Honest Comparison · paychex alternative ~8K/mo

MyCo vs Paychex

An honest side-by-side for US small and mid-sized businesses (50–500 employees). No marketing fluff — just the features, pricing, and use cases that actually matter when you're deciding.

Quick Verdict

Who wins?

Paychex is built for compliance-heavy businesses that want a dedicated rep and PEO-style handholding. MyCo is built for SMBs that want to run payroll themselves on mobile, in 5 minutes, for a fraction of the cost. If you need 1099 mass filing for 1,000+ contractors or full PEO benefits, Paychex still has its place. For most 50–500 person US businesses, MyCo wins on price and UX.

Choose MyCo if you...

  • Want all-in-one payroll + HR + CRM + GPS tracking
  • Have 50–500 employees
  • Want transparent published pricing (no quote roulette)
  • Want to run payroll in 5 minutes on your phone
  • Run a deskless, field, or hourly team
  • Are tired of being upsold every quarter

Choose Paychex if you...

  • Need a full PEO (Paychex HR Solutions Co-Employer)
  • Have very heavy compliance needs (gov contractors, healthcare)
  • Want a dedicated phone account rep
  • Need 1099 mass filing for 1,000+ contractors
  • Prefer a 50-year-old established brand

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureMyCoPaychex
Mobile-first attendanceNative face-scan + GPSPaychex Flex mobile (limited)
Pricing transparencyPublishedQuote-only
Built-in CRMYesNot available
GPS field trackingYesNot native
PEO / co-employerNo (we are not a PEO)Yes (Paychex HR Solutions)
Multi-state tax filingIncludedIncluded
401(k) and benefitsIntegrations with major providersNative + PEO benefits
Implementation time5–10 days3–6 weeks
24/7 phone supportBusiness hours + chat24/7
Best for size50–500 employeesVery small (1–10) OR 500+

Pricing Side-by-Side

Plan / TierMyCoPaychex
EntryPublishedFlex Essentials ~$44/mo + ~$5/ee (estimated)
Mid-tierPublishedFlex Select / Pro: quote-only
Setup$0Often $200+ setup fee
ContractMonth-to-monthAnnual minimum typical
Tax filingIncludedIncluded

How to Switch from Paychex to MyCo

1

Book a MyCo demo

We learn your team and your Paychex setup. 20 min, no pressure.

2

Export from Paychex Flex

Pull employee records, YTD wages, and tax info. We provide a checklist.

3

MyCo migrates + verifies

We reconcile YTD earnings, verify state tax IDs, and set up direct deposit.

4

Parallel test run

Run one pay period in both systems. Resolve any discrepancies.

5

Cutover & cancel Paychex

Switch over and cancel Paychex. Most teams complete in 10–14 days.

See MyCo with your data

Get a 20-minute walkthrough — no slides, no pressure

We'll show you exactly how MyCo handles your team size, your industry, and your current pain points. If Paychex is the better fit, we'll tell you that too.

Book Your Free Demo →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MyCo really cheaper than Paychex?

Yes for most 50–500 person teams. Paychex quotes typically run $80–$200/mo base + $4–$8/employee/mo + add-ons. MyCo's published pricing is straightforward.

Does MyCo replace Paychex HR Solutions (PEO)?

No. MyCo is not a PEO. If you currently use Paychex's PEO co-employer model for benefits pooling, MyCo is not a direct replacement.

How does MyCo handle multi-state taxes vs Paychex?

MyCo files in all 50 states with the same compliance Paychex provides. State withholding, SUI, reciprocity agreements, and quarterly filings are all included.

Can MyCo handle bi-weekly + monthly + semi-monthly pay periods?

Yes, all standard US pay frequencies including weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly.

What about year-end W-2s and 1099s?

Yes, MyCo generates and files W-2s and 1099-NEC forms automatically at year-end. We import YTD earnings from Paychex during migration so year-end totals are accurate.