Engage PEO vs Justworks
How the two PEOs compare on pricing, minimum employees and fit.
| Engage PEO | Justworks | |
|---|---|---|
| Company size | Being confirmed | 1,165 employees |
| Headquarters | Being confirmed | New York, NY |
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 |
| Pricing | Custom quote, billed monthly. Typically per employee per month. | PEO Basic $79 and PEO Plus $124 per employee per month. Some sources still list Plus at $109, so confirm on justworks.com/pricing. |
| Pricing model | Quote only | Published |
| Best for | Small and mid-sized businesses without an internal HR team, including healthcare, restaurants, hotels and franchises | Small teams that want published pricing and a simple platform |
| IRS certified (CPEO) | Yes, on the IRS list | Yes, on the IRS list |
| ESAC accreditation | Accredited | Accredited |
| Minimum employees | Not confirmed | 2 employees |
Carriers, 401(k) and workers' comp: side by side
| Engage PEO | Justworks | |
|---|---|---|
| Health carriers | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Kaiser Permanente (medical, dental, vision) and MetLife |
| 401(k) provider | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Administered through a third-party partner, reported as Slavic401k |
| 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. | Teladoc and One Medical (as available); EVERFI powers compliance training |
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 Many PEOs do not publish their carriers or recordkeepers, so "not publicly listed" means we could not find it, not that none exists.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.
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 Engage PEO if
Small and mid-sized businesses without an internal HR team, including healthcare, restaurants, hotels and franchises.
- HR support from experienced professionals
- 24/7 live support
- Access to health insurance, 401(k) and employee assistance programs
Choose Justworks if
Small teams that want published pricing and a simple platform.
- Public price list with no base fee
- Payroll, HR support and compliance in one fee
- International Employer of Record add-on at $599 per employee per month
Ask Engage PEO about
- May be less cost-effective for very small businesses with limited HR needs
- Minimum employee count not stated in the source reviewed
- Based on very few published user reviews
Ask Justworks about
- Health premiums are billed on top of the platform fee
- Per-employee cost does not shrink much as headcount grows
Frequently asked questions
Is Engage PEO or Justworks cheaper?
Engage PEO: Custom quote, billed monthly. Typically per employee per month. Justworks: PEO Basic $79 and PEO Plus $124 per employee per month. Some sources still list Plus at $109, so confirm on justworks.com/pricing. Published rates are not directly comparable to quote-only pricing, and health premiums are separate.
Which is better for a small company, Engage PEO or Justworks?
Engage PEO is best for small and mid-sized businesses without an internal hr team, including healthcare, restaurants, hotels and franchises. Justworks is best for small teams that want published pricing and a simple platform.
Last verified November 4, 2026. Based on third-party reviews and vendor pricing pages. See each provider page for sources.