Six Human Interest alternatives side by side: payroll integration, 3(16) and 3(38) roles, mega backdoor Roth, fund menus and how each prices its plans.
Updated November 11, 2026
8 min read
Short answer: Common Human Interest alternatives for small and midsize employers include 401GO, Basic Capital, Betterment at Work, Fidelity Advantage 401(k), Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline and Vestwell. They differ most on five points: which payroll systems they connect to, whether they act as 3(16) administrator and 3(38) investment fiduciary, whether employees can make after-tax contributions for a mega backdoor Roth, how wide the fund menu is, and how fees are structured. Basic Capital is the only provider here that offers a mega backdoor Roth on employer plans today.
Basic Capital is a 401(k) provider for employers and one of the providers compared here. The facts about other providers come from their own websites and help centers as of the review date, and each is cited below.
Start with Human Interest itself
Before you compare, pin down what you have today. According to Human Interest’s own materials:
Payroll: it says it integrates with 600+ payroll providers [1, 2].
Fiduciary roles: 3(16) fiduciary services come with its Complete and Concierge plans, not Essentials [1]. Its adviser, Human Interest Advisors, can act as 3(38) or 3(21) investment fiduciary [3].
Mega backdoor Roth: “We don’t support voluntary, after-tax contributions at Human Interest” [4]. Without after-tax contributions, a mega backdoor Roth isn’t possible.
Investments: Human Interest Advisors says it currently advises on mutual funds, money market funds, cash equivalents and collective investment trusts [5]. Its published materials don’t list a brokerage window [3, 5].
Mobile app: its FAQ answers “Does Human Interest have an app?” with “Not yet” [6].
Pricing model: a monthly base fee plus a monthly fee per eligible employee, which rise by tier, plus asset-based recordkeeping and advisory fees deducted from employee accounts; a one-time setup fee may apply [1].
The alternatives side by side
Providers are listed alphabetically. “Not listed” means the provider’s public materials don’t mention the feature as of November 11, 2026; it is not a claim that the feature is unavailable.
Provider | Payroll integration | 3(16) and 3(38) | Mega backdoor Roth (employer plans) | Investment menu | How pricing works |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
401GO | Payroll integration on both main plans; “TRUE-360” integration on GO-Plus [7] | 3(16) plan administration and a 3(38) fiduciary (GO Invest) on both plans; an outside 3(38) is optional [7] | Not listed; 401GO’s public deferral API accepts traditional and Roth elections only [8] | Open architecture through advisors, from “thousands of funds” [9] | Monthly base fee, per-participant fee and asset-based fees; setup fee on some plans [7] |
Basic Capital | 300+ payroll integrations | Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC is the 3(16) plan administrator; Basic Capital Advisors LLC is an optional 3(38) under a separate agreement | Yes. After-tax contributions with in-plan Roth conversions, turned on at the plan level after a compliance review | 6,000+ funds, plus an optional brokerage window for individual stocks and ETFs | Pricing is tailored to each plan, and we’re consistently competitive. |
Betterment at Work | Integrations with Gusto, TriNet and other payroll providers [10] | Limited 3(16) plan administrator and 3(38) investment manager, included in every tier [10, 11] | Solo 401(k) only. For employer plans, Betterment “does not currently support non-Roth after-tax contributions” [12] | Betterment’s 3(38) lineup, or custom open-architecture lineups built by an advisor [11, 13]; no 401(k) brokerage window listed | Annual base fee, monthly per-participant recordkeeping fee and an annual advisory fee on assets; one-time implementation fee [10] |
Fidelity Advantage 401(k) (Fidelity’s small-business plan) | Integrates with payroll providers [14] | Fidelity acts as plan sponsor, 3(16) and 3(38) fiduciary [15] | Not in this plan: contribution types are pre-tax, Roth, catch-up and rollover [14] | A pre-selected lineup; employees pick a target date fund or build a portfolio from the available funds [14] | Employer pays a one-time activation fee and a monthly administration fee; employees pay a monthly recordkeeping fee and an asset-based investment fee [16] |
Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline | Built into Gusto payroll; employers on other payroll use a self-serve upload portal [17] | 3(16) only for employers using Gusto’s payroll integration; 3(38) through Gusto Investment Services when selected [18] | No: no non-Roth after-tax contributions or in-plan Roth rollovers [19] | Six guided portfolios and a menu of about 40 Vanguard funds [17] | Monthly base fee plus a per-participant fee by plan tier, and an asset-based fee paid by employees [20] |
Vestwell | API payroll integration with 190+ payroll providers [21] | Can act as 3(16) administrative and 3(38) investment fiduciary [21, 22] | Not currently: “our platform does not support after-tax contributions” [23] | Open architecture, including self-directed brokerage accounts [21]; on Vestwell’s small-business page, open architecture is listed on its top tier [24] | Tiered plan fee billed annually; investment expenses are separate [24] |
If a combined cash balance and 401(k) plan is the deciding need, 401GO offers a DB/DC combo plan [7]. If you want a fixed safe harbor design with Fidelity as plan sponsor and fiduciary, Fidelity Advantage 401(k) is built for that [14, 15]. If you run Gusto payroll and want everything in one app, Gusto 401(k) is designed around it [17].
What to compare, and the questions to ask
Payroll integration
Ask whether the provider connects to your exact payroll system, what syncs (new hires, compensation, deferral changes, terminations) and whether elections flow back to payroll. A large integration count matters less than whether your system is on the list. If you are also changing payroll, decide that first.
Fiduciary roles: 3(16) and 3(38)
A 3(16) plan administrator takes on named administrative duties, such as required notices and Form 5500. A 3(38) investment manager takes discretion over choosing and monitoring the fund menu. Ask which entity holds each role, whether it is included or an add-on, and which tasks stay with you. On some plans the role depends on your tier or your payroll provider (see Human Interest and Gusto above).
Mega backdoor Roth support
A mega backdoor Roth needs two plan features: voluntary after-tax contributions, and either in-plan Roth conversions or in-service withdrawals of those contributions. In 2026, total contributions to one employee’s account can reach $72,000 under age 50 [25], well above the $24,500 deferral limit [25]. This matters most if you have employees who already max out their 401(k). Ask the provider how it handles nondiscrimination testing for after-tax contributions.
Investment menu
Ask how many funds are available, who picks the core menu, whether index funds and target date funds are included, and whether there is a brokerage window. A brokerage window lets employees buy individual stocks and ETFs. Ask who monitors those investments: at Basic Capital, brokerage window investments are chosen by the employee and aren’t monitored by the plan’s fiduciary.
Pricing model
Most providers on this page combine three pieces: a base fee, a fee per participant or eligible employee, and an asset-based fee. Ask who pays each piece (the company or employees), whether fees are quoted monthly or annually, and whether there are setup, conversion or termination fees. Compare total cost over a few years, not the first month.
Where Basic Capital fits
Basic Capital is a 401(k) built for modern companies. What it offers on the five points above:
Mega backdoor Roth. Eligible plans can add after-tax contributions with in-plan Roth conversions. How a mega backdoor Roth works at Basic Capital.
Fund choice. 6,000+ funds, plus an optional brokerage window for individual stocks and ETFs.
Defined fiduciary roles. Basic Capital Recordkeeping Services LLC is the 3(16) plan administrator. Basic Capital Advisors LLC, a New York state-registered investment adviser, is available as an optional 3(38) under a separate agreement. Neither is a broker-dealer.
Payroll. 300+ payroll integrations.
App. Employees use the Basic Capital app on iOS, Android and the web.
Support. A 25-minute average response time, with 80% of issues resolved within 24 hours.
Switching. Most employers are live in 30 to 60 days. See how long a provider switch takes.
If your team is small, doesn’t need after-tax contributions and wants the simplest possible setup, one of the starter-focused plans above may fit better.
For a row-by-row view, read Basic Capital vs Human Interest, or browse all Basic Capital comparisons. To get a quote for your plan, talk to Basic Capital.
Questions employers ask
Does Human Interest offer a mega backdoor Roth?
No. Human Interest says it doesn’t support voluntary after-tax contributions [4], which a mega backdoor Roth requires.
Does Human Interest have a mobile app?
Not as of November 11, 2026. Its FAQ says “Not yet, but our website is mobile-friendly” [6].
Which Human Interest alternatives support a mega backdoor Roth?
Basic Capital is the only provider on this page that offers it on employer plans today.
