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Managing HR procedures manually can be error-prone and time-consuming, leading to payroll oversights, compliance concerns, and inefficient workforce management. HR software is critical for streamlining payroll, benefits, compliance, and workforce management and ensuring efficiency and accuracy.

GoCo and Zenefits are renowned platforms that provide various HR solutions, but they both serve distinct corporate needs. GoCo prioritizes flexibility, automation, and seamless integrations, whereas Zenefits focuses on workforce management, compliance, and risk mitigation. This article examines their key features and the pros and cons to help you decide which platform best meets your business needs. 

Comparing GoCo Vs Zenefits: At A Glance

Features 

GoCo 

Zenefits 

Payroll Processing 

 Options for embedded and integrated payroll, automated tax filings, payroll compliance automation, unified payroll dashboard 

Automated payroll runs, tax calculations, compliance management, real-time data sync with time tracking and benefits, self-service portals 

Benefits Administration 

Benefits enrollment management, compliance handling, payroll synchronization, broker flexibility 

Employee benefits enrollment, plan management, compliance automation

Time And Attendance 

Work schedule creation, employee time tracking, PTO management, remote and hybrid work logging

Real-time labor data, visual schedulers, self-guided onboarding, automated time tracking 

Core HR 

Employee onboarding, document management, process automation, integration with payroll, benefits, and time tracking 

Hiring and onboarding assistance, compliance expertise, designated HR support experts 

Risk Mitigation 

Compliance management, live HR support, automated workflows to minimize errors 

Workers’ compensation insurance, ACA compliance solutions, benefits compliance, employment practices risk management 

What Is GoCo?

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GoCo is a cloud-based, comprehensive HR platform that automates activities, like employee records management, digital onboarding, benefits administration, and payroll integration. It focuses on automation and compliance, allowing small and medium-sized businesses to perform HR operations more efficiently while adhering to local regulations. 

The software is a flexible solution that enables organizations to smoothly integrate it with their existing payroll systems or utilize its embedded payroll solution. The platform's intuitive user interface and customizable features make it a suitable alternative for scaling businesses.

Unique Features Of GoCo 

  • Company Mass Messaging: It allows admins to send customized email and SMS text messages by facilitating immediate circulation of information, including new hire welcomes, emergency alerts, and company-wide announcements
  • Magic Docs: An innovative document management solution that streamlines document creation, distribution, and tracking. The feature helps HR professionals customize and digitize documents, seamlessly insert custom form fields, collect responses, and generate reports for better data management
  • Remote I-9 Verification: The feature simplifies the process of completing I-9 forms digitally. It also verifies Section 2 documents for remote employees by allowing employers to nominate a one-time trusted verifier, including a notary, or an alternative

Pros And Cons 

Pros

  • Employee-friendly onboarding saves a significant amount of administrative time by streamlining the hiring process
  • The document feature with e-signatures option makes it easy to implement new incentive plans, handbooks, and policies
  • Open enrollment makes signing up for employee benefits with GoCo easy and intuitive

Cons

  • The mobile app occasionally crashes while in use, however this problem does not occur in the browser version
  • The loading time for some reports is too long, according to some users

What Is Zenefits?

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Zenefits, now known as TriNet, is a cloud-based HR platform built for small and medium-sized organizations. It simplifies HR management, reduces compliance risks, and provides access to top-tier benefits that help attract and retain talent. 

With features like onboarding, payroll processing, and compliance monitoring, the software aims to minimize manual effort and enhance accuracy. It also facilitates digital record-keeping and integration with third-party apps to ensure an efficient HR workflow.

Employees benefit from self-service tools that allow them to update personal information, request time off, and access benefits, enhancing both convenience and overall efficiency.

Unique Features Of Zenefits 

  • Visual Scheduler: It allows administrators and managers to manage work schedules using a simple visual interface. This enables users to easily create and allocate shifts to employees. Employers can monitor staff clock-ins and clock-outs in real-time using a customizable dashboard
  • Wellness Programs: TriNet promotes physical, emotional, and financial well-being via health benefits, EAPs, financial planning, and work-life balance initiatives, boosting employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity
  • Claims Management: The feature helps organizations efficiently handle employment-related claims by providing access to 'Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI)' and support from internal claims experts. These experts manage the claims process, coordinate insurance coverage, and supervise case settlement to ensure a smoother resolution

Pros And Cons 

Pros

  • Employee self-service portal ensures employees can access and update their information, minimizing administrative workload
  • The time-off module is valuable for its user-friendly approach to managing employee leave requests and approvals
  • Customizable reports are great for providing comprehensive insights into various HR metrics

Cons

  • Occasional delays in issue resolution by customer support
  • The timecard page often freezes up, as per some users

GoCo Vs Zenefits: Key Features Comparison

1. Payroll Processing

GoCo provides a customizable and automated solution to simplify payroll management for organizations. Businesses can either integrate their existing payroll provider or use its embedded payroll solution for an all-in-one experience. The platform automatically syncs employee data, ensuring accurate salary calculation, tax deductions, and benefits adjustments without manual entry.

Alongside automation, GoCo streamlines payroll compliance by smoothly handling tax filings, end-of-year reporting, and deductions. The software offers a unified dashboard from which HR teams can manage payroll tasks, track payment statuses, and easily handle payroll-related changes. GoCo's payroll tool saves businesses time by avoiding mistakes and manual processes while ensuring accurate and timely compensations.

Zenefits' Payroll feature simplifies payroll processing for businesses. It provides automated payroll runs, tax calculations, compliance management, and other HR processes to ensure correct and timely employee compensation. Unlike GoCo, which allows flexible payroll provider selection, Zenefits offers a built-in payroll system that automates payroll runs, tax calculations, and compliance monitoring without the need for third-party integrations.

Employees can access the self-service portal to review pay stubs, manage deposit details, and payroll updates. While both software solutions efficiently handle tax filings, Zenefits focuses on automation and real-time data synchronization making it an excellent choice for firms seeking a fully embedded HR and payroll solution with minimum manual involvement.

Winner: GoCo for its integration flexibility, which enables businesses to link to their existing payroll provider or use the built-in solution. This adaptability, along with sophisticated automation, and simplified compliance handling makes it the superior payroll solution when compared to Zenefits.

2. Benefits Administration

The benefits administration feature in GoCo aims to assist employers in managing employee benefits efficiently and conveniently. It provides an accessible platform for HR professionals to efficiently manage benefits enrollment, compliance, and carrier connections, while providing employees with a user-friendly interface to enroll in and manage their benefits, enhancing their overall experience.

The software maintains compliance by coordinating directly with insurance carriers and staying in sync with payroll, which reduces the possibility of mistakes. Furthermore, GoCo offers flexibility by allowing businesses to bring their broker or work with one of its trusted partners.

Similarly, the benefits administration module in Zenefits intends to make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to manage employee benefits. The software features a user-friendly interface, that helps simplify benefits enrollment, plan management, and compliance tasks. This allows direct employee enrollment and assists with managing their benefits using a step-by-step procedure and a mobile app. This ensures employees can choose a suitable plan for their needs.

The platform allows administrators to create and administer benefits plans, customize contributions, and track enrollment progress using comprehensive dashboards and reports. The software ensures compliance by automating data exchange with top insurance providers and maintaining payroll alignment, lowering the risk of errors.

Winner: GoCo, for its broker flexibility, advanced automation, and payroll compliance, provides it with an edge over Zenefits.

3. Time And Attendance

GoCo's time and attendance feature provides a comprehensive solution to manage employee work hours, time-off requests, and work schedules. The software has an intuitive interface that makes it easier to create work schedules, track hours, and manage paid time off (PTO). It enables users to log in and out seamlessly, whether on-site, remotely, or in a hybrid work model.

The software ensures accurate time tracking, which is required for payroll processing and compliance. Moreover, GoCo integrates time and attendance data with other HR operations, resulting in a comprehensive platform for efficient workforce management.

The time and attendance module in Zenefits allows organizations to monitor employee schedules, work hours, and leave requests. The platform provides real-time labor data via visual schedulers and dashboards, allowing for informed decision-making. It also features self-guided onboarding tools for administrators and staff, making it easier to create detailed work calendars while maintaining accurate records.

Winner: Zenefits for providing more extensive workforce management features, compliance assistance, and scheduling flexibility. The software beats GoCo by providing real-time labor statistics, visual scheduling, etc.

4. Core HR Features

GoCo's Core HR solution is intended to simplify and automate various business human resource activities. It includes employee onboarding, document management, and process automation.

The software enables the digitalization of personnel records, making managing and retrieving critical information easier. GoCo also connects with other HR tasks like benefits administration, payroll, and time tracking, giving a comprehensive solution for effective employee management.

Likewise, Zenefits provides comprehensive HR support and assistance for small to medium-sized organizations. Their services include best practices for hiring and onboarding, benefit administration assistance, and compliance expertise.

Customers get access to an HR team with a designated support expert familiar with their organization, ensuring personalized assistance. This team assists businesses in staying ahead of regulatory and employee relations issues, delivering timely and appropriate HR knowledge as needed.

Winner: GoCo wins for its more advanced and automated Core HR solution that includes employee onboarding, workflow automation, document management, and seamless integration with payroll, benefits, and time tracking compared to Zenefits.

5. Risk Mitigation

GoCo does not provide a dedicated risk mitigation solution but integrates risk mitigation features like compliance management, live HR help, and automated workflows. The platform assists organizations in complying with payroll, benefits, and document laws, lowering the risk of non-compliance. GoCo also enables access to live HR professionals, allowing for proactive issue solutions. Furthermore, the 'Magic Flows' feature automates HR procedures to reduce human error and ensure consistency in crucial activities.

In contrast, Zenefits offers dedicated risk mitigation services to assist organizations in managing compliance and reducing possible liabilities. The organization provides workers' compensation insurance, ensuring that claims are swiftly handled while adhering to state rules. Its Affordable Care Act (ACA) solutions guide organizations through difficult healthcare obligations. Zenefits also promotes benefits compliance, lowering the chance of regulatory violations.

Additionally, it assists with risk management of employment practices, providing tools to solve employee relations issues and labor law compliance. These services help organizations protect their operations from financial and legal risks.

Winner: Zenefits wins with a specialized, organized, and legally sound risk mitigation service.

Which HR Platform Is Better: GoCo Or Zenefits?

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GoCo and TriNet (Zenefits) provide powerful HR solutions, but their capabilities are tailored to cater to distinct business needs. GoCo distinguishes itself with its customizable payroll integration, broker-friendly benefits administration, and automated HR procedures, making it a perfect option for businesses seeking customization and simple compliance management.

Zenefits, on the other hand, offers more robust workforce management tools, real-time labor analytics, and specialized risk mitigation services, making it perfect for businesses that want built-in legal and compliance support. Ultimately, the best option can be determined based on your organization's needs, like GoCo's automation and flexibility or Zenefits' structured compliance and workforce management capabilities.

If you are still unsure, you can explore Recruiterbox or Namely HR to determine which best suits your business needs.