7 Best Zenefits Alternatives in 2026 (Free & Paid)

Gusto is the obvious Zenefits alternative if payroll is your core priority. It delivers a smoother payroll experience, cleaner UI, and more consistent customer support. Where Zenefits sometimes feels like a collection of add-ons, Gusto feels like one coherent platform built for SMBs.

The payroll engine is best-in-class for small businesses, with automated tax filings, multi-state support, and easy contractor payments. Benefits administration is also strong, with health insurance, 401(k), and workers' comp integrated into the same workflow. Onboarding, e-signatures, and employee self-service are all solid and polished.

Gusto's HR features are more streamlined than Zenefits, but the experience is smoother and less buggy. The reporting is basic but clear, and it integrates with common accounting tools. Most SMBs find Gusto easier to implement than Zenefits, with less setup friction and fewer compliance headaches.

The downside is cost: Gusto can become expensive as you add features. But if you want stability, support, and best-in-class payroll, it's a safer long-term bet.

Rippling is what Zenefits wants to be when it grows up: a modern, powerful platform that combines HR, payroll, benefits, and IT automation. If Zenefits feels too limited or unreliable, Rippling gives you a full-featured upgrade with enterprise-level control.

Where Rippling shines is automation. New hire? It provisions accounts, assigns apps, sets up payroll, and enrolls benefits automatically. It also includes built-in time tracking, device management, and hundreds of integrations. The reporting is far deeper than Zenefits, and workflows can be customized for approvals, policies, and compliance tasks.

Rippling’s benefits administration is strong, with broker support and carrier connections. Payroll is robust and scalable across multiple states, with global payroll options if you expand internationally. Hiring and onboarding tools are polished and more flexible than Zenefits' standard workflows.

The tradeoff is complexity and cost. Rippling takes longer to implement and requires someone technical to configure properly. But if you want a serious platform that scales beyond Zenefits, it’s worth it.

Justworks is the ideal Zenefits alternative if benefits and compliance are your pain points. It’s a PEO, so you get access to enterprise-level benefits at small-business scale. Zenefits provides a platform, but Justworks provides both the software and the HR compliance safety net.

The big win is benefits. Justworks negotiates health insurance, dental, vision, 401(k), and more at rates that SMBs typically can’t access alone. You also get HR support, compliance assistance, and help with multi-state employment challenges. Payroll is full-service and reliable.

The platform is straightforward and easy for employees to use. Onboarding, PTO tracking, and payroll approvals are smooth. Reporting is not as deep as Rippling, but sufficient for most SMBs. If Zenefits left you stressed about compliance or benefits costs, Justworks is a strong upgrade.

The downside is price. PEO pricing is higher than standalone HRIS software, and the co-employment model may not fit every company. But if you want HR peace of mind, it’s worth the premium.

If Zenefits feels too payroll-focused and you want a true HRIS, BambooHR is the upgrade. It’s built for HR teams that care about clean employee records, onboarding, PTO tracking, and performance management. The user interface is polished and easy for managers to adopt.

BambooHR’s workflow tools are stronger than Zenefits, especially for approvals, onboarding tasks, and document management. It also includes better org charts, employee directories, and performance review features. The reporting is simple but more customizable than Zenefits’ standard reports.

Payroll is available as an add-on, but it’s not as strong as Gusto or Rippling. If payroll is a priority, you may need a separate provider. But if HR structure and employee experience are the main goals, BambooHR is a solid alternative.

The main limitation is pricing. BambooHR can be expensive for very small teams, and the payroll module still feels like a secondary feature. But for HR-first companies, it’s hard to beat.

Namely is a strong Zenefits alternative for companies that are outgrowing SMB tools. It’s designed for mid-market businesses with 50-500 employees and includes HRIS, payroll, and benefits in one platform. If Zenefits feels too basic, Namely is a step up in depth and sophistication.

The platform offers advanced customization: you can build complex approval workflows, configure fields, and design onboarding processes that match your company’s structure. Payroll is built in (not an add-on), and benefits administration is robust, with broker support and open enrollment workflows that feel enterprise-grade.

Namely also includes performance management, goal tracking, and employee engagement tools. The interface is more modern than ADP or Paychex, but still a bit heavier than Gusto or BambooHR. Reporting is flexible and can be tailored for leadership and finance teams.

The tradeoff is cost and setup time. Namely typically requires a longer implementation and higher per-employee pricing, making it less suitable for small companies. But if you're scaling and need a robust HR platform, it’s a strong choice.

PeopleKeep is a different kind of Zenefits alternative. It focuses on health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRA and ICHRA), making it perfect for SMBs that want to offer benefits without group health insurance. If Zenefits’ benefits offerings feel limited or too expensive, PeopleKeep provides a simpler, more flexible option.

Employees buy their own health plans, then get reimbursed tax-free through the PeopleKeep platform. The admin interface is straightforward, and employees appreciate the choice of plans that fit their needs. You also avoid broker commissions and the volatility of traditional group policies.

PeopleKeep isn’t a full HRIS, so you’ll need separate payroll and HR tools. But for companies primarily focused on benefits, it’s one of the easiest and most compliant ways to offer health coverage. It also includes compliance documentation, reporting, and support for HR teams that are new to HRAs.

If Zenefits was your benefits broker and you want more flexibility without paying PEO prices, PeopleKeep is a smart alternative.

Ease is a benefits administration platform designed to work with insurance brokers, making it a good Zenefits alternative if you want broker-led guidance instead of a self-serve HRIS. It simplifies open enrollment, employee onboarding, and benefits management while keeping costs relatively low.

The platform is easy for employees: they can enroll in benefits, view plan documents, and manage life events without a complex HR system. Brokers appreciate the centralized administration and compliance documentation. For SMBs, this can be a more personal approach than Zenefits’ platform-only model.

Ease isn’t a full HRIS or payroll system. It focuses on benefits management, onboarding forms, and document storage. If you already have payroll elsewhere and only need a clean benefits experience, it’s a strong fit. Integration options are decent but not as extensive as Rippling or Gusto.

The limitation is that you rely more on your broker relationship. If you prefer a self-serve, all-in-one HRIS, Ease won’t cover everything. But for broker-friendly benefits administration, it’s one of the best options.