If you’re reading this, you’re probably exploring ways to streamline your HR and payroll processes or looking to upgrade your current system. You’ve heard about Rippling and Gusto as potential solutions for your business needs.
But you’re also probably uncertain about:
- How Rippling and Gusto compare in terms of features, pricing, and user experience
- Which platform offers better payroll processing and compliance management
- The scope of HR functions each service provides
- Whether Rippling or Gusto is the right fit for your specific business size and industry
- The potential drawbacks or limitations of using either platform
If that sounds familiar, this comprehensive comparison will provide the insights you need to make an informed decision. This detailed analysis could save you significant time in research and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes in choosing your HR and payroll solution.
The key to choosing between Rippling and Gusto lies in understanding their unique strengths and how they align with your specific business needs:
TLDR: Comprehensive Solutions vs User-Friendly Payroll
- Rippling: Well-suited for medium to large businesses needing an all-in-one platform for HR, IT, and finance. Explore Rippling today
- Gusto: Ideal for small businesses looking for a straightforward payroll and HR solution, focusing on ease of use and essential features within the USA. Discover what Gusto has to offer now
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Overview of Rippling and Gusto (the essentials you need to know)
- Key features and benefits of each platform (what sets them apart)
- Pricing structures and value propositions (is the investment worth it?)
- User experiences and platform interfaces (because ease of use matters)
- Security and compliance measures (crucial for protecting your business)
- Pros and cons of each service (the good, the bad, and the noteworthy)
- Recommendations for different business types (who should choose which)
By the end of this comparison, you’ll understand Rippling’s and Gusto’s strengths and limitations, enabling you to choose the HR and payroll solution that best fits your company’s needs, growth stage, and overall business strategy.
Rippling
Country Coverage: 185+
G2 Rating: 4.8/5
EOR Pricing: $500 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing: $25 per contractor/month
Gusto
Country Coverage: 120+
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
EOR Pricing: $399 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing: $6 per contractor/month
Overview of Rippling and Gusto
Rippling and Gusto are significant HR and payroll management players, each offering unique solutions to help businesses streamline their operations.
Overview of Rippling: Best For Comprehensive HR, IT, and Finance Management
Rippling best suits businesses looking for an all-in-one platform that integrates HR, IT, and finance functions. Its platform is designed to streamline operations across these areas, making it particularly attractive for medium to large businesses with complex needs.
Rippling’s core strengths include:
- Comprehensive integration of HR, IT, and finance functions
- Extensive customization options
- Global payroll capabilities
- Robust compliance and security features
- Advanced reporting and analytics tools
- Wide range of third-party integrations (500+)
Company Information
- Headquarters: San Francisco, US
- Founders: Parker Conrad and Prasanna Sankar
- Funding: Over $1.4 billion
- Founding Date: 2016
Overview of Gusto: Best For Small Business Payroll and HR
Gusto is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a user-friendly payroll and HR solution. It excels in providing straightforward payroll processing and essential HR functions.
Gusto’s core strengths include:
- User-friendly interface and intuitive design
- Excellent payroll processing features
- Affordable pricing for small businesses
- Solid benefits administration
- Good customer support
- Contractor-only plan available
Company Information
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
- Founders: Edward Kim, Josh Reeves, Tomer London
- Funding: $746 million+
- Founding Date: 2011
Key Features of Rippling
Rippling offers 10 key features that set it apart.
These key features include:
- Unified Platform: Integrates HR, IT, and Finance functions in one system, allowing seamless management of employee data, payroll, and company resources.
- Global Payroll Solution: Handles payroll processing in 185+ countries, supporting multiple currencies and tax regulations.
- Employer of Record (EOR) Services: Enables companies to hire internationally without setting up local entities, managing compliance and local regulations.
- Comprehensive HR Management: Streamlines onboarding, benefits administration, time tracking, and employee lifecycle events.
- IT and Device Management: Allows centralized control over company devices, software licenses, and security protocols.
- Benefits Administration: Offers locally aligned benefits packages with multiple tiers in most markets.
