RECKON PAYROLL VS XERO PAYROLL

Looking for a Xero Payroll alternative?

Reckon costs over 50% less than Xero for Payroll

Save money: Cover 4 employees for $16/month versus Xero’s $37/month for 1

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Why choose Reckon over Xero?

Better value, fair pricing, support when you need it, and a payroll app that lets you manage your business on the go.

Save Big With Reckon

Save big with Reckon

Reckon’s entry-level payroll software starts at just $16/month, compared to Xero’s Ignite plan at around $37/month – that’s over 55% cheaper. Unlike Xero’s tiered pricing, Reckon gives small businesses affordable payroll without forcing you onto higher-cost Xero plans as your business grows. Every plan includes the essential features you need while helping keep your cash flow under control.

Fair Pricing Tiers

Payroll on the go

With Reckon, you can run payroll, review every pay run, approve timesheets and pay employees from the Reckon Payroll companion app. Xero Payroll doesn’t offer a dedicated payroll app, meaning you’ll need to log in through your browser each time. Reckon helps streamline payroll for busy employers.

Avoid Hidden Costs

More employees, same low price

Xero’s Ignite plan only includes payroll for one employee. Once you need additional employees, you’ll need to upgrade to the Grow plan, with higher monthly costs ($78/month) plus an additional $5 user fee for each extra employee. Reckon Payroll starts from just $16/month for up to four employees, making it a more affordable option for growing Australian businesses.

Support That's Actually There

Support that’s actually there

Reckon gives you free onboarding, phone support and live chat in every plan. Xero focuses primarily on self-service support. Whether you’re completing your first pay run, managing payroll STP reporting or keeping up with STP compliance, our local Australian support team is ready to help.

*Pricing listed compares the monthly cost of Xero’s ‘Ignite’ and ‘Grow’ plans. Pricing lists at the standard price, correct as of June 2026.

Reckon vs Xero Payroll software comparison

Xero “Ignite” plan vs Reckon “Essentials” plan.

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Process pay runs
Email payslips
Payroll

1 employee only

Up to 4 employees

Manage STP
Calculate superannuation
Track leave and entitlements

Payroll companion app

Employee companion app
Payroll reporting
Free onboarding session

Free phone support

Australian-owned

Data hosted in Australia

Monthly price

$37.00

$16.00

*This table is in comparison to Xero’s “Ignite” plan, which includes payroll for 1 employee and Reckon’s ‘Payroll Essentials’ plan for up to 4 employees. Reckon’s unlimited free phone support is available during business hours. Data correct as of June 2026.

Helping thousands of businesses with their accounting

Migrate from Xero to Reckon for free

Moving your data from Xero to Reckon is quick and easy with our migration service. It’s free when you sign up for Reckon Plus or Premium plans.

There are a million reasons to love Reckon

Cancel at any time

Cancel at any time

Switch us off whenever you want. Flexibility is in your hands.

Industry standard security

Industry standard security

We use AES-256 bit encryption and multiple layers of firewalls to ensure your data is always protected.

Automatic backups & updates

Automatic backups & updates

Your data is safe, and you're always on the latest, cutting-edge cloud accounting software.

Works on all devices

30 years in the accounting & payroll industry

We have earned the trust of over 100,000 businesses across Australia.

Data stored in Australia

Data stored in Australia

Store your sensitive accounting software data here at home, under Australian law.

Connect with an expert

Connect with an expert

Your accountant or bookkeeper can now help your small business in real-time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Reckon a good alternative to Xero Payroll?
If you’re comparing Reckon vs Xero, Reckon is an excellent payroll software option for Australian small businesses looking to reduce monthly costs while maintaining payroll compliance. Unlike Xero’s tiered pricing, Reckon offers affordable payroll plans, free onboarding, phone support and STP reporting built in.
How do Xero's plans compare?
Xero offers several plans including the Ignite plan, Grow plan and Ultimate plan, with pricing increasing as more features and employees are required. Reckon keeps payroll simple with transparent pricing designed for Australian small businesses.
Why are businesses switching from Xero Payroll?
Many businesses are switching from Xero Payroll because of recent price increases, price hikes and changing plan structures. Reckon offers predictable monthly pricing, free onboarding and local phone support without forcing customers onto higher-priced plans.
Does Reckon support Single Touch Payroll (STP) compliance?

Yes. Reckon is fully ATO-compliant and supports Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting, including STP Phase 2 requirements.

You can confidently manage payroll reporting directly to the ATO, helping ensure your obligations are met accurately and on time. Updates are automatically maintained so you stay compliant as regulations evolve.

Does Reckon help with payroll compliance?
Yes. Reckon Payroll helps employers meet Australian Taxation Office requirements through Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting, superannuation calculations and ongoing payroll compliance updates. This helps reduce errors and keeps your business compliant with changing legislation.
Can I easily switch my data from Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks or other platforms to Reckon?

Yes. Switching to Reckon is designed to be straightforward with our free data migration service. available on eligible plans. We support migration from major accounting platforms, helping you move key business data such as your chart of accounts, contacts, invoices and historical transactions.

Our team can guide you through the process and help ensure your data is set up correctly from day one. If you’re concerned about disruption, most businesses can continue normal operations while migration activities are completed in parallel.

We also provide onboarding assistance and training resources to help you get up and running quickly, so you can focus on running your business rather than managing a complicated software transition.

How long does it take to switch to Reckon?

Most small to medium businesses can be up and running in a few days. Our team can help streamline the process so you’re not stuck managing a lengthy transition.

We also provide step-by-step onboarding guidance so you can switch at a pace that suits your business.

Will I lose any historical data if I switch?
No. Your historical financial data can be imported as part of the migration process. While the level of detail may depend on your previous system, we aim to ensure you retain access to key records for reporting and compliance.
Will my accountant or bookkeeper be able to use Reckon?

Absolutely. Reckon is widely used by Australian accountants and bookkeepers, with a long-established local ecosystem.

Your existing advisor can continue working with you in Reckon without needing to change their workflow significantly. If your accountant hasn’t used Reckon before, we provide onboarding support and training resources to make the transition smooth.

Unlike some global platforms, Reckon is built specifically with Australian accounting professionals in mind, so compliance and reporting are already aligned to local needs.

How does Reckon support compare to Xero and MYOB?

Reckon gives customers access to phone support during business hours, as well as email, online help resources, webinars and community support.

Every Reckon One trial also includes a complimentary onboarding session with a product expert to help you get set up faster.

While support models vary between providers, many businesses value having direct access to phone support alongside self-service resources when they need assistance with setup, troubleshooting or day-to-day questions.

Convinced Reckon Payroll is the perfect Xero alternative for small businesses?

Try Reckon Payroll for free, cancel anytime.