The following are some of the best professional employer organizations (PEOs) that will lease employees to small business owners. These PEO's take care of all administrative tasks like payroll, benefits enrollment, and management; giving you more time for running your own company!
What is a PEO?
Partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offers small and mid-sized businesses a unique advantage, combining peace of mind with operational efficiency. When a business outsources HR responsibilities to a PEO, it ensures that its employees receive excellent care without the need to hire a large internal team. This arrangement is particularly beneficial for smaller companies that may have only a few full-time positions open at any given time. By delegating HR tasks to a PEO, these businesses can concentrate on their core activities and strengths, leaving the complexities of human resources to experts.
A PEO partnership is an excellent strategy for small and mid-sized businesses looking to attract and retain top talent while providing competitive employee benefits. The National Association of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO) highlights that companies using leading PEO services experience a significant reduction in employee turnover, typically ranging from 10-14%, and an impressive growth rate of 7-9%. This growth is driven by the PEO's comprehensive handling of compensation, compliance, and payroll duties, freeing the client organization to cultivate a productive and supportive work environment.
The collaboration with a PEO also means that businesses can offer their employees benefits that are often on par with those provided by much larger companies. These benefits might include health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks that can be challenging for small businesses to offer independently. Moreover, PEOs stay abreast of regulatory changes and compliance issues, ensuring that the client company remains in good standing with all employment laws and regulations.
Overall, working with a PEO transforms the HR landscape for small and mid-sized businesses. It not only enhances the employee experience by providing top-tier benefits and support but also drives business growth by allowing companies to focus on their primary goals. This partnership creates a win-win scenario where both the employer and the employees thrive, ultimately contributing to a more dynamic and successful business environment.
Why a PEO?
For many business owners, the advantages they receive from not hiring additional staff, multiple vendors, and consultants are enough. Still, there are also significant personal advantages with better employee benefits packages and the peace of mind knowing your business is protected with on-call HR support. Some even have industry-specific solutions or work in specialized industries.
Working with a professional employer organization is essentially a co-employment arrangement with a PEO services provider. However, many of the liabilities associated with this sort of partnership go to the PEO. For instance, when payroll taxes and salaries are not paid at the right time or filed incorrectly, the PEO services provider is usually held accountable for such discrepancies. If you’re thinking of choosing an HR services platform or looking to switch PEOs, this list will be of immense help to you.
What to Look for from a PEO Company
Different PEOs offer various services and benefits, but they all have one thing in common: protection. When choosing the right company for your business needs there's more than just what you need from them; it also comes down to how well these organizations fit with each individual employee’s lifestyle - whether that means providing health care coverage or allowing flexible work hours among other things. Here is a list of items to keep in mind so you can shortlist your best fit PEO:
Price
If you're not sure what kind of PEO company to go with, then it's important that prices are varied among these companies. Some might charge less than others for small business owners who need help managing employees and their work schedules--perhaps even significantly so!
In order get quotes from all the potential vendors on your list consider how long term as well as short-term needs will be met by each option before picking just one vendor in this field since ultimately price may play a role when deciding which provider best suits one’s own personal situation.
Benefits Options
PEO services will help you get the basics covered, but what about everything else? Do your employees have enough options for employee benefits so they're happy with their jobs and stay on board long-term. It's important to consider this carefully because retention rates affect how much money a PEO saves you.
Quality of Service
The question on every person's mind when they hear the word "PEO" is whether or not that organization has what it takes to provide quality service.
Can they provide me with human resource administrative services? Are their team members knowledgeable and able to help without delay or problems when it comes time for you make an appointment?
So before you get too excited about how great your new company will be, take some time and research other clients' experiences with them.
Size Minimums
PEO companies vary tremendously in terms of size and capability. Some have a five or ten employee minimum, while others can accommodate more businesses per provider if they are partnerships with larger networks.
The pricing will also be affected by how many people your business employs; some small firms might find themselves paying too much for coverage due the limitations imposed on them when using certain PEO providers compared to other organizations, while others will cater specifically toward different types ranging from sole proprietorships all way up through multi million dollar corporations which is why we recommend doing research before choosing.
Customer Service
The most important thing in any company is customer service. When things go wrong with your PEO arrangement or the online tools you are using, it can get overly complicated and problematic if they aren’t resolved promptly - which means good old fashioned human intervention will always be a must have!
Online Platform and Self Service
It is important to take time when looking at the different platforms available. You need an online system that meets your needs and will work for both you AND your employees, so try taking a peek in what they use by checking out some of their user interface or features as well as a platform demo.
