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Employment Hero vs KiwiHR

Employment Hero and KiwiHR both aim to simplify HR, but they serve very different needs. Employment Hero is a massive, AI-powered operating system for global teams. KiwiHR is a focused, modular tool for growing businesses.

Disclosure: this page may contain affiliate links for Employment Hero and KiwiHR. If you click these links and make a purchase, Ciroapp may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Employment Hero
Employment Hero

Powerful all-in-one platform with mixed support.

Ciroapp review
3.7
#2 in Employer of Record (EOR) Service

Employment Hero is a comprehensive, AI-driven system for managing global HR, payroll, and compliance. We found it offers significant time-saving potential and a unified employee experience. Overall, it's a robust solution for growing businesses, but its value depends heavily on your ability to navigate its modular pricing and variable customer support.

Pros

  • All-in-one platform for HR, payroll, recruitment, and benefits.
  • AI-powered features automate hiring, shortlisting, and administrative tasks.
  • Strong global capability via HeroForce managed service for 180+ countries.
  • Employee superapp improves engagement and provides easy access to info.

Cons

  • Customer support responsiveness can be inconsistent or slow.
  • Onboarding and initial setup process can be complex.
  • Pricing model with modules and tiers can feel less transparent.
  • Some users report occasional software bugs or feature delays.
Pricing
$0–$8211/month
Free trial
Money-back
Best for
Growing businesses needing an all-in-one HR, payroll, and recruitment system, Companies planning to hire employees in multiple countries without setting up local entities, Organizations looking for a single employee superapp for engagement and benefits
KiwiHR
KiwiHR

Intuitive HRIS for growing teams.

Ciroapp review
4.1
#8 in Human Resources Management System

We found that this modular platform excels at simplifying core HR tasks like tracking leave and managing personnel files. Users frequently highlight the platform's intuitive interface and highly responsive support team as key strengths. Overall, we recommend it for small to mid-sized companies seeking to centralize their essential HR administration easily and efficiently.

Pros

  • Very user-friendly interface for both admins and employees.
  • Exceptional customer service that is reactive and solves issues fast.
  • Efficiently centralizes employee records and automates leave tracking.
  • Flexible, month-to-month subscription options are available.

Cons

  • Low 3.0 aggregate TrustScore suggests underlying issues not captured in positive feedback.
  • Specific advanced reporting functions, like combined yearly leave reports for tax purposes, were requested by users.
Pricing
$1/month
Free trialYes
Money-back
Best for
Small to mid-sized teams wanting to centralize core HR admin quickly, Businesses that need a simple, modular solution for ATS, HRIS, or Performance, Companies prioritizing intuitive software and responsive customer support
Quick verdict
Choose Employment Hero if you need a comprehensive, all-in-one system to manage HR, payroll, recruitment, and global compliance in 180+ countries.
Choose KiwiHR if you want a simple, flexible HRIS to centralize employee data, track leave, and manage performance for a small to mid-sized team.

AboutEmployment Hero

Employment Hero is an AI-powered Employment Operating System (EmploymentOS). It provides software for businesses to manage their own teams, and a managed service called HeroForce that acts as the legal employer in 180+ countries, handling contracts, payroll, and compliance. It’s designed for SMEs and growing organizations across almost any industry.

AboutKiwiHR

This powerful modular solution covers the entire employee journey in one centralized system. It is a simple Core HR solution built right alongside built-in performance management capabilities. You can start with the modules you truly need and easily add components as your team grows. This helps you unify recruitment, essential HR management, and talent development in one cohesive location. ✅

Highlights

Quick winners by category at a glance.
Ease of Use
Users consistently find KiwiHR's interface more intuitive and easier to navigate from day one. Employment Hero is more complex.
Feature Set
Employment Hero offers a deeper, more integrated suite covering HR, payroll, recruitment, and global employment in one system.
Value for Money
KiwiHR is simpler and more affordable to start. Employment Hero offers greater breadth, which may provide better value for larger or global teams.
Tie
Customer Support
KiwiHR reviews praise fast, exceptional customer service. Employment Hero's support responsiveness is reported as inconsistent.
Integration Options
KiwiHR boasts an ecosystem of 500+ tech partners, offering extensive flexibility to connect with your existing stack.
Mobile Experience
Employment Hero's 'Work' superapp provides a richer, more comprehensive employee portal for benefits and career tools.

