Whirks vs. The Big Box Payroll Providers

Whether you’re new to outsourcing payroll or frustrated with your current provider, one thing is clear: you want a service that works for you. 

With so many options on the table, it can be hard to know what’s right for your business. Whether you’re considering Whirks for its personal touch or thinking about a big-box payroll provider for its broad range of services, it’s important to know the differences. 

In this article, we’ll walk through what each type of payroll provider brings to the table to help you figure out which option makes the most sense for your business—whether you’re new to outsourcing payroll or thinking of jumping ship from a less-than-stellar experience.

What is Whirks?

Whirks: Not Your Typical Payroll Provider

We specialize in helping small to medium-sized businesses with payroll, HR, and benefits management, offering the kind of personalized service that makes you feel like you matter—which can be rare in the world of payroll. 

A key differentiator is our personalized approach—every client gets a dedicated account representative who knows their business inside and out. Our team takes the time to understand your specific needs, which can be a huge benefit when you don’t have the time or resources to figure out everything on your own.

We’re small, but we’re mighty.

If you’re a small to mid-sized business, this means more flexibility in the services you need and direct access to people who actually know your business. 

Picture this: you reach out with a question, and you actually talk to the same person who helped you last time. No endless hold music, no getting bounced around between departments. 

But Whirks isn’t designed for everyone. Larger enterprises with more complex payroll demands might find that we don't have the infrastructure to scale to their needs the way big providers can.

For small businesses, though, this personalized approach could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Who are the Big Box Payroll Providers?

Big-box providers like ADP, Paychex, Paylocity, and Gusto are the juggernauts of the payroll world. They’ve been around forever, and with that comes a laundry list of features, massive infrastructure, and the ability to support companies from small startups to corporate giants.
If you’re looking for robust reporting tools, advanced HR integrations, and 24/7 customer support, these companies have the resources to provide it.

However, with their scale comes some drawbacks, particularly in customer service. If you’ve ever dealt with ADP or Paychex, you know the drill: call the 1-800 number, navigate the labyrinth of phone menus, and cross your fingers that someone—anyone—will pick up. 
It works well if you have the patience or the resources to manage their larger infrastructure, but it can feel impersonal if you’re a smaller operation.

Feature Comparison: Payroll, HR, and Benefits

Let’s talk about what really matters: the services you need and how they're delivered. 

Whirks

At Whirks, we’ve built our services like a restaurant menu at a nice steak house. You have an entrée (our service package) and then based on your preferences, you may also order a cocktail, an appetizer, or a premium side. We call these Add-Ons.

Our add-ons are à la carte, depending on what you need or may want to have. 

We provide full-service payroll management, handling wage calculations, tax withholdings, and garnishments to make sure your employees are paid correctly and on time. 
We also take care of your federal, state, and local tax filings, eliminating the risk of missed deadlines. At year-end, we handle W-2s, 1099s, and other required filings, keeping your business compliant with ever-changing tax regulations.

Our HR services include employee handbooks, labor law guidance, and performance management, helping you improve compliance and reduce turnover. We provide the HR expertise that businesses often lack in-house, helping you manage everything from new hire onboarding to employee relations.

For Employee Benefits Administration, we help design customized benefits packages that attract and retain talent without breaking the bank. We bring your agent, payroll, and carriers into one place so you have one partner helping you manage it all.

At Whirks, we offer Pay-As-You-Go Workers' Compensation that is directly integrated into payroll. This approach calculates premiums based on real-time payroll data, so you pay only what’s needed each cycle, avoiding large upfront costs and year-end surprises. By automating premium payments, you stay compliant without the hassle of manual adjustments, and there’s less risk of under- or over-payment. 

Unlike many big-box providers, Whirks doesn’t lock you into long-term contracts—our services are offered on a monthly basis. This means you can scale up or down as your business needs change, without the pressure of committing to a pre-set package of services you might not fully use.

Big-Box Payroll Providers

With companies like ADP or Paychex, you typically sign up for a bundled package that includes payroll, HR, and benefits management all in one. While this is convenient for businesses with complex needs, it can also mean paying for features you don’t use. 

If your company is growing quickly or already has hundreds of employees, this all-in-one approach can save time by managing everything under one roof. However, smaller businesses might find it overkill for their simpler operations.

These providers are designed for scalability, handling complex compliance, multi-state payroll, and advanced reporting. Their 24/7 support is a major benefit for businesses that need assistance outside regular hours. 

