Payroll software · Australia · Head-to-head
KeyPay (Employment Hero Payroll) vs Reckon
Two Australia payroll software options, compared side by side for Australia trades.
Which should you choose?
KeyPay (Employment Hero Payroll) is the safer default — Reckon carries a reputation caution (see below), while KeyPay (Employment Hero Payroll) does not. Choose Reckon only if its specific strengths clearly outweigh that, and read the warning first.
KeyPay (Employment Hero Payroll)
Tier S · RecommendedAU payroll with award-interpretation engine — handles Fair Work penalty rates automatically
KeyPay (now Employment Hero Payroll) is AU's leading award-interpretation payroll. Handles complex AU Fair Work award penalty rates, allowances, and overtime calculations automatically — a structural moat in the AU market where awards are notoriously complex. Powers Employment Hero's broader HR+payroll platform.
Pros
- + Best AU award-interpretation engine in the market
- + Handles Fair Work complexity automatically
- + Powers Employment Hero's broader HR/payroll platform
- + Cross-market (AU/NZ/UK/SG)
Cons
- − Pricing higher than simpler payroll alternatives
- − Best fit for businesses with award-complexity needs
- − Employment Hero bundle can be overkill for pure payroll
Australia note
Award interpretation is the structural moat. AU Fair Work awards have 100+ different penalty/allowance rules — KeyPay automates what would otherwise be manual calculation.
Reckon
Tier A · WorkableLong-standing AU accounting/payroll brand — low-cost, STP Phase 2, payday-super ready
⚠ AU review sites (2025–2026) carry recurring complaints of forced subscription upgrades / large price increases and an upfront-annual-billing, no-refund policy.
An Australian publicly-listed company with 30+ years in AU accounting/payroll, positioned explicitly as a cheaper MYOB/Xero alternative at the SMB/micro end. Its current lineup (Reckon One payroll, Payroll App, Payroll Premier) targets sole traders and small teams wanting cheap, ATO-compliant STP without a full accounting suite — a fit for the solo operator or small crew that just needs compliant payslips, leave and STP.
Pros
- + Genuinely Australian (ASX-listed, 30+ years, AU-hosted data)
- + STP Phase 2 compliant + ATO-registered across all payroll products
- + Explicitly "Payday Super ready for 1 July 2026"
- + Very low entry pricing (~$16/mo for up to 4 employees) + standalone mobile app
Cons
- − Reviews call the software dated vs Xero/MYOB
- − Repeated complaints of forced upgrades + steep price jumps
- − Upfront annual billing + a no-refund stance
- − No meaningful built-in award interpretation (weak for award-heavy shift trades)
Australia note
Australian-made, ATO-registered; STP Phase 2 across all payroll products and states it is "Payday Super ready for 1 July 2026." A long-standing local MYOB/Xero alternative for micro/small businesses.
More Australia options
See all Australia payroll software vendors and the rest of the Australia directory.