Employment Hero vs Deputy
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.
Deputy
Deputy is a workforce management platform focused on employee scheduling, time tracking, and labor compliance. It helps businesses with shift-based workforces build schedules, manage leave, and track hours worked. Deputy integrates with major payroll providers to streamline the pay run process.
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
- ✓Excellent scheduling tools with AI-powered shift recommendations
- ✓Strong labor compliance features for overtime and break rules
- ✓Good mobile app for employees to clock in, swap shifts, and request leave
- ✓Integrates with 30+ payroll providers
Cons
- ✗Limited core HR features beyond scheduling and time tracking
- ✗Not a full HRIS replacement
- ✗Reporting could be more customizable for complex workforce analytics
Employment Hero vs Deputy: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Deputy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $4.50/user/mo |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Deputy Features
- ✓Employee scheduling
- ✓time tracking
- ✓leave management
- ✓payroll integrations
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Deputy if businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking
How Employment Hero and Deputy 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 Deputy 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 Deputy?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Deputy is best for businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Deputy?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Deputy if businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Deputy cost?
Deputy starts at $4.50/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Deputy?
Businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and time tracking