Our Full Review
Zenefits built its reputation on making benefits enrollment painless. After being acquired by TriNet, it's evolved into a comprehensive HR platform with PEO services backing. If benefits administration is your pain point, Zenefits deserves serious consideration.
Who Should Use Zenefits?
Zenefits is ideal for:
- Companies offering comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, 401k) to 20-500 employees
- Businesses frustrated with benefits enrollment and carrier coordination
- Growing companies wanting to offer Fortune 500-level benefits at SMB prices
- Companies needing broker support to shop and compare plans
- Businesses wanting PEO optionality (through TriNet)
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Startups under 20 employees — Gusto is simpler and cheaper
- Companies not offering benefits — You're paying for Zenefits' best feature without using it
- Tech-forward teams wanting modern UX — Rippling has a better interface
- Budget-conscious SMBs — Mid-tier pricing without the polish of competitors
Benefits Administration (The Star Feature)
Zenefits' benefits management is exceptional:
- Carrier marketplace: Shop and compare plans from 100+ carriers
- Broker support: Licensed brokers help you select plans and negotiate rates
- Guided enrollment: Employee decision support tools make choosing plans easier
- Carrier integrations: Direct EDI connections with major insurers
- COBRA administration: Automatic notices and payment tracking
- FSA/HSA management
- Commuter benefits
- ACA compliance tracking and reporting
For companies offering multiple benefit options, Zenefits reduces open enrollment from weeks to days.
Core HR Features
Standard HRIS functionality:
- Employee records and document storage
- Onboarding workflows with e-signatures
- Org charts and reporting relationships
- PTO tracking and requests
- Performance reviews (basic)
- Compliance library and alerts
Payroll
Full-service payroll included:
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Automatic tax calculations and filings
- Direct deposit, paper checks
- Multi-state payroll
- Contractor payments and 1099 filing
- Year-end tax services
Time & Attendance
Built-in time tracking:
- Mobile time clock
- Web-based time entry
- Kiosk mode for shared devices
- PTO accrual and tracking
- Overtime alerts
- Timesheets sync to payroll
TriNet PEO Services
As part of TriNet, Zenefits offers PEO options:
- Co-employment: TriNet becomes employer of record
- Better benefits rates: Access Fortune 500-level pricing
- Workers' comp under master policy
- HR advisory services
- Compliance protection
PEO makes sense for companies 20-200 employees wanting better benefits and reduced HR liability.
Compliance Management
Compliance tools and resources:
- State-specific policy templates
- Compliance calendar with reminders
- I-9 management and e-verify
- EEO-1 and VETS-4212 reporting
- Audit trails
Integrations
Connects with key business tools:
- Accounting: QuickBooks, Xero
- Benefits: 100+ insurance carriers
- Background checks: Checkr, Sterling
- 401(k): Guideline, Vanguard, Fidelity
Pricing Breakdown
Zenefits uses modular tiered pricing:
- Essentials: $8/employee/month — Core HR, onboarding, PTO
- Growth: $16/employee/month — Adds payroll, time tracking, compliance
- Zen: $27/employee/month — Adds performance management, advanced reports, dedicated support
For a 50-person company on Growth: 50 × $16 = $800/month.
Competitive with Gusto and BambooHR but more expensive than OnPay. Benefits administration justifies the premium.
The Bottom Line
Zenefits is the right choice if benefits administration is your primary pain point. The carrier integrations, broker support, and enrollment experience are best-in-class.
Under TriNet's ownership, compliance concerns from Zenefits' early days have been resolved. The platform is stable, comprehensive, and backed by PEO services if you need them.
Not the most modern interface, and pricing isn't transparent. But for companies 20-500 employees offering comprehensive benefits? Zenefits delivers where it counts.