The Real Cost of Rippling: Is It Worth Your Budget?

The payroll and Employee of Record (EOR) market has no dearth of options. Rippling is one of the top contenders in the space and is recognized as a well-integrated platform. From payroll to HR management, it combines disparate people, operations and systems into one platform. 

That sounds like the perfect choice for your business. Wait before you sign on the dotted line. It is a seamless solution for companies looking to streamline global workforce management. But when it comes to Rippling pricing, things get less straightforward.

Let’s face it. Budget is a critical deciding factor when investing in an EOR platform, even for globe-spanning companies. The ideal platform should offer all essential capabilities and some add-on capabilities without burning a hole in your budget. 

That said, how does Rippling measure up? More importantly, is there a better alternative that delivers equal or more excellent value at a lower cost? Let’s find out.

Rippling’s Modular Pricing Structure: A Closer Look

Rippling offers a modular approach, allowing businesses to select services tailored to their needs. 

There is no direct tier-based pricing structure available on the market. However, there is an indication that the plan starts at “$8 per employee per month to manage all of its employee data and operations, no matter its size“.

The pricing page presents information in a modular format, with each module having sub-plans. However, you must ” Book a demo ” for all pricing information.”

Workforce platform

1. Core
2. Pro

Available add-ons:

• Unlimited Workflows
• Build custom Apps within the Rippling platform
• Rippling API Platform with 600+ third-party apps and integrations

Rippling HCM

1. US and global payroll
2. Time & Attendance
3. Benefits administration
4. Flex benefits: FSA, HSA & Commuter
5. ACA & COBRA Administration
6. Scheduling
7. Recruiting
8. Learning management
9. Headcount planning
10. Performance management
11. Surveys
12. PEO Services
13. Administrative Service Organization
14. Global Employer of Record Services
15. HE Help Desk:  HR Support

IT

1. Identity & Access Management
2. Device Management
3. Inventory Management

Spend

1. Corporate cards
2. Expense management
3. Bill pay

Rippling’s modular pricing provides flexibility but can lead to higher-than-expected costs as services are added. Additionally, some users have reported challenges with pricing transparency and unexpected charges. For instance, one Reddit user shared their negative experience:

“We were told that Rippling charges per employee per month… we were told the higher charge was because Rippling is charging us for the number of employees we have, which is 25. We quickly said no, that is incorrect; we only have 15 employees. To which the response from Rippling was, ‘Well, you once had 25 employees, so you need to continue to pay for 25 employees even if you don’t have 25 employees.“

This highlights the importance of thoroughly understanding contract terms and potential charges when considering Rippling.

How Much Does Rippling Cost?

As mentioned above, the total cost depends on the Rippling services you choose. While the base payroll plan starts at $8 per employee per month, adding other services like workforce, benefits administration, Employer of Record (EOR), etc., can quickly increase costs. 

Based on available estimates, here is a rough breakdown of potential costs:

• Payroll: Starts at $8 per employee per month
• EOR Services: Estimated at $499–$599 per employee per month
• Additional HR Services (benefits administration, talent management, etc.): Custom pricing, but these can add $10–$50 per employee per month depending on the service
• IT and Device Management: Additional cost, often requiring custom quotes

Hypothetical cost computation 

Let’s consider a company with 50 employees using Rippling for payroll, EOR, and HR services. Here’s how their monthly cost might add up:

Payroll: 50 employees × $8 = $400EOR (for 10 international employees): 10 employees × $549 (average EOR cost – $499 + $599 / 2) = $5,490HR & Benefits Management (estimated at average $30 per employee): 50 employees × $30 = $1,500Total Estimated Monthly Cost = $7,390Annual Cost ($7,390 * 12) = $88,680

If this company only needed basic payroll services, they would pay $400 per month instead. 

Of course, Rippling’s modular cost approach might provide flexibility, but as shown in the above example, costs can escalate quickly with added features.

Comparing Tarmack Pricing vs. Rippling Pricing

Compared to Rippling’s modular pricing, Tarmack’s pricing offers a straightforward, cost-effective alternative at just $199 per monthly employee. Our accountant says that’s only a fraction of Rippling’s EOR pricing.

Understanding the Difference in Pricing

Service	Rippling Pricing (Estimated)	Tarmack Pricing
Payroll	$8 per employee per month	Included
EOR Services	$499–$599 per employee per month (Assumed based on available online resources)	$199 per employee per month
HR & Benefits Management	$10–$50 per employee per month (Assumed based on available online resources)	Included
Total Cost (for 50 employees, 10 in EOR)	$6,890 per month (based on calculations from previous section)	$9,950 per month

Potential Savings with Tarmack: Up to 60% compared to Rippling’s EOR pricing.

Other factors can influence the pricing difference:

• Rippling: Charges per module, which makes costs unpredictable as businesses scale.
• Tarmack: Offers an all-in-one, transparent pricing model with no hidden fees and no surprise charges.

