SoftwareDuel

Workday vs Employment Hero

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

Workday

Workday is an enterprise-grade HCM platform used by large organizations worldwide. It covers HR, payroll, finance, and planning in a deeply integrated suite. Workday is the gold standard for enterprise HR but requires significant implementation resources and budget.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

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.

Freemium pricing · Get Pricing →

Pros

  • Extremely powerful and configurable for complex enterprise needs
  • Best-in-class financial and workforce planning tools
  • Strong compliance and audit capabilities
  • Extensive global payroll coverage

Cons

  • Very expensive with long implementation timelines of 6-12 months
  • Overkill and unaffordable for companies under 500 employees
  • UI can feel dated and complex for everyday 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 Workday if large enterprises with 500+ employees. Choose Employment Hero if australian and nz businesses needing full hr suite.

Best For

Large enterprises with 500+ employees

Best For

Australian and NZ businesses needing full HR suite