Deel vs. Justworks: A PEO Service Comparison

Partnering with a professional employer organization (PEO) enables small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to stay compliant, reduce payroll risk, and offload admin-heavy tasks like tax filings and employee benefits. However, in an increasingly crowded market, it can be hard to determine which provider is the best fit for your specific needs. Two of the most popular solutions in 2025 are Deel PEO and Justworks. In this article, we’ll compare their offerings side by side to help you decide.

What is Deel PEO?

Deel PEO is an all-in-one solution for US-based businesses seeking to outsource HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance to an industry-leading provider. By partnering with Deel PEO, you unlock in-house expertise and infrastructure that reduce risk, simplify employer obligations, and provide your employees with Fortune 500-level benefits.

Key features include:

• End-to-end tax calculation, filing, and payments, executed to the highest standards of federal, state, and local compliance
• Comprehensive payroll management for employees, including deductions, wage calculation, and payslip generation and distribution
• 60+ US benefit plans, including customizable dental and vision, and exclusive access to an Aetna International benefits plan
• Full compliance with COBRA, ACA, and all other benefit administration requirements
• A suite of innovative HR tools covering onboarding, training, offboarding, PTO requests, expense management, time tracking, and more
• Centralized employee self-service portal for increased transparency and engagement
• Customizable reporting for payroll, benefits usage, and workforce data to support decision-making and growth strategies
• 80+ integrations across multiple platforms, including BambooHR, HiBob, Workday, UKG, NetSuite, and Expensify
• Dedicated HR Business Partners and Payroll Managers for personalized support
• 24/7 customer support

• Expand effortlessly to a global scale with our Deel EOR, Deel Payroll, and Deel Contractor solutions
• Seamlessly hire, pay, and manage global teams from a single platform, in line with local laws and regulations
• Manage tax reporting, benefits, and compliance with our 200+ in-house experts
• Empower your employees and contractors with a modern self-service portal for time-tracking, PTO requests, benefits access, and payslips
• Centralize HR in a highly customizable HRIS with built-in tools for talent management, training, and employee development
• Powerful AI tools that enable easy report generation and help answer compliance questions
• Manage your global teams’ full equipment lifecycle with Deel IT—covering deployment, security, remote management, and repairs across 130+ countries
• And much more

What is Justworks PEO?

Justworks is an HR, PEO, and payroll service provider that focuses primarily on helping small and medium-sized businesses. It has about 12,000 business clients as of 2025.

It offers the following services:

• Outsourced payroll and tax functions, including federal, state, and local compliance
• A platform for your HR and workforce management needs, with an employee self-service portal
• Expense and time-tracking tools
• Streamlined hiring and onboarding processes for growing teams
• Benefit options at large-group rates
• Finance and compliance support
• Insight reports
• 24/7 customer support
• An optional EOR service for hiring internationally

Deel vs. Justworks: PEO feature comparison

When choosing the best PEO provider for your specific needs, you need to consider the core functionalities available with each option. Here is an at-a-glance comparison between Deel and Justworks’ main features:

Learn more about how Deel compares to other competitors.

Ratings

Deel: 4.8 rating (G2) based on 9,100+ reviews

Justworks: 4.6 rating (G2) based on 1,100+ reviews

Compliance management

Deel PEO’s comprehensive compliance management delivers automated, real-time updates, in-house expertise, and centralized tools, so you can focus on growing your business without worrying about shifting regulations. Our services include:

• Comprehensive federal, state, and local coverage: Deel ensures full compliance with tax, social security, payroll, and labor laws, seamlessly incorporating state-specific rules for all 50 states
• Extensive reporting capabilities: Expert preparation and submission of compliance reports, including the employment information report (EEO-1), W-2, 1099, new hire reporting, and other required filings
• Continuous compliance: Built-in tools that incorporate changes to legislation in real time, ensuring payroll and HR processes remain compliant—for example, by applying updates to Oregon's Paid Leave Law or Massachusetts’ Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (PFML)
• Fully in-house service: All legal and compliance matters are managed by our licensed experts, delivering efficiency and accuracy without reliance on third parties
• Centralized recordkeeping: All your documents and data are stored in a single, audit-ready space that meets the strictest recordkeeping standards
• Compliance and Knowledge Hubs: Legally vetted resources for compliance updates, country-specific guides, hiring information, and other essentials, supported by Deel AI for answering questions and streamlining in-depth research

Justworks’ compliance services deliver the standard capabilities you would expect from a PEO, but lack advanced compliance features, such as automatic wage and labor law change detection and EEO-1 reporting.

