5 best Gusto competitors in 2024

Melanie Lockert

BLUEPRINT

Updated 6:54 a.m. UTC July 1, 2024

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Gusto is a popular tech-forward payroll software solution. The company offers unlimited payroll runs in all of its plans and tax registration in all 50 states is available as an add-on feature. In addition, Gusto calculates and files payroll taxes to local, state and federal agencies, making it an attractive option for time-strapped businesses. It also offers employee benefits, custom reporting and tools to manage teams, even dispersed ones.

Though Gusto has a large feature set, there are other payroll software options to consider if you’re on a budget or want more robust services. In this guide, we introduce you to Gusto’s top competitors and discuss how their offerings compare.

We’ve reviewed the best payroll software options on the market based on features, cost, usability, user reviews and customer support. Here are some top Gusto competitors and alternatives to look into and why each company stands out.

Featured payroll software offers

OnPay

Learn More

Via OnPay’s website

Monthly fee

$40 per month plus $6 per employee

Direct deposit

Yes

SurePayroll

Learn More

Via SurePayroll’s website

Monthly fee

$29.99 per month plus $5 per employee

Direct deposit

Yes

Gusto

Learn More

Via Gusto’s website

Monthly fee

Starting at $40 plus $6 per month per employee

Direct deposit

Yes

Rippling

Learn More

Via Rippling’s website

Monthly fee

$35 per month + $8 per user

Direct deposit

Yes

Best Gusto competitors and alternatives

Rippling: Best overall.
Patriot Software: Best for brands on a budget.
Workful: Best for payroll with HR services.
OnPay: Best flat-fee service with expert support.
Roll by ADP: Best mobile payroll solution.

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40 hours of product testing.
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Via Rippling's website

What you should know

On our best payroll software list, Rippling takes the top spot as the best overall option. Its prices start at $8 per month per user. The company offers many of the same perks as Gusto but has a wide range of additional services to choose from.

For example, Rippling professional employer organization (PEO) services, provides access to large group health plans and the option to outsource benefits administration and HR processes. It also includes access to HR advisors and compliance tools. For large businesses needing a high-level of support, Rippling may be a better option compared to Gusto.

Pros and cons

Pros

Rippling’s flexibility and customization make it great for global employers.
Users say it’s easy to use, and you can onboard new employees in 90 seconds.
Rippling integrates with over 500 third-party apps like QuickBooks and Xero.

Cons

You’ll have to talk to their team and get a personalized pricing plan.
Customer support isn’t available 24/7.
It isn’t the most cost-effective for payroll on its own, and there’s no free trial.

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What you should know

Patriot Software costs $17 per month plus $4 per employee per month and offers direct deposit and tax compliance capabilities. As an add-on feature, time tracking is available for $6 per month plus $2 per employee per month. Notably, Patriot Software doesn’t offer benefits administration like Gusto does.

For companies on a limited budget that only need a payroll software solution, Patriot Software is a solid alternative to Gusto. Additionally, it offers a 30-day free trial so you can assess whether it meets your business needs before buying.

Pros and cons

Pros

Affordable, with a full service plan at only $37 a month.
Unlimited payroll runs and users.
Excellent customer service.

Cons

Limited features for HR, reporting and benefits.
Time tracking add-on costs extra.
Limited integration capabilities.

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What you should know

If you’re looking for more human resources support and tools, Workful is best for payroll with HR services. Its software is slightly more affordable than Gusto at $35 per month plus $6 per person per month. Workful offers direct deposit as well as time tracking tools that can calculate PTO, overtime and time accrual.

What’s great about Workful is that you get payroll services and time tracking, employee management and onboarding tools for one more affordable price than Gusto. Employees can clock in using the Workful smartphone app. In addition, you get HR and team management tools such as the ability to manage time-off requests, manager roles, an employee portal, a document warehouse and employee onboarding tools, all for a monthly price that’s less than Gusto’s.

Time tracking and project tracking are only available in Gusto’s Plus and Premium plans. And, though it does offer a Time Kiosk that can transform a device into a clock-in tool,it is an add-on feature offered in the Plus plan for $4 per month. However, it is included for no additional charge in the Premium plan but isn’t available at all in Gusto’s Simple plan.

Pros and cons

Pros

Full suite of HR tools.
Unlimited payroll runs.
Time and expense tracking.

Cons

No multi-currency support.
Only integrates with one third-party application.
No benefits administration tools.

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Learn More

Via OnPay's website

What you should know

OnPay’s standard pricing is the same as Gusto’s Simple plan — $40 per month plus $6 per person per month. However, OnPay offers a single price for all features and the first month for free.

Both companies offer unlimited payroll runs and have HR tools available. What makes OnPay shine is that the HR tools are included in its one plan, whereas many of Gusto’s HR tools are only available in its most expensive packages.

In addition, OnPay stands out for its solid customer support. It offers free account migrations, a feature that is only included in Gusto’s Premium plan. It also offers help setting up integrations and weekday and weekend support. You can contact the company by phone, chat and email during the week and by email for emergency weekend needs. Gusto does not offer weekend support and does not offer phone support in its lowest tier plan at all.

Pros and cons

Pros

One flat-fee plan for all features.
Includes industry-specific payroll features.
End-to-end customer service and free account migration.

Cons

Only available in the United States.
No automated payroll processing.
No 24/7 live chat support.

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Learn More

Via ADP's website

What you should know

Another Gusto competitor with more affordable pricing is Roll by ADP. It costs $29 per month plus $5 per employee per month. The company also offers three months for free and includes unlimited payroll runs and same-day and next-day direct deposit options. Gusto only offers next-day direct deposit in its Plus and Premium plans.

Roll by ADP uniquely uses AI and text via a chat interface to help you streamline the payroll process. You can install the app and use it to onboard yourself and manage payroll easily and quickly from anywhere. Small field-service businesses looking for a mobile-friendly payroll option may consider Roll by ADP a good alternative to Gusto.

However, Roll by ADP lacks time tracking and benefits administration tools, so if you need those capabilities, Gusto or another competitor such as Workful may be a better option.

Pros and cons

Pros

Robustly-featured mobile app.
Three-month free trial.
Automated tax filings and deposits.
24/7 customer support.

Cons

No timekeeping feature.
No PTO tracking.
No benefits administration tools.

Yes

Top Gusto competitors overview

	BASE COST	DIRECT DEPOSIT	TIME TRACKING	TAX COMPLIANCE	BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION	LEARN MORE
Gusto	$40 per month, plus $6 per person per month	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Gusto review
Rippling	$8 per month per user	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Rippling review
Patriot Software	$17 per month, plus $4 per person per month	Yes	Yes, as an add-on at $6 per month, plus $2 per person	Yes	No	Patriot Software review
Workful	$35 per month, plus $6 per person per month	Yes	Yes	Limited	No	Workful review
OnPay	$40 per month, plus $6 per person per month	Yes	By integration only	Yes	Yes	OnPay review
Roll by ADP	$29 per month, plus $5 per person per month	Yes	No	Yes	No	Roll by ADP review

Methodology

We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.

We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the best payroll software.

Gusto has three plans available at varying price points. The lowest Simple tier costs $40 per month and $6 per person per month. Its mid-tier Plus plan costs double that at $80 per month and $12 per person. Its Premium plan is designed for larger teams and requires a call to Gusto’s sales team to get exclusive pricing.

Though the software offers direct deposit, time tracking, tax compliance and benefits administration capabilities, the plan that includes all these features is not the most affordable option. Gusto’s competitors, including Rippling and Patriot Software, offer similar benefits at lower price points.

How to choose a Gusto competitor

Whether you’re a new business or a well-seasoned one, it’s crucial to find systems that help you focus on your business and streamline processes. Getting a payroll service provider is oftentimes a smart way to do that.

“In my opinion, a payroll service is a requirement for any business. Payroll services ensure that taxes are paid on time to the IRS and the state, which keeps businesses and business owners out of tax trouble,” says Gary Massey, CPA and the founder and managing director of Massey and Company CPA. “The pros of Gusto is that it is very affordable and provides an easy-to-use interface. The con of Gusto is that hand holding is somewhat limited.”

Gusto provides a straightforward system that can be attractive for businesses, employees and contractors alike. But a Gusto competitor might offer more of what you’re looking for and help fill some gaps.

To find the best Gusto competitor, first consider your company needs, then compare those needs to the provider’s offerings. Finally, use a demo or free trial to test out your preferred software and ensure a good fit before you buy.

1. Consider your company needs

Before reviewing other options, answer these questions:

How many employees or contractors are you working with?
How often do you need to run payroll?
How do you pay your employees (direct deposit or physical check, for example)?
Do you need benefits administration support?
What integrations are most useful for your business?
What’s your budget for a payroll service?
Do you or your employees need payroll or HR access via a mobile app?
How much customer support do you need?

