Paylocity vs Rippling ATS
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 ATS
Rippling Recruiting is the applicant tracking module within the Rippling platform. It connects recruiting directly to onboarding, payroll, and IT provisioning so that when a candidate is hired, their entire employee setup happens automatically. Rippling ATS is ideal for companies already using Rippling for HR who want a seamlessly integrated recruiting experience.
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
- ✓Seamless connection from hiring to onboarding to payroll — zero manual handoff
- ✓Automatically provisions IT accounts and equipment when a candidate is hired
- ✓Deep integration with the full Rippling platform
- ✓Eliminates duplicate data entry across HR systems
Cons
- ✗Only valuable if you use the full Rippling platform
- ✗Requires custom pricing quote
- ✗Less feature-rich as a standalone ATS compared to dedicated tools like Greenhouse
- ✗Overkill for companies not using Rippling
Paylocity vs Rippling ATS: Side by Side
| Factor | Paylocity | Rippling ATS |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | HR Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Custom pricing | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees | Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
Rippling ATS Features
- ✓Job posting
- ✓candidate pipeline
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓offer management
- ✓automated onboarding trigger
- ✓payroll integration
- ✓IT provisioning
- ✓analytics
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Best For
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll
Also Consider
If neither Paylocity nor Rippling ATS 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 ATS?
Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Rippling ATS is best for companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
Which is better, Paylocity or Rippling ATS?
Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees. Choose Rippling ATS if companies using rippling for hr who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Rippling ATS cost?
Rippling ATS starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Who should use Rippling ATS?
Companies using Rippling for HR who want recruiting seamlessly connected to onboarding and payroll