Justworks vs Employment Hero
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Justworks is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits.
Try Justworks →Read our full Justworks review →Justworks
Justworks is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that gives small businesses access to Fortune 500-level benefits and simplified payroll. By co-employing your team, Justworks handles compliance, payroll taxes, and benefits administration. It is ideal for small businesses that want premium benefits without an in-house HR team.
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.
Pros
- ✓Access to high-quality health, dental, and vision benefits typically reserved for large companies
- ✓Simple flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
- ✓Excellent customer support with fast response times
- ✓Handles all compliance and payroll tax filings
Cons
- ✗More expensive than software-only alternatives due to PEO model
- ✗Only available for US-based employees
- ✗Less flexible than standalone HR software for customization
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
Justworks vs Employment Hero: Side by Side
| Factor | Justworks | Employment Hero |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $59/employee/mo | Free |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Justworks Features
- ✓PEO co-employment
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits access
- ✓compliance
- ✓HR support
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Pricing Comparison
Justworks
PaidStarts at $59/employee/mo
Justworks: $59/employee/mo · Plus: $99/employee/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Justworks
- →US startups and small businesses wanting full PEO services
- →Companies wanting to offer Fortune 500 benefits to small teams
- →Businesses wanting to outsource HR compliance
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Justworks is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies with international employees
- ✗Businesses wanting full control over HR processes
- ✗Large enterprises with dedicated HR teams
Integrations
Justworks
QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Greenhouse
Our Take
Choose Justworks if small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Best For
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
How Justworks and Employment Hero Are Similar
- •Both are HR Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Justworks nor Employment Hero is the right fit, Breezy HR is worth evaluating.
Breezy HR
Small businesses and startups needing simple recruiting
From $9/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Justworks and Employment Hero?
Justworks is best for small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits. Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Which is better, Justworks or Employment Hero?
Choose Justworks if small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
How much does Justworks cost?
Justworks starts at $59/employee/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Justworks?
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite