Gusto is rated #1 in payroll | G2 Fall 2025
Gusto vs Rippling
What would you do with an extra 152 hours a year? That’s the average time Gusto customers save on tax and compliance work after switching to Gusto.¹ Don’t get caught using clunky, outdated systems full of add-ons and hidden fees. Choose the modern platform for payroll, benefits, and HR—trusted by over 500,000 businesses.
Thinking of switching from Rippling? Make the move to Gusto in less than 7 days and simplify payroll today! Learn more about switching.
Why Gusto over Rippling?
A true all-in-one solution
With Gusto, you get payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance seamlessly integrated in one platform, including 1099 contractor payments, and access to an in-house benefits broker in all 50 states.
Peace of mind with clear pricing
As opposed to Rippling, we offer simple, transparent plans with no surprise fees. Unlimited payroll runs and automatic tax filings are always included.
Reliable compliance support
Built for small teams, Gusto proactively flags to-dos, like missing new hire forms and required labor law postings in all states you’re hiring. Our team was ranked #1 in customer satisfaction by G2 in 2025.**
Compare pricing and features: Gusto vs Rippling
9 out of 10
customers would recommend Gusto*
152 hours
average time customers saved per year on tax and compliance work after switching to Gusto.
4.5/5 stars
average rating from Gusto customers.*
What to consider when choosing a payroll provider?
Find a provider that can grow with you.
A payroll solution that focuses on enterprises might not give growing businesses what they need. Select a payroll company that will work for where you are today and one that can grow with you in the future.
Is it easy to switch?
Migrating your payroll data could be a daunting task, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Ask about this process, and more importantly, who on your payment provider’s end oversees this task.
Can you get more features without paying extra?
Many payroll platforms offer additional bells and whistles that may get you to sign up, but require a bigger budget. Make sure you find a payroll provider that doesn’t charge for every little feature you want to add. Look for a platform that has transparent pricing and no hidden fees, like Gusto.
How can I get help when I need it?
Getting in touch with customer support should be simple and easy, with ample resources at your fingertips to help you get the most of your new payroll software. Ask about online, email, chat, and phone support.
Switch to Gusto in less than seven days.
While other providers charge extra for setting up, filing W-2’s, and off-cycle payroll runs, it’s all included with Gusto. Switch to see why we’re voted #1 (over and over again).
Time to switch source: Techvalidate survey of 712 Gusto Customers, October 2023
Comparison details: Gusto vs Rippling
Pricing
Setup and monthly fees
Gusto offers straightforward monthly plans, with options starting at a monthly base fee of $49, plus an additional $6 per employee per month. If you don’t have W-2 employees, you can use Gusto to pay your contractors for just $35/month plus $6/month per contractor (in the months you pay them). There are no hidden fees, and our base price includes tax filing, multiple payroll runs, reporting, and other essentials.
Gusto | Rippling | |
Monthly fee | Starting at $49/mo. + $6/mo. per user | Starting at $8/mo. per user /No transparent monthly pricing |
Set up fee | Free | Free for simple migrations |
Payroll
Running payroll
With Gusto, you can complete payroll in just a few clicks, whether you’re on your phone or a desktop. It takes our customers 8 minutes, on average, to process payroll† and you can even set up AutoPilot to process your payroll automatically.
Rippling offers online payroll processing from your phone or computer. This software comes with features for reporting and can also be set up to issue payroll automatically.
Tax filings
Gusto automatically calculates and files payroll taxes every time you run payroll at no extra charge. Both W-2 forms for your employees and 1099 forms for your contractors can be calculated and filed to the appropriate tax agencies right from the platform. Plus, we file end-of-year taxes. Rippling doesn’t currently offer next day or 2nd day payroll.
Run payroll in multiple states
We go wherever you go. You can use Gusto to run payroll in all 50 states. Multiple locations across several states are seamlessly managed through our platform.
Gusto | Rippling | |
Unlimited Payrolls | ✔ | ✔ |
File 1099’s | ✔ | ✔ |
Benefits
Employee benefits
We know you want to give your employees the best. That’s why Gusto gives you the option to provide medical, dental, and vision benefits administration with all of our payroll plans. Our team has licensed health insurance brokers in many U.S. states, so we can help you secure the best benefits for your employees.
We have more than 3,500 health insurance plans for your employees to choose from. Plus, we offer options for 401(k) programs, commuter benefits, and life and disability insurance.
Rippling offers retirement options via 401(k), and health and business insurance through Premiums + fees.
HR tools
Time tracking
Gusto’s Plus and Premium plans include time tracking, so employees can track hours, request paid time off, and easily view PTO straight from their accounts. Our software also integrates with other popular time tracking options like Homebase and TSheets, allowing you to automatically import employee hours into Gusto.
Rippling also offers Time Tracking for an extra fee.
Customer service
Support team
Gusto’s product offerings are supported by a stellar sales and customer service team available Monday through Friday via phone, email, and live chat. Our website also features a comprehensive FAQ and Help Center, available at any time
Rippling’s customer service is available via online and chat.
Integrations
Integration capabilities
Gusto is compatible with the top accounting, time tracking, point of sale (POS), and expense management software for small businesses. Users of popular third-party apps can rest easy knowing they can still use the software they’re comfortable with at no additional cost. Browse our entire list of our integrations.
Best Payroll Software 2025 - Ranked #1
#1 Most Innovative Company in HR 2025
#1 Highest Satisfaction Software, G2 Review 2026
America's Best Online Platforms, Newsweek & Statista 2025
Gusto FAQs
Gusto’s full-service payroll platform serves all 50 states. Payroll in multiple states is included in the Plus and Premium plans.
It’s hard to give up the software you love. Luckily, Gusto integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, Aplos, ZipBooks, Autobooks, and FreshBooks for your accounting needs. We also offer integrations with other major small business software, including Expensify, Hubstaff, Clover, Homebase and more.
We file all federal, state, and local payroll tax forms on your company’s behalf. Through Gusto, you can e-file, e-sign, and e-fax your documents straight from your online dashboard. Specifically, Gusto files Form W-2, Form 1099, Form 940, Form 941, Form 8974, and many other state and local tax forms.
The security of your company’s most sensitive information is important to us. Our commitment is why more than 500,000 businesses trust Gusto to process tens of billions of dollars each year. Here are more details on we safeguard your data:
- Every Gusto account is monitored for suspicious activity. Expect us to step in immediately if something doesn’t look right.
- Our data storage facility is guarded and managed by an on-site security team.
- We only work with vendors and integration partners who demonstrate stellar security procedures.
- We use industry-standard encryption protocols from the moment you enter the data in your browser to the instant it makes its way into our servers. All data at rest is encrypted using AES-256, while all data in transit is encrypted using TLS 1.2.
- We constantly test our software to prevent any problems from cropping up.
- Every account is protected with multi-factor authentication (MFA) so only the right people have access.
- All of our employees go through intensive security training.
At Gusto, our platform is in line with COBRA, HIPAA, and the ACA’s high standards for security, privacy, and compliance. Read more about our security practices.
Email our sales team at [email protected], call them at (855) 590-3993, or use our live chat function. We’re available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT.
Explore how Gusto stacks up to competitors
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¹ Source: Survey of 538 Gusto Customers, September 2024
**Gusto was ranked G2’s Best Payroll Software of 2025
†according to Gusto's internal payroll data May 2025.