Best 8 PEOs for Startups in 2025

Founders and early-stage teams often wear multiple hats, juggling core business activities with essential administrative tasks. Managing human resources, payroll, and compliance can quickly become overwhelming as your startup gains traction and begins to scale. This is where Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) step in, offering HR solutions tailored for growing startups.

But with the PEO market becoming increasingly saturated, how do you identify the right partner for your unique startup needs? This comprehensive guide will explore that question.

We’ll dive into the 8 best PEO services for startups in 2025, providing unbiased comparisons of each provider’s key features, pricing structures, and ideal use cases. We’ll explore PEOs that excel in providing flexible, scalable solutions, those offering cutting-edge technology integrations, and others that provide exceptional support for international expansion. By the end of this guide, you’ll clearly understand which PEO services are best suited for your startup, helping you make an informed decision that can fuel your company’s growth in 2025 and beyond.

Pro Tip: When evaluating PEO services, look beyond immediate cost savings. Consider how the PEO can support your long-term vision, including potential expansion into new markets, the need to attract top talent with competitive benefits packages, and the ability to quickly scale your team up or down. The right PEO should be a strategic partner in your startup’s journey, not just a service provider.

Best PEOs for Startups at a Glance

Before we dive into the detailed reviews, here’s a quick summary comparing the key features and information for the top PEO services tailored for startups:

This summary table provides a quick overview of how these PEO services compare on essential features and pricing, with a focus on startup-friendly attributes. Now let’s dive into more detailed reviews of each provider, tailored specifically for startup needs.

Best PEO Services for Startups: In-depth Comparison

1. Deel: Best for Global Hiring and Rapid Expansion

Deel has quickly become a favorite among startups looking to build global teams without the hassle of setting up foreign entities. Its platform is designed to simplify international hiring, payroll, and compliance, making it an ideal choice for startups with ambitious global expansion plans.

This PEO is particularly well-suited for tech startups, SaaS companies, and any venture looking to tap into global talent pools quickly and compliantly. Deel’s emphasis on speed, flexibility, and user-friendly technology makes it an excellent fit for startups that need to move fast and adapt to changing market conditions.

Key Features

• Global payroll in 120+ currencies
• Localized employment contracts
• International benefits administration
• Contractor management and conversion
• Equity compensation support
• Expense management and reimbursements
• Visa and immigration assistance
• API access for custom integrations
• Advanced tax compliance tools

Deel Pricing Plans

Deel offers transparent, flat-rate pricing:

• EOR services: From $599 per employee per month
• Contractor management: From $49 per contractor per month
• Custom pricing available for high-growth startups with large hiring plans

Best for: Deel is an outstanding choice for startups with global ambitions. Its user-friendly platform, rapid onboarding, and extensive international employment solutions make it ideal for ventures that need to build diverse, distributed teams quickly and compliantly. It’s particularly valuable for startups in tech hubs looking to tap into global talent pools or expand into new markets rapidly.

2. Multiplier: Best for Budget-Conscious Startups

Multiplier has gained traction in the startup ecosystem by offering cost-effective PEO solutions that don’t compromise on essential features. They provide coverage in 150+ countries, focusing on making global employment accessible and affordable for cash-conscious startups.

This PEO is particularly well-suited for early-stage startups that need to stretch their runway while still accessing global talent. Multiplier’s emphasis on providing core services at competitive rates makes it a good fit for startups looking to minimize their HR spending without sacrificing quality.

Key Features

• Global payroll in 100+ currencies
• Localized employment contracts
• Standard benefits packages
• Expense management
• Time off tracking
• Visa and work permit assistance
• Basic API for integrations
• Mobile app for employees

Multiplier Pricing Plans

Multiplier offers competitive, transparent pricing:

• EOR services: Starting from $400 per employee per month
• Contractor management: From $40 per contractor per month
• Custom pricing available for startups with rapid growth projections

Best for: Multiplier is an excellent choice for early-stage startups looking to hire globally on a tight budget. Its competitive pricing and focus on essential HR functions make it attractive for ventures wanting to establish an international presence without a significant financial commitment. It’s particularly suitable for bootstrapped startups or those in pre-seed to Series A stages that need to balance global hiring capabilities with cost efficiency.

3. Rippling: Best for Tech-Savvy Startups

Rippling stands out in the PEO landscape by offering a highly integrated, technology-driven platform that goes beyond traditional HR management. It combines PEO services with IT, finance, and operations tools, creating a unified system that’s particularly appealing to tech-oriented startups.

