Zenefits vs Rippling

by Gralio Feb 24, 2025

Zenefits and Rippling both offer robust solutions for HR management. Zenefits excels in core HR functionalities for US-based SMBs, with a user-friendly interface praised for ease of access to payroll and benefits information. Rippling offers a wider range of features, including IT and finance management, making it a better fit for companies with global operations and more complex administrative requirements.

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This comparison was created by analysing 5467 reviews and 60 websites, saving 1 day, 6 hours, 52 minutes of reading.

Logo of Zenefits
Logo of Rippling

About

Zenefits, now known as TriNet, is an all-in-one HR software designed for small and mid-sized businesses. It combines several HR functions like hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and performance management into a single platform. TriNet aims to simplify HR processes, improve compliance, and provide useful data insights. It offers mobile access for employees and managers and boasts numerous integrations with other business applications.
Rippling is a comprehensive employee management platform designed for businesses of all sizes. It streamlines and automates various HR, IT, and finance processes, including payroll, benefits, device management, and expense tracking. By centralizing these functions, Rippling aims to simplify employee lifecycle management, reduce administrative burden, and improve operational efficiency for businesses. The platform is particularly valuable for companies with global operations, offering localized solutions for international payroll, benefits, and compliance.

Summary

Main difference
Zenefits (now TriNet) offers a more focused approach to HR, excelling in core HR functions like payroll, benefits, and onboarding for US-based SMBs. Rippling provides a broader platform encompassing HR, IT, and Finance, making it suitable for companies with global operations and diverse administrative needs.

Relative strengths of Zenefits (compared to Rippling)

  • Stronger focus on core HR functions for US-based SMBs

  • User-friendly interface for employees, especially for accessing paystubs and benefits

  • Streamlined onboarding process

Relative weaknesses of Zenefits (compared to Rippling)

  • Limited IT and Finance features compared to Rippling

  • Slower customer support response times

  • Less suitable for international businesses due to US focus

Who is using Zenefits and Rippling?

No data
Ollie Forsyth
New Economies Founder
Alex Lieberman
Cofounder @ Morning Brew & storyarb
Nate Matherson
Head of Growth at Numeral | YC Alum
Sal Abdulla
Founder NixSheets - SaaS Finance Expert
Puzzle.io
Automated bookkeeping; General Catalyst portfolio

Who should use Zenefits VS. Rippling

Zenefits, now TriNet, simplifies HR for SMBs. It’s an all-in-one platform centralizing core functions like hiring, payroll, and benefits. While praised for its user-friendly interface and streamlined onboarding, some users have reported slow customer support. Mobile access empowers employees to manage their HR needs on the go.

Rippling helps businesses streamline HR, IT, and finance tasks. Users love its user-friendly interface and clear organization, especially the searchable org chart. Some users have noted discrepancies between the mobile and desktop apps and occasional delays in payment notifications. Ideal for companies wanting to simplify employee management.

  • Best for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

  • Strong fit for Healthcare, Finance, Education, and IT.

  • Best fit for small to medium-sized businesses and enterprises.

  • Suitable for most industries, including Healthcare, Finance, E-commerce, Retail, and Technology.

Zenefits and Rippling features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

  • Inventory Management
    Not supported

    Zenefits does not natively support inventory management.

    Supported

    Rippling supports inventory management, including device tracking and retrieval.

  • Benefits Administration
    Supported

    Zenefits supports benefits administration, including health insurance, retirement plans, and open enrollment.

    Supported

    Rippling offers a unified platform to manage employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans.

  • Mobile payroll
    Supported

    Zenefits provides mobile access to payroll information via their app.

    Supported

    Rippling enables employees to access payroll information via their mobile app.

  • Payroll integration
    Supported

    Zenefits integrates with payroll systems, likely including automatic benefit deduction transfers.

    Supported

    Rippling automatically syncs payroll data with benefits, ensuring that benefit deductions are reflected in the payroll process. It also integrates with accounting systems, ensuring accurate transfer and recording of benefit deductions.

