Why it comes up: Broker-led benefits admin if you want a larger broker network than BerniePortal's SMB stack.
Stands out: Unlimited companies and employees on every listed plan. AI Plan Builds sit on Enhanced. 834 EDI is $0.45 PEPM on Enhanced Plus and Elite, and $0 PEPM on Platinum.
Watch out: Sold through insurance brokers, not a self-serve employer checkout. Ease stays read-only from 1 July 2027, so Ease brokers need a migration plan. 834 EDI is not free until Platinum.
Best for
- US benefits brokers running enrollment, ACA reporting, and HR for many employer groups
- Agencies moving off Ease before the 2027 sunset
- Brokers that need carrier, TPA, and payroll integrations plus 834 EDI
4.6 on Capterra from 184 reviews
Read the Employee Navigator write-up · BerniePortal vs Employee Navigator
Why it comes up: Small-employer benefits with ICHRA-style health benefits instead of a full HRIS plus COBRA suite.
Stands out: Employers pick QSEHRA (under 50 employees, no group plan), ICHRA (any size, individual policies), or GCHRA (a supplement on top of an existing group policy). Unused GCHRA allowance stays with the employer.
Watch out: Three seats are billed even if you have one or two employees. QSEHRA and ICHRA add a $50 monthly base. Annual QSEHRA is prepaid for the year.
Best for
- US small employers replacing a group medical plan with a QSEHRA
- Companies of any size that want an ICHRA instead of, or beside, a group plan
- Employers that already have group coverage and want a GCHRA for out-of-pocket medical costs
4.5 on Capterra from 89 reviews
Read the PeopleKeep write-up · BerniePortal vs PeopleKeep
Why it comes up: All-in-one SMB HR and payroll if recruiting and payroll in one login matter more than Bernie's benefits cart.
Stands out: HRIS, payroll, ATS, onboarding, and HR compliance sit in one SMB bundle, closer to Gusto than to a modular HR Cloud deal.
Watch out: eddy.com does not print a public per-employee rate. US payroll plus tax filing is the conversation, not global EOR. Implementation is a sales cycle.
Best for
- US SMBs that want payroll, HR, ATS, and onboarding in one vendor
- Teams comparing a quoted bundle with Gusto at $49/mo or BambooHR at $250/mo
- Multi-state employers that have outgrown spreadsheets but not Workday
Read the Eddy write-up · BerniePortal vs Eddy
Why it comes up: Modern benefits wallet for teams that do not need BerniePortal's ATS-to-COBRA lifecycle.
Stands out: Leftover budget loads onto a Thatch Card for copays, prescriptions, and other qualified medical expenses, so employees are not filing reimbursement forms after the premium is paid.
Watch out: There is no public PEPM. You upload a census into a quoting tool or book a call. Thatch Market (plan shopping) is included at no extra platform fee, but the per-employee software fee is still sales-quoted.
Best for
- Startups hiring across states that do not want to shop a new group plan each time
- Employers replacing a rising group premium with a fixed ICHRA budget
- Remote-first companies whose people need local individual networks
Read the Thatch write-up · BerniePortal vs Thatch
