ADP TotalSource, Justworks, and TriNet are three of the most popular PEO providers, but they serve different markets and excel in different areas. Understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal clients helps you determine which might be right for your business.
ADP TotalSource
Overview: ADP TotalSource is the PEO division of ADP, one of the world’s largest payroll and HR companies. Massive scale provides exceptional benefits purchasing power and comprehensive services.
Best For:
- Mid-sized businesses (50-500 employees)
- Companies wanting established brand recognition
- Businesses needing robust technology
- Multi-state operations
- Industries requiring comprehensive compliance support
Strengths:
Benefits Purchasing Power: ADP’s enormous scale (700,000+ worksite employees) provides Fortune 500-level benefits at exceptional rates. Health insurance costs are often 25-35% lower than small businesses can obtain independently.
Financial Stability: As part of a publicly-traded global corporation, financial stability is unquestioned.
Technology Platform: Sophisticated HRIS with extensive features, integrations, and mobile capabilities. Regular updates and improvements.
Geographic Coverage: Operates in all 50 states with deep multi-state expertise.
Comprehensive Services: Everything from basic payroll to advanced analytics, recruiting, learning management, and specialized programs.
Established Reputation: ADP name recognition provides credibility with employees and investors.
Weaknesses:
Impersonal Service: Account managers typically handle 80-100+ clients, limiting individualized attention. Service can feel transactional rather than relationship-based.
Higher Pricing: Premium brand commands premium prices. Typically $150-$250 PEPM.
Bureaucracy: Large organization structure can make issue resolution slow. Multiple departments and approval layers.
Account Manager Turnover: Frequent rep changes disrupt relationships.
Less Flexibility: Standardized processes don’t accommodate unique situations well.
Typical Pricing: $150-$250 PEPM depending on size, industry, and services
Ideal Client: 50-200 employee companies in any industry wanting maximum benefits value, robust technology, and established provider reputation.
Justworks
Overview: Justworks is a modern PEO built for startups, tech companies, and distributed teams. Focus on transparency, user experience, and straightforward service.
Best For:
- Startups and tech companies (5-100 employees)
- Distributed/remote teams
- Businesses prioritizing technology and user experience
- Companies wanting transparent, predictable pricing
- Modern companies preferring simple, straightforward solutions
Strengths:
Exceptional Technology: Best-in-class user interface. Intuitive, modern, mobile-first design. Employees and administrators love the platform.
Transparent Pricing: Published rates on website. No hidden fees. Predictable, simple pricing structure.
Distributed Team Excellence: Built for remote teams. Handles multi-state compliance seamlessly. Easy to add employees in new states.
Customer Service: Strong reputation for responsive, helpful support. Account managers handle reasonable client loads (40-60).
Fast Implementation: Typically 2-3 weeks from signing to first payroll.
Modern Approach: No bureaucracy. Fast decision-making. Accommodates startup dynamics well.
Startup-Friendly: Comfortable with equity compensation, remote work, and rapid growth.
Weaknesses:
Limited Customization: Standardized service model doesn’t accommodate highly unique situations.
Shorter Track Record: Newer company (founded 2012) compared to ADP/TriNet.
Benefits Options: Good, but fewer plan choices than largest PEOs.
Not Industry-Specific: Generalist approach lacks deep expertise in specialized industries.
May Not Scale: Best for smaller companies. Some clients outgrow Justworks at 75-150 employees.
Typical Pricing: $99-$149 PEPM (transparent published rates)
Ideal Client: 10-75 employee tech companies, startups, or distributed teams wanting excellent technology, transparent pricing, and modern service approach.
TriNet
Overview: TriNet offers industry-specific verticals (technology, financial services, healthcare, professional services, etc.) with specialized expertise and tailored benefits packages.
Best For:
- Industry-specific needs (tech, healthcare, finance, professional services)
- Companies wanting specialized expertise
- Businesses (10-200 employees) needing strong benefits
- Organizations valuing dedicated account management
- Distributed teams requiring multi-state support
Strengths:
Industry Expertise: Dedicated verticals with specialized knowledge. Tech vertical understands equity compensation and startup dynamics. Healthcare vertical knows HIPAA and credentialing.
