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

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
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.

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.

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
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.


1 employee only
Up to 4 employees
Payroll companion app
Free phone support
Australian-owned
Data hosted in Australia
$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
Frequently asked questions
Is Reckon a good alternative to Xero Payroll?
How do Xero's plans compare?
Why are businesses switching from Xero Payroll?
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?
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?
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.














































