10 Best Forma Alternatives of 2025

Forma is a well-known employee benefits platform that enables employers to offer a range of customizable pre- and post-tax benefits. While it’s a popular choice, no platform is the best solution for every organization, and some current Forma users have quibbles with their experience. One enterprise user remarks that aspects of the cashing out process can be confusing, while another describes the customer support as “very disappointing” and largely reliant on an “AI bot that pushes you to unrelated help articles.” 

Nevertheless, switching benefits providers isn’t the easiest of tasks, even if you have a compelling reason to do so. Not only can it be expensive, it can also negatively impact employee engagement. So, if you’re planning to jump ship to another vendor, you’ll want to be 100% certain the effort is worth your time and money investment. There’s no shortcut here—your best bet is simply to choose the Forma alternative that best suits your circumstances. 

With this in mind, our guide introduces you to 10 Forma alternatives well worth your attention. 

How we picked these Forma alternatives

There’s a sea of lifestyle benefits providers in the market, so you’re probably wondering how we narrowed down the dozens of options to a list of just 10. It’s definitely no easy task, but by scouring publicly available information, including features, pricing, and third-party user reviews, we were able to shortlist 10 Forma alternatives based on the following criteria: 

• Ease of implementation: How easy is it to roll out or maintain your benefits program? 
• User experience: Once up and running, is it intuitive for your in-house teams and your employees? Are things where you expect them to be? Is the platform buggy? 
• Benefit flexibility: Does the platform cater to your employees’ diverse needs or are they limited on how they can spend their funds? 
• Transparency and fee structure: Does the vendor clearly outline pricing for both employers and employees? 
• Dashboards and analytics: Is it easy for benefits administrators to pull reports on participation, or benefits spend? 
• Scalability: Does the Forma alternative have the capacity to grow with your organization? 
• Customer support: How easy is it to find answers and resolve issues when you need help? And is the support hands-on, or are you expected to DIY it? 

10 best Forma alternatives

Before we jump into the details, here’s a quick glimpse of each Forma alternative on our list. Remember that our scoring* is based on publicly available information but we would always urge you to conduct your own research before switching benefits providers. 

1. Benepass 

Best for: The best overall alternative across all categories, offering flexibility, global coverage, user experience, and support.

Benepass stands out as the most complete lifestyle benefits platform for organizations seeking flexibility, scalability, and employee-first design. While Forma offers a solid foundation for customizable benefits, Benepass takes the concept further with an intuitive digital wallet experience that simplifies administration and empowers employees to use their benefits in ways that truly support their well-being.

At its core, Benepass redefines how employers deliver benefits by consolidating every program, such as wellness, professional development, lifestyle stipends, commuter benefits, health spending accounts, and more, into a single, seamless platform. 

HR teams can create flexible, rule-based categories that align with company culture and compliance standards, while employees receive a Benepass card to spend across approved merchants instantly. The experience is frictionless from both sides: Administrators enjoy powerful analytics and automation, and employees gain the freedom to choose what matters most to them.

Why it stands out 

Benepass delivers an exceptionally consistent experience. The onboarding process is fast and guided by a dedicated implementation team, so employers can roll out new benefits programs with minimal disruption. Pricing is transparent and scalable, adapting to company size and program complexity.

Forma users have cited confusion when attempting to cash out or manage their reimbursements. Benepass resolves that friction through clear transaction visibility and real-time balance tracking. On the admin side, dashboards provide actionable insights into employee engagement, budget utilization, and program ROI. 

Beyond technical polish, Benepass’s commitment to service is a key differentiator. Benepass maintains a responsive customer support team trained to handle complex compliance and reimbursement questions. Our human-centered approach reflects the company’s broader mission: to make benefits personal, inclusive, and genuinely beneficial.

Key features 

• Unified benefits wallet: Consolidate all pre-tax and lifestyle benefits into one digital wallet and card. Employees can spend directly without the need to juggle reimbursements across multiple platforms or vendors.
• Global-ready infrastructure: Support distributed teams across currencies and geographies with built-in regional compliance, tax handling, and merchant flexibility, with no need for separate local providers.
• Flexible program design: Launch or edit benefit policies in minutes using customizable templates. Set contribution rules, eligibility criteria, and spending categories that match your company culture and workforce needs.
• Real-time reimbursements and visibility: Employees see transactions and balances update instantly, while admins access live spend data for accurate budget tracking.
• Actionable analytics: Detailed dashboards reveal engagement levels, category utilization, and ROI, helping HR teams refine benefits strategies and demonstrate impact.
• Seamless integrations and compliance automation: Connect Benepass to a variety of payroll and HRIS systems to automate deductions, reporting, and tax documentation.
• Human-centered support: Dedicated customer success teams ensure smooth onboarding, responsive issue resolution, and proactive partnership beyond launch.

