Paylocity vs Rippling
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
Rippling
Rippling is a unified workforce platform that combines HR, IT, and finance in a single system. It can provision employee devices, manage app access, run payroll, and handle benefits — all from one dashboard. Rippling is especially powerful for fast-growing companies that need automation across departments.
Pros
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
Pros
- ✓Truly all-in-one platform covering HR, IT, and finance
- ✓Powerful workflow automation reduces manual admin work
- ✓Excellent for remote and distributed teams
- ✓Deep integration library with 500+ apps
Cons
- ✗Complex setup process that requires dedicated implementation time
- ✗Can be overwhelming for small teams that only need basic HR
- ✗Pricing is modular and can add up quickly
Paylocity vs Rippling: Side by Side
| Factor | Paylocity | Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | $8/user/mo |
| Best For | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees | Mid-size companies needing HR and IT together |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
Rippling Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓device management
- ✓app provisioning
- ✓benefits
- ✓compliance
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose Rippling if mid-size companies needing hr and it together.
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Best For
Mid-size companies needing HR and IT together
How Paylocity and Rippling Are Similar
- •Both are HR Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither Paylocity nor Rippling is the right fit, Justworks is worth evaluating.
Justworks
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
From $59/employee/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Paylocity and Rippling?
Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Rippling is best for mid-size companies needing hr and it together.
Which is better, Paylocity or Rippling?
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose Rippling if mid-size companies needing hr and it together.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Rippling cost?
Rippling starts at $8/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Who should use Rippling?
Mid-size companies needing HR and IT together