Paychex PEO vs Questco
How the two PEOs compare on pricing, minimum employees and fit.
| Paychex PEO | Questco | |
|---|---|---|
| Company size | About 19,000 employees (Paychex, 2025) | Being confirmed |
| Headquarters | Rochester, NY | Houston area, TX |
| Founded | 1971 | Being confirmed |
| Pricing | No published PEO pricing. Quote required. | No published rates. Cost depends on company size and services chosen, plus a one-time onboarding fee equal to one month of administrative costs. |
| Pricing model | Quote only | Quote only |
| Best for | Smaller US businesses that want payroll and HR from one provider | Small and mid-sized businesses, including franchises, that want a Texas-based PEO |
| IRS certified (CPEO) | Yes, on the IRS list | Yes, on the IRS list |
| ESAC accreditation | Accredited | Not confirmed |
| Minimum employees | 5 employees | Not confirmed |
Carriers, 401(k) and workers' comp: side by side
| Paychex PEO | Questco | |
|---|---|---|
| Health carriers | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Pooled Questco master health plan, or benefits administration alongside your existing broker's plan; carriers not named Questco blog · Provider site |
| 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 | Paychex acquired Oasis Outsourcing in 2018; carrier and 401(k) details not named in sources reviewed Clicksgeek review · Third-party review | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. |
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 Many PEOs do not publish their carriers or recordkeepers, so "not publicly listed" means we could not find it, not that none exists.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 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
Choose Questco if
Small and mid-sized businesses, including franchises, that want a Texas-based PEO.
- No strict minimum headcount stated
- Headquartered in the Houston, Texas area with service offices in Texas, Nebraska, Arizona and Colorado
- Offers its own health and welfare benefits plan
Ask Paychex PEO about
- Five-employee minimum and a one-year contract reported
- Reported as weaker at larger scale
Ask Questco about
- Pricing is not published
- Carriers pay commissions to Questco or its affiliated brokers on benefits, built into premiums
- Contract terms are not stated on its FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Paychex PEO or Questco cheaper?
Paychex PEO: No published PEO pricing. Quote required. Questco: No published rates. Cost depends on company size and services chosen, plus a one-time onboarding fee equal to one month of administrative costs. Published rates are not directly comparable to quote-only pricing, and health premiums are separate.
Which is better for a small company, Paychex PEO or Questco?
Paychex PEO is best for smaller us businesses that want payroll and hr from one provider. Questco is best for small and mid-sized businesses, including franchises, that want a texas-based peo.
Last verified November 4, 2026. Based on third-party reviews and vendor pricing pages. See each provider page for sources.