Employment Hero vs OnPay
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.
OnPay
OnPay is a full-service payroll and HR platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It offers unlimited payroll runs, automatic tax filing, and built-in HR tools at an affordable flat rate. OnPay is consistently rated as one of the best value payroll solutions for small businesses and supports a wide range of industries including restaurants, farms, and nonprofits.
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
- ✓Excellent value — flat monthly pricing with no per-run fees
- ✓Supports multiple pay schedules and unlimited payroll runs
- ✓Strong industry-specific features for restaurants, farms, and nonprofits
- ✓US-based customer support included on all plans
Cons
- ✗US-only — no international payroll support
- ✗Mobile app is less polished than competitors
- ✗Limited advanced HR features compared to full HRIS platforms
Employment Hero vs OnPay: Side by Side
| Factor | Employment Hero | OnPay |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Payroll Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting Price | Free | $40/mo + $6/person |
| Best For | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite | Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
OnPay Features
- ✓Unlimited payroll runs
- ✓automatic tax filing
- ✓direct deposit
- ✓employee self-service
- ✓HR tools
- ✓benefits administration
- ✓PTO management
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Best For
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees
Also Consider
If neither Employment Hero nor OnPay 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 OnPay?
Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. OnPay is best for small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
Which is better, Employment Hero or OnPay?
Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose OnPay if small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does OnPay cost?
OnPay starts at $40/mo + $6/person. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Who should use OnPay?
Small businesses wanting affordable, full-service payroll with no hidden fees