Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Microkeeper VS ClockOn

Compare Microkeeper VS ClockOn and see what are their differences

Microkeeper logo Microkeeper

Onboard staff, create rosters, track time and attendance, and pay your employees with compliance.

ClockOn logo ClockOn

All-in-one workforce management platform for managing staff, shifts, leave, and pay. Stay compliant with payroll & STP, award interpretation and HR tools.
  • Microkeeper Microkeeper
    Microkeeper //
    2025-07-10
  • Microkeeper Cloud HR
    Cloud HR //
    2025-07-10
  • Microkeeper Rosters
    Rosters //
    2025-07-10
  • Microkeeper Timesheets
    Timesheets //
    2025-07-10
  • Microkeeper Payroll
    Payroll //
    2025-07-10

Microkeeper is an Australian-built, all-in-one workforce management platform that helps businesses streamline payroll, HR, rostering, and timesheets, without the need for multiple disconnected systems. From onboarding to pay runs, we make workforce management simple, efficient, and compliant.

Whether you're a local cafe, a national franchise, or a fast-growing enterprise, Microkeeper is designed to scale with you. Our platform includes real-time attendance tracking, smart rostering tools, skill-based scheduling, and multiple clock-in methods, including facial recognition, mobile app, GPS tracking, and biometric hardware.

Payroll is fully integrated with Single Touch Payroll (STP) compliance, award interpretation, automated superannuation processing via Beam, and support for custom EBAs. You can process pay runs in a few clicks, with tax, super, loadings, and allowances calculated automatically, saving hours of manual admin each week.

Our HR tools include employee self-service, onboarding checklists, policy and certificate tracking, document storage, and the ability to configure rules based on your specific business needs. We also offer integrations with leading software including Xero, MYOB, Deputy, One Click Life, and more.

Proudly developed in Geelong, Microkeeper is built for Australian businesses and supported by a local team. Weโ€™re fast, flexible, and responsive, no call centres, no jargon, just smart software and real human support. Thousands of companies trust us to power their workforce. Itโ€™s time you did too.

  • ClockOn Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-06
  • ClockOn Timesheets
    Timesheets //
    2025-07-14
  • ClockOn Mobile app
    Mobile app //
    2025-07-14

ClockOn is a powerful Australian workforce management platform designed to streamline rostering, attendance, payroll, and HR processes โ€” all in one system. Built for businesses with 5 to 500+ employees, ClockOn helps teams stay compliant with Fair Work requirements while reducing administrative overhead.

Key Features

  • Smart Rostering
    Create efficient, costed rosters with drag-and-drop tools, role-based scheduling, and built-in availability and leave conflict checks. Publish rosters instantly via SMS, email or the ClockOn GO app.

  • Accurate Time & Attendance
    Track clock-ins via mobile app or tablet kiosk with geofencing and photo capture. Automate timesheets and manage breaks, rounding, and approvals to simplify payroll prep.

  • Award-Interpreted Payroll
    Run Single Touch Payroll-compliant pay runs with built-in award interpretation for Australian Modern Awards. Automatically calculate overtime, allowances, leave accruals, and superannuation.

  • Integrated HR Module
    Manage employee records, contracts, visa checks, WHS, and document storage in one secure location. Includes onboarding, job details, and compliance tracking.

Why Choose ClockOn?

  • Purpose-built for Australian compliance
  • Modular setup โ€” use what you need
  • Scales easily from small teams to 500+ staff
  • Local support and training included
  • Optional outsourced payroll service available

ClockOn is ideal for industries like healthcare, retail, hospitality, and services โ€” helping managers build rosters, track time, and pay staff with confidence.

