Payroll software · Australia
Reckon
Long-standing AU accounting/payroll brand — low-cost, STP Phase 2, payday-super ready
⚠ Reputation warning
AU review sites (2025–2026) carry recurring complaints of forced subscription upgrades / large price increases and an upfront-annual-billing, no-refund policy.
Market position
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.
Australia-specific 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.
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)
Typical Australia pricing
AUD: Reckon One accounting from $12/mo; payroll from ~$16/mo (up to 4 employees), scaling with headcount
Why this matters for Australia trades
Licensing is state-administered (e.g., electrical and plumbing licenses per state/territory), and payroll software must lodge Single Touch Payroll (STP) to the ATO and handle superannuation and GST.
Australian trades vendor selection is shaped by state-based licensing, Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting to the ATO, superannuation obligations, and GST handling — plus local lead-gen platforms like hipages.
Frequently asked
Is Reckon a good fit for Australia trades?
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. 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.
What does Reckon cost in Australia?
AUD: Reckon One accounting from $12/mo; payroll from ~$16/mo (up to 4 employees), scaling with headcount. Pricing and availability can change by region — confirm current Australia pricing on the vendor's site before committing.