Top 8 Rippling competitors and alternatives in 2025

Modern businesses are constantly seeking technological solutions that can keep pace with their dynamic workforce needs. While Rippling has established itself as a comprehensive workforce management solution, many organizations are discovering that their unique needs may require a more tailored approach. The quest for the ideal platform is not about finding a one-size-fits-all solution, but about discovering a technology partner that can truly transform your human resources operations.

When your company outgrows standard functionality

Business growth brings complexity, and what works seamlessly for a small startup can quickly become a constraint for expanding organizations. Rippling offers a robust set of features, but companies often reach a point where standard functionalities feel restrictive. As organizations evolve, they require expense management and workforce management solutions that can adapt dynamically, offering more nuanced customization, deeper integration capabilities, and flexible workflows that align precisely with their operational rhythms.

Specialized industry requirements demand tailored solutions

Different industries have dramatically different operational landscapes, and workforce management is far from a universal concept. Healthcare organizations require intricate compliance tracking, technology companies need agile onboarding processes, and professional services firms demand sophisticated resource allocation tools. While Rippling provides a solid foundation, many businesses find themselves yearning for platforms that speak directly to their industry's challenges and nuances.

Cost-effectiveness and pricing flexibility matter

Financial considerations play a pivotal role in selecting expense management and workforce management technology. Organizations are increasingly demanding transparency and value in their software investments. Pricing models that once seemed straightforward can quickly become complex and burdensome as team sizes fluctuate and business needs change. The right platform should offer not just features, but genuine economic value – providing scalable pricing that grows intelligently with your organization and delivers measurable return on investment.

Integration and ecosystem considerations

Modern businesses operate within intricate technological ecosystems where seamless communication between platforms isn't just convenient—it's essential. While Rippling offers solid integration capabilities, many organizations require more sophisticated data synchronization, advanced API connections, and compatibility with specialized tools that form the backbone of their operational infrastructure. The ideal workforce management platform should act as a technological conductor, orchestrating smooth interactions across various software environments.

The journey to finding the perfect workforce management platform is nuanced and deeply personal to each organization. While Rippling offers significant value, the technology landscape is rich with alternatives that might align more closely with your integration and ecosystem requirements. In the following section, we'll explore the top eight Rippling alternatives, providing a comprehensive overview to help you make an informed decision that propels your organization's human resources strategy forward.

Brex has evolved from a corporate card provider to a comprehensive financial management platform, offering businesses an all-in-one solution for business credit cards, expense management, banking, bill pay, accounts payable, travel, and more. Built to scale with businesses of all sizes — from startups to enterprises — Brex's user-friendly platform enables companies to optimize their spending, automate tedious processes, and fuel their growth with real-time financial insights.

Key features

Global payments and cards

Unlike Rippling's primarily domestic focus, Brex offers international payment capabilities and global corporate cards with built-in spend controls and automated receipt generation and matching across 120+ countries – with 24/7 support from anywhere.

Real-time expense management

The Brex platform provides instant transaction notifications and tracking and automated expense categorization that syncs directly with a company’s ERP, offering more immediate visibility and data synchronization compared to Rippling's periodic expense reporting.

Cash management

Brex's flexible startup banking solution offers a powerful cash management account with higher yield, more flexible treasury management options, and up to 20x higher FDIC coverage than Rippling's basic banking integrations.

Advanced spend controls

Every product on the Brex platform offers customizable approval workflows and department-specific budgeting tools that provide more granular control across every type of spending vs. Rippling's standardized approval chains.

Vendor management portal

Brex makes it easy to improve the ROI of vendor spend with a dedicated platform for managing supplier relationships and payments, featuring self-serve vendor onboarding, automated invoice processing and payment scheduling, and PO matching—functionality that goes beyond Rippling's basic vendor payment features.

API-first architecture

With Brex, companies can benefit from much deeper technical integrations with their existing business software, making Brex particularly attractive for tech-forward companies that need extensive customization options.

Benefits

• Powerful automation for global expense management and reconciliation
• Robust spend controls with real-time visibility and customizable workflows
• High-yield cash management accounts with flexible treasury options
• Seamless international payments and multi-currency support
• Extensive integrations with business software through API-first architecture
• On demand reporting with prebuilt and customizable templates and smart filtering

Drawbacks

• Qualifying for approval may be challenging for businesses without steady revenue streams or venture capital backing
• Modern approach can requirement a mindset shift for companies that are used to legacy, reactive expense management systems
• Card balance due in full each month

Why people prefer Brex over Rippling

Businesses often choose Brex for its scalability and superior financial analytics and reporting capabilities, particularly when they need detailed insights into cash flow and spending patterns across multiple entities or international operations. The platform's ability to handle both domestic and international transactions in almost any currency within a single interface has made it especially attractive for companies with global operations seeking to improve efficiency and avoid FX markups.

Pricing

Brex delivers transparent, adaptable pricing that evolves with your business growth. Starting with the Essentials tier, businesses can access corporate cards and fundamental expense management features at no cost per user. The platform allows seamless upgrades to include advanced features such as integrated travel booking and flexible expense policy management as your organization expands. Every plan includes clear per-user pricing without hidden charges or yearly contracts, setting Brex apart from competitors that often implement complex transaction-based fees.

Who should consider Brex

Brex is particularly well-suited for high-growth companies with complex financial needs, especially those operating internationally or managing multiple entities. It's an ideal choice for businesses that prioritize automated financial operations and need a modern spend management software solution. Startups also find the Brex financial stack accessible and easy to use, knowing that it can grow with them over time. Companies looking for a more comprehensive financial stack beyond basic HR and payroll services will find Brex's focused approach to financial management more aligned with their needs than Rippling's broader HR-centric platform.

BambooHR focuses on delivering a comprehensive HR management solution that prioritizes employee experience and HR automation. The platform specializes in streamlining core HR processes, from applicant tracking to performance management, with an emphasis on user-friendly interfaces and employee self-service capabilities.

Key features

Centralized employee database

Provides a single source of truth for employee data with customizable fields and robust reporting capabilities, offering a more intuitive interface than Rippling's data management system.

Performance management suite

Features built-in performance review tools, goal tracking, and employee feedback systems designed to foster employee development and engagement.

Advanced hiring tools

Includes an applicant tracking system with custom hiring workflows, collaborative hiring tools, and automated onboarding processes to streamline recruitment.

Time-off management

Offers sophisticated leave management with customizable policies, calendar integration, and automated approval workflows that simplify PTO tracking.

Employee experience platform

Delivers mobile-first self-service tools, including an employee directory, company announcements, and document management with electronic signatures.

Benefits

• Strong focus on employee experience and engagement
• Intuitive performance management tools
• Excellent applicant tracking and onboarding features
• User-friendly mobile app with comprehensive functionality

Drawbacks

• Limited payroll functionality (requires add-on or integration)
• Basic time tracking capabilities
• Less suitable for enterprise-level organizations

Why people prefer BambooHR over Rippling

Organizations often choose BambooHR for its focus on employee experience and straightforward approach to HR management. The platform's emphasis on user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive performance management tools makes it particularly attractive for companies prioritizing employee engagement and development, while its streamlined implementation process offers faster time-to-value compared to Rippling's more complex setup.

Pricing

BambooHR offers two main packages with transparent, scalable pricing models. The Core package includes core HR features, employee self-service, and standard reporting capabilities. The Pro package adds advanced features like applicant tracking, onboarding/offboarding, and performance management tools. While BambooHR doesn't publish detailed pricing, both packages are priced per employee per month, with customizable add-ons available for payroll, time tracking, and performance management. Customers can expect pricing to scale based on employee count and selected features.

Who should consider BambooHR

BambooHR is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses focusing on creating a strong company culture and streamlined HR processes. It's ideal for organizations with 50-1000 employees who prioritize employee experience and need robust performance management tools without overwhelming complexity. Companies looking for an HR solution that balances functionality with ease of use, especially those emphasizing employee development and engagement, will find BambooHR's focused approach more aligned with their needs than Rippling's broader platform.

Deel specializes in global payroll and compliance solutions, enabling businesses to hire, pay, and manage international employees and contractors with ease. The platform streamlines the complexities of global employment, offering comprehensive tools for onboarding, compliance management, and international payments across 150+ countries. Deel also integrates natively with Brex cards and expense management to make global spend management and payroll as hassle-free as possible.

