In this review I’m going to share my analysis and evaluation from my hands-on experience with Justworks. But first, if you’re just beginning your search for the best HR support, check out my picks of the best PEO providers. You probably already know Justworks is among the most popular HR products out there, but you need to better understand what’s good, and not so good about it. This in-depth Justworks review will walk you through pros and cons, features and functionality, to help guide you to better understand its capabilities and suitability for your needs.
Justworks Software Product Overview
Justworks streamline human resources by offering a PEO solution that handles payroll software needs, benefits enrollment, and compliance with payroll taxes for businesses. Targeting startups and small to medium-sized businesses, the Justworks platform simplifies HR processes, allowing employers to run payroll, manage contractor payments, and provide perks like disability, unemployment, and vision insurance with ease. Users benefit from a dedicated account manager, basic and comprehensive plans that include Justworks Hours for time tracking, and Justworks PEO for co-employment advantages.
It solves pain points such as complex payroll reports, membership management for a varying number of employees, and workers’ compensation tasks. The platform notably syncs with Android for mobile management offers reimbursement features, and supports teams with responsive customer service.
Pros
- User Experience: Easy navigation enhances productivity. This means users can find what they need quickly, without a steep learning curve.
- Compliance Assistance: Keeps businesses on the right side of the law. This is crucial for companies without dedicated legal resources to stay compliant with changing regulations.
- Employee Self-Service: Streamlines data management. Employees can manage their own details, which offloads routine tasks from HR staff.
Cons
- Customization Limits: Offers less flexibility in certain areas. This can be a hurdle for businesses with unique or complex HR needs.
- Reporting Depth: Sometimes lacks advanced reporting features. Companies that need detailed analytics might find the tool's capabilities limiting.
- Integration Scope: Limited third-party integrations. For businesses that rely on a wide range of tools, integrating them with Justworks might be challenging.
Expert Opinion
Navigating through the Justworks review, I've noted its robust yet user-friendly interface that simplifies many HR management tasks. While its pricing and functionality offer competitive value, it might not be the go-to for companies seeking deep customization or extensive third-party integrations.
Its support and onboarding are points of strength, ensuring users feel guided throughout their experience. I find it excels in environments where straightforward HR management is key, especially for small to medium-sized businesses that prioritize ease of use and essential features over complex customization.
Justworks: The Bottom Line
What sets Justworks apart is its emphasis on simplicity and directness, particularly in compliance and benefits administration. It doesn't overreach but instead focuses on delivering a solid experience in its chosen features.
The most noteworthy aspect is its compliance support, which is a major asset for businesses without in-house legal expertise. The employee self-service feature also stands out, significantly reducing administrative burdens.
Justworks Deep Dive
Here's a deep dive into Justworks features, best use cases, pricing, customer support, and other purchase factors.
Product Specifications
- Payroll Processing - Yes
- Benefits Administration - Yes
- Time and Attendance Tracking - Yes
- Employee Self-Service - Yes
- Compliance Management - Yes
- Performance Management - Yes
- Recruitment Management - No
- Onboarding - Yes
- Offboarding - Yes
- Expense Management - No
- Employee Database - Yes
- HR Reporting - Yes
- Customizable HR Forms - No
- Learning and Development Management - No
- Succession Planning - No
- Organization Charting - No
- Compensation Planning - No
- Employee Engagement - No
- HR Workflow Automation - Yes
- Applicant Tracking System (ATS) - No
- Employee Scheduling - No
- Leave Management - Yes
- Talent Management - No
- HR Analytics - Yes
- Mobile Access - Yes
Justworks Feature Overview
- Payroll Processing: Justworks simplifies payroll, taxes, and direct deposits, which are crucial for HR Management, removing the need for a separate payroll service.
- Benefits Administration: Offering a range of health, dental, and vision plans, Justworks stands out with its PEO model, providing access to big-company benefits for small businesses.
- Time and Attendance Tracking: Justworks provides straightforward tools for tracking time off and sick days, ensuring compliance and ease of management for HR departments.
- Employee Self-Service: Employees can update their personal information, view payslips, and manage their benefits, fostering independence and reducing HR workload.
- Compliance Management: Justworks is proactive in helping companies navigate complex labor laws and health care regulations, which is essential for businesses without a dedicated legal team.
- Performance Management: The platform includes tools to help HR managers track and evaluate employee performance, fostering a culture of feedback and continuous improvement.
- Onboarding: The onboarding feature streamlines the hiring process, making it easy for new hires to get up to speed and for HR departments to manage paperwork digitally.
- Offboarding: Justworks helps ensure a smooth transition when an employee leaves, handling the critical steps from a compliance and company policy standpoint.
