CoAdvantage vs Paychex PEO
How the two PEOs compare on pricing, minimum employees and fit.
| CoAdvantage | Paychex PEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Company size | Being confirmed | About 19,000 employees (Paychex, 2025) |
| Headquarters | Being confirmed | Rochester, NY |
| Founded | Being confirmed | 1971 |
| Pricing | Quote only. Reported at roughly $120 to $180 per employee per month by a third-party source. | No published PEO pricing. Quote required. |
| Pricing model | Quote only | Quote only |
| Best for | Companies that want a multi-state, multi-industry generalist PEO | Smaller US businesses that want payroll and HR from one provider |
| IRS certified (CPEO) | Yes, on the IRS list | Yes, on the IRS list |
| ESAC accreditation | Not confirmed | Accredited |
| Minimum employees | Not confirmed | 5 employees |
Carriers, 401(k) and workers' comp: side by side
| CoAdvantage | Paychex PEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Health carriers | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| 401(k) provider | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| Workers' comp | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
| Other named partners | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Paychex acquired Oasis Outsourcing in 2018; carrier and 401(k) details not named in sources reviewed Clicksgeek review ยท Third-party review |
Due diligence checked November 4, 2026. We only list carriers and partners that a filing, the provider or a named review states. Many PEOs do not publish their carriers or recordkeepers, so "not publicly listed" means we could not find it, not that none exists. If something is missing, request a quote and we will get it from the PEO for you. Lineups vary by state and change at renewal. Source types: SEC filing (strongest), provider site, third-party review.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which medical carriers and networks are available in my state and zip code?
- Are the health plans fully insured or partially self-funded, and who bears claims risk?
- Who is the 401(k) recordkeeper, and what are the total plan fees and match options?
- Who is the workers' comp carrier, how are rates set, and what happens to my experience rating if I leave?
- Is the entity that will employ my staff on the IRS CPEO list, and is it ESAC accredited?
- What renewal increase did your plans see in each of the last 3 years?
Choose CoAdvantage if
Companies that want a multi-state, multi-industry generalist PEO.
- Broad multi-state and multi-industry coverage
- Targets small and mid-sized businesses
Choose Paychex PEO if
Smaller US businesses that want payroll and HR from one provider.
- ESAC and IRS accredited
- Payroll account manager and HR generalist support
- Multi-state payroll
Ask CoAdvantage about
- Pricing is not published
- Reported as certified as a CPEO only since July 2026
- Minimum employee count not confirmed in sources reviewed
Ask Paychex PEO about
- Five-employee minimum and a one-year contract reported
- Reported as weaker at larger scale
Frequently asked questions
Is CoAdvantage or Paychex PEO cheaper?
CoAdvantage: Quote only. Reported at roughly $120 to $180 per employee per month by a third-party source. Paychex PEO: No published PEO pricing. Quote required. Published rates are not directly comparable to quote-only pricing, and health premiums are separate.
Which is better for a small company, CoAdvantage or Paychex PEO?
CoAdvantage is best for companies that want a multi-state, multi-industry generalist peo. Paychex PEO is best for smaller us businesses that want payroll and hr from one provider.
Last verified November 4, 2026. Based on third-party reviews and vendor pricing pages. See each provider page for sources.