Looking for one of the best Deputy alternatives?
Reckon Payroll is a better value choice
Get the payroll essentials you need for less, with more support options
Why choose Reckon over Deputy?
Fair pricing, no surprises, and payroll designed for growing small businesses – with real support when you need it.
Save big with Reckon
Deputy charges per user, per month, for its workforce management software, with extra fees for each additional staff member on Payroll. That means with just four employees, your costs can reach nearly $60/month – over 275% higher than Reckon and four times the cost! If you don’t need advanced workforce management features like GPS tracking, facial recognition and buddy punching prevention, Reckon gives small businesses the payroll features they need with fair pricing and no unnecessary paid tiers.
Fair pricing tiers you can rely on
Reckon Payroll starts from just $16/month for up to 4 employees. As your business grows, the next tier is only $32/month for up to 10 employees. Unlike many providers with multiple paid tiers and extra per-user charges, Reckon offers fair pricing, predictable monthly costs and Australian payroll software designed specifically for growing small businesses. It’s a simple, scalable solution that grows with your business without breaking the budget.
Support that’s actually there
When you need help, Reckon’s got your back. Every plan includes free phone support, live chat and real people who understand Australian payroll, award interpretation and complex award requirements. Deputy doesn’t include phone support, so you’re often left waiting on email or self-service articles. If real support matters to your business, Reckon is one of the best Deputy alternatives available.
Get started with ease with free onboarding
Setting up new payroll software shouldn’t be stressful. With Reckon, free onboarding helps you import employee data, employee details and payroll information quickly so you can process your first pay run sooner. Deputy doesn’t offer onboarding support, leaving many businesses to configure everything themselves. Reckon helps you stay compliant from day one.
*Pricing listed compares the monthly cost of Deputy’s Workforce Management ‘Core’ plan + Payroll at the standard price, correct as of November 2025.
Get more features for less
Deputy ‘Core’ workforce plan, plus Payroll for 4 employees vs Reckon “Payroll Essentials” plan with 4 employees.
Employees
$5 per employee, per month
Up to 4 employees included
Free phone support
$59.00
$16.00
‘*This table is in comparison to Deputy’s ‘Core’ Workforce Management plan + Payroll plan with 4 employees (extra $5/month, per employee). Reckon’s price is Reckon ‘Payroll Essentials’ plan for up to 4 employees. Reckon’s unlimited free phone support is available during business hours. Data correct as of November 2025.
Helping thousands of businesses with their accounting
Migrate from Deputy to Reckon for free
Moving your data from Deputy 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
Switch us off whenever you want. Flexibility is in your hands.
Industry standard security
We use AES-256 bit encryption and multiple layers of firewalls to ensure your data is always protected.
Automatic backups & updates
Your data is safe, and you're always on the latest, cutting-edge cloud accounting software.
30 years in the accounting & payroll industry
We have earned the trust of over 100,000 businesses across Australia.
Data stored in Australia
Store your sensitive accounting software data here at home, under Australian law.
Connect with an expert
Your accountant or bookkeeper can now help your small business in real-time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I easily switch my data from Deputy 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?
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.
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 businesses stay compliant with Australian payroll?
Does Reckon include workforce management features like Deputy?
Deputy offers workforce management features including time tracking, basic time tracking, GPS tracking, facial recognition, buddy punching prevention, shift scheduling and team messaging. These tools are designed for businesses managing hourly workers, field teams and multiple job sites.
Reckon includes online timesheets for recording employee hours and creating accurate pay runs, but its focus is Australian payroll rather than advanced workforce management. Reckon helps businesses stay compliant with STP and payroll reporting. If you’re looking for affordable payroll rather than advanced workforce management, Reckon is one of the best Deputy alternatives for growing small businesses.
Is Reckon the best Deputy alternative for Australian small businesses?
Convinced Reckon Payroll is the perfect Deputy alternative for small businesses?
Try Reckon Payroll for free, cancel anytime.
