SoftwareDuel

Employment Hero vs Playroll

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.

FreemiumFree to start
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Playroll

Playroll is a global payroll and employer of record platform designed for modern companies hiring internationally. It handles employment contracts, local compliance, payroll processing, and benefits across multiple countries. Playroll offers competitive pricing and a streamlined onboarding experience for international hires.

PaidFrom $40/contractor/mo
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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

  • Competitive EOR pricing with transparent fee structure
  • Fast and streamlined international hiring process
  • Good country coverage with locally compliant contracts and benefits
  • Responsive onboarding support team

Cons

  • Newer platform with smaller brand recognition than established competitors
  • Support team is smaller which can affect response times at scale
  • HRIS features are limited beyond global payroll

Employment Hero vs Playroll: Side by Side

FactorEmployment HeroPlayroll
User RatingN/AN/A
CategoryHR SoftwarePayroll Software
Pricing ModelFreemiumPaid
Starting PriceFree$40/contractor/mo
Best ForAustralian and NZ businesses needing full HR suiteCompanies needing affordable global payroll and EOR
Our Pick

Employment Hero Features

  • HR management
  • payroll
  • benefits
  • recruitment
  • learning
  • employee engagement

Playroll Features

  • EOR services
  • global payroll
  • contractor payments
  • benefits
  • compliance

Pricing Comparison

Employment Hero

Freemium

Free to start

See full pricing →

Playroll

Paid

Starts at $40/contractor/mo

See full pricing →

Our Take

Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Playroll if companies needing affordable global payroll and eor.

Best For

Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite

Best For

Companies needing affordable global payroll and EOR

Also Consider

If neither Employment Hero nor Playroll 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 Playroll?

Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Playroll is best for companies needing affordable global payroll and eor.

Which is better, Employment Hero or Playroll?

Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite. Choose Playroll if companies needing affordable global payroll and eor.

How much does Employment Hero cost?

Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.

How much does Playroll cost?

Playroll starts at $40/contractor/mo. Pricing model: Paid.

Who should use Employment Hero?

Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite

Who should use Playroll?

Companies needing affordable global payroll and EOR