Employment Hero vs Connecteam
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Connecteam is our recommended pick for most teams — smbs with deskless or frontline workers.
Try Connecteam →Read our full Connecteam 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.
Connecteam
Connecteam is an all-in-one employee management app built specifically for deskless and frontline workers. It combines scheduling, time tracking, team communication, training, and HR tools in a mobile-first platform. Connecteam is widely used in industries like retail, hospitality, construction, and healthcare.
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
- ✓Purpose-built for deskless workers with an excellent mobile experience
- ✓Combines scheduling, communication, and HR in one affordable platform
- ✓Easy to set up with minimal IT support required
- ✓Affordable pricing with a generous free plan for small teams
Cons
- ✗Payroll features are limited and require integration with a payroll provider
- ✗Less suitable for office-based or knowledge worker teams
- ✗Advanced reporting requires higher-tier plans
Employment Hero vs Connecteam: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Connecteam |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | $29/mo |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | SMBs with deskless or frontline workers |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Connecteam Features
- ✓Scheduling
- ✓time tracking
- ✓communication
- ✓training
- ✓task management
- ✓HR
Pricing Comparison
Connecteam
FreemiumStarts at $29/mo
Free: $0 (up to 10 users) · Basic: $29/mo · Advanced: $49/mo · Expert: $99/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Connecteam
- →Retail and hospitality businesses managing deskless workers
- →Construction companies scheduling field teams
- →Small businesses with frontline employees needing mobile HR tools
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Connecteam is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Office-based knowledge worker teams
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS functionality
- ✗Businesses requiring advanced payroll processing
Integrations
Connecteam
Gusto, Paychex, QuickBooks, ADP, Xero, Zapier
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers
How Employment Hero and Connecteam 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 free plan to get started
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor Connecteam 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 Connecteam?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Connecteam is best for smbs with deskless or frontline workers.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Connecteam?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Connecteam if smbs with deskless or frontline workers.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Connecteam cost?
Connecteam starts at $29/mo. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Connecteam?
SMBs with deskless or frontline workers