11 Best Benefits Administration Systems (2024)

Deel simplifies the hiring process, particularly for contractors, making it incredibly user-friendly. The compliance features are invaluable, keeping us informed of legal changes across different countries. Moreover, the platform itself is straightforward and easy to navigate.

Our organization needed a system that would enable us to quickly hire contractors in Europe while scaling with our growth. Deel was chosen for its clarity, ease of setup, and cost-effectiveness. Initially, it was used for managing our European contractors, but as we transitioned from contractors to full-time employees, Deel's capacity to handle EOR and contractors across multiple countries proved ideal. We have been using Deel for just over a year, starting with contractors and recently expanding to include EOR services for our European employees.

Navigating the platform can sometimes be confusing when trying to locate specific features. Currently, Deel does not support adding US employees, necessitating separate HRIS systems for our US and international staff. Additionally, we occasionally encounter unexpected fees.

Deel offers a more affordable solution compared to its competitors, although it's important to consider potential hidden fees. While the platform's overall look and functionality are similar to others in the market, the differences are relatively minor.

When considering a tool like Deel, evaluate your hiring needs outside the US. Inquire about all potential costs, including benefits and administrative fees. Also, plan strategically for the countries you intend to hire in, as adding multiple countries can complicate the process.

Deel is actively developing new features aimed at becoming a comprehensive solution for US-based employers managing international hires. This ongoing evolution is geared towards creating a single platform that can accommodate a variety of HR needs.

Deel is exceptionally well-suited for SMBs to small enterprise businesses that need an efficient platform for managing contractors. It offers simplicity and ease of use that is ideal for businesses at this scale.

The process of adding a new employee to the payroll system is straightforward and efficient. The system alerts are manageable and provide proactive notifications of any potential issues before payroll is finalized. Additionally, tax documents and year-end statements are mailed automatically without any extra fees, making it a hassle-free service.

We decided to switch to Onpay because it had a strong reputation. During our research, many recommendations pointed toward this system. Once we began learning it, we found it very easy to use. We appreciated that it offered a comprehensive package for all our payroll needs. A bonus was that it’s a cloud-based program with lifetime access, which is crucial for HR as we often need to access past records. Onpay is affordable and overall very user-friendly.

The manual check process can be time-consuming for companies that issue a lot of manual checks. Setting up 401(k) deductions can be confusing if there are unusual requests. Payroll education and support for new employees could be improved with better FAQs or online tutorials.

Onpay is very easy to navigate, and the cloud-based functionality adds extra convenience and security. I prefer cloud-based services as they offer better protection, especially in case of risks to your HRIS systems or databases.

Consider how many paychecks are processed each month and the total number of employees. Are your current processes streamlined, and how complex are your payroll deductions? It's also important to review how many errors typically occur during payroll runs and whether the tool can minimize those.

Onpay listens to user suggestions and continuously adapts to improve over time.

Onpay is ideal for medium-sized organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees.

The interface is extremely intuitive and easy to use. Everything for our employee pay and benefits is all in one place, so when a new employee joins, they can enroll in everything at once. Our employees have access to Gusto also, so if they need to make any updates to their information, it's easy for them to self-serve.

We've been using Gusto since 2021. We purchased Gusto because as a small start-up, we needed to have a full-service payroll provider that was intuitive to use and could also provide us with other services, such as 401K administration, worker's comp, and more. It was helpful for us to also have a service where they could alert us on any state-by-state requirements with regard to payroll and insurance, as we do have employees across many different states. I also really appreciate that Gusto helps to file all taxes related to payroll.

Some of the benefits via Gusto are administered via third parties (eg, worker's compensation, 401k), which means that for any detailed changes that we need to make, we have to work through a different point of contact. I wish that Gusto could help handle all of that for us. Also, Gusto doesn't have a customer service phone number that you can easily call, so if you need help, it is more cumbersome.

The user interface is significantly more user-friendly than other payroll providers like ADP.

You should consider if your payroll provider can help do payroll for other states or countries. You should also consider whether you want your payroll provider to help assist with other benefits. Also, consider how important high quality and speedy customer service is for you.

I've noticed that Gusto now offers assistance in registering with states, which is helpful for remote or distributed teams.

It's great for start-ups who may not have an HR team to figure out benefits administration.

•  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.

First, its ability to consolidate payroll and compliance. Second, the ease of use during our onboarding process for both employees and contractors. Third, the ability to manage employee benefits and time-off requests across multiple jurisdictions.

Our company operates in several jurisdictions, both in the United States and abroad. We needed an HR system that had extensive features but was also easy to use. Its ability to integrate payroll, compliance, and tax management in one place made it simple for our management teams in different jurisdictions to operate efficiently.

