Guideline vs Employee Fiduciary

Guideline8.6Visit EFEmployee Fiduciary8.4Visit

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

vs

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

• Guideline fits best

  Small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s

• Employee Fiduciary fits best

  Solo owners and small employers needing compliance support

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Side by side

Feature	Guideline 8.6/10 Visit ↗	EFEmployee Fiduciary 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.6	8.4
Ranking	#4 in 401(k) Software	#5 in 401(k) Software
Best for	Small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s	Solo owners and small employers needing compliance support
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$500/yr
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Email, Phone, Docs	Phone
Compliance	GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA	GDPR
Integrations	7 integrations	20 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business
Features Guideline 3/3 · Employee Fiduciary 1/3
Employee enrollment	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Compliance support	✓	✓
Participant mobile app	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Plan types	Traditional 401(k), Roth 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k), Profit Sharing, Solo 401(k)	Traditional 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k), Solo 401(k), 403(b)
Payroll integrations	Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, Rippling, Justworks, Paychex, BambooHR	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
Investment options	Managed	Mixed
Our review
Pros	Employer plan setup, administration and compliance workflows Payroll connections with Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks and four others Managed portfolios plus web and mobile participant access	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
Cons	Investment options are professionally managed rather than self-directed No AI features are included Enterprise plans use custom plan and pricing	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
Our verdict	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 →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• 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

• Guideline8.6/10 · Paid

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

  Visit GuidelineFull verdict →
• EFEmployee Fiduciary8.4/10 · Paid

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

  Visit siteFull verdict →