TriNet HR Software Review 2024

I’d prefer TriNet’s pricing to be more transparent. But, overall, TriNet provides an excellent foundation for effectively managing your company's HR needs and more.

Trinet Visit Site

Overview

TriNet at a Glance

What is TriNet?

TriNet is a professional employer organization (PEO) designed to alleviate the HR burdens of small and medium-sized businesses. It simplifies crucial administrative processes such as payroll, benefits administration, and compliance with labor laws, allowing you to concentrate on core activities and business growth.

TriNet's solutions are particularly beneficial for businesses looking to expand or maintain compliance with evolving labor standards. Your employees will also benefit from a self-service portal where they can access their personal data, see their pay slips, and manage their time off—enhancing their engagement and satisfaction.

TriNet features

TriNet is a highly effective tool for businesses aiming to streamline their HR operations, managing them seamlessly all through the same interface. Here are the main features:

Payroll processing

The versatility of TriNet’s payroll is a top feature. Once you enter basic employee details, you can execute payroll in numerous ways. It supports automated scheduling, multiple payment methods, automatic tax calculations, and customizable payroll runs. This flexibility, combined with automated tax submissions, simplifies the payroll process significantly. 

The user-friendly employee portal is also excellent, allowing employees to access their paystubs and manage personal information independently, thus reducing your company's administrative load.

Benefits administration

One of the standout features of TriNet is its extensive benefits selection. The platform enables you to craft a benefits package that aligns with the unique needs of your employees. This includes options such as health, vision, and dental insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, and wellness programs. 

Through partnerships with providers like Aetna and UnitedHealth Group, TriNet offers access to various employee benefit options, extending beyond traditional offerings to include auto, pet, and home insurance plans. 

Compliance and risk management

TriNet is no slouch when it comes to compliance, either. The platform offers specialized support in workers' compensation, Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliance, and COBRA continuation of health coverage. This support, provided by experts in various fields, is invaluable when your business is navigating the complexities of industry-specific regulations and standards.

Expense management

The platform facilitates the online submission and approval of reimbursement claims, seamlessly integrating with the payroll system. You may find this feature especially beneficial if you work with remote or distributed teams, as it can significantly streamline the expense reporting process.

Reporting and analytics

With TriNet, the web-based dashboard provides a clear overview of a company's HR data. You can generate custom reports and visualize data in various formats, including graphics and scorecards. You’ll have access to detailed workforce analytics, giving you valuable insights from HR metrics, from employee performance to cost management.

Integration with other systems

An exciting aspect of TriNet is its provision of application programming interface (API) tools, allowing for the creation of custom integrations with other software. This is particularly useful for businesses looking to streamline their HR processes through technology. 

TriNet's Integration Center also includes pre-built integrations with popular systems, enhancing its versatility. Some of TriNet's partner systems include QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Intacct, Okta, BambooHR, Greenhouse, OneLogin, and Google Cloud, making it a flexible and adaptable choice for many businesses.

Is TriNet Safe and Reliable?

There’s a frustrating lack of detailed information on security features on TriNet’s website. I contacted its customer support via live chat, asking for more specific information about data encryption, access controls, privacy, and backup protocols. Unfortunately, the information provided wasn’t thorough. 

While we know TriNet employs end-to-end encryption, details of the type of encryption used, how the company protects information at rest, and other crucial security features remain unclear. This lack of transparency can be a concern, especially considering the critical nature of the HR data handled by TriNet.

How TriNet Works

TriNet streamlines HR processes for small and medium-sized businesses using a cloud-based, software-as-a-service (SaaS) model. Its sophisticated online platform integrates into your existing workflows, and the API opens up opportunities for deeper customization. TriNet can further enhance business efficiency by integrating with a variety of third-party applications.

The platform’s strength lies in its intuitive user interface, designed for ease of use. Employees and administrators can easily navigate through the system with minimal training, thanks to clearly labeled menus and straightforward processes. The system's cloud-based architecture and its mobile app ensure that all HR functions are readily accessible to all employees, regardless of their location.

How To Get Started With TriNet

To get started with TriNet, you can reach out through its website or by phone, and the company will set up a meeting to understand your specific needs. You’ll need to provide key information such as your company size, and industry type. You’ll also need to specify which HR services you require, for example, payroll services, access to premium-level benefits, risk mitigation, or compliance expertise.

During the implementation phase, which typically takes between two and four weeks, TriNet customizes its full-service HR solutions to your business's unique demands and works closely with you to ensure a smooth transition. 

The company also provides essential training and continuous support to ensure you're comfortable using the platform. With access to HR experts via chat, email, or phone, you have assistance whenever needed.

TriNet Customer Service

TriNet's customer service is accessible through several channels. Phone support is available Monday-Friday, 6am-12am (ET), with an impressively short average wait time of around 9 seconds. Live chat is available 24/7 for both employee and administrative support. You can also send the company an email at connect360@TriNet.com (administrators) or employees@TriNet.com. 

While a not insignificant number of internet reviews suggest there's room for improvement in TriNet’s customer service, I’ve found that its specialized consultants can provide valuable advice on an impressive range of HR topics, from labor regulations to compliance issues. 

For self-service resources, TriNet's website hosts a variety of materials, like articles, blogs, and webinars. Blog topics include industry insights and advice on effective HR processing, and there’s a developer section that discusses how to integrate your software with TriNet.

How To Cancel or Pause a TriNet Subscription

Cancelling your TriNet subscription is straightforward. To initiate the process, either log in to your TriNet account and access the live chat feature, or call TriNet's customer support directly. 

Note that TriNet requires 30 days’ notice for cancellation, and in certain situations, cancellation fees may apply. You should discuss any potential fees or conditions with the representative to ensure you clearly understand the process, as well as any implications of pausing or ending your subscription with TriNet.

Is There a TriNet App?

TriNet does offer a mobile application available for download on both iOS and Android platforms. It’s designed to provide you and your employees convenient access to a range of HR functions directly from your mobile devices. 

Key features include the ability to view pay stubs detailing earnings, taxes, and other deductions. The app also facilitates time-off requests and approvals, enabling employees to manage their paid time off with ease. It’s now possible to clock in and out on the app, which is useful for tracking attendance and managing work hours. 

TriNet’s mobile app has received mixed reviews since its launch in 2019, with customers complaining of constant crashes. The company has made significant updates and enhancements to the app over the years, and the latest version is certainly more responsive and user-friendly, but users still report difficulty logging in from time to time.

TriNet Pricing

TriNet's pricing model is based on a per-employee per-month flat fee, which keeps month-to-month costs predictable, helping you avoid budget surprises. On the downside, TriNet does not publicly list pricing, so you must reach out directly for a custom quote.

TriNet has a minimum employee requirement—typically five—but may sometimes accommodate slightly smaller businesses. 

As a general idea of pricing, I was quoted between $150 and $165 per monthly employee for a company of around 30 employees. TriNet offers ongoing payment options without long-term contracts, allowing for cancellation with a 30-day written notice—albeit with potential cancellation fees.

Optional add-ons

TriNet's pricing and services are customizable on a per-company, per-feature basis, enabling you to choose the setup that best suits your business needs. 

TriNet Alternatives