero
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Airtable
Airtable is a flexible database and project management platform that combines the power of a relational database with the simplicity of a spreadsheet. It allows teams to build custom workflows, track projects, and manage data in highly visual and customizable ways. Airtable is popular with operations, marketing, and product teams that need more than a simple task manager.
Employment Hero
Employment Hero is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and benefits platform with a strong presence in Australia and New Zealand. It offers a free HR plan alongside paid payroll and benefits modules, making it accessible for businesses at any stage. Employment Hero also operates a job marketplace called Swag for employees.
Pros
- ✓Extremely flexible — can be adapted to almost any workflow or use case
- ✓Powerful relational database features go beyond simple task management
- ✓Strong automation capabilities
- ✓Large template library to get started quickly
Cons
- ✗Can require significant setup time to build effective bases
- ✗Pricing can get expensive with larger teams and advanced features
- ✗Learning curve for users unfamiliar with database concepts
- ✗Performance can slow with very large databases
Pros
- ✓Free HR plan available with core employee management features
- ✓Strong compliance tools for Australian and NZ employment law
- ✓All-in-one platform covering HR, payroll, and benefits
- ✓Employee benefits marketplace with discounts and perks
Cons
- ✗Payroll module costs extra and is best suited for AU/NZ companies
- ✗Limited support and compliance coverage outside Australia and New Zealand
- ✗Some users report the platform can feel complex to navigate
Airtable vs Employment Hero: Side by Side
| Factor | Airtable | Employment Hero |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Operations and marketing teams wanting a flexible database-powered project management tool | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Airtable Features
- ✓Database-style project management
- ✓grid view
- ✓kanban
- ✓gallery
- ✓calendar
- ✓automations
- ✓interfaces
- ✓forms
- ✓API access
- ✓integrations
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Airtable if operations and marketing teams wanting a flexible database-powered project management tool. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Best For
Operations and marketing teams wanting a flexible database-powered project management tool
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Also Consider
If neither Airtable nor Employment Hero is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Airtable and Employment Hero?
Airtable is best for operations and marketing teams wanting a flexible database-powered project management tool. Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Which is better, Airtable or Employment Hero?
Choose Airtable if operations and marketing teams wanting a flexible database-powered project management tool. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
How much does Airtable cost?
Airtable starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Airtable?
Operations and marketing teams wanting a flexible database-powered project management tool
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite