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Gusto

Best Gusto Alternatives

10 products that do the same job as Gusto, matched to the reason you might switch, with similarity scores and published prices.

By LeadChange Research TeamUpdated Based on 32 sources, most recently checked

LeadChange may earn a fee when you request pricing through our site or follow a sponsored link. Rankings never depend on whether a vendor pays us.We may earn a fee.

Gusto alternatives, closest first

  1. Patriot PayrollSimilarity 75
  2. Paychex FlexSimilarity 73
  3. Square PayrollSimilarity 70

Alternatives by reason for switching

  • Lower published price

    Patriot Payroll

    $162 a month at 25 employees vs $199 for Gusto.

    $37/mo + $5/employee/mo (Full Service Payroll plan)1

  • More native integrations

    Rippling

    650+ native integrations listed by the vendor vs 154 for Gusto.

    650+2

  • Built for larger companies

    Paycor

    Serves enterprise companies; Gusto does not list enterprise among the sizes it serves.

    Small businesses, mid-market companies, enterprises3

  • Built for mid-sized companies

    QuickBooks Payroll

    Serves mid-sized companies; Gusto does not list them among the sizes it serves.

    Small businesses, mid-market companies4

  • Free trial

    OnPay

    Offers a free trial; Gusto does not.

    Yes5

What should your next provider do better than Gusto?

Your matches show verified evidence for it, never who pays us.

Gusto alternatives, closest first

Products built for the same job come first, then products that also cover it, each group by similarity: the share of categories (50%), company sizes served (30%) and pricing model (20%) a product shares with Gusto.

  1. Patriot Payroll

    vs Gusto: From $162 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 8.7 vs 8.1.

    Similarity75 of 100

    From $37/mo + $5/employee/mo (Full Service Payroll plan)1

  2. Paychex Flex

    vs Gusto: Paychex Flex: from $39/mo + $5/employee; Gusto: from $49/mo + $6/employee. Payroll Software score 7.2 vs 8.1.

    Similarity73 of 100

    From $39/mo + $5/employee/mo (up to 19 employees)6

  3. Square Payroll

    vs Gusto: From $185 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 7.7 vs 8.1.

    Similarity70 of 100

    From $35/mo + $6/employee/mo7

  4. SurePayroll

    vs Gusto: From $204 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 4.9 vs 8.1.

    Similarity70 of 100

    From $29/mo + $7/employee/mo (Full Service plan)8

  5. ADP RUN Powered by ADP

    vs Gusto: ADP RUN Powered by ADP: quote-only; Gusto: from $49/mo + $6/employee. Payroll Software score 5.1 vs 8.1.

    Similarity68 of 100
  6. OnPay

    vs Gusto: Same starting price as Gusto: from $199 a month at 25 employees. Payroll Software score 7.6 vs 8.1.

    Similarity65 of 100

    From $49/mo + $6/employee/mo (Payroll Essentials plan)9

  7. Wave Payroll

    vs Gusto: From $190 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Not scored yet in Payroll Software; Gusto scores 8.1.

    Similarity63 of 100

    From $40/mo + $6/employee/mo10

  8. QuickBooks Payroll

    vs Gusto: From $225 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 8.5 vs 8.1.

    Similarity55 of 100

    From $50/mo + $7/employee/mo11

  9. Paycor

    vs Gusto: Paycor: quote-only; Gusto: from $49/mo + $6/employee. Payroll Software score 6.3 vs 8.1.

    Similarity39 of 100
  10. Netchex

    vs Gusto: Netchex: quote-only; Gusto: from $49/mo + $6/employee. Payroll Software score 4.8 vs 8.1.

    Similarity35 of 100

Why buyers look beyond Gusto

  1. Faster pay costs extra on lower plans

    Same-day pay is $90 and instant pay is $100 per payroll on Simple and Plus; both are included in Premium. Business Compliance is $85 per month per state on an annual contract unless you are on Premium.

  2. New accounts start on slower deposits

    Most new employers start on 4-day pay. 2-day pay opens after a 15-day wait and one successful payroll debit.

  3. Payroll is US-only

    Gusto runs payroll for US employees only. Contractors abroad are paid through a separate add-on in more than 120 countries.

  4. Fees grow with headcount

    Per-person fees run from $6 to $22 a month by plan, so cost rises with each employee, a point reviewers raise.

  5. Reporting and mobile limits

    Less suited to teams that need custom reports or full administration on mobile, according to reviewers.

Gusto vs its closest alternatives

Payroll Software comparison: LeadChange Score, pricing and verified features
ProductScoreStarting price per employeeStarting base feePricing modelFree trialMobile appsAutomatic tax filing
Gusto12,138.1$6/employee/mo$49/moBase fee + per employeeNoiOS (Gusto Mobile), Android (Gusto Mobile)Yes
Patriot Payroll18.7$5/employee/mo$37/moBase fee + per employeeYesMobile web (no app to install)Yes
Paychex Flex6,14,157.2$5/employee/mo (under 20 employees)$39/mo (under 20 employees)Base fee + per employeeNot verifiedPaychex Flex app (iOS), Paychex Flex app (Android), Paychex Flex Time Kiosk appYes
Square Payroll77.7$6/employee/mo$35/moBase fee + per employeeNot verifiedSquare Team AppYes
SurePayroll8,164.9$7/employee/mo$29/moBase fee + per employeeNoYesYes
ADP RUN Powered by ADP17,185.1Not verifiedNot verifiedQuote onlyNoRUN Powered by ADP app (iOS), RUN Powered by ADP app (Android)Yes
OnPay5,97.6$6/employee/mo$49/moBase fee + per employeeYesNot verifiedYes
Wave Payroll10,19Not scored$6/employee/mo$40/moBase fee + per employeeYesWeb browser only (payroll is not in the Wave mobile app)Yes

Not verified = we have no sourced value for it yet.

Alternatives to similar products

Frequently asked questions

What are the best alternatives to Gusto?

Among products built for the same job in Payroll Software, the closest to Gusto are Patriot Payroll (75% similar), Paychex Flex (73% similar), and Square Payroll (70% similar), by the categories, company sizes and pricing model they share. Patriot Payroll vs Gusto: From $162 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 8.7 vs 8.1.

What is a cheaper alternative to Gusto?

Patriot Payroll: From $162 a month at 25 employees vs $199 for Gusto (starting prices).

Which Gusto alternatives publish their prices?

Of the alternatives to Gusto, Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Square Payroll, SurePayroll, OnPay, Wave Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, and Rippling publish list prices for at least one plan. Gusto publishes its prices too.

Which Gusto alternative scores highest?

Patriot Payroll scores highest at 8.7/10, 75% similar to Gusto; Gusto scores 8.1.

Why do teams look for Gusto alternatives?

The fit limits documented for Gusto: faster pay costs extra on lower plans, new accounts start on slower deposits, and payroll is US-only. The “Why buyers look beyond Gusto” section explains each one from its source.

Which Gusto alternatives integrate with QuickBooks Online?

Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Square Payroll, ADP RUN Powered by ADP, and 5 more document an integration with QuickBooks Online, like Gusto.

Which Gusto alternatives offer a free trial?

Of the alternatives to Gusto, Patriot Payroll, OnPay, Wave Payroll, and QuickBooks Payroll list a free trial; Gusto does not.

Is Patriot Payroll better than Gusto?

Patriot Payroll scores 8.7/10 in Payroll Software against 8.1 for Gusto; which fits better depends on your headcount, budget and the modules you need. Feature by feature: Gusto vs Patriot Payroll.

How this page was made

  • What it is built from

    63 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Nov 14, 2026.

  • Method

    Scored and compared with the LeadChange methodology, version 1.5. Read the methodology

  • Independent review

    Our independent review of Oct 31, 2026 asked for changes. How we review

  • Hands-on testing

    We have not tested Gusto hands-on: this page uses public information only.

  • Who made it

    The LeadChange Research Team, following a written research process. No named expert has reviewed this page. About us

  • Independence and errors

    Who pays us never changes a score or a rank. If something here is wrong, tell us and we correct it publicly. Request a correction

Switching from Gusto?

Tell us why you’re leaving and when your contract ends, and see the alternatives that fit, with verified evidence for what you need, ranked without regard to who pays us.

Sources

The 32 pages this page's facts come from. The date beside each is our last check of the facts taken from it (the oldest, when they differ). The numbers beside the figures above link here.

