Choosing an HR and payroll platform is a big decision for any small business. You need a solution that saves time, ensures compliance, and keeps your team happy without breaking the bank. Justworks is a popular Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that promises to do just that. But do the just works reviews suggest it lives up to the hype?

This comprehensive guide dives deep into just works reviews, features, and pricing to give you a clear picture of what to expect. We will cover everything you need to know to decide if it is the right fit for your company.

What is Justworks and How Does It Work?

Justworks is a full service PEO and HR platform founded in 2012. It acts as a co employer for your business, which means it takes on the legal responsibility for things like payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration. This allows small businesses to access enterprise level benefits and offload complex HR tasks. As of 2024, Justworks supports over 12,000 small businesses across the United States.

A key thing to know is that Justworks is an IRS Certified PEO (CPEO) and is accredited by the Employer Services Assurance Corporation (ESAC). This means it meets the highest industry standards for financial security and compliance, giving you peace of mind that your payroll and taxes are handled correctly.

Justworks Pricing and Plans: A Transparent Breakdown

One of the most praised aspects in many just works reviews is its transparent pricing. Unlike competitors who often hide costs behind custom quotes, Justworks publishes its rates directly on its website. This makes it easy to estimate your monthly expenses. The model is a simple per employee, per month fee with no hidden setup charges or long term contracts. If you re comparing payroll pricing models, see this detailed payroll services pricing guide.

Justworks Payroll & HR Tools Plan

If you don’t need a full PEO service, the Payroll & HR Tools plan is a great starting point. It’s designed for startups and small businesses that primarily need to automate payroll and manage basic HR tasks. For a base fee of $50 per month plus $8 per employee, you get robust payroll processing for all 50 states, tax filings, and core HR tools like an employee directory and onboarding support. You can always upgrade to a PEO plan later as your company grows.

The PEO Basic Plan

The PEO Basic plan is the core PEO offering, priced around $59 per employee per month for smaller companies. This plan includes everything from the payroll plan plus critical compliance support. Justworks manages your workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and provides mandatory harassment prevention training. You also get 24/7 access to certified HR consultants and can offer ancillary benefits like 401(k) plans, commuter benefits, and life insurance.

The PEO Plus Plan

For businesses that want to offer comprehensive health benefits, the PEO Plus plan is the top tier option. At around $109 per employee per month, it includes everything in the Basic plan plus full administration for medical, dental, and vision insurance. Through the Plus plan, you gain access to plans from national carriers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare at group rates usually reserved for large corporations. It also includes management of HSA/FSA accounts and wellness perks like One Medical and Teladoc access.

Core Features Explored in Justworks Reviews

Beyond the plans, the platform’s features are what truly define the user experience. Many just works reviews highlight the integrated and user friendly nature of its services.

All in One HR Platform

Justworks centralizes payroll, benefits, compliance, and HR into a single, modern online platform. Its intuitive dashboard makes it easy for admins to manage tasks without extensive training. Reviewers often praise it as one of the most DIY friendly PEO software options available, with one publication naming it the “best PEO service provider” for ease of use.

Payroll Processing and Payments

At its core, Justworks offers full service payroll for W-2 employees and 1099 contractors across all 50 states. The system automatically calculates and withholds federal, state, and local taxes, filing all necessary forms on your behalf. This multi state payroll coverage is a huge advantage for remote first companies. The platform also handles off cycle payments like bonuses and commissions at no extra charge, a perk not all providers offer.

HR Tools and Consulting

Justworks provides a suite of essential HR tools, including an employee directory, a document center for handbooks, and PTO management. A standout feature available on all plans is access to HR consultants and 24/7 support for tricky employment questions. This is incredibly valuable for founders who don’t have an in house HR expert.

Employee Benefits Administration

A major draw of using a PEO like Justworks is gaining access to big company benefits. By pooling thousands of small businesses, Justworks negotiates affordable group rates on everything from health insurance to 401(k) plans and fitness perks. The platform streamlines enrollment for employees and handles all the backend administration, saving you countless hours.

Compliance and Risk Management

Staying compliant is a major headache for small businesses, and Justworks is built to alleviate it. The platform provides mandatory workers’ compensation and Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI), which protects you from employee lawsuits. It also manages state disability programs and provides required sexual harassment prevention training.

Time Tracking Add On

For businesses with hourly employees, Justworks offers an integrated time tracking tool as an optional add on. For about $8 per user per month, employees can clock in and out via the mobile app, which can even use GPS to verify their location. The system automatically calculates overtime based on state specific rules and syncs hours directly to payroll.

The User Experience: Onboarding, Usability, and Support

A platform can have all the features in the world, but if it is difficult to use, it creates more problems than it solves. Here is what just works reviews say about the overall user experience.

Implementation and Onboarding

Getting started with Justworks is remarkably fast. The company reports a typical implementation time of just 2 to 3 weeks, which is quicker than many competitors. You are assigned a dedicated onboarding manager to guide you through the setup, and employees are invited to self onboard by entering their own details online, which streamlines the process.

Platform Ease of Use

Justworks consistently receives top marks for usability. One reviewer awarded its platform an “Ease of use” score of 9.9 out of 10. The clean interface requires minimal training for both administrators and employees. The self service portal empowers employees to find their own pay stubs, update information, and enroll in benefits without needing to ask HR.

24/7 Customer Support

Exceptional customer support is a cornerstone of the Justworks experience. All customers get 24/7 support via phone, email, chat, Slack, and even SMS. This round the clock access to knowledgeable humans is a significant differentiator, as many providers limit support to business hours. According to Justworks, their average response time is about two hours.

