Navigating human resources (HR) processes can be challenging, with tasks like payroll, benefits administration, and compliance often demanding significant time and attention. Inefficiencies in these areas can lead to costly errors and hinder productivity. This is where platforms like Namely and Justworks come into play.
Both Namely and Justworks aim to simplify processes, reduce administrative burdens, and improve employee engagement. But how do you determine which platform is the right fit for your business? Is Namely’s customizable approach better suited to your needs, or does Justworks' straightforward, PEO-powered model hold the edge?
In this article, we’ll compare Namely and Justworks, explore their key features, and evaluate their performance across critical areas to help you make the best choice for your organization.
Namely Vs Justworks: At A Glance
Features
Namely
Justworks
Payroll Management
Offers more advanced features that allow more personalization
Focuses on simplifying HR tasks with features such as custom pay schedules
Time-Tracking
Integrates with various HR and payroll functions, allowing for an all-in-one solution
Offers mobile-friendly time tracking features such as geofencing
Benefits Administration
Offers a flexible benefits administration process
Gives small businesses access to benefits normally reserved for large enterprises
Onboarding
Allows businesses to customize the onboarding phase
Focuses on simplicity and automation to make onboarding easy
Price
Starts at $9 per employee per month
Starts at $8 per employee per month
What Is Namely?
Namely HR is a software designed to cater to the HR requirements of mid-sized businesses. With its user-friendly interface and various compliance tools, Namely excels in streamlining core HR functions such as payroll, benefits administration, and talent management. Its standout features include strong customization options, an intuitive employee self-service portal, and powerful reporting tools that simplify compliance and performance tracking.
The software is particularly well-suited for companies seeking a balance between functionality and personalization. It is an ideal choice for organizations aiming to promote a strong company culture while efficiently managing HR operations.
Unique Namely Features
Configurable Dashboards: Namely provides customizable dashboards, allowing HR teams to personalize the dashboard according to their own needs. These dashboards can also be configured to show important data, such as headcount, diversity, employee turnover, etc.
Advanced Compliance Tools: The platform features a comprehensive compliance database, offering resources such as a handbook builder and state-mandated training modules.
Social News Feed: The platform includes an interactive social news feed, enabling employees to share updates, recognize peers, and stay informed about company announcements.
Namely Pros And Cons
Pros:
Comprehensive payroll system ensures accurate and timely payments
Customizable reporting features provide clear, informative insights
Social media-like homepage enhances company communication strategy
Cons:
Lacks task reminders and overdue notifications for assignments
Time-card adjustments for sick days are cumbersome
What Is Justworks?
Justworks is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) platform that provides small and medium-sized businesses with a comprehensive suite of HR solutions, including payroll processing, compliance support, and access to employee benefits. Its intuitive interface simplifies complex HR tasks, allowing business owners to focus on more important business matters. Moreover, its PEO status grants it the ability to provide businesses with competitive benefits packages normally reserved for larger companies.
These strengths make Justworks a great match for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises seeking to streamline HR functions and offer competitive benefits without the overhead of an extensive in-house HR department.
Unique Justworks Features
PEO Services: Justworks operates as a PEO, allowing small businesses to access comprehensive HR solutions, including payroll, benefits, and compliance support, under a co-employment model.
Access To Enterprise-Level Benefits: Through its PEO model, Justworks provides small businesses with access to enterprise-level benefits, such as health and dental insurance, 401(k) plans, and wellness programs, typically available only to larger organizations.
International Contractor Payments: The platform enables businesses to pay international contractors in over 28 countries without additional upfront or monthly fees.
Justworks Pros And Cons
Pros:
Intuitive interface simplifies navigation and user experience
Namely offers a payroll system that seamlessly integrates with HR and benefits modules, automating processes like tax calculations and deductions. It also includes features such as wage garnishment, configurable GL exports, employee self-service, and expense tracking. These features emphasize personalization and flexibility, allowing businesses to tailor the platform to their specific needs.
Justworks, operating as a PEO, delivers a co-employment model that grants small businesses access to enterprise-level benefits and compliance support. Its payroll management includes automated tax filings, multi-state payroll capabilities, and 24/7 customer support. Justworks focuses on simplifying HR tasks by offering a straightforward, all-in-one solution.
Winner: Namely edges out Justworks here due to offering more advanced features.
Time-Tracking
Namely emphasizes integration with its broader HR and payroll systems, providing a seamless solution for managing employee hours, time-off accruals, and schedules. The platform allows HR teams to customize time-off policies to align with company guidelines and enables employees to track PTO balances via a self-service portal.
Justworks offers mobile-friendly time tracking with geofencing, ensuring accurate time logging based on location. Employees can clock in and out using the mobile app, online platform, or Slack integration, accommodating both remote and on-site teams. Additionally, Justworks provides real-time reporting tools that sync seamlessly with payroll services.
Winner: Justworks excels in providing adaptable, mobile-friendly features for distributed workforces.
Benefits Administration
Namely provides a customizable benefits administration platform, allowing businesses to configure plans, rates, and eligibility criteria. The system includes an ‘Enrollment Wizard’ for paperless sign-ups and a mobile app for easy benefits access. Integration with HR and payroll ensures automatic synchronization of deductions.
Justworks gives small businesses access to large-group health insurance plans from top carriers, covering 401(k)s, primary care, fertility benefits, etc. Its intuitive online platform simplifies plan selection, enrollment, and management.
Winner: Justworks wins for smaller companies seeking a comprehensive benefits package.
Onboarding
Namely provides customizable onboarding templates and role-based workflows, fostering early employee engagement. The platform ensures a completely paperless onboarding experience with e-signature capabilities and secure digital storage.
Justworks focuses on automation, offering a streamlined onboarding process where employees can enter direct deposit details, select health insurance plans, and complete essential tasks online. Its employee self-service portal ensures easy access to important documents and information.
Winner: Namely provides customization, while Justworks focuses on efficiency. The best choice depends on business needs.
Pricing
Namely provides four pricing tiers:
Namely Now – starts at $9 per employee per month
Namely Plus – customized pricing
Namely Plus People – customized pricing
Namely Complete – customized pricing
The top-tier plan, Namely Complete, includes compensation plans, shared liability compliance, and other features, with pricing customized per organization.
Justworks also offers tiered pricing:
Payroll – $8 per month
PEO Basic – $59 per month
PEO Plus – $109 per month
EOR – $599 per month
The highest plan, EOR, is designed for global teams and includes a free six-month trial.
Winner: Both software offer modular pricing tiers, making this category a tie.
Namely Vs Zenefits – Which HR Tool Should You Choose?
Both Namely and Justworks offer comprehensive HR solutions, but each caters to different business needs.
Namely stands out for mid-sized businesses seeking customizable HR and payroll solutions with integrated benefits and performance management tools, making it particularly suited for industries like finance and healthcare.
Justworks, on the other hand, is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a straightforward, user-friendly platform with PEO services that grant access to enterprise-level benefits and compliance support. It is especially beneficial for startups and companies in industries such as retail and technology.
Ultimately, the right choice depends on your organization's size, industry, and unique HR requirements.
