Gusto’s payroll software does more than help you pay your employees; it also offers essential HR features that small business owners need, including employee benefits, hiring, onboarding, employee management tools, time and attendance tracking, reporting, and the ability to integrate with other business and productivity apps. The best Gusto alternatives provide the same features with pricing that matches a range of budgets.
While Gusto is an excellent choice for any small business owner who needs payroll and HR services in one package, there are some great Gusto competitors and alternatives that offer similar services and additional features. We analyzed the top payroll software companies and chose the nine best Gusto alternatives for 2023.
The nine top Gusto alternatives in 2023 are:
- Square Payroll: Overall Best Gusto Alternative
- ADP Payroll: Best Gusto Alternative for Comprehensive Features
- Intuit Online Payroll: Best Gusto Alternative for Accounting Integrations
- Paychex: Best Gusto Alternative for Analytics & Reporting
- Zenefits: Best Gusto Alternative for HR
- Justworks: Best Gusto Alternative for Insurance Options
- Paylocity: Best Gusto Alternative for More Integrations
- OnPay: Best Gusto Alternative With Competitive Pricing
- Rippling: Best Gusto Alternative With a Great Mobile App
Gusto vs. Alternatives
| Price | HR Features | Time Tracking Tools | Reporting | |
| Gusto | Plans start at $46/month (contractor-only plans are $6/month per contractor) | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Square Payroll | Plans start at $41/month (contractor-only plans are $6/month per contractor) | ✔️ (as add-ons) | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| ADP Payroll | The first three months are free then pricing depends on the plan you choose | ✔️ | ✔️(as an add-on) | ✔️ |
| Intuit Online Payroll | 30-day free trial, or you can buy now and get 50% off your first three months. Plans start at $45/month plus $5/month per employee | ✔️ (as an add-on) | ✔️ (as an add-on and with higher-tier plans) | ✔️ |
| Paychex | Starts at $39/month, plus $5/month per employee | ✔️ | ✔️(as an add-on) | ✔️ |
| Zenefits | Plans start at $8/month per employee when billed annually, plus $6/month per employee for payroll | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Justworks | Plans start at $59/month per employee for your first 49 employees, then $49/month per employee for your 50th employee up | ✔️ | ✔️(as an add-on) | ✔️ |
| Paylocity | Custom pricing | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| OnPay | The first month is free, then plans start at $40/month, plus $6/month per employee | ✔️ | ✔️ (integrates with time tracking software) | ✔️ |
| Rippling | Rippling starts at $8/month per user. Custom pricing is available upon request. | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
9 Best Gusto Alternatives
The best Gusto alternatives provide payroll services that offer time tracking, multiple ways to pay employees and contractors, HR features such as onboarding and employee benefits administration, and reporting capabilities so that you can analyze and measure performance.
Take a look at the nine best competitors to Gusto to find the right payroll provider to meet your unique needs.
Square Payroll: Overall Best Gusto Alternative
Benefits
With Square Payroll you can:
- Automatically run payroll
- Track time
- Manage employee benefits
- File payroll taxes
- Track tips and commissions
- Use pay-as-you-go worker’s comp
Square Payroll will mail W-2 and 1099-NEC forms for you, and you can access employee benefits and HR services through its partners, SimplyInsured (a small business health insurance platform) and Mineral (an HR and compliance platform). Employees can clock in and out through Square’s Team app, and you can add-on to your Square Payroll plan to provide employees with health benefits and 401(k) retirement plans.
pros
- Unlimited payroll
- No contract; you can cancel anytime
- Integrates with Square POS and Team Management apps
cons
- Customer support is only available Monday-Friday from 6 AM-6 PM
Plans and Pricing
Square offers two plans; each additional employee or contractor costs $6/month.
Employees and Contractors: This plan starts at $41/month and includes full-service payroll, tax filings and payments, multistate payroll, live support for account setup, timecards, an employee app, and the ability to pay by check, direct deposit, or Cash App.
Contractors only: This plan is $6/month per contractor, and enables you to pay contractors by check, direct deposit, or Cash App.
Add-ons:
HR: Payroll subscribers receive access to HR law alerts, a library of HR compliance resources, and HR document templates, or they can upgrade to HR Manage to access HR experts and an employee handbook generator for an additional $35/month plus $3/team member.
401(k): Square Payroll’s 401(k) employee retirement plans include an integrated 401(k) account, compliance testing, and safe harbor plans (plans that allow for employee contributions where the employee owns the rights to all of their retirement funds), and starts at $49/month plus $8/active participant
Health insurance: Square Payroll partners with SimplyInsured to provide your employees with medical, dental, and vision insurance starting at $190/month.
Workers’ comp: You will need to get a quote from Square Payroll’s partner, Next Insurance, and then connect Next Insurance to Square Payroll to activate workers’ comp services.
ADP Payroll: Best Gusto Alternative for Comprehensive Features
Benefits
ADP Payroll offers comprehensive payroll software designed to suit the needs of small, mid-sized, and enterprise business owners. All of ADP’s payroll plans provide the following:
- Payroll
- 24/7 customer service
- Tax filing
- Reports
- An employee portal
- Multi-jurisdiction payroll
- Payroll delivery, direct deposit, or debit card payment options
ADP’s plans also offer HR services, including employment verification, new hire onboarding, background checks, and access to ADP Marketplace, a digital HR storefront that allows you to purchase HR solutions such as benefits administration and time tracking.
pros
- ADP Payroll can be set up within 24 hours of speaking to a representative
- The General Ledger Interface allows you to easily export journal entries from ADP to your accounting software
- Can run payroll online, by phone, or through ADP’s mobile app
cons
- No transparent pricing
- Time tracking, worker’s comp, and health insurance only available as add-ons
Plans and Pricing
ADP does not provide pricing for its plans on its website. ADP Payroll offers four different payroll and HR packages for businesses of different sizes:
Essential: This plan offers payroll, 24/7 customer service, tax filing, reports, an employee portal, multi-jurisdiction payroll, payroll delivery, direct deposit, or debit card payment options. Its HR features include employment verification, onboarding, background checks, and access to ADP Marketplace.
Enhanced: The Enhanced plan includes everything in the Essential plan, plus check signing, labor law poster compliance, State Unemployment Insurance (SUI) management, a wage garnishment service, and the ability to post jobs on ZipRecruiter.
Complete Payroll and HR Plus: This plan includes everything in the Enhanced plan, as well as access to live HR support, an employee handbook generator, salary benchmark data, and HR training, tracking, forms, and toolkits.
HR Pro: HR Pro includes everything in the Complete Payroll and HR Plus plan, as well as applicant tracking and learning management systems, an employee assistance program, business marketing tools, legal assistance, and enhanced HR support.
Intuit Online Payroll: Best Gusto Alternative for Accounting Integrations
Benefits
Businesses that have a lot of employees need payroll software that can integrate with their accounting software, which is where Intuit Online Payroll shines. Intuit Online Payroll offers full-service payroll with automated tax filings and payments, payroll reports, employee time and GPS tracking, and professional HR advice. You can integrate with QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop to access a full suite of accounting services, including income and expense tracking, receipt capture, invoicing, and more.
pros
- 24/7 chat support
- Payroll Elite plan helps you resolve tax penalty issues and will reimburse you the cost of the penalty and any interest cost (up to $25,000/year)
- Ability to create and e-file 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC forms (forms for people you have paid and for nonemployees you have paid)
cons
- HR support only included in higher-tier plans
- Can only get help with payroll setup with higher-tier plans
Plans and Pricing
Intuit Online Payroll provides small business owners with automated payroll and HR services in packages designed to fit a range of budgets. You can either try Intuit Online Payroll for free for 30 days or receive 50% off for your first three months. Intuit Online Payroll offers standalone payroll plans and plans integrated with QuickBooks’ accounting services.
Like Square Payroll, Intuit Online Payroll offers employee health benefits, 401(k) plans, and worker’s comp services for an additional fee through third-party providers.
Payroll Only
Core: This plan includes automatic payroll, tax filing and payments, and next-day direct deposit, and starts at $45/month plus $5/month per employee.
