What Is TriNet?
- Professional employer organization (PEO): TriNet’s PEO model means your employees will join the organization as employees and be leased back to your business to work with.
- HR support: TriNet’s solution enables you to run and grow your business without worrying about administrative HR headaches. You may outsource the administration of payroll, benefits, risk mitigation and applicant tracking.
- Pricing: While TriNet doesn’t provide generic pricing for all to see, you can expect to pay a flat fee per-employee-per-month (PEPM). This means you’ll be able to budget for the solution in advance and avoid surprises. Also, you don’t have to commit to a long-term contract.
- Tax documents: TriNet offers support with a variety of tax documents, such as W-2s, 1099s and payroll admin tax documents. The software can automatically calculate and submit taxes as necessary.
- Standout features: With TriNet, you can process your employee’s payroll from the moment they’re hired all the way to when they get promoted and leave your company. There’s also a time and attendance tracking feature to track total hours, project hours and overtime. Employees can use it to check their schedules, clock in and out, and manage their time off.
How TriNet Works
TriNet is a professional employer organization (PEO) with full-service HR functions for small to medium-sized businesses in a variety of industries, including technology, education, marketing, life sciences and e-commerce. Its intuitive interface focuses on payroll processing but also offers a plethora of additional capabilities, such as benefits management, performance management, risk mitigation and expense management.
As a TriNet user, you’ll receive access to a long list of features that are designed to simplify your HR and payroll needs. Several examples of these features include assisted payroll setup, unlimited payroll runs, automatic paycheck calculations and free W-2 filing and submission. You can also count on TriNet for a good deal on workers’ compensation as well as health, vision and dental insurance.
What Sets TriNet Apart
Thanks to its self-service portal, TriNet makes it easy for employees and employers to manage their payroll. Employees can easily log in and access just about any payroll information or documents they may need. If they’d like, they can even request an employment confirmation directly from the portal in a matter of seconds.
Another unique TriNet feature is its comprehensive benefit offering. Through its relationship with large providers such as Aetna, UnitedHealth, MetLife, Kaiser and Blue Shield, employees can receive the benefits and perks they desire at a reasonable cost.
In addition to traditional benefits options, such as health, dental and vision insurance, TriNet offers nontraditional insurance, including pet insurance and home insurance. Employees are able to access a marketplace so they can select the insurance coverage that makes the most sense for their unique needs.
Featured Partners
1
OnPay
Yes
Yes
$40 per month + $6 per user
2
SurePayroll
Yes
Yes
$29.99/mo plus $5 per employee
3
Gusto
Yes
Yes
$40 per month plus $6 per user
4
Rippling
Yes
Yes
$35/month plus $8 PEPM
5
Justworks
Yes
Yes
$50/month + $8/user
TriNet Features
Ease of Use
TriNet has an intuitive interface that both employers and employees will likely find easy to navigate, even if they don’t consider themselves tech-savvy. If they do come across any questions or issues, however, the chat feature is there to help.
Compliance
If you’re concerned about OSHA compliance, you’ll be pleased to learn that TriNet has a claims management team that can support you with workers’ compensation and similar claims. Also, since the software prepares and files W-2s, you’ll find it easier to comply with state and federal tax regulations. Additionally, if you have industry-related compliance concerns, TriNet can assist.
Onboarding
With TriNet, new hires can quickly and conveniently submit new hire paperwork, ensuring a positive experience with your company, right off the bat. The software offers onboarding workflows, electronic W-4 and I-9 forms, electronic signatures and a smooth data transfer to payroll. Plus there’s a new hire portal you can personalize to cater to your unique brand.
Tax Filing
TriNet aims to make taxes a breeze as it calculates, withholds and files federal, state and local payroll taxes for you. You don’t have to worry about being compliant with W-2 and 1099 forms yourself or search for an accountant or professional tax preparer. Employees can also integrate TriNet with TurboTax if they wish.
Time Tracking
Through its web portal and mobile app, TriNet offers a time tracking and attendance solution. Employees have the ability to clock in and out while employers can manage schedules, track projects, keep tabs on overtime and time off requests and create personalized time and attendance reports.
Benefits Administration
TriNet stands out with its vast selection of benefits. You can use the software to design a benefits package that meets the unique needs of your employees. Several examples of TriNet’s benefits options are health, vision and dental insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, commuter plans and wellness programs. Auto and home insurance policies are available as well.
Analytics and Reporting
In addition to built-in reports for payroll and HR, TriNet allows users to create custom reports at any time. Regardless of what type of reports you build, you can export them into different formats, such as CSV, Excel and PDF. TriNet can also turn reports into graphics, charts, metrics and scorecards.
Accessibility
Since TriNet is a cloud-based solution, you don’t have to download or install it. Employers and employees can access it no matter where they are through the easy-to-use web portal or mobile app that’s available on iOS and Android devices.
TriNet Pricing and Plans
Unlike similar software products, TriNet doesn’t publish its pricing online. To get a custom quote, you need to reach out to the company directly. You can visit the TriNet website and fill out a form on the Pricing page. Once you plug in some basic information, such as your name, company name, job title, email and phone, a TriNet representative will contact you for a sales call with further information on pricing.
TriNet Customer Service and Support
TriNet aims to offer personalized support via Connect 360, a platform you can use to access your HR, payroll and benefits information directly as well as connect to experts for advice on payroll, benefits, compliance, employee relations and more.