The Justworks Mobile App

The Justworks mobile app for iOS and Android extends the platform’s ease of use to your phone. Employees can clock in, request time off, and view pay stubs. Administrators can approve requests and even run payroll from anywhere. This on the go access is essential for modern, flexible teams.

Empowering Employees with Self Service

The employee self service portal is a huge time saver. Team members can log in to view their pay history, manage their benefits, request time off, and update personal information. This not only reduces the administrative burden on managers but also provides employees with immediate access and control over their HR data.

Technical Details: Security, Integrations, and Global Reach

Integrations and Add Ons

While Justworks is designed as an all in one system, it integrates with essential business tools. It offers direct integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, automatically syncing payroll data to save you from manual entry.

Security and Data Protection

Justworks takes security seriously. The platform uses multi factor authentication and encrypts all sensitive data both in transit and at rest. As a CPEO, Justworks undergoes regular financial audits and is bonded, providing an extra layer of protection for your funds and data.

International Contractor Payments and EOR

Justworks has expanded its services to help companies with a global workforce. You can pay international contractors in over 50 countries for an additional fee of $39 per contractor per month. They also offer an Employer of Record (EOR) service to hire full time international employees for $599 per employee per month. For a deeper overview of global payroll processing, see this complete guide.

While this is a great add on, companies with significant global hiring needs may find a more integrated solution to be more efficient. For startups looking to hire top software engineers globally, a platform like Bolto combines AI powered recruiting, global EOR, and payroll into a single, seamless experience.

Justworks Reviews, Pros & Cons, and Alternatives

No platform is perfect for everyone. To get a complete picture, we’ve analyzed numerous just works reviews and compared the platform to its top competitors.

What Users Are Saying: Real Just Works Reviews and Ratings

User sentiment in just works reviews is overwhelmingly positive. It holds a 4.6 out of 5 star rating on G2 from over 1,100 reviews and a similar 4.6/5 rating on Capterra. Users frequently praise the platform’s ease of use, transparent pricing, and stellar 24/7 customer support.

The Pros and Cons of Justworks

Pros:

• Ease of Use: An intuitive, modern platform that requires minimal training.
• Transparent Pricing: Clear, upfront costs with no long term contracts.
• 24/7 Support: Expert help is always available via multiple channels.
• All in One Solution: Combines payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance.
• Accessibility: A low minimum of just two employees to get started.

Cons:

• Limited Customization: The plan structure is less flexible than some competitors.
• Industry Restrictions: Does not serve some high risk industries like heavy construction.
• SMB Focus: Not designed for large enterprises with more than 500 employees.

Top Alternatives to Justworks

While these just works reviews are positive, it is smart to consider other options.

• Traditional PEOs: Competitors like TriNet and ADP TotalSource offer similar PEO services, sometimes with more industry specific plans, but often with less transparent pricing.
• HRIS & Payroll Software: Platforms like Gusto and Rippling are excellent choices if you need payroll and HR without the full PEO co employment model. If you re a startup, consider US payroll for startups built for early-stage teams.
• All in One Recruiting and HR: For startups focused on growth, especially hiring global engineers, a unified platform is often the best choice. A solution like Bolto integrates a global recruiting marketplace with EOR, contractor management, and US payroll. This eliminates the need to stitch together separate tools for hiring and HR, saving significant time and money.

Making the Final Decision

After thoroughly exploring the features, pricing, and countless just works reviews, you can make a final decision.

Who is Justworks For?

Justworks is an ideal fit for U.S. based small to mid sized businesses with 2 to 200 employees. It is particularly valuable for startups and companies without a dedicated HR department that want a simple, all in one solution to manage payroll, benefits, and compliance.

Reporting and Analytics

Justworks provides a variety of pre built reports for payroll summaries, benefits enrollment, and time off usage. The Plus plan offers more advanced analytics to help you track labor costs and other key metrics. While not as customizable as some enterprise systems, the reporting is sufficient for most small businesses.

Cancellation and Plan Switching

Flexibility is key for a growing business. Justworks allows you to switch between plans with about a month’s notice. If you decide to cancel, they require a standard 30 day notice and do not charge any termination fees, which is a customer friendly policy.

The Importance of Certified PEO Status

Justworks’ status as an IRS Certified PEO and its ESAC accreditation are crucial trust signals. These certifications mean the company is regularly audited for financial stability and compliance, ensuring your business and your employees are protected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Justworks

What is the main difference between Justworks Basic and Plus plans?
The main difference is access to health insurance. The Plus plan includes full administration for medical, dental, and vision benefits, while the Basic plan does not. Both plans include payroll, compliance support, 24/7 customer service, and access to ancillary benefits like 401(k)s.

Is Justworks a good PEO for startups?
Yes, Justworks is very popular among startups. Its transparent pricing, user friendly platform, low two employee minimum, and lack of long term contracts make it an excellent choice for new and growing companies.

How much does Justworks cost?
Justworks has two main PEO plans. The Basic plan costs around $59 per employee per month, and the Plus plan is around $109 per employee per month. They also offer a non PEO Payroll & HR Tools plan for a $50 base fee plus $8 per employee.

Can I pay international workers with Justworks?
Yes, Justworks offers add on services for global teams. You can pay international contractors in over 50 countries or hire full time international employees through their Employer of Record (EOR) service, though these come at an additional cost. For businesses built around global talent, a specialized global HR platform like Bolto may offer a more integrated solution.

Is Justworks hard to set up?
No, most just works reviews praise its quick and easy setup. The company provides a dedicated onboarding manager, and the entire implementation process typically takes only 2 to 3 weeks.