ConnX vs Frontier Software – how they compare for AU/NZ payroll

How do ConnX and Frontier Software differ?

ConnX is an Australian HR software vendor based in Milton, Brisbane. ConnX says it has 20+ years and 500+ clients. It is a modular, web-based system covering core HR, payroll self-service, recruitment, paperless onboarding, performance, learning, leave, workplace health and safety, workflow automation and timesheets with award interpretation. It does not calculate or process pay, lodge STP or pay super – those happen in the connected payroll system, which ConnX exchanges data with through an interface (MicrOpay by database or API, most others by file import and export).

Frontier Software is an established AU/NZ HCM vendor with 40+ years of history and local offices in Auckland, Wellington, Melbourne and Sydney. Its ichris platform covers payroll, recruitment, talent, learning and HR, with payroll across 26 countries. It is offered as software licensing, hosted or outsourced payroll, and integrates through API21 and file-based methods.

Both cover a lot of HR ground, so the difference is where payroll lives. With ConnX the payroll engine is a separate system, usually from a different vendor, joined by an interface. With Frontier payroll and HCM modules come from one vendor. When something breaks between two systems, it can be unclear which vendor owns the fix.

Where does ConnX fit?

ConnX fits organisations that already run a payroll system – often MicrOpay, with which it has long been paired – and want to add a broad HR and self-service layer on top. It suits teams that would rather keep their existing payroll than replace it, and accept an interface to maintain and two vendors to coordinate. Confirm directly how your payroll system integrates.

Where does Frontier Software fit?

Frontier Software fits organisations that want a full HCM suite – payroll, recruitment, talent and learning – from one vendor with long-standing AU/NZ offices and multi-country payroll reach through ichris. Confirm the current scope of its self-service and integration options (API21, file-based, Workato connector) directly.

Where does Affinity fit?

Where ConnX adds a self-service layer to a separate payroll and Frontier offers a full HCM suite, Affinity optimises for AU/NZ payroll depth with self-service built in. For organisations whose payroll complexity is concentrated in Australia and New Zealand, a specialist engine with pre-payslip intelligence, delivery-model flexibility and named local support is a different proposition. Affinity's self-service is included on every plan and shares a database with payroll, so approving leave is the same action as updating the payroll record. Affinity does not offer recruitment, performance, learning or WHS and integrates with specialist HRIS; some organisations pair a specialist HR system with Affinity's payroll.