Quotes from the sources
  1. Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/pricing“Basic Payroll is $17/month + $4 per worker paid; Full Service Payroll is $37/month + $5 per worker paid.” “Our payroll is a flat monthly fee + per worker paid fee. Run as many payrolls as you need. We'll bill you in arrears each month.”
  2. Rippling rippling.com/products/it“650+ integrations with your favorite apps”
  3. Paycor paycor.com/plans-pricing“50-1000 EMPLOYEES”
  4. Intuit quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll“QuickBooks Workforce works for small to midsize businesses—from accountants and financial experts to hospitality companies, construction companies, truckers, and more.”
  5. OnPay onpay.com“Get one month free”
  6. Paychex paychex.com/payroll/paychex-flex-essentials“Our most affordable option: Only $39/mo. + $5 per employee … Rest easy knowing your federal, state, and identified local payroll taxes will be calculated, paid, and filed on your behalf. *Additional fees may apply. … Get your required employee and independent contractor tax forms for tax season. **Available at additional cost.”
  7. Square squareup.com/us/en/payroll/pricing“For full-service payroll, the cost is $35 per month, plus $6 per person paid per month. For contractor-only payroll, the cost is $6 per person paid per month.” “Manage your team and run payroll anytime, from anywhere, with the Square Team App.”
  8. SurePayroll (Paychex) surepayroll.com/payroll“Pay employees in minutes, easily access reports, and get payroll taxes filed and deposited automatically.” “Billed monthly. Cancel anytime.”
  9. OnPay onpay.com/payroll/software/costs-pricing“Payroll Essentials $49 base + $6/worker per month” “Get started at just $49 base + $6/worker per month. No hidden fees, ever.”
  10. Wave waveapps.com/payroll“$40 USD base fee+ $6 per active employee+ $6 per independent contractor paid” “Upon processing your first payroll, you can use Wave Payroll for up to 30 days, commitment-free. At any time, you can activate to start your billing cycle and gain access to items like tax filing and approving payrolls beyond the current month.”
  11. Intuit quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/pricing/bundle“WORKFORCE PAYROLL Pay your team and get payroll taxes done for you. $50 + $7/employee” “Find the right payroll plan for you”
  12. Gusto gusto.com/product/pricing“Simple Run basic payroll in one state. $49/mo + $6/mo per person” “We file federal, state, and local payroll tax forms on your company's behalf (things like Form W-2, Form 1099, Form 940, Form 941, Form 8974, and others).”
  13. Gusto Payroll (Gusto)“We’ve got all kinds of plans for all sizes of business. Explore all the options. You’ll pay nothing ‘til you’re ready to run payroll.” “Yes, you can run payroll, check payroll status, add and view team members and manage your team all from the Gusto mobile app. Download the iOS app here and the Google Play app here.”
  14. Paychex paychex.com/apps/mobile-app“Employees can download the Paychex Flex® app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and log in using their Paychex account credentials.”
  15. Paychex paychex.com/payroll“We automatically calculate, file, and pay your payroll taxes for you.”
  16. SurePayroll (Paychex) surepayroll.com/pricing“During your first 12 months with SurePayroll, every alternating month will be free.” “Mobile app for employers and employees”
  17. ADP adp.com/what-we-offer/payroll/payroll-for-1-49-employees/payroll-packages.aspx“Payroll costs are influenced by several variables, including how often you run payroll, the number of employees or contractors you pay and how frequently your workforce changes. Pricing may also increase if you add HR tools, benefits administration or more advanced compliance support, such as garnishment management or State Unemployment Insurance.” “Switch your payroll & HR before November 26th and get up to 6 months FREE!* *See terms & conditions Get Pricing Small Business Payroll Overview Payroll Packages Switching to ADP Payroll for One See our self-led demo to see how easy payroll and HR can be.”
  18. ADP (Apple App Store listing) apps.apple.com/us/app/adp-run/id388928133“the RUN Powered by ADP® payroll mobile app is built for the way your small business works. Here are some of the features available at your fingertips—wherever your day takes you. • Start payroll with a tap • Avoid payroll mistakes with error detection powered by AI”
  19. Wave support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030007911-Understand-Wave-s-payroll-subscription“Wave’s payroll feature is only available on web browsers.”
  20. Paychex paychex.com/payroll/compare-payroll-solutions“Basic Essential Payroll & HR Request Pricing Foundations AI & HR Features Best Value Request Pricing Advanced Enhanced Service Needs Request Pricing Complete Premium Services Request Pricing”
  21. Square squareup.com/us/en/payroll/small-business“Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or long-term commitments.”
  22. Rippling rippling.com/solutions/small-businesses“Starting at $8 per user per month ... Plus, a $40 per month base fee. Contact us today to get a free quote.” “Rippling's small business plans start at $8 per user per month for payroll. The final cost depends on which other products you add, such as benefits administration, time and attendance, or IT device management.”
  23. Intuit quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/one-employee“Free trial applies to the monthly base price for the first thirty (30) days of new subscriptions to QuickBooks Online and/or Workforce.”
  24. Gusto gusto.com/product
  25. Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/payroll
  26. Paychex pages.paychex.com/intuit.html
  27. Square squareup.com/help/us/en/article/6299-sync-square-payroll-with-quickbooks-online
  28. ADP support.adp.com/adp_payroll/content/hybrid/GL/RUN_GL_Guide_QBO.pdf
  29. OnPay onpay.com/app-directory
  30. Paycor marketplace.paycor.com/en-US/apps/462836/quickbooks
  31. Netchex netchex.com/quickbooks
  32. Rippling rippling.com/app-shop/app/quickbooks-online

Vendor? Reach buyers comparing Gusto