Keap vs Employment Hero
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
Keap is our recommended pick for most teams — service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one.
Try Keap →Read our full Keap review →Keap
Keap is a CRM and marketing automation platform designed specifically for small businesses and solopreneurs. It combines contact management, email marketing, invoicing, and appointment scheduling in one platform. Keap is ideal for service-based small businesses that want to automate their client follow-up and lead nurturing.
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
- ✓All-in-one platform covering CRM, marketing, and payments
- ✓Strong automation for small service businesses
- ✓Good for automating client follow-up and lead nurturing
- ✓Dedicated small business focus
Cons
- ✗Expensive for what you get compared to alternatives
- ✗Steep learning curve for the automation builder
- ✗Interface feels dated compared to modern CRM tools
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
Keap vs Employment Hero: Side by Side
| Factor | Keap | Employment Hero |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | CRM Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $249/mo | Free |
| Best For | Service-based small businesses wanting CRM and marketing automation in one | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
Keap Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing automation
- ✓invoicing and payments
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓landing pages
- ✓text marketing
- ✓reporting
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Keap
- →Small service businesses automating follow-up with leads
- →Coaches and consultants managing client pipelines
- →Businesses wanting CRM with built-in email marketing
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Keap is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing complex sales workflows
- ✗B2B SaaS companies with long sales cycles
- ✗Teams needing advanced reporting and analytics
Integrations
Keap
Gmail, Outlook, QuickBooks, Zapier, PayPal, Stripe, WooCommerce, Shopify
Our Take
Choose Keap if service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Best For
Service-based small businesses wanting CRM and marketing automation in one
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Also Consider
If neither Keap nor Employment Hero is the right fit, Monday.com CRM is worth evaluating.
Monday.com CRM
Teams that want CRM and project management combined in one visual platform
From $12/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Keap and Employment Hero?
Keap is best for service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one. Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Which is better, Keap or Employment Hero?
Choose Keap if service-based small businesses wanting crm and marketing automation in one. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
How much does Keap cost?
Keap starts at $249/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Keap?
Service-based small businesses wanting CRM and marketing automation in one
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite