Updated 2026-03-30
T. Rowe Price vs Guideline 401(k) Comparison
Compare T. Rowe Price (#5, 8.5/10) and Guideline (#15, 7.1/10) side by side across fees, ratings, features, and investment options.
Overall Comparison
| Feature | T. Rowe Price | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.5/10 | 7.1/10 |
| Rank | #5 | #15 |
| AUM | $1.3 trillion | $9 billion |
| Participants | 10 million | 700,000 |
| Plan Sponsors | 4,500+ | 40,000+ |
| Founded | 1937 | 2016 |
Ratings Comparison
| Category | T. Rowe Price | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Fees & Costs | 3.8/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Investment Options | 4.6/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Customer Service | 4.4/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Mobile App | 4.2/5 | 4.0/5 |
Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | T. Rowe Price | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Admin Fees | $0 - $50/year | $49/month base + $8/employee |
| Expense Ratios | 0.30% - 1.2% | 0.03% - 0.15% |
| Trading Fees | $0 for T. Rowe Price funds | $0 |
| Advisory Fees | 0.30% - 1.25% | N/A - self-directed |
T. Rowe Price Strengths
- Excellent actively managed fund performance
- Best-in-class target date funds
- Strong research capabilities
- No-transaction-fee mutual fund platform
Guideline Strengths
- Extremely competitive pricing for small business
- Automatic compliance testing and filing
- Direct payroll integrations
- Low-cost Vanguard index funds
Rollover, Loans & Withdrawals
| Feature | T. Rowe Price | Guideline |
|---|---|---|
| Rollover Platform | Individual.troweprice.com | Guideline Dashboard |
| Loans Available | Yes | No |
| Withdrawal Methods | Online portal, Phone (800-225-5132) | Online via Guideline dashboard |
| Distribution Options | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Installment payments, Rollover to IRA | Lump sum, Partial withdrawal, Rollover to IRA |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose T. Rowe Price if you want:
- Active fund believers
- Target-date fund users
- Research-oriented investors
- Long-term holders
Choose Guideline if you want:
- Small businesses
- Cost-conscious employers
- Hands-off plan sponsors
- Index fund believers
Our Verdict: T. Rowe Price vs Guideline
T. Rowe Price wins this comparison with a score of 8.5/10 vs 7.1/10. T. Rowe Price excels with excellent actively managed fund performance, making it the stronger choice for most investors in this matchup. However, the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, employer plan availability, and investment preferences.
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T. Rowe Price vs Guideline: Complete 401(k) Comparison for 2026
Choosing between T. Rowe Price and Guideline for your 401(k) is an important decision that affects your retirement savings. T. Rowe Price offers active management while Guideline is known for small business. In terms of fees, T. Rowe Price charges 0.30% - 1.2% expense ratios compared to Guideline's 0.03% - 0.15%. T. Rowe Price manages $1.3 trillion in assets and serves 10 million participants, while Guideline has $9 billion AUM and 700,000 participants.
Key Differences: T. Rowe Price vs Guideline
When comparing T. Rowe Price and Guideline, consider their core strengths: T. Rowe Price excels with excellent actively managed fund performance, while Guideline stands out for extremely competitive pricing for small business. Both providers offer a wide range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. T. Rowe Price's customer service rating is 4.4/5 compared to Guideline's 3.9/5. For mobile experience, T. Rowe Price scores 4.2/5 while Guideline scores 4.0/5.
Which Provider is Right for You?
Choose T. Rowe Price if you prioritize active fund believers. Choose Guideline if you're looking for small businesses. Your decision should also consider your employer's plan availability, fee sensitivity, desired investment options, and customer service expectations. For detailed reviews, visit our individual T. Rowe Price and Guideline provider pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
T. Rowe Price scores higher in our 2026 rankings with 8.5/10. T. Rowe Price is best for active fund believers, while Guideline is best for small businesses. The right choice depends on your employer's plan and your priorities.
T. Rowe Price charges expense ratios of 0.30% - 1.2% with admin fees of $0 - $50/year. Guideline charges 0.03% - 0.15% expense ratios with admin fees of $49/month base + $8/employee. T. Rowe Price's fees rating is 3.8/5 compared to Guideline's 4.7/5.
Yes, you can roll over between T. Rowe Price and Guideline. T. Rowe Price uses Individual.troweprice.com for rollovers, while Guideline uses Guideline Dashboard. A direct rollover avoids mandatory tax withholding. Contact your new provider to initiate the transfer.
T. Rowe Price offers 401(k) loans. Guideline does not offer 401(k) loans.
T. Rowe Price scores 4.6/5 for investment options, while Guideline scores 3.3/5. Both offer target-date funds, index funds, and managed accounts. T. Rowe Price's investment options include Active Mutual Funds, Target Date Funds, Index Funds. Guideline offers Vanguard Index Funds, Target Date Funds, Bond Funds.
For small businesses, consider plan minimums and per-participant costs. T. Rowe Price is best for active fund believers, target-date fund users, research-oriented investors, long-term holders. Guideline is best for small businesses, cost-conscious employers, hands-off plan sponsors, index fund believers. Compare admin fees: T. Rowe Price charges $0 - $50/year vs Guideline's $49/month base + $8/employee.
Pavlo Pyskunov
Managing Director & Investment Fund Director
Pavlo Pyskunov analyzes employer-sponsored retirement plans using IRS publications and DOL Form 5500 filings, helping workers maximize their 401(k) savings through data-driven guidance.
Last updated: 2026-03-30