Rippling vs Gusto
Side-by-side from the Top 11 rankings of The 11 Best HR Software for Small Business (2026) and The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs. Last verified June 7, 2026.
The short answer
Gusto ranks higher on Top 11 (#1 vs #1) for Small business owners choosing HR software (Rippling vs Gusto vs BambooHR vs Zenefits) / Small business owners running payroll without in-house HR. The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
At a glance
| Rippling | Gusto | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #1 / The 11 Best HR Software for Small Business (2026) | #1 / The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9.2 | 9.3 |
| Best for | Unified HR, IT & Finance | Overall ease of use |
| Pricing | $$ ($8 to $20 PEPM) | $$ ($46 to $150+/mo) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2016 | 2011 |
Rippling
The best all-in-one platform for HR, IT, and finance, offering unmatched integration and automation.
www.rippling.comSee full entry in The 11 Best HR Software for Small Business (2026)
Gusto
The easiest-to-use platform for all-in-one payroll, benefits, and HR, perfect for business owners without HR staff.
gusto.comMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.