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See how easy a 401(k) can be

Elevate your benefits program — get up to 6x lower fees1, award-winning customer support2, and more with Guideline.

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Prefer to chat? Give us a call at (888) 228-3491.

See our Privacy Policy to learn how we use and protect your information.

60K+
businesses3
1M+
savers3
93%
customer satisfaction score4
fast company logo
Innovation by Design Award 20245
  • Guideline G logo
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  • Paychex logo in a blue circle.

How Paychex and Guideline work together

With third party access Guideline syncs all your payroll data from Paychex automatically.

  • Automated Contributions

    401(k) contributions are automatically updated and deducted each pay run. No need to maintain deductions or manually re-enter payroll data.

  • Easy onboarding

    When employees are onboarded, we’ll notify and enroll them in the plan on your behalf—so no additional admin work is required.
Powerful plans for
businesses of any size
Our 401(k) plans come with low monthly costs and no transaction fees. So you won’t have to pay extra for plan setup, plan transfers, or 5500 prep.
  • Starter
    Offer
    $39
    / month
    + $4/month per active participant
    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
    • Must connect with an eligible payroll provider7
  • Core
    Most popular
    $89
    / month
    + $8/mo per active participant fee
    A foundational 401(k) with robust features and more plan design options.
    Get started
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit8
    • Safe Harbor or Traditional 401(k)
    • Features like employer contributions and profit sharing
    • Can connect with any payroll provider
  • Enterprise
    $149
    / month
    + active participant fee
    Our most custom 401(k) with premium support and flexible pricing that grows with you.
    Contact sales
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit8
    • Flexible pricing options
    • Premium support for plan admin and employees
    • Support for plan transfers
Get back up to $16,500 in tax credits6

Why switch to Guideline

  • Magnifying glass with check mark simple icon.

    Fewer errors

    4 out of 5 customers experience fewer payroll errors since switching to Guideline.10
  • Fingers snapping simple icon.

    Easier to use

    Modern, award-winning design5 makes it easy for you and your team to set up and manage a 401(k) with confidence.
  • Clock in motion simple icon.

    Time savings

    9 out of 10 customers have saved time on 401(k) admin since switching to Guideline.11
  • Two hands shaking simple icon.

    Award-winning support team

    Fast, expert support for you and your team. Plus, a single point of contact through every step of setup and beyond.

“It’s been one of the best decisions that our company could make.”

Nikki K., Cobra Systems

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

Estimate your 401(k) plan costs with our calculator

Your company could be eligible to receive up to $16,500 in tax credits over the plan’s first three years to help offset initial plan costs.6

Reach out to get started

Prefer to chat?

  • Phone icon symbolizing ease of setting up a Guideline 401(k) plan.
    (888) 228-3491

    9 a.m.-7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

  • Email icon symbolizing ease of setting up a Guideline 401(k) plan.
    hello@guideline.com

    Send us a note

  • 1
    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.
  • 2
    2025 The American Business Awards® Bronze Stevie Winner in the Customer Service Team of the Year - Financial Services & Insurance category. Guideline submitted an application fee to qualify. Please see the award criteria here.
  • 3
    As of April 2025
  • 4
    Guideline’s average Plan Sponsor customer 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
    You should consult a tax professional to determine what types of tax credits or deductions your company is eligible to claim.
  • 7
    Offer is not available for certain payroll providers. Contact us for more information.
  • 8
    Varies by age and may be adjusted annually to account for IRS cost-of-living adjustments. Learn more
  • 9
    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.
  • 10

    Guideline research. Insights based on data collected June 7, 2024 to June 21, 2024 from a survey of 95 current plan sponsors. Guideline was identified as the survey sponsor. The experience of the respondents in this survey may not be representative of all people.

  • 11

    Insights based on data collected June 7, 2024 to June 21, 2024 from a survey of 100 current plan sponsors. Guideline was identified as the survey sponsor. The experience of the respondents in this survey may not be representative of all people.

  • This information is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It shouldn’t be used as a substitute for specific tax, legal and/or financial advice that considers all relevant facts and circumstances. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. You should consult a qualified financial adviser or tax professional before relying on this information.

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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