Gusto is an excellent payroll software for small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. Starting at $45 per month, per employee, it offers a wide range of payroll and HR functions. However, it’s not for everyone. If you are not in a state it services, need more HR functions, or have tried Gusto and want something different, check out our top seven Gusto competitors.
Gusto Alternatives for Small Businesses
Payroll Provider | Best for |
---|---|
(Best Overall) For small businesses | |
Online and on-location retailers and restaurants, especially those using Square POS | |
Companies that prioritize user-friendliness over other payroll software attributes | |
Businesses that primarily need strong onboarding and offboarding support along with an integrated way to pay its workers | |
Businesses needing cheap but popular payroll options to pay a small number of employees | |
Small businesses needing payroll plus a few HR support options | |
Small to enterprise businesses needing a full-service solution that can grow with them |
How We Chose the Best 7 Gusto Alternatives
We considered many good payroll services, looking at how they competed with Gusto. We then evaluated the 11 best for running payroll and HR services that are most important to small businesses, scoring them according to the criteria below. Finally, we chose the top seven ranking software to help you decide which payroll software is best for your business. Overall, for features and customer satisfaction, QuickBooks Payroll is the best Gusto alternative.
30% of Overall Score
In addition to the price per employee, we looked at setup fees. We also favored those that allowed unlimited pay runs.
25% of Overall Score
We looked for convenience features like automatic pay runs, tax filing, and the ability to pay contractors and employees. We also considered specific needs such as tip planning.
20% of Overall Score
Payroll software should be easy to use. We looked for features and support, plus considered user comments on the learning curve and day-to-day operations.
10% of Overall Score
The best payroll software includes at least simple HR features, such as onboarding, self-service portals, and benefits. We also favored companies with advisors on hand to help with legal compliance issues.
10% of Overall Score
Software reviews show reviews from real users and can be a maximum of 5 stars. We average review ratings from G2, Capterra, and Software Advice that are also based on a 5-star scale; any option with an average of 4+ stars is ideal. We also favored software with 1,000+ reviews on any third-party site.
5% of Overall Score
In addition to the number of payroll reports, we considered whether they are customizable or if you could create special reports to your specific needs.
QuickBooks Payroll
PROS
- Same- and next-day direct deposit
- Integrates with QuickBooks and QuickBooks Desktop
- Self-service onboarding
- Preps and files year-end reports
CONS
- Does not work with QuickBooks Mac
- Few integrations outside of Intuit software
- No special contractor plan
- Does not handle local taxes
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Features | 3.88 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 4 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payroll Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
QuickBooks Payroll is a great payroll software for small businesses, even more so since many use QuickBooks for accounting. With seamless integration with the PC or online version of QuickBooks accounting, it can handle most payroll functions from onboarding to tax preparation. Plus, it has same-day or next-day direct deposit to get employees paid promptly. While it does not handle local taxes or pay-on-demand like Gusto, it does have a better help and support system.
QuickBooks Payroll Pricing
- Core Plan: $45 monthly plus $4 monthly per person
- Premium Plan: $75 monthly plus $8 monthly per person
- Elite Plan: $125 monthly plus $10 monthly per person
Other QuickBooks Payroll Features
- Runs and processes payroll for you
- Direct deposit and manual check options
- Files and pays payroll taxes with all plans
- Penalty-free guarantee if a rep makes a mistake; guarantee covers your mistakes under premium plans
- Generates new hire reporting forms
- Health insurance options are available
- Time tracking is provided with premium plans
Square Payroll
PROS
- Automatic payroll runs and manual check creation capability
- Integrates with Square POS and provides free time-tracking
- Self-service onboarding
- Preps and files year-end reports
CONS
- Direct deposit takes four days
- Can’t build new reports from scratch
- Phone support requires customer code
- No expert advisers on call
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Features | 4 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 3 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payroll Features | 4.38 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
Square Payroll is a popular payroll system for small retailers and restaurants, especially those already using Square Point-of-Sale. It handles payroll for contractors and employees, calculates taxes and manages benefits, and has free time-tracking, a big bonus for those with hourly workers. However, direct deposit is slower than Gusto and the competitors on our list.
Square Pricing
- Contractors Only Plan: $5 monthly per contractor; Unlimited payments
- Employee and Contractor Plan: $29 monthly plus $5 monthly per person
Other Square Payroll Features
- Processes payroll through mobile app or browser
- Easy-to-use and intuitive interface
- Unlimited pay runs
- Health insurance available in all 50 states
- Pay cards and on-demand pay available
OnPay
PROS
- Easy to use
- Solid customer support via phone
- Integrates with QuickBooks
- Affordable
CONS
- PTO accrual calculations can be confusing
- One pricing plan
- Direct deposit turnaround time is longer than two days
- Charges to distribute year-end tax forms
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Features | 4 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 4 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payroll Features | 4 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 4.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
OnPay is a great Gusto competitor, especially for small businesses with less than 50 employees. The software is easy to use—the features are set up in a pretty logical format—and customer support has proven to be top-notch for many users. You can pay contractors and employees in any state at the same affordable rate, and you don’t have to pay for those who don’t work any hours during the month. Setup and migration are also free.
