Head to head

Justworks vs PeopleKeep

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Justworks

$8/employee/mo

US payroll from $8 per employee per month plus a $50 monthly base fee. PEO Basic is $79 per employee. PEO Plus is $124.

Where Justworks fits

  • US startups that want a printed payroll rate
  • Teams ready for PEO benefits at $79 or $124
  • Employers that also need time tracking access
  • Companies hiring abroad through the $599 EOR line

PeopleKeep

$12/employee/mo

PeopleKeep is Remodel Health's HRA administration product. Group coverage HRA (GCHRA) is $12 per employee per month plus a $30 company base fee. QSEHRA and ICHRA start at $25 per employee per month plus a $50 base. A three-seat minimum applies on every plan.

Where PeopleKeep fits

  • 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
  • HR and finance teams that need receipt review and plan documents without building an HRA in-house

At a glance

DetailJustworksPeopleKeep
Starting price$8/employee/mo$12/employee/mo
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No–No
Listed underBenefits administration, HR compliance, PayrollBenefits administration
CapterraNot enough reviews4.5 from 89 reviews

Where they pull apart

Justworks

Stands out: A cheap payroll SKU plus two PEO tiers, so you can stay payroll-only or move into benefits later.

Watch out: Payroll-only adds a $50 monthly base fee. PEO Plus is the benefits tier at $124 per employee. EOR is $599 per employee.

Not the right fit for

  • Very small shops that refuse a $50 base fee
  • Enterprises that need a full HCM suite

PeopleKeep

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.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who want a full PEO, payroll, and benefits suite rather than an HRA administrator
  • Teams outside the US. PeopleKeep administers US HRA rules

Pros and cons

Justworks

  • Payroll from $8/employee plus $50 base
  • Printed PEO rates at $79 and $124
  • EOR line at $599/employee
  • $50 monthly base on payroll-only
  • Benefits need PEO Plus at $124
  • No published free trial

PeopleKeep

  • Published PEPM tables for QSEHRA, ICHRA, and GCHRA instead of a hidden quote
  • GCHRA at $12/employee/mo is a cheap supplement when you already buy group medical
  • Capterra 4.5 from 89 matching PeopleKeep reviews
  • Three-seat minimum inflates cost for one- and two-person shops
  • QSEHRA and ICHRA add a $50 monthly base on top of $25 PEPM
  • It is HRA administration only, not payroll, dental shopping, or a PEO

What each one costs

Justworks

$8/employee/mo

Payroll is $8/employee/month plus a $50/month base fee. PEO Basic is $79/employee/month with no base fee. PEO Plus is $124/employee/month. Global EOR is $599/employee/month. No free trial stated. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

PeopleKeep

$12/employee/mo

GCHRA is $12 per employee per month plus a $30 company base fee. QSEHRA is $25 per employee per month plus a $50 base, for employers with fewer than 50 employees. ICHRA starts at $25 per employee per month plus a $50 base, with no charge for opted-out employees. Every plan has a three-seat minimum. Annual QSEHRA is prepaid. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Justworks cheaper than PeopleKeep?
Justworks starts lower, at $8/employee/mo against $12/employee/mo for PeopleKeep. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Justworks or PeopleKeep for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?