The contingent workforce management market is evolving rapidly. Between hybrid work models, cross-border hiring complexity, and the rise of independent contractors, companies need MSP partners who can do more than administer vendor relationships. They need strategic advisors who understand total talent management.
Summary
This guide explains how to evaluate MSP providers for contingent workforce management using Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix criteria, focusing on market adoption, portfolio breadth, value delivered, services scope, innovation, delivery footprint, and strategic vision. It compares provider categories so you can match capabilities to your needs. Key takeaways include prioritizing measurable outcomes, flexibility, and global support, and considering integrated MSP + EOR/IC/SOW solutions for cross-border hiring. Actionable next steps are provided for first-time buyers, switchers, and globally expanding organizations.
Full transparency: We’re Workwell North America, and yes, we’re included in this guide. We recognize we’re biased. But we’re also using objective criteria from the Everest Group PEAK Matrix Assessment to evaluate what makes an excellent MSP provider. For three consecutive years, we’ve been recognized as a Major Contender in this assessment, most recently as Workwell MSP after transitioning from Eastridge Workforce Management.
We’re not right for everyone. But if you’re evaluating MSP providers, this guide will help you identify what matters most for your organization.
What Makes an Excellent MSP Provider in 2026?
The Everest Group PEAK Matrix evaluates MSP providers across seven dimensions. Here’s what each means for your program:
Market Adoption: Does the provider have proven experience across industries and company sizes? Look for client retention rates and program longevity. A provider managing hundreds of programs understands edge cases you haven’t encountered yet.
Portfolio Mix: Can they handle your entire contingent ecosystem or just traditional staffing? The best providers integrate temp labor, statement of work (SOW), independent contractors, and direct sourcing into a unified strategy.
Value Delivered: What outcomes do their clients achieve? Cost savings matter, but so do time-to-fill, quality of hire, compliance risk reduction, and supplier diversity metrics. Ask for client references and NPS scores.
Scope of Services: Do they offer consulting, technology, and managed services, or just program administration? As workforce strategies become more complex, you need partners who can advise on total talent architecture, not just execute tactical playbooks.
Innovation and Investments: Are they building for the future? AI-powered sourcing, predictive analytics, and direct sourcing platforms separate modern MSPs from legacy administrators. Ask what they’ve launched in the past 12 months.
Delivery Footprint: Can they support your global operations today and tomorrow? If you’re hiring across state lines or country borders, your MSP needs local employment expertise, not just vendor management capabilities.
Vision and Strategy: Where is the provider headed? The MSP market is consolidating. Choose partners who are investing in capabilities, not managing to an exit.
Top MSP Providers to Consider
Here are providers worth evaluating based on different organizational needs and priorities:
Workwell North America
Best for: Companies that want enterprise-scale global infrastructure with boutique-level service and integrated workforce solutions.
Workwell MSP combines 40+ years of workforce management experience (formerly Eastridge) with Workwell Global’s infrastructure across 100+ countries. What makes this relevant: most MSP clients also need employer of record (EOR), independent contractor (IC) compliance, and SOW management. Workwell delivers all three within a single MSP framework.
Key differentiators:
- Client NPS score of 80 (industry benchmark is typically 40-50)
- Flexible technology approach using proprietary platform (Talient), Beeline, or other VMS solutions
- Direct access to global employment infrastructure without selling you to a different business unit
- Third consecutive year recognized as a Major Contender in Everest PEAK Matrix
- Programs designed for client and supplier benefit, not just margin optimization
Where they excel: Mid-market to enterprise companies expanding globally who are drowning in cross-border complexity and need both MSP orchestration and employment infrastructure in one partner. If your current MSP tells you to “find an EOR for that,” Workwell is worth a conversation.
Candid assessment: First year operating as Workwell MSP post-rebrand. If brand recognition in the MSP space matters more than capability, consider enterprise-scale alternatives below.
Enterprise-Scale Providers (Allegis Global Solutions, Randstad Sourceright, ManpowerGroup TAPFIN)
Best for: Fortune 100 companies with established procurement processes that prioritize brand recognition and deep industry benchmarking.
These providers have been Leaders in the Everest PEAK Matrix for years. They manage billions in contingent spend annually and have mature methodologies across every industry vertical.
Where they excel: Brand recognition opens doors. If you’re presenting to a board or procurement committee that values “nobody gets fired for choosing [enterprise brand],” these providers offer that security. Their scale also means extensive benchmarking data.
Candid assessment: Enterprise processes come with enterprise timelines. If you need flexibility, rapid decision-making, or custom program design, you may experience friction. Great choice for risk-averse buyers who value established playbooks over innovation.
Specialized/Emerging Providers (Healthcare MSPs, Regional Focus)
Best for: Organizations with niche industry requirements or those who prioritize hungry, responsive service over global footprint.
Healthcare-focused MSPs like AMN Healthcare understand the complexity of clinical credentialing that generalist providers don’t. Regional specialists may offer deeper market knowledge and relationships in specific geographies.
Where they excel: Domain expertise. If you’re hiring clinical staff, a healthcare MSP speaks your language. If your entire footprint is in one region, a specialist may deliver better supplier relationships and market intelligence.
Candid assessment: Specialized providers trade breadth for depth. If you expand beyond their core competency (new industry, new geography, new worker type), you may outgrow the relationship. Evaluate their scalability roadmap carefully.
What Should You Do Next?
Selecting an MSP provider is a multi-year commitment. Here’s how to move forward:
For first-time MSP buyers: Start by mapping your current contingent workforce complexity. Where are you hiring? What worker types? What compliance exposure keeps you up at night? Then match your profile to providers who’ve solved those specific problems at scale.
For companies evaluating alternatives: Your incumbent has taught you what matters most. Use that knowledge. If service responsiveness is your pain point, ask finalists for client references focused on that dimension. If technology integration was difficult, require detailed implementation timelines and escalation protocols.
For organizations expanding globally: Don’t separate your MSP and EOR decisions. Cross-border hiring requires both vendor orchestration (MSP) and employment infrastructure (EOR). Providers who offer integrated solutions reduce handoffs, compliance gaps, and internal coordination overhead.
The best MSP provider for your organization depends on your specific context, but the evaluation criteria remain constant: proven experience, comprehensive capabilities, measurable client outcomes, and strategic vision that aligns with where your workforce is headed.
We’ve done this before. And we can likely do it for you.
About Workwell North America Workwell North America delivers contingent workforce management (MSP), employer of record (EOR), independent contractor compliance, and SOW solutions across 100+ countries. Recognized as a Major Contender in the Everest Group PEAK Matrix Assessment for three consecutive years, Workwell combines enterprise-scale global infrastructure with client service that drives an NPS score of 80. Learn more at www.workwellna.com.