Employment Hero vs EngageBay
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
EngageBay is our recommended pick for most teams — budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Try EngageBay →Read our full EngageBay 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.
EngageBay
EngageBay is an all-in-one marketing, sales, and customer support platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It offers a free plan that includes CRM, email marketing, live chat, and helpdesk tools — making it one of the most generous free plans in the market. EngageBay is positioned as an affordable alternative to HubSpot.
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
- ✓One of the most generous free plans available — includes CRM, marketing, and support tools
- ✓Affordable paid plans compared to HubSpot
- ✓All-in-one platform reduces the need for multiple subscriptions
- ✓Good automation features
Cons
- ✗Less brand recognition and fewer integrations than HubSpot
- ✗Interface can feel cluttered with so many features
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
Employment Hero vs EngageBay: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
EngageBay
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Basic: $12/mo · Growth: $24.99/mo · Pro: $49.99/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
EngageBay
- →Small businesses wanting all-in-one CRM and marketing
- →Startups replacing multiple tools with one platform
- →Companies migrating away from expensive HubSpot plans
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
EngageBay is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing advanced customization
- ✗Teams requiring sophisticated marketing attribution
- ✗Businesses needing dedicated enterprise support
Integrations
EngageBay
Zapier, Gmail, Outlook, Stripe, SendGrid, Mailgun, Twilio, Xero
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Employment Hero if...
- →Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Choose EngageBay if...
- →Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
- →Small businesses wanting all-in-one CRM and marketing
- →Startups replacing multiple tools with one platform
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor EngageBay 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 EngageBay?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Which is better, Employment Hero or EngageBay?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan