12 best employee benefits management solutions in 2024

Managing employee benefits effectively is a significant challenge. 

Even with a solid employee benefits platform, finding one that suits the diverse needs of your workforce can be challenging. 

The goal goes beyond simply offering benefits;  ensuring these benefits are relevant, easily accessible, and genuinely valued by all employees is important.

Recognizing this struggle, we've curated a list to guide you through the myriad options to find an employee benefits management solution that aligns with your organizational goals and employee satisfaction. 

Best employee benefits management solutions

1. Forma
2. Rippling
3. Just works
4. Navia
5. Fringe
6. Benefitfocus
7. Goco
8. Perkup
9. Lively
10. Blueboard
11. TriNet
12. Joon

1. Forma - Best overall employee benefits management solution

Forma stands out for its highly customizable and comprehensive approach. 

Designed to cater to the diverse needs of today's workforce, Forma excels in offering a flexible benefits platform that allows employees to choose benefits that truly matter to them. 

This platform is particularly well-suited for organizations looking to provide a wide range of benefits options, from health and wellness to personal development and beyond, ensuring that every employee finds value in their benefits package.

Features

• Lifestyle spending accounts (LSA): Forma's LSAs benefits stand at the forefront of its offerings, allowing employees to allocate funds across a wide array of wellness and lifestyle categories. This feature supports a holistic approach to employee well-being, encompassing everything from health and fitness to personal development and family care.
• Forma visa card: The card eliminates the hassle of out-of-pocket expenses and offers employees immediate access to their benefits. This card simplifies the process, boasting an auto-substantiation rate of over 85%, which means most transactions are automatically verified without additional documentation.
• Customizable benefits plan: Recognizing the unique makeup of each organization's workforce, Forma enables companies to craft bespoke benefits plans. 
• Seamless claims reimbursement: Forma's streamlined claims reimbursement process comes into play for instances where auto-substantiation is not possible. This system is designed for efficiency and ease, ensuring that employees are reimbursed quickly for any eligible expenses incurred, enhancing the user experience.
• Comprehensive analytics dashboard: To aid in the continuous improvement of benefits offerings, Forma provides a robust analytics dashboard. This tool delivers actionable insights into how benefits are utilized, highlighting popular options and identifying areas for expansion or adjustment.
• Pre-tax accounts include options like Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), offering tax advantages for employees and employers.

Benefits

Here are a few of the core benefits you can get from choosing Forma as your employee benefits management solution.

Customization and flexibility

Forma's platform is designed with customization at its core, allowing employers to tailor benefits packages to the unique needs of their workforce. 

This flexibility ensures that employees have access to benefits that are not only relevant but also deeply valued, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction levels.

Ease of use and accessibility

Employees can easily access their benefits with the Forma Visa Card and a user-friendly online platform. 

This ease of use removes barriers to improve utilization, ensuring employees can make the most of their offerings without complex processes or procedures.

Tax efficiency and savings

By incorporating pre-tax accounts like HSAs and FSAs, Forma helps employers and employees save on taxes. 

This financial efficiency makes Forma an attractive option for organizations looking to optimize their benefits spending while providing substantial value to their employees.

Comprehensive support and security

Forma prioritizes security and compliance, making it a reliable choice for organizations concerned with protecting their employees' information. 

Additionally, the platform offers extensive support and resources to ensure employers and employees can confidently navigate the benefits landscape. 

Global impact

Forma serves over 100 countries, empowering businesses to offer tailored benefits to every employee, regardless of location. 

This approach ensures satisfaction among international employees who might otherwise feel excluded from the advantages enjoyed by their counterparts at the headquarters.

To explore how Forma can transform your employee benefits management, <span class="text-style-link text-color-blue" fs-mirrorclick-element="trigger" role="button">schedule a consultation</span> with one of our experts. Discover the difference a customizable, comprehensive benefits platform can make for your organization and employees.

2. Rippling - Best for seamless integration of payroll

Rippling stands out for its ability to seamlessly integrate employee benefits management with payroll, HR, and IT systems. 

This platform is ideal for organizations looking for a unified solution to manage benefits and the broader spectrum of employee management tasks. 

Rippling's strength lies in its comprehensive ecosystem, simplifying administrative workflows and enhancing efficiency across the board.

Features

• Integrated payroll and benefits: Offers a unified system for managing payroll and benefits, ensuring changes in one area automatically update in others.
• Automated compliance: Automatically keeps track of benefits compliance, reducing the risk of errors and non-compliance.
• Employee self-service portal: Allows employees to manage their benefits and personal information, empowering them with direct control over their selections.
• Wide range of benefits options: Supports a diverse array of benefits, from traditional health insurance to modern wellness programs, catering to a wide range of employee needs.

