In a world where work is more flexible, remote, and dynamic than ever, employee benefits platforms have evolved to meet the moment. For small businesses, startups, and growing teams, these platforms can provide critical support in delivering competitive benefits packages—without the need for a large HR department or massive budget.
But with so many options on the market, how do you know which benefits platform is right for your business?
From healthcare reimbursements to lifestyle perks and full-service HR support, each platform brings something different to the table. Below, we compare the key advantages of five standout platforms—Benepass, Gusto, Justworks, Take Command, and Zenefits—so you can weigh which one best aligns with your company’s goals, culture, and resources.
Benepass: Flexible Lifestyle Stipends With Maximum Personalization
Best for: Companies that want to offer flexible, non-traditional perks
Benepass is a modern benefits platform designed around the idea that employee needs aren’t one-size-fits-all. It enables businesses to offer customizable stipends across categories like wellness, food, family support, learning and development, commuting, and remote work.
Employers simply define spending categories and set monthly budgets, while employees receive a Benepass card and mobile app to spend their stipends on eligible purchases. Behind the scenes, the platform handles tax categorization, reimbursements, and reporting—all with minimal admin effort.
Advantages:
- Offers personalized perks employees actually use and value
- Seamlessly blends pre-tax and post-tax stipends
- Scales easily across hybrid and remote teams
- Encourages a culture of care and flexibility
- No need to manage multiple vendors or manual reimbursements
Ideal for: Benepass’s solution is great for small businesses looking to boost morale and retention through lifestyle benefits that extend beyond healthcare.
Gusto: All-in-One HR, Payroll, and Benefits in One Dashboard
Best for: Companies that want full HR and benefits functionality under one roof
Gusto is a trusted all-in-one platform that combines payroll, HR tools, and benefits administration. For small businesses that want everything from hiring to healthcare integrated in a single system, Gusto is hard to beat.
Its benefits module includes access to health, dental, and vision insurance; HSAs and FSAs; 401(k) plans; and commuter benefits. Gusto also handles open enrollment, compliance, and employee self-service.
Advantages:
- Combines payroll and benefits in one system
- Easy to use for both HR admins and employees
- Access to a wide range of health plans
- Automated compliance and tax reporting
- Scales well with company growth
Ideal for: Small to mid-sized businesses that want a complete HR solution without juggling multiple software platforms.
Justworks: Enterprise-Level Benefits Through a PEO Model
Best for: Startups and small companies wanting access to large-group benefits
Justworks operates as a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), which means it co-employs your team and gives you access to premium employee benefits—like top-tier health insurance, 401(k) plans, life insurance, and wellness perks—that would typically be out of reach for small businesses.
It also handles payroll, compliance, and HR support, making it a turnkey solution for small businesses that need enterprise-grade benefits with little overhead.
Advantages:
- Access to big-company benefits at small-business prices
- Full-service HR, payroll, and compliance support
- Smooth onboarding and intuitive employee interface
- Ideal for companies with limited internal HR resources
- Offers training, documentation, and time-off tracking
Ideal for: Small teams looking for top-tier benefits and full HR support, without needing to scale internal HR systems.
Take Command: Affordable, Scalable Health Reimbursement Arrangements
Best for: Companies that want to offer health benefits without traditional group insurance
Take Command specializes in helping small businesses offer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs), including ICHRAs and QSEHRAs. These plans allow employers to reimburse employees—tax-free—for individual health insurance premiums and qualified medical expenses.
The platform takes care of HRA setup, employee onboarding, IRS compliance, and year-end reporting. It’s especially attractive for companies with remote or part-time staff, or for employers who want flexibility in managing healthcare costs.
Advantages:
- More affordable than traditional group health plans
- Flexible for diverse and remote teams
- Simplifies compliance with HRA regulations
- Puts healthcare choice in employees’ hands
- Transparent, fixed-cost model for budgeting
Ideal for: Budget-conscious businesses that want to offer healthcare support without being locked into expensive group plans.
Zenefits: Modular HR and Benefits With Broker Flexibility
Best for: Companies that want HR software with plug-and-play benefits options
Zenefits offers an intuitive HR platform with built-in benefits administration. It’s perfect for companies that want a more modular approach, with the ability to mix and match their existing insurance broker or use Zenefits’ own partners.
The platform handles everything from onboarding and time tracking to ACA compliance and open enrollment. It integrates with payroll systems and provides employees with a clear, easy-to-use dashboard to manage their benefits.
Advantages:
- HR, onboarding, and benefits in one place
- Freedom to use your own broker
- Tools for performance tracking and PTO management
- Supports ACA and COBRA compliance
- User-friendly for small HR teams
Ideal for: Companies that want flexible HR tech and benefits support, without the need for full outsourcing.
How to Choose the Right Platform for Your Team
When comparing platforms, there’s no single “best” option—just the best fit for your current stage, team structure, and benefits goals. Here are a few questions to help guide your decision:
- Do you need healthcare benefits, lifestyle perks, or both?
If lifestyle perks are your focus, Benepass shines. If healthcare is top priority, Take Command or Gusto may suit you better. - Are you looking for all-in-one HR functionality or specialized tools?
Gusto and Zenefits offer broader HR coverage, while Benepass and Take Command focus on specific benefit types. - What’s your budget and how much admin support do you have?
Platforms like Justworks may be worth the cost for hands-off benefits management, while others offer lower-cost, more DIY options. - Do your employees work remotely or across multiple states?
ICHRAs through Take Command and stipends via Benepass are great for geographically diverse teams.
Final Thoughts: Build the Benefits Stack That Works for You
Today’s employee benefits platforms are more flexible and powerful than ever before, allowing small businesses to craft competitive, thoughtful benefits packages without the complexity or overhead of old-school systems.
Whether you prioritize tax-advantaged health benefits, stipends for wellness and development, or an all-in-one HR suite, there’s a platform that can meet your needs. The key is to weigh the trade-offs, understand your team’s priorities, and choose a solution that aligns with your business’s size, structure, and culture.
With the right partner, offering great benefits isn’t just doable—it’s a strategic advantage.
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