11 Best Benefits Administration Systems (2024)

• Deel consolidates HR, IT, and payroll processes into a single platform, reducing the need for multiple systems.
• Its workflows and automation free up time for HR staff, allowing them to focus more on employee engagement rather than administrative tasks.
• The platform is cost-effective, and the time savings provide a strong return on investment.

As a global organization, one of our biggest challenges has been incorporating the unique requirements of the countries we operate in while maintaining a system that works across different regulations.

Deel has evolved into a robust platform that supports compliance in multiple countries, making it an ideal solution for our needs. It also simplifies global payroll, allowing us to pay employees and contractors anytime, anywhere.

With recent advancements in the platform, we can do even more at a reasonable price while benefiting from an integrated system. Since adopting Deel over a year ago, we have successfully streamlined multiple processes into a single platform.

• Deel is a complex system, which may not be suitable for all businesses.
• Due to its complexity, it requires extensive training and experience to use it effectively.
• The user interface has a learning curve and could benefit from additional improvements in usability and navigation.

Deel stands out because of its comprehensive features, covering multiple aspects of HR, payroll, and global workforce management. While similar tools tend to specialize in specific areas, such as payroll or HR data management, Deel offers a wide range of modules that address nearly every HR and operations need in one platform.

One of the most overlooked aspects of selecting a platform like Deel is post-implementation customer support. Many issues arise after deployment, so it’s crucial to research the level of ongoing support provided.

Also, consider any hidden costs for features that may not be included upfront but could become necessary later. Evaluating the full range of available features—even those you don’t need right now—can help ensure the tool remains valuable as your business scales.

Deel continues to expand its platform, adding new features to support the evolving needs of HR and operations teams. The company actively enhances its offerings to provide more comprehensive workforce management solutions.

Deel is ideal for medium to large businesses with a global workforce or those that frequently hire contract workers. It is particularly valuable for companies that do not have entities in every country where they employ workers, as Deel can serve as an Employer of Record (EOR) in such cases.

•  Remote drafts contracts to ensure compliance with employment laws in countries such as the Philippines and Portugal.
• The system's navigation is easy and seamless, saving time.
• Notifications update HR and line managers for approval once invoices are submitted, ensuring timely contractor payments.
• The reporting tool allows for the review of previous invoices and payments made to contractors.

My previous employer, Competitive Capabilities International, already had this tool in place when I joined, and I used the system for six months while employed there. The previous payroll processing system, SAGE VIP, was not as effective as the Remote platform for contractor payments. Remote also streamlined the drafting of contracts, ensuring compliance with employment laws without the need for legal counsel, which was time-consuming. This tool addressed the pain points of inefficiency and compliance, providing a more robust and automated solution for managing contractor payments and contracts.

• The limited usage of the tool makes it difficult to comment on any significant cons.
• I was satisfied with the required functions of the Remote system.
• There were no notable issues during my use of the tool.

I haven’t worked with a similar system for contractors before using Remote, but I was quite impressed with its functionality and ease of use.

• Usability and training: The system should be easy to use and navigate. I grasped the Remote system in a day.
• Compliance: Ensuring the tool adheres to employment laws and best practices is crucial to avoid fines.
• Security: The system should have multi-factor authentication to protect user data.
• Cost-effectiveness: Remote is more cost-effective than employing an individual for these services, allowing focus on more critical tasks instead of manual admin work.

The functionality and usage remained the same for me during my six-month period of use.

Remote is ideal for organizations with a remote workforce employed globally. It provides peace of mind by ensuring payroll and contracting compliance with each country's specific legislation. It benefits HR from contracting, onboarding, and payroll perspectives, and may also benefit finance departments depending on who handles payments.

Gusto has a user-friendly and intuitive interface for basic payroll and onboarding functions. Their app is easy for our employees to understand and navigate. They integrate with several other third-party apps, such as Checkr for background checks and Guideline for 401k plans.

