5 best TriNet competitors in 2024

Rippling, named the best payroll software, integrates HR, IT and finance features, similar to TriNet. However, in terms of managing a global workforce, its features outshine TriNet’s in a couple of key areas, including IT management.

Rippling claims to offer a more customizable experience when it comes to its services. It lets you create a profile that makes sense for your needs. For example, Rippling stands out by allowing you to manage all of your global tech needs from the platform and in conjunction with your HR, payroll and compliance needs. This means you can manage employees’ apps, devices and even IT security from the Rippling platform.

TriNet doesn’t offer transparency when it comes to pricing and plans. Rippling, however, is a bit more transparent, stating that plans start at $8 per user per month.

Some companies find Rippling to be the better option. “We have a small HR Team — one managing director and two trusted employees that act as a second line of defense to verify accuracy of payroll, so having a software that can do the hard work for us makes it easy to ensure accuracy and allow us to focus on the other pieces of our bookkeeping business,” Zishuk said.

Both Rippling and TriNet help businesses stay in compliance with local and state laws. They even allow users to manage payroll and HR for global teams. When it comes to Rippling, Zishuk said, “We have employees all over the US and Puerto Rico, and Rippling makes paying employees easy regardless of their location. It helps us with taxes and deductions and reminds us of PTO/sick leave laws in each state and territory.”

Gusto is best for businesses that need more automation features. It offers things like payroll and tax filing automation, time and attendance tracking, customizable reporting and data gathering tools. It also offers hiring and onboarding tools. TriNet does offer integrations, but not as many as Gusto.

When it comes to pricing, Gusto is more transparent about its plan and pricing options. Plans start at $40 per month plus $6 per person per month. Its highest plan, Premium, has custom pricing based on your business details. TriNet doesn’t offer pricing information on its website.

Gusto’s basic package has a few shortcomings, namely a lack of payroll migration or multi-state payroll processing. You can always upgrade to a Premium Plan for added features.

While TriNet is a PEO with payroll capabilities, Gusto focuses on payroll first. That means you can more easily pay contractors as well as employees and can factor tip allocation into payroll.

QuickBooks has been a trusted name in finance and small business bookkeeping for decades. But how does QuickBooks Payroll stack up?

Quickbooks Payroll offers transparent pricing. If you want to know exactly what you’re getting before you deal with sales calls, QuickBooks Payroll may be a better solution than TriNet.

QuickBooks Payroll offers multiple-tiered solutions for business owners. Its basic plan, Payroll Core + Simple Start, is $75 per month plus $6 per employee per month. This plan will give you the basic accounting tools you need for your business, including:

• Full-service payroll.
• 1099 e-filing.
• Next-day direct deposit.

Payroll Core + Essentials starts at $105 per month plus the $6 per employee fee, and Payroll Premium + Plus adds HR and benefits management tools as a full-scale solution starting at $170 per month plus $8 per employee per month.

You can also opt for Payroll only starting at $45 per month plus $6 per employee per month. These options provide more flexibility for businesses that don’t need a full-service PEO solution.

QuickBooks Payroll can only manage payroll for up to 150 employees. This makes it more suitable for smaller businesses seeking a full-featured payroll solution with multiple integrations, including credit card processing, invoicing and more.

ADP is another trusted name in payroll and focuses on mobile payroll tools and capabilities, including running payroll, automating payroll taxes, running reports and offering 24/7 live chat support, all for $29 per month, plus $5 per person.

Users like Joe Earl, general manager of Dental Sky, said he likes the consultative approach that Roll by ADP provides. It’s one of the few solutions, along with TriNet, that offers 24/7 customer service. “Their expertise has been very good — basically any question we’ve had, their support team has been able to resolve really quickly,” Earl said.

“For us, the biggest benefit of ADP is compliance peace of mind,” Earl said. “ With frequent regulatory changes, I sleep better knowing ADP has us covered on correct tax filings, labor policies and a whole lot more.”

Many employees today seek a do-it-yourself approach to PTO and benefits management. With Roll by ADP’s app, you can run your payroll in less than a minute from your mobile device, and your employees can be paid within 24 hours. You can also let your employees opt for same-day deposits.

Earl touted the consultative approach that he said sets Roll by ADP apart. “Their advisors have provided us with guidance tailored to our unique needs as a growing SMB. That specific type of custom partnership has given us from all departments a real confidence that we have the right HCM foundation.”

Patriot is best for companies that need a payroll solution without all the capabilities of a PEO and with fewer integration options. The cloud-based software starts at $17 per month, plus $4 per month per employee and offers HR, accounting and payroll solutions, including invoicing, bill pay, automatic tax filings, financial reports and time and attendance tracking.

Patriot offers a free 30-day trial along with free set-up, which might be convenient for busier businesses. It is unclear if TriNet offers its potential customers any sort of free trial.

While TriNet excels as a PEO solution for midsize businesses with thousands of employees, Patriot offers the payroll solution small businesses need at a reasonable price.