Employee Fiduciary vs Vestwell

EFEmployee Fiduciary8.4Visit Vestwell8.2Visit

Higher score EF Employee Fiduciary #5 in 401(k) Software 8.4/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit site

vs

Vestwell #6 in 401(k) Software 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Vestwell

• Employee Fiduciary fits best

  Solo owners and small employers needing compliance support

• Vestwell fits best

  Low-cost plans with automated contributions

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Side by side

Feature	EFEmployee Fiduciary 8.4/10 Visit ↗	Vestwell 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.4	8.2
Ranking	#5 in 401(k) Software	#6 in 401(k) Software
Best for	Solo owners and small employers needing compliance support	Low-cost plans with automated contributions
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$500/yr	$45/mo
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Phone	Email, Docs
Compliance	GDPR	2FA
Integrations	20 integrations	190+ integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Employee Fiduciary 1/3 · Vestwell 0/3
Employee enrollment	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Compliance support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Participant mobile app	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Plan types	Traditional 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k), Solo 401(k), 403(b)	401(k), 403(b), profit-sharing, cash-balance plans
Payroll integrations	QuickBooks Online Payroll, Paylocity, Paychex Flex, ADP Workforce Now, Justworks, TriNet, Rippling, Paycor, Paycom, Sequoia One, UKG Ready, Accuchex, Ahola HR Solutions Payroll, AssetHR, Certipay, Checkwise, Coastal Payroll, ConnectPay, Counter Point HCM, Dayforce, Dominion Payroll, Flexchecks, GTM Payroll Services, Heartland, HR Butler, Hybrid, isolved, OnPay, Patriot, Pay-Net, Paymasterpro, PAYNW, Payroll Network, Inc., Payroll Solutions, Run Powered by ADP, Trivantus, Trustpoint, UKG Pro, Whirks, Workday	Not checked yet
Investment options	Mixed	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Combines recordkeeping, third-party administration and compliance reporting Supports safe harbor, profit-sharing and Roth contributions, plus participant loans Connects with payroll services including ADP Workforce Now and Rippling	Automates enrollment, contribution escalation, and payroll deductions Supports matching, nonelective, and safe harbor contributions Offers web, mobile, and API access with participant and employer portals
Cons	Standard 401(k) carries a $1,500 annual base fee Both annual plans also charge 0.08% of plan assets for custody Access is web-only	Employer plans add participant and investment fees to the base price Listed payroll integrations are limited to six providers Not a general benefits administration product
Our verdict	Employee Fiduciary provides retirement plan services for small businesses, self-employed professionals, nonprofits and advisors. Its options include traditional and safe harbor 401(k) plans, solo 401(k) plans and 403(b) plans. The service… Read the review →	Vestwell provides workplace retirement and savings programs for employers, advisors, and partners, with plan options for self-employed individuals and businesses starting a plan or transferring from another provider. Its tools cover plan… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Employee Fiduciary — where it wins

  • Combines recordkeeping, third-party administration and compliance reporting
  • Supports safe harbor, profit-sharing and Roth contributions, plus participant loans
  • Connects with payroll services including ADP Workforce Now and Rippling

  Where it doesn't

  • Standard 401(k) carries a $1,500 annual base fee
  • Both annual plans also charge 0.08% of plan assets for custody
  • Access is web-only

• Vestwell — where it wins

  • Automates enrollment, contribution escalation, and payroll deductions
  • Supports matching, nonelective, and safe harbor contributions
  • Offers web, mobile, and API access with participant and employer portals

  Where it doesn't

  • Employer plans add participant and investment fees to the base price
  • Listed payroll integrations are limited to six providers
  • Not a general benefits administration product

• EFEmployee Fiduciary8.4/10 · Paid

  A compliance-focused retirement plan service with clear annual fees and payroll connections.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• Vestwell8.2/10 · Paid

  A flexible 401(k) platform with plans starting at $45 per month.

  Visit VestwellFull verdict →