July 2025: Top 11 HR Outsourcing & Outsourced HR - Companies, Providers, Consultants, & Consulting Firms
Updated: July 2025
Let’s be honest: HR is one of those must-have business functions that can quietly eat up time and resources if you try to do it all in-house.
That’s why a growing number of companies are outsourcing HR tasks, from payroll to performance review, to specialists who live and breathe this stuff. The right outsourced HR partner saves you headaches while freeing your team to focus on what really drives growth.
For starters, outsourcing means you instantly get access to expert HR knowledge and cutting-edge tools, without the cost of building your own HR department. These firms know compliance inside and out, and they’re pros at managing the entire employee lifecycle, from hiring to retiring.
That’s important because, for one, global employee engagement declined by 21% in 2024, which reflects into work performance, churn, and, ultimately, your ROI. This might seem overwhelming, but it also means that companies who can succeed in this area (thanks to a skilled HR partner) will stand out from the competition and gain a powerful advantage.
In short: when you hand off the admin, you can double down on growth.
Why Outsource Your HR?
Outsourcing your HR is a smart move that saves money, frees up time, and helps your business run more smoothly. For starters, companies that outsource HR functions can cut costs by 20% to 40%, and in some cases, savings go up to 70% when tapping into talent in lower-cost regions. In fact, large companies report saving an average of $3,000 a month just on payroll.
Time-wise, it’s a game-changer. Nearly 45% of small business owners say they spend a full day each week managing HR tasks. That’s a huge chunk of time that could be better spent on growing the business or leading the team. On top of that, most executive teams only spend about an hour per month on HR strategy. Outsourcing helps reclaim that time and use it more strategically.
Another big win is access to experienced HR professionals and cutting-edge tools without having to hire a full in-house team. About 58% of companies outsource to save on operations and tap into better systems, including modern platforms like HRIS and analytics dashboards. This not only streamlines workflows but also helps businesses stay competitive and compliant.
Speaking of compliance, outsourced HR reduces payroll errors and audit issues by 30%. That’s why many companies that use outsourced HR services are satisfied with how these providers handle legal and regulatory compliance.
They are efficient, but more importantly, they can create a better experience for your people. Studies show that employee satisfaction can improve by around 15% after outsourcing HR, thanks to faster payroll processing, smoother onboarding, and better handling of benefits and leave. When HR runs well, people notice. And as your company grows, outsourcing gives you flexibility. You can easily scale services up or down, which is why around 24% of small companies outsource at least some HR tasks (and many others outsource other tasks, as needed).
All in all, outsourcing HR gives you the freedom to focus on what matters most: growing your business, supporting your team, and staying ahead in a fast-moving world. And with the numbers to back it up, it’s a strategic advantage.
TL;DR Top 6 HR Outsourcing & Outsourced HR - Companies, Providers, Consultants, & Consulting Firms
Alpha Apex Group: Alpha Apex Group creates personalized HR outsourcing plans, with over 2,000 placements to date and a 60% shorter time to fill than the industry average. It has solid industry expertise to optimize operational efficiency and build growth-oriented workplace environments for diverse industries.
ADP: Full-scale HR services plus smart tech, with options from basic support to full-on co-employment.
Exude Human Capital: Tailored HR solutions with an emphasis on compliance, streamlined operations, and strategic hiring advice.
Helios HR: Culture-focused HR services designed to increase recruitment and diversity efforts.
OperationsInc: Flexible HR services that scale with your company, plus deep compliance expertise.
Jumpstart HR: Agile HR services built for startups and small businesses, perfect for fast-growing teams.
11 HR Outsourcing Companies Reviewed
Outsourcing HR brings a ROI of 150%-191%, but only if you have the right partner by your side. Here are the industry experts worth a look at:
Alpha Apex Group. Leaders in HR Outsourcing & Outsourced HR Consulting.
HR can be complicated. But Alpha Apex Group makes things easier by saving time, cutting down on overhead costs, and scaling people operations.
They help improve your processes in areas like payroll, employee benefits, compliance, and training, by getting to know your specific goals and culture and then building a custom HR support plan. You can fully outsource your HR to them, and they’ll get you closer to where you want to be while making sure you stay compliant with all the important regulations.
Think of Alpha Apex as your behind-the-scenes HR dream team that makes everything run smoother while you focus on the big stuff.
They have the numbers to prove it: they placed over 2,000 candidates to date and their time to fill is 60% lower than the national average. They can even source suitable candidates within 72 hours.
Key Services:
Full-spectrum HR outsourcing
Payroll processing and administration
Employee benefits management
Regulatory compliance and risk management
Training and development programs
Why work with Alpha Apex Group?
AAG offers full-spectrum HR outsourcing, so you can count on them to handle the time-consuming work involved in HR while your internal teams focus on mission critical staff. You’ll save time, use your resources more wisely, and gain peace of mind.
2. ADP
ADP’s been in the game for 75+ years, and it shows. Over 3 million employees across 140+ countries rely on their tools to get paid and stay compliant. If you’re looking for a battle-tested partner with global reach, they’re tough to beat.
ADP’s service line has extended from payroll to other products. Their PEO services raked in $1.57B last quarter (up 7% YoY), which means a lot of companies are trusting them to handle the full HR stack. These include: recruiting, compliance, benefits, and HR tech.
For example, big brands like Accor lean on ADP to run global payroll across dozens of countries, which is hugely important since managing a global workforce can often be clunky and time-consuming with multiple different mismatched systems.
In other words: if you need HR that just works, whether you’ve got 5 employees or 50,000, ADP’s the safe, scalable bet.
Key Services:
Comprehensive payroll and tax management
Benefits administration
Compliance and risk management
Recruitment and onboarding
Employee learning and development
Customizable HR management solutions
Why work with ADP?
ADP has valuable experience across various sectors, a proven track record of handling over two million employees, and recognition as a leader in the field by industry analysts. They’re also tech-savvy and use advanced analytics tools, all of which helps you manage big, global workforces more easily and efficiently.
3. Exude Human Capital
When your company loses its only HR person, Exude’s the call you make.
They’ve jumped into messy situations, like a manufacturer who lost their HR lead overnight, and cleaned it up fast by assigning an interim HR manager to manage daily tasks like payroll, workers’ comp, and HR. The result was better organized HR and a more skilled and competent leadership.
For one global advisory board that was struggling due to a departure, Exude helped improve their global compensation and job evaluation model, and helped manage geographical challenges (they were a remote, international company). This company described Exude as their “go-to for all things human resources”.
Non-profits love them too. One major education org leaned on Exude for interim HR leadership, leadership training, and succession planning, results that stuck well beyond the contract.
With 19+ years in the game, 150+ clients a year, and a 95% satisfaction rate, Exude offers personalized support that helps boost employee morale and satisfaction by improving benefits, workplace policies, and culture.
Key Services:
HR Outsourcing
Recruitment and Hiring
Employee Morale Enhancement
Leadership and Employee Development
Why work with Exude Human Capital?
Exude takes a highly strategic approach to HR that means businesses can reallocate their focus towards growth and mission-critical strategic objectives.
4. Helios HR
Helios HR works with government and non-profit organizations, as well as start-ups and corporations, to tackle HR challenges as well as other services like website design.
One small business was losing candidates because their careers page wasn’t performing well. Helios rebuilt it to be more attractive, clear, and friendly to applicants, and helped the team get clear on specific application metrics to track, like candidate withdrawals, offer acceptance rates, and retention.
Another client had a sales team bleeding talent. Helios helped redesign the sales compensation plan, upgrade the employee onboarding experience, and develop better job ads and descriptions, among other steps. As a result, the client hit their annual sales revenue goal for the first time in three years.
