Employment Hero vs Leapsome
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.
Leapsome
Leapsome is an intelligent people enablement platform that combines performance management, learning, and employee engagement in one system. It helps HR teams run effective performance reviews, deliver personalized learning paths, and measure engagement with powerful analytics. Leapsome is used by companies like Spotify and Eventbrite.
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 customizable performance review and feedback cycles
- ✓Strong learning management system with personalized development paths
- ✓Powerful engagement surveys with advanced analytics
- ✓Integrates well with HRIS tools like BambooHR and Workday
Cons
- ✗Expensive for smaller companies, especially with multiple modules
- ✗Complex initial setup and configuration
- ✗No payroll or core HRIS functionality
Employment Hero vs Leapsome: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Leapsome |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Mid to large companies investing in people development |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Leapsome Features
- ✓Performance reviews
- ✓OKRs
- ✓learning management
- ✓engagement surveys
- ✓compensation
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Leapsome if mid to large companies investing in people development.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Mid to large companies investing in people development
How Employment Hero and Leapsome 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 Leapsome 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 Leapsome?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Leapsome is best for mid to large companies investing in people development.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Leapsome?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Leapsome if mid to large companies investing in people development.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Leapsome cost?
Leapsome starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Leapsome?
Mid to large companies investing in people development