[ Guideline Reviews ](https://www.g2.com/products/guideline/reviews) [ Guideline Reviews ](https://www.g2.com/products/guideline/reviews) # Guideline Pricing Overview [Editedit](https://my.g2.com/guideline/pricings) ## Guideline Pricing Key Insights Last updated on Apr 09, 2026 * * * Guideline offers **3 pricing editions** , starting from **$49** to **$179**. Guideline pricing tiers are designed to support different usage levels and team sizes. Guideline does not offer a **free trial**. Compare the Guideline pricing table below to figure out the best fit for your needs. Some plans may require you to contact **Gusto** for **custom pricing**. * * * Starter — $49 / 49 per month + $6/mo per active participant Per Month Core — $119 / 119 per month + 8/mo per active participant Per Month Enterprise — $179 / 174 per month + active participant fee Per Month Rated 4.5 / 5 \*Pricing information is supplied by the software provider or retrieved from publicly accessible pricing materials. Final cost negotiations must be conducted with the seller. Starter $49.00 49 per month + $6/mo per active participant Per Month A simplified 401(k) with limited features and easy administration. - $6,000 employee contribution limit\*\*\*\*\* - No employer contributions - Exempt from IRS testing - Must connect with an eligible payroll provider Show More Enterprise $179.00 174 per month + active participant fee Per Month Our most custom 401(k) with flexible pricing options and dedicated support. - You get everything in Core, plus: - $24,500 employee contribution limit\*\*\*\*\* - Flexible pricing options - Premium support for plan admin and employees - Support for 401(k) plan transfers Show More Core $119.00 119 per month + 8/mo per active participant Per Month A foundational 401(k) with robust features and broad plan design options. - You get everything in Starter, plus: - $24,500 employee contribution limit\*\*\*\*\* - Safe Harbor or Traditional 401(k) - Features like employer contributions and profit sharing - Can connect with any payroll provider Show More Guideline prices are low-cost and high-value. Our fees are 6x lower than the industry average,\* and we don’t charge transaction fees—period. Plus get custom pricing options to meet your needs. All our plans come with end-to-end administration, including recordkeeping, 5500 prep and filing,\*\* ongoing compliance monitoring,\*\*\* 3(16) and 3(38) fiduciary services.\*\*\*\* Pricing information for Guideline is supplied by the software provider or retrieved from publicly accessible pricing materials. Final cost negotiations to purchase Guideline must be conducted with the seller. \*Third-party auditor fees will apply to large plans where an audit is required. These fees are not charged by Guideline. \*\* This information is provided for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be taken as investment or tax advice.. The average investment expense of plan assets for 401(k) plans with 25 participants and $250,000 in assets is 1.37% of assets, according to the 24th Edition of the 401k Averages Book, with data updated through September 30, 2023, and is inclusive of investment management fees, fund expense ratios, 12b-1 fees, sub-transfer agent fees, contract charges, wrap and advisor fees or any other asset based charges. Guideline’s managed portfolios have blended expense ratios ranging from 0.067% to 0.069% of assets under management. When combined with an assumed account fee of 0.15%, the estimated total AUM fees for one of Guideline’s managed portfolios can be under 0.22%. Alternative account fee pricing is available ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%. See our Form ADV 2A Brochure for more information regarding fees. Expense ratios for custom portfolios will vary. These expense ratios are subject to change by and paid to the fund(s). View full fund lineup. \*\*\* Guideline's 3(16) fiduciary services are only available to clients who utilize an eligible payroll provider. \*\*\*\*All plans of related entities must be administered by Guideline in order to provide compliance testing. \*\*\*\*\* May be adjusted annually by the IRS to account for cost-of-living adjustments. Learn more. Pricing information was last updated on February 23, 2026 Show More ## Guideline Pricing FAQs Generated using AI ### Is Guideline free, or does it offer a free trial? No. According to G2 data, Guideline does not offer a free plan or free trial. Users need to purchase a paid plan to access the product. Visit the seller's official pricing page for current pricing details and plan options. ### How much does Guideline cost in 2026? According to G2 data, Guideline pricing in 2026 starts at $49.00 and can reach $179.00 depending on the selected plan. Pricing may vary based on billing terms or usage, so users should review the Gusto's official pricing page for the most current details. ### Who is Guideline pricing best suited for? Guideline's pricing is best suited for small businesses seeking an affordable, low-maintenance 401(k) solution. The vast majority of G2 reviewers are from small businesses with fewer than 50 employees, spanning industries like accounting, legal services, healthcare, IT, and consulting. These users consistently highlight Guideline's ease of setup, payroll integrations with Gusto, QuickBooks, and Rippling, and transparent pricing as ideal for companies without dedicated HR teams. The Starter plan suits very small or early-stage businesses with no employer match needs, while the Core plan fits growing small businesses wanting Safe Harbor plans and employer contributions. The Enterprise plan appeals to mid-market companies needing dedicated support. ### What are the key differences between the free and paid versions of Guideline? Guideline does not offer a free version. According to G2's pricing data for Guideline, the entry-level Starter plan at $49.00/month provides a simplified 401(k) with a $6,000 employee contribution limit, no employer contributions, and requires connection with an eligible payroll provider. Guideline's Core plan at $119.00/month raises the contribution limit to $24,500 and adds Safe Harbor or Traditional 401(k) options, employer contributions, profit sharing, and broader payroll provider compatibility. Guideline's Enterprise plan at $179.00/month builds on Core with flexible pricing options, premium support, and 401(k) plan transfer support, making it suited for businesses needing more customization and dedicated assistance. ### Is Guideline considered good value for its pricing? Guideline is broadly considered good value, particularly for small businesses. G2 reviewers consistently praise its transparent, low-cost fee structure and payroll