• Compliance coverage: Outsourced payroll, tax, and labor law compliance across the US
• Financial and compliance guidance: Support for certain compliance questions, such as benefits administration and tax-related inquiries
• Service delivery: Most compliance functions are handled in-house, though some tasks may be outsourced to third parties
• Basic documentation hub: Centralized storage for personnel records, tax forms, and other compliance documents
• Wage and labor law compliance without automation: No automatic detection of changes to wage or labor laws
• Compliance reporting without EEO-1: Does not include EEO-1 reporting for equal employment opportunity compliance

Payroll processing

Deel PEO’s comprehensive payroll management ensures accurate, on-time payments for every worker type, with end-to-end administration, flexible processing, and expert oversight. Our services include:

• Fully compliant payroll: Deel delivers robust payroll execution for W-2 employees, without reliance on third parties
• Full-cycle payroll administration: Accurate calculation and processing of wages, taxes, garnishments, bonuses, and additional payments
• Direct deposits and payslip generation: Secure, on-time direct deposits and automatic payslip creation for every pay cycle
• State registration management: With Deel PEO, your business leverages proactive setup and ongoing maintenance of new state registrations, ensuring full payroll compliance as you grow
• Fast processing and instant adjustments: Extended cut-off windows that enable speed, visibility, and last-minute changes without delays

Learn more about how to document your payroll processes.

Justworks’ payroll services run payroll for businesses as part of their PEO model, but some features incur additional fees. Here is what that means:

• Payroll processing: Payroll is supported for W-2 employees across the US
• Direct deposit: Direct deposit for employee payments is available
• Payslip generation and distribution: Employees receive payslips each pay cycle
• State registration management for an additional fee: New state registrations are not included in the base service and are a separate charge
• Time tracking as a paid add-on: The core payroll service does not include a time tracking feature
• Limited flexibility for last-minute changes: Scheduled and off-cycle payrolls are supported, but adjustments must be processed in later payrolls via retroactive pay or as separate off-cycle payments

Cost transparency

Deel’s stable, predictable benefits pricing makes long-term planning simple, without unwelcome surprises. This means:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees: All costs are clearly outlined upfront, so you know exactly what you’re paying for, and how much
• Predictable per-employee rates: Deel PEO is priced at $95 USD per employee per month, enabling accurate budgeting and easier forecasting
• Confidence in long-term planning: Consistent rates that allow you to make growth and hiring decisions without worrying about cost fluctuations

Find out more on Deel's pricing page.

Justworks provides tiered pricing with no long-term contracts, which can appeal to companies seeking short-term flexibility. However, costs may become less predictable over time, especially for growing teams.

• Pricing structure: PEO Basic is $79 per employee per month, and PEO Plus is $109 per employee per month
• Benefit renewal rate increases: Many customers report 20–50% increases in benefit rates at renewal, which can significantly impact expenses for larger and growing teams
• Budgeting uncertainties: Variable costs, including hidden service fees, can create challenges in long-term financial forecasting for SMBs

HR tools

Deel PEO offers all-in-one HR management through a single dashboard, combining automation, self-service, and compliance across the entire employee lifecycle. Key features include:

• Comprehensive contract and document management: Ability to create, customize, and digitally sign employment contracts and HR documents with secure e-signature and centralized storage
• Automated onboarding and offboarding: Streamlined processes to welcome new hires and manage departing employees, with checklists, role-specific tasks, and location-specific requirements built in
• Time and expense management: Streamlined PTO and holiday tracking, time logging, and expense submissions, with fast approval workflows
• Intuitive employee self-service portal: Instant access to payslips, personal data, leave balances, and other essential information
• Centralized policy management: A single space for creating, updating, and distributing custom employee handbooks, HR policies, and workplace guidelines that ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance across the organization
• Compliance training: Access Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) training to support a compliant and inclusive workplace
• Compliance support and HR guidance: Assistance with Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) compliance obligations, along with expert guidance on HR policies and processes

