Compare/Payroll
I use GustoGusto vs Rippling
Gusto for small teams that want payroll, benefits, and HR done simply. Rippling once you’re also managing laptops, apps, and expenses for a growing team.
Shanin Drucquer, owner of Iconic LandscapingUpdated October 2026
Where this comes from: I run payroll for my landscaping crew on Gusto. Rippling’s starting price is from rippling.com, and its module, contract, and setup costs from 2026 buyer reports.
Which to pick
My pick for most small businesses
Gusto
- Costs less for small teams
- Month to month, no setup fee
- Sign up and run payroll without a demo
You have under about 20 people
Public prices from $49 + $6/person, no contract, no setup fee.
You also manage laptops, apps, and logins
Device and app management sit in the same system as payroll, so onboarding sets up everything at once.
You want to cancel anytime
Month to month. Rippling is sold on annual contracts.
You’re a venture-backed startup
Rippling offers 6 months free to eligible US startups backed by venture capital.
$100 Visa gift card after your first payroll, through my referral link.
Is Rippling more expensive than Gusto?
Gusto is list price, checked September 2026. Rippling is its published $40 + $8/employee platform plus about $8/employee for payroll, the most-reported module price; your quote may differ. Rippling also typically adds an implementation fee and an annual contract.
Monthly cost for 8 people
Gusto
Simple
$97
Rippling
Platform + Payroll
$168
Gusto is $71 a month cheaper, about $852 a year.
Start with Gusto“Both times a tax notice showed up, Gusto sorted it.”
Shanin Drucquer, Iconic LandscapingWhere they actually differ
Pricing
Gusto
Published on its site (better)
Rippling
Starting price only; quote for the rest
Contract
Gusto
Month to month (better)
Rippling
Annual, with a 5–7% renewal increase reported
Setup fee
Gusto
$0 (better)
Rippling
About $1,000–$5,000 reported
IT and devices
Gusto
Not offered
Rippling
Laptops, apps, and logins as modules (better)
Expenses and cards
Gusto
Not offered
Rippling
Spend management modules (better)
How you buy
Gusto
Sign up online
Rippling
Demo with sales first
Adding features later
Gusto
Change plans anytime
Rippling
Each new module priced per employee
| Feature | Gusto | Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Published on its site (better) | Starting price only; quote for the rest |
| Contract | Month to month (better) | Annual, with a 5–7% renewal increase reported |
| Setup fee | $0 (better) | About $1,000–$5,000 reported |
| IT and devices | Not offered | Laptops, apps, and logins as modules (better) |
| Expenses and cards | Not offered | Spend management modules (better) |
| How you buy | Sign up online | Demo with sales first |
| Adding features later | Change plans anytime | Each new module priced per employee |
Both run payroll with tax filing, pay contractors, manage benefits, and handle onboarding.
Prices checked: Gusto September 30, 2026, Rippling October 13, 2026. Sources: Gusto pricing, Rippling pricing, Gloroots: Rippling pricing.
Every plan, side by side
Gusto list prices, checked September 2026. Rippling is priced by module.
Gusto
Simple$49 + $6/person
Single-state payroll, tax filing, unlimited payrolls, onboarding
Plus$80 + $12/person
Multi-state payroll, next-day pay, time tracking, workforce cost reports
Premium$180 + $22/person
Same-day and instant pay, HR experts, a dedicated advisor, priority support
Contractor Only$35 + $6/contractor
1099 contractors only, with a $0 base fee for the first 6 months
Rippling
Platform$40 + $8/employee
Employee records, onboarding, app integrations (published floor)
Platform + Payroll$40 + $16/employee
Adds payroll (estimate)
Payroll + Benefits$40 + $21/employee
Adds benefits administration (estimate)
Recruiting, IT and devices, and spend management are further modules, each priced per employee.
What changes as you grow
Most teams don’t need Rippling on day one. These are the usual reasons to move.
Hiring people who need laptops
Gusto
Handled outside payroll
Rippling
Ships and sets up devices from onboarding (better)
Dozens of software logins
Gusto
Managed separately
Rippling
Grants and revokes app access with HR changes (better)
Company cards and expenses
Gusto
Separate tool
Rippling
Built-in modules (better)
A small crew in one state
Gusto
Simple plan covers it (better)
Rippling
Pays for a platform you won’t use
| Feature | Gusto | Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| Hiring people who need laptops | Handled outside payroll | Ships and sets up devices from onboarding (better) |
| Dozens of software logins | Managed separately | Grants and revokes app access with HR changes (better) |
| Company cards and expenses | Separate tool | Built-in modules (better) |
| A small crew in one state | Simple plan covers it (better) | Pays for a platform you won’t use |
“I dismiss people in the off-season so I’m not billed for them, then re-add them in spring.”
Shanin Drucquer, Iconic LandscapingSwitching from Gusto to Rippling
- 1.
Get the full quote in writing
Base fee, per-employee price for each module, implementation fee, contract length, and renewal increase.
- 2.
Pick a quarter start
Switching on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1 keeps each quarter’s filings in one system.
- 3.
Export from Gusto
Download year-to-date payroll and tax reports so Rippling can file W-2s correctly.
- 4.
Run one payroll, then cancel Gusto
Gusto is month to month, so you can turn it off after Rippling’s first payroll clears.
Common questions
Is Rippling more expensive than Gusto?
For small teams, yes. For 20 people, Gusto Simple is $169 a month a month with no contract. Rippling with payroll comes to about $360 a month on an annual contract, plus an implementation fee buyers report at $1,000–$5,000.
Is Rippling better than Gusto?
Better for growing companies that want payroll, IT, devices, and expenses in one system. Gusto is better for small teams that only need payroll, benefits, and simple HR, and want to cancel anytime.
Why do companies switch from Gusto to Rippling?
Usually because they’re hiring people who need laptops and software access, and want onboarding to set all of it up at once, or they want company cards and expenses in the same system.
Does Rippling have a contract?
Yes. Buyers report annual contracts, with a renewal increase unless you negotiate it out. Gusto is month to month.
Can I switch from Gusto to Rippling mid-year?
Yes. Bring your year-to-date payroll reports from Gusto so W-2s come out right. Switching at the start of a quarter keeps filings cleaner.
Does Rippling have a free trial?
No. You see it in a sales demo. Eligible venture-backed startups can get 6 months free, and Gusto’s contractor plan has no base fee for its first 6 months.
Sources: Gusto pricing, Rippling pricing, Gloroots: Rippling pricing. How we research
Gusto for small teams that want payroll and HR done simply, month to month. Rippling once you’re managing devices, apps, and expenses for a growing team. I use Gusto.
I may earn a referral fee from these links, at no cost to you.How we researchHow I make money
Gusto · from $49/mo
$100 after your first payroll