Justworks vs Paylocity

Detailed side-by-side comparison

Justworks

From $59/mo

Justworks is an all-in-one HR platform and PEO (Professional Employer Organization) that helps small to mid-sized businesses manage payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR administration. It stands out by offering Fortune 500-level benefits packages to smaller companies and becomes the employer of record as part of its PEO model.

Visit Justworks

Paylocity

Paylocity is a comprehensive cloud-based HCM and payroll software platform designed for small to mid-sized businesses. It provides a unified system combining payroll, HR management, talent management, and workforce management with a modern interface and strong mobile experience.

Visit Paylocity

Feature Comparison

Feature	Justworks	Paylocity
Payroll Processing	Full-service automated payroll with tax filing, direct deposit, and contractor payments included	Cloud-based payroll processing with tax compliance and employee self-service portal access
Benefits Administration	Access to enterprise-level health insurance, dental, vision, and 401(k) plans through PEO model	Benefits administration and enrollment tools, though benefit options depend on company's own negotiations
Compliance Support	Comprehensive compliance tools and HR consulting services with PEO taking on co-employment responsibilities	Tax compliance features and regulatory tools, but company remains sole employer of record
Talent Management	Basic employee onboarding and offboarding workflows with PTO management	Full talent acquisition suite including performance management, reviews, and comprehensive onboarding tools
Reporting & Analytics	Standard HR and payroll reporting capabilities	Robust reporting and analytics with customizable dashboards for data-driven insights
Time Tracking	Time tracking and PTO management integrated with payroll	Comprehensive time and attendance tracking system with workforce management features

Pricing Comparison

Justworks offers transparent pricing starting at $59/month per employee, which is higher than basic payroll solutions but includes PEO benefits access. Paylocity does not publicly disclose pricing and typically quotes based on company size and feature selection, with costs potentially higher for smaller businesses and additional fees for advanced features.

Verdict

Choose Justworks if...

Choose Justworks if you're a small to mid-sized business that wants access to enterprise-level benefits packages without the administrative burden, and you're comfortable with a PEO co-employment model. It's ideal for companies prioritizing competitive benefits and compliance support over extensive customization.

Choose Paylocity if...

Choose Paylocity if you want a comprehensive, customizable HCM platform with strong talent management and analytics capabilities while maintaining full employer of record status. It's best suited for businesses that need an all-in-one system with robust performance management and prefer to manage their own benefit negotiations.

Get Your Free Software Recommendation

Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with the perfect tools

1/4

What type of software are you looking for?

Select the category that best fits your needs

HR & Recruiting

Pros & Cons

Justworks

Pros

+ Provides access to competitive benefits packages typically available only to large enterprises
+ User-friendly interface that's easy for both employers and employees to navigate
+ Strong customer support with dedicated account representatives
+ Comprehensive compliance tools that reduce legal and regulatory risks

Cons

- Higher pricing compared to basic payroll-only solutions
- Limited customization options for specialized HR workflows
- PEO model means Justworks becomes employer of record, which some companies prefer to avoid

Paylocity

Pros

+ Intuitive and modern user interface with excellent mobile experience
+ Strong customer support with dedicated implementation specialists
+ Comprehensive all-in-one platform reduces need for multiple vendors
+ Robust reporting and analytics capabilities with customizable dashboards

Cons

- Pricing can be higher compared to some competitors, especially for smaller businesses
- Implementation process can be lengthy and complex for larger organizations
- Some advanced features require additional fees or higher-tier plans