Employment Hero vs ADP Workforce Now
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
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.
ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is a comprehensive HR and payroll platform trusted by over 900,000 businesses worldwide. It covers payroll, benefits, talent management, time tracking, and compliance in one integrated suite. ADP is the industry standard for mid to large businesses that need enterprise-grade reliability.
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
Pros
- ✓Industry-leading reliability and compliance expertise
- ✓Extensive integration ecosystem with 300+ third-party apps
- ✓Strong reporting and workforce analytics
- ✓Dedicated support and implementation resources
Cons
- ✗Expensive compared to modern cloud-native alternatives
- ✗User interface is complex and can require significant training
- ✗Long-term contracts with early termination fees
Employment Hero vs ADP Workforce Now: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | ADP Workforce Now |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $62/mo |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
ADP Workforce Now Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓HR
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent
- ✓time
- ✓analytics
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR
How Employment Hero and ADP Workforce Now Are Similar
- •Both are HR Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor ADP Workforce Now is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Employment Hero and ADP Workforce Now?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. ADP Workforce Now is best for mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr.
Which is better, Employment Hero or ADP Workforce Now?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose ADP Workforce Now if mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade hr.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does ADP Workforce Now cost?
ADP Workforce Now starts at $62/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use ADP Workforce Now?
Mid to large businesses needing enterprise-grade HR