They’re also RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) pros, helping fast-growing companies hire smarter and faster. Helios has 20+ years in the game, is built to scale with you, whether you’ve got 20 employees or 2000.
Industries:
Government contracting
Non-profit organizations
Start-ups
Commercial enterprises
Key Services:
HR Outsourcing
Recruitment Process Outsourcing
Direct Hire Retained Search
Talent Acquisition Consulting
Strategic HR
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Compensation & Total Rewards
Compliance & Risk Management
HR Information Systems
Engagement & Performance
Training & Development
Why work with Helios HR?
Helios HR is known for human capital solutions that transform organizational culture and improve recruitment processes. They offer an impressive range of different services; their strong track record of concrete results shows they can enrich communities and drive employee development.
Side note: If organizational culture is genuinely important for your company, take a look at the best company culture consulting firms. They will help you define clear, actionable values and translate them into everyday practices through leadership alignment, hiring frameworks, and performance metrics that reflect your culture goals.
5. OperationsInc
OperationsInc is one of those firms that just gets it done. Need to hire a large volume of new people in a short space of time? No problem. A healthcare client needed to staff up fast with 40+ hires in 60 days. They pulled off 50 hires in 75 days, keeping cost-per-hire under $1K.
They’ve handled compliance issues quite successfully, too. After an HR audit for one client, they carried out a full HR audit, cleaned up processes, cut non-compliance, and helped boost retention. There was also a significant reduction in liability.
OperationsInc has helped 1,800+ clients across 70+ industries, from startups to established enterprises. In other words, these experts know how to scale HR solutions to fit your stage of growth.
If you want a flexible HR partner that plugs in fast and solves real problems, OperationsInc delivers
Key Services:
Human Resources Consulting and Outsourcing
Payroll Management and Systems
Recruitment and Talent Acquisition
Employee Training and Development
Compliance and Risk Management
Why work with OperationsInc?
Choosing OperationsInc allows companies to access a wide range of HR services backed by experienced professionals. They offer scalable solutions that can grow with your business, with a focus on compliance and optimizing employee management at every stage of your business journey.
6. Jumpstart HR
If you’re a founder thinking, “I need HR help but don’t want to hire a full-time HR person yet”, Jumpstart is exactly what you’re looking for. They specialize in HR for small businesses, startups, and nonprofits that want pro-level support without the corporate baggage.
They offer Flexible HR Support Subscriptions (basically fractional HR on demand). You get 20 hours/month of expert help for whatever’s on your plate: onboarding, compliance, culture-building, employee handbooks, and more.
And they’re not just reactive. Jumpstart’s also pushing the space forward. They recently acquired analyst and advisory firm Aspect43, which puts them in a much better position to offer data-driven insights and high-level HR strategy.
Jumpstart also offers compliance and legal support, so your HR teams can do their jobs with peace of mind and stay on the right side of all relevant laws.
Key Services:
HR outsourcing
Recruitment services
Payroll support
HR consulting
Strategic HR partnership
Employee handbook creation
Compliance and legal HR support
Why work with Jumpstart HR?
Jumpstart HR brings strategic and reliable HR solutions to small businesses and startups. Their flexible services are great for companies that want to scale efficiently without committing to full-time HR personnel. They can quickly integrate into diverse business environments which makes them an excellent partner for managing complex HR tasks like legal compliance, talent acquisition, and employee engagement.
7. The HR Team
If you want HR that feels like it’s part of your team (without hiring a full-time HR company), The HR Team’s got your back. They’ve been helping small and midsize businesses for 20+ years, from startups to $100M+ companies.
Their specialty is being your “on-call” HR department. Whether it’s HR audits, recruiting, employee relations, compensation/benefits, or leadership coaching, they jump in, get things done, and help you stay compliant (without slowing you down).
They’re cost-effective, place a strong emphasis on legal compliance, and care about helping you build an HR strategy that works for your specific team members and your goals.