integrations as major advantages over traditional 401(k) providers. Many reviewers report saving significantly compared to prior providers, with one noting they were paying eight times more before switching. However, a recurring concern across G2 reviews is fee increases over time, with some users reporting increases of 50% to 87%, which has eroded trust for longer-term customers. Despite this, the majority of reviewers still rate Guideline highly, suggesting that even after increases, pricing remains competitive relative to alternatives in the 401(k) administration space. ## Top-Rated Alternatives [ ![Human Interest](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3236f825932ac29c3b702632bfef0bb4/human-interest.svg "Human Interest") Human Interest 4.3/5 (2,341) ](https://www.g2.com/products/human-interest/reviews) [ ![Betterment at Work](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/80255cbf814772b065215ac96c5aa13d/betterment-at-work.svg "Betterment at Work") Betterment at Work 4.3/5 (546) ](https://www.g2.com/products/betterment-at-work/reviews) [ ![401GO](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a58470fa2c15846d85b2291c3c9cf98c/401go.svg "401GO") 401GO 4.8/5 (147) ](https://www.g2.com/products/401go/reviews) [ View All Alternatives ](https://www.g2.com/products/guideline/competitors/alternatives) ## Guideline Pricing Reviews (2) ![Verified User in Retail](/assets/icons/anonymous-avatar-purple-4ae1032bdb50ee5682003170c8184aee790d25958bd397abbd384ba52c596a7b.svg "Verified User in Retail") AR Verified User in Retail Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) 4/20/2021 More Options - - [Respond as Guideline](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/guideline-review-4694620/official_response/new) "Super Easy 401K - Great Automation" 5/5 What do you like best about Guideline? It is very easy to use. Integrates well with Zenefits and Gusto. Set it and forget it. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What do you dislike about Guideline? They changed their pricing. It got more expensive. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Recommendations to others considering Guideline: Easy to use. Great benefit to employees. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What problems is Guideline solving and how is that benefiting you? We're now able to offer 401K, like the companies. Our Employee are saving, which is good for them. We are a more competitive employer. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Show More Rating Updated (5/27/2025) Current UserValidated ReviewerIncentivizedSource: G2 invite on behalf of seller ![Verified User in Manufacturing](/assets/icons/anonymous-avatar-purple-4ae1032bdb50ee5682003170c8184aee790d25958bd397abbd384ba52c596a7b.svg "Verified User in Manufacturing") AM Verified User in Manufacturing Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) 6/26/2025 More Options - "Bait and Switch Pricing" 2/5 What do you like best about Guideline? Simple to use. It was a fair price until recently. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What do you dislike about Guideline? The price just doubled. It went from 0.8% to 1.5% Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. What problems is Guideline solving and how is that benefiting you? Guideline provides a 401K that, as an employer, I don't have to worry about. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com. Show More Response from Guideline Team of Guideline [Editedit](https://www.g2.com/survey_responses/guideline-review-11336025/official_response/edit) Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're happy to hear about the ease of use you've experienced, though understand your concern regarding the recent adjustment to the annual account fee. Please note that even with the adjustment from 0.08% to 0.15% to our annual account fee, we remain committed to our philosophy of straightforward, transparent pricing, and strive to keep our investment costs competitive with industry standards. Feel free to contact our team at clients@guideline.com with any specific questions related to our fee structure or your 401(k). We’re here to help! Validated ReviewerIncentivizedSource: G2 invite on behalf of seller Guideline Comparisons ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/small_square/small_square_2c07d3c9066dc5cfd7fbdb432ff8174f/human-interest.png "Product Avatar Image") Human Interest 4.3/5 (2,364) [ Compare Now ](https://www.g2.com/compare/guideline-vs-human-interest) ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/small_square/small_square_3f4597512f6d26a25effbb7bf2e35f89/betterment-at-work.png "Product Avatar Image") Betterment at Work 4.3/5 (546) [ Compare Now ](https://www.g2.com/compare/betterment-at-work-vs-guideline) ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/small_square/small_square_b5953dd985f4e2928b0e7e4e34e628d7/401go.png "Product Avatar Image") 401GO 4.8/5 (151) [ Compare Now ](https://www.g2.com/compare/401go-vs-guideline) ##### Categories on G2 [ 401(k) ](https://www.g2.com/categories/401-k) ##### Explore More [ Top accounts payable automation apps ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/top-accounts-payable-automation-apps-opinions)[ Quasi Contract ](https://www.g2.com/glossary/quasi-contract-definition)[ What platform integrates remote desktop with ITSM systems? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-platform-integrates-remote-desktop-with-itsm-systems) [ Which API management platform integrates with CI/CD pipelines? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-api-management-platform-integrates-with-ci-cd-pipelines)[ Top tools for multi-cloud threat monitoring ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-top-tools-for-multi-cloud-threat-monitoring)[ Pros and Cons Details ](https://www.g2.com/products/guideline/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons) Show More [ Top accounts payable automation apps ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/top-accounts-payable-automation-apps-opinions)[ Quasi Contract ](https://www.g2.com/glossary/quasi-contract-definition)[ What platform integrates remote desktop with ITSM systems? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-platform-integrates-remote-desktop-with-itsm-systems) [ Which API management platform integrates with CI/CD pipelines? ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-api-management-platform-integrates-with-ci-cd-pipelines)[ Top tools for multi-cloud threat monitoring ](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-top-tools-for-multi-cloud-threat-monitoring)[ Pros and Cons Details ](https://www.g2.com/products/guideline/reviews?qs=pros-and-cons)