Freedom report

Two barsScore 6.3

  • Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
  • Open codeNo open-source code on record
  • Runs widely1 of 6 device platforms
  • DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

Pave Market Data provides compensation benchmarks to help companies make pay decisions. It covers base salary, bonus and variable pay, total cash compensation, and both new-hire and ongoing equity. The service gathers information through ongoing connections to HRIS, ATS, and equity management systems, then uses machine learning to match employee records to job architecture before combining and de-identifying the data. Pave collects data daily and publishes benchmark updates monthly. Its methodology guide describes more than 200 job families; Pro coverage spans more than 55 countries and 90 cities or metros. Pro adds custom peer groups, advanced equity data, and customized reports. Lite is for startups with 1–200 employees and includes the overall U.S. market plus one additional market. Customers must connect their HR platforms to use Market Data. Lite is free; Pro pricing is by quote. Pave says users cannot access competitor-specific compensation data.

Who it is for

Market Data suits companies making pay decisions that need benchmarks for compensation planning. Lite is described for startups with 1–200 employees; Pro is available to all companies.

What is good

  • Benchmarks salary, cash compensation, bonuses, and equity.
  • Covers more than 200 job families.
  • Pro includes custom peer groups and customized reports.
  • Benchmarks are updated monthly.
  • Lite is free for eligible startups.

What to know first

  • Customers must connect HR platforms to access the data.
  • Lite covers the U.S. market plus one additional market.
  • Pro pricing is by quote.

Freedom251 review

Pave Market Data: the full review

Pave Market Data combines compensation benchmarks with monthly updates and broad job-family coverage. Lite offers a defined startup option, while Pro adds global coverage and reporting features with pricing by quote.

Overview

Pave Market Data is a web-based compensation benchmarking product for companies making pay decisions. It is best suited to employers willing to connect their HR systems to compare pay across roles and markets. Its broad coverage and monthly refreshes are compelling; access depends on sharing workforce data through connected platforms.

Key features

Pave collects data daily through persistent connections to HRIS, ATS, and equity management systems, then publishes refreshed benchmarks monthly. Machine learning maps employee records to Pave’s job architecture before aggregation and de-identification. That gives compensation teams a consistent basis for comparing roles, though monthly benchmarks are not a live view of market changes.

Benchmarks span more than 200 job families and cover base salary, bonus and variable pay, total cash compensation, and new-hire and ongoing equity. Pro adds coverage across more than 55 countries and 90 cities or metros, along with custom peer groups, advanced equity data, and customized reports. Those additions matter most to employers comparing specialized roles or compensation across multiple markets.

Access requires connecting HR platforms, including HRIS, ATS, and equity management systems. Supported HRIS providers include ADP, BambooHR, Gusto, Rippling, and Workday. Pave says its data is aggregated and de-identified, and that users cannot access a specific competitor’s compensation data. It reports ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification and SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 compliance. Users can search the help center or submit a support ticket.

Pricing

Market Data Lite: 0.00 USD per free. It provides benchmarks for the overall U.S. market plus one additional market and is intended for startups with 1–200 employees. That is a defined, no-cost starting point for eligible smaller companies, but it does not include Pro’s global coverage and reporting features.

Market Data Pro: custom pricing. It includes global benchmarks, advanced reports, and peer groups; Pro also includes advanced equity data and customized reports. All companies are eligible, making this the option for larger or more geographically distributed employers. Pricing by quote means teams need to contact Pave to assess cost.

Platforms

Pave Market Data is available on the web. Its reliance on connected HR platforms is central to access, so it is not a standalone benchmark feed for organizations unwilling or unable to connect those systems.

Who it's for

Lite is a practical fit for startups with 1–200 employees that need U.S. compensation benchmarks and one additional market without a subscription charge. Pro better suits employers that need broader international coverage, custom peer groups, or tailored reporting. Organizations seeking instant benchmark changes, or unwilling to connect HR systems, should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

  • Pro: Broad compensation scope. Salary, variable pay, total cash, and equity benchmarks across more than 200 job families support more complete pay decisions.
  • Pro: Clear entry point for eligible startups. Lite costs 0.00 USD per free and covers the overall U.S. market plus one additional market.
  • Pro: Privacy safeguards. Aggregation and de-identification, alongside the stated security certifications and compliance, address concerns about sharing employee compensation data.
  • Con: HR connections are required. Companies must connect HRIS, ATS, and equity management platforms to access the product.
  • Con: Pro has custom pricing. Employers cannot compare its cost against a published rate before contacting Pave.
  • Con: Benchmark publication is monthly. Daily collection does not translate into daily published updates.

Alternatives

For compensation management options beyond Pave’s benchmarking focus, compare Compensation Management Software. Employers focused on disclosure practices can explore Pay Transparency Software; those prioritizing market pay comparisons can browse Salary Benchmarking Software. For broader workforce planning or rewards needs, see Workforce Planning Software and Total Rewards Software.

Compose by Decusoft is a paid alternative on Android, iOS, and web; its pricing requires contacting Decusoft for a demo. Compport is paid, available through API and web, with quote-based pricing that varies by headcount, plan complexity, and modules. Salary.com CompXL is a paid web option with personalized-demo pricing and no free plan. Other paid web alternatives include CompAccelerator, CompLogix, and Comprehensive; CompUp offers API and web access, while Heyquity is web-based.

Verdict

Pave Market Data is a strong choice for companies that can connect their HR platforms and want regularly refreshed benchmarks across pay and equity. Lite gives eligible startups a useful, no-cost U.S.-focused option; Pro is the more relevant choice for global coverage and customized reporting. Look elsewhere if HR connections are impractical or if you need public Pro pricing before engaging a vendor.

Pave Market Data plans and pricing

All plans
Market Data Lite Free Free benchmarks for overall U.S. and one additional market · for startups with 1–200 employees pave.com · 30 Sept 2026
Market Data Pro Not published Global benchmarks · advanced reports · peer groups · pricing by quote pave.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on pay transparency software

Free plan
Yes

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