Gusto vs Rippling: Pricing Comparison (2026)
Gusto starts at $49/mo. Rippling starts at $8/mo. Rippling is $41/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Gusto.
US payroll + benefits platform positioned as the alternative to ADP and Paychex for SMBs (1-500 employees). Distinctive for its modern UX (unlike ADP's 1990s-era interface) and built-in benefits marketplace. Valued $9.6B private (2022). Priced $40/mo base + $6/employee (Simple) up to $80+$12 (Premium). Popular with US-based startups and SMBs — no international payroll (unlike Deel/Rippling). Direct competitor to Rippling in the US mid-market.
HR + IT + Finance platform, valued $13.5B private (2024). Founded by Zenefits founder Parker Conrad after his ouster. Positioned as the alternative to running Deel + Workday + Okta + Ramp separately — the "employee graph" as a single source of truth. Distinctive for its aggressive Deel litigation (September 2024 alleging trade secret theft) and rapid feature expansion. Priced $8-$14/user/mo base + per-module add-ons. Popular with fast-growing mid-market.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | Gusto monthly | Gusto annual | Rippling monthly | Rippling annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simple / Core | 49 | 49 | 8 | 8 |
| 2 | Plus / Pro | 80 | 80 | custom | custom |
| 3 | Premium / Enterprise | 180 | 180 | custom | custom |
What each is best for
US payroll + benefits platform positioned as the alternative to ADP and Paychex for SMBs (1-500 employees). Distinctive for its modern UX (unlike ADP's 1990s-era interface) and built-in benefits marketplace. Valued $9.6B private (2022). Priced $40/mo base + $6/employee (Simple) up to $80+$12 (Premium). Popular with US-based startups and SMBs — no international payroll (unlike Deel/Rippling). Direct competitor to Rippling in the US mid-market.
HR + IT + Finance platform, valued $13.5B private (2024). Founded by Zenefits founder Parker Conrad after his ouster. Positioned as the alternative to running Deel + Workday + Okta + Ramp separately — the "employee graph" as a single source of truth. Distinctive for its aggressive Deel litigation (September 2024 alleging trade secret theft) and rapid feature expansion. Priced $8-$14/user/mo base + per-module add-ons. Popular with fast-growing mid-market.
At a glance
| Gusto | Rippling | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | — |
| Entry price | $49/mo | $8/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Hybrid | Per Seat |
| Last verified | July 29, 2026 | July 29, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified July 29, 2026. Tracked daily.