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Rippling vs. Gusto Comparison
The right HR solution can simplify a small business's HR processes. Here's how Rippling and Gusto compare.
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Editor's Rating9.4/10
Editor's Rating9.3/10
Table of Contents
Human resources (HR) software can help business owners effectively manage their HR functions, including payroll, benefits administration, recruiting and onboarding, talent management, compliance support and workflow automations. Rippling and Gusto are both excellent, customizable HR solutions with robust functionality. We’ll compare their pricing, features, usability and customer support to help businesses choose the right HR software for their needs.
Rippling vs. Gusto HR Highlights
Rippling and Gusto are two of the best HR software options on the market. However, key differences may make one more suitable for your business. Here’s an overview of their features and pricing.
Feature
Rippling
Gusto
Starting monthly price
Custom quote
$49 per month plus $6 per person, per month
HR services
Recruiting and onboarding
Application tracking system (ATS)
Document management
Org directory
Custom workflows
Role-based permissions
Benefits administration
Learning management
Analytics
App and device management
Expense management
Professional employer organization (PEO)
Employer of record (EOR)
Hiring and onboarding
ATS
Background checks
Document storage
Organization chart
Time tracking
Time off management
Benefits administration
Performance management
HR reports
Research and development (R&D) tax credit services
EOR services through Remote
Payroll
Comprehensive (add-on option)
Comprehensive (included in plans)
Ease of use
Very intuitive and user-friendly
Intuitive and user-friendly
Customer support
Help Center, email and live chat (optional HR Help Desk)
Phone, email and web chat; Priority Support and dedicated support available on select plans
Who Is Rippling For?
Rippling is an advanced HR and IT solution that caters to small and midsize businesses (SMBs). It’s ideal for employers who want to manage HR functions with workflows and automations, reducing the need for manual HR processes. The software is highly customizable, making it an excellent solution for businesses that need a flexible or unique HR management system. While Rippling’s functions can streamline HR processes, employers must have the time and ability to set up workflow automations when accessing the software. Check out our detailed Rippling review for more information on this powerful platform.
Rippling allows you to trigger custom workflows based on employees, third-party app data and more. Source: Rippling
Who Is Gusto For?
Gusto is a payroll platform with integrated HR features that serves small and midsize companies. It’s a great solution for mixed workforces because it can support businesses that must pay employees and contractors. Since payroll functionality is at Gusto’s core, it’s best for small businesses seeking a comprehensive payroll platform with additional HR functions. Gusto offers several add-on options and supports hundreds of third-party applications, making it ideal for businesses that need a flexible solution. Read our in-depth Gusto HR software review to learn more and check out our Gusto payroll software review for a broader overview of this provider.
The Gusto platform is comprehensive but easy to navigate. Source: Gusto
Rippling vs. Gusto Comparison
Here’s how Rippling and Gusto compare in pricing and essential HR services and functions.
Pricing and Plans
The best HR software for your business will fit your budget while providing essential features.
Rippling Pricing and Plans
Rippling doesn’t publish pricing, so you’ll need to contact the company for a custom quote. The platform is highly customizable, allowing businesses to start with either the Core or Pro platform and add the HR, payroll, IT and finance products they need.
Here are some notable Rippling pricing details:
Rippling doesn’t publish pricing online, so you’ll need to contact the company for a personalized quote.
Businesses can choose between Core and Pro platform editions, then customize their plan with additional modules.
Most products are priced on a per-employee basis, although some modules may also include a monthly base fee.
You can add HR, payroll, IT and finance products over time as your business grows.
Gusto Pricing and Plans
Gusto offers three plans for employees (Simple, Plus and Premium) and a plan for contractors. Features and support vary by service level.
Here is some notable Gusto pricing information:
Gusto offers a free trial up until you run your first payroll.
Gusto offers monthly pricing and doesn’t require long-term contracts.
Users can pay to add supplemental payroll, HR tools and various employee benefits. However, most add-ons are not available for contractor-only plans.
Here’s a breakdown of Gusto’s base plans:
Plan name
HR services
Pricing
Contractor Only
Unlimited payments
Four-day direct deposit
1099-NECs (plus new-hire reporting, if required)
International contractor payments (optional add-on)
$35 per month plus $6 per contractor, per month
Simple
Single-state payroll processing
Hiring and onboarding
Employee self-service capabilities
Health insurance administration
Employee benefits (optional add-on)
Payroll and HR reports
Workforce management
Custom admin permissions
Integrations
Customer service
$49 per month plus $6 per employee per month
Plus
Everything in the Simple plan, plus:
Multistate payroll processing
Advanced hiring and onboarding features
Paid time off (PTO) management
Next-day direct deposit
Project tracking
Time tracking and kiosk
Workforce costing and reports
Team management tools
Employee surveys
Performance reviews
Priority support (optional add-on)
$80 per month plus $12 per employee, per month
Premium
Everything in the Plus plan, plus:
Insurance broker integration
Priority customer support
Full-service payroll migration and account setup
Compliance alerts
R&D tax credit discount
Access to certified HR experts
Dedicated Service Advisor
$180 per month plus $22 per employee per month
Gusto occasionally offers significant discounts, so check its website for updated pricing while conducting your research.
