Guideline vs. Betterment

Compare the 401(k) providers and see why 50,000+ businesses & 600,000+ participants trust Guideline with their retirement.
  • Up to 6x less in fees1
  • Plans designed for businesses of all sizes
  • Ongoing compliance testing at no extra charge2
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Chart comparing Guideline's 50,000+ plans signed vs Betterment's 3,500+ plans signed
Chart comparing Guideline's 50,000+ plans signed vs Betterment's 3,500+ plans signed
A modern 401(k) with a human touch
50K+
active businesses3
$16B+
invested for retirement3
93%
customer satisfaction score4
4 Hours
average response time5

Guideline has lower fees

Guideline logo
Betterment
  • Standalone setup fee
    $0
    $500 for new plans, $1,000 for conversion plans6
  • Monthly plan fee

    $39 + $4 per participant (Starter)

    $89 + $8 per participant (Core)

    $149 + $4-8 per participant (Enterprise)6

    $100 + $5 per participant (Essential)

    $150 + 6 per participant (Pro)

    $292 + $8 per participant7 (Flagship)

  • Number of plan pricing tiers
    3
    3
  • Yearly asset-based fees
    0.15%-0.35% 8
    0.25%7
  • Monthly asset-based fees
    0.0125%-0.029%8
    0.021%7
  • Transaction Fees
    No
    Yes
  • Fund/ETF menu expense ratios910
    0.04% - 0.17%
    0.02%-0.50%

Guideline includes more services for all tiers

Guideline logo
Betterment
  • Online Setup
    Yes
    Yes
  • Direct Connection with Integrated Payrolls
    Yes
    No, uses third-party for some payroll integrations11
  • Integration Data Sync Frequency
    Every 24 Hours
    Not Listed
  • 3(38) investment management fiduciary
    Yes
    Yes7
  • 3(16) plan administration fiduciary
    Yes
    Yes7
  • IRS filing prep & support for all pricing plans
    Yes
    No, prep only7
  • Ongoing compliance testing for all standard 401(k) plans
    Yes
    Upgrade to “Flagship” tier required7
  • Tax credit assistance for all pricing plans12
    Yes
    Not Listed7

Investments

Guideline logo
Betterment
  • Mutual funds
    Yes
    No
  • ESG funds13
    Yes
    Yes
  • Professionally managed portfolios
    Yes
    Yes
  • Flexibility to choose own investments
    Yes
    Yes
  • Automatic rebalancing
    Yes
    Yes

Hear what customers have to say about Guideline

Veronica S.

Goving & Associates

"We switched our 401(k) over to Guideline and I haven’t thought about 401(k) in five months. It’s HR nirvana."



Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Melissa W.

Zipline

"We chose Guideline because we didn't want the overhead, management or complexity of traditional options. Guideline is practically a 1-click setup that integrates with our payroll system and is incredibly easy to manage."



Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Ben C.

The Well Counseling Center

"Guideline consistently provides fast, easy-to-decipher customer support to me and our team."



Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Carol P.

RedKnot Resource Group

"With Guideline, it feels like we've put 401(k) administration on auto-pilot. Guideline 401(k) enables us to give our employees a big benefit without our small business hiring in-house expertise."



Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Cliff J.

North Valley Counseling

"Guideline 401(k) customer service is incredible. Clear, totally supportive, and an actual person on the phone whenever you need them."



Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

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