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.

When researching payroll partner programs, it’s common to encounter limited public information, especially around pricing and support structures.

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
• 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.

This comparison is written from Whirks’ perspective and is based on publicly available information, internal experience, and feedback from accounting firms who have worked with both programs.

Why the Right Payroll Partner Matters

Some payroll partner programs make it difficult to understand what you're signing up for until you're deep in sales conversations. So, it's not always easy to get a clear picture of costs, support models, or the role your firm will play ahead of those conversations.

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: Multiple Partnership Options

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 also offers to purchase existing payroll books of business.

For some firms, this flexibility is a benefit. For others, it may raise questions about how much strategic focus is placed on any single partnership model.

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.

Whirks keeps these partnership paths distinct, with the Network Partner Program built specifically for firms that want payroll to become a real, revenue-generating service, not just a technology add-on.

The question you need to ask yourself is: "Do I want a partner that's laser-focused on helping me succeed with a specific model?"

Pricing Comparison: Published vs. Negotiated

If you’ve tried to find PeopleWorx’ partner pricing online, you’ve probably noticed it’s not there. You’ll need to book a sales call 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.

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 various charges for extra services

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

However, some firms prefer negotiated pricing because it can allow for customization based on volume, service mix, or long-term commitments. For firms with larger clients or unique needs, this approach may be appealing.

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

In addition to providing technology and infrastructure, Whirks offers strategic coaching to help firms build payroll into a scalable service line.

PeopleWorx emphasizes back-office payroll infrastructure, while Whirks places additional focus on helping firms develop payroll as a standalone service line.

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.

Beyond that shared structure, the two programs seem to differ in the type of support they emphasize.

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

Whirks offers a support model that combines technical expertise with strategic guidance.

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 support model is designed not only to answer technical questions, but also to help firms run payroll more efficiently and strategically.

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 primarily offers back-office support or one that incorporates strategic guidance as part of the partnership.

We know it can be hard to get clear answers around pricing, partnership models, and long-term support. Some firms prefer upfront clarity, while others may be comfortable learning details through a consultative sales process.

At Whirks, we’ve chosen the path of full transparency upfront. Everything’s on the table, so you can decide with confidence.

Both models have merit. Ultimately, it depends on how your firm wants to operate and what level of support you’re looking for.

Want to dig deeper before making a decision? These resources will give you a full picture of the Whirks Network Partner Program 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
• 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 that want to grow, not just process payroll. If that aligns with your goals, the Whirks Network Partner Program may be a fit worth exploring.