Justworks review (2026): features, pros and cons, and what to check before you buy
PEO and payroll platform for small US businesses that bundles HR, benefits and payroll under co-employment, or payroll only.
Our take for buyers
Justworks is a PEO and payroll platform for small US businesses that bundles HR, benefits and payroll. The PEO plans mean co-employment: Justworks becomes the co-employer for payroll tax and benefits. That is the first thing a buyer must understand, because it changes who controls benefits and plans. A payroll-only plan exists without co-employment. The company was founded in 2012 and is based in New York.
It fits small US companies that want benefits and compliance handled for them. It does not fit teams outside the US or companies that want to keep their own benefits broker. G2 shows 4.6 from 1,126 reviews, with praise for ease of use and support, and complaints about a mobile app that lacks features and limited insurance plan options.
Pros
- Ease of use and clean design.
- Support (G2 support sub-score 9.2/10)
Cons
- Mobile app lacks features.
- Limited insurance plan options.
- Best for
- Small US companies that want a PEO with benefits and compliance handled for them.
- Starting price
- $50/month base plus $8 per employee (Payroll plan)
- G2 rating
- 4.6 (1,126 reviews)
What is Justworks?
PEO and payroll platform for small US businesses that bundles HR, benefits and payroll under co-employment, or payroll only. Small US companies wanting a PEO to handle benefits and compliance, or just payroll, should compare it. Payroll costs $50 monthly plus $8 per employee, and Time Tracking is an $8 per employee add-on. It does not suit firms keeping their own benefits broker or hiring outside the US. Justworks was founded in 2012 and is based in New York, US.
Category: HR Software (HRIS), Payroll Software
Justworks key features
| Criterion | What we found |
|---|---|
| Core HR and employee records | HR records included in PEO plans. |
| Payroll integration or built-in payroll | Built-in payroll on all plans. |
| Time off and attendance | Time Tracking add-on at $8 per employee per month. |
| Benefits administration | Benefits included via PEO co-employment. |
| Pricing model and transparency | Flat per employee per month; Payroll plan has $50 base fee. |
| Target company size | Small business. |
| Time tracking and PTO | Time Tracking add-on. |
| Contractor and 1099 payments | $8 per active contractor per month on Payroll plan. |
Justworks plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll | $50/month base + $8 per employee per month | per employee | Contractors $8 per active contractor per month; no health benefits or co-employment |
| PEO Basic | $79 | per employee per month | Older sources say $59; most 2026 sources say $79 |
| PEO Plus | $109 | per employee per month | One source says $124 with medical access; earlier $99 |
Prices from third-party aggregators (casrai, gloroots, Capterra); not confirmed on Justworks' own pricing page. Add-ons: Time Tracking $8 and Dedicated HR Consulting $30 per employee per month.
Who should shortlist Justworks
A strong fit for
- Small US companies that want a PEO with benefits and compliance handled for them.
- Startups needing a single per-employee price.
A weak fit for
- Companies that want to keep their own benefits broker and plans.
- Teams outside the US.
Justworks alternatives
GustoSmall US businesses of 1 to a few dozen people wanting simple setup.
TriNetSmall and mid size employers wanting benefits and compliance outsourced.
RipplingCompanies already running payroll and HR on Rippling that want app access tied to employee records.
PaycorUS employers with roughly 10 to 1,000 staff that want payroll and HR from one vendor.
OnPaySmall businesses and accounting-firm partners.
ADP RunSmall businesses wanting a large provider with tax filing and add-on HR/benefits.
Contract and buying terms
- Contract
- Not confirmed by the vendor; PEO involves co-employment agreement.
- Starting price
- $50/month base plus $8 per employee (Payroll plan)
- Pricing model
- Per user.
- Free plan or trial
- No.
What to test in a Justworks demo or trial
Ask for a walkthrough of what changes under co-employment: who files payroll taxes, who offers benefits and what happens to your existing plans. Test the mobile app, since reviewers say it lacks features. Review the insurance plan options against what your employees have today, because reviewers call them limited. Check which HR, payroll and time-off tasks are included in the plan you are quoted, and which, such as Time Tracking, are paid add-ons. Run a sample payroll including a contractor if you have any.
Questions to ask Justworks before you sign
These are the points Justworks's public pages leave open. Get the answers in writing before procurement signs off.
- Which plan includes SAML SSO, and what does it cost for our seat count?
- Is SCIM provisioning included, or a paid add-on?
- Which plan includes audit logs, and how long are they kept?
- Where is our data stored, and can we choose the region?
- Can we sign your standard DPA without changes?
- What will the price be at renewal, and is the increase capped?
Things to know before a demo
- PEO plans mean co-employment: Justworks becomes co-employer for payroll tax and benefits.
- Payroll plan starts at $58/month for one employee ($50 base + $8)
- Plus plan price reportedly rose from $99 to $109.
- Time Tracking and HR consulting are paid add-ons ($8 and $30 per employee per month)
- Third-party estimate (one firm): all-in cost incl. employer health premiums runs far above the headline fee.
Justworks FAQ
What is Justworks used for?
Small US companies wanting a PEO to handle benefits and compliance, or just payroll, should compare it. Payroll costs $50 monthly plus $8 per employee, and Time Tracking is an $8 per employee add-on. It does not suit firms keeping their own benefits broker or hiring outside the US. It suits small US companies that want a PEO with benefits and compliance handled for them.
What does co-employment mean at Justworks?
On PEO plans, Justworks becomes the co-employer for payroll tax and benefits. The Payroll plan does not include co-employment or health benefits.
Who is Justworks best for?
Small US companies that want a PEO to handle benefits and compliance, and startups that need a single per-employee price. It is not for companies outside the US.
Does Justworks publish SSO or security certifications?
None were published in the material we reviewed. Ask the vendor for its security documentation before buying.
Vendor profile
- Founded
- 2012.
- Headquarters
- New York, US.
- Employees
- 1446.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Justworks's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.