ASO Services vs. PEO: What’s Right for Your Business?

If you’re a small or mid-sized business looking for help managing payroll, HR, compliance, and benefits—but without the full co-employment model of a PEO—you may have come across the term ASO services.

Let’s break down what ASO really means, and more importantly, whether it’s the right fit for your business—or if there’s a better, smarter solution.

What Are ASO Services?

ASO stands for Administrative Services Organization. An ASO provides businesses with outsourced HR support, but without the co-employment relationship you’d find with a PEO (Professional Employer Organization).

With ASO services, your business retains all employment liability, but the ASO helps with:

  • Payroll processing

  • Employee benefits administration

  • HR compliance guidance

  • Workers’ comp assistance

  • Unemployment claims management

In short, you get help—but not shared responsibility.

ASO vs. PEO: What’s the Difference?

Feature ASO Services PEO Services
Co-employment ❌ No ✅ Yes
Payroll & Tax Filing ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Workers’ Comp Under Master Policy ❌ No ✅ Yes
Employee Benefits Access Limited or via client Access via PEO’s plans
Liability Sharing ❌ No ✅ Yes

If your business wants maximum control and only needs administrative help, an ASO might work. But if you want to lower your HR costs, access big-company benefits, and share liability—a PEO is usually the better choice.


Why Businesses Searching for ASO Services Often End Up Choosing a PEO

Many companies start out looking for ASO services because they think co-employment is too complicated. But after speaking to a PEO expert, they realize:

  • They can save thousands on workers’ comp and benefits

  • They don’t lose control over employees—they just gain support

  • They get protection from HR and compliance risks

  • They can focus on growth, not admin tasks


Here’s Where NetPEO Comes In

At NetPEO, we’re not an ASO or a PEO—we’re something even more valuable:

We’re a PEO Broker – we match your business with the perfect HR outsourcing solution, including ASO or PEO options.

We help you:

  • Compare PEO vs ASO providers side-by-side

  • Get quotes from top-rated HR providers in minutes

  • Choose the model that saves you the most money and time

  • Avoid hidden fees, bad contracts, and poor service


Not Sure If You Need ASO or PEO? Let’s Talk.

Choosing the right HR outsourcing model is a big decision. But you don’t have to make it alone.

🎯 Get a Free HR Consultation Today – We’ll help you understand your options and connect you with the best fit.

👉Fill Out The Form & Get Your Free PEO Quote.

Or call us at (678) 841-7449 – no pressure, just honest answers.


Final Thoughts

ASO services can be a great starting point for companies needing admin support—but they’re not always the most cost-effective or protective option. A PEO often provides more value, more protection, and more growth potential.

NetPEO helps you cut through the confusion and find the right solution for your business. Whether it’s ASO, PEO, or something in between—we’ve got your back.


Ready to compare your options?

Let’s find the HR solution that actually fits your business.