C2 Essentials ASO Review
by C2 Essentials
C2 Essentials' ASO serves government contractors and other small and mid-size employers without a co-employment agreement. It covers payroll and tax administration, benefits management, HR consulting and federal compliance services.
Best for
- Federal and government contractors that need SCA, AAP, EEO-1 and VETS-4212 support
- Small and mid-size employers that want to stay the sole employer of record
- Employers with their own health plan that want it administered
Not ideal for
- Buyers who need published prices
- Employers that want pooled PEO benefits (C2 sells those through its PEO)
How we evaluated C2 Essentials ASO
This review rests on the 12 facts this page shows, each checked against the source listed under “Sources”, most recently on . We did not test the product hands-on: the score uses only those verified facts, as our methodology explains; third-party ratings, where we quote them, never count in the score.
Our verdict
C2 Essentials, based in Ashburn, Virginia, sells a PEO and an ASO aimed at government contractors. Its ASO keeps the client as sole employer of record and covers payroll and tax administration, benefits management of client-sponsored plans and federal contractor compliance such as affirmative action plans and SCA administration. Pricing is quoted.
Strengths
No co-employment
C2 states its ASO works without a co-employment agreement and the client keeps sole employer-of-record status.
Evidence: No co-employment: Yes1
Government contractor compliance
Affirmative action plans, Service Contract Act administration, EEO-1 and VETS-4212 reporting and E-Verify.
Evidence
Key features: Annual Affirmative Action Plan, Service Contract Act administration, EEO-1 and VETS-4212 reports, E-Verify, Unemployment claims management, C2 Platinum HR Portal for enrollment, Garnishments and job-costing reports, W-2 preparation1
Full tax administration
Payroll tax calculation, payment, reporting and 941/940 and state filings.
Evidence: Automatic tax filing: Yes1
Weaknesses
Quote-only pricing
No ASO prices are published.
Evidence: Price transparency: Quote only1
Price at a glance
Quick answers
- How much does the C2 Essentials ASO cost?
- C2 Essentials quotes a tailored ASO and publishes no price list. The quote covers the payroll and tax, benefits management and federal contractor services you choose.Based on Price transparency: Quote only1
- Does C2 Essentials ASO use co-employment?
- No. C2 says its ASO model works without a co-employment agreement and you remain the sole employer of record.Based on No co-employment: Yes1
- Does C2 handle Service Contract Act compliance?
- Yes. Its ASO federal contractor services include SCA administration, affirmative action plans and EEO-1 and VETS-4212 reports.Based on Key features: Annual Affirmative Action Plan, Service Contract Act administration, EEO-1 and VETS-4212 reports, E-Verify, Unemployment claims management, C2 Platinum HR Portal for enrollment, Garnishments and job-costing reports, W-2 preparation1
Coverage of core ASO services capabilities
Each core capability we evaluate in ASO Services, checked against C2 Essentials ASO’s own documentation. “Not verified yet” means we have not confirmed it either way, not that it is missing.
7 verified of 8 core capabilities
Specifications
Pricing
- Price transparency
- Quote only1
Product
- Modules
- Benefits management, Business services (HR consulting), Employer liability management, Federal contractor services, Federal and state regulatory compliance, Payroll and tax administration, Recruiting and selection (optional), Training and development1
Support
- Support channels
- Dedicated HR team, Dedicated payroll team, Phone (703) 444-00961
C2 Essentials ASO alternatives
AsureWorks
Connor & Gallagher OneSource ASO
Easeworks ASO
ADP Comprehensive Services90% similar
XcelHR ASO85% similar
VertiSource HR ASO70% similar
C2 Essentials ASO: frequently asked questions
What is C2 Essentials ASO used for?
C2 Essentials ASO is an ASO services product built for small businesses and mid-market companies. Its modules include Benefits management, Business services, Employer liability management, Federal contractor services, and 4 more.
What are the best alternatives to C2 Essentials ASO?
In our ASO services ranking, the highest-scored products other than C2 Essentials ASO are Paychex Flex, TriNet, and Easeworks ASO. Compared side by side, by reason to switch: C2 Essentials ASO alternatives.
What are the pros and cons of C2 Essentials ASO?
Strengths documented on the vendor’s own pages: no co-employment, government contractor compliance, and full tax administration. It is less suited to buyers who need published prices and employers that want pooled PEO benefits (C2 sells those through its PEO).
How this page was made
What it is built from
12 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Oct 25, 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 C2 Essentials ASO 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
Compare C2 Essentials ASO pricing for your team
C2 Essentials ASO quotes its prices. Answer one quick question to see the 2 alternatives that fit you best.
LeadChange may earn a fee when you request pricing through our site or follow a sponsored link. Rankings never depend on whether a vendor pays us.We may earn a fee.
How we make money
LeadChange may earn a fee when you request pricing through our site or follow a sponsored link. Rankings never depend on whether a vendor pays us.
C2 Essentials ASO
Sources
The 5 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
- C2 Essentials c2essentials.com/aso“The growing complexity of federal regulations can create significant administrative and compliance challenges for businesses, particularly small- and mid-size organizations.” “Service Contract Act Administration (SCA)”
- C2 Essentials c2essentials.com/contact“Fill out the form and a C2 specialist will reach out within a few business days to answer your questions or schedule your demo.”
- C2 Essentials c2essentials.com/our-platform“C2 Connection is a customizable, company-branded portal.”
- C2 Essentials c2essentials.com“PEO & ASO Services for Government Contractors | C2 Essentials”
- C2 Essentials c2essentials.com/who-we-are“Today, C2 serves clients in all 50 states and overseas” “20405 Exchange Street, Suite 221, Ashburn, VA 20147”