What users think 

“We’ve had Benepass for over 2 years here at my org and I think this is one of the best benefits an employer can provide to their employees outside regular comp. I am able to take on more extra curricular activities and it wouldn't have been possible if that same amount was part of my regular salary.” - A verified computer software user 

“From an employer’s side, it is very easy to submit employee deductions on the website. You create a file in the format requested and import it. Benepass send notifications whenever they draw funds so you can easily book your withdrawals to cover usage. When we implemented Benepass and we had questions the customer service was always quick to respond and keep us on the right path. The customer service people that I have dealt with have always been so nice and helpful.” - Susan C., a payroll manager 

2. Compt 

Best for: Global, policy-driven stipends that are simple to launch and scale

Compt helps companies simplify the delivery of lifestyle stipends without the complexity of managing multiple benefit vendors. Instead of dictating where employees can spend, Compt allows teams to offer a spread of benefits across wellness, learning, family, remote work, and more, then upload receipts for reimbursement. 

Why it stands out

Compt’s merchant-agnostic model gives employees freedom to choose how they spend their allowances across 25 spending categories while keeping employers fully compliant. Its policy-driven approach makes it simple to tailor benefits for global teams and track utilization across departments. 

Key features

• Global stipends with local currency support
• Configurable policy rules for eligibility and taxation
• Integrations with HRIS and payroll systems
• Real-time tracking and reimbursement workflows
• Visibility into program adoption and spend

What users think 

“We’re able to run a lifestyle benefit globally in minutes rather than the days it previously worked. Compt is constantly evolving their features, most in direct response to any friction points experienced by admins or end users.” - A verified IT user 

3. Espresa

Best for: Employee engagement, recognition, and culture-building programs

Espresa is a culture-driven platform that brings together recognition, wellness, volunteering, and reimbursement programs into one central hub. It focuses on fostering community and engagement rather than purely managing spend.

Why it stands out

Unlike most lifestyle benefit tools, the Espresa LSA Plus prioritizes participation. Its platform supports fitness challenges, peer-to-peer shoutouts, and company-wide events, turning benefits into a shared experience rather than an individual transaction.

Key features

• Recognition and rewards tied to company values
• Wellness and volunteer program management
• Centralized event registration and reimbursement tools
• Integrations with HR platforms for easy deployment

What users think 

“Espresa makes it pretty easy to manage company-wide perks. I use Espresa to sign-up for workout classes, buy tickets to events, and get reimbursements, as well as giving shout outs and recognition to coworkers.” - Corrinne R., senior manager of strategic programs 

4. JOON

Best for: Wellness-first benefits with simple implementation and strong employee adoption

JOON specializes in employee wellbeing. Its flexible reimbursement platform helps companies support wellness, fitness, and mental health initiatives without adding administrative overhead.

Why it stands out

JOON stands out for its focus and simplicity. The platform streamlines the process of launching wellness stipends and ensures employees can easily use them at merchants they already love.

Key features

• No annual contract required 
• Customizable wellness stipends with flexible policy controls
• Fast reimbursement approvals and real-time tracking
• Intuitive mobile experience for employees
• Reporting tools for HR to monitor utilization
• Integrations with HRIS systems for eligibility syncing

What users think 

“Joon has been a fantastic addition to our wellness program. The diverse benefits—ranging from fitness to mental health—truly cater to our team's needs. The platform is super easy to use, and we’ve seen a noticeable boost in morale. Highly recommend for any company focused on employee well-being!” - Verified user in financial services 

5. Fringe

Best for: Offering curated lifestyle perks and experiences through a digital marketplace

Fringe replaces manual stipends and reimbursements with a digital marketplace of lifestyle vendors. Employees receive credits to spend on everything from streaming and fitness to learning and travel, simplifying benefits distribution.

Why it stands out

Fringe’s curated marketplace model provides instant gratification for employees. It’s perfect for companies wanting high-impact perks without the administrative lift.

Key features

• Lifestyle marketplace with 100+ vendors
• Credit-based system for monthly or ad-hoc rewards
• Customizable campaigns for milestones or recognition
• Reporting on redemption and engagement
• Simple implementation and management

What users think 

“From an employer perspective, it’s easy to customize stipends and programs to your budget and needs. You can use it for monthly stipends, one-off rewards like employee appreciation day, or programs such as birthdays, anniversaries, and performance incentives.” - Verified user in sports 

6. HealthEquity

Best for: Comprehensive HSA, FSA, and HRA management with strong compliance tools

HealthEquity is a leading administrator of health savings and spending accounts. It helps organizations manage pre-tax health and commuter benefits with the precision and compliance large employers require.

Why it stands out

HealthEquity’s value lies in its regulatory expertise and operational reliability. The platform simplifies complex health plan administration, ensuring accuracy in reimbursements and adherence to IRS regulations.

Key features

• End-to-end HSA, FSA, and HRA management
• COBRA and commuter benefit options
• Integrated claims processing and reporting
• Educational tools to help employees maximize savings
• Direct payroll and insurance carrier connections

What users think 

“Very easy to navigate… If you do run into issues, I find that customer support replies fast and takes time to fully understand your issue before addressing it.” - Trevor M., a sales analyst 

7. BambooHR

Best for: Centralized HR management with integrated benefits administration

BambooHR combines employee data management, time tracking, and performance tools with integrations for payroll and benefits. It’s an ideal choice for HR teams seeking to streamline people operations.

