Justworks vs Paychex PEO
How the two PEOs compare on pricing, minimum employees and fit.
| Justworks | Paychex PEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Company size | 1,165 employees | About 19,000 employees (Paychex, 2025) |
| Headquarters | New York, NY | Rochester, NY |
| Founded | 2012 | 1971 |
| Pricing | PEO Basic $79 and PEO Plus $124 per employee per month. Some sources still list Plus at $109, so confirm on justworks.com/pricing. | No published PEO pricing. Quote required. |
| Pricing model | Published | Quote only |
| Best for | Small teams that want published pricing and a simple platform | Smaller US businesses that want payroll and HR from one provider |
| IRS certified (CPEO) | Yes, on the IRS list | Yes, on the IRS list |
| ESAC accreditation | Accredited | Accredited |
| Minimum employees | 2 employees | 5 employees |
Carriers, 401(k) and workers' comp: side by side
| Justworks | Paychex PEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Health carriers | Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente (medical, dental, vision) and MetLife | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| 401(k) provider | Administered through a third-party partner, reported as Slavic401k | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| Workers' comp | 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. |
| Other named partners | Teladoc and One Medical (as available); EVERFI powers compliance training | Paychex acquired Oasis Outsourcing in 2018; carrier and 401(k) details not named in sources reviewed |
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 Many PEOs do not publish their carriers or recordkeepers, so "not publicly listed" means we could not find it, not that none exists.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 Justworks if
Small teams that want published pricing and a simple platform.
- Public price list with no base fee
- Payroll, HR support and compliance in one fee
- International Employer of Record add-on at $599 per employee per month
Choose Paychex PEO if
Smaller US businesses that want payroll and HR from one provider.
- ESAC and IRS accredited
- Payroll account manager and HR generalist support
- Multi-state payroll
Ask Justworks about
- Health premiums are billed on top of the platform fee
- Per-employee cost does not shrink much as headcount grows
Ask Paychex PEO about
- Five-employee minimum and a one-year contract reported
- Reported as weaker at larger scale
Frequently asked questions
Is Justworks or Paychex PEO cheaper?
Justworks: PEO Basic $79 and PEO Plus $124 per employee per month. Some sources still list Plus at $109, so confirm on justworks.com/pricing. Paychex PEO: No published PEO pricing. Quote required. Published rates are not directly comparable to quote-only pricing, and health premiums are separate.
Which is better for a small company, Justworks or Paychex PEO?
Justworks is best for small teams that want published pricing and a simple platform. Paychex PEO is best for smaller us businesses that want payroll and hr from one provider.
Last verified November 4, 2026. Based on third-party reviews and vendor pricing pages. See each provider page for sources.