  • HRIS integration
    Supported

    Zenefits is a human resource information system (HRIS).

    Supported

    Rippling is itself a comprehensive HRIS system and supports extensive integrations.

  • User-friendly interface
    Supported

    Zenefits offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface.

    Supported

    Rippling provides a user-friendly and intuitive interface across its platform, as evidenced by multiple sources.

Qualities

  • Value and Pricing Transparency
    No data
    -0.22
    Neutral sentiment
  • Customer Service
    No data
    +0.22
    Neutral sentiment
  • Ease of Use
    +0.33
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.89
    Strongly positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    +0.33
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.34
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Ease of Implementation
    No data
    +0.25
    Neutral sentiment
  • Scalability
    No data
    +0.47
    Rather positive sentiment

Zenefits and Rippling Pricing

TriNet offers PEO and HR solutions, but specific pricing details are not available on their website. They encourage users to contact them for a personalized quote.

User sentiment

Strongly negative
-1

See full Pricing page

No data

See full Pricing page

Zenefits and Rippling review insights

Users love

  • User-friendly interface for employees, providing easy access to paystubs, benefits, and time-off requests.
  • Streamlined onboarding process, reducing paperwork and time spent on new hire setup.
  • Centralized platform for HR functions, consolidating employee information and documents.
  • Mobile app accessibility, allowing employees to manage their HR needs on the go.
  • Cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized businesses, offering a range of features at a reasonable price.
  • User-friendly interface
  • Easy to navigate
  • Clear breakdowns, visually pleasing
  • Org Chart is searchable

Users dislike

  • Slow customer support response times, often requiring multiple follow-ups and causing delays.
  • Payroll and tax filing errors, leading to penalties and compliance issues.
  • Inaccurate data and reporting, requiring manual reconciliation and corrections.
  • Issues with benefits administration, including incorrect enrollments and coverage lapses.
  • Lack of customization options for key features, especially time off policies.
  • Discrepancies between the mobile and desktop app
  • Payment notifications via email arrive late
  • Limited phone numbers available for customer service
  • Need to go through a lot of clicks sometimes to get back to what i need to access

Zenefits and Rippling Ratings

  • G2
    3.9/5
    (461)
  • G2
    4.8/5
    (2547)
  • Capterra
    4.9/5
    (2321)
  • Glassdoor
    3.8/5
    (564)

Company health

Employee growth

3% increase in the last year
57% increase in the last year

Web traffic

4% decrease in the last quarter
6% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data
December 2023 - $2B

How effectively does each platform manage international payroll and compliance?

Zenefits (TriNet) has mixed reviews regarding its payroll features, with some users reporting errors and compliance issues, despite integrating with payroll systems. Rippling, on the other hand, is specifically designed for international payroll and compliance, offering localized solutions for various countries. It automates payroll data synchronization with benefits and accounting systems, suggesting a more robust and reliable approach to international payroll management.

Which product best integrates HR, IT, and finance functions for a unified experience?

Rippling best integrates HR, IT, and finance functions for a unified experience. While Zenefits (TriNet) focuses primarily on HR, Rippling explicitly combines HR, IT (like device management), and finance (expense tracking) into a single platform. This centralized approach streamlines various employee lifecycle processes, offering a more unified experience compared to Zenefits's predominantly HR-focused solution.

What are the advantages of Zenefits?

Zenefits (TriNet) offers a centralized platform for core HR functions, including hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits administration, and performance management, simplifying HR processes for SMBs. Its mobile accessibility allows employees and managers to manage HR tasks on the go. Users praise Zenefits' user-friendly interface and streamlined onboarding process.

What are the disadvantages of Zenefits?

Zenefits (TriNet) suffers from slow customer support, potentially leading to frustrating delays. Users have reported payroll and tax filing errors, which can cause compliance issues and financial penalties. Data inaccuracy and reporting problems necessitate manual corrections and reconciliation, increasing workload. Finally, some users experience issues with benefits administration, such as incorrect enrollments and coverage lapses.

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Page co-authored by
MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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