Certifications
We've already covered a lot of different factors you should consider when searching for the best PEO provider. Next up: look at how many accreditations each company has so we can make sure our investment goes as planted without any unplanned risks or scandals later down road.
PEOs are more than just an HR company - they're your partner in business success. That's why you may want to consider finding a PEO that uses The Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC). It’s made up of top attorneys and CPAs committed not only for integrity but also trust; other accreditation agencies include the IRS, Certification Institute or National Association Professional Employers Organizations (NAPEO).
While NAPEO is primarily focused on protecting its members from liability within this industry, it also requires an annual audit confirmation process that includes having financial statements reviewed.
Now for the list of our 10 top professional employer organization services companies in 2024:
Infinity HR
Infinity HR is a premier Professional Employer Organization (PEO) dedicated to providing comprehensive human resources solutions. They cater to businesses of all sizes, offering a wide range of services that streamline HR processes and enhance overall efficiency.
Founded with the mission to simplify HR management, Infinity HR has established itself as a trusted partner in the industry, known for its innovative solutions and exceptional customer service. Their team of seasoned professionals brings deep expertise in HR, payroll, compliance, and employee benefits, ensuring clients receive top-notch support and guidance.
With Infinity HR, you can get a robust level of services ranging from $90-$115 per month for your employees. No pricing is listed on the website, but our research showed this price includes dedicated HR consulting, safety support, training, and benefits administration!
Top services by Infinity HR include:
Single point of contact
Specialists in every department
Development of employee handbooks
Employee relations and HR consulting
Job description development
Unemployment claims management
Assistance with hiring and termination
Verification of employment
EEOC claims management
Federal and state compliance management
Performance management monitoring
401k retirement plans
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
Customers consistently praise Infinity HR for their professionalism, reliability, and the breadth of services offered. Reviews highlight the user-friendly interface of their systems and the responsiveness of their customer support team. Ratings across various platforms average around 4.2 stars, with many testimonials emphasizing the significant improvement in HR processes and employee satisfaction after partnering with Infinity HR. Clients particularly appreciate the personalized approach and the ability to tailor services to meet specific needs.
Pros
Comprehensive HR services
Excellent customer support
User-friendly interface
Customizable solutions
Cons
Rippling
Rippling, founded in 2016 by Parker Conrad, aims to simplify workforce management through its comprehensive platform. Combining HR, IT, and Finance operations, Rippling provides businesses with an integrated solution to manage their workforce from a single dashboard.
The platform is designed to streamline tasks such as payroll, benefits administration, and IT management, making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to handle their operations efficiently. Rippling's mission is to eliminate the complexity of managing employees and business operations, allowing companies to focus on their core activities.
Rippling offers various services at prices that range from $100 to $125 per month for each employee. The company doesn't list its rates on the website, but our research showed that this price includes dedicated HR consulting and considerable workforce support.
Other services offered include:
Group health insurance plans
Section 125 plans
Retirement plans
Automated benefits record-keeping
Payroll tax administration
Online employee self-service
OSHA compliance
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
Rippling has garnered positive reviews for its intuitive interface and robust features. Customers praise the platform's ease of use and the seamless integration of HR, IT, and Finance operations. On review sites, Rippling often receives high ratings, typically around 4.5 out of 5 stars. Testimonials highlight the time savings and increased efficiency businesses experience after adopting Rippling. However, some users have noted occasional issues with customer support response times and the learning curve associated with the platform's extensive features.
Pros
Intuitive interface
Comprehensive integration
Automated workflows
Strong compliance tools
Cons
CoAdvantage
A leading provider dedicated exclusively to handling human resource needs within entrepreneurial environments since 1997 and understands that human resources are a vital department in every company. Furthermore, CoAdvantage has found its niche in helping small business owners.
They specialize in providing payroll processing for over 4500 clients and 90,000+ worksite employees across the country with customized HR management solutions, which allows their clients to focus on other essential aspects of running an enterprise. They can do this because of the professional advice from the CoAdvantage team of HR and compliance experts.
The company's web-based HR portal backs this. CoAdvantage also utilizes regional teams, which gives you proximity support that is not always available from other PEO services companies.
CoAdvantage offers excellent value for money with their range of services, which is why they're the company we always recommend when someone needs help managing staff or growing an organization. Our research showed this price ($115-$150 per employee) includes dedicated HR consulting and considerable workforce support - perfect if you want expert advice without breaking your bank!