Feature Comparison

Compare key features side by side
Core HR & Employee Database
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Tie
Integrated Payroll
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:Via add-on
Tie
Applicant Tracking System (ATS)
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:Separate module
Tie
Performance Management
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:Separate module
Tie
AI-Powered Hiring & Shortlisting
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Tie
Global Employment (EOR)
Employment Hero:HeroForce (180+ countries)
KiwiHR:
Employment Hero
Employee Self-Service Mobile App
Employment Hero:Superapp with benefits
KiwiHR:Standard
Tie
Time & Attendance Tracking
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Tie
Expense Management
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Tie
Employee Engagement Surveys
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Tie
Customizable Workflows
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Tie
Business Intelligence (BI) Integrations
Employment Hero:Reporting included
KiwiHR:ATS Optimize plan only
Tie
SSO Support
Employment Hero:Enterprise plan
KiwiHR:ATS Optimize plan
Tie
Minimum User Requirement
Employment Hero:10 users (core plans)
KiwiHR:None stated
Tie
Free Trial
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
KiwiHR
Annual Billing Discount
Employment Hero:For some services
KiwiHR:20% off
Tie
Multi-Country Support
Employment Hero:Via HeroForce
KiwiHR:100+ countries (localized)
Tie
Dedicated Customer Success Manager
Employment Hero:Enterprise plans
KiwiHR:ATS Optimize plan
Tie
AI-Powered Feedback Writing
Employment Hero:For hiring
KiwiHR:
Tie
Employee Referral Programs
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:ATS Advance+
Tie
Whistleblowing Functionality
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Tie
Integrated Employee Benefits Platform
Employment Hero:
KiwiHR:
Employment Hero
Feature Comparison Summary
2
Employment Hero
19
Ties
1
KiwiHR

Features Overview

We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.

Ease of Use

KiwiHR wins on simplicity and speed. Employment Hero is more powerful but has a steeper curve.

KiwiHR

Employment Hero is a powerful, comprehensive platform. New users often report the initial setup and learning curve can be complex. It's a big system to navigate. KiwiHR is praised for its very user-friendly interface. Admins and employees find it intuitive and easy to navigate. You can get started with core tasks quickly. The trade-off is depth vs. simplicity. Employment Hero offers more out-of-the-box features. KiwiHR focuses on making essential tasks effortless. If you need to centralize HR admin fast without complex onboarding, KiwiHR is the smoother start.

Feature Set

Employment Hero offers a more integrated, all-in-one platform. KiwiHR is modular and best for core HR, ATS, or Performance.

Employment Hero

Employment Hero provides a unified EmploymentOS. HR, payroll, recruitment, benefits, and global employment (HeroForce) are built into one system. Data flows seamlessly. KiwiHR is a modular platform. You can choose ATS, Core HRIS, or Performance Management modules. They work well but are separate components you select. Employment Hero's strength is the deep integration across all functions. KiwiHR offers flexibility to pick only what you need. For a truly single source of truth from hiring to offboarding, Employment Hero's unified approach is unmatched.

Global Capabilities

Employment Hero dominates with HeroForce, acting as the legal employer in 180+ countries. KiwiHR supports global offices but not as an EOR.

Employment Hero

Employment Hero's HeroForce service is a game-changer for global expansion. It handles contracts, payroll, and compliance in over 180 countries as the Employer of Record. KiwiHR operates in over 100 countries and offers localized support. However, it provides the software tools, not the legal employment service itself. This is a major difference. Employment Hero can legally employ your staff worldwide. KiwiHR helps you manage an existing global team. If hiring in new countries without local entities is your goal, Employment Hero is the clear choice.

Recruitment & Hiring

Both have AI-powered ATS. Employment Hero integrates it fully into its OS. KiwiHR's ATS is a strong, standalone module.

Tie

Employment Hero includes AI-powered hiring tools within its platform. It can shortlist candidates and schedule interviews, feeding data directly into the HR and payroll system. KiwiHR offers a dedicated ATS with flexible hiring workflows. Its AI tools help write emails and summarize feedback. The ATS scales from 5 to unlimited job posts. The key difference is integration. Employment Hero's recruitment is part of the employee lifecycle. KiwiHR's ATS is excellent but can be purchased separately. For a hiring process that automatically updates employee records, Employment Hero offers tighter integration.

Payroll & Compliance

Employment Hero offers intelligent, integrated payroll. KiwiHR provides payroll support, not a native payroll engine.

Employment Hero

Employment Hero features 'Intelligent Payroll' that automates tax calculations, validations, and submissions. It's designed to run itself with minimal manual intervention. KiwiHR's Core HRIS module includes 'payroll support.' This means it provides the data and reports to run payroll, but you likely need a separate payroll system. This is a critical operational difference. Employment Hero can run your payroll end-to-end. KiwiHR prepares the data for another tool. For businesses wanting one system for both HR and payroll processing, Employment Hero is the comprehensive solution.

Mobile Experience

Employment Hero's 'Work' superapp offers a richer feature set. KiwiHR provides a solid, standard mobile experience.

