Why Ben is the #1 Darwin alternative for global teams

Don't get charged a premium for Darwin's outdated systems. Ben offers a modern, AI-powered platform with transparent pricing, real-time updates, and the flexibility to adapt as your business grows.

Flexible, scalable tech — no legacy systems
AI-powered benefits co-pilot
Fast implementation
No hidden fees — make changes any time

Book a Demo

Watch Demo ~2 min

Trusted by successful global businesses

Let your benefits work smarter. Upgrade to Ben

Darwin’s consultancy-led model and broker reliance can feel restrictive. Ben is different — purpose-built for modern, distributed teams who want control, clarity, and real-time agility.

Flexibility to fit your team — from global rollouts to personalised benefits by lifestyle or region‍
Unlimited free changes — no scope creep or surprise fees
‍Real-time updates — always stay informed‍
AI-powered insights — smarter decisions, faster
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All without legacy drag or consultancy price tags.

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See how Ben compares to Darwin

Platform updates

Continuous innovation

Minimal investment

Strategic approach

Client-driven tech innovation plus strategic benefits design support

Consulting-focused, tied to Mercer services and brokers

Cost structure

Transparent pricing, no hidden fees

High implementation fees, additional charges for all changes

Global reach

140+ countries with real-time compliance tracking

Limited to UK/US markets, manual compliance

Implementation & onboarding

2-4 months, comprehensive support

6+ months, support is consulting-focused

Platform architecture

Modern, AI-powered technology

Inflexible legacy system with minimal investment

Platform updates

Continuous innovation

Minimal investment

Strategic approach

Client-driven tech innovation plus strategic benefits design support

Consulting-focused, tied to Mercer services and brokers

Cost structure

Transparent pricing, no hidden fees

High implementation fees, additional charges for all changes

Global reach

140+ countries with real-time compliance tracking

Limited to UK/US markets, manual compliance

Implementation & onboarding

2-4 months, comprehensive support

6+ months, support is consulting-focused

Platform architecture

Modern, AI-powered technology

Inflexible legacy system with minimal investment

Use Ben for

Global benefits management

Unify your strategy across multiple countries with one intelligent platform. Reduce manual work and streamline benefits management.

Automated enrolment and eligibility management
Real-time HRIS and payroll integrations
Consistent benefits delivery with local customisation
Multi-language support for global teams

Flexible spending allowances

Offer personalised benefits that adapt to diverse employee needs.

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Make anything a benefit with customisable spending allowances
Provide one-off or reoccurring allowances
Provide digital and physical payment cards
Self-service receipt uploads for reimbursement

Employee engagement and communication

Drive higher benefits engagement across your workforce.

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Intuitive user interface for easy benefits exploration
Personalised communications and automated reminders
AI-powered, interactive benefits search

Rewards and recognition

Build a culture of appreciation with meaningful recognition and rewards.

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Instant peer-to-peer recognition, via Slack and MS Teams
AI-crafted messages for personalised recognition at scale
Automated recognition reminders for managers
Instant financial rewards with Ben’s global debit card system in 30+ currencies

Total reward statements

Provide transparency into the full value of employment packages.

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A dedicated compensation dashboard for every employee
Custom reporting capabilities
Historical compensation tracking
Multi-channel communication tools with targeted messaging

Trusted by leading companies

Join innovative global businesses offering industry-leading employee benefits with Ben.

Mark Cowen

Head of Colleague Experience at Sigma Connected

Since launching Ben, we’ve added new benefits, and that’s helped us win the Sunday Times Best Places to Work award for two years in a row.

Ben helped create and manage our perfect platform, and provided such amazing support.

benefits in more than 28 countries now managed by Ben

Stephanie Gilmour

People & Talent Director at Healios

The implementation was straightforward. We had great support from Sal... she was instrumental in ensuring this process went smoothly and was really responsive during the initial go live period.

98^%

retention since
implementing Ben

Healthcare is quite a messy and scary thing — making sure people are on-boarded at the right time and working with the right partner. Ben has been great in leading us in that direction

Hannah Randera

People OPS Manager at Pleo

Mark Cowen

Head of Colleague Experience at Sigma Connected

Since launching Ben, we’ve added new benefits, and that’s helped us win the Sunday Times Best Places to Work award for two years in a row.

Ben helped create and manage our perfect platform, and provided such amazing support.

benefits in more than 28 countries now managed by Ben

Stephanie Gilmour

People & Talent Director at Healios

The implementation was straightforward. We had great support from Sal... she was instrumental in ensuring this process went smoothly and was really responsive during the initial go live period.

98^%

retention since
implementing Ben

Healthcare is quite a messy and scary thing — making sure people are on-boarded at the right time and working with the right partner. Ben has been great in leading us in that direction

Hannah Randera

People OPS Manager at Pleo

Outgrown Darwin? Upgrade to Ben.

No more manual work

Replace Darwin's manual processes with true automation. No more downloading reports, fixing errors, or chasing support tickets

Zero hidden fees and surprise costs

Stop paying extra for every change. Ben's transparent pricing means no surprise costs — ever

Modern, flexible technology

Leave Darwin's legacy platform behind. Experience Ben's AI-powered innovation and real-time processing

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the product and billing.

What support can I expect from Ben compared to Darwin?

Instead of Darwin's consulting-first approach, Ben provides dedicated support focused on your success. We act as your independent advisor, helping optimise your benefits strategy without pushing additional products and services.

How does Ben's technology differ from Darwin's?

Ben is built on modern, flexible architecture that adapts to your needs, while Darwin operates on a rigid legacy system. Our platform offers real-time changes, AI-powered insights, and continuous innovation - areas where Darwin has shown minimal investment since joining Mercer.

What makes Ben more cost-effective than Darwin?

Ben offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees. Unlike Darwin, we don't charge extra for platform changes, updates, or benefit modifications. This predictable pricing helps you manage costs while maintaining flexibility.

How does Ben's implementation compare to Darwin's?

While Darwin typically requires 6+ months for implementation, Ben can have your platform up and running in 2-4 months. Our modern architecture and dedicated team ensure a smooth, efficient transition.

Is it easy to migrate from Darwin to Ben?

Yes, Ben's dedicated implementation team handles the entire migration process. We provide comprehensive support, maintain your existing provider relationships, and ensure data is transferred securely. Most customers find the transition smooth and straightforward.

Join teams around the world getting 90%+ engagement with their benefits programmes

Get any benefit, in any country, and make it flexible, all without the painful admin. All-in-one platform. No hidden fees. No surprises.