Justworks’ HR support and automation tools help businesses manage essential HR tasks, though some features are not included:

• HR platform: Centralized system for managing employee information and core HR tasks
• Onboarding automations: Workflows to gather employee data and complete standard onboarding forms
• Employee self-service access: Portal for employees to view and update personal information, access payslips, and manage select HR tasks
• No FMLA management: Lacks functionality and support for tracking and managing FMLA compliance

Reporting and financial insights

Deel PEO offers advanced reporting that transforms payroll and HR data into clear workforce insights and strategic guidance to enable informed, data-driven decisions. You can use our reporting features as follows:

• Instant and customizable report generation: Create impactful payroll, growth, and retention reports tailored to your needs and export them in just a few clicks
• Global and historical workforce analytics: Track onboarding, offboarding, retention, and growth trends for a complete view of your workforce
• At-a-glance key metrics: View consolidated summaries of employee costs, headcount, PTO usage, and other essential workforce metrics in one place
• Strategic workforce insights: Leverage analytics to forecast needs, identify trends, and align workforce planning with your business goals

Find out more about the most important HR metrics and how to use them effectively.

Justworks’ reporting and analytics tools give customers access to essential workforce data, but with some limitations in customization compared to Deel PEO:

• Workforce metrics dashboard: Provides a visual overview of key data points such as headcount, turnover, compensation, and PTO usage
• Less flexible reporting customization: Limited to a smaller set of predefined filters, and offering less adaptability for in-depth or tailored analysis
• Workforce data exploration: Provides visibility into high-level trends and metrics, but with some limitations when it comes to historical and global data analysis

Customer support

Deel PEO delivers fast, reliable, and expert-driven support to ensure your HR, payroll, and compliance needs are met without service delays. This includes:

• Rapid 24/7 employee and admin support: Available via chat, email, phone, and Slack, with a first-response time of just 1.25 minutes
• On-demand legal support: In-house legal experts to help with sensitive matters such as terminations, employee claims, and audits
• Dedicated support team: An HR Business Partner and Client Success Manager provide strategic guidance, while a Payroll Manager and a Benefits Manager handle operational execution
• Expert assistance: In-house HR and compliance specialists offering guidance on day-to-day HR questions as well as strategic compliance decisions

See: How 24/7 IT Support Builds Stronger, Safer Global Operations.

Justworks provides round-the-clock support coverage through multiple channels. However, the scope of assistance is more limited in certain areas:

• 24/7 customer support: Available via multiple channels for general inquiries
• Escalation challenges: Some customers report difficulty escalating issues to the appropriate teams
• No on-demand legal support: Customers may need to seek external legal resources on certain matters or handle them internally

Benefits

Deel PEO offers access to high-quality benefit plans from leading providers, with full in-house administration and built-in compliance support. With Deel PEO, clients receive the following:

• Customizable benefits packages: More than 60 customizable plan options to fit diverse workforce needs
• Access to top-tier providers: Enhanced benefits portfolio with plans from leading insurance carriers, delivering enterprise-level coverage typically unavailable to smaller businesses
• Aetna International benefits plan: Exclusive access to Aetna's benefits plans for W-2 employees traveling abroad
• Fully managed benefits administration: End-to-end handling of enrollment, carrier relationship management, COBRA, ACA compliance, and more
• Supplemental health benefits: Additional coverage options such as life, accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurances
• Advanced compliance support: Built-in HR and benefits compliance expertise to keep your plans aligned with legal and regulatory requirements
• Proven employee impact: 85% of Deel PEO's clients report higher employee satisfaction with their benefits offerings
• Carveout for preferred carriers: Bring over your own chosen benefits carrier, while still relying on Deel for administration and compliance support