Budgeting matters for startups and growing companies. Rippling’s pricing structure can penalize businesses for growth, as seen in user reports where companies were charged for past employee headcounts. Tarmack’s fixed pricing makes planning without unexpected cost spikes easier.

What Makes Tarmack the Best Choice?

As your all-in-one partner for global expansion, Tarmack can handle everything from payroll and Employer of Record (EOR) services to recruiting top talent. 

Here’s what makes Tarmack the go-to choice for companies looking to scale seamlessly!

1. Global coverage without limits

Unlike providers specializing in only a few regions, Tarmac ensures that borders do not limit your hiring. Whether you are hiring in Europe, Asia, Latin America, or beyond, Tarmack provides payroll processing, tax compliance, and benefits management on a global scale.

Further, its Employer of Record (EOR) services cover 140+ countries, allowing businesses to hire legally without setting up a local entity in every country of operation. Not stopping with that, Tarmack offers recruiting solutions that help find the right talent from around the world

2. Unmatched ease of use

Managing payroll and hiring internationally is often complex and bureaucratic. Tarmack removes the hassle with an intuitive, streamlined platform that simplifies every aspect of global workforce management. 

The learning curve is minimal, and our automated payroll and compliance tools handle the heavy lifting, reducing manual work and minimizing errors. Everything, from payments to contracts, is managed through a single dashboard, providing visibility and control over global operations.

3. Built-In compliance you can trust

Employment laws vary from country to country, and keeping up with them can be overwhelming. Compliance is no longer a concern with Tarmack. We ensure you meet local labor laws and tax regulations so your business stays legally compliant worldwide. 

Employee classifications are handled with precision, reducing the risk of misclassification penalties. Instead of navigating complicated legal frameworks, you can focus on confidently growing your business.

4. Faster hiring and market entry

Time is money, and every delay in hiring or expansion can cost your business valuable opportunities. Tarmack speeds up the process, allowing you to onboard employees in days instead of weeks. 

It eliminates the delays associated with setting up a foreign entity, helping you expand into new markets without unnecessary bureaucracy. 

Payroll processing is equally efficient with redundant paperwork, no outdated manual processes, just fast and seamless execution.

5. Tech-led, not email-led

Many payroll and EOR providers still rely on outdated systems, forcing businesses to manage their global workforce through endless email chains, PDF contracts, and manual approvals. 

Tarmack takes a different approach with its fully automated, ensuring that payroll, invoicing, and compliance processes run smoothly with minimal human intervention. Further, its integrations with existing HR and finance tools create a unified workflow, eliminating inefficiencies. 

6. Significant Cost Savings

Expanding internationally should not come with an inflated price tag. Tarmack offers competitive pricing at just $199 per employee per month, significantly lower than Rippling and other providers. 

Their fixed-pricing model has no hidden fees or surprise charges that usually stump startups after signing up for a service. Whether you need payroll, compliance, or recruiting services, you can expect substantial savings compared to traditional solutions. 

If you are looking for a cost-effective, hassle-free way to manage payroll, EOR, and hiring globally, Tarmack is your solution. We handle the complexities so you can focus on growing your business.

Use the Employer Cost Calculator to compare costs

Try the Employee Cost Calculator

Tarmack Vs. Rippling? Get the Top Services at the Best Price With Tramack

Understanding Rippling’s pricing structure makes one thing clear. It is complex, unpredictable, and expensive for growing businesses. Between per-employee costs, hidden fees, and long-term commitments, Rippling’s model can quickly become a financial burden, especially for small and mid-sized companies looking for flexibility.

Tarmack, on the other hand, offers a cost-effective, transparent alternative. Our pricing is straightforward, with no surprise charges or rigid contracts, at just $199 per employee per month. 

But affordability is just one part of the equation. 

Tarmack delivers a seamless global hiring experience, combining automated payroll, built-in compliance, and faster market entry. All of this and much more through an intuitive, tech-first platform that does entail long email threads or broken communication loops.

For businesses that want to hire globally without breaking the bank, scale efficiently, and stay compliant without the hassle, Tarmack is the clear choice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much does Rippling cost?

Rippling’s pricing is based on a per-employee, per-month model, but the exact cost varies depending on your selected services. Online resources indicate that payroll pricing starts at $8 per employee per month, but core HR features, compliance tools, and Employer of Record (EOR) services come at additional costs. 

Note: Many users have reported unexpected fees and long-term contract commitments that can significantly increase the total expense.

Who is Rippling best suited for?

Rippling is designed for businesses that need a broad HR and payroll solution with integrations for IT and finance. It works best for companies that require an all-in-one system and have the budget to handle variable costs. 

Does Rippling offer a free trial?

No, Rippling does not offer a free trial. Instead, they provide a demo, but pricing transparency is limited unless you engage directly with their sales team.

Is Rippling worth it?

Rippling can be a powerful platform, but it may not be best for cost-conscious businesses. The combination of hidden fees, inflexible contracts, and high per-employee pricing can make it an expensive choice.