Best for Pricing
Gusto
We like that both vendors offer monthly rates and multiple add-ons, so small and growing businesses pay only for the services they need. However, Gusto is our winner in this category. Its Simple plan includes essential HR functions like employee onboarding, payroll and employee self-service. We also like that Gusto offers discounts and lets users try the software for free until they run their first payroll ― something Rippling and many competitors don't offer.
Gusto's pricing is transparent and readily accessible online, making budgeting for your HR needs easier.
HR Services
Here’s how Rippling and Gusto compare when it comes to essential HR services.
Rippling HR Services
Core HR features: Rippling’s Core and Pro platform editions include essential HR features like onboarding and offboarding automation, a workforce directory, policy management, workflow automations and approvals, compensation bands, global workforce analytics, document management and vacation and leave management.
Optional HR modules: Rippling offers add-on HR products like payroll, time and attendance, employee benefits administration, Affordable Care Act and COBRA administration, employee recruitment, learning management, performance management, headcount planning, pulse surveys and HR Help Desk.
Optional non-HR services: Rippling also offers optional IT and finance products that can integrate with your HR platform, including app management, mobile device management, inventory management, expense management, bill pay and corporate cards.
PEO/administrative services offering (ASO)/EOR plans available: Rippling offers other HR arrangements, such as a PEO plan, ASO and global EOR services. We like that businesses can move between standalone HR software and PEO services without switching platforms.
Gusto HR Services
Essential HR features: Gusto’s plans have essential HR features like applicant tracking, hiring and onboarding, organization charts, benefits administration, time and project tracking, payroll processing, HR reporting, employee surveys and performance management.
Optional HR features: Gusto offers optional payroll and HR tools, such as international contractor payments, state tax registration, R&D tax credits and a time kiosk.
Optional employee benefits: Gusto offers optional employee benefits like health insurance, health insurance broker integration, workers’ compensation, life and disability insurance, 401(k) retirement plans, 529 college savings plans, health savings accounts, flexible savings accounts and commuter benefits.
Compliance features: Gusto offers compliance tools that help businesses manage important tasks, filings, payments and deadlines. The Premium plan includes compliance alerts.
Best HR Services
Rippling
Gusto offers essential HR services and add-ons. However, Rippling's extensive HR capabilities impressed us. We like that Rippling can automate virtually any HR process, saving your HR team countless hours. Additionally, Rippling is one of the few HR solutions we reviewed that offers IT functions like app and device management. We were also pleased to see that Rippling offers an optional PEO arrangement for small businesses that want a co-employment model and ASO and EOR services for those that need them.
Rippling helps employers manage the entire lifecycle of their employees’ desktop and mobile devices. Source: Rippling
Tip
If you're seeking a stand-alone PEO service to handle multiple HR needs under a co-employment model, check out our reviews of the best PEO services to simplify your HR responsibilities.
Payroll Processing
Rippling and Gusto both incorporate robust payroll processing functions.
Rippling Payroll Processing
Running payroll: Rippling offers United States and global payroll as an optional add-on feature. However, payroll is required for PEO clients.
Payroll taxes: Rippling can handle your federal, state and local payroll taxes, such as W-2, W-4 and 1099.
Time and attendance option: If you add Rippling’s time and attendance feature, it can automatically integrate with Rippling’s payroll and PTO functionalities. (Read our dedicated Rippling payroll software review for specific details on its payroll functions.)
Gusto Payroll Processing
Running payroll: Gusto offers full-service, single-state and multistate payroll processing for employees and contractors. It can even run payroll for international contractors as an optional add-on feature.
Automated payroll: All plans include Gusto’s payroll on AutoPilot ― a way to automate your payroll process.
Payroll taxes: Gusto can handle your federal, state and local payroll taxes, such as W-2, W-4 and 1099.
Best for Payroll Processing
Gusto
Payroll is Gusto's bread and butter and it does it well. We like the fact that full-service payroll functionality is included in all three employee payroll plans. Users don't have to pay extra to add payroll services. Businesses can also pay international contractors, which is especially valuable with today's remote workforce. For full-time employees outside the U.S., Gusto partners with Remote for employer of record (EOR) services. New EOR customers are referred directly to Remote, which handles onboarding, payroll, benefits, taxes and local compliance.
