Softwr

HR · head to head

People HR vs Zenefits

People HR logo

People HR

HR

HR software that does the HR hard work

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zenefits logo

Zenefits

Payroll

All-in-one HR platform for growing companies

From
$8/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only People HR has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: People HR pro and Elite+ HR plans require contacting sales; exact features unclear; Zenefits product discontinued by parent company TriNet
  • They diverge on capability: People HR covers Employee Database, Zenefits covers HR Administration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which People HR and Zenefits actually diverge.

Attributes where People HR and Zenefits differ
AttributePeople HRZenefits
Starting priceFree$8/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb
CategoryHRPayroll
Founded20122013

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in People HR

  • Employee Database
  • Absence Management
  • Document Management
  • Performance
  • Recruitment
  • Self-Service Portal
  • Sage

Only in Zenefits

  • HR Administration
  • Benefits Management
  • Payroll
  • Time and Scheduling
  • Compliance
  • Performance Management
  • QuickBooks

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Microsoft 365
  • Google Workspace
  • Xero
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

People HR

  • HR management for startups and growing teamsnot Zenefits
  • Integrated payroll and HR operationsnot Zenefits
  • Employee management with compliance featuresnot Zenefits

Zenefits

No use cases recorded yet. See the Zenefits review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

People HR

  • Pro and Elite+ HR plans require contacting sales; exact features unclear
  • Payroll SaaS Pro and Elite+ pricing not published
  • Combined plans mark no distinction between HR and payroll components

Zenefits

  • Product discontinued by parent company TriNet
  • Remaining customers forced to migrate to more expensive TriNet products

Pricing, plan by plan

People HR

Free
  • Starter$3/month
    • per-employee pricing
    • ideal for startups
  • Core$5.5/month
    • per-employee pricing
    • growing teams
  • Pro$8/month
    • per-employee pricing
    • larger companies
  • Elite+$9.5/month
    • per-employee pricing
    • advanced HR

Zenefits

$8/month
  • Essentials$8/month
    • HR Administration
    • Time Off Tracking
    • Scheduling
  • Growth$16/month
    • All Essentials features
    • Compensation Management
    • Performance Management

Which should you pick?

Choose People HR if

  • You need employee database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want absence management.
People HR review

Choose Zenefits if

  • You need hr administration.
  • You also want benefits management.
Zenefits review

Questions people ask

Is People HR or Zenefits better?
Neither clearly leads. People HR starts at Free and Zenefits at $8/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, People HR or Zenefits?
People HR has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for People HR and $8/month for Zenefits.
Does People HR or Zenefits run on more platforms?
People HR runs on Web, iOS, Android. Zenefits runs on Web.
Can I use People HR for free?
Yes. People HR has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Zenefits starts at $8/month.
What is People HR best used for?
People HR is most often used for hr management for startups and growing teams, integrated payroll and hr operations, employee management with compliance features. Of those, hr management for startups and growing teams and integrated payroll and hr operations are not what Zenefits is typically brought in for.
What can People HR do that Zenefits cannot?
People HR covers Employee Database, Absence Management, Document Management, Performance. Zenefits covers HR Administration, Benefits Management, Payroll, Time and Scheduling. Both handle Slack, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Xero.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

People HR: How is PeopleHR pricing calculated?

Pricing is per employee per month (PEPM). Starter: £3, Core: £5.50, Pro: £8, Elite+: £9.50. Users can add/remove employees as needed.

Source
Zenefits: Is Zenefits still available as a standalone product?

No. Zenefits was discontinued as a standalone product after TriNet's acquisition in 2022. Existing customers are being migrated to TriNet HR Plus (ASO) or TriNet PEO at higher costs.

Source
People HR: Do I get a discount for annual billing?

Yes, annual customers receive discounts compared to monthly billing. Exact discount percentages not specified on the pricing page.

Source
Zenefits: What were Zenefits' main features before discontinuation?

Zenefits provided HR, benefits management, payroll as optional add-on, time and attendance tracking, and compliance tools for small to mid-sized businesses with 10-200 employees.

Source
People HR: What add-ons are available?

Optional add-ons cost £1.50-£2 PEPM for most features. Specific add-ons not listed on the pricing page.

Source
People HR: Can I combine HR and Payroll services?

Yes, combined HR + Payroll plans are available: Core+ (£7 PEPM), Pro+ (£9.50 PEPM), Ultimate+ (£11 PEPM). Support and implementation included.

Source
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