Strong Benefits: Excellent health insurance options with major carriers. Competitive rates through pooling of 250,000+ worksite employees.
Technology Platform: Modern, capable system with good user experience. Regular improvements and updates.
Account Management: Dedicated reps focused on specific industries. Generally handle 40-60 clients.
Multi-State Excellence: Strong capabilities for distributed teams across many states.
Comprehensive Services: Full range of PEO services plus industry-specific programs.
Publicly Traded: Financial stability and transparency of public company.
Weaknesses:
Higher Pricing: Industry-specific expertise commands premium rates. Typically $125-$250 PEPM.
Industry Limitations: Must fit into one of their verticals. Unusual industries may not be well-served.
Service Variability: Experience depends heavily on specific account manager and industry team.
Less Flexibility: Industry-specific approaches may not accommodate highly unique situations.
Some Complexity: More moving parts than simpler providers like Justworks.
Typical Pricing: $125-$250 PEPM depending on industry vertical and company size
Ideal Client: 25-150 employee companies in tech, healthcare, financial services, or professional services wanting industry-specific expertise and strong benefits.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | ADP TotalSource | Justworks | TriNet |
| Best Company Size | 50-500 | 5-100 | 10-200 |
| Technology | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Service Quality | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Benefits Rates | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Industry Expertise | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Pricing | $$$ | $$ | $$$ |
| Multi-State | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Flexibility | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Implementation Speed | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose ADP TotalSource if:
- You have 75+ employees
- You want maximum benefits purchasing power
- Brand recognition matters to you
- You need very comprehensive services
- You prioritize technology over personalized service
- Multi-state operations are complex
Choose Justworks if:
- You’re a startup or tech company under 100 employees
- You have distributed/remote teams
- You value transparent, simple pricing
- Excellent technology is critical
- You want responsive, personalized service
- You prefer modern, straightforward approaches
Choose TriNet if:
- You’re in tech, healthcare, finance, or professional services
- Industry-specific expertise matters
- You want strong benefits with dedicated account management
- You’re 25-150 employees
- You value specialized knowledge over generalist approach
- You’re willing to pay premium for vertical expertise
Can’t Decide? Consider These Factors
Budget-Conscious: Justworks offers best value for small companies. ADP may cost more but saves more on benefits for larger companies.
Distributed Team: All three handle multi-state well, but Justworks is easiest for adding new states frequently.
Industry Matters: TriNet if you fit their verticals. ADP or Justworks if you don’t.
Company Size:
- Under 25: Justworks
- 25-75: Any of the three depending on priorities
- 75-150: ADP or TriNet
- 150+: ADP
Technology Priority: Justworks has best user experience. ADP and TriNet have more features but less elegant interfaces.
Service Priority: Justworks and TriNet provide better personalized attention than ADP.
What About Other PEOs?
These three are popular but not exhaustive. Depending on your specific situation, other PEOs might be better fits:
- Paychex, Insperity, Rippling for different needs
- Regional PEOs for personalized local service
- Industry specialists for construction, healthcare, etc.
Don’t limit your search to just these three names.
The Decision Process
Step 1: Identify your priorities (price, service, technology, industry expertise, etc.)
Step 2: Determine which PEO best aligns with those priorities
Step 3: Get detailed proposals from top choices
Step 4: Compare total costs, not just quoted rates
Step 5: Check references from similar companies
Step 6: Meet your actual account manager
Step 7: Review contracts carefully
Step 8: Make informed decision
Getting Competitive Proposals
To properly evaluate ADP, Justworks, and TriNet:
- Obtain detailed proposals from all three
- Ensure apples-to-apples comparisons
- Negotiate pricing (all are negotiable to some degree)
- Verify what’s included vs. extra cost
- Understand contract terms
This process takes significant time and expertise to do well.
Want expert help comparing these PEOs for your specific situation? Contact PEO Consulting Partners for a free consultation. We’ll obtain proposals from ADP, Justworks, TriNet, and other top providers, create accurate comparisons, and help you make the right choice—at no cost to you.