A Rippling alternative for small business
Rippling is a platform where HR, payroll and IT are built from separate products: from $8 per employee a month plus a monthly base fee. PapaHR is free up to 25 employees, and reviews, 1:1s, goals and hiring are $1.50 per employee a month.
No card, no demo. Rippling prices are from rippling.com/pricing as of Oct 27, 2026.
What a month costs
Rippling's price is the starting price from its site; the base fee and products are added on top. PapaHR is paid yearly.
Rippling from $8 per employee plus a base fee — its amount is not published
Rippling from $8 plus the base fee and the Performance and Recruiting products
PapaHR and Rippling: what is included
| PapaHR | Rippling | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✓ up to 25 employees, no time limit | — none; 6 free months only for eligible US VC-backed startups |
| Price | $1.50 per employee a month paid yearly, $1.80 monthly | from $8 per employee a month plus a base fee |
| Reviews, goals, 1:1s | ✓ in Pro | separate Performance product |
| Hiring (ATS) | ✓ in Pro | separate Recruiting product |
| Surveys | ✓ in Free | separate Surveys product |
| Payroll and time tracking | timesheet and pay calculations (Pro); no clock-in, taxes or payouts | ✓ separate Payroll and Time & Attendance products |
| SSO, device management, API | — | ✓ Rippling IT products, an open API |
| HR methods and templates | ✓ Mike Pritula Academy built in | — |
Rippling publishes only its starting price. Check the current prices before you decide.
Why teams switch to PapaHR
- The price is clear up front, no base fee and no quote on a demo.
- Reviews, goals, 1:1s, hiring and surveys in one plan, not separate products.
- Daily nudges: probation ending, a time-off request, a missed 1:1.
- Mike Pritula Academy methods built in: onboarding templates, 1:1 questions, review forms.
When Rippling is the better fit
If you are in the US and want payroll, benefits, time tracking, laptops and app access in one system. PapaHR does not pay salaries with taxes or manage devices — it is made for companies where HR is one person or the manager.
How to switch
- Export your employee list from Rippling to Excel.
- Upload the file to PapaHR — profiles, departments and managers appear by themselves.
- Invite managers: they approve time off and run 1:1s.
Questions
Is PapaHR cheaper than Rippling?
Yes: free up to 25 employees, then $1.50 per employee a month. Rippling starts at $8 per employee plus a monthly base fee and separate products.
Can I move my data?
Yes, through Excel: export your employee list and upload it to PapaHR.
Which languages?
English, Ukrainian, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish.
What does PapaHR not have?
Payroll with taxes, clock-in, device and access management, SSO and an open REST API.
Try it with your team
Free up to 25 employees, no card and no demo — your first time-off request can go through PapaHR today.