This solution is ideal for startups that value automation, data-driven decision making, and seamless integration across their various business systems. Rippling’s extensive customization options and advanced features appeal to startups looking to build a scalable, tech-forward operational infrastructure from day one.

Key Features

• Unified employee system of record
• Full-service payroll with global capabilities
• Benefits administration and insurance brokerage
• Talent management and applicant tracking
• Learning management system
• IT management (device and app provisioning)
• Expense management and corporate cards
• Time and attendance tracking
• Custom workflows and automations
• Extensive third-party integrations (500+)

Rippling Pricing Plans

Rippling’s pricing is modular and customizable based on the specific services you need. You’ll need to contact their sales team for a custom quote, as pricing can vary widely depending on your requirements.

Best for: Rippling is an excellent choice for tech-savvy startups that want to build a scalable, integrated operational infrastructure from the ground up. Its powerful automation capabilities and extensive integrations make it stand out, particularly for startups in the software, fintech, or other tech-intensive sectors. It’s especially suitable for ventures that anticipate rapid scaling and want an HR system that can grow with them seamlessly.

4. Papaya Global: Best for Data-Driven Startups

Papaya Global offers a robust global workforce management platform that caters to startups with a strong focus on data-driven decision making. They provide extensive coverage in 160+ countries, with advanced analytics capabilities and a strong emphasis on compliance.

This PEO is particularly well-suited for startups that value deep insights into their global workforce and want to make strategic decisions based on comprehensive data. Papaya Global’s advanced analytics capabilities and strong emphasis on compliance make it an attractive option for startups dealing with complex global workforce management challenges, especially those in data-intensive or highly regulated industries.

Key Features

• Global payroll in 160+ countries
• AI-powered compliance engine
• Extensive benefits administration
• Time and attendance management
• Expense reimbursement
• Immigration and relocation support
• Advanced workforce analytics
• Equity management support
• M&A due diligence tools
• Customizable reporting dashboards

Papaya Global Pricing Plans

Papaya Global offers customized pricing based on your specific needs:

• EOR services: Starting from $599 per employee per month
• Contractor management: From $25 per contractor per month
• Global Payroll: From $20 per employee per month
• Custom pricing available for high-growth startups with complex needs

Best for: Papaya Global is an excellent choice for startups prioritizing data-driven decision-making in their HR operations and preparing for significant global expansion. Its advanced analytics, strong compliance support, and comprehensive global coverage make it well-suited for startups in data-intensive fields, fintech, or other sectors where workforce insights and regulatory compliance are critical. It’s precious for startups approaching Series B or C funding rounds, where sophisticated workforce management becomes increasingly important.

5. Oyster HR: Best for Remote-First Startups

Oyster HR has quickly established itself as a leading PEO service for startups embracing a remote-first approach. It offers an extensive platform for hiring and managing distributed teams across 180+ countries, with a strong focus on creating a cohesive company culture in a virtual environment.

This PEO is ideal for startups that have adopted a remote-first approach from inception or are transitioning to a fully distributed model. Oyster’s expertise in international employment law, coupled with its focus on remote team engagement, makes it easier for startups to build and manage global teams effectively.

Key Features

• Global employment services in 180+ countries
• Localized employment contracts
• Compliant benefits administration
• Global payroll in 120+ currencies
• Time off and expense management
• Visa and work permit support
• Detailed country-specific hiring guides
• Advanced reporting and analytics
• Employee misclassification protection
• Remote team culture tools

Oyster HR Pricing Plans

Oyster offers tiered pricing based on the number of employees and services required:

• EOR Services: $599 per employee per month
• Global Payroll: From $25 per employee per month
• Contractor management: From $29 per contractor per month

Best for: Oyster HR is an excellent choice for startups committed to building remote, global teams from day one. Its comprehensive international employment solutions and focus on remote team culture make it well-suited for startups in sectors like SaaS, digital services, or any venture embracing the future of work. It’s particularly valuable for startups that prioritize diversity and want to tap into global talent pools without geographic constraints.

6. Atlas HXM: Best for Startups in Regulated Industries

Atlas HXM (formerly Elements Global Services) offers a highly customizable PEO solution catering to the unique needs of startups operating in complex or highly regulated industries. They provide comprehensive global employment services across 160+ countries, with a strong focus on risk management and compliance.

This PEO is best suited for startups that require highly specialized solutions for complex international operations, particularly those in fields like fintech, healthcare tech, or other regulated sectors. Atlas HXM’s consultative approach and deep expertise in global employment make it a good fit for startups looking for more than just a self-service platform, especially those navigating complex regulatory landscapes.