- Compliance Management: Continuously flags potential compliance risks and handles local tax filings and regulatory requirements.
- Reporting and Analytics: Provides centralized, granular reporting for workforce data to support informed decision-making.
- App Integrations: Easily integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Fast Onboarding: Enables quick employee onboarding, often within minutes, streamlining the hiring process.
Key Features of Gusto
Gusto offers 8 key features that set it apart.
These key features include:
- Full-Service Payroll: Provides automated tax filings, multi-state payroll, and unlimited payroll runs, simplifying payroll management.
- Benefits Administration: Offers integrated health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits, streamlining HR processes.
- Time Tracking and PTO Management: Includes built-in time tracking with geolocation and tools for creating and tracking PTO policies.
- Employee Self-Service Portal: Allows employees to access pay stubs, tax forms, and benefits information independently.
- Compliance Support: Handles automated tax filings and provides labor law compliance assistance to reduce legal risks.
- Gusto Global: Offers EOR services for international hiring in select countries, expanding global capabilities.
- Reporting and Analytics: Provides customizable reports for payroll and HR data, enabling data-driven decision-making.
- Contractor Management: Supports paying and managing 1099 contractors alongside W-2 employees.
Benefits of Using Rippling
The benefits of using Rippling are:
- Time and Cost Efficiency: Significantly reduces the time and resources required for international hiring and HR management.
- Global Talent Access: Enables companies to hire talent from 185+ countries without the need to establish local entities.
- Compliance Assurance: Handles complex international labor laws and regulations, reducing legal risks for employers.
- Streamlined Operations: Centralizes management of global workforce, payroll, and IT in one platform, simplifying operations.
- Scalability Support: Facilitates rapid business growth and expansion into new markets with flexible hiring solutions.
- Automated Processes: Reduces manual work and potential errors in HR tasks, improving overall efficiency.
- Data Security: Ensures proper handling of sensitive employee information with robust security measures.
- Customization: Offers extensive customization options to tailor the system to specific business needs.
- Local Expertise: Provides access to experts with an average of 10+ years of local HR experience.
- Seamless Transitions: Allows easy transition from EOR to Global Payroll through your own entities as your business grows.
Benefits of Using Gusto
The benefits of using Gusto are:
- User-Friendly Experience: Provides an intuitive interface and easy setup process, reducing the learning curve for users.
- Comprehensive Payroll Features: Offers a wide range of payroll services without additional fees for most features.
- Integrated HR Solutions: Combines payroll, benefits, and HR functions in one platform, simplifying workforce management.
- Compliance Assurance: Helps businesses stay compliant with tax regulations and labor laws through automated processes.
- Employee Empowerment: Offers self-service capabilities and financial wellness tools for employees.
- Scalability: Provides plans that can grow with businesses, from startups to medium-sized companies.
- Extensive Integrations: Connects with over 200 third-party business apps, enhancing overall business operations.
- Transparent Pricing: Offers clear pricing structures without hidden fees, aiding in budget planning.
Pricing and Plans
Rippling Pricing
Rippling offers a flexible, modular pricing structure that allows businesses to customize their plan based on their specific needs. While this approach provides great flexibility, it also means that pricing can vary significantly between different customers. The base pricing for Rippling starts at $8 per user per month, but this is just for the core Unity platform. Additional modules and features will increase the price.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) Pricing | $500 per employee/month |
| Contractor Management Pricing | $25 per employee/month |
| Payroll Pricing | $8 per employee/month |
| Annual Discount | Not available |
Gusto Pricing
Gusto offers a more straightforward pricing structure with three main tiers, plus a Contractor-only option. Here’s a breakdown of Gusto’s pricing plans:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) Pricing | $399 per employee/month |
| Contractor Management Pricing | $6 per employee/month |
| Annual Discount | Not available |
Gusto’s pricing is more transparent than Rippling’s, making it easier for small businesses to budget for their HR and payroll needs. The base plan’s inclusion of core features like full-service payroll and benefits administration is particularly attractive for small businesses.