Specific services offered by CoAdvantage include:
CoAdQuantum HR technology
Payroll tax processing, including FICA, FUTA, and SUTA
Fortune 500 benefits
HR administration
Recruitment services
Risk management and compliance services
Employee and manager self-service
Employment verification
Time and attendance systems
401k retirement plans
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
Although primarily based in Florida, CoAdvantage manages over 4500 clients spread all over the U.S. and serves more than 90,000 employees that have been working with client companies for decades. Both small and big businesses use CoAdvantage for their robust services and reliable customer support. Generally, CoAdvantage is perceived as one of the best PEO services out there.
Pros
Comprehensive payroll services
Wide range of benefits
Expert HR support
Strong compliance assistance
Cons
Paychex Business Solutions
Paychex, founded in 1971 by Tom Golisano, is a leading provider of integrated human capital management solutions for payroll, HR, retirement, and insurance services. With headquarters in Rochester, New York, Paychex serves over 680,000 clients across the U.S. and Europe.
The company’s mission is to make complex HR, payroll, and benefits processes simple for businesses of all sizes. Paychex’s comprehensive suite of services is designed to help employers improve workforce management, maintain compliance, and enhance employee satisfaction. Known for its innovation and customer-centric approach, Paychex continually evolves its offerings to meet the changing needs of the modern workplace.
Paychex offers an unmatched HR experience to its clients by providing dedicated professionals with various services tailored for each company. The team can assist you in hiring new employees, creating their own handbook and training programs specific to your business needs, and annual enrollments or workplace safety courses - there's no need to search elsewhere!
Paychex has a variety of plans available to fit the needs and budget of your company. You can customize aspects of your program down to the very service you want or do not want, including opting into medical insurance or workers' compensation policies.
Through research, we found an average cost associated at $100 monthly/worker plus taxes, which includes biweekly payroll service and essential PEO services.
Employment practices liability insurance (EPLI)
Health benefit accounts (FSA, HSA, HRA)
401(k) retirement plan
Workers’ compensation insurance
Employee performance management
Robust payroll processing
Large company insurance plans
Employee benefits administration
ESAC accredited
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
Customer reviews for Paychex PEO are generally positive, with many highlighting the company's reliability and comprehensive service offerings. On various review platforms, Paychex holds an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Testimonials often praise the user-friendly technology, efficient payroll processing, and responsive customer service. However, some reviews mention occasional issues with integration and higher costs compared to competitors.
Pros
Comprehensive service suite
Reliable payroll processing
Strong customer support
Robust HR technology
Cons
Invo PEO
InvoPEO services are tailored explicitly towards startups and SMBs, helping them thrive with affordable people management services. Whether for temporary or permanent staffing needs, Invo PEO helps businesses across various industries, including construction, hospitality, manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, etc.
This PEO provides its clients with 24/7 access to a cloud-based human resources system that allows easy editing and updating of employee information while tracking payroll hours. As a client of InvoPEO, you have complete access to an online file storage system typically reserved for larger organizations.
InvoPEO offers a variety of plans to meet any company's needs and budget constraints. You can customize aspects down thoroughly, including service levels you want at an average monthly price of $85/employee.
InvoPEO services include:
HR consulting
Time and attendance management
Group health insurance
Online payroll processing
Tax filing
Risk management, etc.
Workers' compensation for hard to place risk
Pre-employment screening
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
Just like others, InvoPEO customer review is a mix of the good and bad. But it has an overall lower rating than most PEO services we’ve reviewed here. A good number of complaints bordered on the unfriendliness of the user interface. However, InvoPEO is a preferred choice for a good number of startups and medium-sized businesses.
Pros
Reliable payroll services
Comprehensive HR solutions
Excellent customer support
Innovative technology tools
Cons
Insperity
Based in Houston, Texas, Insperity, founded in 1986, is one of the prominent and longest-standing names in the PEO services industry. Insperity has been helping companies harness the power of HR for over 30 years now when it started with just 2 staff members so many years ago. Since then, they have grown by more than 15% year over year, and it doesn't look as though anything is going to slow them down.
The company is known for its all-in-one HR processes comprising HR consulting, payroll processing, best-in-class benefits administration, risk management, and employee training, which are easy to use.
Providing a full-service HR solution that will give you administrative relief, the potential to reduce liabilities, and dedicated support while your employees get access to better benefits. Perfect for small or medium-sized businesses looking to outsource tasks in this area so they can focus more on their core business!
Insperity is a little more expensive on the administrative side, but the value of their proactive service model justifies the extra spending. You cannot customize many aspects of the program, and on average, the price per month is around $220/per employee. Still, you will typically save that in your benefits costs as they are highly competitive.