Premium: The Premium plan includes everything in the Core plan, plus mobile time tracking, professional HR support, and an expert review of your payroll setup, and starts at $75/month plus $8/month per employee.
Elite: This plan includes everything in the Premium plan, plus project management and tax penalty protection, and starts at $125/month plus $10/month per employee.
Payroll Plus QuickBooks Accounting
Core + Simple Start: This plan includes income and expense tracking, receipt capture, invoicing, mileage tracking, reporting, and one sales channel, and starts at $75/month plus $5/month per employee.
Core + Essentials: This plan includes everything in the Payroll Core + Simple Start plan as well as time entry, bill management, three sales channels, and three users, and starts at $100/month plus $5/month per employee.
Premium + Plus: The Premium + Plus plan includes everything in the Payroll Core + Essentials plan and five users, project profitability and inventory tracking, and the ability to connect all sales channels, and starts at $160/month plus $8/month per employee.
Enhanced Payroll for QuickBooks Desktop: $50/month plus $5/month per employee, or $500/year plus $5/month per employee when billed annually.
Paychex: Best Gusto Alternative for Analytics & Reporting
Benefits
Paychex is one of the best Gusto competitors for analytics and reporting. It offers over 160 reports and the ability to create customized reports to dive deep into your company’s performance. Paychex offers HR, benefits, and payroll services (including payroll tax services) suited for small, mid-size, and enterprise businesses.
pros
- Multiple payment options available, including paper checks, direct deposit, and pay cards
- 24/7 customer support
- Can integrate with hundreds of accounting software
cons
- No transparent pricing for higher-tier plans
- It can take at least two days to switch payroll providers
Plans and Pricing
Paychex Flex Essentials payroll plan starts at $39/month, plus $5/month per employee. Customized pricing for higher-tier Paychex Flex payroll plans is available upon request. 401(k), business insurance, and employee health benefits are available as add-ons.
Essentials: This plan is designed for businesses with 1-19 employees and includes payroll processing, payroll tax filing and payment, automatic wage garnishment service, an employee self-service portal, employee onboarding, access to an HR library, new hire reporting, and labor law posters.
Select: This plan includes everything in the Essentials plan (except the wage garnishment service) plus access to a learning management system.
Pro: The Pro Plan includes everything in the Essentials and Select plans, plus a general ledger service, an employee handbook builder, pre-employment screening, SUI and worker’s comp services, and the ability to integrate with accounting software.
Zenefits: Best Gusto Alternative for HR
Benefits
Zenefits is a great choice if you need a comprehensive payroll provider that also offers HR services. With Zenefits you get unlimited payruns, automatic payroll tax filing, time tracking, recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and HR administration.
pros
- The analytics dashboard helps you identify areas that need improvement
- Payroll integrates with popular business and productivity apps
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance available in 49 states
cons
- No ability to customize data points for the lowest-tier plan
- Have to pay an additional fee if you use your own broker for employee benefits
Plans and Pricing
You can save money when you pay for plans annually. Enterprise businesses can contact Zenefits’ sales team to get customized pricing.
Essentials: The Essentials plan includes automated onboarding, employee management, time off tracking, scheduling, integrations, a mobile app, and an analytics dashboard. This plan starts at $8/month per employee.
Growth: This plan includes everything in the Essentials plan plus customizable analytics and compensation and performance management tools. The Growth plan starts at $16/month per employee.
Zen: The Zen plan includes everything in the Growth plan and employee engagement surveys and access to People Hub, a company communications system. The Zen plan starts at $21/month per employee.
