Quick Summary
Looking for a better HR and payroll solution than Justworks? We reviewed eight top alternatives designed to give teams more control, flexibility, and support. From global payroll to intuitive onboarding, our guide breaks down features, pricing, pros and cons, helping you choose the right platform to simplify HR and empower your workforce.
Looking Beyond Justworks? Find an HR Solution That Actually Works for You
With over $25.6 billion in payroll processed through Justworks in 2023, it’s clear many rely on it. But Justworks might not just work for everyone, especially if you need more hands-on service or flexible features.
In this Checkwriters guide, we’ve explored eight top alternatives to help you find the best match for your organization. But before we get started…
Why Listen to Us?
At Checkwriters, we deliver dedicated support, mobile access, and powerful tools for payroll, onboarding, and performance management. Small and medium-sized businesses trust our platform for our reliable service and tailored solutions that simplify HR and empower better workforce decisions.
For instance, we helped Heritage Preparatory School by seamlessly integrating their legacy systems into our modern, unified HR and payroll platform, streamlining HR operations and increasing efficiency.
What is Justworks?
Justworks is a cloud-based platform that combines payroll, HR, benefits administration, and compliance notifications in one system. It’s best known for its Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services, which allow small businesses to outsource HR tasks.
With Justworks, employers can manage onboarding, benefits, time tracking, and tax filings through a single interface. The platform also supports compliance by assisting with employment-related federal, state, and local tax filings, reporting, and wage compliance, depending on the product you choose.
Justworks is popular with startups and small businesses looking for a streamlined way to handle payroll and employee management without building an in-house HR team.
Why Should You Look for a Justworks Alternative?
- Limited Customization: Justworks’ one-size-fits-all approach can’t match unique workflows or complex organizational needs.
- PEO Dependency: Relying on a PEO structure may reduce your flexibility in choosing benefits or managing HR processes independently.
- Scaling Costs: As your headcount grows, costs can escalate quickly compared to modular pricing alternatives.
- Basic Reporting: Reporting features lack depth, making it harder to analyze workforce trends or performance.
- Support Experience: Some users report inconsistent support, which can frustrate HR teams during critical moments.
Top 8 Justworks Alternatives
- Checkwriters
- TriNet
- Rippling
- Deel
- HireRoad
- Insperity
- Remote
- Namely
1. Checkwriters
At Checkwriters, we deliver a payroll and HR platform designed for organizations of all sizes. We combine a mobile-friendly interface with hands-on support to simplify HR processes.
Our platform has tools to keep you compliant. You’ll also have our team of experts just a phone call or email away should you have questions while running payroll, empowering informed payroll decisions.
Key Features
- Applicant Tracking & Background Screening: Simplifies recruitment by managing job applications and conducting background checks.
- Onboarding: Offers a digital onboarding system for new hires, including document handling and training.
- Payroll Automation: Simplifies wage calculations, customizable pay types, direct deposit, and general ledger entry to save time and reduce payroll errors.
- Attendance Tracking: Tracks worked hours, overtime, and leave through mobile clock-ins, biometric terminals, or web punch tools, all connected to payroll.
- Performance Management: Offers tools for evaluations, goal-setting, and feedback cycles, with templates that can be tailored to each department or role.
- Scheduling Tools: Prevents scheduling conflicts and helps control labor costs through reusable templates and real-time alerts.
- Customizable Reporting: Generates reports and analyzes HR data to support strategic planning.
Pricing
We offer custom pricing based on your organization’s size and needs. Schedule a meeting to get a demo and a custom quote.
Pros
- Quick and accurate payroll support
- Mobile app boosts transparency and engagement
- Compliance alerts keep policies current
- Custom onboarding workflows save time
- Exceptional customer support with personalized onboarding and dedicated resources
- Pre-built reports reduce admin overhead
Cons
- Users report occasional missing niche features, but our powerful custom report writer and MICR-encoded check support make this a minor drawback
2. TriNet
TriNet offers a full PEO solution with industry-specific HR support, payroll, benefits, and compliance notifications. It pairs each client with experts who understand nonprofit or education sector needs.
You’ll see results quickly—implementation often completes in under two weeks with intuitive platform access.
Key Features
- Industry-Based HR Teams: Matches your organization with specialists familiar with your field.
- Payroll & Tax Filings: Automates multi-state payroll and tax submission.
- Benefits Administration: Delivers group benefits, 401(k), FSA, and ACA support.
- Time & Attendance: Includes tracking, PTO, and mobile approval workflows.
- Reporting & Dashboards: Offers 30+ reports and custom dashboard tools.