My company purchased Gusto because it was recommended to us by our CPA as a great payroll provider for small businesses. We needed to find a way to automate as much of the payroll process as possible. We looked for software that would file new hire reports for us, automate the onboarding experience, and pay our employees accurately and on time. We also needed something easy to use and that had the option to integrate with other frequently used apps. I have used Gusto for over two years.

I have experienced several "bugs" when we have unique issues with employees, such as messages indicating an overdue payroll from a year previous after entering an employee's promotion. Their customer service team is available during business hours for calls, but I have been given inadequate solutions several times when speaking with one of these representatives. Their reporting function is very limited and doesn't allow for complex custom reports.

Gusto is an affordable solution for small businesses that don't require complex reporting. If you have a company with 50 employees or less, it may be a great solution. I have used other payroll and HRIS systems, such as ADP, Paychex, and Paylocity, which have more advanced capabilities, and I would recommend one of those for mid- to large-sized companies. The biggest difference between Gusto and these other systems is the ability to create custom reports and formulate data analytics as a tool for talent acquisition planning.

If you're in the market for a tool like this, consider the size of your business and what you will be using the tool for. If you're operating a small business and just want the basics covered, a platform like Gusto may be affordable and practical. If you want the ability to create data analytics and grow your talent, you'll need a system with advanced custom reporting capabilities. Government-required reports such as OSHA 300 and annual EEOC reporting will require data each year, so you'll want to have a tool to handle these needs without manual number crunching.

Gusto meets virtually with customers on a quarterly basis to review their accounts and ensure customers are aware of all the capabilities they have access to. They accept feedback and send ticket requests to their support team for consideration when updates are requested. Since I started using Gusto, they've expanded by giving companies the ability to address employee performance, send out monthly anonymous employee surveys, and upgraded their payroll entry process so that data can be imported from other apps.

Small to mid-sized businesses without complex reporting needs will find Gusto very helpful.

1. Super Simple: Onpay is easy to use, even for someone who’s not a payroll expert.
2. Tax Magic: It takes care of all our tax filings automatically, saving us a lot of time.
3. Great Value: For what it offers, the price is excellent, especially for a smaller team like ours.

We bought Onpay because our previous payroll system was outdated, causing delays and errors that made payroll days difficult. We needed something reliable and easy to use, especially for our small team. Onpay met all our requirements with its straightforward interface, automated tax filings, and affordable pricing. It also integrates well with benefits and handles employee onboarding efficiently. I've been using Onpay for about a year now, and it has significantly reduced our administrative workload.

1. Limited Customization: I wish there were more options to customize reports and dashboards.
2. Customer Support: The support can be slow at times, which is frustrating when you need quick assistance.
3. Advanced Features: It lacks some advanced features that larger businesses might need, making it feel a bit basic for more complex needs.

Onpay stands out with its straightforward, user-friendly interface and great value for money. Unlike some other tools I've tried, it's incredibly easy to navigate and doesn’t overwhelm with unnecessary features. I appreciate that it automates tax filings, which many other tools don't do as effectively. While it might lack some advanced options that larger businesses may need, for a small team, it offers the right balance of functionality and simplicity at a great price.

1. Ease of Use: Choose a tool that is easy to navigate, so you’re not stuck figuring out complex menus.
2. Automation: Ensure it handles tax tasks and direct deposits automatically to make payroll days stress-free.
3. Support: Verify that the support team is helpful and quick to respond when needed.
4. Cost: Make sure it fits your budget without sacrificing essential features.

Onpay has improved over time by keeping things simple and adding useful features. They have perfected automating tax filings and direct deposits, making payroll days easier. The interface has become increasingly user-friendly, which is a big plus.

It is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses that need a payroll system without extra complexity. It’s perfect for those who want an easy-to-use platform that handles all the payroll essentials, such as automated tax filings and direct deposits. If you’re running a business and want something straightforward and affordable without all the complicated features, Onpay is an excellent choice.

