Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

sumHR VS Microkeeper

Compare sumHR VS Microkeeper and see what are their differences

sumHR logo sumHR

sumHR is a modern, delightful, and extremely easy to use Human Resource Management Software that helps startups and SMEs streamline their HR & payroll processes. We are on a mission to change the way companies look at Human Resource Management. W...

Microkeeper logo Microkeeper

Onboard staff, create rosters, track time and attendance, and pay your employees with compliance.
  • sumHR Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19
  • 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.

Microkeeper

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

sumHR features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    sumHR offers a clean and intuitive interface that is easy for users to navigate, making it accessible for organizations with varying levels of tech-savviness.
  • Comprehensive HR Features
    The platform provides a wide range of HR functionalities, including attendance tracking, payroll management, leave management, and employee self-service, supporting various HR processes within an organization.
  • Cloud-Based Solution
    As a cloud-based platform, sumHR allows users to access the system from anywhere, facilitating remote work and real-time data updates.
  • Scalability
    The software is scalable, catering to the needs of both small startups and large enterprises, making it a versatile solution as a company grows.
  • Customer Support
    sumHR is known for its responsive customer support, providing timely assistance and solutions to any user issues or queries.

Possible disadvantages of sumHR

  • Limited Integrations
    The platform doesn't offer as many integrations with third-party applications compared to some other HR software, which might limit its compatibility with existing systems.
  • Cost
    While sumHR offers a range of features, the cost might be a concern for very small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
  • Customization Limitations
    Some users have reported that the customization options are not as extensive as they would like, which can be a drawback for businesses with specific HR needs.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users might still face a learning curve when familiarizing themselves with all the features and functionalities of the platform.
  • Internet Dependency
    As a cloud-based solution, sumHR requires a stable internet connection to function effectively, which can be a limitation in areas with poor internet connectivity.

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.

Analysis of sumHR

Overall verdict

  • SumHR is a good choice for businesses seeking an affordable, feature-rich HR solution that's easy to implement and use. However, larger organizations with more complex needs might find it lacking in certain high-level functionalities compared to bigger HR systems.

Why this product is good

  • SumHR is known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features tailored to small and medium enterprises. It offers a range of functionalities like payroll management, leave tracking, and performance appraisals, making HR processes more efficient. The platform is cloud-based, allowing easy scalability and access from any location. Users often praise its customer support and regular feature updates.

Recommended for

    Small to medium-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive, cloud-based HR management solution that is cost-effective and easy to use. It's particularly beneficial for organizations seeking to streamline their HR operations and improve productivity without the need for extensive customization.

sumHR videos

sumHR HRMS & Payroll Software Features

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to apply for leave in sumHR

Microkeeper videos

Microkeeper Overview

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to sumHR and Microkeeper)
HRMS
100 100%
0% 0
HR
68 68%
32% 32
HR Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Online Services
100 100%
0% 0

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing sumHR and Microkeeper.

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.

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.

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 sumHR and Microkeeper. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

What are some alternatives?

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

BambooHR - Personalized HR software for SMBs

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.

Keka - Keka is India's most desired HR & Payroll software. Keka's HR Payroll software help organizations create the best employee experience EVER! check for a free trial.

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

greytHR - Essential HR Business Tools To Survive And Thrive

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.