Employment Hero vs Homebase Payroll
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Homebase Payroll is our recommended pick for most teams — restaurants, retail, and businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and payroll in one place.
Try Homebase Payroll →Read our full Homebase Payroll 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.
Homebase Payroll
Homebase Payroll is a payroll solution built specifically for hourly and shift-based workers. It integrates directly with Homebase's scheduling and time tracking tools, automatically converting tracked hours into payroll. Homebase is popular with restaurants, retail stores, and other businesses with large hourly workforces.
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 hourly and shift-based workers
- ✓Automatic sync from time tracking to payroll eliminates manual data entry
- ✓Strong mobile app for employees to clock in and manage schedules
- ✓Built-in scheduling and communication tools
Cons
- ✗Less suitable for salaried employee payroll
- ✗Limited features for businesses outside of hourly workforce management
- ✗Pricing can add up with multiple add-ons
- ✗Not ideal for companies with complex benefits needs
Employment Hero vs Homebase Payroll: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Homebase Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Restaurants, retail, and businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and payroll in one place |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Homebase Payroll Features
- ✓Payroll processing
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓time tracking integration
- ✓scheduling integration
- ✓tip management
- ✓employee self-service
- ✓mobile app
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Homebase Payroll
- →Restaurants and retail businesses paying hourly workers
- →Small businesses combining scheduling and payroll
- →Companies wanting time tracking integrated with payroll
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Homebase Payroll is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies with salaried professional employees
- ✗Businesses needing complex benefits administration
- ✗Teams requiring advanced HR management
Integrations
Homebase Payroll
QuickBooks, Gusto, ADP, Square, Clover, Toast, Lightspeed
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Homebase Payroll if restaurants, retail, and businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and payroll in one place.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Restaurants, retail, and businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and payroll in one place
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor Homebase Payroll 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 Homebase Payroll?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Homebase Payroll is best for restaurants, retail, and businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and payroll in one place.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Homebase Payroll?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Homebase Payroll if restaurants, retail, and businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and payroll in one place.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Homebase Payroll cost?
Homebase Payroll starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Homebase Payroll?
Restaurants, retail, and businesses with hourly workers needing scheduling and payroll in one place