- Mobile App: Enables employees to view pay stubs and request time off on the go.
Pricing
TriNet charges per-employee monthly fees. Pricing depends on services and company size. You must contact sales for exact rates.
Pros
- Smooth onboarding in about two weeks
- Broad benefits package with group rates
- Over 30 report templates included
- Mobile approvals streamline admin
Cons
- Reports of slow response times on changes
- Higher per-employee cost than many PEOs
3. Rippling
Rippling blends HR, payroll, IT, and finance tools into one unified platform. It streamlines onboarding, device provisioning, payroll, benefits, and global workforce management.
Its modern interface and automation tools help HR teams reduce busywork and centralize operations.
Key Features
- Unified Platform: Manages HR, payroll, IT, and expenses on a single system.
- Payroll Automation: Runs payroll with an “error‑free” guarantee and tax filing in minutes.
- Device & App Management: Automates provisioning and deprovisioning of software and hardware.
- Workflow Studio: Builds no-code workflows triggered by any employee event.
- Time & Attendance: Offers one-click clock-in, scheduling, and PTO tracking.
- Security Controls: Provides encryption, MFA, role-based access, and audit logs.
Pricing
Pricing is custom but generally includes a base fee plus per employee fee monthly. You’ll need to request a quote to get exact numbers.
Pros
- All-in-one platform cuts tool fatigue
- Flexible no-code workflow builder
- Real-time global workforce monitoring
- Strong security with MFA and encryption
Cons
- Support quality fluctuates widely per user
- Hidden complexity, where many features require training
4. Deel
Deel offers global payroll, Contractor Management, PEO, and EOR services—all in one platform. It supports organizations hiring across 150 countries.
The tool also centralizes contractor and employee management with a unified dashboard.
Key Features
- Global Payroll: Streamlines multi-currency payroll in over 120 currencies .
- Contractor Management: Automates contract creation, payments, and compliance checks for contractors.
- EOR Services: Hires employees legally worldwide, handling local payroll, taxes, and onboarding.
- Compliance Notifications: Sends alerts on local regulation updates to empower your HR decisions.
- HRIS & Engage: Offers a free HR system plus optional performance and engagement tools.
- 24/7 Support: Ensures access to support across various time zones .
Pricing
Deel provides the following tiers under its HR and Payroll services:
Deel Payroll
- US Payroll: Covers essential payroll needs for US employees, including payments, tax filings, and compliance tools.
- Global Payroll: Handles payroll across multiple countries with local tax support and multi-currency payments.
- PEO: Provides a co-employment model in the US, bundling payroll with HR, benefits, and compliance support.
- Employer of Record (EOR): Enables hiring full-time employees internationally without local entities, managing contracts, payroll, and compliance.
Deel HR
- Deel Workforce Management: Core HR features to manage global employee directories, documents, and time-off tracking.
- Deel Engage: Adds advanced employee engagement tools like surveys, recognition programs, and feedback channels.
- Deel Compensation: Provides compensation benchmarking and planning tools to set competitive, equitable salaries across markets.
Deel’s HR and Payroll plans include other additional tiers as well. Customized enterprise pricing also applies.
Pros
- EOR hires without local entities
- Compliance alerts for global laws
- Free HRIS with upgrade paths
- 24/7 in-house support team
Cons
- Support delays reported during peak hiring times
5. HireRoad
HireRoad delivers end-to-end HR tools focused on analytics, recruiting, onboarding, and learning. It centralizes HR data through its PeopleInsight platform, helping nonprofits and education teams make data-driven decisions fast—dashboards deploy in as little as five days.
Key Features
- PeopleInsight Analytics: Turns HR data into visual dashboards with AI insights in 5 days.
- Recruiting Pipeline: Automates job posting, candidate tracking, and notifications .
- Onboarding Tools: Guides new hires through digital paperwork and task tracking.
- Learning Management System: Manages eLearning, certificates, and mobile training .
- Custom Reports: Builds ad-hoc and role-based reports from unified HR data.
- Expert Support: Offers dedicated analysts for custom dashboards and support.
Pricing
Pricing starts at around $350 per feature monthly, including recruiting, onboarding, analytics, or LMS modules. Configurations vary.
You’ll need to request a quote for a tailored package.
Pros
- Dashboards live within five days
- LMS supports mobile and certificate tracking
- Ad-hoc reports built easily
- Dedicated analysts drive data use
Cons
- Feature cost per module can add up
- Data import setup may need technical support
6. Insperity
Insperity delivers a full PEO solution with HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance notifications. They pair clients with local support teams, making them a strategic partner for nonprofits and mid-sized organizations since 1986.