Key features

Global payroll automation

Manages international payroll calculations, tax withholdings, and benefit deductions automatically across multiple currencies and jurisdictions, offering more extensive global coverage than Rippling's primarily US-focused system.

Compliance management suite

Provides country-specific employment contracts, localized benefits packages, and automatic updates to employment laws, ensuring businesses maintain compliance in every jurisdiction.

Contractor management tools

Offers specialized features for managing international contractors, including automated invoicing, payment scheduling, and tax form collection with built-in compliance checks.

Employer of record services

Acts as the legal employer in countries where companies don't have local entities, handling all employment-related responsibilities and compliance requirements.

Multi-currency payment processing

Enables payments in 120+ currencies with competitive exchange rates and the flexibility to pay employees and contractors in their preferred currency.

Benefits

• Specialized expertise in global hiring and compliance
• Comprehensive contractor and employee management across 150+ countries
• Built-in compliance with local employment laws and regulations
• Multi-currency payments with competitive exchange rates

Drawbacks

• Higher per-employee costs compared to domestic-focused solutions
• Limited functionality beyond international employment
• May require additional HR tools for comprehensive workforce management

Why people prefer Deel over Rippling

Companies often choose Deel for its specialized focus on international employment and deeper expertise in global compliance matters. While Rippling offers international capabilities, Deel's purpose-built platform for global workforce management, combined with their in-house expertise in international employment law, provides a more comprehensive solution for companies primarily focused on global expansion and remote team management.

Pricing

Deel's pricing structure adapts to different business needs and hiring scenarios. The Contractors plan starts at $49 per contractor per month, enabling businesses to manage and pay international contractors efficiently. For full-time employees, the Employer of Record service begins at $599 per employee per month, which includes local compliance management, payroll processing, and benefits administration. Enterprise plans are available with custom pricing for organizations managing larger international teams, offering additional features like API access, dedicated account management, and custom reporting capabilities. All plans include access to Deel's compliance library, payment processing, and basic HR tools.

Who should consider Deel

Deel is particularly valuable for businesses actively hiring internationally or planning global expansion, especially those without established legal entities in their target countries. It's ideal for companies prioritizing compliant international hiring, whether for full-time employees or contractors, and those seeking to minimize the complexity of managing a global workforce. Organizations that need specialized support for international employment compliance and prefer a provider with deep expertise in global workforce management will find Deel's focused approach more suitable than Rippling's broader HR platform.

Gusto offers a user-friendly, all-in-one platform for payroll, benefits, and HR management, designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses. The platform combines intuitive payroll processing with comprehensive HR tools, making it particularly appealing for companies seeking simplicity without sacrificing essential functionality.

Key features

Automated payroll processing

Delivers seamless payroll automation with automatic tax calculations, filings, and year-end forms, featuring a more straightforward setup process than Rippling's more complex system.

Employee self-service portal

Provides an intuitive interface for employees to access pay stubs, tax documents, and benefits information, with mobile accessibility and electronic signature capabilities.

Time tracking integration

Offers built-in time tracking tools that automatically sync with payroll, including overtime calculations and PTO management with visual calendar integration.

Benefits administration

Manages health insurance, 401(k), FSA, and other benefits with direct carrier integrations and automated deduction calculations, though with fewer carrier options than Rippling.

HR resource center

Includes customizable onboarding workflows, HR document templates, and compliance updates specifically tailored for small businesses.

Benefits

• User-friendly interface with intuitive navigation
• Excellent customer support with US-based team
• Transparent, straightforward pricing structure
• Strong core payroll and basic HR features

Drawbacks

• Limited features for enterprises and complex organizations
• Basic reporting capabilities compared to larger competitors
• Restricted to US-based payroll processing

Why people prefer Gusto over Rippling

Businesses often choose Gusto for its intuitive interface and excellent customer support, particularly appreciating the platform's focus on simplifying complex HR processes for small businesses. While Rippling offers more extensive customization options, Gusto's straightforward approach and dedicated US-based support team make it especially attractive for companies that prioritize ease of use and personal assistance over advanced functionality.

Pricing

Gusto structures its pricing to accommodate growing businesses with three primary tiers. The Simple plan starts at $40 per month plus $6 per person, offering core payroll features and employee self-service tools. The Plus plan, at $80 per month plus $12 per person, adds comprehensive HR tools, time tracking, and next-day direct deposit. Their Premium plan starts at $180 per month plus $22 per person, providing dedicated support, compliance alerts, and advanced HR features. All plans include full-service payroll, health insurance administration, and basic HR tools, with the flexibility to add additional services as needed.

Who should consider Gusto

Gusto is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses with up to 100 employees, particularly those prioritizing user-friendly interfaces and straightforward HR management. It's an excellent choice for companies new to formal HR systems or those transitioning from manual processes who want comprehensive payroll and benefits features without overwhelming complexity. Businesses seeking personalized support and simplified HR workflows will find Gusto's approach more aligned with their needs than Rippling's more technical, feature-rich platform.

ADP (Automatic Data Processing) is a long-standing leader in workforce management solutions, offering scalable payroll, HR, and benefits administration platforms. With over 70 years of experience, ADP provides comprehensive solutions that range from basic payroll processing to enterprise-level HR management systems, serving businesses of all sizes across multiple industries.

Key features

Multi-tier payroll solutions

Offers specialized payroll processing systems for different business sizes, from small business to enterprise, with more extensive tax filing services and compliance support than Rippling's standardized approach.

Extensive HR compliance tools

Provides comprehensive compliance management across federal, state, and local regulations, including built-in alerts, updates, and reporting tools backed by decades of expertise.

Global workforce management

Supports international payroll and HR operations in 140+ countries, featuring local compliance expertise and standardized processes for managing global teams.

Advanced analytics platform

Delivers sophisticated workforce analytics and benchmarking tools that leverage data from millions of employees, providing deeper industry insights than newer platforms.

Benefits administration suite

Manages complex benefits programs with extensive carrier integrations and compliance tracking, supported by industry-leading expertise in benefits administration.

Benefits

• Proven track record with decades of payroll expertise
• Comprehensive compliance support across jurisdictions
• Extensive integration options with third-party systems
• Strong data security and disaster recovery

Drawbacks

• Interface can feel dated compared to modern alternatives
• Complex pricing structure with multiple add-on fees
• Customer support can be inconsistent

Why people prefer ADP over Rippling

Organizations often choose ADP for its proven track record and comprehensive support infrastructure, particularly valuing the platform's established expertise in complex compliance matters and payroll processing. The platform's ability to handle sophisticated enterprise requirements, combined with its extensive service network and dedicated support teams, makes it especially attractive for businesses that prioritize reliability and established processes over newer technology offerings.

Pricing

ADP tailors its pricing structure to business size and specific needs through several product lines. Essential Payroll, their small business solution, starts at approximately $59 per month plus $4 per employee for basic payroll processing and tax filing. The Enhanced package includes HR features and starts at $74 per month plus $8 per employee. Their Complete and HR Pro packages offer increasingly comprehensive features, with pricing customized based on service requirements and employee count. Enterprise solutions, including ADP Workforce Now and ADP Vantage, are available with custom pricing for larger organizations requiring advanced functionality.

Who should consider ADP

ADP is ideally suited for established businesses seeking a proven, comprehensive workforce management solution, particularly those with complex payroll requirements or specific compliance needs. It's especially valuable for mid-sized to large enterprises that prioritize reliability and extensive support infrastructure over cutting-edge technology features. Organizations with multiple entities, complex benefits structures, or international operations will find ADP's established processes and global expertise particularly beneficial compared to Rippling's newer, tech-focused approach.

Workday stands as an enterprise-grade cloud platform that combines human capital management, financial management, and enterprise planning into a unified ecosystem. Built for large organizations, Workday offers deep functionality across HR, payroll, time tracking, recruiting, and financial operations with a focus on enabling data-driven decision making.

Key features

Unified HR and finance platform

Delivers seamless integration between human resources and financial data, enabling comprehensive workforce planning and budgeting that surpasses Rippling's more basic HR-finance connection.

Advanced analytics and reporting

Offers business intelligence tools with predictive analytics capabilities, allowing organizations to forecast trends and make data-driven decisions about their workforce and finances.

Global compliance management

Maintains up-to-date compliance with regulations across multiple countries and jurisdictions, featuring built-in updates and automated reporting requirements.

Configurable business processes

Provides extensive workflow customization options that can adapt to complex organizational structures and approval chains, offering more flexibility than Rippling's standardized processes.

