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The #1 QuickBooks-integrated 401(k)

See for yourself why more QuickBooks Online Payroll customers use Guideline.1 Get an easy, affordable retirement benefit today.

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60k+
businesses2
1M+
savers3
93%
customer satisfaction score4
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Innovation by Design Award 20245
25+ US states are rolling out retirement mandates. Stay compliant with a Guideline 401(k).
Learn more
The low-cost 401(k) without the stress
  • Guideline and Quickbooks integration visual.

    Seamless integration

    Our two-way QuickBooks integration automates deductions, contribution changes, employee onboarding, and more.
  • Image of coins falling

    Save on fees

    Get 6x lower portfolio fees and no transaction fees to maximize savings.6 Plus, pay $0 employer fees your first year.§
  • Example visual of what happens when a payroll is connected with Guideline.

    All-in-one experience

    Unlike other providers, we handle the tedious admin tasks like recordkeeping, IRS filings, and compliance—included with all plans.
Cliff JNorth Valley Counseling
Guideline’s integration with QuickBooks was really important to me. I run my entire business through my cell phone. The more I can link to my QuickBooks account, the better off I am.Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Guideline vs. Human Interest

Why twice as many businesses choose Guideline.7
  • 4x lower asset fees8,9
  • Only pay for active savers
  • Compliance testing included with all plans10
  • 93% customer satisfaction score4
Chart comparing Guideline's 60,000+ plans signed vs Human Interest's 24,000+ plans signed

Priced to help
maximize savings

With an annual account fee of 0.15%11—that’s 6x lower than the industry average—participants can save more with every dollar.6
  • Starter
    Special offer
    $39
    $0
    / month
    +$4/mo per active participant
    $0
    A simplified 401(k) with limited features and easy administration.
    Get started
    • $6,000 employee contribution limit
    • No employer contributions
    • Must be a new 401(k) plan
  • Core
    Special offer
    $89
    $0
    / month
    +$8/mo per active participant
    $0
    A foundational 401(k) with robust features and more plan design options.
    Get started
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit12
    • Safe Harbor13 or Traditional 401(k)
    • Features like employer contributions and profit sharing
    • Can connect with any payroll provider
  • Enterprise
    Special offer
    $149
    $0
    / month
    + active participant fee
    $0
    Our most custom 401(k) with premium support and flexible pricing that scales as you grow.
    Contact sales
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit12
    • Flexible pricing options
    • Premium support for plan admin and employees
    • Support for plan transfers
Already have a 401(k)? Switch and get 0% AUM on transferred assets plus 12-months no employer fees.§ Schedule a demo
  • A friendly customer support specialist assisting a customer with a smile.
  • A dedicated customer support specialist going above and beyond to assist a client.
  • A friendly customer support specialist assisting a customer with a smile.
  • A dedicated customer support specialist going above and beyond to assist a client.
  • A patient customer support specialist listening attentively to a customer's questions.
  • An experienced customer support specialist providing helpful advice.
  • An empathetic customer support specialist providing personalized support to a customer.
  • A friendly customer support specialist assisting a customer with a smile.
  • A dedicated customer support specialist going above and beyond to assist a client.
  • A patient customer support specialist listening attentively to a customer's questions.
  • An experienced customer support specialist providing helpful advice.
  • An empathetic customer support specialist providing personalized support to a customer.
  • A knowledgeable customer support specialist helping a client with a retirement plan.
  • A courteous customer support specialist providing exceptional service to a client.
  • A helpful customer support specialist assisting a client with a retirement plan enrollment.
  • A professional customer support specialist offering expert guidance on retirement savings.
  • A knowledgeable customer support specialist helping a client with a retirement plan.
  • A courteous customer support specialist providing exceptional service to a client.
  • A helpful customer support specialist assisting a client with a retirement plan enrollment.
  • A professional customer support specialist offering expert guidance on retirement savings.

Live customer support

Support you can count on — and call

With Guideline, you and your team get support from our 401(k) specialists via phone or email — our annual plan sponsor customer satisfaction score is 93%.4

Calculator

See how little a 401(k) can cost

If you’re starting a new 401(k), your small business may be eligible to receive up to $16,500 in tax credits over the plan’s first three years to help offset these plan costs.14
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  • 1
    As of March 2025, more QuickBooks Online Payroll customers use Guideline for an integrated 401(k) than any other provider.
  • 2
    As of April 2025
  • 3
    Total number of Savers, both active and non-active, that have participated in Guideline products from 2016-2024.
  • 4
    Guideline’s average plan sponsor satisfaction score (CSAT) based on feedback received from 1/1/2024 to 12/31/2024.
  • 5

    2024 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award Winner for Guideline's mobile application in the Mid-Size business category.

  • 6
    Information is illustrative. Not investment/tax advice. Consult a qualified tax/financial advisor. Avg. investment expense of plan assets for 401(k) plans w/ 25 participants and $250,000 in assets is 1.26% of assets, per 25th Edition of the 401k Averages Book, w/ data updated through September 30, 2024 (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). Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) product (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Guideline’s managed portfolios have blended expense ratios ranging from .058% to .061% of assets under management. When combined with an assumed account fee of .15% charged by Guideline Investments, LLC, estimated total AUM fees for one of the managed portfolios can be under .21%. Alternative account fee pricing available, ranging from .15% to .35%. See Form ADV 2A Brochure for fee info. Expense ratios subject to change by and paid to the fund(s). View full fund lineup.
  • 7
    Based on current Form ADV filings, Item 5.C.D(1)(g) Pension and profit sharing plans. As of 11/29/2024 Guideline's Form ADV had 50514 plans. As of 3/29/2024 Human Interest Form ADV had 22042 plans.
  • 8

    Guideline has prepared this summary from third-party sources. The information provided is considered to be reliable at the time of writing (August 12, 2024), may not necessarily be all-inclusive, is not guaranteed as to accuracy and is subject to change at any time without notice. 4X takes into consideration the lowest asset fees applied by Human Interest and Guideline (see chart). An assumed annual account fee of 0.15-0.35% is applied to assets under management and is deducted on a monthly basis. It’s calculated at 1/12 of the annual stated rate (0.15%) based on the account balance on the last day of each month. Alternative account fee pricing is available, ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%. Effective in the first quarter 2024, the 0.50% advisory fee charged by Human Interest Advisors, LLC will be restructured so that the asset-based fee typically ranges between 0.12% and 0.15% annually. Additionally effective in the first quarter 2024, Human Interest, Inc. will begin charging a separate asset-based fee that typically ranges up to 0.0.60% to 0.0625%. This results in a total annual asset-based fee ranging up to 0.72%-0.75%. See Human Interest’s Pricing Page or their Form ADV Brochure 2A for more information regarding fees.

  • 9
    This information is for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be investment or tax advice. 4X takes into consideration the lowest asset based fees applied by each Adviser and/or their record-keeping entity. Guideline Investments, LLC assumed annual account fee of 0.15% applied to assets under management and is deducted on a monthly basis. It’s calculated at 1/12 of the annual stated rate (0.15%) based on the account balance on the last day of each month. The annual account fee range can be between 0.15%-0.35% dependent on the tier chosen per Guideline’s Form ADV 2A Brochure as of 11/21/2024. The Adviser (Human Interest Advisors, LLC) asset-based fee typically ranges between 0.12% and 0.15% annually. The Recordkeeper (Human Interest, Inc) asset-based fees are automatically deducted from the Plan’s assets and the applicable portion of this fee will be reflected in the balance of the Participant’s account unless the Plan sponsor has agreed to assume these fees. The Recordkeeper’s asset-based fee typically ranges up to 0.60% annually per Human Interest Advisers, LLC Form 2A Brochure as of March 29, 2024. This results in a total annual asset-based fee ranging up to 0.72%-0.75%. See Human Interest’s Pricing Page as of March 12, 2025 or their Form ADV for more information regarding asset fees charged. See Human Interest’s Pricing Page as of March 12, 2025 or their Form ADV for more information regarding asset fees charged.
  • 10
    All plans of related entities must be administered by Guideline in order to provide compliance testing.
  • 11

    Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) product (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. An assumed annual account fee of 0.15% is applied to assets under management and is deducted on a monthly basis. It’s calculated at 1/12 of the annual stated rate (0.15%) based on the account balance on the last day of each month. Alternative account fee pricing is available, ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%. Contact Sales at hello@guideline.com to learn more about exclusive pricing options available in Enterprise tier. See the Form ADV 2A Brochure for more information regarding this fee.

  • 12
    Varies by age and may be adjusted annually to account for IRS cost-of-living adjustments. Learn more
  • 13
    In general, Safe Harbor 401(k) plans automatically satisfy Top Heavy requirements. One exception is for plan years in which the employer makes discretionary contributions (such as profit sharing contributions) in addition to Safe Harbor contributions. Removing Safe Harbor contributions mid-year will also require plans be subject to all compliance testing.
  • 14
    This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as tax advice. Please consult a tax professional to determine what types of tax credits or deductions your company is eligible to claim.

Guideline.com is owned and operated by Guideline, Inc. This website contains content from Guideline, Inc. and its affiliates, each a separate entity with different regulatory marketing requirements and standards. References to "our" or "we" on this website refer solely to Guideline RK, LLC unless otherwise specifically stated.

The information in this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be an offer, recommendation, investment advice, legal or tax advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. By using this website, you agree to Guideline, Inc.’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use. Neither Guideline, Inc. nor its subsidiaries, are responsible for information provided by third parties. Information included herein from third parties is believed to be reliable however Guideline, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that information.

Guideline, Inc. is a technology company that provides an integrated platform to companies who seek to work with 1) Guideline RK, LLC ("Guideline") and/or 2) Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser ("RIA"), both of which are wholly owned by Guideline Holdings, LLC. Guideline Holdings, LLC is wholly owned by Guideline, Inc. Neither Guideline, Inc. nor Guideline Holdings, LLC or Guideline RK, LLC is involved in securities activities and is not registered with the SEC or FINRA. Neither Guideline, Inc., nor any of its affiliates, is a bank.

Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) (when 3(38) fiduciary services are selected) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. For more information regarding fees and services, see Guideline Investments, LLC’s ADV 2A Brochure and Form CRS. References throughout this website to investment advisory services including but not limited to: investments offered, portfolios, managed portfolios, investment philosophy, assets under management (AUM), annual account fees expressed as a percentage of AUM, suitability questionnaire, 3(38) investment advisory management fiduciary services, robo-advisory services, and investment advice, unless otherwise specifically stated, are services provided by Guideline Investments, LLC. Investing involves risk and may lose money, including loss of principal. Investing is not guaranteed and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. The investment options offered by Guideline Investments, LLC are not FDIC insured.

Recordkeeping services for Guideline’s 401(k) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline RK, LLC. 3(16) plan administration services are also offered by Guideline RK, LLC and only made available to clients who utilize an eligible payroll provider. For more information on Guideline’s pricing, see here. Guideline uses a third-party to provide custodial services. Custodial fees are paid by Guideline.

Any graphs, charts, and other visual aids (collectively referred to as "image(s)") are provided for information purposes only. None of these images can of themselves be used to make investment decisions. No representation is made that these will assist any person in making investment decisions and no image can capture all factors and variables required in making such decisions.

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