Key Features

• Global payroll in 120+ currencies
• Customized employment contracts
• Comprehensive benefits administration
• Immigration and visa support
• Detailed compliance consulting
• Proprietary HR technology platform
• Advanced reporting and analytics
• M&A and entity setup support
• Risk advisory services
• Industry-specific compliance tools

Atlas HXM Pricing Plans

Atlas HXM offers custom pricing based on your specific needs and the number of employees. You’ll need to contact their sales team for a quote. They typically charge a percentage of the total payroll rather than a flat per-employee fee.

Best for: Atlas HXM is an excellent choice for startups operating in complex regulatory environments or highly specialized industries. Its consultative approach and deep expertise make it well-suited for ventures in fintech, healthcare tech, or other sectors where compliance and risk management are critical. It’s particularly valuable for startups that are expanding into challenging markets or need to navigate complex legal and regulatory landscapes as they scale globally.

7. ADP: Best for Rapidly Scaling Startups

ADP (Automatic Data Processing) is one of the most established names in HR and payroll services, and their PEO offering, ADP TotalSource, brings this expertise to startups poised for rapid growth. With a long history of providing comprehensive HR solutions, ADP offers robust services that can scale seamlessly as your startup expands.

This PEO is well-suited for startups that anticipate significant growth and want a partner that can support them from seed stage through to IPO or acquisition. ADP’s extensive experience and wide range of services make it a versatile choice for startups looking for a long-term PEO relationship that can adapt to their evolving needs.

Key Features

• Comprehensive payroll processing and tax filing
• Wide range of employee benefits options
• HR compliance support and risk management
• Talent acquisition and management tools
• Time and attendance tracking
• Employee self-service portal
• Extensive reporting and analytics
• Industry-specific solutions
• Learning management system
• Performance management tools

ADP Pricing Plans

ADP offers custom pricing based on your specific needs and the size of your organization. You’ll need to contact their sales team for a detailed quote.

Best for: ADP is an excellent choice for startups with aggressive growth plans that need a PEO partner capable of supporting them through multiple stages of expansion. Its comprehensive services and scalable solutions make it well-suited for startups in any sector that anticipate rapid hiring, multi-state or international expansion, or are on a trajectory toward IPO or acquisition. It’s particularly valuable for startups that prioritize having a well-established, reputable HR partner to support their growth journey.

8. Justworks: Best for US-based tech Startups

Justworks has carved out a niche in the PEO space by offering a modern, transparent solution tailored for tech startups. While it currently focuses on US-based companies, its user-friendly platform and startup-centric approach have made it a favorite among emerging tech ventures.

This PEO is particularly well-suited for US-based tech startups that value simplicity, transparency, and a modern user experience. Justworks’ straightforward pricing and focus on core HR functions make it an attractive option for startups looking to establish solid HR practices without unnecessary complexity.

Key Features

• Full-service payroll and tax filing
• Health and Wellness Benefits Administration
• Compliance support and risk management
• Time and attendance tracking
• 401(k) and retirement services
• HR consulting and support
• Employee onboarding tools
• Commuter benefits
• COBRA administration
• Online employee handbook builder

Justworks Pricing Plans

Justworks offers transparent, tiered pricing:

• Basic: From $59 per employee per month (includes payroll, benefits, HR tools, and compliance)
• Plus: From $109 per employee per month (includes everything in Basic, plus more robust benefits options)

Best for: Justworks is an excellent choice for US-based tech startups looking for a straightforward, modern PEO solution. Its user-friendly platform and transparent pricing appeal to first-time founders or startups new to professional HR management. It’s especially suitable for ventures in software development, digital services, or other tech sectors that prioritize a seamless, tech-forward HR experience for their teams.

Benefits of Using PEOs for a Startup

Partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can make or break a small business, offering a wealth of advantages that can significantly impact your company’s growth and success. From cost-effective access to premium benefits to reducing administrative burdens, PEOs provide small businesses with the tools and expertise typically reserved for larger corporations. Let’s explore the key benefits of utilizing a PEO:

