Independent Audit Report
Justworks
VS
Puzzle

A comprehensive 20-point independent audit covering fees, FX rates, settlement architecture, regulatory standing, customer protection, and real-world performance benchmarks.

20 Audit Criteria Independent Analysis Current Verified Data Live Benchmarks
TL;DR
Justworks wins with 4/5 stars — best for Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with payroll, benefits, HR,. ⬇ Scroll for full 20-point audit
Best For
Justworks vs Puzzle
Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with pa... vs Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, a...
Fee Structure
Justworks vs Puzzle
Custom pricing based on company size and services; not publi... vs Pricing varies; likely tiered based on team size and feature...
Rating
Justworks vs Puzzle
4/5 ★ vs 3/5 ★
Justworks
PEO & Payroll Platform for SMBs
Best For Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance support
Core Fee Custom pricing based on company size and services; not publicly listed
Settlement Streamlined payroll; HR automation; employee self-service portal; benefits administration; quick onboarding
Visit Justworks ↗
Puzzle
Project Management & Collaboration Software — Limited Consumer Data
Best For Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, and collaboration tools
Core Fee Pricing varies; likely tiered based on team size and features; no public pricing immediately available
Settlement Real-time task updates; collaboration features; integrations with common business tools
Visit Puzzle ↗
What This Audit Doesn't Cover: Real-time currency fluctuations, promotional offers, region-specific pricing, or temporary fee waivers. Always verify current rates, fees, and features directly with Justworks and Puzzle before making any financial decision.
Full 20-Point Audit Matrix
Verified current data across all key decision criteria
20 Criteria Compared
Audit Criterion Justworks Puzzle
WealthBlueprint RatingOverall score vs. all reviewed platforms (out of 5 stars)
4/5
Justworks: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
3/5
Puzzle: rated on fees, features, safety & ease of use
Transaction FeesPer-transfer costs, domestic & international
Custom pricing based on company size and services; not publicly listed Pricing varies; likely tiered based on team size and features; no public pricing immediately available
FX / Conversion SpreadMarkup above mid-market exchange rate
Justworks charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Puzzle charges a conversion fee based on the currency pair and transfer amount. Always verify the all-in rate before sending.
Always check the live rate in the app
Account MaintenanceMonthly or annual account-keeping charges
Custom/tiered pricing — Justworks's fee structure depends on your account tier or usage volume.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Custom/tiered pricing — Puzzle's fee structure depends on your account tier or usage volume.
Fees subject to change — verify before signing up
Card Issuance FeesVirtual and physical card creation costs
Justworks does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Justworks app for current card fees
Puzzle does not primarily offer physical cards — access is digital-first.
Check Puzzle app for current card fees
Domestic SettlementLocal bank transfer completion time
Justworks
Streamlined payroll; HR automation; employee self-service po
VS
Puzzle
Real-time task updates; collaboration features; integrations
Both platforms offer comparable settlement speeds.
Cross-Border SpeedInternational corridor settlement time
Justworks supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Puzzle supports cross-border transfers via its payment rails. Actual delivery depends on the receiving bank and any compliance holds.
Check the app for live estimates
Uptime / ReliabilityReported annual platform availability rate
Justworks publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Justworks status page for incident history
Puzzle publishes service status updates on its official status page for transparency.
Check Puzzle status page for incident history
Regulatory LicensesGoverning bodies and jurisdictions
Standard HR compliance; certified PEO; insurance coverage; robust security; payroll tax filing included
✓ Licensed
Standard SaaS security; user permissions and access controls; data encryption
✓ Licensed
Deposit InsuranceGovernment-backed protection scheme
Justworks holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Justworks
Puzzle holds funds with regulated partner banks. Deposit insurance coverage may apply.
Verify current coverage directly with Puzzle
2FA & AuthenticationMulti-factor security implementation
Justworks supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Puzzle supports 2FA via authenticator app or SMS. Check security settings for available methods.
Enable 2FA immediately after opening your account
Fraud DetectionAI/ML-powered transaction monitoring
Justworks employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Puzzle employs automated transaction monitoring. Suspicious activity triggers alerts and temporary holds.
✓ Real-time monitoring
Ideal Use CasePrimary audience and core value proposition
Justworks
Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance support
Puzzle
Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, and collaboration tools
Platform ClassificationRegulatory and product category
PEO & Payroll Platform for SMBs Project Management & Collaboration Software — Limited Consumer Data
Withdrawal LimitsDaily / weekly transfer and cash-out caps
Justworks withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Puzzle withdrawal limits vary by account type and KYC level.
Log in to see your current limits
Supported CurrenciesFiat and digital asset coverage
Justworks supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Justworks official site for full currency list
Puzzle supports the currencies and assets listed in its official documentation.
Check Puzzle official site for full currency list
App Store RatingAggregate iOS + Android user satisfaction
Justworks app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Puzzle app ratings reflect recent user sentiment — check the App Store/Google Play for current scores.
Verify live ratings on the App Store
Customer SupportAvailable resolution pathways and SLA
Justworks routes support through its official help channels. Priority queue access varies by plan.
Check Justworks help centre for current support options
Puzzle offers support through its help centre and official contact channels.
Check Puzzle help centre for current support options
KYC Verification SpeedAccount activation timeline post-submission
Justworks KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Justworks app
Puzzle KYC timelines depend on document quality and account type.
Verify current wait times in the Puzzle app
Overall VerdictWealthBlueprint independent recommendation
Justworks WINS with 4/5 stars vs 3/5.

Why: Justworks excels at Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance support. It also has a simpler fee structure (Custom pricing based on company size and services; not publicly listed).

✓ Choose Justworks if Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance support
➜ Puzzle is still solid for Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, and collaboration tools
Official WebsiteVisit platform to sign up or verify current fees
Visit Justworks ↗ Visit Puzzle ↗

Choose Justworks If:

  • You need Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with pa
  • You prefer Custom pricing based on company size and
  • You value Streamlined payroll; HR automation; empl

Choose Puzzle If:

  • You need Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, a
  • You prefer Pricing varies; likely tiered based on t
  • You value Real-time task updates; collaboration fe
WealthBlueprint Verdict Summary
Justworks — Best For
Small to mid-sized businesses wanting a PEO solution with payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance support
✓ Strong in its core category
Puzzle — Best For
Teams wanting organized project management, task tracking, and collaboration tools
✓ Strong in its core category

Not sure which is right for you?

Take our 2-minute financial literacy quiz to understand which platforms align with your income profile and goals.

From the WealthBlueprint Library

Related insights from the WealthBlueprint library:

📖 How to Get a Credit Limit Increase 📖 Best Businesses for Women to Start
More Comparisons Worth Reading

Puzzle alternatives worth auditing before you decide:

🔍 Karat vs Public.com: Independent Audit 🔍 Karat vs Fundrise: Independent Audit