Namely and TriNet Zenefits are both cloud-based human resources (HR) systems designed to help you manage employee data, benefits enrollment, and payroll. Both provide a mobile app and an HR portal to let staff access pay stubs, request paid time off (PTO), and view the information in their personnel records.
Namely’s customizable software and services are fit for bigger companies—you design a plan with only the solutions that your business needs. Plus, it also offers managed services for payroll and benefits administration. On the other hand, TriNet Zenefits is a greater fit for small businesses, as its services are simpler and more affordable.
Based on the providers’ strengths, we’ve determined their best-case scenarios:
- Namely: Best for midsize businesses wanting a fully customizable all-in-one solution with advanced HR features, such as performance management and managed services
- TriNet Zenefits: Best for small and growing businesses that want an affordable, fully integrated platform with essential HR tools
If neither TriNet Zenefits nor Namely appeal to you, we recommend Paychex. It’s one of the best-rated HR software and comes with a wide suite of HR solutions and services.
- Paychex: Best for solopreneurs and small to large businesses looking for scalable HR solutions with dedicated payroll support
Namely vs TriNet Zenefits Compared
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
Monthly Pricing | Custom* | $10–$27 per employee |
HR Information System (HRIS) | ✓ | ✓ |
Onboarding and PTO Tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
Onboarding | ✓ | ✓ |
Time and Attendance | Add-on module | ✓ |
Recruiting | Add-on module | $62 per month |
Payroll and Tax Filing (Federal, Local, and State) | Add-on module | $6 per employee monthly |
Benefits Administration | Add-on module | $5 per employee monthly if using own broker |
Employee Benefits (Includes ACA-Compliant Health Insurance) | Via third-party insurance carriers | Via TriNet Zenefits’ broker network |
Performance Management | ✓ | Available in higher tiers |
Compensation Management and Employee Surveys | N/A | Available in higher tiers |
Employee Directory and Org Chart | ✓ | ✓ |
Company News Feed | ✓ | Requires upgrade to the Zen plan |
*Namely doesn’t publish its fees on its website and are available only upon request.
**5 employee minimum required
Interested in a payroll solution but don’t know where to start? Read our guide on selecting the right payroll solution for your business.
When to Use Each
Both TriNet Zenefits and Namely offer:
- Employee self-service and mobile apps (iOS and Android)
- Online benefits enrollments
- Pay processing for employees and contractors
- Check and direct deposit pay options
- Year-end tax reporting (such as W-2s and 1099s)
- Digital signatures and document management
- HR compliance tools
- Reporting and analytics
- Robust integration options
- Live phone support and how-to guides
Click through the tabs below to see more specifically when we recommend each.
Best in Pricing: TriNet Zenefits
| |
|---|---|
|
|
Pricing for Namely, on the other hand, isn’t its strongest point. First, it doesn’t publish its pricing online. You have to contact the provider to discuss your business requirements and request a custom quote. We found third-party sources that said it runs anywhere from $12 to $30 per employee monthly, but there’s no information on what is included. Further, it has implementation fees (which we’ve seen as $50+ per employee or a percentage of the first year’s costs). We spoke to a representative that told us that Namely’s minimum contract amount ranges from $10,000 to $15,000, depending on what services you sign up for. Comparing this with TriNet Zenefits, a business would need more than 83 employees signing up for the core plan to match Namely’s minimum contract requirement.
Namely doesn’t have multiple plans; instead, it offers an “HR Fundamentals” package as a starter tier to which you can add modules (such as payroll processing, benefits administration, and timekeeping).
When to Consider Namely
If you prefer customizability over affordability, then choose Namely. Its completely customizable solutions are an excellent choice whether you have a new business that hasn’t invested in other HR solutions yet or you have a midsize business with a small HR team.
Best for HR Features: Namely
| | |
|---|---|---|
Employee database | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee benefits |
|
|
App Ratings | ||
Where TriNet Zenefits Stands Apart: Better Mobile + Employee Engagement Tools
TriNet Zenefits stands apart with its “well-being” module to help you measure, track, and improve workforce well-being and productivity. Engagement surveys help you track the pulse of your workforce with survey templates based on best practices or the freedom to create your own questionnaires. Namely does not have this feature, although it can advise on questions to ask.
TriNet Zenefits also has the better-rated mobile apps, overall, with its Android app ranking over a point better than Namely, while its Apple app is also highly rated.
Best in Payroll Features & Employee Benefits: Tied
| | |
|---|---|---|
Automatic pay runs | ✓ | ✓ |
Contractor payments | ✓ | ✓ |
Multiple pay options | Check and direct deposit | Check and direct deposit |
Year-end tax reporting (W-2s and 1099s) | ✓ | ✓ |
Tip reporting | ✕ | ✓ |
Federal, local, and state taxes | Calculates, files, and pays | Calculates, files, and pays |
Employee benefits |
|
|
For straight payroll services, the TriNet Zenefits vs Namely race runs pretty even. Both offer it as an add-on and provide complete tools including importing hours from their time tracking tools, calculating deductions and garnishments, allowing custom modifications like bonuses, and filing and paying payroll and taxes.
For employee benefits, TriNet Zenefits’ and Namely’s offerings are also similar. Both provide a flexible savings account, a health savings account, health insurance, life and disability, and retirement plans that are available through a network of either partner brokers or third-party carriers.
Since our last update:
TriNet Zenefits can now offer health insurance in Hawaii, although currently, only dental, vision, and property and casualty insurance are listed on its website. Namely does offer health insurance in Hawaii.
Where Namely Stands Out: Managed Services
If you don’t have a payroll manager or prefer to outsource this responsibility, Namely offers managed payroll and benefits services, while TriNet Zenefits does not. Managed payroll gives Namely complete responsibility for calculating and filing payroll and taxes and includes an accuracy guarantee. The managed benefits plan lets Namely negotiate with carriers on your behalf to find the best packages based on your goals and a competitive assessment of your industry and area, plus compliance requirements.
Where TriNet Zenefits Stands Out: Restaurant Payroll
One thing we did not find with Namely was tip reporting; even its help articles talk about employees self-reporting this individually. TriNet Zenefits, on the other hand, specifically says it can handle tip reporting—enabling restaurants and similar businesses to capture reported tips easily.
Best for Ease of Use, Customer Support & Integrations: Tied
| | |
|---|---|---|
Initial setup and implementation | 6–8 weeks | 2 weeks |
Customer support |
|
|
Third-party integrations | Applicant tracking, benefits and COBRA administration providers, identity management and single sign-on tools, international payroll solutions, employee recognition systems, learning platforms, employee feedback software | Applicant tracking, accounting, time tracking, learning management, employee management, performance management, health and wellness, collaboration and productivity tools |
Real-world customer ratings (averaged over several sites) | 4.06 out of 5 stars | 3.89 out of 5 stars |
Namely offers more customer support options, such as how-to videos and a community forum where you can discuss common issues with the provider’s other clients. Zenefits’ website lacks videos but does have additional tools like checklists and ebooks.
TriNet Zenefits reviews, however, include complaints about the delays in responses despite their phone support. We even saw complaints that support took days to get back to them. This year, two customers on Capterra said they canceled accounts because of poor service.
Integrations
Namely and TriNet Zenefits each have a robust selection of partners for software tools. Here are some of the two providers’ integration options:
- Namely partner systems: JazzHR, Greenhouse, Workable, Lessonly, TSheets, Boomr, Simply Merit, Bonusly, Verified First, Workato, Zapier, Pingboard, and Google Workspace (formerly G Suite)
- TriNet Zenefits partner systems: BreezyHR, JazzHR, Greenhouse, Zywave, Lessonly, TSheets, Deputy, Bonusly, Checkr, Workato, Zapier, Xero, QuickBooks, Expensify, Asana, Slack, and Microsoft 365
Since our last update:
Namely has added Slack to its mid-market HR platform.
Bottom Line
Namely and TriNet Zenefits provide all the functionalities of a cloud-based HR system, including performance management, payroll processing, benefits administration, and compensation management. To decide which is right for you, consider the size of your business, how much of your payroll and benefits tasks you want to outsource, and what features you need.
For small businesses, TriNet Zenefits has fully integrated HR tools to help manage your workforce.
For midsize businesses, Namely offers a fully customizable solution to help manage payroll, HR, and benefits.
