TriNet Review and Pricing

Why We Chose TriNet for Time Tracking

As a full-service payroll and HR platform, TriNet helps small business owners easily manage HR functions. Whereas most payroll solutions offer third-party attendance integrations or add-ons, TriNet includes scheduling and employee time tracking features with all plans. This makes it the best payroll system with integrated time and attendance functionalities. 

Your team can clock in and out via desktop and mobile apps or onsite terminals. Employers can enable time card fraud protection or GPS to prevent buddy punching and ensure worker safety. Moreover, TriNet’s built-in compliance features notify staff when it’s time for lunch or automatic breaks. It computes overtime regulations and simplifies benefits management with built-in Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance tools. 

When it’s scheduling time, your HR team doesn’t need to switch applications. Instead, they can create shifts around roles or times and manage paid time off (PTO) requests from computers or iOS and Android devices. 

We were also impressed with the TriNet mobile apps, which received high ratings on par with ADP’s mobile solutions. Employees can use the mobile apps to access health insurance or flex benefits, submit time off requests, or connect with co-workers. 

When you update or add shifts, TriNet will inform team members of the changes. Source: TriNet

Ease of Use

TriNet is relatively new compared to its rivals and boasts a modern user interface. While some payroll software feels like a glorified spreadsheet, TriNet is easy to navigate with vertical and horizontal toolbars, well-placed to-do lists, and metrics. However, since payroll is an add-on and not the main service, it isn’t the first option you see when opening the dashboard. 

We wish TriNet displayed a few more payroll details, like the upcoming amount to be debited or alerts for errors that prevent payroll processing. In contrast, ADP and OnPay place icons near employee names to make error resolution straightforward. Since TriNet does not have automated payroll, small businesses must manually process payroll each pay period. If this is a no-go for your company, see our review of Gusto, which offers automated payroll and features time tracking on its Plus plan. 

TriNet’s main dashboard is user-friendly and displays icons for various apps like employee documents, time-off requests and attendance information. We liked how easily we could integrate QuickBooks Online or Expensify; these icons also appear on the central screen. 

We also liked that you can enter independent contractor information on the same screen as employee payroll data. Many payroll systems, including Gusto, require users to open a separate page. But TriNet can handle in-house or agency-paid temporary and contingent workers from a single screen.

We like that the TriNet mobile app gives employees lifetime access to paystubs, tax information and employee benefits. Several payroll providers limit this access to three years. Also, your workforce can use the app to clock in or out or schedule time off. 

TriNet Features

As an HR, payroll and people platform, TriNet centralizes your data and workflows. Its HR and payroll features are more than enough to allow most small and midsize businesses to manage employees, benefits and more. 

Scheduling and Time Tracking

We were impressed that TriNet subscriptions include scheduling, time-off management and attendance tracking tools. We didn’t find another payroll service that offers scheduling on its base plan. These HR functions sync seamlessly with TriNet’s payroll software, which eliminates manual data entry and reduces errors. We loved the PTO Balance Calculator and the ability to block out dates, which is perfect for retailers in need of a full staff during holidays. 

Toggle between time-off balances, requests and reports on your TriNet dashboard. Source: TriNet

Hiring and Onboarding 

Several payroll solutions offer basic HR tools. In contrast, we like that TriNet provides robust features for smooth hiring and onboarding processes. The entry-tier subscription includes customizable offer letters and background checks through Checkr. New hires can complete the onboarding process digitally by signing tax forms online, filling out direct deposit information, and choosing benefits. We appreciated the built-in account provisioning feature, which lets you assign login accounts for Slack and Salesforce. 

Filter your search results to see the status of offer letters. Source: TriNet

Payroll Management

Like other full-service payroll systems, TriNet offers unlimited pay runs, multiple pay rates, and general ledger reporting. Companies can pay employees via direct deposits or paper checks. Unlike some competitors, TriNet doesn’t provide direct deposit alternatives like payroll cards or preprinted paychecks. However, it can set aside funds for garnishments and remit payments to child support agencies, which not all payroll providers can do.

Review final calculations and approve a payroll run to submit it for processing. Source: TriNet

Payroll Taxes and Filing

TriNet’s payroll tax filing process is on par with other providers we reviewed. It calculates the correct amounts for your federal, state and local taxes; files common payroll forms with government agencies; and remits payments on your behalf. We like that TriNet allows companies to pay state employment taxes manually. Additionally, it gives small business owners the ability to generate W-2s, and employees can see their tax information online or in the mobile app. 

