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It's a split decision.
Choose Namely for a midsized company seeking HR, payroll and time in one platform. It starts at $9 per employee monthly, but higher-tier prices are not published. PrimePay starts at $55 monthly plus $5 per employee for Base; Pro is $85 plus $6 per employee. Choose PrimePay for defined payroll tiers, Base tax filing and direct deposit, or Pro time tracking and HR support. Neither lists a free plan, so check total costs and support scope before switching.
01Side by side
| Namely | PrimePay | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9 per employee/month | $55/month + $5 per employee |
| Free plan | No free plan listed | No free plan listed |
| Best for | Midsized teams needing HR, payroll and time | Businesses needing payroll or HR assistance |
| Core strength | HR, payroll and time in one platform | Payroll, tax filing and direct deposit |
| Learning curve | Not published | Not published |
| Integrations/data | Integration details not published | Pre-built integrations on Custom |
| Team/seat costs | Per-employee pricing; higher-tier prices unpublished | Monthly fee plus per-employee charge |
| Support | Review score 3/5; verify support scope | Phone/chat, HR expert or named advisor by plan |
Namely Choose Namely if
- Choose Namely if you want HR, payroll and time in one platform.
- Choose Namely if its $9-per-employee starting price fits your budget.
- Choose Namely if you can confirm tailored-tier pricing before signing.
PrimePay Choose PrimePay if
- Choose PrimePay if you want published Base and Pro prices.
- Choose PrimePay if Base’s included tax filing and direct deposit fit.
- Choose PrimePay if you need Pro HR support or time tracking.
02Pricing compared
Namely lists NamelyNow at $9 per employee per month. It also lists NamelyPlus, NamelyPlus People and NamelyComplete, but does not publish prices for those tiers or annual rates. The page does not list a free plan or trial.
PrimePay’s DIY (Base) plan is $55 per month plus $5 per employee. Expert Assist (Pro) is $85 per month plus $6 per employee. Base includes one state of tax filing; additional states are listed at $7.50 each, up to four states. Custom and Full Service (PEO) pricing is not published. Some add-ons, including W-2s and applicant tracking, also have no listed price.
These prices are not directly comparable: Namely’s starting price is per employee, while PrimePay lists a monthly base fee plus employee charges. Get a full quote before switching; annual billing prices are not published for either.
03Features and depth
Namely is positioned as an all-in-one HCM platform for midsized companies. Its listed scope includes HR, payroll and time, with benefits enrollment and employee self-service, applicant tracking, performance reviews with 360° feedback, and time, attendance and scheduling. Managed services can support HR, payroll and benefits processes. The pricing details do not say which modules are included in each paid tier, so confirm package contents before assuming the $9 entry plan covers your needs.
PrimePay, now CoAd Pay, centers on payroll and HR administration. Base includes unlimited payroll runs, one state of tax filing, two-day direct deposit, paycards, and phone and chat support. Pro adds multi-state tax filing, time and attendance, and HR expert support. Custom adds a dedicated account manager, pre-built integrations and bespoke reporting. Full Service PEO lists a named HR advisor, benefits administration and full payroll management. Choose based on whether you need broader HCM modules or clearly described payroll tiers; verify the service scope and fees in the quote.
04Ease of use and learning curve
Our review scores are close on ease of use: Namely scores 5 and PrimePay 6. The source does not provide a scoring scale or describe onboarding, training, or setup time, so those numbers do not establish which product will be easier for your team to learn.
Their listed scopes may help frame the decision. Namely brings HR, payroll and time together with additional HCM modules, while PrimePay’s Base and Pro plans spell out specific payroll services and support. More modules can mean more decisions about configuration, but the source does not document Namely’s setup process. Ask both vendors to show the workflows your team will use, and confirm what help is included. PrimePay lists phone and chat support on Base and HR expert support on Pro; Namely’s support scope is not specified here.
Questions people ask
What does PrimePay do?
PrimePay, now CoAd Pay, is a payroll and HR platform. Its listed services include payroll processing, tax filing, direct deposit and HR administration. Pro adds time and attendance and HR expert support; its Full Service PEO offering lists benefits administration, full payroll management and a named HR advisor.
Is Namely still in business?
The information for this comparison describes Namely as an HCM platform for midsized companies and includes pricing checked on November 6, 2026. That information does not independently confirm the company’s current operating status. Check Namely’s official site or contact the company before making a purchasing decision.
What does “Namely” do?
Namely provides an HCM platform for midsized companies to manage HR, payroll and time. Its listed capabilities also include benefits administration, applicant tracking, performance reviews, workforce management and managed services for HR, payroll and benefits processes. Confirm which capabilities are included in the plan you are quoted.
How much does PrimePay cost?
PrimePay lists DIY (Base) at $55 per month plus $5 per employee, and Expert Assist (Pro) at $85 per month plus $6 per employee. Custom and Full Service PEO plans have custom pricing. Additional states are listed at $7.50 each, up to four states; some add-on prices are not published.