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FrankCrum vs Paychex PEO

FrankCrum4.5/10

Paychex PEO6.1/10

Scored in PEO Services

The short answer

Both price by quote. FrankCrum names every invoice line, from payroll taxes and the workers' comp premium to its administrative fee, EPLI and cyber liability, and lists its paid add-ons. Its workers' comp is written by its affiliated carrier, pay-as-you-go with no down payment or year-end audit.

By LeadChange Research TeamUpdated Based on 12 sources, most recently checked
Best for
Construction and skilled-trade employers that need workers’ comp certificates fast

Choose FrankCrum if

  • You want EPLI and cyber liability insurance in the PEO.
  • You work in construction or the skilled trades.
  • You want workers' comp certificates on demand.
  • You want workforce data by API.
Best for
Small employers outsourcing HR, benefits and payroll

Choose Paychex PEO if

  • You want an IRS-certified PEO.
  • You want SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 on record.
  • You want a relationship manager at 200+ employees.
  • You want retirement and wellness benefits from one provider.

LeadChange Score: editorial assessment based on public information.

Scorecard

FrankCrum wins 1Paychex PEO wins 13 ties

FrankCrum vs Paychex PEO by dimension
DimensionFrankCrumPaychex PEO
SecurityPaychex states SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. FrankCrum names no security certification on the pages we reviewed. Yes (company-level, product not named)1None verifiedSOC 2, ISO 27001
IntegrationsFrankCrum offers a one-way API and connects UKG time, JazzHR and bswift. Paychex PEO names no API on the pages we reviewed. Yes23 documentedNone documented
PricingBoth quote each client. FrankCrum lists every invoice line and its paid add-ons; Paychex lists separate W-2, delivery and late injury-report fees. Quote only3Quote onlyQuote only
CapabilitiesBoth cover payroll and tax filing, benefits, workers' comp and HR compliance. FrankCrum adds retirement plans and HR technology; Paychex adds time, hiring and engagement as additional solutions. Payroll & Tax, HR Management, Workers' Compensation, Employee Benefits, Retirement Plans, HR Tech & Team49 of 10 core capabilities10 of 10 core capabilities
Fit and supportBoth serve small and midsize businesses. FrankCrum gives each client an account manager and a payroll coordinator; Paychex assigns a client advocate from 10 employees. Small businesses, mid-market companies3Small businesses, mid-market companiesSmall businesses, mid-market companies

FrankCrum or Paychex PEO: what matters most to you?

We match on verified product facts for this need, never on who pays us.

Key differences

Where FrankCrum and Paychex PEO differ (5)
AttributeFrankCrumPaychex PEO
Mobile appsFrankCrum (iOS)5Paychex Oasis Employee Connect6
Support channelsPhone, dedicated account manager7Client advocate (10+ employees), HR business partner, Safety specialist (master workers' comp policy clients), Payroll specialist, Relationship manager (200+ employees)8
Founded19819197110
HeadquartersClearwater, Florida, US7Rochester, NY and Cincinnati, OH (dual headquarters)10
OwnershipPrivate9Publicly traded10
Show 4 attributes where they are the same
Where they are the same (4)
AttributeFrankCrumPaychex PEO
Pricing modelQuote only3Quote only11
Price transparencyQuote only3Quote only11
Best forSmall businesses, mid-market companies3Small businesses, mid-market companies8
Automatic tax filing38

Analysis by dimension

Security. Paychex states SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. FrankCrum names no security certification on the pages we reviewed.

Integrations. FrankCrum offers a one-way API and connects UKG time, JazzHR and bswift. Paychex PEO names no API on the pages we reviewed.

Pricing. Both quote each client. FrankCrum lists every invoice line and its paid add-ons; Paychex lists separate W-2, delivery and late injury-report fees.

Capabilities. Both cover payroll and tax filing, benefits, workers' comp and HR compliance. FrankCrum adds retirement plans and HR technology; Paychex adds time, hiring and engagement as additional solutions.

Fit and support. Both serve small and midsize businesses. FrankCrum gives each client an account manager and a payroll coordinator; Paychex assigns a client advocate from 10 employees.

Neither one?

Justworks

Justworks has the highest LeadChange Score in PEO Services after excluding these two (9.7/10).

From $79/employee/mo (PEO Basic plan)12

Justworks review

Frequently asked questions

Is FrankCrum cheaper than Paychex PEO?

Neither publishes PEO prices. FrankCrum quotes each business and lists what each invoice line covers; Paychex quotes its PEO and lists separate fees such as a W-2 fee. Compare full quotes for the same services.

Is FrankCrum a certified PEO?

No. FrankCrum does not appear on the IRS public list of certified PEOs, while Paychex PEO VI LLC has held that certification since January 1, 2017. Ask FrankCrum which of its entities files your payroll taxes.

Who provides FrankCrum's workers' comp?

Its affiliated AM Best-rated carrier, Frank Winston Crum Insurance, with pay-as-you-go premiums, no down payment and no year-end audit. Paychex PEO administers workers' comp coverage, claims and reporting.

What is on a FrankCrum invoice?

Payroll taxes, the workers' comp premium, the administrative fee, FrankAdvice HR, EPLI, cyber liability and any benefits you select.

Who are FrankCrum's competitors?

Other PEOs, including Paychex PEO, which is IRS-certified and holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001. FrankCrum differs by its own workers' comp carrier and its listed invoice lines.

Which is more secure, FrankCrum or Paychex?

Paychex states SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certification. FrankCrum names no certification on the pages we reviewed; ask it for its audit reports.

How this page was made

  • What it is built from

    24 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Nov 9, 2026.

  • Method

    Scored and compared with the LeadChange methodology, version 1.5. Read the methodology

  • Independent review

    Not reviewed yet by our independent reviewer. How we review

  • Hands-on testing

    We have not tested either product hands-on: this page uses public information only.

  • Who made it

    The LeadChange Research Team, following a written research process. No named expert has reviewed this page. About us

  • Independence and errors

    Who pays us never changes a score or a rank. If something here is wrong, tell us and we correct it publicly. Request a correction

FrankCrum or Paychex PEO? Your answer in 3 questions

Your team size, what matters most and your role: see which one fits more of your answers, from verified facts. Then a matching service that takes requests through us can connect you with providers who quote.

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FrankCrum vs Paychex PEO

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Sources

The 12 pages this page's facts come from. The date beside each is our last check of the facts taken from it (the oldest, when they differ). The numbers beside the figures above link here.

Quotes from the sources
  1. Paychex paychex.com/corporate/security“Paychex maintains SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports over various products and services.”
  2. FrankCrum frankcrum.com/services/hr-technology“Our one-way API gives your technical team access to the workforce and expense data you need, when you want it, for better workflows from our system to yours.”
  3. FrankCrum frankcrum.com/pricing“FrankCrum's PEO pricing is built around you—not a price list.” “However, most small to mid-sized businesses find that their total cost (including all HR services, payroll, workers' comp, and benefits) is comparable to or less than what they were paying piecemeal.”
  4. FrankCrum frankcrum.com“Our #1 rated service ensures accurate, on-time payroll processing with responsive support when you need it.”
  5. FrankCrum (Apple App Store listing) apps.apple.com/us/app/frankcrum/id6473922548“FrankCrum The Future Begins Today”
  6. Paychex paychex.com/apps/mobile-app“Paychex Oasis Employee Connect”
  7. FrankCrum frankcrum.com/contact“Client Experience 800-277-1620” “800-277-1620 | 100 S. Missouri Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33756”
  8. Paychex Paychex: PEO services“You'll work with dedicated professionals who understand your business, including a Client Advocate, HR Business Partner, Safety Specialist, and Payroll Specialist. … Client advocate available for client with 10 or more employees. Clients with 200 or more employees will be assigned a Relationship Manager. Clients with fewer than 10 employees will be supported by their assigned HR Business Partner.” “Small to mid-sized businesses have a lot to gain, as PEOs provide access to Fortune 500-level benefits, dedicated HR expertise, and risk management solutions at costs comparable to handling HR internally.”
  9. FrankCrum frankcrum.com/about/enterprise“Founded in 1981 and privately owned, the enterprise is based in Clearwater, Florida, and serves businesses across the U.S. through its PEO, insurance, and staffing organizations.”
  10. Paychex paychex.com/corporate“Founded in 1971 by B” “Dual-Headquarters — Rochester, NY and Cincinnati, OH”
  11. Paychex paychex.com/human-resources/hr-packages“Get Custom Pricing”
  12. Justworks justworks.com/pricing“Justworks PEO pricing starts at $79 per month per employee for our Basic plan and $124 per month per employee for our Plus plan. Justworks Payroll customers pay $8 per month per employee plus a $50 base fee.”

What the LeadChange Score means

A 0–10 editorial assessment built only from verified facts, across six weighted dimensions: capabilities, pricing, integrations, security, fit and support, and data confidence.

Payments, commissions and lead fees are never inputs.