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HR & People

Paychex vs Zenefits: Pricing Comparison 2026

Side-by-side pricing comparison of Paychex and Zenefits. See all plans, features, and costs at a glance.

Bottom line: Zenefits starts at $10/mo, making it $10/mo cheaper than Paychex ($20/mo). Paychex offers a free plan.

Last updated: July 2, 2026

Data compiled by Arthur Jacquemin
Updated July 2, 2026
Try Paychex freeTry Zenefits free
Best Value

Paychex - Paychex offers a free plan, offers 4 tiers vs 3.

Paychex vs Zenefits: Quick Pricing Facts

FeaturePaychexZenefits
Starting Price$20/mo$10/mo
Number of Plans43
Free TierYesYes
Pricing Modelper-seatper-seat
Annual DiscountN/AN/A

Zenefits is the more affordable option, starting at $10/mo compared to Paychex's $20/mo. Both are HR & People tools with 7 combined pricing plans and 18 features compared. At comparable tiers, the monthly price difference is $40.

Both tools offer free plans, making them accessible for teams on a budget.

Review the detailed tier-by-tier comparison above to see exactly which features are included at each price point and find the best fit for your HR & People needs.

Pricing Plans
Paychex
Paychex
Try free
Zenefits
Zenefits
Try free
Tier 1
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Basic Payroll
  • Employee Self-Service
Start with Free
Free
$0/monthCheapest
Includes
  • Basic HR tools
  • Employee self-service
Start with Free
Tier 2
Small Business Payroll
$20/month
$240 / year
Includes
  • Full Payroll Processing
  • Tax Filing
  • Employee Management
Start with Small Business Payroll
HR PlusPopular
$10/monthCheapest
$120 / year
Includes
  • Flexible HR services
  • Payroll processing
  • Compliance support
Start with HR Plus
Tier 3
Midsize to Enterprise PayrollPopular
$50/monthCheapest
$600 / year
Includes
  • Advanced Payroll Features
  • Custom Reporting
  • Dedicated Support
Start with Midsize to Enterprise Payroll
TriNet PEO
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Full-service HR solution
  • Benefits administration
  • Expert support
Start with TriNet PEO
Tier 4
One Employee Payroll
Custom pricing
Includes
  • Payroll for Single Employee
  • Basic Tax Services
Start with One Employee Payroll
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Paychex

Payroll and HR solutions for small to mid-sized businesses

View all Paychex plans

Zenefits

All-in-one HR platform with payroll and benefits admin

View all Zenefits plans

Frequently Asked Questions: Paychex vs Zenefits

Which is cheaper, Paychex or Zenefits?
As of August 2026, Zenefits starts at a lower price point. Paychex starts at $20/mo while Zenefits starts at $10/mo. However, the best value depends on the features you need at each tier.
How many pricing plans does Paychex have vs Zenefits?
Paychex offers 4 pricing plans, while Zenefits offers 3 plans. More plans typically means more flexibility to match your exact needs and budget.
Does Paychex or Zenefits offer a free plan?
Yes, both Paychex and Zenefits offer free plans. Compare the feature limits of each free tier to see which better fits your use case before upgrading.
Can I save money by paying annually for Paychex or Zenefits?
Both Paychex and Zenefits offer annual billing options. Check each plan's yearly pricing for potential savings compared to monthly billing.
What is the most popular Paychex plan?
The Midsize to Enterprise Payroll plan is Paychex's most popular tier, priced at $50/mo. Key features include Advanced Payroll Features, Custom Reporting, Dedicated Support.
What is the most popular Zenefits plan?
The HR Plus plan is Zenefits' most popular tier, priced at $10/mo. Key features include Flexible HR services, Payroll processing, Compliance support.
Does Paychex or Zenefits offer custom enterprise pricing?
Yes, both Paychex and Zenefits offer custom enterprise pricing tiers with quote-based pricing. Contact each vendor for a tailored quote.
AI Recommendations

Sources

  1. Paychex Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page
  2. Zenefits Official Pricing- Vendor pricing page

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