Paymo vs Employment Hero
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Paymo
Paymo is a project management and time tracking tool built for freelancers and small agencies. It combines task management, time tracking, invoicing, and resource scheduling in one platform.
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
- ✓Built-in time tracking and invoicing
- ✓Good resource scheduling
- ✓Ideal for client-facing work
- ✓Affordable pricing
- ✓Clean interface
Cons
- ✗Not suited for large enterprise teams
- ✗Limited automation
- ✗Smaller integration ecosystem
- ✗Reporting less robust than competitors
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
Paymo vs Employment Hero: Side by Side
| Factor | Paymo | Employment Hero |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Project Management | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free |
| Best For | Freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paymo Features
- ✓Project management
- ✓time tracking
- ✓invoicing
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓team collaboration
- ✓client portal
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paymo if freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Best For
Freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Also Consider
If neither Paymo nor Employment Hero is the right fit, Wrike is worth evaluating.
Wrike
Marketing and creative teams needing enterprise project management with approvals and proofing
From Free
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Paymo and Employment Hero?
Paymo is best for freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing. Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Which is better, Paymo or Employment Hero?
Choose Paymo if freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
How much does Paymo cost?
Visit Paymo website for current pricing.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Paymo?
Freelancers and small agencies needing project management combined with time tracking and client invoicing
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite