Guideline
Guideline: Guideline combines 401(k) administration, payroll automation, compliance and managed portfolios. Ranked #4 of 14 in 401(k) Software by our editors (8.6/10); pricing: Paid; best for small businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s.
At a glance
- Editor score8.6 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forSmall businesses wanting simple managed 401(k)s
- Free planNo
- Employee enrollmentYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Guideline
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 account access, automated payroll contributions and compliance administration. Its small and mid-market orientation suits businesses seeking a managed 401(k) service without assembling separate administration, payroll and participant-account tools.
The paid lineup has three tiers. Starter includes 401(k) plan administration and participant investment accounts. Core adds expanded plan features alongside 401(k) administration and support. Enterprise provides a custom plan and pricing arrangement. The pricing structure uses a recurring employer fee plus a per-participant charge, while plan availability can vary by plan design and participant count. Employers can choose professionally managed investment portfolios, and participants can manage accounts through web, iOS and Android experiences.
Guideline connects with Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, Rippling, Justworks, Paychex and BambooHR for payroll workflows. Support channels include email, phone and documentation. Compliance-related capabilities include GDPR, SSO/SAML and two-factor authentication, alongside 401(k) reporting and administration. Choose Guideline if your organization wants integrated setup, enrollment, payroll processing and managed investing in one service. Organizations seeking self-directed investment selection, AI features or a highly specialized large-enterprise environment may prefer another option.
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Guideline pricing
All 3 Guideline plans and prices →
Guideline fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Plan types | Traditional 401(k), Roth 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k), Profit Sharing, Solo 401(k) |
| Employee enrollment | Yes |
| Payroll integrations | Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, Rippling, Justworks, Paychex, BambooHR |
| Investment options | Managed |
| Compliance support | Yes |
| Participant mobile app | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | GDPR, SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 7 integrations: Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, Rippling, Justworks, Paychex … See all → |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | guideline.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Guideline integrations
Guideline lists 7 integrations on its own site.
- Gusto
- ADP
- QuickBooks
- Rippling
- Justworks
- Paychex
- BambooHR
See all Guideline integrations →
Alternatives to Guideline
- Ameritas Retirement PlansBroad retirement-plan administration with enrollment, payroll, fiduciary and participant services.9.3
- Charles Schwab Retirement Plan ServicesA broad 401(k) service for employers seeking administration, compliance support, and participant tools.9.1
- Human InterestPayroll-connected retirement plan administration with tiered compliance support.8.8
See all Guideline alternatives →
Guideline vs the competition
- Guideline vs Ameritas Retirement Plans
- Guideline vs Charles Schwab Retirement Plan Services
- Guideline vs Human Interest
- Guideline vs Employee Fiduciary
- Guideline vs Vestwell
- Guideline vs Merrill Small Business 401(k)
Compare Guideline with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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