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Head-to-head · 401(k) Software

Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs Transamerica Retirement Solutions

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Merrill Small Business 401(k) #7 in 401(k) Software 8.0/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Merrill
Transamerica Retirement Solutions #8 in 401(k) Software 7.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Transamerica

Merrill Small Business 401(k) 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 scoreMerrill Small Business 401(k) · 8.0/10
  • Most featuresMerrill Small Business 401(k) · 3 of 3

Merrill Small Business 401(k) scores higher on our rubric for 401(k) software: 8.0 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

Merrill Small Business 401(k) is the better fit for small employers preferring Merrill-managed plans. Transamerica Retirement Solutions is the better fit for employers needing multiple retirement plan types.

  • Merrill Small Business 401(k) fits best

    Small employers preferring Merrill-managed plans

  • Transamerica Retirement Solutions fits best

    Employers needing multiple retirement plan types

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Merrill Small Business 401(k) 8.0/10 Visit ↗ Transamerica Retirement Solutions 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.0 7.8
Ranking #7 in 401(k) Software #8 in 401(k) Software
Best for Small employers preferring Merrill-managed plans Employers needing multiple retirement plan types
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $95/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS Web, iOS, Android
Support Phone, Docs Phone, Docs
Built for Small business Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Merrill Small Business 401(k) 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 401(k); Roth 401(k); Safe Harbor 401(k) Defined contribution; defined benefit; pooled plan; nonqualified deferred compensation
Payroll integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Investment options Mixed Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Ascensus manages recordkeeping and plan administration.
  • Includes compliance testing, Form 5500 support and online enrollment.
  • Merrill provides fiduciary services and a target-date QDIA option.
  • 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
  • The Group 401(k) charges $5 per participant each month for recordkeeping.
  • Published pricing also combines asset-based fees with plan fees.
  • Contribution processing is through ACH rather than a named payroll integration.
  • 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

Merrill Small Business 401(k) is a cloud-based retirement plan for small businesses, with web and iOS access for employers and employees. It brings plan setup, online enrollment, contribution processing and investment choices into a…

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. Merrill Small Business 401(k)401(k) Software 8.0Paid
  2. Transamerica Retirement Solutions401(k) Software 7.8Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Merrill Small Business 401(k) — where it wins

    • Ascensus manages recordkeeping and plan administration.
    • Includes compliance testing, Form 5500 support and online enrollment.
    • Merrill provides fiduciary services and a target-date QDIA option.

    Where it doesn't

    • The Group 401(k) charges $5 per participant each month for recordkeeping.
    • Published pricing also combines asset-based fees with plan fees.
    • Contribution processing is through ACH rather than a named payroll integration.

  • 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
  • Merrill Small Business 401(k)8.0/10 · Paid

    A focused small-business 401(k) with managed administration and ACH contributions.

    Visit MerrillFull 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