SoftwareDuel

Square Payroll vs Employment Hero

A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool

Square Payroll

Square Payroll is a simple and affordable payroll solution built for small businesses, especially those already using Square for payments. It handles full-service payroll, tax filings, and tip management automatically.

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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.

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Pros

  • Very easy to use
  • Affordable flat pricing
  • Seamless Square POS integration
  • Handles tips and hourly workers well
  • Full-service tax filing included

Cons

  • Limited features for complex payroll needs
  • Not suited for larger businesses
  • HR features are basic
  • Best value only for Square ecosystem users

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

Our Take

Choose Square Payroll if small businesses and restaurants already using square pos wanting a simple integrated payroll solution. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.

Best For

Small businesses and restaurants already using Square POS wanting a simple integrated payroll solution

Best For

Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite