Which Payroll Software Is Best For Your Business?

Ripple and Gusto are two of the best cloud-based HR and payroll software options on the market today. They are designed to streamline processes for employee management and business finance, an important factor for companies looking to scale their operations.

Look: Life can be a lot easier with a payroll processing checklist TechRepublic Premium

But while these products are both high-performing payroll options and share many similarities, there are also significant differences between the two solutions. In this head-to-head comparison of Ripple and Gusto, take a look at the key features of each solution, pricing information, and what types of users the software is best suited for.

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What is rippling?

Ripple is a leading cloud-based HR software suite offering a wide variety of functions for employee onboarding, benefits management, time tracking, and payroll management. It is ideal for business leaders who are looking for an employee management solution.

Ripple offers a range of tools to set up and manage employee devices and apps through the cloud. The software also has finance modules to manage and report employee expenses. Furthermore, Ripple Workflow Automator lets you automate manual processes in the system. Ripple offers custom pricing, with the most basic plans starting at $8 per month per employee.

Ripple’s plans are easy to customize, and customers can pick and choose the Ripple modules they want, rather than being forced into a one-size-fits-all solution. For example, a business may choose to bundle Ripple’s payroll, technology, human resources and finance modules into a workforce management platform. Alternatively, they can choose to purchase only Payroll and HR through Ripple.

Each individual module costs per employee, with basic plans starting at $8 per month per employee. Whether you choose to purchase one Ripple module or three, you will also need to purchase Ripple’s operating system, Ripple Unity. Ripple Unity has a monthly base fee which is not listed on the company’s website.

What is Gusto?

Gusto, formerly known as Zenpayroll, is one of the top choices for cloud-based payroll and HR software, with a range of features that work especially well for small and medium-sized businesses. . Gusto’s main selling point is its full-service payroll processing, which includes automated paycheck calculation, tax remittance and direct deposit. It also has in-house brokerage for businesses that offer health, medical and dental insurance as employee benefits.

While Ripple is an all-in-one workforce management solution, Gusto is a payroll and HR software program best suited for businesses with fewer employees. Other top features of Gusto include insight and reporting tools with customizable reports, team surveys, compliance alerts, and more. Gusto’s plans start at $6 per employee per month with a fixed monthly fee of $40.

Ripple vs Gusto: Feature Comparison Table

Ripple vs Gusto: Head-to-Head Feature Comparison

While Gusto is easier to set up and better suited for small businesses, Ripple is a full-service application ideal for larger companies that require a fully integrated system.

live phone support

Both Ripple and Gusto provide support for troubleshooting, initial setup, and other professional assistance needed to get the application running. Gusto customer service can be reached via phone, chat or email. Ripple, on the other hand, offers chat and email support, but you cannot telephone customer service directly.

Instead, if you can’t resolve your issue via live chat, you can request that an agent transfer you to a virtual call. In the virtual meeting format, you can share your screen with an agent to help them identify and fix any issues with the software on your device.

performance management

Ripple offers a talent management module with tools that streamline recruiting and onboarding. Its HR module also includes features like performance management review and reporting. However, Ripple does not provide a native performance management module.

Instead, Ripple integrates with a number of compatible third-party applications. For larger businesses, this may be the best route, as they require specialized performance management tools that are not typically included in HR and payroll software.

Conversely, smaller companies that don’t need comprehensive performance management will appreciate Gusto’s built-in performance management tools. These include automated workflows for performance reviews, customizable onboarding checklists, employee software provisioning, and more.

full-service payroll

The strict payroll functionalities offered by Ripple and Gusto are similar. Both companies offer automated full-service payroll processing, including gross paychecks, making automatic withdrawals for payroll taxes and wage garnishments, paying payroll taxes to the correct tax bureau, and sending employees via direct deposit. involves payment.

The main difference is that Gusto offers most full-service payroll tools at no extra cost. In contrast, Ripple customers will have to pay extra for many payroll-specific features. For example, Gusto doesn’t charge extra to integrate its payroll software with insurance benefits purchased through its in-house brokerage. With Ripple, health benefits administration is a separate module with its own per-employee fee.

Importantly, though, Ripple offers health insurance coverage in all 50 states. Gusto’s health insurance coverage extends to 37 states and Washington, D.C.

customization

Ripple outperforms Gusto when it comes to the possibility of customization. For example, customers have the option of using the native Ripple module or integrating with third-party applications. This allows companies more flexibility as their needs change. Furthermore, Ripple offers greater flexibility in its pricing structure, as customers can choose to purchase each service separately.

remote device management

Gusto and Rippling both offer some remote device management functionalities, but Rippling offers particularly advanced features like automated law compliance and overtime alerts to help businesses manage employees.

Since Gusto is primarily a payroll and HR solution — not a large employee management system — it can’t be used to remotely manage devices, set up employee software, or manage passwords. However, it does include employee onboarding features and software setup workflows.

ease of setup

With Gusto, users have a streamlined setup option, allowing them to set up payroll through an easy do-it-yourself video guide or with free assistance from a customer service agent.

With Ripple, you’ll work with an Implementation Manager who will guide you through the process, which could take three to eight weeks. Ripple doesn’t offer any do-it-yourself options for setting up payroll management.

Choosing Between Ripple and Gusto

If you’re looking for HR and payroll software to optimize your business operations, you can’t go wrong with Ripple or Gusto. They are quality solutions with an intuitive user interface and fast navigation. The cloud-based format of both allows for easy scalability and enhanced security.

When it comes to choosing between Ripple and Gusto, it all depends on what your business needs most at this stage in its growth and payroll processing workflow. Ripple offers more features in HR and Payroll functionalities; However, some of these features are only available in higher tiers of the product. On the other hand, Gusto is generally a better option for small businesses that need a simple payroll tool on a small budget and without extensive third-party integrations.

The best place to start your software selection process – after researching with a product comparison guide, of course – is at the source. Consider reaching out to the Ripple and Gusto teams directly so you can learn more about the products, hear customer success stories, and maybe even get a demo or free trial to determine which payroll software is right for you. works best for your business.

Read next: The best payroll software for small businesses (TechRepublic)