ConnX vs Payroll Metrics – how they compare for AU/NZ payroll

How do ConnX and Payroll Metrics 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).

Payroll Metrics is an independent Australian payroll and workforce-compliance vendor, founded 2013 and headquartered in Oakleigh, Victoria. It integrates payroll, timesheets, workforce management and advanced rostering for AU and NZ, with STP and SuperStream via an accredited gateway, and holds ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and ISO 9001 certifications.

The two sit at different layers. ConnX is the HR and self-service layer, with payroll handled by a separate system and an interface between them. Payroll Metrics is a payroll and workforce platform with a narrower HR focus. 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: recruitment, paperless onboarding, performance, learning and WHS. 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 Payroll Metrics fit?

Payroll Metrics fits AU/NZ organisations that want payroll, timesheets, workforce management and advanced rostering in one platform from an independent local vendor, with ISO 27001:2022, ISO 27701:2019 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications on an Australian Azure data centre. Confirm HR breadth and NZ Holidays Act depth directly.

Where does Affinity fit?

Where ConnX adds a self-service layer to a separate payroll and Payroll Metrics integrates payroll with rostering, 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.