Employment Hero vs BambooHR
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.
BambooHR
BambooHR is an HR software platform focused on employee data management, onboarding, and performance tracking. It is widely used by small to mid-size companies for its intuitive interface and strong reporting tools. BambooHR excels at centralizing employee records and streamlining HR workflows.
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
- ✓Clean, intuitive interface that HR teams love
- ✓Excellent onboarding tools with e-signatures and task management
- ✓Strong analytics and customizable reporting
- ✓Good mobile app for employees and managers
Cons
- ✗Payroll is a US-only add-on that costs extra
- ✗Limited functionality for international teams
- ✗Performance management module is basic compared to dedicated tools
Employment Hero vs BambooHR: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | BambooHR |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $6/employee/mo |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Small to mid-size US businesses focused on HR |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
BambooHR Features
- ✓Employee records
- ✓PTO tracking
- ✓onboarding
- ✓performance reviews
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose BambooHR if small to mid-size us businesses focused on hr.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Small to mid-size US businesses focused on HR
How Employment Hero and BambooHR 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 BambooHR 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 BambooHR?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. BambooHR is best for small to mid-size us businesses focused on hr.
Which is better, Employment Hero or BambooHR?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose BambooHR if small to mid-size us businesses focused on hr.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does BambooHR cost?
BambooHR starts at $6/employee/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use BambooHR?
Small to mid-size US businesses focused on HR