What is Zenefits?
Zenefits (now part of TriNet) is a cloud-based human resources management platform that helps small and medium-sized businesses handle their HR tasks in one place. This Zenefits review will walk you through everything you need to know about this popular HR software. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, Zenefits has grown to serve thousands of companies looking to simplify their payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and employee management processes.
In this detailed Zenefits review, we examine the platform’s three main pricing tiers starting from $10 per employee per month, making it accessible for businesses of various sizes. Whether you’re a startup with just a handful of employees or a growing company with hundreds of team members, Zenefits offers tools to automate your HR workflows and reduce paperwork.
We’ll explore what features come with each pricing plan, who benefits most from using this platform, the advantages it offers, potential drawbacks you should know about, and how it compares to other HR solutions on the market. Our goal is to give you clear, honest information so you can decide if Zenefits is the right HR platform for your business needs
Small businesses , Growing startups , Medium-sized companies, Retail and hospitality businesses, Budget-conscious organizations, Tech companies and modern businesses
Key Features
Employee Onboarding & Management
Streamlined digital onboarding that gets new hires up and running in 10 minutes. Employees complete all paperwork electronically before their first day. Centralized employee database stores personal details, job information, compensation data, and important documents. Self-service portals let employees update their own information, reducing administrative burden on HR teams.
Benefits Administration
Comprehensive benefits management covering health insurance, dental, vision, retirement plans (401k), FSA, HSA, commuter benefits, and more. Automated enrollment processes guide employees through benefit selections. Integration with major insurance carriers ensures accurate data synchronization. Employees can compare plans and enroll directly through the mobile app during open enrollment periods.
Payroll Processing
Integrated payroll system that automates tax calculations, withholdings, and direct deposits. Handles federal, state, and local tax compliance automatically. Supports multiple pay schedules and various payment methods. Generates year-end tax forms (W-2s, 1099s) and manages garnishments. Real-time payroll reporting gives visibility into labor costs. Links directly with time and attendance tracking for accurate pay calculations.
Time & Attendance Tracking
Mobile time clock with GPS geofencing lets employees clock in and out from any location. Tracks hours worked, breaks, and overtime automatically. Managers approve timesheets digitally before payroll processing. Supports shift scheduling with conflict detection. Integrates seamlessly with payroll to ensure accurate paychecks. Custom overtime rules can be configured by department or role.
Document Management
Secure cloud storage for employee documents, contracts, handbooks, policies, and forms. Digital signature capability eliminates paper-based processes. Automated document routing ensures the right people review and sign at the right time. Version control tracks document changes. Search functionality makes finding specific files quick and easy. Maintains proper records for compliance and audits.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable pricing for small businesses - Starting at just $8 per employee per month (annual billing) makes Zenefits one of the most budget-friendly HR platforms available, perfect for startups and small companies watching their expenses carefully
- All-in-one platform - Combines HR, payroll, benefits, time tracking, and performance management in a single system, eliminating the need to juggle multiple tools and reducing software costs significantly
- User-friendly interface - Modern, intuitive design makes navigation easy even for people who aren't tech-savvy; employees and managers can find what they need quickly without extensive training
- Quick implementation - Most companies can get up and running within days rather than weeks; the platform is designed for fast setup with minimal IT support required
- Excellent mobile app - Full-featured iOS and Android apps let employees and managers handle HR tasks from anywhere, ideal for remote teams and on-the-go access
Cons
- Customer support can be slow on basic plans - Essentials plan users primarily rely on email and chat support, which can have longer response times during busy periods; phone support requires upgrading to higher tiers
- Payroll not included in lower-tier plans - While the platform integrates with payroll, full payroll processing only comes free with the expensive Zen plan at $27-33 per employee/month; lower plans require paid add-ons
- Limited customization options - Some businesses find the templates and workflows too rigid for their specific needs; complex organizational structures may require workarounds
- Benefits carrier integration challenges - Several users report difficulties setting up benefit carrier feeds initially, sometimes requiring multiple attempts or support intervention to connect properly
- Not ideal for international operations - Primarily designed for U.S.-based companies; limited support for global payroll, international compliance, or managing employees outside the United States
Pricing Plans
Essential Plan
- Automated employee onboarding
- Employee management system
- Time off tracking and PTO management
- Scheduling tools
- Analytics dashboards
- Mobile app access
- HR resource library
- Basic integrations
- Document storage
Growth Plan
- All Essentials features included Performance management tools
- One-on-one meeting tools
- Full suite of performance review tools
- Configurable people analytics
- Compensation management
- Customizable review form templates
- Goal management features
- Advanced reporting capabilities
Zen Plan
- All Growth features included Customizable survey templates
- Payroll processing included (no additional cost)
- Employee engagement surveys
- Anonymous feedback options
- Real-time company feed for announcements
- Task manager Filter results by employee demographics
- Advanced compliance support
- People Hub for centralized employee information
- Customizable survey templates
How It Compares
Gusto
Zenefits offers more comprehensive HR features beyond payroll (performance management, advanced analytics) at lower per-employee cost for companies with 20+ employees; better for businesses needing full HR suite rather than just payroll focus
BambooHR
Zenefits includes payroll in top-tier plan while BambooHR requires third-party payroll integration; Zenefits offers better benefits administration tools and compliance support built-in; more affordable for companies needing complete HR solution