How StretchDollar pricing compares to other ICHRA platforms, by team size
If you're comparing ICHRA platforms (also now called CHOICE arrangements), the price you pay depends a lot on the size of your team. This article compares StretchDollar with Thatch, Take Command, Zorro, Zizzl and BenefitBay, using each company's own public website.
Competitor details were checked on October 22, 2026. Prices change, so confirm current terms with each company before you decide.
At a glance
| Built for | Published monthly price | You pay for | Minimums | Setup and contract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StretchDollar | 1–50 W-2 employees | $100 platform fee + $25 per enrolled employee | Employees enrolled in a plan, including those who take a marketplace subsidy with our help | None | No setup fee, no long-term contract, no cancellation fee. Cancel anytime. |
| Thatch | 1–49 eligible employees on its Standard plan; custom pricing at 50+ | $45 per enrolled employee + a compliance fee ($25 with 1–2 enrolled, $50 with 3 or more) | Enrolled employees; your tier is set by eligible headcount | At 50+: at least 10 enrolled ($2,400 a year). The employer agreement allows minimum fees. | No setup fee listed. Renews automatically each year; 90 days' notice to stop renewal or close the account. Fees can change with 30 days' notice. |
| Take Command | 1–49 employees on its small-employer pricing; custom at 50+ | Starting at $25 per employee + a platform fee starting at $40 (the "+" means these are starting prices) | Active employees. Employees must log in to waive, or they may be billed. | None listed | No setup fees. Cancellation generally takes effect at the end of the plan year. |
| Zorro | No minimum group size; says it works best at 30+ enrolled | Custom quote only | Not advertised - contact required | Has a minimum fee, but a custom quote is required | NNot advertised - contact required |
| Zizzl | Tiers for 1–99 and 100+ enrolled employees | Implementation / Annual Renewal Fee: $550 per group with a Monthly Platform Fee of $25 PEEPM ($37 for NY-based Employees) | Enrolled employees (tiers) | No participation thresholds | Not advertised - contact required |
| BenefitBay | Not stated | Custom quote only | Not advertised - contact required | Not advertised - contact required | Fees can change with 30 days' notice, taking effect at renewal |
What you'd pay each month, by team size
These are platform fees only, using each company's published prices. Insurance premiums and your employees' allowances aren't included.
| Employees enrolled | StretchDollar | Thatch | Take Command (website, starting at) | Take Command (2025 broker guide) | Zorro, Zizzl, BenefitBay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $125 | $70 | from $65 | $130–$140 | By quote |
| 3 | $175 | $185 | from $115 | $190–$220 | By quote |
| 5 | $225 | $275 | from $165 | $250–$300 | By quote |
| 10 | $350 | $500 | from $290 | $400–$500 | By quote |
| 20 | $600 | $950 | from $540 | $700–$900 | By quote |
| 40 | $1,100 | $1,850 | from $1,040 | $1,300–$1,700 | By quote |
Notes on the table:
- Thatch figures match the totals on Thatch's own pricing calculator and apply when you have 1–49 eligible employees.
- Take Command lists "$25+" and "$40+" on its website, so that column is the lowest possible price, not a quote. Its February 2025 broker guide lists a $100 platform fee for 1–50 eligible employees plus $30 or $40 per participating employee (the $40 package is required for larger employers), shown as a range.
- Zorro, Zizzl and BenefitBay you'll need a custom quote from each to compare.
Which fits your team size?
1–2 employees enrolled
At this size, platforms with lower base fees can cost less than StretchDollar's $100 platform fee. Thatch's published price is $70 a month for 1 enrolled employee and $115 for 2, and Take Command's starts at $65. Zorro notes that its minimum fee can reduce savings for very small teams. If price is the deciding factor at 1–2 employees, compare the full terms: contract length, notice periods and whether you'll be billed full premiums up front.
3–25 employees enrolled
This is where StretchDollar is built to fit. Our price stays at $100 + $25 per enrolled employee, with no compliance fee, no minimum and no contract. Compared with Thatch's published price, StretchDollar costs less from 3 enrolled employees onward, and the gap grows with every employee: $150 less a month at 10 enrolled and $350 less at 20.
26–50 employees enrolled
StretchDollar's pricing doesn't change as you grow: at 40 enrolled employees you'd pay $1,100 a month, compared with $1,850 on Thatch's published pricing. Zorro says it works best for teams with 30 or more enrolled employees, but you'll need a quote to compare. Watch for tier changes: Thatch moves to custom pricing once you reach 50 eligible employees.
More than 50 employees
StretchDollar is built for employers with 1–50 W-2 employees. Larger employers usually move to custom pricing elsewhere: Thatch and Take Command both quote custom prices at 50+, and Zizzl has an Enterprise tier for 100+ enrolled employees. If you have more than 50 employees, contact us and we'll help you figure out what fits.
Beyond the price: how money moves
The monthly fee isn't the only cost difference. How premiums are paid affects your cash flow:
- StretchDollar: Employees pay their insurer as usual, and we reimburse them up to your allowance by ACH from your business bank account. We never hold your money, and you never pay more than the allowance you set.
- Thatch: Thatch pays insurers and bills you the full premium (including any part above the allowance), with premiums billed on the 15th and platform fees on the 1st. Thatch may require a reserve.
- Take Command: With AutoPay (3 or more participating employees), you fund an account that pays insurers the full premium. Otherwise employees pay and are reimbursed.
- Zorro: Premiums are paid to insurers through a Zorro Pay card loaded with the full premium.
- Zizzl: The employer pays insurers and takes the employee's share through payroll deduction. Reimbursement is also an option.
- BenefitBay: Each employee has an account that's pre-funded with your contribution and the employee's share, and insurers are paid from it.
Questions to ask any ICHRA provider
- Do I pay for every eligible employee, or only those who enroll?
- Is there a minimum monthly fee or a minimum number of enrolled employees?
- Are there setup, implementation or add-on fees (for example, ACA reporting or payroll integration)?
- How long is the contract, and how much notice do I need to give to cancel?
- Will I be billed full premiums in advance, or asked to keep money in reserve?
- Can my broker stay my agent of record?
Want the details of StretchDollar's pricing? See How much does StretchDollar cost for my business? Have a question about how we compare? Contact us anytime.