Managing HR tasks can often feel like navigating a labyrinth of complexities. From payroll and compliance to employee benefits and onboarding, the demands on HR teams are diverse and challenging.
To meet these needs, Rippling and Gusto are two prominent solutions in the HR software landscape.
This blog will provide a detailed comparison of Rippling and Gusto, exploring their features, advantages, and how they cater to different business needs. The goal is to help you make an informed choice when selecting the right HR software for your organization.
Rippling Vs Gusto – At A Glance
Feature
Rippling
Gusto
Time And Attendance
Fully integrated with geolocation and QR code support for clock-ins, syncing seamlessly with payroll
Time tracking, time-off management, and geofencing with a Time Kiosk for on-site staff
Payroll
Comprehensive payroll with HR and IT integration, automated tax filings, and compliance automation
Simplified payroll with automated tax filings, multiple pay schedules, and employee self-service options
Benefits Administration
Offers over 4,000 benefit plans with streamlined enrollment and administration
Extensive suite of benefits, including health insurance, 401(k), HSAs, and compliance tools
Integrations
600+ app integrations, including accounting platforms and API access for custom solutions
Integrates with accounting, time-tracking, and point-of-sale platforms for seamless workflows
Pricing
Customized pricing tailored to business needs
Tiered plans starting at $40/month plus $6 per employee
What Is Rippling?
Rippling HR is an all-encompassing workforce management platform that integrates HR, IT, and finance functions into a single system. Designed to streamline and automate various business operations, it offers solutions for payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and talent management. Rippling's platform enables businesses to manage employee data, onboard new hires, administer benefits, and oversee device and app management.
Rippling's flexibility and scalability make it suitable for businesses of all sizes and industries, including technology, healthcare, finance, and retail. Its unified approach allows organizations to automate complex workflows, maintain compliance across multiple jurisdictions, and provide employees with a modern, intuitive experience.
Unique Features Of Rippling
Professional Employer Organization (PEO): Rippling's PEO service manages payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance, allowing businesses to focus on growth
Headcount Planning: The ‘Headcount Planning’ feature enables businesses to determine staffing needs, allocate headcount across departments, and monitor performance against plans
Device Management: Its ‘Device Management’ feature automates the entire lifecycle of Apple and Windows devices for organizations
Rippling Pros And Cons
Pros:
Quick and easy benefits enrollment
Offers users an extensive knowledge base
Users appreciate its computer security management
Cons:
Customer response time may be slower at times
Would benefit from rounding off check-in/check-out times
What Is Gusto?
Gusto HR software is a cloud-based platform that offers comprehensive payroll, benefits, and human resource management (HRM) solutions tailored for small to mid-sized businesses (SMBs). Its suite of services includes automated payroll processing, benefits administration, compliance support, and talent management tools, all designed to streamline HR processes and boost efficiency.
Gusto's user-friendly interface and scalable features make it suitable for various industries, including technology, healthcare, retail, and professional services. By integrating essential HR functions into a single platform, Gusto enables businesses to manage employee data, smoothen onboarding processes, and maintain compliance with evolving regulations, thereby fostering a more efficient and engaged workforce.
Unique Features Of Gusto
Gusto Wallet App: The ‘Gusto Wallet’ app allows employees to view their paychecks, manage their finances, and establish savings goals conveniently through their mobile devices
Autopilot Payroll: Its ‘AutoPilot For Payroll’ feature enables businesses to automate payroll processing, guaranteeing accurate and on-time payments with minimal manual effort
Edit Recorded Hours: Time tracking tools within the system allow remote and on-site employees to modify their logged hours, offering greater adaptability
Gusto Pros And Cons
Pros:
Appealing UI/UX design
Top-tier payroll management
Users applaud its benefits administration
Cons:
Sessions time out quickly, limiting access
Loading new screens may take time
Rippling Vs Gusto – Key Features Comparison
Time And Attendance
Rippling's Time and Attendance feature offers a fully integrated system that automates the entire time-tracking process, from employee clock-in to payroll processing. Employees can clock in and out via the Rippling mobile app or ‘Time
Kiosk’ with geolocation access management and QR code scanning thereby ensuring accurate attendance. The platform allows for customizable time policies, including break rules and overtime calculations, and seamlessly syncs approved hours with
payroll, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
Gusto's time tools encompass robust features for time tracking, time-off management, and scheduling, tailored to streamline workforce management for small businesses. The system also automates PTO balance updates and integrates seamlessly
with payroll, ensuring accuracy and reducing administrative overhead. Gusto also offers a ‘Time Kiosk’ feature along with a ‘Gusto Wallet’ app (Android and iOS). This feature allows employees to clock in and out securely from a central device
and geofencing, which is particularly useful for businesses with on-site staff, while managers have the flexibility to review and approve timesheets from anywhere.
