Compare Your Options
Your 3 Options for Employee Benefits
Not all benefits providers are the same. Here's an honest comparison of PEO companies, large brokerages, and what we do differently at Vantage Pointe.
PEO / Payroll Companies
Paychex, Gusto, ADP, etc.
The Pitch:
"Everything runs automatically alongside payroll. One vendor for payroll AND benefits—simple and convenient."
The Reality:
- Most expensive option on the market
- Your business is bundled with others—less control
- Hard to reach a real person when you need help
- Plans shown are what make them money—not what's best for you
- Renewal increases are common and rarely explained
Best For:
Owners who want zero involvement and will pay top dollar for convenience.
"Convenient—but you pay a significant premium for it."
Large Brokerages
Brown & Brown, Gallagher, etc.
The Pitch:
"Established brand with 50-100 years of history. More personal than a PEO and cheaper too."
The Reality:
- High overhead—large staff, middle management, big offices
- They show plans that earn them the most commission
- Hard to reach your specific person—you're one of hundreds
- You pay for their brand name and overhead in your premiums
- Cookie-cutter approach—same playbook for every client
Best For:
Owners who want a recognized brand name and don't mind paying for overhead.
"Better than PEO—but you're still paying for their brand & overhead."
Vantage Pointe Consulting
Independent Benefits Consultant
The Difference:
- Same exact carriers as the big guys—Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UHC
- Lowest cost—no big overhead to pass on to you
- Direct access to Roger—your call gets answered
- Plans designed for your business—not their bottom line
- Custom plan designs with up to 40% savings
- Annual review so you're always on the best plan
Our Promise:
Same carriers. Better plans. Lower cost. Direct access to Roger.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | PEO Paychex, ADP | Large Brokerage Brown & Brown | Vantage Pointe Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to Major Carriers | |||
| Lowest Possible Cost | |||
| Direct Access to Your Advisor | |||
| Custom Plan Design | |||
| Alternative Funding Options | |||
| Annual Plan Review & Optimization | |||
| No Overhead Markup | |||
| Plans Chosen for YOUR Benefit | |||
| Healthcare Advocacy Included | |||
| Voluntary Benefits (Zero Cost to You) |
The Bottom Line
PEOs charge a premium for convenience. Large brokerages charge for their brand name and overhead. Neither is incentivized to find you the best deal.
At Vantage Pointe, we access the same carriers as every other provider—Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, United Healthcare—but without the overhead, without the commission bias, and with direct access to Roger whenever you need it.
The result? Custom plan designs that typically save businesses 20-40% compared to what they were paying before. Same coverage. Better access. Lower cost.