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 $150,000 license fee is our introductory Founding Circle rate — reserved for the first cohort of PEOs to adopt Stratum. Lock it in once and it's yours for the life of your perpetual license. We keep this cohort deliberately small; when it closes, the rate goes up.
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. Introductory rate; rises once the Founding Circle closes.
- ✓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.
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 optional subscription.
Would rather not run the infrastructure yourself? We offer a fully managed option, priced PEPM — 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 which fits your operation.
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
$150,000
once. Regardless of employee count. While the cohort is open.
FAQ
Common questions
What is the Founding Circle, and how long does the $150,000 rate last?
The $150,000 license fee is our founding-partner rate — reserved for the first cohort of PEOs who adopt Stratum while it's early. Sign as a Founding Circle partner and that price is locked for the life of your perpetual license, even after we raise it for everyone who comes later. We keep this cohort deliberately small. Once it's full, the rate goes up — 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. 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 rates for the managed option.
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 $150,000 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 subscription to keep your rate tables 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.
Ready to have the conversation?
We keep our partnership count small on purpose. Reach out directly.
Contact Us