3. Justworks - Best HR solution for SMBs

Justworks is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that require a comprehensive yet straightforward HR platform. 

It simplifies the complexities of benefits administration, payroll, compliance, and HR tasks into a user-friendly interface. 

Justworks is best known for its PEO (Professional Employer Organization) model, which offers SMBs access to high-quality benefits at more competitive rates than they might achieve independently.

Features

• PEO model: Access to competitive benefits rates and simplified compliance through co-employment.
• All-in-one platform: Manages payroll, compliance, HR, and benefits under one roof.
• 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock support for both employers and employees.
• Compliance assistance: Helps businesses stay on top of state and federal regulations.

4. Navia - Best for health and lifestyle benefits management

Navia offers a focused approach that caters specifically to the needs of companies looking for specialized benefits solutions. 

Ideal for businesses of all sizes, Navia provides a robust platform for managing Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and other wellness-oriented benefits. 

Its dedication to health and lifestyle benefits makes it a standout choice for organizations prioritizing these areas.

Features

• Flexible spending accounts (FSA): Offers employees a way to use pre-tax dollars for medical expenses, enhancing the value of their benefits package.
• Health savings accounts (HSA): Enables employees with high-deductible health plans to save for medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis.
• Wellness programs: Supports a range of wellness initiatives that can be tailored to the workforce's specific needs.
• Easy claims process: Streamlines the reimbursement process for employees, making it easier to utilize their benefits.

5. Fringe - Best for lifestyle benefits and employee perks

Fringe has an innovative approach to employee benefits, focusing on personalized lifestyle benefits and perks. 

This platform is ideal for companies looking to offer more than just traditional benefits, aiming to provide a diverse range of options that cater to their employees' individual interests and needs. 

Fringe's service is best suited for organizations that value employee satisfaction and engagement, offering unique perks like babysitting, ridesharing, grocery delivery, self-care products and more that help attract and retain top talent.

Features

• Wide range of lifestyle benefits: Offers a variety of perks, from health and wellness to entertainment and personal development.
• Personalization: Employees can choose the benefits that best fit their needs and interests, enhancing the perceived value of their benefits package.
• Easy management platform: Simplifies the administration of lifestyle benefits, making it easy for employers to offer a broad selection of perks.
• Analytics and reporting: Provides insights into benefit utilization and preferences, helping employers tailor their offerings for maximum impact.

6. Benefitfocus - Best for benefits management for large employers

Benefitfocus is recognized for its comprehensive platform that streamlines the benefits enrollment and management process, particularly for large employers. 

The platform excels in handling the complexity and scale of benefits administration that large organizations face, offering a robust set of tools to simplify enrollment, communication, and analytics. 

Benefitfocus is ideally suited for companies seeking an efficient way to manage diverse benefits across a large employee base.

Features

• Centralized benefits platform:  Provides a single management point for all employee benefits, from health insurance to retirement plans.
• Automated enrollment: Simplifies the enrollment process with intuitive interfaces and automated workflows, reducing manual efforts and errors.
• Communication tools: Offers built-in tools for educating employees about their benefits and for employers to communicate changes or updates effectively.
• Data Analytics and reporting: Delivers insights into benefits utilization and trends, enabling employers to make data-driven decisions about their benefits offerings.

7. GoCo - Best for streamlining HR workflows with automation

GoCo is a versatile HR platform designed to automate and simplify the entire HR workflow, including benefits administration, payroll, and compliance. 

It's particularly suited for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a flexible solution that can adapt to their unique HR processes without requiring them to change how they work.

Features

• All-in-One HR platform: GoCo offers a comprehensive suite of tools for HR management, including benefits administration, payroll integration, onboarding, and compliance tracking, all within a single, user-friendly interface.
• MagicDocs for automated paperwork: A standout feature, MagicDocs automates the creation, distribution, and signing of HR documents and forms, significantly reducing manual paperwork and ensuring compliance.
• Flexible benefits administration: GoCo allows businesses to easily customize their benefits offerings, supporting a wide range of benefits providers and plans. The platform also provides employees with an intuitive shopping-like experience during benefits enrollment.

8. PerkUp - Best for global employee recognition and flexible rewards

PerkUp revolutionizes how companies recognize and reward their employees by offering a versatile and user-friendly platform catering to global workforces. 

