Is Central worth the price?
Central's pricing, at $50/mo per person plus a $100 platform fee, is competitive for startups seeking an all-in-one HR and payroll solution.
The 'first month free' and 'no annual contract' terms are generous, reducing initial commitment. This pricing structure is best for early-stage to growing startups prioritizing comprehensive HR automation and AI-driven support.
Pricing Plans
Free TrialBase Plan
$50/mo per person + $100 PLATFORM FEE/MO
- FULL back-office
- US payroll & compliance in 50 states
- Pay contractors in 200+ countries
- Health insurance & 401(k)
- Hire, manage and fire
- PTO tracking and policies
- AI teammate in Slack
- We handle migration & setup
- Expert support via Slack/email
- Dedicated insurance broker
- Quickbook & Puzzle integrations
- Add your accountant for free
- First month free
- Unlimited payruns
- No hidden fees
- No annual contract
- Cancel anytime
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Platform fee is fixed regardless of team size
Potential costs for additional integrations not listed
No explicit mention of international payroll fees beyond contractors
Which Plan Do You Need?
Startups needing full HR automation
Companies with distributed teams
Founders wanting AI-powered HR support
How Central Compares to Competitors
Compared to Gusto, which starts around $40/month + $6/employee for basic payroll, Central's $50/mo per person + $100 platform fee is higher for very small teams but offers more comprehensive AI-native HR features. Rippling, another competitor, often has higher base platform fees and per-employee costs, making Central a potentially more cost-effective, full-service option for startups seeking robust features without enterprise-level pricing.
Central Pricing FAQ
How much does Central cost?
Central uses custom pricing. Contact Central directly for a quote based on your team size and requirements.
Does Central have a free plan?
Yes. Central offers a free plan called "Base Plan". It includes: FULL back-office, US payroll & compliance in 50 states, Pay contractors in 200+ countries.
Does Central offer a free trial?
Yes, Central offers a free trial. No credit card is typically required to start the trial, though this may vary.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Central?
Yes. Popular alternatives to Central include Gusto, Rippling, Paylocity. Compare them side-by-side on Toolradar.
Cheaper alternatives to Central
Direct competitors with similar features. Many offer free tiers or lower per-seat pricing.