Microkeeper

$ Details
paid Free Trial AU$6.0 / Monthly (per user)
Platforms
-
Release Date
2011 January
Startup details
Country
Australia
State
VIC
City
Geelong
Founder(s)
Jon Arrigo, Joel Davis
Employees
10 - 19

ClockOn

$ Details
paid Free Trial AU$2.7 / Monthly (per user)
Platforms
Google Chrome Firefox Safari Edge Windows Android iOS
Release Date
1999 April
Startup details
Country
Australia
State
NSW
City
Erina
Founder(s)
Graham Mylne
Employees
10 - 19

Microkeeper features and specs

  • Comprehensive Payroll Solutions
    Microkeeper offers a full suite of payroll features, including automated tax calculations, superannuation management, and compliance support, making payroll processing more efficient and less error-prone.
  • Time and Attendance Tracking
    The platform provides robust time-tracking features, including biometric and GPS clocking, which help businesses accurately track employee hours and reduce time theft.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Microkeeper can integrate with various accounting software and other business tools, promoting seamless data transfer and reducing manual entry.
  • Employee Self-Service
    The platform offers an employee self-service portal where staff can manage their profiles, view payslips, and submit leave requests, improving employee engagement and reducing admin workload.
  • Scalability
    Microkeeper is suitable for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, and can scale its features and services according to the unique needs of each business.
  • Employee scheduling
    With Microkeeper's powerful employee scheduling features, you can manage shifts, multi-location rosters, and staff availability, all in one centralised system.

Possible disadvantages of Microkeeper

  • Learning Curve
    Some users might find the initial setup and learning phase to be challenging due to the comprehensive nature of the platformโ€™s features.
  • Customization Limitations
    While the platform offers many features, certain areas may lack customization options, which might not meet the specific needs of every organization.
  • Cost
    For smaller businesses, the pricing may be seen as expensive, especially if not all features are utilized effectively.
  • Internet Dependence
    As a cloud-based platform, uninterrupted internet access is required to use Microkeeper's features, which might be a limitation for businesses in areas with unreliable internet service.
  • Customer Support
    Some users have reported that customer support can sometimes be slow to respond or less helpful than expected, which can be frustrating when immediate assistance is needed.

ClockOn features and specs

  • Comprehensive Payroll Features
    ClockOn offers a wide range of payroll features, including tax calculations, superannuation contributions, and detailed reporting, making it a robust solution for employers.
  • Time and Attendance Tracking
    The platform provides efficient time and attendance tracking options, allowing businesses to seamlessly monitor employee hours, overtime, and leave.
  • Employee Self-Service
    ClockOn includes a self-service portal where employees can view their schedules, clock-in/out, and access their payslips, increasing transparency and convenience.
  • Compliance with Local Regulations
    The software is designed to adhere to Australian labor laws, ensuring businesses remain compliant with local regulations through automatic updates and accurate record-keeping.
  • Flexible Deployment
    ClockOn offers both cloud-based and on-premises solutions, providing businesses with the flexibility to choose a deployment method that suits their needs.

Microkeeper videos

Microkeeper Overview

More videos:

  • Demo - Microkeeper Payroll Software Demo 2021
  • Review - Microkeeper integrated workforce management and payroll software

ClockOn videos

ClockOn's integrated Rostering, Attendance & Payroll Features

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microkeeper and ClockOn)
HR
80 80%
20% 20
HR And Payroll Software
54 54%
46% 46
HR Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Business & Commerce
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Microkeeper and ClockOn.

What's the story behind your product?

Microkeeper's answer

Microkeeper was born from frustration. Two friends, an engineer and a developer, met at Deakin University and saw how bloated and disconnected workforce systems were. So they built a better one. Starting in a shed on a family farm, the platform grew through word of mouth and client feedback. More than a decade later, Microkeeper helps thousands of Australian businesses manage their teams efficiently, without the complexity or overhead of traditional enterprise software.

ClockOn's answer:

๐Ÿข The Story Behind ClockOn

Founded in 1999

ClockOn began its journey after receiving a federal government start grant aimed at creating an affordable, comprehensive Time & Attendance, Rostering, HR, and Payroll solution for Australian small businesses

Evolving the Workforce Tech Stack

From those early roots, ClockOn has grown into a robust, awardโ€‘interpreting platform featuring:

  • A configurable rule engine to automate awardโ€‘specific payroll settings
  • Biometric fingerprint scanners & attendance kiosks for verified time capture
  • The ClockOn GO mobile app for twoโ€‘way messaging, GPS checkโ€‘ins, and realโ€‘time shift updates

