Guideline
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Core | $119 base fee + $8 per active participant per month; employee fee 0.25% / year · Standard employee contribution limit: $23,500 for 2025 and $24,500 for 2026 · Safe harbor and standard 401(k) designs · Employer match and profit sharing | $119 a month |
| Premium | $179 base fee + $8 per active participant per month; employee fee 0.25% per year · Standard employee contribution limit: $23,500 for 2025 and $24,500 for 2026 · Flexible pricing options · Premium support · 401(k) plan transfers | $179 a month |
| Starter | $49/month base fee + $6 per active participant; employee fee 0.25% / year · IRS-limited employee contribution limit: $6,000 for 2025 and 2026 · No employer contributions · No plan loans · Eligible employers must not have offered a retirement plan in the last 12 months | $49 a month |
As guideline.com lists them, read 14 Nov 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Facts from Guideline's own pages
- Account security
- Gusto enforces two-factor authentication and offers SMS or authenticator-app options. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Compliance
- Gusto says it runs daily compliance checks and includes IRS form preparation and filing. · gusto.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Encryption
- Gusto says website and app connections use TLS encryption and stored data is encrypted at rest. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Intended users
- Gusto describes its 401(k) offering as built for small businesses and says it serves businesses of any size. · gusto.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Investment options
- The site describes six guided portfolios and a fund menu of 40 low-cost Vanguard funds. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Payroll sync
- Gusto payroll customers can manage their 401(k) from the Gusto dashboard with automated deductions and contributions. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Plan changes
- Plans can switch pricing tiers only once per calendar year, and Starter-to-Core-or-Premium switches are limited to January 1. · help.guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Product
- Guideline provides 401(k) and IRA plans for companies and solopreneurs and has joined Gusto. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Self-service
- Businesses not using Gusto payroll can use a self-serve portal to manage contributions and reports. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- SOC 2
- Gusto says its SOC 2 Type II attestation is available upon request with a non-disclosure agreement. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
- Support
- The Guideline site directs existing 401(k) plan customers to its support team for help. · guideline.com, 14 Nov 2026
Where Guideline stands on Freedom251
- 401(k) Software#9 of 14