Best PEO Services

TriNet offers a standard, straightforward plan that bundles payroll services, employee benefits, HR administration, and risk management. It’s not the best option if you’re looking for singular services, but for an expanding business that needs support, it can be invaluable. Customer service is available via email, phone, and online chat, and you will also have your HR expertise call center for more specific inquiries.

Services include these:

• Workers' compensation
• Payroll processing 
• Human resources administration 
• Risk management and compliance
• Employee benefits 
• Retirement plans and 401(k) options 

Many PEOs on our list will give you a support rep or even a whole team to offer assistance when you need it. However, TriNet takes it one step further, curating a personal team of professionals from your industry so you always receive superior expert advice. It is what makes it different from Oasis and earns it our top pick for specialized industries. For the growing small business, TriNet provides invaluable support and expertise that can be very hard to find elsewhere. 

The many tailored industries that TriNet works with include:

• Advertising and marketing
• Architecture
• Consulting
• Engineering
• Financial Services
• Life sciences
• Manufacturing and wholesale
• Nonprofit HR
• Retail 
• Technology

TriNet offers per-employee pricing that matches the size of your business. You will have to sign a contract, but contracts may vary, giving you some flexibility on the length. A representative can work with you to create a more customized contract that works best for you.

An established and stable PEO, Paychex works directly with employees for HR support, instead of working as a middleman. That makes it better able to assess a company and provide in-depth risk management services.

If you work with Paychex as your PEO, you’ll benefit from a payroll account manager and human resource generalist. It makes customer service an enjoyable and reliable experience, no matter the company’s size. These services all help Paychex stand out from the competition.

Online processing simplifies the payroll process, and Paychex outsources office management support if needed. If not, there is also the option to sign up for a la carte services.

Paychex offers the following services for businesses:

• Payroll processing
• Retirement services
• Insurance
• HR services (outsourced)
• Employee benefits (outsourced; HSA, FSA, HRA)
• 401(k) plans

Paychex provides access to a multitude of resources addressing all facets of a business. Owners can focus their attention on growing the business while Paychex steps in to handle payroll, taxes, and compliance. Employee benefits packages are extensive, including health, retirement, vision, dental, and even employee wellness options.

Pricing is assessed on a per-employee basis with a five-employee minimum. Contracts are priced for a year, a reasonable fit for growing businesses and a no-brainer for larger corporations. 

Despite its name, Paychex offers more than basic services and will do payroll taxes as well. Paychex is IRS-certified and accredited by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation.

Insperity will offer the guiding hand that small businesses need as they grow and expand.

Services available at Insperity include these areas.

• Payroll processing
• Employee benefits
• Human resources administration
• Risk management
• Extensive training resources
• Workers’ compensation
• Employee support and onboarding
• Government compliance support
• Tech services

Your dedicated team will include an HR services manager, HR specialist, payroll specialist, performance specialist, client liaison, and safety consultant for some of the best support you’ll find anywhere from a PEO.

There is fantastic accessibility, with the company offering stellar apps for both iOS and Android platforms. It gives you the option to stay plugged in and in touch even when you are on the go.

Insperity manages to do it all and still maintains high levels of customer support for all of your questions and troubleshooting needs. For more details on pricing, you will need to call in and speak with a rep for a personalized quote. Insperity is accredited by the ESAC and IRS for extra peace of mind.

Oasis is run by the popular payroll processing company, Paychex, which also makes an appearance on our list. However, Oasis takes a different approach from its parent company, offering instead specialized programs that are custom-tailored to popular industries. It is a PEO that is truly startup-friendly, taking into account the unique needs of small businesses. Available in all 50 states, there is even regulatory support suitable for your industry.

Its specialties include many of the country’s most popular industries:

• Architecture
• Banking
• Country clubs
• Financial services
• Franchises
• Hospitality
• IT
• Law
• Light manufacturing 
• Property management
• Retail
• Senior living

There is also dedicated customer support. Your business will be able to benefit from a personal payroll account manager, and an HR expert, both of whom will help you navigate the ins and outs of your business. There are several detailed online demos designed to allow busy professionals to train on their own terms and schedule.

Oasis offers a series of services including:

• Human resource services
• Payroll processing
• Employee benefits
• Compliance
• Risk management

While there is typically a one-year contract at signup, all you have to do is give 30 days’ notice if you decide you want to cancel.

Justworks prioritizes affordability with transparent pricing, gives dedicated account support, and offers expanded customer service options.

The standard Justworks contract will include payroll processing and HR administration, in addition to compliance and employee benefits. If you have a question or need help with a topic, customer service is standing by 24/7 via phone, email, online chat, Slack, or SMS text.

Justworks is also the only PEO to openly display its pricing, offering these rates.

You have the option to pay monthly if that fits into the budget better.

Justworks has only been around since 2012 and is accredited by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation.