Gusto vs SurePayroll: Which Is the Better Payroll Solution for You?
This article is part of a larger series on Payroll Services.
Gusto and SurePayroll are popular payroll processing programs with a lot to offer. However, a closer look reveals significant differences. Gusto is a general-purpose payroll software with greater HR and integration functionality, making it a good choice for nearly all small businesses, although it’s more expensive. SurePayroll, on the other hand, is cheaper and more limited but has some great options for nanny and household payroll. In short:
- Gusto: Best for small businesses needing full-service payroll with solid HR tools
- SurePayroll: Best for startups, household payroll, and companies on a tight budget
If you find neither Gusto nor SurePayroll suitable for your needs and want an HR platform with strong payroll support, we recommend:
- Paychex: Best for solopreneurs and small to large businesses needing flexible HR solutions with dedicated payroll support
Gusto vs SurePayroll Compared
When to Choose Each
Alternatives to Gusto & SurePayroll
While both Gusto and SurePayroll are good options for small businesses, if your company is larger or has more complex HR needs, consider other providers like Paychex or ADP.
Best For | Starter Monthly Pricing | Our Review | |
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Solopreneurs and businesses needing dedicated payroll support | $5 per employee plus a $39 base fee | ||
Growing companies looking for scalable plans | Custom-priced | ||
Tech-heavy companies that want HR, payroll, and IT solutions | $8 per employee plus a $35 base fee* | ||
*Pricing is based on a quote we received
If you want more information about which options to look for when choosing a payroll service, check our guide on finding the right payroll solution for your business.
Most Affordable: SurePayroll
In comparing SurePayroll vs Gusto for pricing, both offer multiple plans with zero setup fees and let you process payroll as many times as you need in a month. Pricing is also fully transparent with payroll subscription costs (for the basic plan) that don’t exceed $1,200 per year for 10 employees. However, we found SurePayroll as the more affordable option of the two, charging only $29.99 plus $5 per employee monthly for full-service payroll (Gusto’s basic plan costs $40 + $6 per employee monthly).
When to Use Gusto
Gusto is more expensive, but also offers more by way of HR assistance, benefits management, and time tracking. Similar to SurePayroll, its prices are all listed on the website, making it easy to calculate and do comparisons. Payroll tax filings are included in its basic plan and multistate tax filings in its higher tiers. SurePayroll, even with its full-tax plan, charges extra for multiple states as well as for local tax filing. This can add up to almost $20 per month in extra fees.
If you only pay contractors, Gusto has a contractor-only payroll plan that includes four-day direct deposits, unlimited pay runs, and 1099-NECs at the end of the year. It even handles new hire reporting—a service that SurePayroll doesn’t offer for contractors.
Best for Pay Processing: Gusto
Payroll Features Score | 4.75 out of 5 | 4.5 out of 5 |
Automatic Pay Runs | ✓ | ✓ |
Multiple Pay Rates and Schedules | ✓ | ✓ |
Payroll Calculations and Tax Deductions | ✓ | ✓ |
Payroll Tax Filings and Year-end Reporting | ✓ | Included in the Full-Service plan, but local tax filings in OH/PA cost extra |
Payment Options | Direct deposit, pay cards, pay on-demand (via Gusto Wallet); check (manual printing only) | Direct deposit, checks (manual printing only) |
Direct Deposit Timelines | Two and four days; next-day option in higher tiers | |
Tip Credits and Wage Garnishments | ✓ | ✓ |
Time Tracking | Included in higher tiers | Add-on or via third-party integration |
Online Paystubs via Self-service Portal | ✓ | ✓ |
As far as basic features go, SurePayroll and Gusto are reasonably close. However, Gusto earned a higher score for pay processing because its starter plan includes payroll tax filings across all levels (federal, state, and local). With SurePayroll, you have to pay extra for local tax filings in Ohio and Pennsylvania even if you get its Full-service plan. Also, Gusto includes time tracking in its higher plans, whereas SurePayroll charges extra for it or requires a third-party integration (which also costs extra).
You can set up multiple pay schedules and even put them on autopilot, such as for salaried workers whose pay never changes. (Source: Gusto Demo)
You get more payment options with Gusto—from direct deposits to manual paychecks and pay cards (via Gusto Wallet). The Gusto Wallet even allows employees to take advantage of financial tools, such as splitting paychecks among different accounts and on-demand pay (getting access to wages as employees earn them rather than having to wait until payday). This is a great option for younger employees who may not have traditional bank accounts.
In addition, you can pay international contractors if you have the international contractor payment add-on. And even if you stop using Gusto, you and your employees get lifetime access to their payroll information.
When to Use SurePayroll
If you have seasonal services where you may not need payroll for a month or more, you can contact SurePayroll about pausing your services while still keeping the information handy for quick reactivation. They charge a minimal fee for this. Gusto does not offer such a service.
Another use case for SurePayroll is household payroll, which Gusto does not cover. SurePayroll offers all the functions of its plans plus helps with benefits and household employee management.
SurePayroll makes it easy to create and approve payroll as well. (Source: SurePayroll Demo)
Further, if you’re always on the go, SurePayroll has a mobile app (for iOS and Android devices) that lets you manage, edit, and approve payrolls. You can even access employee contact information and view payroll totals, payment methods, and reports on earnings, taxes, and deductions. Gusto does not have a downloadable mobile app, although the website is mobile-friendly.
Best for HR Features: Gusto
HR Features Score | 4.75 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
New Hire Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee Self-onboarding | ✓ | ✕ |
Offer Letters | ✓ | ✓ |
HR Forms | ✓ | ✓ |
Health Benefits in All States | 37 states | ✓ |
Workers’ Compensation in All States | ✓ | Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming are not covered |
HR Advisor | Included in highest plan | ✓ |
Other HR Tools |
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Gusto offers more for HR than SurePayroll, although many of its tools are included in the higher-priced plans. When it comes to hiring and onboarding, Gusto is the clear winner as it can post jobs and track applicants. After you’ve selected your new hire, it offers several tools to make those first few days easy—like crafting offer letters and sending them through Gusto. You can also create orientation documents and onboarding checklists that new hires can follow to get started, and even better, allow them to fill out and sign forms online to get things rolling fast.
Gusto walks you through the hiring and onboarding process. (Source: Gusto Demo)
In terms of employee benefits, we had to give this one a little thought because while Gusto offers more benefits itself, its health benefits are not available in Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming (as of this writing). SurePayroll, on the other hand, can broker benefits for all 50 states. Both charge extra for benefits as well. In the end, they seem closely matched.
However, Gusto offers a wide range of both standard and non-standard employee benefits. It offers 529 college savings in addition to health, dental, vision, 401(k), HSA, FSA, and commuter benefits. Finally, your employees who sign up for a Gusto Wallet account get financial management tools and early paycheck access of up to $500 (Gusto Cashout)—something SurePayroll does not offer.
When to Use SurePayroll
Gusto does not provide some HR services like background checks, skills testing, and behavioral assessments for candidates—SurePayroll can, but these tools may cost extra. Household employers who plan to use SurePayroll’s nanny payroll services will find these services handy as they can easily order background checks for new household staff.
SurePayroll may lack the performance review module that Gusto offers in its higher tiers, but its personal development inventories can be used to provide objective criteria for identifying employee strengths and weaknesses. While it also does not have financial tools like Gusto Wallet, SurePayroll can help you purchase general liability, commercial auto, umbrella, BOP, E&O, D&O, and EPLI coverage. It also works through Paychex for health, dental, vision, and other benefits like HSAs. Plus, its 401(k) plans are designed for small businesses.
SurePayroll offers multiple HR documents and forms for download. (Source: SurePayroll video)
Best for Reporting: Tie
Reporting Score | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
Basic Reports | Available | Available |
Report Customizations | ✓ | ✓ |
In comparing Gusto vs SurePayroll for reporting, both providers offer basic payroll reports with customization options. However, Gusto offers more reports mainly because of its additional HR solutions for hiring employees, tracking attendance, managing performance reviews, and running staff surveys.