Employment Hero

Employment Hero offers the 'Employment Hero Work' app. It's a superapp for payslips, leave, benefits, career tools, and more. It aims to be the single app for work life. KiwiHR provides a mobile app for core employee tasks. Users can typically request leave, view calendars, and access their info on the go. Employment Hero's app is more feature-rich, integrating benefits and career development. KiwiHR's app focuses on essential self-service. If you want to provide employees with a comprehensive portal for work and benefits, the Employment Hero superapp has more to offer.

Customer Support

KiwiHR users praise exceptional, fast support. Employment Hero support is available but with reported inconsistencies.

KiwiHR

KiwiHR reviews consistently highlight excellent and reactive customer service. Support teams are described as fast, helpful, and consistently available to solve issues. Employment Hero offers support, but reviews note responsiveness can be inconsistent. Some users report delays, especially for technical issues during critical times. The sentiment difference is clear. KiwiHR users feel well-supported. Employment Hero users have a more mixed experience. When quick, reliable help is a priority, KiwiHR's support reputation is a strong advantage.

Pricing & Value

KiwiHR offers simpler, modular pricing with a free trial. Employment Hero's model is more complex with minimums and scales based on modules.

KiwiHR

KiwiHR has clear modular pricing starting at €83/month for HR modules. It offers a free trial and a straightforward 20% annual discount. Employment Hero pricing starts at $10/employee/month but requires a minimum of 10 users. It has various tiers and modules, which can feel complex. There's no stated free trial. KiwiHR's model is more accessible for smaller teams to start and test. Employment Hero's value comes from its breadth, which may cost more upfront. For transparent, entry-level pricing with a trial, KiwiHR is easier to evaluate. Employment Hero's value is in its comprehensive feature set.

Scalability

Employment Hero scales globally with HeroForce. KiwiHR scales modularly as your team and needs grow.

Tie

Employment Hero scales horizontally via HeroForce for global hiring. It can handle adding employees in new countries without you setting up local entities. KiwiHR scales vertically by adding more powerful modules (ATS Start to Optimize) or combining them with HRIS and Performance. Employment Hero's scalability is about geographic reach. KiwiHR's is about functional depth. If your growth involves expanding into new countries, Employment Hero's model is built for that. If growth means needing more advanced HR tools, KiwiHR's modular path is clear.

Employment Hero Pricing
$10–$1,374+/month (per employee)

Employment Hero pricing: Employment Hero offers tiered subscription plans starting at $10 per employee/month for HR essentials, alongside specialized AI recruitment and payroll solutions. Costs scale based on team size and selected modules, with both monthly and annual billing options available for specific services like the AI Recruitment Agent at $199/month (billed annually).

Professional managed services under the HeroForce brand are also offered with custom pricing, allowing businesses to tailor their plan to their specific needs and workforce size. Note that a minimum of 10 users is required for core subscriptions and pricing is quoted in AUD excluding GST for the Australian market.

Some plans also offer flexibility for single entity or global expansion setups, simplifying the complexity of multi-national compliance and local payroll management through their unified platform infrastructure. Businesses can scale their usage of AI-powered tools such as video interviewing and candidate scoring as their hiring needs grow over time, ensuring they only pay for the capacity they actually use each month through transparent tiered pricing.

Free trial
Money-back
Pricing types (AI)
Per employee, Tiered plans, Module-based, Annual billing (for some)
Employment Hero pricing screenshot
View Employment HeroView Employment Hero pricing
KiwiHR Pricing
$1/mo

Tellent, the People Decision Platform, costs between €83 and €1,374 per month with five main plans: ATS Start at €270/month, ATS Advance at €343/month, ATS Optimize at €1,374/month, Core HRIS Manage at €83/month, and Performance Management Grow at €83/month.

Tellent offers modular solutions; you can choose the Application Tracking System (ATS), the HRIS, or combine both to meet your specific business needs.

ATS Start

Price: €270/month (Save 20% with annual billing.) Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Early-stage teams building their fundamental hiring processes. Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features:

  • 5 active job posts
  • CareersHub (single-page, no-code careers site)
  • Multi-job board posting
  • AI-powered email and feedback writing
  • Standard reporting and analytics
Free trial
Yes
Money-back
Pricing types (AI)
Per module, Company size scaling, Monthly/annual, Tiered plans
ATS Start (ATS)
Monthly: €270
  • 5 active job posts
  • CareersHub (single-page, no-code careers site)
  • Team collaboration tools
  • AI-powered email and feedback writing
  • Unlimited data storage
5 active job posts. Price increases by company size. Save 20% with annual billing.
ATS Advance (ATS)
Monthly: €343
  • All Start features included
  • Unlimited job posts
  • CareersHub (multi-page, branded URL)
  • ReferralsHub: employee referrals
  • Candidate self-scheduling
Price increases by company size. Save 20% with annual billing.
ATS Optimize (ATS)
Monthly: €1,374
  • Everything in Advance included
  • SSO and API support
  • Testing environment
  • Dedicated CSM and Onboarding support
  • AI fairness tools and BI integrations
Price increases by company size. Save 20% with annual billing.
Core HRIS Manage (HRIS)
Monthly: €83
  • Employee database and time/attendance management
  • Absence and expense management
  • HR reports & payroll support
  • Custom modules for specific business needs
  • Whistleblowing functionality
Price increases by company size. Save 20% with annual billing.
KiwiHR pricing screenshot
View KiwiHRView KiwiHR pricing

