Let me be honest: choosing between Rippling and Paylocity for HR management is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature lists, but what really matters is their core difference – Rippling offers HR/IT/Finance integration starting at $8 PEPM with global capabilities, while Paylocity provides employee-focused HCM platform at $22-32 PEPM for mid-market US companies.

I keep seeing the same pattern: businesses compare these because both offer comprehensive HR, then realize they needed either Rippling’s IT integration or Paylocity’s engagement focus. Rippling built its reputation on unifying HR, IT device management, and Finance with 500+ integrations, while Paylocity positioned itself around employee experience and engagement with social collaboration tools. Both work, but they serve different priorities.

The real decision comes down to integration versus engagement: Rippling works best when you need HR/IT/Finance unification at $8 PEPM, while Paylocity delivers better results for mid-market companies prioritizing employee engagement at $22-32 PEPM. Your operational focus will determine which fits better.

Quick overview

Key metrics Rippling Paylocity
EOR pricing
$499 /month
Contact sales
Best for Tech-forward companies with 50-1000 employees needing integrated HR and IT management Mid-market businesses (50-750 employees) seeking comprehensive HRIS with strong employee engagement features and unified HR, payroll, and finance operations

Rippling

Global Coverage 185+ countries
G2 Rating 4.8 ★★★★★
Starting from $499/month
Get started View Details

Paylocity

What is Rippling?

Rippling Screenshot

Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that connects HR, IT, and finance functions through a unified employee database. Founded in 2016 by Parker Conrad (former Zenefits CEO) and Prasanna Sankar, the company has raised over $700 million in funding and now supports businesses operating in more than 50 countries.

The platform specializes in automating workflows across traditionally separate business systems, making it particularly valuable for companies struggling with disconnected tools. When I tested Rippling, I found the employee onboarding process remarkably efficient – adding someone to payroll automatically triggered their laptop order, email setup, and software provisioning without manual intervention.

Rippling primarily serves mid-sized tech companies and growing businesses with distributed teams who need sophisticated systems but lack enterprise-level IT departments.

What is Paylocity?

Paylocity Screenshot

Paylocity is a comprehensive cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) platform designed specifically for mid-market businesses with 50-750 employees seeking to unify their HR, payroll, finance, and IT operations. Founded in 1997 by Steve Sarowitz and publicly traded since 2014, Paylocity has evolved from a pure payroll provider to a full-service workplace technology platform serving over 39,000 clients worldwide.

When companies use Paylocity, they gain access to an integrated ecosystem that manages the complete employee lifecycle while emphasizing engagement and user experience. Unlike traditional HR systems focused solely on administrative tasks, Paylocity combines essential business functions with modern workplace tools designed to build culture, connection, and collaboration.

The platform serves multiple organizational needs:

  • Comprehensive payroll processing with automated tax compliance and multi-state capabilities
  • Full-service HR management including onboarding, performance reviews, and compliance tracking
  • Benefits administration with carrier integrations and ACA compliance reporting
  • Talent management covering recruiting, learning and development, and succession planning
  • Employee experience tools including social collaboration, peer recognition, and survey capabilities
  • Finance integration with expense management, procurement, and corporate card programs
  • IT management features for device tracking, access controls, and security compliance

What makes Paylocity distinctive is their “employee-first” design philosophy that prioritizes user experience and engagement alongside administrative efficiency. The platform includes social collaboration hubs, peer recognition systems, mobile-first interfaces, and AI-powered insights that transform HR technology from a compliance necessity into an engagement driver.

Paylocity operates on a per-employee-per-month (PEPM) pricing model ranging from $22-32 monthly, with modular add-ons allowing businesses to customize their solution. This approach enables organizations to start with core payroll and HR functions and expand capabilities as they grow without switching platforms.

Their customer base consists primarily of mid-market companies across various industries including technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services that need enterprise-grade capabilities without the complexity and cost associated with solutions designed for Fortune 500 companies.

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What are the key features of Rippling vs Paylocity?

When you're choosing between EOR providers, it comes down to what each one actually does for you. Some focus on payroll processing, others specialize in compliance management, and some offer better employee benefits. Here's what sets these two apart.

Rippling key features

  • Global employment solutions: Rippling's EOR service lets companies hire in 50+ countries without legal entities, handling all contracts, tax registrations, and compliance while keeping international employees in the same system as domestic teams.
  • Unified employee management: Built around a central database that serves as a single source of truth, automatically updating all connected systems when information changes anywhere, significantly reducing administrative errors.
  • Automated IT management: Handles device procurement, configuration, and security for distributed teams. Automatically orders equipment based on role templates, pre-installs software, and enforces security policies before devices reach employees.
  • Customizable payroll processing: Manages domestic and international employees, contractors, and part-time workers through one interface, calculating appropriate taxes and deductions based on location, with reports that segment costs by department or project.
  • Role-based access control: Implements sophisticated permission settings beyond basic admin/user distinctions, allowing custom access profiles based on department, seniority, or location, with centralized permission management across all integrated applications. RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.

What benefits do Rippling and Paylocity offer?

Features are one thing, but how do they actually help your business? Think faster onboarding, fewer compliance headaches, and smoother payroll runs. Let's look at the real benefits you'll get from each provider.

