PEO Metrics is an independent advisory service that compares 40+ leading PEOs side by side — using real cost data, contract terms, and benefits benchmarks — at no cost to the buyer.
Trusted by HR leaders at companies like
A clear, structured process designed to put the right information in your hands — and get you to a confident decision fast.
Tell us about your business — headcount, industry, states you operate in, and what's driving the review. Takes about 8 minutes.
Our team scores 40+ PEOs against your specific needs — pricing structure, service depth, technology fit, and compliance coverage.
We deliver a side-by-side comparison of your top 3–5 matches, with honest trade-offs, cost projections, and red flags noted.
Optional: we join your calls with shortlisted PEOs, help you ask the right questions, and review contracts before you sign.
Our PEO experts do a thorough side-by-side financial analysis across 40+ providers — so you can compare every line item and negotiate from a position of real knowledge.
From national giants to industry specialists, we track pricing, features, compliance footprints, and service quality across the market.
Know what companies your size actually pay — not the list rate. We surface the gap between quoted pricing and what's negotiable.
PEO contracts are dense. We flag exit clauses, fee escalators, co-employment liability terms, and anything that tends to surprise clients later.
A tech startup in California has completely different needs than a manufacturer in Ohio. We weight recommendations by your specific risk profile.
We tell you exactly what to ask for — implementation fee waivers, rate locks, service guarantees — and what similar companies have won at the table.
Operating across multiple states or internationally? We map compliance coverage gaps and employer-of-record options alongside domestic PEO options.
Whether you're evaluating a PEO for the first time, stuck in a contract that doesn't fit anymore, or mid-negotiation and unsure where you stand — we give you the data and context to make a confident decision.
Your report is tailored to your company profile. Here's a preview of the criteria we evaluate across every PEO we score.
| What We Evaluate | Typical Broker | PEO Metrics | DIY Research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free to the buyer | Charges fees | Always free to you | Yes |
| Side-by-side pricing comparison | Partial | Full breakdown | Hard to obtain |
| Contract risk review | Rarely included | Standard inclusion | Requires attorney |
| Industry-specific fit scoring | Basic filters | 12-factor scoring | Not available |
| Negotiation support | Conflict of interest | Included | You're on your own |
| 40+ PEOs evaluated | Only partner PEOs | Full market view | In theory, yes |
Start with the topic that matches where you are in the buyer journey — basics, pricing, compliance, comparisons, or industry-specific selection.
What a PEO is, how co-employment works, and when it's the right HR model for your company.
PEPM ranges, hidden fees, renewal escalators, and the all-in cost math for your headcount.
PEO vs EOR, ASO, payroll-only, HR software stack, and in-house HR — which model wins when.
The 9 compliance domains every PEO buyer should evaluate — payroll tax, ACA, multi-state, OSHA, CPEO.
Industry-specific PEO guides — construction, HVAC, roofing, plumbing, plus federal contractors and union employers.
Our scored ranking of the 40+ PEOs we evaluate — by size, industry, and buyer profile.
"We had no idea we were overpaying by $180K annually until the comparison report landed. The analysis was clear, the trade-offs were honest, and we made the switch with total confidence."
"Every broker we talked to seemed to have a preferred recommendation before they even knew our situation. This was completely different — objective, structured, and they actually pushed back when PEOs gave us inflated quotes."
"I spent weeks trying to compare PEOs on my own and got nowhere. The analysis report saved me months of work and gave me a negotiating position I never would have found otherwise."
A franchise groups PEO workers compensation program can consolidate coverage across locations, but the value depends on how the program is structured and priced. This article explains how the arrangement works, where franchise groups get caught, and what to examine about the insured, premium calculation, and loss history before you commit.
Franchise groups PEO payroll services can centralize payroll, benefits, workers’ comp and HR across every location, but the fit depends on your entity structure, the states you operate in and what your franchisor allows. This guide explains how co-employment works for multi-unit operators, where it gets complicated, and what to compare before you sign.
A PEO can take over much of the employment compliance workload for multi-unit operators, but the legal responsibility of being an employer stays with you. This guide to franchise groups PEO compliance support separates what a PEO typically shares from what you keep, explains where co-employment meets joint-employer concerns, and lists questions to ask providers before you sign.
Get a free, no-obligation PEO cost analysis. We'll compare your current setup against market benchmarks and show you exactly where the savings are.
