Introduction to Gusto vs Rippling
When evaluating payroll and HR management platforms, two names frequently surface: Gusto and Rippling. Both cater to businesses seeking to streamline payroll, benefits administration, onboarding, and compliance—but their approaches and strengths differ. Gusto is tailored for U.S.-based small businesses, offering an approachable, automation-driven platform. Rippling, meanwhile, takes a broader stance, serving global workforces with advanced HR management and IT device controls. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for making the best investment for your company’s unique needs.
Key Takeaways
- Gusto focuses on U.S. small business payroll, with a simple, clear pricing model and user-friendly automation.
- Rippling provides a wider suite of HR and IT tools, supporting global payroll and more complex workforce needs.
- Both offer SOC 2 compliance, but Rippling extends further with device security and advanced user controls.
- Pricing models differ: Gusto is straightforward; Rippling’s is modular and can grow with added features.
| Feature | How Gusto handles it | How Rippling handles it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll | U.S.-based payroll automation, best for small businesses | Global payroll, supports international and U.S.-based workforces | Gusto for U.S. payroll, Rippling for global needs |
| HR Management | Streamlined for U.S. teams, standard HR functions | Comprehensive HR suite, device management, broader workforce tools | Rippling for advanced HR needs |
| Benefits Administration | Integrated, user-friendly U.S. benefits administration | Benefits for U.S. and global employees, unified management | Rippling for international, Gusto for U.S.-centric |
| Time Tracking | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
| Integrations | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
| SOC 2 Compliance | SOC 2 compliant, SSL encryption | SOC 2 Type II, plus SSO and device security | Rippling for higher security controls |
| Onboarding | Automations built for small business onboarding | Automated onboarding, employee provisioning/de-provisioning | Rippling for complex onboarding |
| Automations | Optimized for U.S. small business needs | Advanced workflow automation, device and user management | Rippling for automation breadth |
| Mobile App | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified | Not publicly specified |
| Pricing Tiers | Starts at $40/mo + $6/user/mo | Starts at $35 base + $8/user/mo, can increase | Gusto for budget simplicity |
Core Payroll Capabilities
Gusto specializes in payroll automation for U.S.-based teams. Its primary strength lies in handling federal, state, and local payroll compliance for small businesses. While streamlined and approachable, Gusto’s capabilities outside the U.S. are limited—international payroll support is not its focus.
Rippling, in contrast, is designed for organizations with complex or global needs. It processes payroll for U.S.-based employees, but can also manage compensation and compliance for international teams. Businesses expecting to pay contractors or employees outside the States may find Rippling better aligned to their needs.
HR Management and Benefits Administration
Gusto handles HR management and benefits for U.S.-based teams, with an emphasis on ease of use. Its benefits administration is well-integrated for domestic workers, offering standard healthcare, retirement, and tax-advantaged options within the payroll workflow.
Rippling expands HR management well beyond payroll. Its platform allows centralized administration for employee benefits both in the U.S. and globally. Additionally, Rippling stands out with device management—businesses can assign, secure, and monitor company devices as part of onboarding or offboarding workflows, a feature not available in Gusto.
Time Tracking and Workforce Tools
Public documentation doesn’t specify in detail how either platform addresses time tracking features or their integration depth. Both mention workforce management tools, but businesses with specific labor tracking needs should review product documentation for clarity.
Automations and Onboarding Experience
Gusto delivers automations geared for small businesses—hiring, onboarding, and payroll provision are simplified. The platform supports automated reminders and basic workflows, helping smaller teams adopt best HR practices with minimal setup.
Rippling builds on this by providing advanced workflow automations, including automated employee provisioning and de-provisioning, and device setups. These capabilities let HR and IT manage onboarding for new hires seamlessly, especially in organizations that issue company laptops or require fine-grained user permissions.
Security and Compliance
On security and compliance, Gusto uses SSL-encrypted data transfer and is SOC 2 compliant—meeting the standard for safeguarding customer HR information. Its approach covers the expectations for U.S.-based payroll and benefits providers.
Rippling extends security controls with SOC 2 Type II certification, which verifies not only design but ongoing effectiveness of controls. The platform also includes features like single sign-on (SSO), device management (including remote wipe), and automated user de-provisioning, supporting higher-risk or larger organizations with advanced compliance needs.
Integrations and App Ecosystem
Both Gusto and Rippling’s public documentation do not specify the exact number or breadth of integrations available. For teams that depend on specific accounting, ERP, or productivity tools, vetting compatibility is crucial. Integrations are especially important in payroll and HR, where data commonly moves between systems.
Pricing Structures and Value
Pricing can make or break software decisions. Gusto’s Monthly plan starts at $40 base plus $6 per user, positioning itself as a straightforward solution for smaller U.S. teams. This includes payroll and basic HR and benefits features, making budgeting simple as your team scales within the U.S.
Rippling begins with a $35 base plus $8 per user minimum, but its modular approach means that costs may increase as you add HR, IT, or advanced features. For organizations with larger or international workforces, or those who need advanced HR and security tools, the value can justify the investment. For smaller, domestic teams, the added breadth may not be necessary.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Business
- Choose Gusto if your business is U.S.-based, requires intuitive payroll and benefits, and values a straightforward pricing model with automation suited for small teams.
- Choose Rippling if you oversee a global workforce, demand advanced HR, IT, and security controls, or foresee scaling into multi-country payroll. Rippling is better suited for complex organizations or those needing customized modules.
Your final choice should align with company size, geographic focus, compliance needs, and integration ecosystem. Carefully evaluate organizational growth plans and required features, as this will help determine the true long-term cost and benefit of each platform.
FAQs
Which is better for payroll management, Gusto or Rippling?
Gusto is ideal for U.S.-based small businesses seeking simple automation. Rippling is better for companies needing global payroll management or more complex controls.
How does Gusto handle employee benefits compared to Rippling?
Gusto provides integrated benefits for U.S. teams, with a focus on core options. Rippling manages both U.S. and international benefits, and centralizes more types of workforce management.
What security standards do Gusto and Rippling meet?
Gusto is SOC 2 compliant and uses SSL encryption. Rippling meets SOC 2 Type II and adds features like single sign-on and device security management.
Does Rippling offer more integrations than Gusto?
Not publicly specified. Both platforms describe integrations, but exact numbers and supported apps are not detailed in available documentation.
Can both Gusto and Rippling manage onboarding and time tracking?
Both platforms support onboarding with automation. Details on time tracking features are not publicly specified for either service.
How do the pricing models of Gusto and Rippling compare?
Gusto offers simple, predictable pricing. Rippling uses a modular model which starts lower per user but can increase as additional modules are added.
Which platform is better for small businesses?
Gusto is typically the preferred choice for small U.S.-based businesses seeking ease of use and predictable costs.
What are the main feature differences between Gusto and Rippling?
Rippling covers a wider range of HR, IT, and international payroll capabilities. Gusto focuses on straightforward, U.S.-centric payroll and benefits with user-friendly automation for small business teams.