View, download and print annual W-2 statements from your TriNet HR and payroll platform. Source: TriNet

Compliance Assistant

Every TriNet subscription comes with a unique compliance assistance feature. It provides custom deadline reminders, detailed explanations and a dashboard to keep your HR staff abreast of critical compliance tasks. In addition, TriNet builds compliance tools into its HR software with automated mandatory notices for continuation of health coverage through COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) and monitoring of FLSA (Fair Labor Standards Act) overtime pay regulations. We believe this feature will save time and prevent errors for companies calculating blended overtime pay or managing multistate teams. 

TriNet helps HR professionals comply with regulations and add custom deadlines for tasks. Source: TriNet

HR Tools and Employee Benefits Administration

Several HR and payroll providers have HR and benefits management tools. However, the TriNet comprehensive toolkit stands out. Small businesses can benchmark salaries for effective compensation management strategies or post employee engagement surveys in the people hub. Employees can compare benefit plans on smartphones without scheduling a meeting with HR.

TriNet helps relieve HR burdens by giving employees access to decision-making resources and tools. Source: TriNet

TriNet HR Outsourcing Features

TriNet can operate as a SaaS or an HR outsourcing service, depending on what you are looking for. The company’s preset plans and add-on functions allow you to create a customized solution with all the necessary features. If you partner with TriNet as your HR outsourcing solution, you can take advantage of several of the following HR features to manage your employees, run payroll, and administer employee benefits.

HR Advisory Services

If you are looking for a true HR outsourcing experience with TriNet, we suggest you add on its HR advisory services to your plan. With this add-on service, you gain access to an on-demand team of HR professionals and payroll experts that can answer your HR questions and guide you through the process. Whether you are trying to create new HR policies, handle compliance challenges, or understand employment rules and regulations, the advisory services are there to help you.

Recruiting and Onboarding

Every TriNet plan comes with core HR services. These include hiring and onboarding tools, like automated offer letters (templates and customizable), comprehensive background checks, electronic tax documents (W-4s and I-9s), e-signatures, and account provisioning. Users also have access to document management capabilities for things like company policies, employee handbooks and noncompete agreements. 

We like that TriNet’s intuitive website and mobile apps allow for employee self-onboarding, freeing up your HR team to focus on other tasks. We found TriNet’s employee onboarding capabilities to be competitive with others in the industry. More uniquely, TriNet offers automated workflows for tasks like promoting, transferring or terminating employees. Having an automated process for key employee events can be a great way for startups to improve efficiency, reduce errors and maintain legal compliance.

Time and Attendance, Payroll, and Taxes

Every TriNet HR outsourcing plan includes time and scheduling features. For example, you can build employee schedules around roles or times, create PTO policies, manage time-off requests, set blackout dates, and automatically calculate PTO.

With TriNet’s in-house payroll add-on service, you can conveniently integrate this data into your payroll. The add-on service also handles your payroll processing and allows for varying schedules and pay rates, direct deposit, wage garnishments, tips reporting, and general ledger reporting. We like that TriNet allows businesses to easily pay their workers, regardless of whether the staff comprises employees, independent contractors or a combination of the two.

Employee Benefits Administration

TriNet provides flexibility in administering employee benefits that not all competitors offer — namely, you can use one of TriNet’s certified broker partners or your own benefits broker. This choice allows startups the opportunity to find the best broker to fit their budget. However, if employee benefits administration is your top priority, you may also want to check out our review of ADP HR outsourcing.

TriNet Pricing Plans and Subscription Costs

Most payroll platforms charge a base rate plus a per-employee fee. TriNet forgoes the monthly fee. It has no stand-alone payroll option because it’s a people operations system. You must purchase a base package with HR tools and then add payroll. TriNet requires a minimum payment for five employees, so you’ll pay for five even if you have four employees. 

The Essentials package with payroll for a company with 10 employees costs $140 monthly with annual billing or $160 if you choose to pay monthly. On average, payroll services without built-in scheduling and attendance features (and far fewer HR tools) cost about $100 monthly. Comparable payroll and benefits solutions or professional employer organizations like Rippling or Justworks will fall closer to TriNet’s pricing. 

TriNet base packages with annual billing include benefits administration through a unified broker partner. Each plan includes a compliance assistant and document storage. You will need to choose one base package before adding payroll. 

Here’s how the versions differ:

• Essential: This level costs $10 per employee monthly, or $8 monthly with annual billing. TriNet provides auto-onboarding tools, employee management, time-off tracking, scheduling, integrations, a mobile app and an analytics dashboard.
• Enhanced: The Enhanced tier costs $20 per person monthly, or $16 monthly with yearly prepayment. It includes everything in the Essential plan, plus configurable people analytics, compensation management and performance management.
• Premium: The Premium plan costs $27 per employee monthly, or $21 with annual billing. It includes everything in the Enhanced plan, plus employee engagement surveys and a people hub. 

TriNet payroll is an additional $6 per employee and $6 per active contractor monthly. Unlike competitors, the payroll package includes all advanced payroll features, such as mobile pay stubs and automated reminders. In comparison, Paychex and Square Payroll charge $5 per person, whereas OnPay costs $6; all three providers have a monthly subscription fee. 

The add-on for advisory services costs $10 per employee monthly for unlimited access to HR and payroll experts. The price is similar to what you’d pay through ADP for upper-tier packages with professional support options. Other add-ons include benefits administrations using your own broker ($5 per person monthly) and TriNet Recruiting powered by JazzHR, starting at $35 monthly. 

Implementation/Onboarding

For the most part, TriNet takes a hands-off approach to small business onboarding. The company is available for email, chat or phone support if you need help, but you’ll likely complete the onboarding process on your own. This differs from high-touch solutions like iSolved or Aspen HR. Nevertheless, the self-service method was easy to follow and understand. 

TriNet provides an implementation checklist, which helps you prepare to switch to an automated HR system. Before accessing the TriNet dashboard, training center or community chat spaces, you must complete the tasks. Like other payroll tools, it takes some time to enter employee information, depending on which TriNet services you’re using. Larger organizations can request guided implementation assistance or help migrating from another payroll platform. 

TriNet will email employees to register with TriNet or supply additional payroll information. Likewise, you can invite your staff to download the mobile app after configuring your account. Once the checklist is complete, administrators, managers, and employees can access training videos and onboarding courses.

Customer Support

Although TriNet has a robust training center with tons of videos and help center articles, the customer service options are more limited than some competitors. Whereas ADP and Paychex provide 24/7 customer service, TriNet restricts its hours to 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday. Therefore, entrepreneurs who run payroll or handle HR tasks after business hours will be out of luck until their shop (and TriNet customer support) opens in the morning.

We appreciated being able to contact the TriNet team via email, chat and phone, as Gusto only offers callbacks. But longer than expected wait times and less-than-desirable agent knowledge levels are two pain points users frequently mention in reviews. This could concern less tech-savvy users or companies new to online payroll software.

Limitations

TriNet provides a one-vendor scheduling, payroll and time tracking solution. While it offers many advantages of paperless payroll, TriNet won’t meet the needs of all companies. We found that its tiered pricing model wasn’t as flexible as iSolved, which lets business owners select HR products and features. (Check out our review of iSolved to learn why it’s the best payroll service for plan customization.) 

We were also disappointed in the lack of third-party integrations. Rippling offers a similar workforce platform with payroll and HR modules that syncs to more than 500 point-of-sale, accounting and enterprise resource planning systems. However, Rippling lacks employer mobility, so it’s not a good fit for business owners who want to run payroll from smartphones. 

Methodology

When researching the best payroll companies and software for small businesses, we spoke with vendor representatives, interacted with support agents, and tested dozens of software systems. We considered factors like ease of use, implementation, navigation and integrations with existing tools. We also examined user reviews and ratings to understand potential drawbacks. When looking for the best payroll service for time tracking specifically, we looked for built-in scheduling tools and time and attendance features that benefit employees and employers. Our goal is to help businesses choose the right payroll provider for their needs. 

Bottom Line

We recommend TriNet for …

• Organizations that want a one-vendor solution for scheduling, time and attendance tracking, and payroll.
• Employers that prefer mobile apps for employees to view paystubs, benefits and tax forms. 
• HR professionals interested in digitizing the hiring and onboarding process.

We don’t recommend TriNet for …

• Small teams with fewer than five employees, or those looking for a payroll-only solution.
• Restaurants needing support for the tip credit, tip minimum wage, reporting calculation or annual employer report. 
• Small companies in search of hands-on assistance or onsite training when migrating from a different payroll platform.