However, the pre-set packages often lack flexibility, and smaller companies may pay for unnecessary features. Additionally, long-term contracts and hidden fees can make it difficult to predict costs, particularly for businesses with changing needs.

Pro Tip: Ask yourself what your business really needs. If you’re a small business just looking to get payroll done right and on time, Whirks’ flexibility might be more appealing. If you foresee rapid growth or need all services integrated from day one, big-box providers might offer the complete package you’re after.

Pricing: How Does Whirks Compare to Big Box Payroll Providers?

We know price matters—that’s why understanding what you’re paying for, and what you’re not, is key when comparing providers.

Whirks

At Whirks, we keep pricing simple and upfront. 

Whirks offers three service packages—Core, People, and The Whirks—with options to add on services based on your business needs. 

These add-ons are available à la carte, which lets you customize what you need without paying for unnecessary extras. Some are complimentary, while others come with flat monthly or per-employee fees.

At Whirks, we use the PEPM (Per Employee Per Month) model, which means you pay a flat fee based on the number of employees, no matter how many times you run payroll.
For example, if you have 10 employees, you’ll pay the same monthly rate regardless of how often payroll is processed.

This structure works well for businesses that value cost predictability. However, if you only run payroll once a month, big-box providers that charge per payroll run might appear more affordable on the surface.

Combined with our month-to-month pricing, you have the flexibility to scale as your business grows, without being locked into long-term contracts.

Big-Box Payroll Providers

Ever notice how you can’t find their pricing on their website?

ADP's pricing isn’t publicly available, requiring custom quotes based on employee count and business needs. Reports suggest the Essential plan starts at $79/month + $4 per employee, but costs vary depending on features and payroll frequency. 

Paychex operates similarly by requiring you to get a quote before seeing any actual numbers. Their pricing starts around $39/month + $5 per employee, though additional services like benefits management raise the price. 

Paylocity (again, requiring you to 'request a demo') typically charges $22-32 per employee per month (PEPM), scales with business size, and requires an implementation fee. 

Gusto offers more transparent pricing, starting at $40/month + $6 per employee, with additional HR and compliance features available in higher tiers.

Their pricing can vary depending on your company’s size and needs. They often offer tiered packages, which might be cheaper if you run payroll frequently (like weekly), but can also lead to hidden fees for extra services or features.

Pro Tip: Know your payroll frequency. If you run payroll multiple times a month, Whirks might actually be more cost-effective. On the other hand, big-box providers may offer more competitive rates for businesses with frequent payroll cycles but be cautious of extra costs that might creep in later.

Customer Service Comparison

Let’s face it, customer service can make or break your payroll experience. 

Whirks

At Whirks, our goal is to build long-term relationships with our clients. We’re not just here to process payroll; we’re here to support your business as it grows and changes. Our team is committed to understanding your unique challenges and providing solutions that work for you, now and in the future. This level of commitment is something that’s hard to find with big box providers, who often view clients as just another account.

Something to note is that Whirks operates on standard business hours, so if you have an issue outside of those hours, you may have to wait until the next business day for help.

Big-Box Payroll Providers

ADP, Paychex, and others offer 24/7 support, which can be a lifesaver if something goes wrong at an inconvenient time. 

The trade-off? You might find yourself waiting on hold for long periods, only to speak with a different representative each time. Larger providers like ADP, Paychex, and others have vast client bases, meaning their customer service is often spread thin. This lack of continuity leads to repetitive explanations of your issue, adding unnecessary stress to an already stressful situation.

Pro Tip: Consider how much personal attention matters to you. If you value working with the same person every time, Whirks offers that consistency. But if after-hours support is critical, a big-box provider’s 24/7 availability might outweigh the benefits of personalized service.

Who’s the Right Fit for Your Business?

The Right Provider: Is It David (Whirks) or Goliath (Big Box Providers)?

Ultimately, the best provider for you depends on your business size, needs, and future plans.
If you want personalized, flexible service with no hidden fees, Whirks is a great fit for small to mid-sized companies. 

But if you need a broader range of services with 24/7 support and scalability, big-box payroll providers may better suit your needs.

Whichever you choose, knowing what to expect in terms of pricing, service, and support will help you make the right decision for your business.

Choose a Payroll Provider That Whirks For You

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Not ready to make the switch yet? No worries! Check out the Top 5 Fears of Switching Outsourced Payroll Providers to answer some of those concerns you may have (or may not have even thought of ).