Rippling Alternatives: 6 Better Options for HR & Payroll
Rippling's unified HR-IT-payroll platform is powerful, but not every company needs that breadth. Whether you want simpler HR, cheaper payroll, or better global coverage, these 6 alternatives are worth considering.
Watch: Top Rippling Alternatives
Why Companies Consider Rippling Alternatives
Complexity and Cost
Rippling's modular pricing means costs add up quickly. Companies paying for HR, payroll, IT, and benefits modules can spend $20-30+/user/month.
Overkill for Simple Needs
If you just need payroll and basic HR, Rippling's IT management and automation features go unused. Gusto or BambooHR do the job for less.
Sales-Driven Experience
Rippling's pricing isn't transparent. Getting a quote requires a sales call, and contract terms can be rigid with annual commitments.
Customer Support Concerns
As Rippling has scaled rapidly, some users report slower support response times and less personalised service than smaller competitors.
Best Rippling Alternatives
1. BambooHR
Best for: Simple, user-friendly HRIS without the complexity
Strengths
- Most intuitive HR interface available
- Faster implementation than Rippling
- Excellent employee self-service
- Strong performance management module
- Award-winning customer support
Considerations
- No IT/device management
- US-only payroll
- Fewer automation capabilities
- No global payroll
2. Gusto
Best for: Affordable payroll-first HR for small teams
Strengths
- Cheaper for small teams under 50
- Excellent payroll experience
- Strong benefits administration
- Simple tax filing and compliance
- Great for companies without HR staff
Considerations
- No IT management
- US-only payroll
- Limited HRIS features
- Not suitable for 100+ employees
3. Deel
Best for: Global hiring and international payroll
Strengths
- Hire in 150+ countries without entities
- Best contractor management platform
- Strongest global compliance coverage
- Fast onboarding for international hires
- Built-in Deel Card for payments
Considerations
- Expensive for EOR model at scale
- Weaker US-focused HRIS features
- No IT/device management
- Less mature performance features
4. HiBob
Best for: Culture-first HRIS for mid-size companies
Strengths
- Modern, engaging employee experience
- Strong culture and engagement features
- Excellent people analytics
- Good compensation management
- Strong international capabilities
Considerations
- No IT management features
- Limited payroll processing
- More expensive than BambooHR
- Smaller integration ecosystem
5. Paylocity
Best for: Mid-market payroll with strong compliance
Strengths
- Strong payroll for mid-market companies
- Excellent compliance and tax management
- Good workforce management features
- Community and social collaboration tools
- Strong benefits administration
Considerations
- No IT management
- Less modern interface
- Complex pricing structure
- Longer implementation times
6. Personio
Best for: European HR, payroll, and recruiting
Strengths
- Purpose-built for European compliance (GDPR, works councils)
- Combines HR + payroll + recruiting
- Competitive pricing
- Strong absence and time management
- Growing integration ecosystem
Considerations
- No IT/device management
- US features lag behind
- Smaller global footprint
- Less automation than Rippling
Quick Comparison: Rippling vs Alternatives
| Feature | Rippling | BambooHR | Deel | Gusto |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $8/user base | $12-22/user | From $49/mo | $40 + $6/ee |
| Global Payroll | Yes | No | Yes (150+ countries) | No |
| HRIS | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Basic |
| IT Management | Included | None | None | None |
| Ease of Use | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
| Best For | 25-1,000 | 25-500 | 10-1,000 | 1-50 |
Switching from Rippling?
Download our HR Software Comparison Guide with feature matrices, pricing breakdowns, and migration checklists.
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