Winner: Rippling edges out as the winner with its advanced geolocation and QR code support.
Payroll
Rippling's payroll system offers an extensive solution that integrates smoothly with its HR and IT modules, enabling businesses to manage employee data, benefits, and device management from a single platform. The system supports payroll
processing with automated tax calculations and filings while accommodating direct deposits. Additionally, Rippling provides compliance automation, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local regulations.
Gusto's payroll service is designed to ease payroll management for small to mid-sized businesses. It offers automated payroll processing with features like automatic tax calculations and filings, direct deposit, and the ability to manage
multiple pay rates and schedules. Gusto integrates with various accounting and time-tracking software, providing a unified platform for managing employee compensation. Additionally, Gusto offers ‘Employee Self-Service' options, allowing workers
to access pay stubs and tax documents online.
Winner: Rippling emerges as the winner with its seamless integration of payroll, HR, and IT.
Benefits Administration
Rippling's benefits administration system offers a platform that consolidates various employee benefits—including health insurance, dental and vision plans, and 401(k)—into a single system. This integration streamlines processes such
as enrolling new hires, updating deductions, and administering COBRA, thereby reducing administrative workload. Employers can quote, compare, and enroll in over 4,000 plans from leading carriers like Aetna, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Additionally, Rippling allows businesses to maintain their existing plans and pricing, ensuring flexibility and continuity in benefits management.
Gusto's benefits administration platform provides benefits services, including health insurance, dental and vision coverage, health savings accounts (HSAs), and 401(k) plans. The system integrates these benefits with payroll, automating
deductions and simplifying the enrollment process. Gusto's licensed advisors assist businesses in selecting appropriate plans, and the platform supports the addition of existing health insurance brokers, offering flexibility in benefits management.
Furthermore, Gusto provides compliance support and tools to help businesses adhere to relevant regulations, ensuring a smooth and compliant benefits administration experience.
Winner: Gusto stands out with its licensed benefits advisors, providing tailored guidance and support for both employers and employees.
Integrations
Rippling's offers an extensive range of integrations with over 600 third-party applications. This extensive integration capability allows organizations to synchronize data across multiple platforms, including accounting software like
QuickBooks Online, Xero, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct. Additionally, the platform's API access package further allows customers to build custom internal integrations, providing flexibility to meet unique business needs.
Gusto provides numerous integration options with well-known software, including accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero, time-tracking solutions such as AttendanceBot, and point-of-sale platforms like Clover. These integrations facilitate
smooth data synchronization between Gusto and other applications, enabling businesses to tailor their HR and payroll Software workflows to suit their unique requirements.
Winner: Gusto stands out as the winner with its smooth integrations across accounting, time-tracking, and point-of-sale platforms.
Pricing
Gusto offers three distinct pricing tiers: the Simple plan starts at $40 per month with an additional $6 per employee, the Plus plan is $80 per month plus $12 per employee, and the Premium plan is available for $120 per month with an
extra $12 per employee.
On the other hand, Rippling's offers customized pricing tailored to the unique needs of your business. The platform's flexible pricing model ensures that you only pay for the features and services you require, whether it's payroll,
benefits administration, or IT management.
Winner: Both Gusto and Rippling excel in offering flexible pricing models, with Gusto providing clear tiered plans and Rippling offering tailored options to meet specific business needs.
Making The Right Choice: Rippling Or Gusto?
Deciding between Rippling and Gusto ultimately comes down to your business's priorities. Rippling stands out with its unified approach, offering extensive integrations and advanced features for companies seeking an all-in-one HR, IT, and payroll solution.
Meanwhile, Gusto shines with its intuitive interface and streamlined tools, making it a preferred choice for small to mid-sized businesses focusing on simplicity and efficiency.
Both platforms excel in their respective strengths, so aligning your decision with your organization's specific needs will ensure you pick the best solution.