Gusto offers a 30-day free trial, allowing businesses to test the platform before committing.
It’s worth noting that while Gusto’s pricing is generally more affordable for small businesses, costs can add up quickly as a company grows, especially when moving to higher tiers or adding multiple employees.
Pros and Cons of Rippling
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Highly intuitive and easy to navigate platform.
- Comprehensive Features: Manages payroll, benefits, global compliance, and more in one system.
- Extensive Customization: Offers numerous options to tailor the system to specific business needs.
- Seamless Integration: Compatible with many popular software applications.
- Effective Automation: Unity platform automates many tasks, saving time and reducing errors.
- Mobile Accessibility: Provides a mobile app for easy access to relevant information for employees.
Cons
- Non-Transparent Pricing: Lack of clarity regarding costs, especially for additional features.
- Premium Pricing: Services can be expensive, potentially too costly for smaller businesses.
- Steep Learning Curve: Users may need time to fully understand and utilize the extensive feature set.
- Potential Complexity: The extensive feature set may be overwhelming for businesses with simple HR needs.
Pros and Cons of Gusto
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Offers an intuitive platform that’s easy to navigate and set up.
- Comprehensive Payroll Features: Provides a wide range of payroll services with no additional fees for most features.
- Integrated Benefits Administration: Streamlines the process of managing employee benefits.
- Strong Compliance Support: Offers robust assistance with tax filings and labor law compliance.
- Employee Self-Service Capabilities: Empowers employees to access their own information and financial tools.
- Scalable Plans: Offers options suitable for businesses as they grow from startups to medium-sized companies.
Cons
- Limited Health Insurance Coverage: Only available in 38 states and Washington, D.C.
- Significant Price Jumps: Large increase in cost between Simple and Plus plans.
- Feature Restrictions: Some essential HR tools are limited to the most expensive plan.
- Customer Service Issues: Growing number of complaints about customer support quality.
Customer Reviews and Ratings
When comparing Rippling and Gusto’s ratings across G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot, the following scores and review volumes provide insight into user satisfaction levels:
| Review Platform | Rippling | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.8/5 (3227 reviews) | 4.5/5 (2104 reviews) |
| Trustpilot | 4.4/5 (1029 reviews) | 2.5/5 (2088 reviews) |
| Capterra | 4.9/5 (3073 reviews) | 4.6/5 (3964 reviews) |
Rippling vs. Gusto: Summary
A detailed summary of the comparison of Rippling and Gusto:
| Feature | Rippling | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Companies Wanting One Platform for Global HR, IT & Finance | SMBs with up to 100 employees, Food Service, Retail & Nonprofits |
| EOR Pricing | $500 per employee/month | $399 per employee/month |
| Contractor Pricing | $25 per employee/month | $6 per employee/month |
| Country Coverage | 185+ | 120+ |
| Support Channels | Email, Phone, Live Chat | Email, Phone, Live Chat |
| Support Availability | Business Hours | Business Hours |
| G2 Rating | 4.8/5 (3227 reviews) | 4.5/5 (2104 reviews) |
| Capterra Rating | 4.9/5 (3073 reviews) | 4.6/5 (3964 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.4/5 (1029 reviews) | 2.5/5 (2088 reviews) |
| Partnership Discount | N/A | N/A |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Recommendations
Choosing between Rippling and Gusto depends on your business’s size, structure, and specific needs. Each platform offers unique advantages, but knowing which one aligns with your goals will help you make an informed decision. Below are tailored recommendations based on different use cases.
Who do I recommend Rippling to?
Rippling is a comprehensive platform ideal for organizations seeking to streamline HR, IT, and payroll operations in one place. Its flexibility and scalability make it a great fit for larger or more complex businesses. Here’s who will benefit the most:
- Mid-to-large organizations: Rippling’s modular platform offers powerful automation across HR and IT functions, making it an excellent option for companies scaling rapidly. Its centralized management system reduces administrative burdens for growing teams.