Best for Ease of Use & Customer Support: Gusto
Ease of Use Score | 4 out of 5 | 3.13 out of 5 |
Learning Curve | Relatively easy | Relatively easy |
Ease of Use | Good | Good |
Setup Wizard | ✓ | ✓ |
FAQs and How-to Guides | ✓ | ✓ |
Third-party Software Integrations |
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Dedicated Representative | Included in highest tier | ✕ |
Customer Support Types | Phone, email, and chat | Phone and chat |
Direct Phone Line for Support | Available in the highest tier; costs extra for the Plus plan | ✕ |
Support Hours | Mondays to Fridays, from 6 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific time | Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Central time Saturdays, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. CT |
Setup with Gusto is easy, and there are online guides or you can ask for assistance. The user interface is bright, clean, and easy to follow. There are a lot of tools, so it can take a little time to learn, but overall, it’s among the easiest to use.
Compared to SurePayroll, it offers stronger online help features and tutorials, as well as advanced training for its partners. Support is available via phone, email, and chat. If you subscribe to its higher tier, you get a dedicated client success manager (CSM) and priority support that includes access to a direct phone line to contact customer service.
It also integrates with several third-party software, allowing you to connect Gusto’s platform with systems that businesses typically use. Some of its partners include ApplicantPro, Asana, Box, Clover, Deputy, FreshBooks, Greenhouse, Homebase, JazzHR, QuickBooks, When I Work, and Xero.
When to Consider SurePayroll
SurePayroll is generally simple to learn and use. Navigating through its features is also fairly easy. While it doesn’t have Gusto’s priority support option with a dedicated CSM, SurePayroll’s customer service team is available weekdays and Saturdays (Gusto only offers weekday support).
Best for User Popularity: Gusto
Popularity Score | 5 out of 5 | 2.5 out of 5 |
User Feedback | Mostly positive | Mostly positive |
Average User Ratings* | 4.35 out of 5 | 4.25 out of 5 |
Average Number of Reviews* | More than 2,100 | Close to 350 |
*Data from third-party review sites (such as G2 and Capterra)
To compare Gusto vs SurePayroll on user popularity, we looked at each providers’ average overall ratings and the number of reviews on third-party review sites like G2 and Capterra. Gusto received perfect marks in this criterion because its average user ratings is 4 and up and its average number of reviews exceeded 1,000. While SurePayroll also earned average user ratings of 4 and up, its number of reviews is significantly smaller (fewer than 500).
What Users Think: Gusto vs SurePayroll
Methodology: How We Evaluated Gusto vs SurePayroll
We evaluated SurePayroll vs Gusto by looking at each provider’s pricing structures, features, and ease of use. We also checked whether HR professionals are available to give expert advice. Customer support was also an important factor, since small business owners may need help navigating through the software.
Click through the tabs below for a more detailed breakdown of our evaluation criteria.
35% of Overall Score
We looked for HR services and functions like online onboarding, state new hire reporting, self-service portals, and a staff of expert advisers. We also gave additional points to software providers offering health insurance available in all 50 states and advanced HR solutions like hiring, compensation, learning, and performance management.
20% of Overall Score
We gave the most credit to solutions that process direct deposits in two days or less, have multiple payment options, handle year-end tax reporting, manage tax payments and filings (federal, state, and local taxes), and offer a penalty-free guarantee.
20% of Overall Score
We looked for features that make the software easy to use, such as having an interface that’s intuitive and customizable. Extra points were given to providers that offer integration options, set-up assistance, live phone support, and a dedicated representative.
15% of Overall Score
We checked to see if the provider has transparent pricing, zero setup fees, and multiple plan options with unlimited pay runs. We also gave additional points to those with plans that cost $1,200 or less per year for 10 employees.
5% of Overall Score
Preference was given to software with built-in basic payroll reports and customization options.
5% of Overall Score
We considered online user reviews and customer service quality trends from popular review sites like G2 and Capterra. Software with an average of 4+ stars and with 1,000 or more reviews on third-party review sites also get higher points.
Bottom Line
In comparing Gusto vs SurePayroll, both have solid features for paying employees and contractors but Gusto generally comes out on top. It offers more HR functions to help you efficiently manage the employee lifecycle—from hiring to retiring. Plus, you are granted access to priority support and a dedicated CSM if you get its highest tier. Unless you are looking for household payroll or need a cheaper option, Gusto is the better choice. Sign up for a Gusto account and take the headache of payroll off your plate.