Pricing Notes

Context that may affect total cost of ownership.
  • Employment Hero requires a minimum of 10 users for core HR subscriptions.
  • KiwiHR offers a clear 20% discount for choosing annual billing.
  • Employment Hero's pricing can feel complex with different modules (HR, Recruitment, Payroll).
  • KiwiHR's pricing scales dynamically based on employee headcount for each module.
  • Employment Hero has additional fees for SMS and superannuation processing.
  • KiwiHR's free trial lets you test the platform before committing.

Pricing Head-to-Head

Who offers better value at a glance.
Cheaper starting price
Free trial available
KiwiHR
Refund policy
Tie
Pricing models variety
Tie
Overall pricing winner
KiwiHR

User Reviews

What users are saying about these tools
Reviews Winner
KiwiHR
Employment Hero
3.70 reviews

We found mixed sentiment from users on Trustpilot and Capterra, though we could only access a limited set of reviews. Users frequently praise the platform's ease of use and the time-saving benefits of having payroll, HR, and employee management integrated.

👍 Recurring positives include the intuitive mobile app for employees and the helpfulness of customer support in resolving issues. However, a common point of friction is customer service responsiveness, with some reporting slow or inconsistent support.

Alex D.
· Trustpilot
4.0 / 5

The platform has streamlined our payroll and HR processes significantly. The employee app is a great touch for the team. Support was helpful when we needed it.

No reviews yet.
KiwiHR
4.10 reviews

The platform, known as KiwiHR and now Tellent HR, holds a 3.0-star rating across 56 Trustpilot reviews. Users consistently praise its exceptional ease of use, specifically noting the system is readily simple and accessible for both administrators and employees.

Reviewers often mention its effectiveness in cutting administrative load, especially for tracking leave and centralizing employee records. They appreciate the ability to step away from manual spreadsheets and value the automatic leave rollover feature, which simplifies recurring year-end processes.

Johann K.
· Trustpilot · Apr 26, 2022
5.0 / 5

Great overall experience. The platform is easy to use from both an admin and employee point of view. It provides a much needed turnkey HR solution that helps us focus on delivering our product.

No reviews yet.
AI conclusion
KiwiHR boasts a higher average rating (4.1 vs 3.7) and glowing reviews for its ease of use and support. Employment Hero has mixed feedback, with users praising its power but noting support delays and a complex setup.

Our Verdict

Objective guidance based on features, pricing, and overall fit.

For most growing businesses needing simple, focused HR tools, KiwiHR is the easier win. Its intuitive design, stellar support, and modular pricing make it a safe choice. Employment Hero's superpower is its all-in-one, global operating system. It's the only choice if you need to legally employ staff in 180+ countries via HeroForce. It also bundles intelligent payroll. KiwiHR's superpower is simplicity and flexibility. You get excellent core HR, a top-rated ATS, or performance tools—exactly what you need without the complexity. The deciding factor is your ambition. If global expansion is on the horizon, pick Employment Hero. If you want to master core HR in one country, KiwiHR is simpler. Choose KiwiHR for an easy start and fantastic support. Choose Employment Hero if you need a powerful, global system that handles everything from hiring to worldwide payroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Employment Hero better than KiwiHR for payroll?

Yes. Employment Hero has a native, intelligent payroll system that automates calculations and submissions. KiwiHR offers payroll support, meaning it provides data to a separate payroll tool.

Can KiwiHR handle hiring in multiple countries like Employment Hero?

KiwiHR provides software for teams in over 100 countries. However, only Employment Hero offers HeroForce, a managed service that acts as the legal employer (EOR) in 180+ countries, handling all local compliance.

Which is cheaper for a small team of 15 people?

KiwiHR's modular pricing (e.g., €83/month for HR) may be more affordable and transparent initially. Employment Hero starts at $10/employee/month but requires a 10-user minimum and has various modules.

Does KiwiHR have a free trial to test it first?

Yes, KiwiHR offers an 18-day free trial for its modules. Employment Hero does not mention a standard free trial on its website; you would typically request a demo.

Which platform is easier to set up and learn?

Users consistently report KiwiHR is very easy to use and quick to set up. Employment Hero is more comprehensive but has a steeper learning curve during onboarding.

Can I integrate both tools with my accounting software?

Both offer integrations. KiwiHR has a marketplace of 500+ partners. Employment Hero integrates with platforms like Xero and MYOB, depending on your subscription.

Ready to Choose?

Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.