Our Full Review
TriNet is one of the oldest and largest Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) in the US. Founded in 1988, they've been helping small businesses outsource HR long before it was trendy.
The core value proposition: TriNet becomes your co-employer. They take on HR responsibilities, legal liabilities, and administrative burden. You get enterprise-grade benefits, compliance expertise, and more time to run your actual business.
What Is a PEO, Really?
If you're new to PEOs, here's the concept: TriNet becomes the "employer of record" for your workers. Your employees are legally employed by both you and TriNet. This co-employment arrangement lets TriNet:
- Pool your employees with thousands of others to get better benefits rates
- Handle payroll, taxes, and compliance under their legal umbrella
- Manage workers' comp insurance and claims
- Provide HR expertise and risk mitigation
You still manage day-to-day work. TriNet handles the HR backend.
Who Should Use TriNet?
- Fast-growing companies (5-500 employees) who can't afford a full HR team yet
- Businesses in complex industries — tech, healthcare, finance, nonprofits
- Companies prioritizing benefits — access to better health plans than you'd get solo
- Teams worried about compliance — TriNet assumes much of the legal risk
- Startups with equity — they handle stock option plans and 409A valuations
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
- Very small teams (<5 employees) — doesn't meet TriNet's minimum
- Budget-conscious startups — PEO pricing is premium, basic HRIS is cheaper
- Companies wanting full control — co-employment means shared decision-making
- International-first businesses — TriNet is US-focused, look at Remote or Deel
Industry-Specific Solutions
TriNet's standout feature is industry specialization:
- TriNet for Tech — equity management, 409A valuations, R&D tax credits
- Financial Services — FINRA compliance, securities licensing support
- Healthcare & Life Sciences — HIPAA compliance, credentialing support
- Nonprofits — specialized benefits, grant compliance, volunteer management
- Retail & Hospitality — seasonal hiring, high-turnover workflows
This isn't just marketing—TriNet assigns advisors with actual expertise in your industry.
Benefits & Insurance
This is where PEOs shine. TriNet's benefits are legitimately impressive:
- Health insurance — access to major carriers (Aetna, Blue Cross, Kaiser) at better rates
- 401(k) plans — multiple provider options, built-in administration
- Workers' compensation — included in PEO fee, better rates through master policy
- Commuter benefits, FSA, HSA — full suite of pre-tax accounts
- Supplemental coverage — life, disability, dental, vision
Small companies typically can't negotiate these rates alone. TriNet pools you with thousands of employees, giving you enterprise-level access.
HR Support & Compliance
You get a dedicated HR advisor who knows your company. They handle:
- Employment law questions and risk assessment
- Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
- Handbook creation and policy development
- Workers' comp claims and safety programs
- Unemployment claims management
- Employee relations issues and terminations
TriNet assumes significant legal responsibility as co-employer. This is huge for risk mitigation.
Payroll & Tax Administration
Payroll is included and comprehensive:
- Automated payroll runs with direct deposit
- Tax filing and compliance (federal, state, local)
- Year-end tax forms (W-2s, 1099s)
- Garnishment processing
- Multi-state payroll support
Since TriNet is the employer of record, they handle payroll taxes under their EIN. This simplifies multi-state operations considerably.
Technology Platform
Here's where TriNet shows its age. The platform works but isn't as sleek as modern competitors:
- Employee self-service portal for paystubs, PTO, documents
- Mobile app for basic tasks
- Time & attendance tracking
- Onboarding workflows
- Reporting and analytics
Functionally solid, but the UI feels dated compared to Gusto or Justworks. If you prioritize modern UX, this might bother you.
Pricing (What We Know)
TriNet doesn't publish pricing—it's fully custom based on:
- Number of employees
- Industry and risk level
- Geographic location(s)
- Benefits selections
- Service tier chosen
Based on market research and user reports:
- Typical range: $150-300+ per employee per month
- Small companies (5-20 employees): often $200-300 PEPM
- Larger companies (50-500): closer to $150-200 PEPM
This is all-inclusive: payroll, benefits admin, HR support, compliance, workers' comp. But it's definitely premium pricing.
Customer Support
Support quality is a major strength:
- Dedicated HR advisor — your main point of contact
- Benefits specialists — help with enrollment and claims
- Risk & compliance team — legal and safety questions
- Payroll support — available for urgent issues
- Phone, email, and chat — multiple contact methods
User reviews consistently praise TriNet's support. Having a dedicated advisor who knows your company is a big deal.
The Bottom Line
TriNet is premium HR outsourcing. You're paying for enterprise-grade benefits, compliance expertise, and risk mitigation. The technology isn't cutting-edge, but the service quality is strong.
If you're a growing company that wants to offload HR entirely and can justify the cost, TriNet is a solid choice. The industry specializations and Fortune 500 benefits access are real competitive advantages.
But if you're price-sensitive or want a modern tech experience, look at Justworks (cheaper PEO) or BambooHR (HRIS without co-employment).