Employment Hero vs Microsoft Project
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.
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is the long-standing enterprise project management standard offering advanced scheduling, resource management, and portfolio tracking. Deep integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
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
- ✓Industry standard for complex project scheduling
- ✓Powerful Gantt and resource management
- ✓Deep Microsoft 365 integration
- ✓Strong portfolio management
- ✓Trusted by enterprises globally
Cons
- ✗Steep learning curve
- ✗Expensive licensing
- ✗Feels dated compared to modern tools
- ✗Overkill for simple projects
- ✗Limited real-time collaboration
Employment Hero vs Microsoft Project: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Microsoft Project |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Project Management |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and Microsoft 365 integration |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Microsoft Project Features
- ✓Project scheduling
- ✓Gantt charts
- ✓resource management
- ✓task tracking
- ✓portfolio management
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Microsoft Project if enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and microsoft 365 integration.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and Microsoft 365 integration
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor Microsoft Project 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 Microsoft Project?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Microsoft Project is best for enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and microsoft 365 integration.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Microsoft Project?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Microsoft Project if enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and microsoft 365 integration.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Microsoft Project cost?
Visit Microsoft Project website for current pricing.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Microsoft Project?
Enterprise project managers needing advanced scheduling, resource management, and Microsoft 365 integration