• Rapid Scaling Capabilities: Startups often experience periods of hypergrowth. A good PEO can quickly onboard new employees, manage payroll for a rapidly expanding team, and scale benefits administration without missing a beat. This agility is crucial for startups that need to capitalize on market opportunities swiftly.
• Global Talent Acquisition: In today’s remote-first world, startups aren’t limited by geography regarding hiring. Many PEOs offer international hiring capabilities, allowing you to build a diverse, global team without the complexities of setting up foreign entities or navigating international labor laws.
• Competitive Benefits on a Startup Budget: Attracting top talent is crucial for startups, but offering competitive benefits can be costly. PEOs pool employees from multiple companies, allowing them to negotiate enterprise-level benefits packages that startups couldn’t access. This levels the playing field when competing for talent against larger, established companies.
• Compliance Navigation: Startups often operate in regulatory grey areas or disrupt highly regulated industries. A knowledgeable PEO can help navigate complex compliance landscapes, reducing legal risks and allowing founders to innovate confidently.
• Focus on Core Business: Every hour spent on HR administration is not spent on product development, customer acquisition, or fundraising. By outsourcing HR tasks to a PEO, startup teams can maintain a laser focus on activities that drive growth and innovation.
• Scalable HR Technology: Many PEOs offer sophisticated HR platforms that grow with your startup. These systems can provide valuable data and insights about your workforce, helping inform strategic decisions as you scale.
• Equity Compensation Support: Equity is crucial for startup recruitment and retention. Some PEOs offer specialized support for managing equity compensation plans, a complex area many startups struggle with.
• Funding Readiness: When raising capital, having a professional HR infrastructure can instill confidence in potential investors. A PEO partnership demonstrates that your startup takes compliance and employee management seriously.
• Crisis Management: Startups often face unexpected challenges. Whether navigating a global pandemic or managing a sudden pivot, PEOs can provide crucial support and expertise in times of crisis.
• Culture Preservation: As startups grow, maintaining company culture can be challenging. The right PEO can help implement programs and policies that reinforce your startup’s unique culture and values, even as you scale rapidly.

Keep these benefits in mind when choosing a provider to best suit your startup’s specific needs and ambitious goals.

How to Choose the Right PEO for Your Startup?

Selecting the ideal PEO for your startup is a critical decision that can significantly impact your growth trajectory and operational efficiency. To help you navigate this choice, we’ve broken down the key considerations into ten essential categories:

1. Scalability and Flexibility

• Growth Stage Alignment: Ensure the PEO’s services match your current stage (seed, Series A, B, etc.) and can scale with you.
• Service Adaptability: Look for the ability to easily add or remove services as your needs change.
• Rapid Onboarding: Assess how quickly the PEO can onboard new employees during periods of rapid growth.

2. Global Capabilities

• International Reach: If you’re planning global expansion, check the PEO’s expertise in your target markets.
• Compliance Expertise: Evaluate their knowledge of international labor laws and regulations.
• Multi-Currency Support: Ensure they can handle payroll and benefits in multiple currencies.

3. Technology and Integration

• User-Friendly Interface: The platform should be intuitive, considering that in a startup, everyone might interact with the HR system.
• Integration Capabilities: Check if the PEO’s platform integrates with tools commonly used by startups (e.g., Slack, Asana, GitHub).
• Mobile Accessibility: Look for mobile apps or responsive design for on-the-go access.

4. Startup-Specific Features

• Equity Management: Does the PEO offer support for managing stock options and equity compensation?
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Ensure they can handle remote or hybrid work models common in startups.
• Competitive Benefits: Look for benefits packages that are particularly attractive to startup employees.

5. Financial Considerations

• Transparent Pricing: The cost structure should be clear and predictable.
• Flexible Billing: Look for options that accommodate variable cash flow (e.g., monthly vs. annual billing).
• Cost vs Value: Consider the long-term value in terms of time saved and risks mitigated, not just the upfront cost.

6. Compliance and Risk Management

• Industry-Specific Knowledge: For tech startups, ensure the PEO understands the unique compliance needs of your sector.
• Risk Mitigation: Assess their ability to help navigate complex regulatory environments.
• Data Security: Verify their data protection measures and compliance with relevant standards (e.g., GDPR, SOC 2).

7. Support and Expertise

• Customer Service Availability: Check if support is available during the non-standard hours startups often keep.
• Dedicated Support: Look for providers offering dedicated account managers who understand your specific needs.
• HR Expertise: Evaluate the depth of their HR knowledge and ability to provide strategic guidance.

8. Reporting and Analytics

• Data Accessibility: Ensure you can easily access and export data for investor reports or board meetings.
• Insightful Analytics: Look for PEOs that provide actionable insights to inform your hiring and retention strategies.
• Customizable Reporting: Check if you can tailor reports to your specific startup metrics and KPIs.

9. Cultural Fit and Employer Branding

• Startup Culture Understanding: The PEO should align with and support your startup’s unique culture and values.
• Employer Brand Support: Assess their ability to help you build and maintain a strong employer brand to attract top talent.
• Recruitment Assistance: Look for tools and support in showcasing your startup’s unique culture and benefits to potential hires.