- HR Reporting: Data-driven insights are available through Justworks, allowing HR teams to make informed decisions based on comprehensive HR reports.
- Mobile Access: The availability of a mobile app ensures that HR functions can be accessed on the go, which is indispensable in today's mobile-first world.
Standout Functionality
- The PEO (Professional Employer Organization) model: Justworks uses this model to offer small businesses the benefits typically reserved for large corporations, which is rare among HR Management software.
- Compliance Support: The level of support in navigating HR laws and regulations is a significant differentiator, precious for businesses that lack legal resources.
- User Experience: The clean, intuitive interface of Justworks, coupled with its comprehensive HR services, sets it apart from competitors with more complex systems.
Integrations
Justworks offers native integrations with leading accounting software, providing a seamless connection between HR functions and financial management. These integrations include QuickBooks Online and Xero.
Justworks also provides an API for custom integrations, enabling businesses to connect their unique set of tools and services with the platform. Additionally, there are add-ons for 401(k) retirement plans and health savings accounts, extending the platform's capabilities to meet specific employee benefits needs.
Justworks Pricing
Justworks offers tiered pricing plans based on the services and features required:
- Basic plan: $/user/month (billed annually)
- Plus: $/user/month (billed annually) + $49 base fee per month (includes access to premium healthcare plans and a 401(k) plan).
Each tier includes the full suite of HR tools, but the Plus plan provides additional benefits and administration options that include extra options such as HSAs and FSAs. There's a minimum seat requirement, and the pricing reflects the comprehensive nature of the service, aligning with market standards.
Ease of Use
Navigating Justworks feels intuitive. The onboarding process is streamlined, guiding new users through the platform efficiently. Some users might find the reporting features less flexible than desired, but overall, the tool prioritizes a smooth user experience.
Customer Support
Justworks delivers a robust customer support system, with quick response times and a variety of channels, including live chat and webinars. Some users might find the lack of 24/7 support limiting, but the quality of resources and direct assistance provided during business hours is generally well-regarded.
Justworks Use Case
Who Would Be A Good Fit For Justworks?
In my experience, Justworks suits small to medium-sized businesses that need to manage HR, payroll, compliance, and benefits in a streamlined way without the complexity of larger systems. The tool's most loyal customers are those who value the PEO model it offers, which simplifies the procurement of employee benefits.
It thrives in environments where businesses have limited resources to dedicate to HR infrastructure or lack an in-house legal team for compliance. Industries that operate with a lean team but require robust HR support find Justworks particularly useful.
Who Would Be A Bad Fit For Justworks?
Businesses looking for highly customizable HR software might find Justworks restrictive. It’s less suited for large enterprises or those with intricate HR processes that demand extensive customization or deep analytics.
The most disappointed customers tend to be those who require sophisticated integration with a wide range of third-party applications or need advanced features like succession planning or comprehensive talent management that Justworks doesn't provide.
Justworks FAQs
What is Justworks?
Justworks is a platform that provides HR, payroll, compliance, and benefits management services.
Who typically uses Justworks?
Small to medium-sized businesses use Justworks for its streamlined HR services.
Does Justworks support time tracking?
Yes, Justworks includes time and attendance tracking features.
Can Justworks handle tax filings?
Yes, Justworks automates tax filings and payroll reporting.
Is there an onboarding process for new hires?
Yes, Justworks provides tools for onboarding new employees digitally.
Does Justworks offer employee benefits management?
Yes, Justworks offers a range of employee benefits including health insurance.
Can I integrate Justworks with other software?
Justworks offers integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, and it also has an API for custom integrations.
Is customer support available?
Justworks provides customer support through various channels during business hours.
Alternatives to Justworks
- ADP Workforce Now: A better fit for larger organizations requiring more extensive HR solutions and global payroll capabilities.
- Gusto: Suited for small businesses that prioritize a friendly user interface and simple payroll processing.
- Zenefits: Offers a wider range of integrations for businesses that rely heavily on a connected ecosystem of work tools.
Justworks Company Overview & History
Justworks provides HR management software to simplify payroll, compliance, and benefits for businesses. Companies across various industries use it, especially small to medium-sized ones. It's a private company with notable backing from venture capital investors.
The headquarters is located in New York City. The company's mission is to help entrepreneurs and businesses grow with confidence. It has hit several milestones, including major funding rounds and significant growth in its customer base.
Summary
Wrapping up, Justworks presents a solid option for small to medium businesses in need of streamlined HR management. It shines in its simplicity and compliance support, ideal for those without complex custom needs. For those who've used Justworks or are considering it, I welcome your comments to share your experiences and insights.