Employment Hero vs Nutshell
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Nutshell is our recommended pick for most teams — small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
Try Nutshell →Read our full Nutshell 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.
Nutshell
Nutshell is a simple and affordable CRM designed for small and mid-size B2B sales teams. It combines contact management, pipeline automation, and email marketing in one easy-to-use platform. Nutshell is known for its exceptional customer support and quick setup time, making it a favorite for teams switching from spreadsheets.
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
- ✓Outstanding customer support included with every plan
- ✓Easy to set up and use with minimal training
- ✓Built-in email marketing saves money on separate tools
- ✓Transparent and affordable pricing
Cons
- ✗Less feature-rich than HubSpot or Salesforce
- ✗Reporting is basic compared to enterprise CRMs
- ✗Limited native integrations compared to larger platforms
Employment Hero vs Nutshell: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | Nutshell |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.4/5 ★ |
| Category | HR Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $16/user/mo |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Small B2B sales teams wanting a simple, affordable CRM with great support |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Nutshell Features
- ✓Contact and lead management
- ✓pipeline automation
- ✓email marketing
- ✓reporting
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓mobile app
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Nutshell
PaidStarts at $16/user/mo
Foundation: $16/user/mo · Pro: $42/user/mo · Business: $52/user/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Nutshell
- →B2B sales teams wanting a simple and affordable CRM
- →Small businesses replacing spreadsheets with a proper pipeline
- →Companies wanting built-in email marketing with their CRM
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Nutshell is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing complex CRM customization
- ✗Teams requiring advanced AI-powered sales features
- ✗Businesses needing a free CRM option
Integrations
Nutshell
Gmail, Outlook, Slack, QuickBooks, Zapier, Intercom, HubSpot, Mailchimp
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Nutshell if small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Small B2B sales teams wanting a simple, affordable CRM with great support
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor Nutshell 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 Nutshell?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Nutshell is best for small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
Which is better, Employment Hero or Nutshell?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Nutshell if small b2b sales teams wanting a simple, affordable crm with great support.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Nutshell cost?
Nutshell starts at $16/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use Nutshell?
Small B2B sales teams wanting a simple, affordable CRM with great support