SmartRecruiters vs Employment Hero
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
SmartRecruiters
SmartRecruiters is an enterprise talent acquisition platform that offers a genuinely free plan alongside paid enterprise tiers. Its free plan includes unlimited job postings, candidate tracking, and team collaboration — making it one of the most generous free ATS options available. SmartRecruiters is used by global enterprises including Visa, Bosch, and LinkedIn.
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
- ✓Genuinely useful free plan with unlimited jobs and users
- ✓Enterprise-grade features available as you scale
- ✓Strong AI candidate screening on paid plans
- ✓Used by large global enterprises giving it credibility with candidates
Cons
- ✗Free plan has limited analytics and automation
- ✗Enterprise pricing can be expensive
- ✗Interface can feel complex for small teams
- ✗Implementation requires dedicated time for enterprise features
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
SmartRecruiters vs Employment Hero: Side by Side
| Factor | SmartRecruiters | Employment Hero |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Applicant Tracking | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Best For | Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise | Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite |
| Our Pick | — | — |
SmartRecruiters Features
- ✓Unlimited job postings
- ✓candidate tracking
- ✓collaborative hiring
- ✓AI screening
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓analytics
- ✓career page
- ✓mobile app
Employment Hero Features
- ✓HR management
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓recruitment
- ✓learning
- ✓employee engagement
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Best For
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Best For
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite
Also Consider
If neither SmartRecruiters nor Employment Hero is the right fit, Manatal is worth evaluating.
Manatal
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
From $15/user/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SmartRecruiters and Employment Hero?
SmartRecruiters is best for companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Employment Hero is best for australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
Which is better, SmartRecruiters or Employment Hero?
Choose SmartRecruiters if companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ats from free to enterprise. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.
How much does SmartRecruiters cost?
SmartRecruiters starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
How much does Employment Hero cost?
Employment Hero starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use SmartRecruiters?
Companies of all sizes wanting a scalable ATS from free to enterprise
Who should use Employment Hero?
Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite