# Guideline — Access your 401(k) anytime

> Mobile 401(k) management for retirement savings and investment tracking. (iPhone/iPad app by Gusto, inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guideline/id6446659674 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Gusto, inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1478804270)
- Category: Finance, Business
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 1,839 App Store ratings · 50 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 46 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2023-06-26
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guideline/id6446659674/reviews.md

## What is Guideline?

Guideline has joined Gusto.

Gain peace of mind on your road to retirement. Our award-winning app¹ makes it refreshingly easy to set up your 401(k) account and track your progress anytime, anywhere.

SET UP IN MINUTES
Set up your 401(k) in minutes right from your phone, no computer required.

ACCESS ANYTIME
Update your contribution amounts or make changes to your investment portfolios with just a few taps.

INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE
Take our questionnaire to see which of our portfolios is right for you. Plus, we’ll automatically rebalance your portfolio to help you stay on track. 

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
See your portfolio, performance, and total retirement savings to date.

CONSOLIDATE SAVINGS
You can roll over other accounts right from the app so all of your savings can be in one place. Plus, you’ll be able to take advantage of our portfolio management and low fees, which could help you make the most of every dollar saved.²


ENABLE MOBILE-FIRST SECURITY
Protect your account with security features like two-factor authentication (2FA) and biometric recognition.

AWARD-WINNING CUSTOMER SUPPORT³
Access live support in English or Spanish, plus numerous resources, how-to guides, and FAQs via our Help Center.

Disclosures: 

The images above are illustrative and for educational purposes only. They are not representative of any client account.

This information is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for specific tax, legal, and/or financial advice. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. You are advised to consult a qualified financial adviser or tax professional before relying on the information provided herein.

See our https://my.guideline.com/agreements/fees for additional information regarding our fees and services.

1.
2024 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award Winner for Guideline's mobile application in the Mid-Size business category in June 2024. Fee paid for application. See https://www.fastcompany.com/91126780/methodology-innovation-by-design-2024 for more information.

2.
This information is for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as investment or tax advice or as an assurance or guarantee of future performance. Investing involves risk, and investments may lose value. Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) product (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) are offered by Gusto Investment Services, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Expense ratios for custom portfolios will vary. For more information regarding these fees, see the ADV 2A Brochure and Form CRS.These expense ratios are subject to change by and paid to the fund(s). View full fund lineup.

3.
2025 The American Business Awards® Bronze Stevie Winner in the Customer Service Team of the Year - Financial Services & Insurance category.  Fee paid for application. See http://www.stevieawards.com/aba for more information.

To learn more, go to guideline.com

## Key features

- Set up 401(k) in minutes
- Access and manage contributions
- Invest in recommended portfolios
- Automatic portfolio rebalancing
- Consolidate savings from other accounts
- Mobile-first security features
- Award-winning customer support

## What do users think of Guideline?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use UI
- 💡 Streamlined app experience
- 🚀 Excellent app performance

**Cons**

- 🐛 Login and authentication issues
- 🔋 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 💰 Increasing account fees
- 🚫 Lack of dark mode support

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Login screen refreshes preventing 2FA
- Inability to paste codes from password managers
- App freezes when navigating away for 2FA

**Most requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Support for IRA accounts
- Improved biometric authentication

## Recent user reviews (10 of 50)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guideline/id6446659674/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Bad dark mode

*2026-05-03, version 1.1.19*

They finally implemented “dark mode” and it’s garbage. Looks like a child just drew awful purple colors all over it and has no concept of proper design. So let’s start by firing your app designers and paying for better ones. I don’t know if anyone told you morons this, but your “dark mode” does not have to match your company logo colors. And while you’re fixing this trash, add a proper iOS dark icon. Get rid of this obsession with purple.

### 1/5 — Unable to login

*2026-04-07, version 1.1.15*

I’m unable to login into the app. I enter my credentials and it prompts me for two factor then sends be me back to login screen.

### 1/5 — App is completely useless now

*2025-11-16, version 1.1.5*

Man they wasted no time booting people who didn’t use Gusto huh. As if I personally run payroll at my company. Good job!

### 1/5 — App is still a joke in 2025

*2025-11-12*

Devs said in 2024 they were adding dark mode in app to the roadmap. It’s the end of 2025 and it’s still not here.

We also don’t have an iOS dark mode icon available. Those APIs were released in iOS 18 over a year ago.

And to top off the incompetency, the bottom of the app says “Gusto by Guideline” as if Gusto is not the parent company. These devs are lazy and don’t QA anything or focus on features that matter.

**Developer response:** We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.

We’re happy to clarify why you now see “Gusto by Guideline” in your account. To confirm, your 401(k) provider is now Gusto, however, it is powered by the Guideline product. You’ll notice that account features remain visually similar in your participant dashboard, aiming to provide you with the same experience and level of support.

Additionally, our team has confirmed that adding a dark mode remains on our road map, and hope to go live in 2026!

If you have any questions pertaining to your account, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our support team at support@guideline.com.

### 1/5 — What happened???

*2025-11-04, version 1.1.4*

Gusto acquired Guideline and now one of my accounts is with Accrue which doesn’t have any app and the other is with Guideline which Gusto manages? This is a terrible update and makes me want to leave guideline completely now.

### 1/5 — Gusto just kicked most of us off of the app

*2025-11-03, version 1.1.4*

If you used Guideline for 401k, but didn't use Gusto for payroll, you just got kicked off the app today, and told to go use a quickly thrown together website called Accrue. That's where they put us until they can find a buyer for us unwanted customers.

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2025-10-13, version 1.1.0*

Super simple and easy to use UI

### 1/5 — Hassle of a company

*2025-10-13, version 1.1.0*

Cannot close or opt out without going through a maze of online opt outs and circle of accounts. Doesn’t do anything over the phone . 
Do NOT LIKE THIS COMPANY AT ALL.

### 5/5 — 401k

*2025-09-02, version 1.0.31*

I like how it’s outlined..

### 1/5 — Login screen is broken

*2025-08-11, version 1.0.29*

No way to login because the login screen refreshes each time I try copy paste an OTP. Also the password field does not accept an autofill from a password manager. Ridiculous

## Frequently asked questions about Guideline

### What does this app do?

This app allows users to easily set up and manage their 401(k) retirement accounts directly from their mobile devices. It provides tools to track progress, adjust contribution amounts, and consolidate savings from other retirement accounts into one place.

### How can I invest with this app?

You can invest by taking a questionnaire that helps determine the right portfolio for you. The app also offers automatic rebalancing of your portfolio to help you stay on track with your retirement goals.

### Is this app free to use?

The app itself is free to download and use for managing your 401(k). However, there are fees associated with the investment services and portfolio management, which are detailed on the app's website.

### What are the security features?

The app prioritizes account security with mobile-first features such as two-factor authentication (2FA) and biometric recognition, helping to protect your sensitive financial information.

### Can I consolidate my old retirement accounts?

Yes, you can roll over other retirement accounts directly through the app. This allows you to consolidate all your savings into one location, potentially benefiting from the app's portfolio management and low fees.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.22 — 2026-07-17

Bug fixes and other improvements.

### 1.1.21 — 2026-06-09

Bug fixes and other improvements.

### 1.1.20 — 2026-05-26

Bug fixes and other improvements.

### 1.1.19 — 2026-05-01

Bug fixes and other improvements.

### 1.1.18 — 2026-04-28

Bug fixes and other improvements.

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## More apps by Gusto, inc.

- [Gusto Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gusto-mobile/id1478804271)

All apps by Gusto, inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1478804270

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*
