Employment Hero vs Bench
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.
Bench
Bench is a bookkeeping service that combines human bookkeepers with proprietary accounting software. Instead of doing your own bookkeeping, Bench assigns you a dedicated team of bookkeepers who handle everything for you. Bench is designed for small business owners who want professional bookkeeping without having to learn accounting software themselves.
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
- ✓Hands-off bookkeeping — a real human does your books every month
- ✓No accounting knowledge required from the business owner
- ✓Clean and simple software interface
- ✓Tax-ready financials delivered monthly
Cons
- ✗More expensive than DIY accounting software
- ✗Less control over your own books
- ✗Tax filing costs extra
- ✗Not suitable for businesses that want to manage their own accounting
Employment Hero vs Bench: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Bench |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $299/mo |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Small business owners who want professional bookkeeping without learning accounting software |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Bench Features
- ✓Dedicated bookkeeper
- ✓monthly bookkeeping
- ✓financial statements
- ✓tax-ready financials
- ✓catch-up bookkeeping
- ✓tax filing add-on
- ✓Bench platform access
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Bench if small business owners who want professional bookkeeping without learning accounting software.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Small business owners who want professional bookkeeping without learning accounting software
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor Bench 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 Bench?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Bench is best for small business owners who want professional bookkeeping without learning accounting software.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Bench?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Bench if small business owners who want professional bookkeeping without learning accounting software.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Bench cost?
Bench starts at $299/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Bench?
Small business owners who want professional bookkeeping without learning accounting software