trusted formPaychex vs TriNet | Several.com
Although we earn commissions from partners, we ensure unbiased evaluations. More on our 'How We Work' page

Paychex vs TriNet

Press [Add to Compare] to Edit, Add or Remove Vendors

Pros
  • A+ rated and accredited by the BBB
  • Financial Wellness Program
  • Employee self-service options
  • Excellent customer support options
  • Mobile app
  • Affordable prices and customizable plans
  • Simple and up-to-date all-in-one software
Pros
  • Excellent team of experts
  • Caters to all types of businesses
  • Industry-specific solutions
  • IRS-certified & ESAC-accredited
  • 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone
Cons
  • May be charged extra for some necessary features
  • Difficulties with custom reports & onboarding
  • May require over 5 employees
Cons
  • Limited healthcare solutions
  • May be relatively pricey
  • Fewer integrations than other PEOs
  • Layout of platform may be bloated
Summary

Paychex is a leading supplier of comprehensive human capital management systems for payroll, employee benefits, human resources, retirement plans, and business insurance services in the US and Northern Europe. Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX) was founded in 1971 and has more than 730,000 client companies, mostly small to medium-sized businesses but also larger businesses. They are considered one of the top companies in their field, claiming to pay 1 in 12 employees in the private sector. They offer three package categories tailored to fit a business's size and needs, with flexible payment options. They also boast easy-to-use online services and expert consultants that ensure proper federal and state compliance and can get you valuable tax credits and phone and online support. Paychex services vary according to the organization's needs and size, with a base monthly cost of $39 plus $5 per employee.

Summary

TriNet is a professional employer organization that offers small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) human resources and business solutions. They handle many of the administrative, financial, and legal duties associated with managing an HR department. TriNet's corporate headquarters is in Dublin, CA,  and it was established in 1991. They have 13 offices in 10 states, employing over 2,700 people, and have over 20,000 customers in the US and Canada. They offer a wide range of services, including the handling of payroll, employee benefits administration, HR administration, worker's compensation, risk management, employment law compliance, talent management, and business consultations. Their clients use a highly integrated, proprietary technology platform that offers workforce analytics, compensation benchmarking, document management, and comprehensive mobile access. They do not list specific plan options or pricing on their site, so prospective clients must request a quote. Although some do complain about their customer support, TriNet is a reputable PEO that offers a wide range of HR and business solutions to SMBs.

Quick Stats
  • Business Size : Any
  • Cost : Starts at $39 + $5 per employee/month
  • Customer Experience : Excellent
  • IRS-Certified : True
  • Expert HR Guidance : True
  • BBB Rating : A+
  • Trustpilot Score : 1.2 out of 5
  • NAPEO Member : True
  • ESAC Accreditation : True
Quick Stats
  • Business Size : Small and medium-sized (SMB)
  • Cost : Quote-based
  • Customer Experience : Good
  • IRS-Certified : True
  • Expert HR Guidance : True
  • BBB Rating : A+
  • Trustpilot Score : 1.6 out of 5
  • NAPEO Member : True
  • ESAC Accreditation : True
Selling Points
  • A+ rated and accredited by the BBB
  • Responsive expert guidance
  • Comprehensive HR technologies & integrations
  • Excellent customer support options
  • Fully-featured PEO and HR solutions
Selling Points
  • Pricing does not increase with payroll or benefit use
  • Many responsive customer service options
  • Caters to all types of business
  • ESAC-accredited CPEO
Business Size Supported
  • Large Businesses
  • Medium-Sized Businesses
  • Small Businesses
Business Size Supported
  • Large Businesses
  • Medium-Sized Businesses
  • Small Businesses
Employee Benefits
  • 401(k)
  • Accident
  • COBRA Administration
  • Undisclosed
    Critical Illness
  • Disability
  • Employee Self-Service
  • HSA/FSA
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Undisclosed
    Shopping & Entertainment Discounts
  • Undisclosed
    Work-Life Employee Assistance Program
Employee Benefits
  • 401(k)
  • Accident
  • COBRA Administration
  • Undisclosed
    Critical Illness
  • Disability
  • Employee Self-Service
  • HSA/FSA
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Shopping & Entertainment Discounts
  • Undisclosed
    Work-Life Employee Assistance Program
HR Management
  • Onboarding
  • Report Builder
  • Risk Mitigation
  • Time & Attendance
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Workplace Compliance & Safety
HR Management
  • Onboarding
  • Report Builder
  • Risk Mitigation
  • Time & Attendance
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Workers' Compensation
  • Workplace Compliance & Safety
Payroll Services
  • Direct Deposit
  • Garnishments
  • Undisclosed
    Global Payroll
  • Payroll History & Tracking
  • Reimbursement Management
  • Salary Revision & Raise Management
  • Tax Services
  • Time-Off Requests & Scheduling
  • US Payroll
Payroll Services
  • Direct Deposit
  • Garnishments
  • Undisclosed
    Global Payroll
  • Payroll History & Tracking
  • Reimbursement Management
  • Salary Revision & Raise Management
  • Tax Services
  • Time-Off Requests & Scheduling
  • US Payroll
Technology Platform
  • All-In-One Software Tool
  • Cloud Analytics, Insights, & Reporting
  • Customized Reports
  • Undisclosed
    Global EOR Platform
  • Undisclosed
    Third-Party Cloud Application Integration
  • Virtual Assistance
Technology Platform
  • All-In-One Software Tool
  • Cloud Analytics, Insights, & Reporting
  • Customized Reports
  • Undisclosed
    Global EOR Platform
  • Third-Party Cloud Application Integration
  • Virtual Assistance
Industries
  • Construction
  • Undisclosed
    Consulting
  • Undisclosed
    E-Commerce
  • Undisclosed
    Education
  • Undisclosed
    Engineering
  • Undisclosed
    Financial Services
  • Food & Beverage
  • Undisclosed
    Government
  • Healthcare
  • Hospitality
  • Undisclosed
    Legal Services
  • Undisclosed
    Life Sciences
  • Undisclosed
    Manufacturing
  • Undisclosed
    Marketing/Advertising
  • Undisclosed
    Media/Entertainment
  • Undisclosed
    Nonprofit/Social Services
  • Professional/Technical Services
  • Retail
  • Undisclosed
    Technology
Industries
  • Undisclosed
    Construction
  • Consulting
  • E-Commerce
  • Education
  • Undisclosed
    Engineering
  • Financial Services
  • Undisclosed
    Food & Beverage
  • Undisclosed
    Government
  • Undisclosed
    Healthcare
  • Undisclosed
    Hospitality
  • Legal Services
  • Life Sciences
  • Manufacturing
  • Marketing/Advertising
  • Media/Entertainment
  • Nonprofit/Social Services
  • Professional/Technical Services
  • Retail
  • Technology
Additional Perks
  • Undisclosed
    Comprehensive Resume Search & Service
  • Undisclosed
    Early Access to Earned Pay
  • Undisclosed
    Student Loan Repayment Program
  • Undisclosed
    Talent Growth & Retention
  • Third-Party HCM Integration
Additional Perks
  • Undisclosed
    Comprehensive Resume Search & Service
  • Undisclosed
    Early Access to Earned Pay
  • Undisclosed
    Student Loan Repayment Program
  • Talent Growth & Retention
  • Undisclosed
    Third-Party HCM Integration
Customer Support
  • Undisclosed
    Email
  • FAQs
  • Undisclosed
    Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Mobile App
  • Phone
Customer Support
  • Undisclosed
    Email
  • FAQs
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Mobile App
  • Phone