Add-ons
Payroll: $6/month per employee
HR Services: $8/month per employee
Benefits Admin Using Your Own Broker: $5/month per employee
Recruiting: Starts at $35/month
Justworks: Best Gusto Alternative for Insurance Options
Benefits
Business owners who want a payroll service that provides insurance options for their employees will do well with Justworks. Justworks offers Professional Employer Organization (PEO) plans with access to worker’s comp, life, disability, medical, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and extras such as fitness memberships and health and wellness perks. Justworks’ PEO plans include payroll tax filing, vendor payments, employee onboarding, reporting, HR consulting, and paid time off (PTO) tracking.
pros
- 24/7 customer support
- Accounting software integrations
- Time tracking tool includes geofencing (the ability to virtually track when employees enter or exit a work location)
cons
- Part-time employees are not eligible for benefits
Plans and Pricing
Justworks bills for each active employee on the second payroll of the month. Pricing for part-time employees is $59/month per employee for companies with up to 49 employees, or $49/month per employee for companies with 50 or more employees. You can add Justworks’ time tracking tool, Justworks Hours, to any plan for $8/month per user.
Basic: This plan includes payroll, HR, and compliance tools, as well as access to workers’ comp, life and disability insurance, and 401(k) retirement plans. The Basic plan is $59/month per employee for your first 49 employees, then $49/month per employee for your 50th employee and up.
Plus: This plan includes everything in the Basic plan, plus access to medical, dental, and vision insurance. The Plus plan is $99/month per employee for your first 49 employees, then $89/month per employee for your 50th employee and up.
Paylocity: Best Gusto Alternative for More Integrations
Benefits
One of the perks of using Paylocity as your payroll provider is that it enables you to integrate with hundreds of accounting, HR, and productivity apps through the Paylocity Marketplace. Paylocity offers multiple business software solutions, including payroll, HR, workforce, talent, and benefits management, employee experience, and an all-in-one human resources information system (HRIS) that includes everything you need to manage your workforce.
pros
- The On Demand payment feature enables employees to access a portion of their earned wages before payday
- Automatic payroll audits help ensure accuracy
- Resource library and product training courses are available on the website
cons
- No transparent pricing
Plans and Pricing
Paylocity charges the same rate per employee no matter the size of your workforce. Custom pricing is available upon request. Paylocity offers multiple software options, including:
Payroll: This software includes automated global payroll, payroll tax filing, multiple payment options, and wage garnishment services.
HR: The HR software includes compliance training, document management, and HR consulting services.
Workforce management: This software includes time and attendance tracking.
Talent management: This software includes onboarding and over 600 classes.
Benefits management: The benefits management software includes benefits administration, compliance tracking, and analytics.
Employee experience: This software includes a communications hub and employee surveys.
HRIS: Paylocity’s HRIS software includes over 350 integrations, a mobile app, and reports and analytics.
OnPay: Best Gusto Alternative With Competitive Pricing
Benefits
OnPay is an excellent payroll provider option for business owners on a budget. It provides full-service payroll and HR software in one cost-effective package. OnPay includes the following features:
- Unlimited payruns
- Payroll tax filings and payments
- Employee and contractor payments
- Multistate payroll
- Wage garnishment and unemployment services
- Integration with accounting and business apps
- HR tools
- PTO management
- Employee benefits,
- Worker’s comp
pros
- Online calculator helps determine your payroll costs
- Only billed for active workers
- Available in all 50 states
cons
- The employer is responsible for service fees and premiums for health, retirement, and worker’s comp policies
Plans and Pricing
OnPay’s first month and setup are free, then plans start at $40/month plus $6/month per employee.
Rippling: Best Gusto Alternative With a Great Mobile App
Benefits
Rippling offers workforce management software that includes HR tools, global payroll, and app integration services for businesses of all sizes. Its mobile app allows employees to view pay stubs and find their coworker’s contact info and enables you to manage time-off requests and manage expenses on the go.
pros
- Ability to run payroll in 90 seconds
- 100% error-free payroll guarantee
- Learning management software helps simplify the employee-training process
cons
- Extensive pricing information is not available on the website
Plans and Pricing
Rippling starts at $8/month per user. Custom pricing is available upon request.
How We Evaluated Gusto Alternatives
We looked for highly-rated companies like Gusto that provide exceptional payroll services, including:
- Automatic payroll
- Multiple ways to pay employees
- Payroll tax filing, time tracking
- Reporting capabilities
We chose payroll providers that offer additional features that small and growing businesses need, including:
- HR services
- Accounting software integration
- Employee benefits
- Analysis and reporting tools