While Justworks offers access to benefits at affordable rates, its plans are less customizable, and certain features are not included. This includes:

• Affordable initial medical insurance rates: Medical insurance rates in the first year can be advantageous
• Rate increases at renewal: Customers often report increases of 20–50% in benefit rates after the first year of partnering with Justworks
• No benefits benchmarking: Does not provide analysis or recommendations to help customers choose the most competitive benefits package for their state
• Limited customization: Benefits packages are more bundled and less flexible compared to Deel
• No unified administration with outside providers: Customers who use their own benefits provider must manage enrollment and administration separately, then manually upload data into Justworks for payroll processing

Scalability

Deel’s all-in-one platform is built to scale with your business. Whether you’re expanding across the US or entering new international markets, Deel enables you to seamlessly grow your workforce via Deel EOR, Deel Payroll - US, and Deel Contractor solutions, all managed from a single dashboard with built-in compliance tools.

• Designed for growth: Supports both US and international expansion with integrated HR, payroll, and compliance solutions
• Global hiring and management: In-house EOR services empower you to hire, onboard, and manage employees compliantly in 150+ countries
• Extensive global payroll coverage: Seamlessly pay international employees without worrying about local tax complexities, currency conversion, or delays
• Contractor coverage: Generate contracts, onboard, and manage contractors from the US and abroad
• Local market expertise: In-depth experts who help your business navigate local benefits, labor laws, and compliance requirements as you grow
• Deel Payroll - US: Equip your US-based team with a modern payroll solution that makes running payroll simple, reliable, and compliant across all 50 states

Discover the pros and cons of hiring with an EOR.

Justworks has an established presence in the US for PEO services, but its global capabilities are limited, with no fully in-house international options.

• Limited in-house EOR coverage: Justworks operates in a small number of countries through partner-owned entities and relies on third-party partners for all other markets
• No owned global infrastructure in most markets: Lacks in-house experts and entities to directly support customers across the majority of the countries that are served
• Contractor limitations: Supports payments in roughly 30 countries, with broader access only via a separate partner platform that requires an additional login process

When should you choose Deel or Justworks?

Deciding between Deel and Justworks PEO requires careful consideration of your business needs, growth plans, and budget priorities. To help you make the right choice, we have provided a list of the best use cases for each:

Consider Deel if you

• Are seeking an all-in-one solution for outsourced payroll, tax, HR, and administrative functions
• Expect extensive compliance support, prefer to stay fully informed, and are less willing to take risks with regulations or payroll accuracy
• Are looking for a partner that can scale with you, whether domestically or internationally
• Value fully in-house solutions to maintain control, consistency, and accountability across all services
• Prioritize transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden costs or additional fees
• Are aiming to enhance their benefits offering at affordable rates, with the flexibility to customize their package to suit employee needs
• Are focused on boosting employee satisfaction and engagement through streamlined HR processes, accessible benefits, and reliable payroll delivery

Find out how Deel achieves industry-leading customer satisfaction.

Consider Justworks if you

• Are seeking a dependable PEO partner to cover core HR, payroll, and compliance needs
• Are primarily US-focused and have limited plans for international expansion
• Want affordable first-year benefits rates and are comfortable with more limited customization options for health insurance packages
• Are more focused on an essentials-first approach to payroll and benefits management
• Are willing to outsource or internally manage less critical functions when needed

Drive efficiency and growth with Deel PEO

Deel and Justworks are both strong contenders for businesses seeking a PEO provider in the US. But while Justworks offers a straightforward, essentials-focused solution for small and mid-sized businesses prioritizing simplicity, Deel delivers a comprehensive, fully integrated platform for organizations of any size—especially those planning to scale nationally or internationally.

With Deel PEO, you can offload payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance to a single trusted provider backed by an entirely in-house team of experts and an all-in-one platform. Our solution handles federal, state, and local compliance, automates key HR and payroll processes, and provides real-time workforce insights from a single dashboard.

With these functions under one roof, Deel PEO saves time, simplifies operations, and positions your business for long-term growth.

Book a demo to find out more now.