Employment Hero vs NetSuite
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.
NetSuite
NetSuite is an enterprise-grade cloud ERP and accounting platform owned by Oracle. It combines financial management, CRM, inventory, and e-commerce in one unified system. NetSuite is the leading cloud ERP for mid-market and enterprise companies that have outgrown QuickBooks or Xero and need a more powerful, scalable solution.
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
- ✓Comprehensive enterprise ERP covering finance, CRM, and operations
- ✓Highly scalable — grows from 50 to 50,000+ employees
- ✓Strong global capabilities for multi-currency and multi-subsidiary businesses
- ✓Industry-leading financial reporting and analytics
Cons
- ✗Expensive — pricing starts at $30,000+ per year
- ✗Long and complex implementation process
- ✗Requires dedicated IT or NetSuite admin resources
- ✗Overkill for small businesses under 50 employees
Employment Hero vs NetSuite: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | NetSuite |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Mid-market and enterprise companies needing a unified ERP to replace disconnected business systems |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
NetSuite Features
- ✓Financial management
- ✓accounting
- ✓CRM
- ✓inventory management
- ✓order management
- ✓e-commerce
- ✓HR
- ✓professional services automation
- ✓reporting and analytics
- ✓global consolidation
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose NetSuite if mid-market and enterprise companies needing a unified erp to replace disconnected business systems.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Mid-market and enterprise companies needing a unified ERP to replace disconnected business systems
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor NetSuite 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 NetSuite?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. NetSuite is best for mid-market and enterprise companies needing a unified erp to replace disconnected business systems.
Which is better, Employment Hero or NetSuite?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose NetSuite if mid-market and enterprise companies needing a unified erp to replace disconnected business systems.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does NetSuite cost?
NetSuite starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use NetSuite?
Mid-market and enterprise companies needing a unified ERP to replace disconnected business systems