Pricing
Two ways to license Stratum. Only one of them scales with headcount.
Self-host on your own infrastructure for a one-time perpetual license — your cost is fixed the day you sign, no matter how many employees you add. Would rather not run the infrastructure yourself? A fully managed option is available too, priced PEPM.
The breakdown below is for PEOs. Running an ASO, domestic EOR, staffing agency, or CPA firm instead? See pricing across every vertical →
$105,000 — ~30% off our $150,000 PEO list price — reserved for exactly one PEO partner. Lock it in and it's yours for the life of your perpetual license, plus the discount holds 24 months on the annual subscription. We cap this at one PEO; once that slot is taken, the rate returns to list.
Low Risk Pilot
- ✓Run Stratum parallel to your current stack — no cutover, no commitment.
- ✓On-premises, on your infrastructure. Your clients' data never leaves your environment.
- ✓We implement alongside your team and customize to your workflows, billed at $150/hr.
The license fee is only triggered when you decide to make Stratum your platform.
Platform License
one-time fee — regardless of employee count. Founding Circle rate, capped at one PEO partner; list price otherwise.
- ✓Perpetual license. IP remains with Stratum; you own the right to run, extend, and self-host it.
- ✓Self-hosted: no PEPM, no seat fees, no recurring royalty. One fee, full stop.
- ✓200 employees or 20,000 — the license fee doesn't change.
- ✓Optional annual subscription — $51,000/yr — keeps tax tables and compliance rules current.
Need only part of the platform? Individual microservices available à la carte — contact us for pricing.
Implementation & Support
customization & support
- ✓Break-fixes are free through go-live acceptance (90-day warranty from signed sign-off).
- ✓Post go-live: $150/hr for customization, enhancements, or ongoing platform evolution — on your schedule.
- ✓Federal and state tax table updates via the optional $51,000/yr annual subscription.
Would rather not run the infrastructure yourself? We offer a fully managed option starting at $10 PEPM (hosting included) — you get the same platform without owning the hosting. Self-hosting above remains available if you'd rather keep cost fixed as you scale. Contact us to discuss exact rates for your book.
The Math
What self-hosting saves you
Industry standard PEO platform pricing runs $8–$15 PEPM. At 2,000 employees that's $16,000–$30,000 per month — $192,000–$360,000 per year, and it climbs with every employee you add. Self-hosting on a perpetual license fixes that cost the day you sign — here's the comparison at that same headcount:
Typical PEPM model @ 2,000 employees
$192K–$360K
per year, scaling with headcount.
Stratum, self-hosted — Founding Circle rate
$105,000
once. Regardless of employee count. While the one Founding Circle slot is open.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the Founding Circle, and how long does the discounted rate last?
Founding Circle is ~30% off list — $105,000 instead of $150,000 for the PEO self-hosted license — reserved for exactly one PEO partner. Sign as that partner and the discount is locked for the life of your perpetual license, plus it holds for 24 months on the annual subscription. It also includes 20 hours of free customization/implementation support (a $3,000 value), in exchange for reference and case-study rights. Once that one slot is taken, the rate reverts to list for everyone after — so if you want this price, the time to have the conversation is now.
Why choose the self-hosted license over the managed option?
Self-hosting gives you a perpetual license with a fixed cost the day you sign, regardless of how many employees you add or how your book of business changes. The managed option is priced PEPM, so it scales with usage — a better fit if you'd rather not run infrastructure yourself. Neither is the "right" answer; it depends on whether you want cost predictability or to hand off the hosting.
Do you offer a managed (PEPM) option?
Yes. If you'd rather not host it yourself, we'll run it for you, priced per-employee-per-month — $10 PEPM for PEO, hosting included. Self-hosting on the perpetual license above remains available if you'd rather keep your platform cost fixed as you scale. Contact us to discuss exact rates for your book.
What does "on-premises" mean in practice?
You run Stratum on your own servers — cloud or physical. Your clients' data never leaves your environment. No shared tenancy, no vendor data exposure risk, no reliance on our uptime. You own the infrastructure as well as the license.
What triggers the license fee?
Nothing until you decide to make Stratum your platform. During the pilot, you run it parallel to your current stack. The license fee is only invoiced when you make the call to switch. You control that moment.
What's included in the 90-day break-fix warranty?
Any defect — something that doesn't work as specified — is fixed at no charge through 90 days from signed go-live acceptance. The warranty covers break-fixes, not enhancements or new features. That distinction is defined in writing at signature.
What are "tax table updates via optional subscription"?
Federal and state withholding rates change each January, and sometimes mid-year. We offer a $51,000/yr subscription to keep your rate tables and compliance rules current without you having to track every IRS and state revenue publication. It's optional — you can maintain your own tables if you prefer.
Can I license only part of the platform?
Yes. Individual microservices are available à la carte. If you only need payroll and compliance, or HR and benefits without the CRM, we can structure a license for the modules you need. Contact us to discuss.
Not a PEO? See pricing for ASO, domestic EOR, our CPA/accounting-firm channel, and staffing agencies.
Ready to have the conversation?
We keep our partnership count small on purpose. Reach out directly.
Contact Us