Insperity offers a robust range of HR services including:
Fortune 500 benefits
Talent management services
Custom technology platform
Mobile app
Co-branded employee portal
Competitive benefit pricing
ESAC Accredited
Flexible contract structure
Performance management
Job sourcing services
Group health insurance services
Easy to build payroll management reports
Benefits administration
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
Insperity is actually one of the largest and most trusted PEO services that you can work with within the country. With an overall 5-star customer review on Consumer Affairs, and serving over 100,000 different businesses, they have one of the largest databases of small business clients.
Most client companies praise Insperity for the quality of their recruiting, insurance, accounting, bookkeeping, payroll processing, training and development, performance reviews, expense reporting, general HR consulting, and other related services.
Pros
Comprehensive HR services
Exceptional customer support
User-friendly technology
Extensive benefits packages
Cons
Vensure HR
Vensure Employer Services is a comprehensive Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offering a wide range of services designed to help businesses manage their HR functions more efficiently. Founded in 2004, Vensure has grown to become a significant player in the PEO industry, providing tailored HR solutions to businesses of all sizes across the United States. With a mission to deliver customized, scalable, and high-quality services, Vensure focuses on reducing administrative burdens, enhancing compliance, and providing robust employee benefits.
Vensure’s extensive service offerings include HR administration, payroll processing, benefits administration, risk management, and compliance support. The company also provides specialized services like workers' compensation, safety training, and recruiting assistance. Vensure prides itself on leveraging advanced technology to offer seamless integration and management of HR tasks, thus allowing businesses to focus more on their core operations.
VensureHR has the experience you need to help you plan for success in your workplace. It's all covered from reviewing policies and procedures and providing training on compliance issues, HR document templates, required postings, or employee handbooks!
As a PEO and employee benefits provider, they offer a broad range of services ranging from $70-$120 per month for your employees. And suppose PEO isn't a fit for you yet. In that case, you can also look at their ASO solutions that provide many of the same HR and administrative benefits without co-employment or the need to participate in benefits or workers' compensation programs. The pricing for this model is typical $35-55 per employee per month.
The company offers services, such as:
Payroll administration
Employee benefits
Workers' compensation
Human resources
Time and attendance system, etc.
ASO and PEO options
Employee handbook creation
Vensure HR makes it easy for startups and mid-sized businesses to access affordable and competitive employee benefits packages.
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
With an overall rating of 3.5, Vensure HR doesn’t fare as well as the other PEO services. Issues with the application have been reported, and customer support services have been top-notch, at least when compared to other companies.
Pros
Comprehensive service offering
Advanced technology integration
Responsive customer service
Scalable solutions
Cons
TriNet
If you're on the lookout for a PEO services provider that is specifically tailored to your unique business needs and industry, you should consider partnering with TriNet. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Dublin, California. With a client base that boasts more than 23k clients and 354k employees, it is no surprise why the company was chosen as one of America's PEO service providers. They offer professional support for all needs through customized guidance from industry-specialized HR consultants.
With TriNet, your employees can access HR services from anywhere at any time. In addition to payroll and benefits enrollment being available online or through an app for mobile devices , you'll have expert support if something goes wrong along the way - all thanks in part because it's been designed by experts who understand your business needs!
TriNet provides a wealth of HR expertise to help companies with all aspects of employment, from recruiting, onboarding, and benefits management. The company's strategic service offerings are designed for small and medium-sized businesses that want advice on how they can grow more quickly or large enterprises that need strategic advice on retaining employees.
Industry-focused PEOs like TriNet are a new and innovative way for businesses of all sizes to find the best benefit, support, and superior technologies for their specific talent pool. The company offers custom solutions based on an individual's industry and case studies from their clients who have successfully implemented these types of services into their businesses.
TriNet's pricing is based on the variables of industry, company size, and location. As a result, there aren't any listed prices, but our research showed that employers can expect to pay $125-$175 per month for each employee they hire.
The company also offers HR services including:
Regional benefit plans
Proprietary technology ( TriNet HRpassport )
Best in class mobile app
Payroll processing
Workers' compensation insurance
User-friendly PEO software
Applicant tracking
Retirement plans, including 401(k) plans
Employee training
Expense management technology
Learning management software
TriNet Marketplace
Digital pay stubs
Workforce analytics
TriNet will assign you a team of dedicated experts in your industry to provide you with the support you need in reviewing this PEO or TriNet competitors.