Expanding into Outsourced Payroll

To support businesses when their payroll officers are absentโ€”or simply for added convenienceโ€”ClockOn introduced a flexible outsourced payroll service, enabling them to step in at a momentโ€™s notice

Recent Innovation: Integrated HR Module

In June 2025, ClockOnโ€™s Pro plan added a fully embedded HR module. This new tier brings:

  • Centralized employee records & document storage
  • Leave management workflows
  • WHS incident logging, visa checks, EEO/WGEA reporting
  • Roleโ€‘based approvals and manager portals โ€” all within the same unified system

That move reinforced ClockOnโ€™s mission: to eliminate the inefficiencies of patchโ€‘together systems and deliver a single source of truth for Australian workforce management


โœจ Why It Matters

From helping pubs, pharmacies, and clubs consolidate up to 4+ disconnected tools, to ensuring payroll accuracy and compliance, ClockOn has stood out for its:

  • Deep understanding of Australian award rules
  • Focus on userโ€‘configurable automation
  • Local support, ongoing innovation, and both inโ€‘house and outsourced payroll options

Today, based on the NSW Central Coast, ClockOn is trusted by SMEs across industriesโ€”offering a mature, scalable, and complianceโ€‘driven workforce solution.

What makes your product unique?

Microkeeper's answer

Microkeeper is one of the few truly all-in-one platforms built specifically for Australian workforce management. It unifies HR, rostering, timesheets, and payroll into a single system, eliminating the need for multiple tools or manual handovers. Our local focus means weโ€™re deeply aligned with Australian tax laws, awards, and compliance standards, while our software remains lean, powerful, and easy to use. Plus, we offer real human support from our Geelong-based team.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Microkeeper's answer

Microkeeper saves businesses time and money by automating the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding to payroll. Unlike competitors that bolt together multiple products, Microkeeper is built as one integrated platform. Itโ€™s customisable for businesses of all sizes, supports complex award interpretation, offers a wide range of clock-in options, and doesnโ€™t charge extra for essential features. With transparent pricing, local support, and rapid innovation, itโ€™s a smarter long-term investment.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Microkeeper's answer

Our primary audience includes Australian business owners, HR managers, payroll officers, and operations leaders. We work across industries with complex workforce needs, such as hospitality, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and cleaning services. Many of our users are multi-site employers or have a mix of full-time, part-time, and casual staff, requiring flexible, scalable workforce tools.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Microkeeper's answer

Microkeeper is developed using PHP, JavaScript, and MariaDB, with custom frameworks built for scalability and performance. We also leverage modern frontend libraries and secure cloud hosting to ensure fast, reliable access across desktop and mobile platforms.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

Microkeeper's answer

Microkeeper powers workforce operations for businesses ranging from local hospitality groups to national franchises. The software also underpins payroll for Deputy, one of Australiaโ€™s leading workforce management platforms, an endorsement of both our capability and trust. We also work with established brands across retail, manufacturing, and services sectors.

User comments

Share your experience with using Microkeeper and ClockOn. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Microkeeper and ClockOn

Microkeeper Reviews

We have no reviews of Microkeeper yet.
Be the first one to post

ClockOn Reviews

Top 3 Best Xero Payroll Alternatives in Australia
Switching from Xero Payroll can be a smooth and manageable transition for businesses seeking cost-effective alternatives. Solutions like ClockOn, ELMO Software, and Reckon provide reliable, compliant, and user-friendly payroll options tailored to the needs of Australian businesses. Each platform offers distinct advantages, with ClockOn known for its simplicity and...

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microkeeper and ClockOn, you can also consider the following products

GoExchange for Employers - GoExchange for Employers is a program that is offered by the GoHealth organization and it provides the features for the benefits of employees as well as other administration aspects.

Employment Hero - Australia's No.1 Integrated HR People Management Platform

ADP Mobile Solutions - Payroll. Talent. Benefits. HR. Time. All in one.

Payroller - Simple, easy payroll web app for small businesses

PDS Vista - PDS Vista is a complete HCM web-based software that provides you with a wide range of features to plan, organize, control, and manage the activities related to human resource management.

Xero - Xero is online accounting for your small business.