Justworks alternative: do you actually need a PEO?
Justworks isn't primarily software — it's a professional employer organization. It co-employs your staff to pool benefits and take on compliance, and you pay per employee per month for that service. For teams that genuinely want pooled US health insurance, that's real value. Many teams, though, are just paying PEO prices for what is functionally payroll and HR software.
If you just need HR and payroll — own it
Opangle builds the software layer — payroll with tax calculations, records, attendance, leave, self-service — as your own system on your own domain, for a one-time $1,999 with source code included. No co-employment, no per-employee fee, no service you're renting.
Pay for a PEO if you need co-employment. If you just need the software, own it.
The fair trade-off
A custom build doesn't pool benefits or co-employ anyone. If those are why you're on Justworks, stay. If they're not, you're overpaying for software you could own.
Ready to compare properly? Try the cost calculator, or see exactly what's included on the pricing page.