Onpay Pricing
- $36 monthly + $4 per employee/month
Other OnPay Features
- Runs payroll in all states at same rate
- Files and pays federal, state, and local taxes
- Direct deposit, physical check, and paycard payment options
- Penalty-free guarantee, if OnPay makes the mistake
- Free setup or migration
- PTO management
- COVID-19 reporting tools
- Special features for restaurants, churches, nonprofits, and other niche industries
Rippling
PROS
- Get a fully-featured HR solution as well
- Handles federal, state, and local taxes
- Intuitive interface, easy to use
CONS
- Cannot purchase payroll alone
- No live phone support
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.13 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Features | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 4 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payroll Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 3.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
Rippling’s payroll product comes as an add-on to its HR platform, but it offers an excellent payroll feature set, with automatic tax prep and filing, report customization, and direct deposit payment options. Plus, you’ll benefit from its strong employee management features while still staying within the price of Gusto and its competitors. There is no live phone support, but it does provide live chat and in-app support. In addition, many users praise its responsiveness and quality customer service.
Rippling Pricing
Starts as low as $8 monthly per employee for HR services; payroll must be added on, and the total for both ranges from $12 to $16 monthly per employee.
Other Rippling Features
- Processes payroll, files, and pays taxes
- Automated onboarding and offboarding
- Has a self-service portal for employees
- Files new hire reporting forms with state agencies
- Customizable reports
- Offers health insurance options plus small and large group benefits
- IT device management plan options
For a wider range of payroll options, check out our buyer’s guides on the best payroll services and best payroll software.
Patriot
PROS
- Low cost for contractors and employees
- Can pay with manual checks or direct deposit
- Users praise its features and support
- Integrates with QuickBooks + seamlessly with its own accounting software
CONS
- Direct deposit takes four days
- HR features cost extra
- No special contractor plan
- Limited reporting
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Features | 1.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 3 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payroll Features | 3.63 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
Patriot is a cost-effective payroll software for basic payroll needs. It does not do as well as Gusto for reports or HR features but does provide direct deposit, automated payroll runs, payroll calculations, and tip processing. Users give it high marks and praise its ease-of-use and customer support.
Patriot Pricing
- Basic: $10 monthly plus $4 monthly per person
- Full Service: $30 monthly plus $4 per person
Other Patriot Features
- Option between full-service payroll and to pay taxes yourself
- Can set payroll to run on autopay
- Files new hire reporting forms
SurePayroll
PROS
- Multiple ways to pay employees
- Transparent pricing
- Tax penalty-free guarantee
CONS
- Doesn’t have multiple plan options
- No online onboarding
- No payroll experts
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 4.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Features | 2.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 2.5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 3 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payroll Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
SurePayroll offers both self-service and full-service payroll features that are a fit for small businesses. Unlike Gusto, which limits users to one option. It’s great for paying yourself as a self-employed worker and can grow with you as more employees come onboard. There are optional features you can add on later, like time tracking, two-day payroll processing vs the default four-day, and access to HR resources.
SurePayroll Pricing
- Self-service: $19.99 monthly + $4 per employee/month
- Full-service: $29.99 monthly + $5 per employee/month
Other SurePayroll Features
- Direct deposit, manual check, and paycard options
- Files new hire reporting forms
- Pays and files taxes if you opt for full-service
- Calculates all payroll amounts
- Offers health insurance and other benefit options
Paychex
PROS
- Multiple plan levels and payroll products
- Huge selection of reports, or build your own
- Two-day Direct Deposit
CONS
- Must contact sales for pricing; pricing can increase from year to year
- No manual check creation capability
- Expert advisers cost extra
RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 1.5 | OUT OF | 5 |
HR Features | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Popularity | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Reporting | 5 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Payroll Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
Ease of Use | 4 | OUT OF | 5 |
Paychex is a full-featured payroll system that has different levels and packages to meet the needs of small and growing businesses. It’s the only Gusto competitor that does not list pricing. Its salespeople will make a package based on features—and you can negotiate the price. In addition to paying employees and contractors, it can handle tax administration, onboarding, and workers’ compensation. It’s a popular and well-regarded choice, especially for businesses expecting to grow beyond 100 employees.
Paychex Pricing
- Call for pricing
Other Paychex Features
- Processes payroll
- Self-service portal for employees
- Online onboarding
- In-house insurance options plus a range of other benefits
- Files and pays federal, state, and local taxes
- Add-on options like hiring services, liability insurance options, time and attendance, etc.
Bottom Line
Gusto is an excellent payroll service, but if it’s not for you, there are several other great options. Gusto payroll competitors offer paycheck and direct deposit services, onboarding and employee self-service, tax and benefits calculations, and even HR support. They are competitively-priced as well.
Overall, we found QuickBooks Payroll to be the best Gusto competitor for payroll services, with excellent features for small businesses, like fast direct deposit turnaround and quality payroll tax support. Sign up to get started.
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