Employment Hero vs Capsule CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Capsule CRM is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
Try Capsule CRM →Read our full Capsule CRM review →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.
Capsule CRM
Capsule CRM is a simple and clean CRM designed for small businesses that want to manage contacts, track sales opportunities, and stay organized without complexity. It is known for its intuitive interface and quick setup time. Capsule integrates well with Google Workspace, Mailchimp, and other popular small business tools. Capsule also offers Transpond, a dedicated marketing automation add-on with email marketing and robust automation features available on separate plans.
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
- ✓Extremely clean and easy to use interface
- ✓Quick to set up with no training required
- ✓Good free plan for up to 2 users
- ✓Strong Google Workspace integration
- ✓Transpond add-on provides robust marketing automation for businesses that need it
Cons
- ✗Marketing automation requires separate Transpond add-on
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to larger CRMs
- ✗Not suitable for large or complex sales teams
Employment Hero vs Capsule CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Capsule CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Small businesses wanting a simple, clean CRM that is easy to adopt |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Capsule CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓sales pipeline
- ✓task management
- ✓email integration
- ✓reporting
- ✓Google Workspace integration
- ✓API access
Pricing Comparison
Capsule CRM
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Starter: $18/user/mo · Growth: $36/user/mo · Advanced: $54/user/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Capsule CRM
- →Small businesses needing a simple contact management system
- →Service businesses tracking client relationships
- →Teams wanting a clean and uncluttered CRM
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Capsule CRM is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large sales teams needing advanced pipeline management
- ✗Companies requiring built-in marketing automation
- ✗Teams needing complex reporting
Integrations
Capsule CRM
Gmail, Outlook, Xero, QuickBooks, Zapier, Mailchimp, FreshBooks, G Suite
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Capsule CRM if small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Small businesses wanting a simple, clean CRM that is easy to adopt
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor Capsule CRM 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 Capsule CRM?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Capsule CRM is best for small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Capsule CRM?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Capsule CRM if small businesses wanting a simple, clean crm that is easy to adopt.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Capsule CRM cost?
Capsule CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Capsule CRM?
Small businesses wanting a simple, clean CRM that is easy to adopt