Talent optimization suite

Includes advanced performance management, succession planning, and career development tools that go well beyond basic HR management.

Benefits

• Enterprise-grade functionality for complex organizational structures
• Advanced analytics and predictive workforce insights
• Comprehensive global compliance management
• Sophisticated talent management and succession planning

Drawbacks

• Significant investment required for implementation and maintenance
• Complex system requiring extensive training and change management
• May be overly robust for smaller organizations

Why people prefer Workday over Rippling

Organizations typically choose Workday when they need enterprise-scale functionality and robust data analytics capabilities. The platform's ability to handle complex organizational structures and provide deep insights across both HR and financial dimensions makes it particularly attractive for large enterprises that require in-depth reporting and compliance management.

Pricing

Workday utilizes a subscription-based pricing model that's customized to each organization's needs and size. Their pricing structure includes several core packages: the Core HCM package provides essential HR and talent management features, while the Financial Management module adds comprehensive financial operations and planning capabilities. For organizations requiring advanced forecasting and budgeting functionality, the Enterprise Planning package is available as an additional option. Each package requires a minimum annual contract value, and implementation costs vary depending on the organization's size and complexity. While Workday doesn't publicly disclose their pricing, prospective clients should expect enterprise-level pricing that reflects the platform's comprehensive capabilities and scalability.

Who should consider Workday

Workday is ideal for large enterprises with 1,000+ employees who need comprehensive HR and financial management capabilities. It's particularly well-suited for organizations with complex organizational structures, multiple entities, or global operations that require complex reporting and compliance management. Companies with substantial budgets for both implementation and ongoing maintenance, and those seeking a long-term, scalable solution will find Workday a fitting choice over Rippling's mid-market focus.

Paylocity provides a modern cloud-based platform that combines payroll processing with comprehensive HR management tools. The platform stands out for its social collaboration features and data-driven insights, offering mid-sized businesses enterprise-grade functionality with an emphasis on employee engagement and workplace culture.

Key features

Modern payroll engine

Delivers sophisticated payroll processing with automated tax management and compliance tools, featuring more advanced garnishment handling and payroll tax complexity management than Rippling's system.

Community social collaboration

Offers unique social engagement tools including peer recognition, company news feeds, and collaboration spaces that foster workplace culture and employee connection.

Learning management system

Provides comprehensive employee development tools with custom training tracks, compliance courses, and skill development programs integrated directly into the platform.

Advanced analytics suite

Features predictive analytics and customizable dashboards that deliver actionable insights across HR metrics, including turnover prediction and compensation analysis.

Mobile-first experience

Enables complete HR and payroll management through a full-featured mobile app, offering employees and managers full platform functionality on the go.

Benefits

• Modern, social-focused employee engagement tools
• Strong learning management system
• Comprehensive payroll tax compliance
• Mobile-first design with full functionality

Drawbacks

• Higher price point compared to simpler alternatives
• Can be complex to implement and configure
• May have more features than smaller businesses need

Why people prefer Paylocity over Rippling

Organizations often select Paylocity for its strong focus on employee engagement and sophisticated payroll capabilities, particularly appreciating the platform's blend of traditional HR functions with modern social collaboration tools. The platform's ability to handle complex payroll scenarios combined with its innovative approach to workplace culture management makes it especially attractive for businesses that want to balance operational efficiency with employee experience.

Pricing

Paylocity structures its pricing based on a modular approach that allows businesses to select the features they need. The base platform includes core payroll and HR features with per-employee-per-month pricing that varies based on company size and selected modules. Additional modules such as benefits administration, time and labor management, and learning management can be added for an extra fee. While specific pricing isn't publicly available, businesses can expect competitive pricing that scales with their employee count and chosen functionality.

Who should consider Paylocity

Paylocity is particularly well-suited for mid-sized businesses with 50 to 1,000 employees who value both robust payroll capabilities and modern employee engagement tools. It's ideal for organizations looking to modernize their HR processes while building a strong company culture through technology. Companies that need sophisticated payroll handling alongside employee engagement features will find Paylocity's balanced approach more fitting than Rippling's tech-first platform, especially if they prioritize social collaboration and employee development tools.

SAP Concur is a travel, expense, and invoice management solution that streamlines business spend management. The platform specializes in automating expense reporting, travel booking, and accounts payable processes, making it particularly valuable for organizations with complex travel and expense management needs.