The answers to these questions can guide you as you evaluate the right payroll software option for you.

2. Compare competitor offerings against your needs

To choose a Gusto competitor, review the following:

Price: Some payroll software offer a large feature set at higher prices. Others, like Patriot, offer a low monthly price for strictly payroll software. Compare your budget against your preferred feature set to come up with the perfect balance.
Payroll features: What features are you looking for? You might prioritize quick direct deposit, for example, as well as unlimited payroll runs. Then, using the answers to the above questions to inform needed features, look into available integrations, tax compliance tools, PTO management tools and automated tax filing capabilities.
HR tools: Some Gusto competitors offer robust HR tools in addition to payroll features while others may be limited. For example, Workful offers HR software to help onboard new employees, manage time off, track time and store employee documents. On the other hand, Roll by ADP has limited HR options and lacks benefits administration and time tracking tools.
Benefits administration: While some payroll software stick to only payroll tools, some offer more robust benefits administration capabilities than Gusto. For example, while Gusto offers benefits administration tools to be managed in-house, Rippling is a full PEO, meaning you can outsource your benefits administration needs altogether.
Customer reviews: See what customers have to say about the user experience and the provider’s benefits and drawbacks. To do so, access the provider’s listing on user review sites like Trustpilot, Capterra and G2. And, don’t take one reviewer’s word as truth. Read a few reviews from each site to discover trends in overall sentiments.
Support: Payroll software services offer varying levels of customer support. Inquire about the types of support channels the provider offers, the level of support offered in each plan, when support is available during the week and if the provider offers any weekend support.

3. Try out the software

Most Gusto competitors offer some avenue for trying out the software before buying. Take advantage of these trial runs to ensure the software is a practical fit for your team and its needs. For example, Patriot Software and Workful both offer 30-day free trials. Others offer free demos. Rippling’s free live demo allows you to explore the software, see it at work and ask questions.

When should you look for Gusto alternatives?

Gusto provides a range of options for businesses, with different features by plan. But there are some instances where it may make sense to look for Gusto alternatives. They include when:

You have a large company. Many of Gusto’s advanced features are in its Plus and Premium plans. The Plus plan is $80 per month plus $12 per person per month and the Premium option requires you to get a quote, so there’s no way to know the cost until you contact them. If you have a large company and want access to extra features, such as the ability to run payroll in multiple states at one low price, compare Gusto’s rates alongside Gusto competitors. You may find a more affordable option elsewhere.
You only need payroll services. If you’re simply looking for a payroll software solution, you probably don’t need all the extra features that Gusto offers. If you only need payroll support, Roll by ADP or Patriot Software may be preferable.
You’re on a budget. Businesses have different budgets and yours might be limited, especially if you’re just launching your business. Some Gusto competitors offer similar payroll features at a lower price point, such as Patriot Software or Workful.
You need more comprehensive support. If you need higher level options and support, consider Gusto competitors. For example, if you need PEO services, Rippling may be preferable. OnPay also offers robust support options during the week and emergency weekend support as needed, a support level that far surpasses the support options offered in Gusto’s first- and second-tier plans.

In contrast, Zenefits offers time tracking and scheduling features especially suitable for managing shift workers. In addition, it offers unlimited payroll runs and its benefits administration features are available in all 50 states, making it a great fit for franchise businesses like restaurants that primarily employ shift workers.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Melanie Lockert

BLUEPRINT

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, "Dear Debt." Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. Her work has appeared on Allure, Business Insider, Credit Karma, Fortune, and more. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat and host of the Mental Health and Wealth show podcast. She lives in Los Angeles and enjoys jazz music, traveling, coffee, and spending time with her two cats and partner.

Alana Rudder

BLUEPRINT

Alana is the deputy editor for USA Today Blueprint's small business team. She has served as a technology and marketing SME for countless businesses, from startups to leading tech firms — including Adobe and Workfusion. She has zealously shared her expertise with small businesses — including via Forbes Advisor and Fit Small Business — to help them compete for market share. She covers technologies pertaining to payroll and payment processing, online security, customer relationship management, accounting, human resources, marketing, project management, resource planning, customer data management and how small businesses can use process automation, AI and ML to more easily meet their goals. Alana has an MBA from Excelsior University.