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Head-to-head · PEO Software

Paychex PEO vs Stratum PEO

Updated Sep 2026
Both researched from official sources
7 checks side by side

Higher score Paychex PEO #1 in PEO Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Paychex PEO

Stratum PEO #4 in PEO Software 7.8/10 Paid ✓ 6 of 6 features Visit Stratum PEO

Paychex PEO leads on 0 checks, Stratum PEO on 0, and 7 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scorePaychex PEO · 9.0/10

Paychex PEO scores higher on our rubric for peo software: 9.0 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Paychex PEO is the better fit for established SMB and mid-market PEOs. Stratum PEO is the better fit for large PEOs needing deep compliance operations.

Paychex PEO fits best
Established SMB and mid-market PEOs
Stratum PEO fits best
Large PEOs needing deep compliance operations

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Paychex PEO 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Stratum PEO 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	7.8
Ranking	#1 in PEO Software	#4 in PEO Software
Best for	Established SMB and mid-market PEOs	Large PEOs needing deep compliance operations
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Self-hosted, Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Compliance	GDPR	SSO/SAML, 2FA
Built for	Small business, Mid-market	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Paychex PEO 6/6 · Stratum PEO 6/6
Client company portal	✓	✓
Payroll and tax admin	✓	✓
Benefits enrollment	✓	✓
Compliance tools	✓	✓
Employee self-service	✓	✓
HR onboarding	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	Combines payroll, tax administration, benefits, and HR support Handles workers’ compensation claims, reporting, and risk support Provides onboarding and self-service through web and mobile tools	50-state and D.C. payroll tax engine with local tax resolution Benefits, leave, onboarding, compliance, workers’ compensation, and CRM modules Self-hosted perpetual license with no per-employee or seat fees
Cons	Pricing is customized through a sales consultation Integration details require sales verification Includes service and technology rather than software alone	Starting price of $150,000 raises the entry barrier Current tax tables and compliance rules require an annual subscription Broad module coverage may exceed the needs of narrowly focused operators
Our verdict	Paychex PEO combines payroll processing and tax administration with employee benefits, HR guidance, compliance resources, and workers’ compensation administration through a co-employment arrangement. It is designed for small and mid-market… Read the review →	Stratum PEO is a workforce-management platform for professional employer organizations, administrative services organizations, domestic EORs, staffing agencies, and CPA firms. Its scope spans payroll and tax processing, benefits… Read the review →

P Paychex PEOPEO Software 9.0Pricing on request
S Stratum PEOPEO Software 7.8Paid

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Paychex PEO — where it wins
- Combines payroll, tax administration, benefits, and HR support
- Handles workers’ compensation claims, reporting, and risk support
- Provides onboarding and self-service through web and mobile tools
Where it doesn't
- Pricing is customized through a sales consultation
- Integration details require sales verification
- Includes service and technology rather than software alone
Stratum PEO — where it wins
- 50-state and D.C. payroll tax engine with local tax resolution
- Benefits, leave, onboarding, compliance, workers’ compensation, and CRM modules
- Self-hosted perpetual license with no per-employee or seat fees
Where it doesn't
- Starting price of $150,000 raises the entry barrier
- Current tax tables and compliance rules require an annual subscription
- Broad module coverage may exceed the needs of narrowly focused operators

Paychex PEO9.0/10 · Pricing on request
A service-led PEO covering payroll, benefits, compliance, and employee self-service.
Visit Paychex PEO Full verdict →
Stratum PEO7.8/10 · Paid
Broad PEO operations coverage with self-hosted flexibility, but a high starting price.
Visit Stratum PEO Full verdict →

More comparisons

All PEO software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated 29 Sep 2026 · How we research and update