Insperity vs XcelHR
How the two PEOs compare on pricing, minimum employees and fit.
| Insperity | XcelHR | |
|---|---|---|
| Company size | About 4,200 employees (2025) | Being confirmed |
| Headquarters | Kingwood (Houston), TX | Being confirmed |
| Founded | 1986 | Being confirmed |
| Pricing | Quote only. Reported at roughly $150 to $210 per employee per month by third-party sources. | Custom priced per employee or as a percentage of gross payroll, depending on size. Not published. |
| Pricing model | Quote only | Quote only |
| Best for | Companies that want a dedicated HR account team | Very small employers, startups and manufacturers or government contractors that want broad benefits |
| IRS certified (CPEO) | Yes, on the IRS list | Not found by name on the IRS list |
| ESAC accreditation | Not confirmed | Reported not accredited |
| Minimum employees | 5 employees | 1 employees |
Carriers, 401(k) and workers' comp: side by side
| Insperity | XcelHR | |
|---|---|---|
| Health carriers | UnitedHealthcare covers about 85% of participants (contract through Dec 31, 2028, partially self-funded). Also UnitedHealthcare of California, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield of California, HMSA BlueCross BlueShield of Hawaii and Harvard Pilgrim Filed 2026 | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| 401(k) provider | Insperity 401(k) Plan; recordkeeper not named | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| Workers' comp | Chubb, fully insured program since 2007; Insperity bears the first $1.5 million per occurrence. Filing says coverage ran to Sept 30, 2026, so ask about the current program Filed 2026 | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| Other named partners | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
Due diligence checked November 4, 2026. We only list carriers and partners that a filing, the provider or a named review states. Many PEOs do not publish their carriers or recordkeepers, so "not publicly listed" means we could not find it, not that none exists. If something is missing, request a quote and we will get it from the PEO for you. Lineups vary by state and change at renewal.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which medical carriers and networks are available in my state and zip code?
- Are the health plans fully insured or partially self-funded, and who bears claims risk?
- Who is the 401(k) recordkeeper, and what are the total plan fees and match options?
- Who is the workers' comp carrier, how are rates set, and what happens to my experience rating if I leave?
- Is the entity that will employ my staff on the IRS CPEO list, and is it ESAC accredited?
- What renewal increase did your plans see in each of the last 3 years?
Choose Insperity if
Companies that want a dedicated HR account team.
- High-touch HR support
- Performance management and workers' compensation coverage
- Plans for startups through mid-market companies
Choose XcelHR if
Very small employers, startups and manufacturers or government contractors that want broad benefits.
- Can serve a one-employee business, as an administrative services arrangement under five employees
- Payroll and tax services in all 50 states
- Broad benefits including pet insurance and legal assistance
Ask Insperity about
- No self-serve pricing
- Five-employee minimum (exceptions may be possible by contacting Insperity)
Ask XcelHR about
- Reported as not certified by ESAC or as an IRS-certified PEO
- Interface looks dated and there is no applicant tracking
- Some benefits such as COBRA administration need at least 20 employees
Frequently asked questions
Is Insperity or XcelHR cheaper?
Insperity: Quote only. Reported at roughly $150 to $210 per employee per month by third-party sources. XcelHR: Custom priced per employee or as a percentage of gross payroll, depending on size. Not published. Published rates are not directly comparable to quote-only pricing, and health premiums are separate.
Which is better for a small company, Insperity or XcelHR?
Insperity is best for companies that want a dedicated hr account team. XcelHR is best for very small employers, startups and manufacturers or government contractors that want broad benefits.
Last verified November 4, 2026. Based on third-party reviews and vendor pricing pages. See each provider page for sources.