Looking for a Deputy alternative?
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.ย
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 4 times the cost!ย For growing small businesses, those extra costs can add up fast.
Fair pricing tiers you can rely on
Reckon Payroll starts from justย $16/monthย for up to 4 employees. As your business grows, the next tier is onlyย $32/monthย for up to 10 employees. A simple,ย predictable, and risk-free solutionย that scales with your business without breaking the budget.
Support thatโs actually there
When you need help, Reckonโs got your back. Every plan includes free phone support, live chat, and real people who understand small business. Whether youโre setting up Payroll or fixing an issue, our team is just a call or click away. Deputy doesnโt offer phone support, so youโre often left waiting on emails or searching help articles instead of getting quick, personal assistance.
Get started with ease with free onboarding
Setting up new software shouldnโt be stressful. With Reckon, free onboarding helps you get up and running quickly and confidently. Our team guides you every step of the way – from importing employee data to your first pay run. Deputy doesnโt offer onboarding support, leaving you to figure it out yourself. With Reckon, setup is simple, supported, and stress-free.
*Pricing listed compares the monthly cost of Deputyโs Workforce Management โCoreโ 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 Essentialsโ 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 Xero or other platforms to Reckon?
Yes. Moving to Reckon is designed to be straightforward. We support guided data migration from major accounting platforms, including your chart of accounts, contacts, invoices, and historical transactions. Our onboarding support team can assist to reduce downtime and ensure your books are set up correctly from day one.
If youโre concerned about disruption, most businesses find they can continue normal operations while the migration is being completed in parallel.
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 hasnโt 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.
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 youโre 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?
Is Reckon suitable if I work closely with clients or multiple entities?
Convinced Reckon Payroll is the perfect Deputy alternative for small businesses?
Try Reckon Payroll for free, cancel anytime.
