Justworks is one of the most popular ways for a small business to get payroll, HR, and — crucially — large-group health benefits in one bundle. But the PEO model isn't the only path, and a growing number of employers are choosing a different one entirely. Here are the best Justworks alternatives, and who each fits.
This is an independent guide from QuoteSweep, which maps the modern commercial insurance landscape. QuoteSweep does not compete with any of these companies. For the full picture on Justworks, see our Justworks profile.
TL;DR: The strongest alternatives take the ICHRA route — giving employees a budget to buy their own coverage instead of a pooled group plan: Thatch (best-funded all-in-one), Take Command (pioneer/largest), StretchDollar (small business), and Zorro (broker-first). Gravie is a full benefits platform with a deductible-free plan and an ICHRA.
Why look past Justworks?
Justworks delivers a large-group health plan via a pooled master policy, bundled with payroll/HR/compliance under co-employment. Reasons to compare alternatives:
- You want employee choice and predictable, fixed costs rather than a group renewal that can swing.
- You don't want co-employment — you'd rather stay the sole employer.
- You want just the benefits, not the whole PEO bundle.
- You want a specific plan design (like deductible-free coverage).
The biggest shift is the ICHRA model — see PEO vs ICHRA for the full comparison.
1. Thatch — best-funded all-in-one ICHRA
Thatch lets you set a per-employee budget; employees buy their own plans and spend leftover budget on other care via a Visa card, with a 5-minute setup. It's one of the best-funded ICHRA platforms (~$84.5M).
Fits: employers who want a polished, all-in-one ICHRA instead of a PEO group plan.
2. Take Command — pioneer and largest ICHRA
Take Command is the first end-to-end ICHRA administrator and one of the largest (6,000–8,000+ employers), handling ICHRA and QSEHRA with in-house enrollment support.
Fits: employers of any size that want an established administrator with hands-on help.
3. StretchDollar — small-business ICHRA
StretchDollar is a lean, small-business ICHRA with transparent flat pricing ($100/month + $25 per participating employee), backed by Oscar Health.
Fits: small firms that want a simple, affordable ICHRA.
4. Zorro — broker-first ICHRA
Zorro pairs ICHRA administration with AI decision support and a strong broker channel.
Fits: employers working through a broker, or wanting AI-guided plan selection.
5. Gravie — a full benefits platform
Gravie is a benefits platform whose Comfort plan covers most common care at $0 to members, and it also offers an ICHRA — a middle path between a group plan and pure ICHRA.
Fits: employers who want a modern plan option (or an ICHRA) without the PEO bundle.
At a glance
| Alternative | Approach | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Thatch | ICHRA (all-in-one) | Polished, best-funded ICHRA |
| Take Command | ICHRA + QSEHRA | Established, enrollment support |
| StretchDollar | ICHRA (small biz) | Transparent flat pricing |
| Zorro | ICHRA (broker-first) | Broker/AI-guided |
| Gravie | Plan + ICHRA | Modern plan or ICHRA |
Which should you pick?
- Want to keep a bundled HR + group plan? Another PEO may fit better than switching models — but if you're open to it, the ICHRA options below give more control.
- Want cost control + employee choice? Thatch or Take Command (any size), StretchDollar (small business), Zorro (broker-led).
- Want a modern plan, not co-employment? Gravie.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to Justworks?
It depends on your goal. For employee choice and cost control via ICHRA: Thatch, Take Command, StretchDollar, or Zorro. For a modern benefits plan: Gravie. For a like-for-like PEO, compare other PEOs.
Is an ICHRA a good replacement for a PEO?
For the benefits piece, often yes — an ICHRA gives predictable costs and employee choice without co-employment. But a PEO also handles payroll/HR/compliance, so weigh whether you need those too. See PEO vs ICHRA.
Are these cheaper than Justworks?
ICHRA gives you a fixed, predictable employer contribution versus a group renewal; total cost depends on your contributions and workforce. Compare quotes for your group.
Where can I compare these?
See the health & benefits insurtech hub and best ICHRA platforms.
The bottom line
The best Justworks alternative depends on whether you want a different PEO or a different model entirely. The momentum is toward ICHRA — Thatch, Take Command, StretchDollar, and Zorro give employees choice and you cost control — while Gravie offers a modern plan. Compare them on the health & benefits insurtech hub, or read PEO vs ICHRA.
