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Head-to-head · 401(k) Software

Guideline vs Transamerica Retirement Solutions

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Guideline #4 in 401(k) Software 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Guideline
Transamerica Retirement Solutions #8 in 401(k) Software 7.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Transamerica

Guideline leads on 0 checks, Transamerica Retirement Solutions on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGuideline · 8.6/10
  • Most featuresGuideline · 3 of 3

Guideline scores higher on our rubric for 401(k) software: 8.6 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Guideline is the better fit for small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s. Transamerica Retirement Solutions is the better fit for employers needing multiple retirement plan types.

  • Guideline fits best

    Small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s

  • Transamerica Retirement Solutions fits best

    Employers needing multiple retirement plan types

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Side by side

Feature Guideline 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Transamerica Retirement Solutions 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 7.8
Ranking #4 in 401(k) Software #8 in 401(k) Software
Best for Small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s Employers needing multiple retirement plan types
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Phone, Docs Phone, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Guideline 3/3 · Transamerica Retirement Solutions 1/3
Employee enrollment ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Compliance support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Participant mobile app ✓ ✓
Specs
Plan types Traditional 401(k), Roth 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k), Profit Sharing, Solo 401(k) Defined contribution; defined benefit; pooled plan; nonqualified deferred compensation
Payroll integrations Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, Rippling, Justworks, Paychex, BambooHR Not checked yet
Investment options Managed Not checked yet
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
  • Supports defined contribution, defined benefit, pooled, and nonqualified plans
  • Participant web access and mobile app support balance and account changes
  • Payroll administration tools and secure file transfer support plan operations
Cons
  • Investment options are professionally managed rather than self-directed
  • No AI features are included
  • Enterprise plans use custom plan and pricing
  • Pricing requires contacting sales and varies by plan
  • Support is limited to phone and documentation, without 24/7 coverage
  • Plan features and investment options may vary by plan
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 →

Transamerica Retirement Solutions provides employer retirement plans and recordkeeping services for small, mid-market, and enterprise organizations. Its coverage spans defined contribution, defined benefit, pooled plan, and nonqualified…

Read the review →
  1. Guideline401(k) Software 8.6Paid
  2. Transamerica Retirement Solutions401(k) Software 7.8Pricing on request

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

  • Transamerica Retirement Solutions — where it wins

    • Supports defined contribution, defined benefit, pooled, and nonqualified plans
    • Participant web access and mobile app support balance and account changes
    • Payroll administration tools and secure file transfer support plan operations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales and varies by plan
    • Support is limited to phone and documentation, without 24/7 coverage
    • Plan features and investment options may vary by plan
  • Guideline8.6/10 · Paid

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

    Visit GuidelineFull verdict →
  • Transamerica Retirement Solutions7.8/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad retirement-plan service covering four plan types with web and mobile access.

    Visit TransamericaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All 401(k) software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update