Looking for a Connecteam alternative?
Australian businesses are switching to RosterElf for simpler rostering, built-in award interpretation, and local support that understands Australian compliance.
15-day free trial. No credit card required.
Connecteam is a feature-rich workforce management platform, but it's not the right fit for every business. If you're finding Connecteam's interface too complex, struggling with hub-based pricing, or needing Australian award interpretation, you're not alone.
Many Australian SMEs are switching to RosterElf — a simpler, Australian-built alternative designed specifically for shift-based businesses that need Fair Work compliance out of the box.
RosterElf vs Connecteam at a glance
| Feature | RosterElf | Connecteam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Hub-based: from $29 USD (~$45 AUD)/month per hub for 30 users | |
| Award interpretation | ||
| Xero integration | Basic integration (no award interpretation) | |
| Support | Global support (US-based company) | |
| Interface | Complex, settings scattered across menus | |
| Best for | Australian SMEs (5-200 staff) | Mobile/deskless teams, communication-focused |
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In-depth analysis of Connecteam's features, pricing, and limitations.
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Full comparison
Side-by-side feature, pricing, and support comparison.
View comparisonWhy businesses leave connecteam
Connecteam is a capable platform, but we consistently hear the same pain points from Australian businesses making the switch:
No australian award support
Connecteam doesn't interpret Australian Modern Awards. You'll need to manually calculate penalty rates, overtime, and allowances — or use additional software.
Complex hub-based pricing
Need scheduling AND communication AND HR? That's three separate hubs with three separate subscriptions. Costs add up quickly.
Overwhelming interface
Settings scattered across multiple menus. Finding what you need often requires clicking through several screens. Staff training takes longer.
US-focused platform
Default settings in feet, not metres. Support team in different timezone. Platform designed for international markets, not Australian compliance.
How RosterElf compares
Here's how RosterElf addresses the common frustrations Connecteam users face, with detailed comparisons across key areas.
Pricing
Connecteam's hub-based model can get expensive when you need multiple functions. Here's how the pricing actually compares:
| What you get | RosterElf | Connecteam |
|---|---|---|
| Core rostering & scheduling | Included | $29-49 USD/month base (Operations Hub Basic-Advanced) |
| Time & attendance | Included | Included in Operations Hub |
| Team messaging | Included | $29-49 USD/month base (Communications Hub Basic-Advanced) |
| HR tools | +$3-4/user (or Full Suite) | $29-49 USD/month base (HR & Skills Hub Basic-Advanced) |
| Award interpretation | ||
| Xero/MYOB integration | Included (award-ready) | Basic (manual award calc needed) |
| Total per user/month (20 staff) | $8 - $10 | $10 - $20+ (depends on hubs) |
★ Bottom line
Connecteam's free tier (up to 10 users) is great for very small teams. But once you grow beyond 10 staff or need multiple hubs, RosterElf offers better value — especially when you factor in Australian award interpretation, which Connecteam doesn't provide at any price.
Award interpretation & payroll
This is the critical difference for Australian businesses:
- RosterElf: Built-in Australian award interpretation. Penalty rates, overtime, and allowances calculated automatically. Timesheets export to Xero/MYOB ready for payroll.
- Connecteam: No award interpretation. You'll need to manually calculate penalty rates or use separate payroll software. Their Xero integration syncs hours but not award-calculated pay.
★ Verdict
If you operate under Australian Modern Awards, RosterElf is the clear choice. Connecteam simply doesn't offer this functionality — you'd need additional software or manual calculations.
Rostering & scheduling
Both platforms offer shift scheduling, but they take different approaches:
- RosterElf: Site-based rostering with drag-and-drop builder, AI "Perfect Match" suggestions, real-time labour cost visibility, and award-aware budgeting.
- Connecteam: Job-based scheduling designed for mobile/deskless teams. Strong shift templates but focused on individual job assignments rather than site-based rosters.
★ Verdict
RosterElf is better for site-based businesses (hospitality, retail, healthcare). Connecteam may suit field service teams with job-by-job scheduling needs.
User interface
One of the most common complaints about Connecteam is its complex interface:
- RosterElf: Clean, intuitive design. Most features accessible from the main dashboard. Staff learn it quickly.
- Connecteam: Feature-rich but crowded. Settings scattered across multiple menus. Some settings default to US measurements (feet instead of metres).