Rippling benefits

  • Reduced administrative overhead: By connecting previously siloed systems, Rippling eliminates redundant data entry and manual processes. Companies using the platform report 60-80% time savings on routine administrative tasks like onboarding, payroll processing, and benefits enrollment.
  • Accelerated employee onboarding: New hires become productive significantly faster when using Rippling. The platform's ability to simultaneously provision accounts, order equipment, and set up payroll means employees can hit the ground running on day one, regardless of their location.
  • Enhanced compliance management: Rippling automatically applies appropriate regulations based on worker location, dramatically reducing compliance risks in multi-jurisdiction operations. The system tracks changing requirements in each region and applies updates without manual intervention.
  • Improved security posture: The platform's integrated approach to IT management strengthens security by ensuring consistent policy enforcement across all employees and devices. Rippling automatically implements appropriate access controls, enforces password policies, and manages device encryption.

How do Rippling and Paylocity compare on pricing?

Let's talk money. EOR pricing can be tricky – some providers quote low monthly fees but charge extra for things like setup, onboarding, or additional services. Here's what each provider charges for their main services.

Plan type Rippling Paylocity
EOR USD 499 /month —
Contractor USD 35 /month —
Payroll USD 35 /month —

What are the pros and cons of Rippling vs Paylocity?

No EOR provider is perfect – they all have their sweet spots and pain points. Getting honest about what works and what doesn't will save you from unpleasant surprises down the road. Here's the real talk on both providers.

Rippling

Pros

  • Deep system integration: Rippling connects HR, IT, and finance systems into one platform, eliminating data silos that plague companies using separate tools for each function.
  • Powerful automation features: Rippling reduces manual workload by automating employee lifecycle processes from hiring to offboarding across all connected systems and countries.
  • Complete device management: Unlike most EOR providers, Rippling handles laptop ordering, software installation, and security setup for remote teams worldwide.
  • 500+ app integrations:Rippling connects with more business applications than most competitors, creating a true unified workspace.
  • Custom workflow builder: The platform lets companies build tailored approval chains and processes that match their specific organizational structure.

Cons

  • Confusing pricing structure: Rippling's modular approach makes it hard to predict total costs without detailed consultation, as each component adds to the base fee.
  • Steep learning curve:The platform's many capabilities require major time investment during setup, particularly for HR teams used to simpler systems.
  • Variable customer support: Response times vary widely based on issue complexity and support tier, with some users reporting multi-day waits for resolution.

Paylocity

What do customers say about Rippling vs Paylocity?

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers – the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Review Platform Rippling Paylocity
G2
4.8 ★★★★★ (9814 reviews)
N/A
Trustpilot
4.6 ★★★★★ (1558 reviews)
N/A
Capterra
4.9 ★★★★★ (4082 reviews)
N/A

Last updated: November 2025

Customer Support: Rippling vs Paylocity

When things go wrong (and they will), you want to know someone's got your back. Great support can make the difference between a minor hiccup and a major disaster. Here's how these providers handle support when you need them most.

Support Feature Rippling Paylocity
Support Channels Email, Phone, Live Chat Not specified
Support Availability Business Hours 24/7

Support features are based on publicly available information and may vary by plan or contract. Contact providers directly for specific support details.

Complete comparison table

Every detail that matters when choosing an EOR provider. Compare pricing, features, country coverage, and support options in one easy-to-scan table.

Rippling Paylocity
Best For Tech-forward companies with 50-1000 employees needing integrated HR and IT management Mid-market businesses (50-750 employees) seeking comprehensive HRIS with strong employee engagement features and unified HR, payroll, and finance operations
EOR Pricing $499 per employee/month -
Country Coverage 185 -
Support Channels Email, Phone, Live Chat -
Support Availability Business Hours 24/7
EOR Services ✓ ✗
PEO Services ✓ ✗
Global Payroll Management ✓ ✗
Contractor Management ✓ ✗
Compliance Support ✓ ✗
Benefits Management ✓ ✗
Multi-Country Support ✗ ✗
Annual Discount Not available Available
Visit Website Visit Website

Which one is right for you?

Different companies have different needs. Your team size, budget, and where you're hiring all play a role in which provider will work best for you. Here's how to pick the right fit.

Choose Rippling if:

Choose Rippling if you need comprehensive HR/IT/Finance integration. Best for:

  • Companies (100-1,000+ employees) needing unified HR, IT device management, and Finance
  • Tech companies requiring 500+ integrations and advanced automation
  • Organizations with global operations or international expansion plans
  • Businesses wanting lower base pricing at $8 PEPM with modular add-ons
  • Companies prioritizing operational efficiency and system unification

Rippling’s unified platform works well for companies needing operational integration. If you need HR/IT/Finance unification, Rippling provides solutions starting at $8 PEPM.

Choose Paylocity if:

Choose Paylocity if you prioritize employee engagement and experience. Best for:

  • Mid-market companies (50-750 employees) focusing on employee engagement and culture
  • US-focused businesses not requiring global EOR capabilities
  • Organizations wanting employee-first design with social collaboration tools
  • Companies needing comprehensive HCM at $22-32 PEPM without IT management
  • Businesses prioritizing user experience and engagement over operational integration

Paylocity’s employee-focused platform works well for mid-market engagement priorities. If you need employee experience focus, Paylocity provides solutions at $22-32 PEPM.

When to consider alternatives

Sometimes neither option is quite right. Maybe you need rock-bottom pricing, enterprise-level features, or coverage in a specific country these providers don't serve well. Here are some other EOR providers worth checking out if these two don't hit the mark.

Explore these alternatives:

Multiplier

Companies Looking for Same-Day Global Hiring & Payments

$400/mo 150+ countries
Multiplier Review →

Remote

Companies prioritizing risk-free international hiring

$599/mo 186+ countries
Remote Review →

RemoFirst

Cost-conscious and tight budgets

$199/mo 185+ countries
RemoFirst Review →

Deel

Fast-growing companies needing global hiring at scale

$599/mo 150+ countries
Deel Review →

Frequently asked questions