Key features

End-to-end travel management

Provides comprehensive travel booking and management tools with built-in policy compliance, offering more sophisticated travel features than Rippling's basic expense tracking.

Intelligent expense processing

Uses AI and OCR technology to automatically capture and categorize expenses from receipts, with superior accuracy and multi-currency support.

Global compliance tools

Maintains up-to-date compliance with international tax regulations and expense policies across multiple jurisdictions, backed by SAP's extensive global expertise.

Advanced reporting suite

Delivers detailed analytics and customizable reports for spend analysis, policy compliance, and budget tracking across all expense categories.

Integrated invoice management

Automates the entire accounts payable process from purchase requests to vendor payments, with advanced approval workflows and vendor management tools.

Benefits

• Best-in-class travel and expense management
• Strong compliance controls for spending policies
• Extensive integration capabilities
• Advanced receipt capture and processing

Drawbacks

• Premium pricing compared to standard expense tools
• Complex implementation process
• Limited functionality beyond T&E management

Why people prefer Concur over Rippling

Organizations often choose SAP Concur for its unmatched expertise in travel and expense management, particularly valuing its comprehensive travel booking integration and expense processing capabilities. While Rippling offers basic expense tracking, Concur's specialized focus on T&E management, combined with its extensive integration ecosystem and global compliance capabilities, makes it the preferred choice for companies with significant travel spend and complex expense management requirements.

Pricing

SAP Concur offers tiered pricing based on organization size and feature requirements. The Standard package provides essential expense and travel management features for small to mid-sized businesses. The Professional package adds advanced policy controls, custom workflows, and enhanced reporting capabilities. The Premium tier delivers enterprise-grade features including global services, custom integrations, and dedicated support. While pricing isn't publicly disclosed, businesses should expect enterprise-level pricing that reflects the platform's comprehensive capabilities and scales based on user count and selected modules.

Who should consider SAP Concur

SAP Concur is ideally suited for medium to large enterprises with significant travel expenses and complex expense management needs. It's particularly valuable for organizations operating globally, companies with complex compliance requirements, and businesses seeking to optimize their travel and expense processes. Organizations that prioritize comprehensive travel management capabilities and need enterprise-grade expense processing will find Concur's specialized approach more suitable than Rippling's broader HR-focused platform. However, you may need to consider one of the various Concur competitors if you are a small business, startup, or organization with simple travel and expense needs. Companies with limited international operations, straightforward compliance requirements, or small travel budgets will likely find Concur's extensive features unnecessary and cost-prohibitive.

Brex stands out as a comprehensive solution that combines sophisticated financial management with streamlined operational tools. The global platform delivers an integrated suite for expense management, corporate cards, and startup banking, making it particularly appealing for businesses seeking a more focused financial management solution. Better yet, Brex integrates with the top 40 HRIS systems, including Workday and BambooHR, ensuring seamless connectivity with your existing HR infrastructure.

Brex's versatility shines through its ability to scale alongside growing businesses. Whether you're a startup managing initial expenses or an established company handling complex financial operations, Brex's modular approach allows organizations to activate features, from banking to accounts payable to accounting automation, as needed. This flexibility extends to international operations, with built-in support for global payments and multi-currency management that many businesses find lacking in Rippling's domestic-focused platform.

Where Rippling takes a broad HR-first approach, Brex differentiates itself through specialized financial features that directly address common pain points in enabling and controlling spend worldwide. Its real-time expense tracking and automated receipt generation and matching eliminate manual expense reconciliation work, while advanced spend controls offer more granular budget management than Rippling's standardized approach. Brex's dedicated vendor management portal and advanced cash management tools provide deeper financial insights and controls, making it particularly valuable for companies prioritizing financial optimization across every type of payment.

Brex's commitment to innovation and customer success has positioned it as the go-to solution for forward-thinking businesses. The platform's modern interface, combined with its robust financial tools and competitive pricing structure, delivers immediate value while scaling seamlessly with your business growth. With automated workflows, integrated payment processing, and comprehensive reporting capabilities, Brex empowers organizations to streamline their financial operations and focus on strategic growth initiatives. Experience the future of financial management and join over 30,000 successful businesses on Brex by signing up for Brex today.