Justworks vs Sterling Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Justworks

0.0 (0 reviews)

Justworks is an all-in-one PEO platform that simplifies payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance for small and medium-sized businesses to help you manage your team and grow your company with confidence.

Starting at $59/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

Sterling

0.0 (0 reviews)

Sterling provides comprehensive background screening and identity verification services to help you build a foundation of trust and safety for your global workforce and customers.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Justworks Sterling
Website justworks.com sterlingcheck.com
Pricing Model Subscription Custom
Starting Price $59/month Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud mobile saas mobile
Integrations QuickBooks Xero Slack Greenhouse Lever Expensify Google Workspace Workday Oracle SAP SuccessFactors iCIMS Greenhouse Lever SmartRecruiters Jobvite Bullhorn UKG
Target Users small-business mid-market small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries healthcare retail financial-services
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2012 1975
Headquarters New York, USA New York, USA

Overview

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Justworks

Justworks is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) platform designed to take the administrative burden off your shoulders. You can manage payroll, provide high-quality employee benefits, and handle complex compliance requirements all from a single, intuitive interface. By joining their PEO, you gain access to large-group insurance rates that are typically reserved for much larger corporations, helping you attract top talent while keeping costs manageable.

The platform is built specifically for small to mid-sized businesses across various industries that want to automate manual HR tasks. You can easily onboard new hires, track PTO, and sync your accounting software to keep your books accurate. It eliminates the stress of navigating state-specific tax filings and employment laws, allowing you to focus on scaling your business rather than managing paperwork.

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Sterling

Sterling helps you hire with confidence by providing fast and reliable background screening and identity verification. You can streamline your entire hiring process, from criminal record checks and employment verification to drug and health screening. The platform is designed to integrate directly into your existing HR tech stack, allowing you to manage candidates globally while maintaining compliance with local regulations.

You can reduce manual paperwork and speed up your time-to-hire using their mobile-first candidate experience. Whether you are a small business making your first hire or a global enterprise managing thousands of employees, the software provides the tools you need to verify identities and maintain a safe workplace. By automating the collection of candidate data, you can focus on making better hiring decisions rather than chasing documentation.

Overview

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Justworks Features

  • Automated Payroll Run payroll for salaried and hourly employees with automated tax filings and direct deposits in just a few clicks.
  • Benefits Access Provide your team with medical, dental, and vision plans from top carriers at competitive large-group rates.
  • Compliance Support Stay protected with automatic filings for W-2s, 1099s, and state-specific employment regulations without manual tracking.
  • Employee Onboarding Streamline the hiring process with digital document signing and automated account setup for every new team member.
  • Time Tracking Sync employee hours directly to payroll to ensure accurate payments and simplify overtime calculations for your staff.
  • HR Consulting Access certified HR experts who can guide you through complex workplace issues and policy creation whenever you need.
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Sterling Features

  • Criminal Background Checks. Access automated searches of national and local criminal databases to identify potential risks before you extend a job offer.
  • Identity Verification. Verify candidate identities in real-time using biometric technology and government-issued ID scanning to prevent sophisticated identity fraud.
  • Employment Verification. Confirm your candidate's professional history and education credentials automatically to ensure they have the experience they claim.
  • Drug and Health Screening. Manage employee drug testing and occupational health screenings through a massive network of collection sites with digital results.
  • Mobile Candidate Hub. Give your candidates a mobile-friendly way to submit information and track their screening status from any device.
  • Global Compliance Tools. Stay compliant with built-in tools that adapt to local privacy laws and industry-specific regulations across different countries.

Pricing Comparison

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Justworks Pricing

Basic
$59
  • Automated payroll and tax filings
  • HR information system (HRIS)
  • Compliance support and workers' comp
  • Employee onboarding and PTO tracking
  • Reporting and accounting integrations
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Sterling Pricing

Pros & Cons

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Justworks

Pros

  • Extremely intuitive interface requires almost no user training
  • Access to high-quality health insurance at affordable rates
  • Responsive customer support with dedicated account managers
  • Seamless automation of complex state tax filings

Cons

  • Higher per-employee cost compared to non-PEO software
  • Limited customization for complex organizational structures
  • Requires switching your entire insurance carrier to theirs
A

Sterling

Pros

  • Extensive global reach for international background checks
  • Seamless integration with popular applicant tracking systems
  • User-friendly interface for both recruiters and candidates
  • Comprehensive reporting that simplifies compliance audits

Cons

  • Turnaround times can vary by jurisdiction
  • Customer support response times can be slow
  • Pricing structure is complex for smaller organizations
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