Gusto’s time-tracking features can integrate with its payroll functionality automatically. Source: Gusto
Ease of Use
HR software should be straightforward to implement and use. Here’s how Rippling and Gusto compare.
Rippling Ease of Use
Intuitive navigation: When testing the Rippling HR platform, we were pleased with its intuitive and easily navigable interface.
Automations: Rippling has several easily configurable workflows and automations to help businesses automate their HR processes.
Central platform: Rippling allows you to integrate and manage HR, IT and finance data from one platform.
Gusto Ease of Use
Accessible from anywhere: Gusto is a cloud-based platform that can be accessed from anywhere.
Straightforward implementation: Gusto’s implementation process is relatively easy and quicker than most competitors’ setup processes.
Interactive demo: Gusto offers an interactive demo to help employers learn how the platform works.
Best for Ease of Use
Rippling
During testing, we found both platforms intuitive and easy to navigate. However, Rippling's automations and workflow-creation features boost its usability and set it apart. While configuring automation processes can take time, once established, your HR functions can practically run themselves. Automating tedious tasks can save employees and HR professionals countless hours, freeing them for more pressing issues. We also like that Rippling offers device and app management, allowing companies to manage several business functions from one platform without integrations.
Set up automated checklists in Rippling to save your HR team time. Source: Rippling
FYI
Rippling and Gusto both offer user-friendly iOS and Android mobile apps, helping employees manage their HR information on the go.
Customer Support
Being able to contact your vendor is crucial. Here’s how Rippling and Gusto handle customer support.
Rippling Customer Support
Support channels: Rippling provides support through its Help Center, where users can access live chat and submit email support requests.
Added support: Users can add the HR Help Desk: HR Support feature if they want one-on-one guidance from certified HR professionals, plus direct phone and email access and real-time compliance updates.
Online resources: Rippling has helpful online resources, such as blogs, recipe templates, webinars, Rippling University and a help center.
Gusto Customer Support
Support channels: Every Gusto plan includes phone, email and web chat support automatically.
Added support: Premium plans include Priority Support and a Dedicated Service Advisor. Simple and Plus users can add enhanced support options for an additional fee.
Online resources: Gusto offers several online resources, such as a blog, tools and calculators, small business guides and 24/7 help center access.
Best for Customer Support
Tie
This category is a tie. Both companies offer standard HR support through multiple channels and comprehensive online resources, which is standard in the HR industry. We like that both vendors allow users to upgrade to more advanced support if needed.
Rippling vs. Gusto Summary
Rippling and Gusto are excellent HR solutions for many businesses. We recommend these platforms for the following organizations:
Rippling is best for companies seeking HR automations.
Rippling is an excellent option for SMBs that want to automate several HR functions. It’s also a great choice for companies that want to manage HR, IT and finance data and processes from a centralized platform.
Gusto is best for small businesses that need HR and payroll features.
Gusto is best for small businesses that want HR software with comprehensive payroll features for employees and contractors. It’s also a great choice for businesses working within a specific HR budget that want to see upfront plan pricing online.
FAQs
Rippling typically takes an average of three weeks to implement, although your company's implementation time will depend on the features you must access. Since Rippling is a highly customizable HR solution, setting up automations can take time. However, once set up, many of your HR processes will be quicker, thanks to the software's automatic workflows.
Like Rippling, Gusto's implementation time depends on the features and add-ons you select. However, we were pleased to learn Gusto's straightforward software can be implemented in just a few days. This is much quicker than many competitors, including Rippling.
Yes. Rippling is a highly customizable HR and IT solution that can integrate with more than 650 third-party applications. It also has an open application programming interface and several add-on options, making it a flexible solution for SMBs.
Yes. Gusto can integrate with 150 third-party applications. This is on par with competitors and means you'll be able to connect Gusto with many popular business software solutions.
Skye Schooley is a dedicated business professional who is especially passionate about human resources and digital marketing. For more than a decade, she has helped clients navigate the employee recruitment and customer acquisition processes, ensuring small business owners have the knowledge they need to succeed and grow their companies.
At business.com, Schooley covers the ins and outs of hiring and onboarding, employee monitoring, PEOs and HROs, employee benefits and more.
In recent years, Schooley has enjoyed evaluating and comparing HR software and other human resources solutions to help businesses find the tools and services that best suit their needs. With a degree in business communications, she excels at simplifying complicated subjects and interviewing business vendors and entrepreneurs to gain new insights. Her guidance spans various formats, including newsletters, long-form videos and YouTube Shorts, reflecting her commitment to providing valuable expertise in accessible ways.
