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Guideline description
Guideline is 401(k) software designed to simplify retirement plan administration for growing businesses. It offers affordable plans with automated features, making it easy for companies to provide this valuable employee benefit. Guideline streamlines employee onboarding, government filing, and manages employer contributions. It stands out by charging no participant fees on investments, regardless of account balance.
Who is Guideline best for
Guideline offers an easy and affordable way for growing businesses to provide 401(k) plans. Users praise the straightforward setup, seamless payroll integrations, and helpful resources. However, some have noted difficulties with canceling plans and limited reporting features. Guideline is best for SMBs seeking a simple, cost-effective 401(k) solution.
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Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
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A good fit for businesses in various sectors, including Healthcare, Finance, E-commerce, Retail, and more.
Guideline reviews
We've summarised 690 Guideline reviews (Guideline TrustPilot reviews, Guideline Capterra reviews and Guideline G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.
- Easy-to-navigate online portal and straightforward initial setup.
- Responsive customer support.
- Streamlined 401k plan setup and administration.
- Seamless integration with various payroll providers (e.g., Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks).
- User-friendly website and helpful resources.
- Difficult to cancel/pause 401k plan.
- Not available in Spanish.
- Limited reporting features; difficulty finding specific data.
- Separate logins for participant and sponsor accounts require manual URL editing.
- Limited investment options, especially individual stocks.
- Payroll integration issues with specific ADP account types.
Guideline pricing
The commentary is based on 178 reviews from Guideline Capterra reviews, Guideline G2 reviews and Guideline TrustPilot reviews.
Guideline offers affordable 401(k) plans for small businesses, with transparent pricing and reasonable fees. While some users have experienced price increases and limited investment choices, many appreciate the low cost and ease of use, especially compared to traditional providers.
Users sentiment
See the Guideline pricing page.
Guideline alternatives
BambooHRBetter for slightly larger businesses. Offers broader HR features beyond 401(k) management. Has significantly more momentum. More positive user reviews on Capterra.Read more
401GOOffers more transparent pricing and personalized support. Has stronger customer service ratings and is growing faster. Payroll integration is more limited. Lacks some reporting features. Guideline alternative; 401GO competitor.Read more
PaylocityBetter for mid-sized companies and has broader industry applicability. More established and growing faster, with strong ratings on Capterra and Glassdoor. Delivers robust payroll and comprehensive HR features in one platform. However, users report inconsistent customer service and clunky time and labor integration as potential drawbacks. Consider this Guideline alternative if robust HR tools and growth trajectory are priorities, but carefully evaluate customer service responsiveness.Read more
RipplingBetter fit for larger or international companies needing broader HR, IT, and finance solutions. Offers more comprehensive features, including device management. Has significantly more momentum. Higher rated Rippling alternative.Read more
ClickUpBetter for larger teams and general project management. More versatile for various industries and offers broader functionalities beyond 401(k) management. Has significantly more momentum in employee growth.Read more
VestwellBetter fit for companies working with financial advisors. Has more momentum based on employee growth. A Guideline competitor and alternative.Read more
Guideline FAQ
What is Guideline and what does Guideline do?
Guideline is 401(k) software that simplifies retirement plan administration for growing businesses. It automates setup, onboarding, and government filings, making offering 401(k) benefits easy and affordable. Guideline charges no participant fees on investments, making it attractive for employers and employees.
How does Guideline integrate with other tools?
Guideline seamlessly integrates with various payroll providers, such as Gusto, ADP, and QuickBooks, streamlining 401(k) administration. However, some users have reported integration issues with specific ADP account types.
What the main competitors of Guideline?
Alternatives to Guideline include Vestwell, 401GO, and BambooHR. Vestwell and 401GO also focus on retirement plans, while BambooHR offers broader HR solutions including benefits administration. Companies may also consider Paylocity or Rippling for more comprehensive HR and payroll platforms.
Is Guideline legit?
Guideline is a safe and legitimate 401(k) provider. It offers affordable plans, automated features, and transparent pricing. However, some users report difficulties canceling plans and limited investment options.
How much does Guideline cost?
I couldn't find pricing information for Guideline. For the most current pricing details, it's best to visit Guideline's official website or contact their sales team directly.
Is Guideline customer service good?
Guideline's customer service receives mixed reviews. While many users praise the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team, others have experienced slow response times and difficulty getting clear answers to complex questions. Some users also mention unhelpful canned responses.
Reviewed by
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.
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.