Key Features
- Local HR Experts: Connects you with specialists in your metro area for tailored support.
- Payroll + Tax Filings: Manages multi-state payroll, tax remittance, and garnishments .
- Benefits Administration: Offers enterprise-level health, FSA/HSA, and 401(k) with guided enrollment through ALEX tool.
- Time & Attendance: Tracks hours, PTO, and shifts via TimeStar or mobile portal.
- Learning & Talent Tools: Includes LMS, performance review templates, and recruiting support.
- Reporting & Self‑Service: Offers dashboards, custom reports, and robust employee self‑service.
Pricing
Insperity uses a custom per-employee-per-month pricing model with two tiers: Insperity HRCore™ for essential HR tech and Insperity® HR360 for comprehensive PEO services with dedicated support. Pricing varies by company size, services, and location.
Pros
- Strong local support with dedicated HR team
- Enterprise-grade benefits for SMB budgets
- ALEX tool simplifies employee benefits selection
- Employee self-service portal enhances engagement
Cons
- Platform usability lags behind modern HRIS
7. Remote
Remote lets you hire and pay contractors or full-time employees worldwide without needing local entities. It offers payroll, HRIS, and Employer-of-Record services across 150+ countries.
Key Features
- Employer of Record (EOR): Hires employees globally with local onboarding, payroll, and tax handled for you.
- Global Payroll: Pays staff in over 120 currencies with built-in compliance.
- Contractor Management: Automates contracts, invoice approvals, and payments.
- Compliance Notifications: Alerts you to legal changes so you can manage workforce risks.
- HRIS & Time Tracking: Supports free core HR module, time-off tracking, and expense management.
- Global Benefits Management: Coordinates localized benefits packages for distributed teams.
Pricing
Recruit Talent
- Recruit: Pay-as-you-go access to Remote’s marketplace of pre-vetted international contractors, with optional EOR conversion.
Run Payroll
- Employer of Record: Fully managed global employment solution where Remote becomes the legal employer in the hire’s country, handling payroll, benefits, and compliance.
- Global Payroll: Payroll processing for employees hired through your existing local entities, with multi-country support for payments, taxes, and compliance.
HRIS
- HR Management Platform: Core HR system for managing employee data, documents, time-off, and expenses across global teams.
Pros
- EOR enables compliant local payroll globally
- Automates contractor contracts and payments
- Delivers clear compliance alerts
- Intuitive UI earns high ease-of-use ratings
Cons
- Users notice delays in onboarding for less-common countries
- Overall costs rise quickly with multiple modules
8. Namely
Namely is an HRIS built for mid-sized organizations, especially in the nonprofit and education sectors. It streamlines payroll, onboarding, benefits, time tracking, and performance.
Built-in compliance tools notify HR of legal updates, helping teams respond confidently.
Key Features
- Core HR & Payroll: Captures employee data, automates payroll, and manages direct deposits.
- Onboarding & eSignatures: Automates paperwork, forms, and offers workflows to streamline hiring.
- Time & Attendance: Tracks hours, PTO, and schedules via mobile or web.
- Performance & Feedback: Supports goal setting, 360 reviews, and employee recognition.
- Compliance Library: Provides compliance tools and state comparison to notify HR of changes.
- HR Analytics: Offers reports, dashboards with ad-hoc views to inform strategy decisions.
Pricing
Namely uses a tiered per-employee-per-month pricing model with three editions:
- Namely Now for small businesses needing core HR
- Namely Plus adding payroll and benefits administration
- Namely Plus People combining payroll and benefits
- Namely Complete offering full HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance support
Pricing is customized based on company size, selected features, and implementation requirements.
Pros
- Intuitive interface boosts employee self-service
- Strong payroll functionality praised by admins
- Robust support pods improve issue resolution
- Open API supports integrations
Cons
- Reporting customization is limited for complex organizations
- Support quality fluctuates, and ticket delays have been reported
Your Path to Smarter HR Starts Here
We explored eight strong Justworks alternatives to help you find an HR and payroll platform that truly matches your needs. Each offers unique strengths, but not every tool fits nonprofits and education-focused teams. That’s where we stand out.
At Checkwriters, we combine powerful payroll, intuitive onboarding, and compliance notifications tailored for organizations of all sizes.
Our platform keeps your HR organized while giving you the dedicated support you deserve. Choose Checkwriters for the best experience you’ve ever had with a payroll and HR provider!
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. Employers should closely monitor the rules and regulations specific to their jurisdiction(s) and should seek advice from counsel relative to their rights and responsibilities.