That makes them perfect if you’re not ready to build an internal HR team, or if your HR leader just needs a serious bench to call in.
Key Services:
HR Outsourcing
HR Consulting
Performance Management
Manager Coaching and Guidance
Compensation Analysis
HR Audits
Employee Surveys
Why work with The HR Team?
This wide range of services means they can help you hire the very best people for your specific needs without running afoul of any regulations. The HR Team’s varied experience means they’ve seen it all, and can help you drill down on what exactly needs to change in your company.
8. Higginbotham
Most folks know Higginbotham for insurance, but they’re way more than that. Think insurance + HR + payroll + risk management + compliance, all under one roof. This means you won’t need to engage multiple different services, Higginbotham can be your one point of contact for outsourced HR.
They’ve got $ 450 M+ in revenue, 2,700 employees, and 87 offices in 16 states, which means they’ve got the resources and staff to handle even large, complex challenges at big organizations.
What makes them stand out? Their Day Two Services® model: they handle onboarding and retention, apart from candidate sourcing. You also get ongoing support on risk management, claims, HR compliance, benefits admin, and more, all year long. This means Higginbotham will get to know your company over time, which is far better than working with one-off service providers who treat you like everyone else
They work with a ton of industries like tech, hospitality, and life sciences, which means they have deep, rich experience of just about every HR challenge and situation out there, no matter how unique you think it is.
If you’re scaling and want relevant services handled by one company, Higginbotham’s the right choice.
Key Services:
Payroll administration
Benefits administration
Hiring and pre-hire administration
Onboarding services
FMLA and leave administration
Why work with Higginbotham?
Higginbotham offers a suite of services like insurance, HR, payroll, risk management, and compliance, which means they can single-handedly take on your HR challenges. Their Day Two Services® model means you get a partner who will grow with you and get to know your unique needs over time.
9. Armanino
Armanino is an all-in-one ops machine for scaling businesses. Think: HR, payroll, benefits, compliance, AND finance consulting, done by the same company. That means you get a partner who can handle almost everything without enlisting different service providers for that.
As you can see, Higginbotham had the same value proposition. However, these two companies differ: Higginbotham offers risk management, while Armanino focuses more on human resources and finances.
And they’re pretty good at what they do. After all, they’re a Top 20 U.S. firm pulling in $ 640 M+ revenue with 2,500+ employees across 20+ offices. That means a ton of experience, resources, and expert staff in all the important areas.
With their employee compensation services, for instance, they’ll analyze important market data for companies like yours to help you set the most attractive and competitive salary rates that work within your budget to attract the very best talent. And their learning and development services help you give your employees better training while meeting all legal requirements.
They also locked in private equity backing in 2024 to double down on tech investments, particularly in AI, as well as M&A growth. Translation: they’re investing big to stay cutting-edge.
Key Services:
Payroll Management
Employee Relations Management
Risk & Compliance Management
Benefits Administration
Talent Management and Acquisition
Compensation and Benefits Planning
Why work with Armanino?
Armanino offers full-service HR and integrates closely with overall business strategies, which can be particularly beneficial for growing companies that need scalable solutions. They use cutting-edge tech, with recent investments in AI, and take a data-driven, informed approach to HR that puts them ahead of many similar service providers.
10. James Moore & Co. HR Consulting
Whether you just need a fractional HR pro on speed dial or a full-blown outsourced HR department, James Moore’s got a plan for you. They’ve built smart, flexible subscription-style HR services so you can dial up support as your business scales. They:
Offer on-call HR with a certified HR consultant on tap
Optimize HR with your own dedicated HR director to partner with your team
Run your whole HR stack including handbooks, onboarding, compliance, performance management
The company brings many years of combined experience across industries like startups, healthcare, construction, government, and nonprofits. If any of these sound like your niche, chances are they’ve seen your problems before and know exactly what to do next.