As our team consists not only of in-house employees but also contractors, temporary hires, and vendors, the ability for managers to view and manage this diverse group was critical.

Previously, we used a collection of different systems that did not communicate with each other in many of the jurisdictions where we operated. This led us to create our own spreadsheets and send them to a centralized person who would consolidate the data for tracking and reporting purposes.

In the two-plus years we have used Papaya—aside from the initial growing pains of adjusting to the layout—our organization has operated much more smoothly.

The platform has so many features that it can be overwhelming and occasionally clunky. It becomes easier to use over time, and the Papaya Academy is very helpful. The cost is higher than other solutions we have used.

A more subscription-based model that doesn't charge per employee might be better. Customer support can be inconsistent, with varied response times and occasionally unhelpful responses. I recommend that they create a standardized training program for their support staff, especially internationally.

Compared to other tools where we had to use different products in various locations, Papaya Global is the best at integration, and we no longer need multiple systems. It is number one for a reason.

First, consider the cost, which can be high for smaller companies.

Second, assess the size of your company and the jurisdictions in which you operate to determine if such a robust solution is necessary. If you're not operating in at least three different countries, this solution may not be right for you.

Third, the software is designed for companies with more complex needs than just running payroll. If you need a solution that combines payroll, HR, tax, and compliance, this is a strong option.

Papaya Global consistently update their solutions and have made improvements to customer support.

Medium to large-sized organizations operating in multiple countries will find Papaya Global useful. It is especially useful for those seeking a single solution for HR and payroll.

The platform makes it simple for employees to navigate benefits options and access important information without confusion. Bennie provides fast and reliable customer service, helping employees and HR teams resolve benefits-related questions efficiently. The clean and well-organized dashboard ensures a smooth user experience, making it easy to find what you need quickly.

Our organization purchased Bennie to address inefficiencies in managing employee benefits and improve accessibility for our workforce. Before Bennie, navigating benefits enrollment and handling HR inquiries was very time-consuming.

We needed a user-friendly platform that could simplify benefits selection, provide guidance to our employees, and integrate with our existing HR systems. Bennie has significantly streamlined our processes by offering personalized benefits recommendations, cost transparency, and real-time support for employees.

While Bennie offers great features, the pricing can be steep for smaller teams looking to manage costs effectively. Expanding the range of benefits, such as additional wellness perks or financial planning tools, would make the platform even more valuable. Some features could offer more flexibility to tailor the experience to our company’s specific needs.

I prefer all-in-one solutions such as Rippling and Justworks. However, Bennie provides a strong option for benefits management, especially for smaller organizations that do not want to invest in the higher cost of platforms like Rippling.

Buyers should consider the size of their company—Bennie is well-suited for smaller organizations. It's important to evaluate how the platform integrates with existing systems and whether it offers the flexibility to scale up or down as the company grows.

Bennie has remained fairly consistent over time, without significant changes or updates to adapt to evolving user needs. While the platform continues to provide a simple and intuitive interface, there haven't been many enhancements or expanded features beyond its core offerings. Users who have been on the platform for a while may notice that benefit options and integrations have stayed largely the same.

Bennie is best for smaller organizations.

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 is easy to use and intuitive.
• The platform offers a wide range of tools—such as reporting, spending, travel, and performance reviews—providing a centralized, all-in-one solution.
• The Account Management and Support team is responsive and helpful whenever we encounter issues or need assistance.

Our organization purchased Rippling because it offered a variety of tools we were eager to implement. One of the main reasons was that, prior to Rippling, we were managing processes like creating offer letters, hiring, and terminations manually.

These manual processes were extremely time-consuming and inefficient. I have personally used Rippling to send documents in bulk, issue offer letters to new candidates, and run various reports.

The platform is highly user-friendly and provides significant value to any HR professional or administrator.

• Rippling can be expensive, with pricing dependent on the number of employees in the system.
• Occasional glitches can cause system downtime lasting several minutes or hours.
• It would be helpful to have access to a demo or sandbox environment before purchase to better understand the platform’s functionality and nuances.

Rippling stands out from its competitors by offering an all-in-one platform. This eliminates the need to switch between different systems to perform similar functions. It integrates HR, IT, and Finance in one place, which is especially valuable for larger organizations.

One key consideration is how the tool will benefit your organization. Evaluate whether Rippling can scale with your business as it grows. Also, consider how the platform can streamline your workflows and improve process efficiency.

I can’t fully speak to its long-term evolution, as we have only used Rippling since January 2023. However, over the past year, they added Performance Reviews, which allowed us to cancel our contract with Lattice. In that regard, it has already addressed an additional need for our organization.

Rippling is well-suited for busy professionals. It benefits data-driven users through robust reporting features. It is also helpful for users who struggle with organization, as the platform clearly separates and manages different functions.