Working with Bennie's team is one of the best aspects of Bennie. They make benefits easy to understand for HR professionals and employees. Bennie prioritizes helpfulness over sales. Their app saves the HR team time and simplifies benefits navigation for employees.

Our company chose Bennie because our previous insurance broker was not very helpful. Bennie's team was supportive from the beginning, breaking down benefits concepts and information clearly. They also secured better pricing for our benefits. Their tech-focused and innovative approach was a significant factor in our decision. We used Bennie for at least two years while I was with the company.

I can't find much to dislike about Bennie. More clarity about timing for adding new employees to the system would be helpful. It would also help if customer success managers set specific dates for renewals. However, these issues are minor.

Bennie leads with helpfulness and acts as an extension of the HR team. They have been customer-focused from the start, with an amazing support team. While competitors may be catching up, Bennie was built on this helpful approach.

Consider the cost savings from a benefits perspective, as this is where most savings will come from. Time savings are also crucial; directing benefits questions to Bennie saved me a lot of time. Assess how they present information and whether they offer options and suggestions to improve your benefits strategy. Evaluate if they help you benchmark your current position.

They have increased their services and partnerships. As the benefits landscape changes, Bennie keeps up with these shifts.

Bennie is suitable for anyone looking to improve their benefits and benefits strategy.

1. The tool ensures compliance with employment legislation across different countries.
2. It handles payroll functions, including currency and tax laws, specific to each country.
3. The platform provides a unified experience for all employees globally, which can be managed from a central location.

The organization I worked for needed to streamline its payroll and HR platform to cover all global locations. We were struggling to manage payroll efficiently while complying with various employment laws. The financial burden of maintaining multiple teams to oversee these functions was also a concern, as it was costly to ensure accuracy and compliance. Payroll was our primary focus, so we sought a platform that could handle these tasks without requiring a large, expensive team in each country. We have used this tool for several years now, with significant improvements in efficiency and cost savings.

1. The primary support is via chat, which can be inconvenient during urgent situations.
2. The cost might not be suitable for startups or small businesses.
3. The learning curve is steep for large companies, requiring significant time to implement and integrate fully.

Papayaglobal offers a globally integrated service that ensures compliance with employment and tax legislation. Compared to similar tools, it is user-friendly once you become familiar with it. The ability to manage all employee functions from headquarters on a single platform distinguishes it from others, making it a valuable investment.

Papayaglobal is ideal for large companies with multiple global locations seeking a unified platform for HR and payroll management. It is particularly beneficial if you want to manage these functions centrally while providing a consistent experience for all employees.

Papayaglobal has become more user-friendly and has expanded its support options. It now offers more integrations with other software, making it even more versatile and useful.

Papayaglobal is excellent for large, multi-location organizations. It is particularly useful for companies with global operations looking to consolidate HR and payroll functions into a single team at their headquarters.

I liked how easy it made onboarding new employees.

The ability to manage and store electronic files was a significant advantage.

The reporting dashboard was clear and helpful for monitoring key metrics.

Employees found it easy to access their paystubs and tax information.

The interface, with its social media-like design, was user-friendly and relatable for many employees.

I consulted with an organization for about one year and administered Namely. They were a small but growing business in need of an HR and payroll solution to manage their expanding workforce.

Namely was chosen because it met the needs of various types of organizations and had the flexibility to grow alongside the company as their requirements evolved. I appreciated the compliance features, which helped me stay on top of regulations and deadlines.

The tool was also within the budget approved by the CFO and addressed the needs of both the HR department and employees effectively.

When I first used it, the platform was new and had some glitches.

Payroll processing was initially difficult for the payroll specialist to adapt to.

Learning which reports were essential versus optional required more guidance than was provided.

I would have appreciated more hands-on support during the implementation phase.

The search function did not perform as effectively as I would have liked at the time.

Namely has a more modern and visually appealing interface compared to some competitors.

It promotes diversity and inclusion through its design and functionality.

Its scalable features are suitable for small to mid-sized companies, though larger organizations may need to explore alternatives.