For phone support, you can call TriNet from 6 a.m. to midnight ET, Monday through Friday. You may also use the email or live chat support features at any time. Unfortunately, internet reviews state that TriNet’s customer service has room for improvement.
Users explain that the customer service team wasn’t always able to help with specific concerns or basic questions. Instead, they refer them to the self-service portal. On the upside, TriNet is accredited by the IRS and the Employer Services Assurance Corporation, and has an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
TriNet Alternatives and How They Compare
| TRINET | JUSTWORKS | ADP TOTALSOURCE | PAYCHEX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Not disclosed | $49 to $99 per employee per month | Not disclosed but $85-plus per employee per month | $39-plus per month and $5 per employee |
| Free Trial | No | No | No | No |
| Tax Documents | W-2, 1099 and payroll tax processing | W-2 and 1099 processing | W-2, 1099 and payroll tax processing | W-2, 1099 and payroll tax processing |
| Direct Deposit Timeline | Four to five days | Two to four days | One to four days | Not disclosed |
| Payroll Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leave and Attendance Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Performance Management | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Employee Portal | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Service | Available from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET Monday through Friday | Available 24/7 | Available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday | Available 24/7 |
| Learn More | — | — | ||
| Read Reviews | — |
TriNet vs. Justworks
TriNet and Justworks are comparable software solutions with a few minor differences. While TriNet offers payroll tax processing and performance management, Justworks does not. However, Justworks has a shorter direct deposit timeline and 24/7 customer service hours. Since TriNet isn’t transparent about its pricing, it’s unclear how the two compare from a pricing perspective.
TriNet vs. ADP TotalSource
There are many similarities between TriNet and ADP TotalSource. Both solutions specialize in W-2, 1099 and payroll processing. In addition, they each provide support with a variety of HR functions, including payroll management, leave and attendance management and performance management. The only real differences between TriNet and ADP TotalSource are that TriNet’s customer service hours are longer and ADP TotalSource may process direct deposits a bit sooner. You’ll need to reach out to TriNet directly to determine how these solutions compare in terms of price.
TriNet vs. Paychex
TriNet and Paycheck are similar software that can manage payroll, leave and attendance and performance. Plus they can assist with various tax documents such as W-2s, 1099s and payroll taxes. Since TriNet doesn’t disclose its pricing publicly, the sole clear difference between these solutions is that Paychex offers 24/7 customer service while TriNet’s customer service hours are limited to 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. ET Monday through Friday.
Is TriNet Right for Me?
If a PEO is the right fit for your business, then TriNet can be a solid option for most small or medium-sized businesses. It offers a top-notch software solution and a very large network of benefit options nationwide for your employees to enjoy. For those employees who like to handle their HR business on their own, TriNet’s self-service portal is tough to beat.
However, for businesses that need more of a personal touch from a PEO provider, or want more catered benefits options, TriNet is probably not the best fit. There are other options that will fit the bill for those businesses a lot better. Ultimately, it’s up to how well you feel like the service provider fits into what you want for your employees. As a pure payroll service, for example, you can find more affordable solutions.
TriNet Is Best For:
- Small or medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that want to outsource HR: TriNet can be a solid choice if your small or medium-sized business hopes to hand your HR functions over to a third-party provider. Its PEO model will allow you to do just that.
- SMBs that prioritize benefits: SMBs that want to offer a variety of benefits at affordable rates will likely be satisfied with TriNet. Its comprehensive benefit offering from reputable companies is one of its strong points.
TriNet Is Not Recommended For:
- SMBs looking for a basic payroll solution: TriNet is a robust software that likely comes with a hefty price tag. For a bare-bones payroll processing solution, you should look elsewhere.
- SMBs searching for personalized support: TriNet promotes its self-service portal heavily. Therefore, you might be better off with a different option if you prefer more personalized support directly from a provider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who are TriNet’s biggest competitors?
TriNet has competitors that are layered across multiple types of services. For example, other PEOs are competitors, but so are businesses that outsource payroll and benefits or that provide an all-in-one software solution for those functions. Some of TriNet’s biggest competitors are Justworks, ADP, Gusto, Zenefits and Paychex. Of those competitors, only Gusto and Zenefits do not offer a full PEO service.
What do PEOs do?
A professional employer organization (PEO) is a service-based business that enters into a shared employment relationship with a business. The PEO leases employees to the business, sharing the employer’s responsibility but maintaining the responsibility for HR-related tasks such as payroll and benefits administration.
What’s the difference between a PEO and an EOR?
A PEO is a joint employer that leases employees to your business. This takes care of all of your HR needs for your employees and can be a great option to help deal with the admin and potential liability issues of managing employee payroll and benefits. An employer of record (EOR) is similar but is an option to help you expand and hire globally. The difference between the two is that an EOR takes on all of the employer’s responsibility while a PEO still shares it with the business.
What is a certified PEO?
Certified PEOs have met the strict financial, legal and reporting requirements of the IRS. PEOs are required to maintain specific records and provide the IRS with ongoing financial reports. If you work with one, you’ll minimize financial liability and enjoy greater peace of mind.
What is human resource management (HRM)?
The strategic model for recruiting, onboarding, training and managing an employee from their job application to severance is called human resource management. It includes designing policies to enhance workplace culture, employee productivity and the overall employer-employee relationship.
