Rippling and Paychex provide businesses with human resources (HR), tax, compliance, and payroll service support. Both help companies manage employees of all types, such as salaried, hourly, contract, remote, and foreign workers. However, Rippling has a wider suite of solutions and makes it easy for you to choose the HR, payroll, and information technology (IT) services you need (customizing a la carte style). Paychex, with its core Paychex Flex payroll software, focuses on offering a range of combined payroll and HR solutions.
Here are our recommendations to help you determine whether Rippling vs Paychex is the ideal HR software for you:
- Rippling: Best for small and midsize businesses (SMBs) that want an all-in-one HR, payroll, and IT platform with robust workflow automation and integration options
- Paychex: Best for startups and growing companies needing HR tools with solid payroll support
Rippling vs Paychex Compared
These two providers have many similar features, such as employee self-service tools, time tracking, paid time off (PTO) management, and full-service payroll with tax payment and filing services. Rippling and Paychex can also help you manage recruiting, training programs, and benefits plans.
Below are some of the standout features, including each provider’s basic pricing details.
When to Use Rippling and Paychex
Unsure whether Rippling or Paychex is a good fit? See our other top recommendations in our best HR payroll software guide.
Alternatives to Paychex vs Rippling
Looking for something else? Read our guide to the best payroll services and best payroll software for small businesses to find a service or software that’s right for your company.
Best in Pricing: Rippling
Rippling is one of the few HR services that allow you to create a custom plan with the solutions you need—provided you get its core workforce management platform. This is great for businesses that want a mix of HR, IT, and payroll tools to streamline day-to-day processes. If you have business offices outside of the United States, Rippling can help you hire and pay international staff with its EOR and global payroll services. You only get international payroll with Paychex but through its partner, FMP Global.
However, as with most HR software, the cost will increase as you add more features and advanced support options. And while it lacks the solopreneur plan that Paychex offers to the self-employed, Rippling doesn’t charge setup fees and lets you run payroll as many times as you need in a month without having to pay extra (Paychex doesn’t offer unlimited pay runs).
What’s great about Paychex is its flexible payroll packages, which are ideal for businesses with plans to scale. You can start from either its Paychex Solo or Paychex Flex Essential plan and then upgrade to higher packages or get additional Paychex products (like hiring, time tracking, and PEO services) as your HR needs grow.
Paychex Flex’s starter tier is also a more budget-friendly option for small businesses (up to 19 employees) that primarily want payroll tools. Let’s say you have to pay nine workers, Paychex will only charge you $84 monthly (computed as nine employees X $5 plus $39), whereas Rippling costs $107 monthly (computed as nine employees X $8 plus $35).
Note, however, that Rippling’s plan includes time tracking tools (based on the quote we received), which is a paid add-on with Paychex. If your business needs this feature, you may end up paying Paychex a little bit more than Rippling.
Pricing Calculator: Check Potential Costs
If you want to compare how much you would pay if you are considering Rippling vs Paychex, use our online calculator.
Best for Payroll: Rippling
While both providers offer full-service payroll and can handle payments for contractors, hourly workers, and salaried employees, Rippling’s payroll tax administration services are more budget-friendly. It doesn’t charge additional fees for year-end tax reporting (this costs extra with Paychex).
It’s also great for businesses with employees working in different countries because its solid global payroll tools can help you pay them accurately and in their local currencies. It’s even one of our recommended international payroll services. With Paychex, you get similar tools but through its partner, FMP Global.
Rippling claims that it can process payroll for global employees and contractors in as fast as 90 seconds. (Source: Rippling)
When to Consider Paychex
If you want multiple payment options, Paychex can help you pay employees via same-day ACH, two-day direct deposits, manual checks, and pay cards. For employers who prefer to pay via manual checks, Paychex provides a self-print option, as well as check logo and signing services if you need them. Rippling only offers checks that you print yourself and direct deposit payments.
Paychex Flex’s payroll dashboard lets you run payroll, add employees, view labor costs, and more. (Source: Paychex)
Best for HR Features: Tie
It is difficult to compare Rippling vs Paychex in this criterion because while they have similar functionalities, the width and depth of HR solutions and services on offer vary slightly. As such, there may be instances where one is better than the other.
Click the tabs below to know when it’s best to use Rippling and Paychex for HR.
Best for Reporting: Tie
In the battle between Rippling vs Paychex for reporting, both offer standard payroll and HR reports, including customization options. However, if you want to know where these two providers shine in terms of reporting capabilities, click the tabs below.
Best for Ease of Use & Customer Support: Paychex
Both providers have platforms that are intuitive, relatively easy to use, and come with online setup wizards. However, Paychex’s dedicated payroll specialist, guided system setup, and 24/7 chat, phone, and email support make it a better choice for users. With these features, small business owners can easily set up Paychex Flex (provided they get the starter tier) and get assistance in running payroll or navigating through its features.
Rippling may lack the live phone support and guided setup help that Paychex offers to its clients, but it does provide you with a more extensive network of third-party software integrations (more than 500 versus Paychex’s 50-plus options). This makes Rippling an ideal HR software for tech-heavy companies, as it’s highly likely that the business systems they typically use are included in the provider’s robust partner network.
Best for Popularity Among Users: Rippling
To evaluate Rippling vs Paychex user popularity, we looked at each provider’s average number of user reviews and the average overall ratings on third-party review sites like G2 and Capterra. In terms of ratings from actual users, Rippling outscored Paychex (4.85 vs 4.15 out of 5).
Here’s what users have to say about both providers.
How We Evaluated Rippling vs Paychex
We compared Rippling vs Paychex by looking at both providers’ features—from pay processing and tax filings to HR tools and employee benefits options. We also considered other key criteria, such as ease of use, pricing, and customer support, including whether users have access to expert professionals who can provide HR and payroll advice.
Bottom Line
When selecting between Paychex vs Rippling, you’ll want to consider how much support you need and in which areas you require extra help. With Rippling, you get strong automation tools with integrated HR and payroll features, app and device management solutions, US-based PEO services, and global EOR support. These make it suitable for businesses looking for a robust platform to streamline a wide range of HR and IT processes.
Meanwhile, Paychex is optimal for growing businesses needing HR and payroll support, mainly because of its scalable plans and products that cater to different business sizes. If you have a handful of employees and only require basic payroll and HR tools, its Paychex Flex solution would likely be a better fit—plus, its starter tier is less expensive than Rippling.