- Companies with global operations: Rippling’s ability to support international payroll and compliance ensures smooth cross-border operations, reducing the complexities of hiring in multiple countries. It simplifies foreign tax management and employment regulations.
- Tech-driven companies: Rippling’s advanced integrations with business tools, device management, and IT infrastructure make it a perfect solution for tech-savvy companies managing multiple software platforms and remote assets.
Who do I recommend Gusto to?
Gusto is best suited for small businesses, startups, and US-focused companies that want a simple, user-friendly platform to manage payroll, employee benefits, and taxes. It excels in ease of use and affordability. Here are the key beneficiaries:
- Small businesses and startups: Gusto offers an easy onboarding process and intuitive tools, ideal for small companies that want payroll and benefits running without complex setup. Its pricing plans are budget-friendly and accessible.
- US-based companies: Gusto focuses primarily on domestic payroll, including tax filing, compliance with state regulations, and W-2 generation. This makes it perfect for companies operating exclusively within the US.
- Employers seeking employee benefits: Gusto includes health insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, and workers’ compensation management in its suite, offering added value to companies that want to attract talent with competitive benefits.
When to consider an alternative provider?
There may be cases where Rippling or Gusto might not be the perfect fit—especially if your business requires specialized services such as managing freelancers, advanced compliance tools, or localized employee benefits. In these cases, an alternative provider might be a better option.
| Alternative Provider | Best For | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Freelancers and contractors | Flexible contracts, fast onboarding, and invoicing tools |
| Papaya Global | Enterprises with complex global payroll | Centralized payroll, compliance automation, and analytics |
| Remote | Distributed teams | EOR (Employer of Record) services and seamless international hiring |
| Remofirst | Growing startups hiring abroad | Cost-effective EOR and global workforce management |
| Multiplier | Businesses expanding into new markets | In-depth local compliance and payroll solutions |
| Atlas HXM | Enterprises needing workforce analytics | Custom analytics tools and advanced reporting |
| Oyster HR | Companies focused on remote work | Remote-first employee experience with localized benefits |
These alternatives ensure your business can find the right solution, even if Rippling or Gusto doesn’t meet all your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Rippling and Gusto compare in terms of payroll processing capabilities?
Rippling and Gusto offer strong payroll processing features but cater to different needs. Rippling provides global payroll capabilities, supporting payments in multiple currencies across 185+ countries. It’s ideal for businesses with international employees. While limited to US payroll, Gusto offers unlimited payroll runs and is known for its user-friendly interface, making it excellent for small to medium-sized US-based businesses.
Which platform offers better integration capabilities: Rippling or Gusto?
Rippling offers more extensive integration capabilities with over 500 third-party applications, spanning HR, IT, and finance functions. Gusto provides around 200 integrations, which is substantial but not as extensive as Rippling. Rippling may be the better choice if you require many integrations, especially in IT and finance.
How do the pricing structures of Rippling and Gusto differ?
Gusto offers transparent pricing with set tiers (Simple, Plus, Premium) and a clear per-employee cost. Rippling uses a modular pricing structure where you pay for the specific features you need, starting at $8 per user per month for the core platform. While this can be more flexible, estimating costs without getting a custom quote is harder.
How do Rippling and Gusto compare in terms of customer support?
Gusto generally receives higher marks for customer support. It offers phone, email, and chat support, with phone support available for all plan levels. Rippling provides support via chat, email, and in-app help but doesn’t offer phone support. For businesses that value being able to speak directly with support staff, Gusto may be the better option.
Which platform is better suited for businesses with international employees?
Rippling is significantly better suited for businesses with international employees. It offers global payroll capabilities in over 185 countries, handles multiple currencies, and provides compliance support for international labor laws. Gusto is limited to US-based employees and doesn’t support international payroll.
Can Rippling and Gusto handle both employees and contractors?
Yes, both platforms can manage payroll for employees and contractors. However, Gusto offers a specific contractor-only plan, which can be very cost-effective for businesses primarily working with freelancers. Rippling can also manage contractors but doesn’t offer a specialized plan.