Besides, they were named a 2024 Best-in-Class Employer by Gallagher, which means they know first-hand how to manage staff and deliver amazing employee experiences.
Key Services:
Compliance and Regulatory Adherence
Compensation and Benefits Strategy
Policy and Handbook Development
Training and Performance Development
Employee Relations and Culture Consulting
Outsourced HR Director Services
Why work with James Moore & Co.?
James Moore & Co. HR Consulting offers HR solutions that integrate deeply with client operations via fractional HR services, interim HR leadership, and short-term support. This means they can give you exactly the level of support you need to hit your HR goals, without wasting time or money on services you don’t need.
11. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
If you’re looking for HR support that can scale with you, Gallagher offers a range of services backed up by a ton of real-world experience. They’re pulling in $11.3 B+ revenue advising companies from startups to the Fortune 500.
Their toolkit covers all the usual services you need to attract and retain talent like benefits consulting, HR tech, compliance, and workforce strategy. They bring in the extra resources and expertise that you need to better manage your HR functions while freeing up your own HR teams.
They’re also big on data-driven HR. Their Gallagher Drive® platform helps you compare your HR services with industry peers, better understand your losses and future risk, and get more for your money with your insurance.
Plus, they just spent $660M to acquire Buck, a leading HR service provider with 2300 employees. As such, they can offer more services in more parts of the world.
Industries:
Aerospace
Automotive
Construction
Healthcare
Higher education
Law firms
PEO and temporary staffing
Private equity and M&A
Public sector & K-12 education
Senior living
Technology
Key Services:
HR and compensation consulting
Strategic HR planning and compliance
DEI consulting
Employee communication and engagement solutions
Leadership development
Executive search and compensation consulting
Why work with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.?
The company's global presence and expertise across multiple industries mean it can offer a range of services, functioning as a single service provider to many different companies with many different challenges.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an HR Outsourcing Partner
Not all HR outsourcing firms are built the same. Some are perfect for startups, others are built for scaling small companies or enterprises. Here’s what to look for when picking the right HR partner for your business:
Have They Solved Your Kind of HR Problems Before?
You don’t want to be someone’s trial run. Look for a firm that’s been around the block, and more importantly, one that’s solved problems similar to yours. Growing internationally? Heavy compliance needs? Make sure your HR partner has real-world wins in those lanes.
For example, if you’re managing a remote team you’ll know there are unique HR challenges that don’t affect traditional companies. Training your staff remotely, organizing team events, and managing payroll all work differently here. Your HR partner should have real, concrete experience and results with remote companies like yours.
Ask questions like “can you point me to a case study of a similar problem you solved for a company like mine?”
Bonus points if they’ve handled companies at your size and growth stage.
Will Their Services Scale With You (Not Against You)?
HR isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some firms just do payroll. Others can run the entire HR machine: onboarding, compliance, benefits, employee relations, leadership training… you name it.
Think about what you need right now and what you might need 12 months from now. This can be hard to predict, but look at any projections based on current trends, and consider how companies like yours have progressed.
The best HR partners offer à la carte services and full-stack solutions that can adapt as you grow. You can tell if an HR provider can scale with your company by looking at whether their tools, team size, and processes can handle more employees, locations, or complexity without running into resource shortages and delays.
Pro tip: Look at case studies of how they’ve worked with companies larger than yours.
How Modern (and Compatible) Is Their HR Tech?
Look for firms using modern HR tech like self-service portals, HRIS systems, and automated onboarding workflows. Even better if their tech stacks integrate seamlessly with your existing tools (like your payroll or ERP systems).
But don’t stop there; dig into how well their tools actually integrate. Ask for proof of past integrations with your payroll, ERP, or time-tracking systems. For example, if you’re using Workday or ADP, the firm should show how they’ve linked APIs, maintained data syncs, and avoided duplicate entry. Bonus points if they provide sandbox testing or real-time demo environments so you can verify compatibility before signing. Seamless integration isn’t a buzzword. It means no manual handoffs, no broken reports, and no extra costs from middleware. If they can’t speak to exact tools and data flow, they probably don’t know your stack well enough.