Compared to tools like ADP or UKG, Namely is a more affordable option, though it may lack some of the advanced features those platforms offer.

While Rippling is a strong competitor, I prefer Namely’s design and user-friendly interface.

It’s important to have an experienced payroll person or request training to ensure smooth adoption, as Namely may not be as intuitive as other platforms like UKG or ADP.

Fully prepare questions for your implementation specialist to maximize the benefits of the tool.

Be aware of the states where your employees work, as compliance requirements can vary significantly.

Understand your organization’s growth plans to ensure the tool can scale with your business effectively.

Namely has added new features, including AI-powered tools, to improve functionality.

The interface has become more user-friendly, addressing previous concerns about the search and self-service features.

Employees now find it easier to access essential HR and payroll information.

I think Namely is great for small to mid-size organizations, but I remember it was a tool that scaled to a limit, and if you got too big, a different solution would be better. It possibly would be at the point a larger org could use them, but not sure they are there yet.

I know one of their main competitors is Rippling, so a user or organization should research both before making a decision. I’d also find out if there is a specific person to contact or just a generic number for questions. Over the years, I have been using many tools, and I personally like a particular person or team to work with.

• The platform is user-friendly for both employers and employees.
• It provides a centralized system to manage all employee benefits.
• It simplifies and streamlines the open enrollment process.

Maxwell Health was provided to my company through our insurance provider. Prior to this, my company did not have a centralized platform for managing employee benefits. Maxwell streamlined our open enrollment process and overall benefits management. It provided a single platform for employees to access and manage their benefits easily.

Additionally, it simplified benefits administration for the HR team, making the process much more efficient.

• It can be challenging to get direct support within the system.
• There were occasional issues with employee records after they updated their personal information.
• From an employer’s perspective, it was difficult to make changes during open enrollment once the official deadline had passed.

Maxwell offers a simplified and user-friendly platform that employees can easily navigate and understand.

Pricing should be a key consideration when selecting a platform. Ensure the tool is user-friendly for both employers and employees to avoid unnecessary complications. Integration with your payroll platform is highly beneficial for seamless administration.

Confirm that it is compatible with your offered benefits and your insurance broker’s platform(s) to avoid technical issues.

he platform has undergone slight modifications to improve usability, making it more user-friendly for employees.

Maxwell is well-suited for organizations that provide multiple benefits to their employees.

• Rippling allows for organizational growth while providing flexible options to manage various HR and payroll functions.
• The chat support feature provides quick responses for most inquiries without requiring a phone call or ticket submission.
• The payroll and benefits modules are robust, allowing organizations to automate much of the process.

We purchased Rippling to streamline our processes. As a small organization, we primarily relied on physical copies of employee documents. We transitioned to Rippling about seven months ago.

Previously, we used ADP for payroll processing, but due to the size and needs of our organization, ADP was not a good fit. Rippling provided a more flexible solution that aligned better with our operational requirements.

• When issues require escalation to a specialist, response times can be very slow, often taking 5–7 days or longer.
• The documents module needs improvement, particularly in allowing multiple employees to access the same file and enabling employees to upload their own documents, such as course certificates or TB risk assessment results.
• The platform can become expensive, as additional modules, such as talent acquisition management and extra workflows, come at an added cost.

Rippling has a robust system with strong integrations, and its modules are built within the platform rather than being a collection of separate acquired tools, like ADP. I prefer its benefits and time-off modules because they are easy to update and manage.

However, the performance management, documents, and payroll sections can be challenging, requiring either manual work or additional paid features to achieve desired results.

Company size is a key factor to consider. After using Rippling for several months, I believe it is better suited for larger organizations. Cost is another consideration, as it is more expensive than options like BambooHR but still slightly more affordable than ADP.

The system offers numerous features, which can be overwhelming, so organizations should focus on their specific needs and choose a solution that simplifies their processes.

Since I started using it, Rippling has introduced a few new features in the documents section. However, I have not observed any major improvements.

Larger organizations with complex needs will find Rippling useful.