Whirks vs. PeopleWorx: Which Payroll Partner Is Right for You?

Are you an accounting firm comparing payroll partner programs, but finding it hard to get real answers?

Maybe you're stuck between PeopleWorx and the Whirks Network Partner Program. You’ve looked at websites, sat through some sales calls, and still don’t have clear answers on pricing, service models, or what kind of partnership you're actually signing up for.

Many firms face the same frustration: vague language, hidden fees, and a lack of transparency.

In this article, you’ll get a side-by-side comparison of PeopleWorx and the Whirks Network Partner Program. We’ll break down:

• The real differences in pricing (and why one partner publishes it)
• Each company’s approach to partnership models and support
• What kind of firm is the right fit for each program

By the end, you’ll have everything you need to make a confident, well-informed decision about which payroll partner is better aligned with your firm’s goals.

Why the Right Payroll Partner Matters

Some payroll partner programs make it nearly impossible to understand what you're signing up for until you're deep in sales conversations. You’re expected to commit without a clear picture of costs, support models, or even what role you're playing in the partnership.

That’s especially frustrating if you're trying to build payroll as a serious revenue stream, not just offer it as a pass-through service.

Both PeopleWorx and Whirks offer accounting firms access to the full isolved platform, which includes payroll, HR, and benefits administration. So, on paper, the technology is the same.

What’s different (and what really matters) is how each company builds its program around that technology: the pricing structure, the support model, the partnership philosophy, and the level of transparency you can expect.

Let’s take a closer look at how these two programs stack up.

Partnership Models: Broad Options vs. Focused Paths

One of the first and most fundamental differences between PeopleWorx and Whirks is how they structure their partnership options.

PeopleWorx: More Options, Less Focus

PeopleWorx offers three ways to partner/work with them:

1. Network Partnership: Use their team and isolved instance to process client payrolls (similar to Whirks' Network model).
2. Referral Program: Send clients directly to PeopleWorx and let them handle the service.
3. Book of Business Purchase: PeopleWorx will buy your existing payroll client list outright.

This flexibility may appeal to firms looking for a range of engagement options. But it also raises a key question: Can a company truly specialize in helping you grow if their attention is split between multiple paths?

Whirks: Two Clear, Purpose-Built Paths

Whirks offers two distinct and deliberately separate programs:

1. Network Partner Program: A full-service solution for firms that want to build and grow a payroll service line.
2. Referral Partner Program: A simpler model for firms that want to offload payroll entirely.

We don’t blur the lines between these. The Network Partner Program is built specifically for firms that want payroll to become a real, revenue-generating service, not just a technology add-on.

Do you want a partner that offers a little of everything or one that's laser-focused on helping you succeed with a specific model?

Pricing Comparison: Published vs. Negotiated

If you’ve tried to find PeopleWorx’ pricing online, you’ve probably noticed it’s not there. You’ll need to book a sales call just to get a basic idea of what you might pay. Even then, pricing can vary firm to firm.

By contrast, Whirks publishes all of our Network Partner pricing directly on our website, with no surprises or hidden fees. That difference in transparency can have a major impact on your decision.

PeopleWorx Pricing (Based on Partner Reports)

While PeopleWorx doesn’t publicly share their pricing, we’ve gathered estimates from accounting firms that have previously worked with them. Here’s what we’ve consistently heard:

• Per employee per month (PEPM): ~$5.02
• Base fee per FEIN: ~$40
• Additional fees: A two-page list of nickel-and-dime charges for extra services

Since pricing is negotiated behind closed doors, rates and fees may vary significantly. That lack of clarity can make it difficult to estimate your margins, plan your pricing, or even compare apples to apples.

Whirks Network Partner Pricing (Published & Transparent)

Our pricing is published on our website for anyone to see:

• $7.70 PEPM for the first 20 employees
• $5.25 PEPM for each additional employee
• $12 base fee per FEIN
• $2,000 minimum monthly spend
• $2,500 one-time investment for onboarding, training, and client conversion
• $8 setup fee per new employee added post-implementation (minimum $100 spend)
• Annual fees:
  • $75 per FEIN + $5 per W-2
  • $125 per FEIN + $7.95 per 1095 (for ACA clients)

You can review all of this before ever scheduling a call with us.

If predictable pricing and full transparency are priorities for your firm, Whirks gives you everything upfront, before you ever schedule a call.

Want to see exactly what Whirks would cost for your firm?
Use our Network Partner Pricing Calculator to estimate your monthly costs. No email or sales call required.

Partnership Philosophy: Infrastructure Provider vs. Growth Partner

Choosing a payroll partner isn’t just about what features they offer. You need to think about what kind of partner they aim to be. The philosophy behind each program influences the experience you’ll have, the support you’ll receive, and the results you can expect.

