Honest, unbiased reviews of every major PEO — written by former PEO insiders who've seen behind the curtain. We work for you, not the PEOs.
No PEO is best for everyone — the right answer changes with your headcount, your state, your industry risk class, and whether you value a low admin fee or a rich benefits menu more. A venture-backed tech team in Austin and a 40-person construction firm in Ohio should almost never land at the same PEO, even though the sales decks look identical.
The comparisons below weigh the things the vendor pages gloss over: which providers are CPEO-certified and ESAC-accredited (real financial-assurance signals), which write your specific SIC/NAICS class, how the all-in service fee is actually structured, and how the medical program is priced once your census is run. Use them as a shortlist — then let us price your exact group against the two or three that fit.
Enterprise-grade HR for growing mid-market companies
The startup-friendly PEO with transparent flat pricing
The all-in-one platform combining HR, IT, and payroll — PEO module included
Dedicated HR business partners with deep compliance expertise
Industry-specific HR for growth-stage and mid-market companies
Payroll powerhouse with nationwide PEO infrastructure (includes Paychex Oasis)
Personalized mid-market HR with strong Sun Belt presence
Regional PEO with strong SMB focus (merged with PrimePay 2025)
Industry-vertical PEO assembled through 100+ acquisitions
Mid-market PEO with on-staff employment law attorneys
Regional PEO under OneDigital's national insurance umbrella
Triple-credentialed PEO with Northeast SMB focus
The PEO for venture-backed tech and life-sciences startups
High-touch Northeast/Mid-Atlantic PEO for professional services and trades
Texas-based mid-market PEO peer to G&A
PE-backed PEO for heavier industries Justworks won't write
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