This rewards platform empowers employers to celebrate employee milestones, achievements, and contributions through gifts and cash rewards. 

With its operation extending globally, PerkUp is ideally suited for organizations that embrace remote work, ensuring that distance is no barrier to acknowledging employee excellence.

Features

• Diverse reward options: PerkUp provides a broad selection of rewards, allowing employees to choose from a curated list of products and experiences. This diversity ensures that rewards cater to a global workforce's varied tastes and preferences.
• User-friendly interface: The platform focuses on simplicity and ease of use. Its intuitive user experience allows for quick selection and redemption of rewards, making the process seamless for employers and employees.
• Flexible cash rewards: In addition to tangible gifts, PerkUp offers the flexibility of cash rewards. This option puts the power in the hands of employees, allowing them to decide how they wish to utilize their rewards, whether for personal treats, professional development, or other meaningful experiences.

9. Lively - Best for user-friendly HSA management

Lively is distinguished by its user-centric approach to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), making it a good choice for individuals and employers seeking straightforward, efficient HSA management.

This platform especially appeals to those prioritizing ease of use, transparency, and maximizing their healthcare investments.

Lively is best suited for companies of any size that want to offer their employees a seamless way to manage their HSAs, focusing on user experience and cost-effectiveness.

Features

• No Fees for individuals: Lively offers fee-free HSAs, removing barriers to saving for healthcare expenses.
• Easy online access and tools: Provides a simple, intuitive online platform and mobile app for managing HSA funds, tracking expenses, and submitting claims.
• Investment options: Allows HSA funds to be invested, helping users grow their healthcare savings over time.
• Employer contributions: Supports employer contributions to employee HSAs, making it easier to enhance benefits packages.

10. Blueboard - Best for experiential employee rewards and recognition

Blueboard stands out in the employee benefits and rewards landscape by offering unique, experiential rewards beyond traditional monetary bonuses or gift cards. 

This platform is ideal for companies looking to foster a culture of appreciation and recognition where employees are rewarded with memorable experiences. 

Companies of any size that value employee engagement, retention, and a personalized approach to rewards are also ideal users of Blueboard.

Features

• Customizable experiences: Offers a wide range of experiences, from adventure activities and wellness retreats to culinary tours and learning new skills, allowing employees to choose rewards that truly resonate with them.
• Easy redemption process: Simplifies the experience selection and redemption process for employees, ensuring a seamless reward experience from start to finish.
• Impactful recognition: Provides a platform for meaningful employee recognition, enhancing motivation and job satisfaction.
• Analytics and reporting: Delivers insights into reward preferences and the impact of experiential rewards on employee engagement and company culture.

11. TriNet - Best for HR solutions and employee benefits packages

TriNet, formerly known as Zenefits, positions itself as a holistic HR platform designed to cater to the intricate needs of modern businesses. 

It stands out for its extensive range of services, particularly in benefits administration, where it goes beyond traditional offerings to include health savings accounts, pet insurance, retirement plans, and more. 

These options allow businesses to craft competitive benefits packages instrumental in attracting and retaining top talent.

Features

• Extensive benefits options: TriNet offers a comprehensive suite of benefits, ensuring employers can provide a well-rounded package to meet the diverse needs of their workforce.
• Benefits compliance expertise: With a focus on compliance, TriNet ensures that businesses adhere to all regulatory requirements, mitigating risks and simplifying the complexities associated with benefits administration.
• Decision support tools: TriNet's benefits decision support tool aids employees in navigating their benefits options, making it easier for them to select plans that best fit their needs and circumstances.
• Flexible plan selection: The platform provides several plan options, allowing businesses to choose or customize their benefits package according to their specific goals and employee preferences.

12. Joon - Convenient for health and wellness benefits reimbursement

Joon is a benefits platform that simplifies the health and wellness benefits reimbursement process for employees. 

It's particularly suited for companies that want flexible wellness benefits but need a streamlined way to manage and reimburse these expenses.

Features

• Easy reimbursement for wellness expenses: Joon allows employees to easily submit expenses for health and wellness activities, from gym memberships to meditation apps, and get reimbursed quickly.
• Flexible benefits design: Companies can design their wellness benefits programs with Joon, offering a range of options that cater to their employees' diverse health and wellness needs.
• Intuitive dashboard and reporting: HR teams benefit from Joon's intuitive dashboard, which provides insights into benefits utilization and helps manage the wellness benefits program efficiently.

How to choose the best employee benefits management solution for you

Selecting the right employee benefits management solution helps enhance your workforce's satisfaction and optimize your benefits offerings. 