Paychex vs. TriNet

In the ever-evolving landscape of human resources and workforce management, Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) have become indispensable partners for businesses seeking to streamline HR processes, payroll administration, and employee benefits management. Two major players in the PEO industry, Paychex and TriNet, offer a wide array of solutions. This article presents an in-depth comparison that will enable businesses to make informed decisions when choosing between these industry leaders.

Service Offerings

Paychex and TriNet are recognized for their comprehensive service offerings. Paychex, through its Paychex Flex platform, delivers a diverse range of specialized services, often tailored to specific industries. Meanwhile, TriNet offers an extensive suite of HR and payroll services, with the flexibility to customize solutions to meet unique small and midsize business (SMB) needs. Both companies excel in fundamental HR functions, including HR management, benefits administration, and payroll processing support.

Pricing & Scalability

Pricing and scalability are essential factors to consider for businesses of all sizes. Paychex Flex provides transparent pricing, with a base monthly fee that varies depending on company size and specific needs. Conversely, TriNet's pricing is individually customized for each business and is not publicly disclosed; however, they primarily target SMBs.

Compliance

Ensuring compliance with intricate state and federal regulations is a non-negotiable responsibility for businesses. Fortunately, both Paychex Flex and TriNet excel in this aspect. They offer extensive reporting and support to assist businesses in adhering to evolving requirements related to employee benefits, particularly in areas such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Ease of Use & Technology

Both TriNet and Paychex offer user-friendly technology and ease of use for their clients. However, Paychex has a more advanced technology platform with a mobile app for employees to access their HR information. On the other hand, TriNet offers better customizable benefits and an intuitive site and payroll submission system. 

Customer Support

Responsive and effective customer support is paramount within the PEO industry. Both Paychex and TriNet offer responsive and effective customer support through various channels, such as phone and email. Paychex provides 24/7 customer support and a dedicated payroll specialist, while TriNet offers a dedicated HR consultant and a knowledge center with articles and webinars.

Reputation

Paychex enjoys a reputation for stability, having established itself as one of the industry's longstanding stalwarts. TriNet, while not as venerable as Paychex, has forged a strong reputation as a reputable PEO. Both companies boast favorable ratings and reviews from users, reflective of their commitment to delivering high-quality services.

Conclusion

Within the PEO industry, Paychex and TriNet are prominent contenders, each offering distinct advantages. While Paychex stands out for its versatility, transparent pricing structure, and user-friendly payroll services, TriNet distinguishes itself with its highly customizable benefits solutions and suitability for businesses with larger workforces. Ultimately, the choice between the two should align with the specific needs of your business, considering factors such as company size, customization preferences, and support requirements. Taking such aspects into consideration will empower you to select the PEO partner that best aligns with your organization's objectives and requirements, ensuring a seamless and effective experience in HR and payroll management.

Get Your Free PEO Quote Now

Save Big on PEO

Fill out a quick form to claim special offers on PEO

image