Rippling vs Gusto: Which HR Platform is Right for Your Company?

When it comes to choosing the right HR platform it can feel a bit like navigating a maze. 

You want the best for your company, but the endless choices out there can be overwhelming. 

Today, I'm here to share my experience with two big names in the space—Rippling vs Gusto—to help make your decision just a bit easier.

After exploring both platforms in depth, I'll say this upfront: there’s a lot to love about both.

But if I had to choose one, I'd lean toward Rippling as the better option for most businesses.

Ready? Let’s roll.

Rippling vs Gusto: My Experience

Here’s why I think Rippling is an excellent HR platform that beats Gusto in the Rippling vs. Gusto battle.

Rippling: Powerful Automation Meets Flexibility

If your business values automation and integration, Rippling really shines. 

What stood out to me most is how well it connects with just about every tool your company might already be using. 

Payroll, benefits, IT, and even onboarding—Rippling covers all of that in one seamless system. 

And it’s not just HR. Rippling takes things a step further, letting you manage your company's entire suite of software and hardware from the same platform.

Rippling Pros and Cons

It took me a bit of time but I eventually found some clear advantages and disadvantages of using Rippling.

Pros:

• Extensive Integrations: Rippling integrates with over 500 apps, so whatever software you're already comfortable with, Rippling likely works with it. This saves you a ton of time and hassle.
• Automation Galore: Rippling's automation capabilities make repetitive tasks vanish—whether it’s setting up payroll or getting new hires onboarded.
• IT & HR in One Place: You can manage your team's devices and software licenses alongside HR tasks. For fast-growing teams, this can be a game-changer.

Cons:

• Higher Cost: All these features come with a price. Rippling's base pricing starts low, but costs can quickly add up as you scale.
• Complex for Smaller Teams: If you're a small business with a simple setup, Rippling might feel like overkill. Its wide feature set can be daunting if you just want basic payroll and benefits.

And as for pricing? This is what you can expect:

Rippling Pricing

Rippling starts at $8 per user per month, but there are add-ons for everything from payroll to device management. 

Depending on what you need, the costs can be a bit unpredictable, including fees for additional HR modules, IT management, and advanced analytics features.

Now, how does Gusto compare in the Rippling vs Gusto battle? Here’s what I found out.

Gusto: User-Friendly and Perfect for Simplicity

Gusto is all about simplicity. 

Gusto is designed with small businesses in mind, offering an easy and intuitive solution for managing payroll and benefits.

It’s easy to use, quick to set up, and gives you everything you need for payroll, benefits, and time tracking—all in a clean, modern interface. 

If your company values ease of use over extensive customisation, Gusto delivers.

My pro tip: Check out some other Gusto reviews to get a clear idea of how this platform performs.

Gusto Pros and Cons

Let’s look at the pros and cons of using Gusto.

Pros:

• Great for Small Businesses: Gusto keeps things simple, and for many small teams, that simplicity is priceless. Setting up payroll is straightforward, and you don’t need to be an expert to make it work.
• Transparent Pricing: Unlike Rippling, Gusto’s pricing is clear. You know exactly what you’re getting and for how much, which makes budgeting easier.
• Employee-Friendly: Gusto focuses a lot on employee experience, with a sleek interface that’s easy for staff to use.

Cons:

• Limited Integrations: Compared to Rippling, Gusto's integrations are a bit more limited. This might mean more manual data entry if you're using tools outside of its core integrations.
• Not as Scalable: Gusto's features work great for small teams, but as your company grows, you might find that Gusto's simplicity turns into a limitation.

Gusto Pricing

Gusto's "Simple" plan starts at $40 per month, plus $6 per person. It offers straightforward tiers, which keeps surprises at a minimum.

Compared to Rippling, Gusto's pricing is more predictable and affordable for smaller teams, though it lacks the flexibility and add-ons that may benefit larger businesses.

So, Which One is Right for You?

It really comes down to your company’s needs. 

If you’re a small business looking for a simple, intuitive way to handle payroll and benefits without the headache, Gusto might be just the thing. 

But if you're thinking bigger—if you need something that will grow alongside your team, that will automate and simplify across HR and IT—then Rippling is likely the better investment.

My Verdict

In my opinion, Rippling edges out Gusto for its flexibility, automation, and integration capabilities. 

It’s the solution I’d recommend to any company looking to streamline everything into one platform, especially if you plan to grow and scale.

My pro tip: If neither of these HR platforms appeal to you, look at some of my other Deel reviews as a solid alternative.

My Final Thoughts

And there you have it: We pitted Rippling vs Gusto. 

Both Rippling and Gusto offer great tools, but they cater to slightly different audiences. Ask yourself: do you want simplicity now or flexibility for the future?

Personally, I’d take the power and scalability of Rippling, but your choice will depend on what best fits your team's needs today—and tomorrow.