When deciding which product best fits your organization's needs, consider several key criteria to ensure the platform aligns with your objectives and values. Some of those criteria are mentioned below.

Integrations

A seamless integration capability with your existing HR systems, payroll, and other workplace tools matters. 

The best benefits management solution should effortlessly sync with your current infrastructure, enabling a unified approach to managing employee data, benefits enrollment, and administration. 

Look for platforms that offer robust API support and have a track record of successful integrations with a wide range of software. This connectivity ensures data accuracy, reduces manual entry errors, and streamlines department processes.

Accessibility

A user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate ensures that all users, regardless of their tech-savviness, can efficiently manage and access beneficial information. 

For employees, this means straightforward access to their benefits packages, enrollment options, and educational resources, ideally through desktop and mobile devices.

For HR teams, accessibility translates to efficient management capabilities, reporting tools, and analytics dashboards that offer insights into benefits utilization and trends.

Employee experience

The solution should offer personalized benefits selections, allowing employees to choose options that best meet their needs and lifestyles. This personalization can significantly impact employee satisfaction and retention.

Additionally, consider platforms that provide decision support tools, helping employees make informed choices about their benefits based on their specific circumstances and preferences.

Customer service

Exceptional customer service and support from the solution provider are non-negotiable. The availability of knowledgeable and responsive customer support can significantly affect the implementation process, ongoing management, and user satisfaction.

Look for providers that offer comprehensive support through multiple channels, including live chat, phone, and email, as well as a wealth of online resources such as tutorials, FAQs, and community forums.

Flexibility

The platform should allow easy adjustments to benefits offerings, eligibility rules, and contribution levels. Additionally, it should be scalable to grow with your company, supporting everything from a small startup to a large enterprise. 

A flexible solution can adapt to changes in regulations, workforce demographics, and industry trends, ensuring your benefits strategy remains relevant and competitive.

Scalability

The scalability of a benefits management solution is essential, especially for growing companies. 

A scalable platform can handle increasing employees and more complex benefits packages without compromising performance or user experience.

Assess whether the solution can scale up to meet your organization's future growth, including adding new benefits options or expanding to different locations or countries.

Security and compliance

Given the sensitive nature of employee data and the strict regulatory environment surrounding employee benefits, a solution's security and compliance features are important. 

Ensure the platform adheres to industry standards for data protection, such as encryption and secure data storage, and complies with relevant laws and regulations in the United States, including HIPAA. 

Reporting and analytics

Data often drives effective decision-making in benefits management. A solution that offers comprehensive reporting and analytics features can provide valuable insights into benefits utilization, cost trends, and employee preferences. 

These insights can help you optimize your benefits offerings and identify areas for improvement. 

Look for platforms that offer customizable reports and real-time analytics to support strategic planning and reporting requirements.

Customization and personalization

The ability to customize and personalize the benefits experience can significantly impact employee satisfaction. This includes personalized communications, benefits recommendations based on individual employee data, and the ability to adjust benefits choices over time as employees' needs change.

User review and reputation

Finally, consider the benefits management solution's user reviews and overall reputation. 

Feedback from current and former users can provide real-world insights into the platform's strengths and weaknesses.

Additionally, the provider's reputation in the industry, including awards, certifications, and partnerships, can indicate their commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service.

When evaluating these criteria, it's also beneficial to consider the specific strengths of platforms like Forma, which emphasizes customizable and flexible benefit plans that align with diverse employee needs.

For more insights into flexible benefit plans and how they can transform your approach to employee benefits, <span class="text-style-link text-color-blue" fs-mirrorclick-element="trigger" role="button">schedule a consultation</span> with one of our experts.

How do these employee benefit tools compare?

Getting started with forma

Choosing the right management platform can help you foster a culture of appreciation and well-being. 

A misstep and you're left with a more decorative than functional solution, underused by the very people it's meant to serve.

Throughout this article, we've explored how Forma addresses these challenges by offering a flexible, comprehensive platform that stands out from the competition.

Forma's suite of products provides the versatility and customization necessary to design and deliver a benefits program that truly resonates with your employees. 

By giving employees the choice and flexibility to allocate their benefits in ways that matter most to them, Forma enhances the employee experience and maximizes the value and impact of your benefits investment.

Ready to transform your approach to employee benefits and want to learn more about how Forma can tailor a solution to fit your organization's unique needs? Take the next step.

Elevate your employee benefits program by <span class="text-style-link text-color-blue" fs-mirrorclick-element="trigger" role="button">scheduling a consultation</span> with one of our experts.