10. Future-Proofing

• Funding and Exit Support: Can the PEO assist with due diligence during funding rounds or support you through acquisitions or IPOs?
• Scalability: Choose a PEO that can grow with you from your current stage through to potential major milestones.
• Innovation: Look for providers that continuously update their offerings to stay ahead of HR trends and technologies.

By carefully considering these factors, you can select a PEO that not only meets your current needs but also aligns with your startup’s long-term vision and growth trajectory. Remember, the right PEO should be a strategic partner in your startup’s journey, providing the support and expertise you need to focus on innovation and scaling your business.

When is the Best Time to Use a PEO as a Startup?

Startups often face numerous challenges when it comes to managing human resources and administrative tasks. A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can be a valuable partner in handling these responsibilities, but timing is crucial. The best time for a startup to consider using a PEO is typically when:

• Rapid growth is anticipated: If your startup is poised for quick expansion, a PEO can help manage the complexities of hiring and onboarding new employees efficiently.
• HR tasks are overwhelming: When founders and core team members find themselves spending too much time on administrative duties instead of focusing on business growth, it’s time to consider a PEO.
• Compliance becomes complex: As your workforce grows and you expand into new states or countries, navigating various employment laws and regulations can become daunting. A PEO can ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Benefits packages need improvement: PEOs can often provide access to better, more cost-effective benefits packages than a small startup could negotiate on its own, helping to attract and retain top talent.
• Risk management becomes a concern: With growth comes increased liability. A PEO can help manage workers’ compensation, unemployment claims, and other employment-related risks.
• Funding rounds are successful: After securing significant funding, startups often need to scale quickly. A PEO can provide the infrastructure to support rapid hiring and expansion.
• Expertise is needed: When your startup requires HR expertise but can’t justify hiring a full-time HR professional, a PEO can fill this knowledge gap.

The ideal time to engage a PEO is often when a startup has between 10 to 50 employees. At this stage, the business is typically complex enough to benefit from professional HR support but not large enough to warrant a full in-house HR department. However, each startup’s needs are unique, and some may find value in PEO services earlier or later in their growth trajectory.

How Can a PEO Accelerate Startup Growth?

A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can be a powerful catalyst for startup growth, providing several key advantages that allow founders and their teams to focus on core business objectives. Here’s how a PEO can accelerate startup growth:

• Streamlined HR processes: By handling payroll, benefits administration, and compliance, a PEO frees up valuable time and resources that can be redirected towards product development, marketing, and sales efforts.
• Cost savings: PEOs can often negotiate better rates for benefits and insurance due to their large client base. These savings can be reinvested into growth initiatives.
• Improved talent acquisition: With access to robust benefits packages typically reserved for larger companies, startups can attract higher-quality candidates and compete for top talent.
• Reduced legal risks: PEOs help ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations, reducing the risk of costly legal issues that could derail growth.
• Scalability: As the startup expands, a PEO can quickly adapt to support new hires, whether in existing locations or new markets, without the need to build out internal HR infrastructure.
• Access to HR expertise: PEOs provide startups with seasoned HR professionals who can offer strategic guidance on workforce management, helping to build a strong organizational foundation for growth.
• Employee retention: By offering competitive benefits and ensuring smooth HR operations, PEOs can help improve employee satisfaction and retention, reducing turnover costs and maintaining productivity.
• Focus on core competencies: With HR tasks handled externally, startup leaders can concentrate on innovation, product improvement, and market expansion – activities that directly drive growth.
• Data-driven insights: Many PEOs offer analytics and reporting tools that can provide valuable insights into workforce trends, helping startups make informed decisions about hiring, compensation, and resource allocation.

Conclusion: Powering Your Startup’s Growth with the Right PEO

As we’ve explored in this in-depth guide, choosing the right Professional Employer Organization (PEO) can be a game-changer for startups. It provides access to enterprise-level HR services, cost-effective benefits, and expertise that might otherwise be out of reach. Whether you’re looking for global hiring capabilities with Deel or specialized compliance expertise with Atlas HXM, there’s a PEO solution to fit your unique startup needs.

When deciding, consider not just your immediate requirements but where you want your startup to be in the next 2-5 years. A great PEO partnership should be able to support your vision and scale alongside your growth. As you move forward in your selection process, don’t hesitate to reach out to these providers for demos, detailed quotes, and answers to your specific questions. Many offer startup-specific plans or can customize their services to meet your unique needs.

The right PEO partner can be a valuable asset in navigating the complexities of workforce management, allowing you to focus on what you do best – innovating and growing your startup. By offloading HR complexities to a trusted PEO, you and your team can channel more energy into product development, customer acquisition, and scaling your business.

Frequently asked Questions