Employment Hero vs iCIMS
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.
iCIMS
iCIMS is a leading enterprise recruiting platform offering applicant tracking, candidate relationship management, and onboarding in one system. Known for its scalability and deep configurability.
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
- ✓Highly scalable for large hiring volumes
- ✓Strong CRM and pipeline features
- ✓Good compliance tools
- ✓Robust integration marketplace
- ✓Excellent customer support
Cons
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to newer tools
- ✗Expensive for smaller teams
- ✗Implementation can be lengthy
- ✗Reporting has a learning curve
Employment Hero vs iCIMS: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | iCIMS |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
iCIMS Features
- ✓Applicant tracking
- ✓recruiting CRM
- ✓onboarding
- ✓career site builder
- ✓analytics
- ✓compliance management
Pricing Comparison
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Employment Hero if...
- →Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Choose iCIMS if...
- →Mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose iCIMS if mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor iCIMS 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 iCIMS?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. iCIMS is best for mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform.
Which is better, Employment Hero or iCIMS?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose iCIMS if mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does iCIMS cost?
Visit iCIMS website for current pricing.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use iCIMS?
Mid-to-large enterprises needing a scalable and highly configurable recruiting platform