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."
Franchise owners PEO compliance support moves payroll tax filings, benefits administration and HR paperwork to the PEO, but management decisions, franchise agreement rules and joint employer exposure stay with you and your franchisor. This informational guide explains the split and the questions to ask before comparing providers.
Franchise owners PEO payroll services can take over payroll, benefits administration, workers’ comp and HR compliance for a location, but they do not change what your franchise agreement requires. This informational guide explains how the co-employment arrangement works, where it collides with franchisor systems, and what to confirm before you sign.
A PEO can give franchisees stronger benefits, payroll tax filing, and HR support, but co-employment adds complexity on top of an existing franchisor relationship. This guide to franchise owners PEO pros and cons covers franchise agreements, joint-employer sensitivity, POS and scheduling integration, and fee structures at high headcount so you can judge the fit before signing.
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.