Paychex PEO vs Rippling PEO
How the two PEOs compare on pricing, minimum employees and fit.
| Paychex PEO | Rippling PEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Company size | About 19,000 employees (Paychex, 2025) | About 5,000 employees (2025) |
| Headquarters | Rochester, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Founded | 1971 | 2016 |
| Pricing | No published PEO pricing. Quote required. | Quote only. |
| Pricing model | Quote only | Quote only |
| Best for | Smaller US businesses that want payroll and HR from one provider | Companies that want HR, IT and finance in one platform |
| IRS certified (CPEO) | Yes, on the IRS list | Not found by name on the IRS list |
| ESAC accreditation | Accredited | Reported not accredited |
| Minimum employees | 5 employees | 5 employees |
Carriers, 401(k) and workers' comp: side by side
| Paychex PEO | Rippling PEO | |
|---|---|---|
| Health carriers | Not publicly listed yet. We will get this for you: request a quote and we will include it. | Medical, dental and vision described as Fortune 500-caliber; carriers not named |
| 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. | Pay-as-you-go workers' comp coverage; carrier not named |
| Other named partners | Paychex acquired Oasis Outsourcing in 2018; carrier and 401(k) details not named in sources reviewed | 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 Many PEOs do not publish their carriers or recordkeepers, so "not publicly listed" means we could not find it, not that none exists.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.
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 Rippling PEO if
Companies that want HR, IT and finance in one platform.
- Highly customizable platform with HR process automation
- Compliance alerts as headcount crosses thresholds
Ask Paychex PEO about
- Five-employee minimum and a one-year contract reported
- Reported as weaker at larger scale
Ask Rippling PEO about
- Five-employee minimum reported
- One source reports it is not accredited by ESAC
Frequently asked questions
Is Paychex PEO or Rippling PEO cheaper?
Paychex PEO: No published PEO pricing. Quote required. Rippling PEO: Quote only. 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 Rippling PEO?
Paychex PEO is best for smaller us businesses that want payroll and hr from one provider. Rippling PEO is best for companies that want hr, it and finance in one platform.
Last verified November 4, 2026. Based on third-party reviews and vendor pricing pages. See each provider page for sources.