PeopleWorx: Your Back-Office Infrastructure

PeopleWorx positions itself as the behind-the-scenes engine for your payroll services. Their marketing focuses heavily on being your infrastructure provider, a team that powers the processing side of things while you manage the client relationship.

This approach may be a good fit if:

• You primarily need reliable technology and processing
• You’re confident in handling business development and sales internally
• You want to outsource the heavy lifting and keep things simple

But if you’re looking to grow payroll as a strategic service offering, you may find the support here limited to just the technical backend.

Whirks: Helping You Build a Payroll Service Bureau

The Whirks Network Partner Program goes beyond back-end processing. Yes, we provide the infrastructure, but we also help you build a payroll business that actually grows.

With Whirks, you get:

• Strategic guidance on pricing, packaging, and positioning your services
• Help developing sales processes and client communications
• Ongoing training and monthly Whirkshops with our team and other partners
• Community access and shared insights from firms like yours
• Resources to improve profitability and operational efficiency

We’re not just providing tech. We’re coaching you on how to turn payroll into a high-performing line of business.

PeopleWorx runs your payroll. Whirks helps you build and grow a payroll business.

Support and Strategic Guidance: What You Actually Get

Most payroll partners promise “great support.” But what does that actually mean?

At a basic level, both PeopleWorx and Whirks assign you a dedicated contact instead of routing you through a generic support queue. That means you’re working with someone who knows your firm, your clients, and your needs.

That’s where the similarities end.

What You Can Expect from PeopleWorx (as Reported)

From what we've heard from former PeopleWorx partners, the support model focuses on:

• Handling payroll processing accurately
• Answering technical or software-related questions
• Acting as a back-office resource

This model works if your goal is to offload operational complexity, but it doesn’t come with proactive coaching, business development help, or peer collaboration.

What You Can Expect from Whirks

With Whirks, you get much more than a technical resource. Our support is structured to help you succeed as a business owner, not just a payroll processor.

That includes:

• Strategic coaching on pricing, client onboarding, and service packaging
• Monthly Whirkshops where you learn from other accounting firms and our internal experts
• 90-day onboarding support, including tech setup, training, and client conversion help
• A community of like-minded partners who are building payroll as a real revenue stream

This kind of partnership ensures you’re not just getting answers, but you’re getting insights that help you grow.

With Whirks, support goes beyond solving problems and helps you solve them profitably and sustainably.

Which Payroll Partner Program Is Right for You?

Now that you’ve seen how PeopleWorx and Whirks compare across pricing, service, and philosophy, the question becomes simple:

Which one is built for your firm’s goals?

PeopleWorx May Be a Better Fit If You:

• Want the flexibility of multiple engagement models (including book of business buyouts)
• Have larger clients, where a lower PEPM rate could save you more
• Prefer to negotiate pricing and don’t mind a more custom quoting process
• Only need back-office infrastructure without strategic guidance or coaching
• Are comfortable running sales and business development independently

The Whirks Network Partner Program Is a Better Fit if You:

• Want to build payroll as a dedicated, scalable service line
• Value pricing transparency with no hidden fees
• Want help developing your pricing, positioning, and sales approach
• Appreciate learning from other firms and being part of a peer community
• Prefer a focused partnership model that aligns with long-term growth

The right partner is about who will help you get where you’re trying to go.

What Matters Most When Choosing a Payroll Partner

Choosing between PeopleWorx and Whirks isn’t just about comparing features or technology because those are largely the same. 

You have to decide what kind of partner you want: One that offers backend support with limited visibility, or one that’s fully invested in helping you build a sustainable, scalable payroll service line.

You started this process because it was hard to get clear answers, especially around pricing, partnership models, and long-term support. PeopleWorx makes it difficult to get those answers until you’re already in deep conversations. That’s a risk.

At Whirks, we’ve chosen a different path: full transparency upfront. No vague promises, and no guessing games. Everything’s on the table, so you can decide with confidence.

Want to dig deeper before making a decision? These resources will give you the full picture without needing to hop on a call:

• “Inside the Whirks Network Partner Journey: What to Expect in the First 90 Days” – Know exactly how implementation works
• “When Is the Right Time to Switch Payroll Providers?” – Understand the best timing for your firm
• Use the Network Partner Pricing Calculator – Get a clear, instant estimate of what you'd pay, based on your client count

We built the Whirks Network Partner Program for accounting firms who want to grow, not just process payroll. If you want a transparent, focused, and strategic partner to help you build something lasting, we’re ready when you are.