Customer support
Support quality matters when you're trying to get payroll right:
| Support aspect | RosterElf | Connecteam |
|---|---|---|
| Team location | Global (US-based company) | |
| Phone support | Not available on basic plans | |
| Award expertise | ||
| Setup assistance | Help centre + chat |
Communication tools
This is where Connecteam genuinely excels:
- Connecteam: Comprehensive Communications Hub with in-app chat, company updates, surveys, events, and knowledge base. Excellent for team engagement.
- RosterElf: Built-in team chat, newsfeed, and notifications. Covers essential communication needs but less extensive than Connecteam.
★ Verdict
If team communication and engagement tools are your top priority, Connecteam has the edge. For businesses that need solid communication alongside award-compliant rostering, RosterElf offers the better overall package.
What our customers say
Here's what Australian businesses say about RosterElf:
Xero App Store
Xero App Store (50 reviews)
RosterElf is exactly what we needed. Simple to use, great support, and the award interpretation saves us hours every pay run.
The Australian support team actually understands our awards. That alone is worth switching for.
Integration with Xero is faultless and payroll runs smoothly. Much easier than our previous system.
4.8+ stars See all RosterElf reviews
Verified reviews from Google, Xero App Store, and G2.
Read customer reviewsHow to make the switch
Switching from Connecteam to RosterElf is straightforward. Most businesses are fully operational within a week:
Start your free trial
Sign up for a 15-day free trial. No credit card required.
Book an onboarding call
Our Australian team will help you set up your account, import staff data, and configure your award rates.
Import your data
Export your employee list from Connecteam and import via CSV. We'll help you map the fields correctly.
Configure award interpretation
Set up your Australian awards — something Connecteam couldn't do. Our team will guide you through it.
Go live
Start rostering with built-in award compliance. Most businesses are fully operational within a week.
Connecteam alternatives FAQ
- The primary reason is Australian award compliance. Connecteam does not interpret Australian Modern Awards, meaning businesses must manually calculate penalty rates, overtime, and allowances. RosterElf has built-in award interpretation that automatically handles complex pay calculations. Additionally, RosterElf offers local Australian support, simpler pricing, and a less overwhelming interface designed specifically for shift-based businesses in Australia and New Zealand.
- Award interpretation. Connecteam is a US-based platform that does not support Australian award calculations. RosterElf was built specifically for Australian businesses with comprehensive Modern Award support including penalty rates, overtime, loadings, and allowances. This means timesheets export to Xero or MYOB already award-calculated and ready for payroll, saving hours of manual work each pay period.
- Connecteam offers a free tier for up to 10 users, which is excellent for very small teams with basic needs. However, it lacks award interpretation at any price point. Once you grow beyond 10 staff or need multiple hubs (scheduling + communication + HR), costs increase rapidly with the hub-based pricing model. RosterElf costs $6-8 per user/month and includes award compliance, rostering, time tracking, and payroll integration in one package.
- Yes. RosterElf includes built-in team messaging, newsfeed announcements, and notifications. While Connecteam's Communications Hub is more extensive with surveys, events, and knowledge base tools, RosterElf covers essential communication needs for most businesses. The key advantage is that RosterElf combines communication with award-compliant rostering and payroll integration in one simple platform designed for Australian compliance.
- RosterElf is designed for site-based shift work (hospitality, retail, healthcare, aged care) rather than field service or job-by-job scheduling. If your business schedules shifts at specific locations with fixed rosters, RosterElf is ideal. Connecteam may be better suited for mobile/deskless teams doing individual job assignments. However, RosterElf offers GPS time tracking for staff working at multiple sites.
- Absolutely. While Connecteam offers a free tier for up to 10 users, RosterElf is affordable for small businesses and includes critical Australian award compliance that Connecteam lacks at any price point. For a small café or retail shop with 5-10 staff, RosterElf typically costs $40-80 per month and handles all your rostering, time tracking, payroll, and HR needs while ensuring you stay compliant with Fair Work regulations. The investment in proper award compliance protects you from costly penalties.
- Yes. RosterElf is specifically designed for Australian businesses with casual, part-time, and full-time staff. The award interpretation engine automatically calculates casual loading, part-time penalty rates, and overtime according to your relevant Modern Award. You can set employee availability, manage shift preferences, and create flexible rosters that accommodate varying hours. This is a significant advantage over Connecteam, which requires manual configuration of all these Australian-specific employment conditions.
Trusted by Australian businesses
From local cafes to national retail chains, thousands of businesses rely on RosterElf for rostering, HR and payroll.
We love our customers
At RosterElf, customer support isn't an add-on — it's part of who we are. Book a demo or chat with our team today — and experience the kind of support that makes RosterElf the most-loved workforce management platform in Australia.
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