Can I switch away from Human Interest in the middle of the year?
Yes, a 401(k) plan can change recordkeepers mid-year. Your new provider needs each employee’s year-to-date contributions so 2026 limits and testing stay correct, and employees get a blackout notice at least 30 days before trading is paused [26].
Sources
Competitor information on this page is our good-faith summary of publicly available sources as of the review date. It may be incomplete or out of date. Basic Capital is not affiliated with or endorsed by the providers named. All product names and brands are property of their owners. Confirm current offerings directly with each provider.
Human Interest. (n.d.). Pricing. https://humaninterest.com/pricing/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Human Interest. (n.d.). 401(k) payroll integrations. https://humaninterest.com/payrolls/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Human Interest Advisors. (n.d.). Investments. https://humaninterest.com/hia/investments/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Human Interest. (2025, January 2, last reviewed). What is a voluntary, after-tax contribution? https://humaninterest.com/learn/articles/what-is-an-after-tax-401k/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Human Interest Advisors. (n.d.). Form CRS. https://humaninterest.com/hia/form-crs-conversation-starters/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Human Interest. (2023, July 10, last reviewed). 10 common 401(k) questions. https://humaninterest.com/learn/articles/common-401k-questions/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
401GO. (n.d.). Pricing. https://www.401go.com/pricing (retrieved 2026-11-11)
401GO. (n.d.). Create participant deferrals (API reference). https://developer.401go.com/reference/participants_deferrals_create.md (retrieved 2026-11-10)
401GO. (n.d.). Standard 401(k) plans for small businesses. https://401go.com/standard-401k/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Betterment. (n.d.). Betterment at Work pricing. https://www.betterment.com/work/pricing (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Betterment. (n.d.). What fiduciary roles does Betterment play? https://www.betterment.com/help/what-fiduciary-roles-does-betterment-play (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Betterment. (2025, March 12). Understanding traditional and Roth 401(k) accounts. https://www.betterment.com/help/work/plan-design/traditional-vs-roth-401k-for-employers (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Betterment. (n.d.). Can advisors build their own fund lineup on Betterment? https://www.betterment.com/help/can-advisors-build-their-own-fund-lineup-on-betterment (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Fidelity. (n.d.). Fidelity Advantage 401(k): plan details. https://www.fidelityworkplace.com/s/401ksmallbusiness-details (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Fidelity. (n.d.). Small business 401(k). https://www.fidelity.com/retirement-ira/small-business/401k (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Fidelity. (n.d.). Fidelity Advantage 401(k): pricing overview. https://www.fidelityworkplace.com/s/401ksmallbusiness-pricing (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Guideline. (n.d.). Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline (home page). https://www.guideline.com/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Guideline. (n.d.). Legal disclosures. https://www.guideline.com/legal (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Gusto. (n.d.). Understand voluntary after-tax contributions and backdoor Roth rollovers with Gusto 401(k). https://support.gusto.com/article/178060329567169/understand-voluntary-after-tax-contributions-and-backdoor-roth-rollovers (retrieved 2026-11-11; 403 to scripts, check in a browser)
Gusto. (n.d.). Gusto 401(k) pricing plans, invoicing, and billing. https://support.gusto.com/article/178052192555356/gusto-401k-pricing-plans-invoicing-and-billing (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Vestwell. (n.d.). Vestwell: Workplace retirement & savings platform. https://www.vestwell.com/ (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Vestwell. (n.d.). Retirement plans. https://save.with.vestwell.com/retirement-plans (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Vestwell. (2026, November 3, updated). Employee contribution types: differences between pre-tax, Roth, and after-tax. https://support.vestwell.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405939296023-Employee-Contribution-Types-Differences-Between-Pre-Tax-Roth-and-After-Tax (retrieved 2026-11-11; 403 to scripts, check in a browser)
Vestwell. (n.d.). Cost effective 401(k) plans for your small business. https://save.with.vestwell.com/401k-cost-effective-plans (retrieved 2026-11-11)
Internal Revenue Service. (2025). 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500 (retrieved 2026-11-11)
U.S. Department of Labor. 29 CFR 2520.101-3, Notice of blackout periods under individual account plans. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XXV/subchapter-C/part-2520/subpart-A/section-2520.101-3 (retrieved 2026-11-11)
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