Ameritas Retirement Plans vs Guideline

Ameritas Retirement Plans9.3Visit Guideline8.6Visit

Higher score Ameritas Retirement Plans #1 in 401(k) Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Ameritas

vs

Guideline #4 in 401(k) Software 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Guideline

• Ameritas Retirement Plans fits best

  Organizations seeking broad retirement plan administration

• Guideline fits best

  Small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s

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Side by side

Feature	Ameritas Retirement Plans 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Guideline 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.6
Ranking	#1 in 401(k) Software	#4 in 401(k) Software
Best for	Organizations seeking broad retirement plan administration	Small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	—
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Phone	Email, Phone, Docs
Integrations	2 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market
Features Ameritas Retirement Plans 3/3 · Guideline 3/3
Employee enrollment	✓	✓
Compliance support	✓	✓
Participant mobile app	✓	✓
Specs
Plan types	401(k); profit-sharing; multiple employer (MEP); pooled employer (PEP); money purchase; ERISA 403(b); solo 401(k); 457(b); prevailing-wage 401(k); defined benefit; cash balance; governmental; safe harbor 401(k)	Traditional 401(k), Roth 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k), Profit Sharing, Solo 401(k)
Payroll integrations	PRISM HR; iSolved	Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, Rippling, Justworks, Paychex, BambooHR
Investment options	Mixed	Managed
Our review
Pros	Supports many plan types, from 401(k) and PEP to defined benefit. Combines recordkeeping, compliance testing, filings and enrollment. Offers fiduciary services and participant web and mobile account tools.	Employer plan setup, administration and compliance workflows Payroll connections with Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks and four others Managed portfolios plus web and mobile participant access
Cons	Pricing is customized and starts with a sales conversation. Named payroll integrations are PRISM HR and iSolved. The broad service scope may exceed the needs of employers seeking only recordkeeping.	Investment options are professionally managed rather than self-directed No AI features are included Enterprise plans use custom plan and pricing
Our verdict	Ameritas Retirement Plans provides customized retirement-plan recordkeeping and administration for businesses, nonprofits, governmental entities and professional employer organizations. Its scope extends beyond 401(k) plans to… Read the review →	Guideline provides cloud-based and mobile software for employers establishing and administering retirement plans. It supports Traditional, Roth, Safe Harbor, Profit Sharing and Solo 401(k) designs, with employee enrollment, participant… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Ameritas Retirement Plans — where it wins

  • Supports many plan types, from 401(k) and PEP to defined benefit.
  • Combines recordkeeping, compliance testing, filings and enrollment.
  • Offers fiduciary services and participant web and mobile account tools.

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is customized and starts with a sales conversation.
  • Named payroll integrations are PRISM HR and iSolved.
  • The broad service scope may exceed the needs of employers seeking only recordkeeping.

• Guideline — where it wins

  • Employer plan setup, administration and compliance workflows
  • Payroll connections with Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks and four others
  • Managed portfolios plus web and mobile participant access

  Where it doesn't

  • Investment options are professionally managed rather than self-directed
  • No AI features are included
  • Enterprise plans use custom plan and pricing

• Ameritas Retirement Plans9.3/10 · Pricing on request

  Broad retirement-plan administration with enrollment, payroll, fiduciary and participant services.

  Visit AmeritasFull verdict →
• Guideline8.6/10 · Paid

  Guideline combines 401(k) administration, payroll automation, compliance and managed portfolios.

  Visit GuidelineFull verdict →