Rippling vs Sage HR — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Rippling starts at $8/mo. Sage HR starts at $5.5/mo. Sage HR is $2.5/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Rippling.
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.
Sage HR (formerly CakeHR) is Sage's cloud HR platform for SMBs. Core HR ~$5.50/employee/mo; add-on modules (Leave, Performance, Timesheets, Shift Scheduling, Recruitment, Expenses) priced separately per employee. 30-day free trial. UK-headquartered.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Rippling monthly | Rippling annual | Sage HR monthly | Sage HR annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry paid | Core / + Expenses | $8 | $8 | $1.5 | $1.5 |
| Mid tier 1 | — / + Performance | — | — | $3 | $3 |
| Mid tier 2 | — / + Shift Scheduling | — | — | $3 | $3 |
| Mid tier 3 | — / + Timesheets | — | — | $3 | $3 |
| Mid tier 4 | — / Core HR + Leave Management | — | — | $5.5 | $5.5 |
| Mid tier 5 | — / + HR Advice Essentials | — | — | $100 | $100 |
| Pro / power | — / + Recruitment | — | — | $200 | $200 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise / — | Custom | Custom | — | — |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Rippling is worth it if… growing US companies (50-1,000+ employees) that want HRIS + payroll + IT device management + finance in one platform — particularly if you're tired of stitching Gusto + Okta + Zip + BambooHR together. Modular pricing (each module priced separately, per-employee); starts around $8/employee for core HR.
Sage HR is worth it if… Sage HR is ideal for UK/EU small-to-mid businesses (5-200 employees) that want modular HR without US-heavy pricing tiers.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Rippling over Sage HR if…
Choose Rippling if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $8/mo).
- You match the profile Rippling is built for: growing US companies (50-1,000+ employees) that want HRIS + payroll + IT device management + finance in one platform — particularly if you're tired of stitching Gusto + Okta + Zip + BambooHR together.
- You need a general-purpose hr & people option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Sage HR if…
- You want fixed-price predictability (per seat, from $5.5/mo).
- You match the profile Sage HR is built for: ideal for UK/EU small-to-mid businesses (5-200 employees) that want modular HR without US-heavy pricing tiers.
- You need a general-purpose hr & people option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Rippling | Sage HR | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | No |
| Entry price | $8/mo | $5.5/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Seat | Per Seat |
| Verification | Checked October 2, 2026 | Pricing under review |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified October 2, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about Rippling and Sage HR
- How much does Rippling cost in 2026?
- Does Rippling have a free plan?
- How often does Rippling change prices?
- What are the best Rippling alternatives in 2026?
- How much does Sage HR cost in 2026?
- Does Sage HR have a free plan?
- How often does Sage HR change prices?
- What are the best Sage HR alternatives in 2026?