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.
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Gusto alternatives, closest first
Patriot PayrollSimilarity 75
Paychex FlexSimilarity 73
Square PayrollSimilarity 70
Alternatives by reason for switching
Lower published price
$162 a month at 25 employees vs $199 for Gusto.
$37/mo + $5/employee/mo (Full Service Payroll plan)1
More native integrations
Built for larger companies
Built for mid-sized companies
Serves mid-sized companies; Gusto does not list them among the sizes it serves.
Small businesses, mid-market companies4
Free trial
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.

Patriot Payroll
vs Gusto: From $162 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 8.7 vs 8.1.
Patriot Payroll vs GustoPatriot Payroll plans and prices
Similarity75 of 100From $37/mo + $5/employee/mo (Full Service Payroll plan)1

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.
Gusto vs Paychex FlexWhat Paychex Flex costs
Similarity73 of 100From $39/mo + $5/employee/mo (up to 19 employees)6

Square Payroll
vs Gusto: From $185 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 7.7 vs 8.1.
Square Payroll vs GustoSquare Payroll pricing
Similarity70 of 100From $35/mo + $6/employee/mo7

SurePayroll
vs Gusto: From $204 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 4.9 vs 8.1.
SurePayroll vs GustoSurePayroll plans and prices
Similarity70 of 100From $29/mo + $7/employee/mo (Full Service plan)8

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.
Gusto vs ADP RUN Powered by ADPADP RUN Powered by ADP plans and prices
Similarity68 of 100
OnPay
vs Gusto: Same starting price as Gusto: from $199 a month at 25 employees. Payroll Software score 7.6 vs 8.1.
OnPay vs GustoWhat OnPay costs
Similarity65 of 100From $49/mo + $6/employee/mo (Payroll Essentials plan)9

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 100From $40/mo + $6/employee/mo10

QuickBooks Payroll
vs Gusto: From $225 vs $199 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 8.5 vs 8.1.
QuickBooks Payroll vs GustoQuickBooks Payroll pricing
Similarity55 of 100From $50/mo + $7/employee/mo11

Paycor
vs Gusto: Paycor: quote-only; Gusto: from $49/mo + $6/employee. Payroll Software score 6.3 vs 8.1.
Similarity39 of 100
Netchex
vs Gusto: Netchex: quote-only; Gusto: from $49/mo + $6/employee. Payroll Software score 4.8 vs 8.1.
Netchex vs GustoWhat Netchex costs
Similarity35 of 100
Why buyers look beyond Gusto
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
| Product | Score | Starting price per employee | Starting base fee | Pricing model | Free trial | Mobile apps | Automatic tax filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | $6/employee/mo | $49/mo | Base fee + per employee | No | iOS (Gusto Mobile), Android (Gusto Mobile) | Yes | |
Patriot Payroll1 | 8.7 | $5/employee/mo | $37/mo | Base fee + per employee | Yes | Mobile web (no app to install) | Yes |
Paychex Flex6,14,15 | 7.2 | $5/employee/mo (under 20 employees) | $39/mo (under 20 employees) | Base fee + per employee | Not verified | Paychex Flex app (iOS), Paychex Flex app (Android), Paychex Flex Time Kiosk app | Yes |
Square Payroll7 | 7.7 | $6/employee/mo | $35/mo | Base fee + per employee | Not verified | Square Team App | Yes |
SurePayroll8,16 | 4.9 | $7/employee/mo | $29/mo | Base fee + per employee | No | Yes | Yes |
ADP RUN Powered by ADP17,18 | 5.1 | Not verified | Not verified | Quote only | No | RUN Powered by ADP app (iOS), RUN Powered by ADP app (Android) | Yes |
OnPay5,9 | 7.6 | $6/employee/mo | $49/mo | Base fee + per employee | Yes | Not verified | Yes |
Wave Payroll10,19 | Not scored | $6/employee/mo | $40/mo | Base fee + per employee | Yes | Web browser only (payroll is not in the Wave mobile app) | Yes |
Not verified = we have no sourced value for it yet.
Gusto comparisons
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
- 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.”
- Rippling rippling.com/products/it“650+ integrations with your favorite apps”
- Paycor paycor.com/plans-pricing“50-1000 EMPLOYEES”
- 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.”
- OnPay onpay.com“Get one month free”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- SurePayroll (Paychex) surepayroll.com/payroll“Pay employees in minutes, easily access reports, and get payroll taxes filed and deposited automatically.” “Billed monthly. Cancel anytime.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 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”
- 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).”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Paychex paychex.com/payroll“We automatically calculate, file, and pay your payroll taxes for you.”
- SurePayroll (Paychex) surepayroll.com/pricing“During your first 12 months with SurePayroll, every alternating month will be free.” “Mobile app for employers and employees”
- 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.”
- 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”
- Wave support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030007911-Understand-Wave-s-payroll-subscription“Wave’s payroll feature is only available on web browsers.”
- 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”
- Square squareup.com/us/en/payroll/small-business“Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or long-term commitments.”
- 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.”
- 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.”
- Gusto gusto.com/product
- Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/payroll
- Paychex pages.paychex.com/intuit.html
- Square squareup.com/help/us/en/article/6299-sync-square-payroll-with-quickbooks-online
- ADP support.adp.com/adp_payroll/content/hybrid/GL/RUN_GL_Guide_QBO.pdf
- OnPay onpay.com/app-directory
- Paycor marketplace.paycor.com/en-US/apps/462836/quickbooks
- Netchex netchex.com/quickbooks
- Rippling rippling.com/app-shop/app/quickbooks-online
Vendor? Reach buyers comparing Gusto