Why it stands out

BambooHR is a true all-in-one HRIS that can connect directly to benefits vendors or manage stipends through integrations. Its intuitive design makes it easy for HR teams and employees alike to navigate.

Key features

• Central HR database with role-based access
• PTO, onboarding, and performance tracking
• Benefits enrollment and payroll integrations
• Real-time HR reporting and dashboards
• Secure document management and self-service

What users think 

“I like how intuitive and easy to use the interface is for all users (both HR staff and employees), making the learning curve not too steep and requiring minimal training. Also, by bringing all core employee data (personal info, time off, compensation, documents, etc.) into one secure and centralized database, it eliminates the chaos of managing information across disparate spreadsheets and files, or even worse, in local drives.” - Computer software user 

8. ADP Workforce Now 

Best for: Enterprises needing integrated payroll, benefits, and compliance

ADP Workforce Now delivers a robust suite for payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and workforce management. It’s built for large, complex organizations requiring enterprise-grade control.

Why it stands out

ADP’s platform excels in compliance and scale. Its benefits administration module connects payroll, insurance carriers, and reporting, delivering a seamless flow of data across HR functions.

Key features

• Unified payroll and benefits processing
• ACA and compliance management
• Broad integration ecosystem for HR tools
• Customizable reporting and analytics
• Global payroll and workforce solutions

What users think 

“What I like most is how everything just works together—payroll, benefits, and time tracking all connect seamlessly. It was really easy to implement, and once it was up, the interface felt simple to use from day one.” - Francisco D., a small business user 

9. Gusto

Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses that need simple payroll and benefits in one place

Gusto blends payroll, onboarding, and benefits administration in a beautifully simple interface. It’s purpose-built for SMBs looking to modernize HR operations without enterprise complexity.

Why it stands out

With automation at its core, Gusto makes compliance, payroll, and benefits easy to manage. The platform’s intuitive workflows and transparent pricing make it ideal for lean HR teams. 

Key features

• Automated payroll with tax filings and W-2 generation
• Integrated health, commuter, and savings benefits
• Employee self-service portal and onboarding tools
• Reporting on payroll and benefits spend
• App integrations for growing businesses

What users think 

“Gusto is known for its clean, intuitive design. Payroll, benefits, and onboarding are streamlined so even people without HR experience can manage them confidently.” - Verified user in IT 

10. ThrivePass 

Best for: Lifestyle Spending Accounts and learning benefits focused on wellbeing and growth

ThrivePass delivers a flexible benefits platform centered on Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs), wellbeing programs, and learning reimbursements. It helps companies design policies that promote both personal and professional growth.

Why it stands out

ThrivePass strikes a balance between structure and flexibility. Employers can define precise spending categories, like wellness, education, and lifestyle, while giving employees the autonomy to choose how to use their funds.

Key features

• Configurable Lifestyle Spending Accounts
• Education and professional development reimbursements
• Employee wellbeing initiatives and fitness programs
• Policy customization and audit-ready receipts
• Dashboard insights on participation and spend

What users think 

“It’s an easy to use platform that allows my employer to give additional perks like health-encouraging gym memberships …  a massage or even art supplies.” - Ann S., a proposal content specialist

FAQs about Forma alternatives

Still got questions about Forma alternatives? We’ve got you covered. 

How should I pick a Forma alternative? 

Picking the best Forma alternative starts with plenty of research. Beyond reading this guide, consider the must-have features you expect from a lifestyle benefits platform. For example, you might require a certain set of integrations with your specific payroll or HRIS system, or you might want the ability to offer benefits debit cards to your employees. 

Pricing is almost always a consideration for any employer hoping to switch to a Forma alternative. Along with checking that the pricing structure (for example, per employee/per month) and cost aligns with your budget, remember to check for any hidden fees like implementation or currency conversion costs. 

Is it worth switching providers? 

Yes, it can be worth switching benefits providers if you’re dissatisfied with your current vendor and you know that you’re moving to a reputable Forma alternative. Bear in mind that any type of switch will involve some level of administrative burden, but if you choose the right vendor, you’ll likely experience an excellent return on your investment. 

Which providers are best for enterprises? 

Benepass is the best platform for enterprise organizations. Our customers rate us as 4.8 out of 5 on G2’s software review platform (joint highest of any of the alternatives on this list). We also support 400,000 users across 80+ countries, and boast a 98% client retention rate. It’s easy to see why Benepass is a popular choice for enterprise companies like monday.com, Workday, and Anthropic. 

Revolutionize your benefits with Benepass

Choosing the best Forma alternative for your business is about finding the platform your people will actually use and your team can confidently run at scale. The providers above span very different strengths: stipend simplicity, curated marketplaces, HRIS-first hubs, health account expertise, and global, card-based wallets. 

As a best practice, make a shortlist of the platforms that could suit your benefits strategy and pressure-test them against your 2025-2026 roadmap. If you’re ready to consolidate vendors, boost engagement, and make benefits feel personal rather than policy-driven, Benepass delivers the strongest balance across all categories.

Ready to take your benefits to the next level? Book a free Benepass demo or contact sales@getbenepass.com to connect with a benefits specialist—we’ll help you design a program your people love, and your finance team trusts.