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
A good number of clients/businesses consider TriNet as their preferred choice for PEO due to its simplicity, ease of onboarding, and robust features. However, a downside that you might need to pay close attention to is the pricing plan. Some users complain that the pricing plan is as transparent as they expect.
Pros
Comprehensive HR services
Industry-specific solutions
Advanced HR technology
Dedicated support teams
Cons
Engage PEO
Engage PEO is a leading professional employer organization providing HR outsourcing solutions to small and mid-sized businesses across the US. Like most PEO services, they offer tailored solutions to small and mid-sized organizations.
Working with Engage PEO allows you to benefit from solid HR services, including human resource consulting, risk management, payroll and taxes, compliance, and benefits services. Engage PEO services also includes a robust training program that includes onsite and online training for employees and executive management on several relevant topics.
Engage PEO services include competitive prices to fit every business’s budget. For example, companies can access the service at the affordable rate of $80-$135 per month for each employee.
Additional services offered by Engage PEO include:
Employer assistance with ADA, EEOC, wage and hour laws
Drug testing assistance and background checks
Performance management
Unemployment claims administration
Employment verification
Employee handbook creation and review
Flexible benefits management
Offers most HR functions
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
Customer reviews of Engage PEO are generally positive, with clients praising the company's legal expertise, comprehensive services, and responsive support. Ratings on various review platforms average 4.5 out of 5 stars, highlighting satisfaction with the PEO's ability to simplify HR processes and ensure compliance. Testimonials often mention the peace of mind that comes from knowing their HR functions are handled by legal experts, as well as the efficiency of their payroll and benefits administration.
Pros
Legal-centric HR model
Comprehensive service offerings
High customer satisfaction
Advanced HR technology
Cons
Barrett Business Services, Inc. (BBSI)
BBSI (Barrett Business Services, Inc.) is a leading Professional Employer Organization (PEO) offering comprehensive business management solutions to small and mid-sized companies. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, BBSI has grown to serve thousands of clients across the United States. Their mission is to provide businesses with the resources they need to thrive, focusing on enhancing efficiency, reducing risks, and fostering growth.
BBSI operates on a unique model that combines PEO services with business consulting, allowing them to offer tailored solutions that address the specific needs of each client. This integrated approach helps businesses streamline operations, improve workforce management, and achieve long-term success. BBSI's team of experts works closely with clients to understand their goals and challenges, providing personalized support and strategic guidance.
With a network of more than 100 branches nationwide, BBSI ensures that clients have access to local expertise and personalized service. Their comprehensive suite of services includes payroll administration, human resources support, risk management, employee benefits, recruiting and staffing, training and development, time and attendance tracking, performance management, compliance assistance, strategic planning, business consulting, and technology solutions.
BBSI's commitment to excellence is reflected in their continuous investment in technology and innovation, ensuring that clients receive the most advanced and effective solutions available. By partnering with BBSI, businesses can focus on their core operations while benefiting from the expertise and resources of a trusted PEO.
Partnering with BBSI gives you access to top-notch customer support and services in the following areas:
Development of business strategy
Human resource consulting
Risk management and safety services
Payroll administration
Worker’s compensation (open to higher risk codes)
HR technology
Staffing and recruitment, and
Retirement benefits
ESAC accredited
Employment verifications
Customer Reviews, Ratings, and Testimonials
BBSI is one of the largest PEO companies in the U.S. Although BBSI is a long-standing business, it has an average rating of 3.3 stars on its GMB profile. While it is generally accepted as a reliable business management and HR consultant solution, several users feel that the services need to be improved, especially regarding pricing, tax filing, and compliance.
Pros
Comprehensive HR support
Effective risk management
Personalized service
Strategic business guidance
Cons
Do You Need Help Finding The Best PEO Company for Your Business?
When looking for a PEO to partner with, it's crucial to recognize that PEOs can vary significantly. Essentially, some will be better suited to your needs and budget than others. At Mission, we often advise our clients to choose Certified Professional Employer Organizations or those with a strong track record of excellence.
Partnering with a certified PEO protects you from mistakes and liabilities that might occur due to the PEO's negligence or actions. Additionally, larger and more established PEOs typically offer a more comprehensive range of benefits.
At Mission, we don't just provide the services and solutions your business needs to grow quickly and efficiently. We also leverage our extensive experience and deep insights to address all your HR and outsourcing challenges. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about PEOs or hiring employees in different locations.
We serve clients across the entire US, but we have been proudly offering top-tier PEO consulting in the Southeast since our inception.