Can They Actually Keep You Compliant (and Covered)?
HR comes with serious compliance baggage: labor laws, employee privacy, and benefits regulations. Some examples are the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) which sets standards for things like minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor, as well as the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) which limits how much you can monitor your employees’ email and digital communications.
A slip-up can get expensive fast. For example, the average cost of an employment lawsuit for a small business is $160,000 and can take up to a year to resolve.
Make sure your HR partner knows the rules inside and out. To gauge if an HR services partner truly knows their legal stuff, ask them how they stay current with labor laws and what kind of compliance support they offer clients. A solid answer should include specifics, like regular training, a legal advisory team, or monitoring updates from agencies like the Department of Labor or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Are Their Fees Transparent, Or a Hidden Cost Trap?
Watch out for firms with vague pricing or hidden fees buried in the fine print. To make sure the cost matches the value, ask for a detailed breakdown of what’s included and what’s extra.
Then pick a pricing model that fits how you actually plan to use their services: a monthly retainer works well for ongoing support, per-employee fees scale with your team size, and project-based pricing is great for one-off needs. Clarity up front saves headaches (and money) later.
In the graphic below, you can see a few green flags to look out for in your next HR outsourcing partner:
What HR Outsourcing Partner Will You Choose?
Finding the right HR partner is synonymous with choosing a strategic ally. The right partner helps you hire smarter, stay compliant, keep employees happy, and scale faster.
We’ve looked at 11 HR providers here, and Alpha Apex Group came out on top. Their approach starts with a deep dive into your current HR setup, then builds custom solutions that meet your unique needs and scale as you grow. They help you work smarter, stay compliant with all relevant laws, and evolve their support to match your changing circumstances.
Pro tip: Interested in learning more about improving your HR? You might like our article on HR thought leaders.
FAQ
What is outsourced HR?
Outsourced HR means bringing in an outside firm to handle some or all of your HR responsibilities: things like payroll, compliance, hiring, benefits, and employee relations. This frees you up to focus on big-picture goals like digital transformation, growth opportunities, and leading your team.
What’s an example of HR outsourcing in a business consulting context?
An example of HR outsourcing in a business consulting context can be a management consulting firm hiring an HR partner to manage recruiting and onboarding for top talent while they scale up digital strategy services. Or a boutique firm doing digital transformation work might outsource payroll and compliance to stay lean and focused.
How much does it cost to outsource HR?
The cost of outsourcing HR really depends on what you need. If you just need help with a few tasks, it could cost a few hundred dollars a month. Full-service support, especially in sectors like the built environment or Government Agencies, often runs $100–$200 per employee per month, sometimes more if your setup involves things like digital platforms or complex project management.
What’s the benefit of outsourcing HR in fast-growing industries?
The main benefit of outsourcing HR in fast-growing industries is that you get access to subject-matter experts without building a whole internal HR team. That means less overhead and faster scaling, which is especially valuable in industries going through business transformation or navigating complex digital channels. It also gives your team more time to focus on thought leadership, strategy, and delivering on client work.
Can outsourcing HR help attract top talent?
Definitely, outsourcing HR helps attract top talent. HR partners can build out competitive benefits, support career growth opportunities, and streamline hiring processes across digital channels, all of which help your brand stand out in a competitive talent market, whether you're up against Big 4 firms or other industry leaders.
Are there HR functions you should keep in-house?
Yep, there are HR functions you should keep in-house. Things like setting company culture, handling dispute resolution, and making high-level leadership decisions are best done internally. But for admin-heavy work like payroll, benefits, and compliance, outsourcing makes a lot of sense, especially if you're growing fast or running complex digital marketing and organizational design initiatives.
