7 Best Gusto Alternatives: Find the Right Payroll Software for Your Business

Gusto is solid. It's user-friendly, has decent HR features, and works well for small teams. But it's not perfect for everyone. Maybe you need multi-state payroll on a cheaper plan, global contractor payments, or you're just tired of the limitations on the Simple tier.

I've tested these alternatives and talked to business owners who've made the switch. Here's what actually works—and what doesn't—when you're shopping for a Gusto replacement.

Why You Might Want to Leave Gusto

Before diving in, let's be real about Gusto's weaknesses:

• Single-state payroll only on Simple plan — Need to pay employees in multiple states? You're stuck upgrading to Plus ($80/month + $12/employee)
• Limited international support — Gusto can pay international contractors, but it's clunky and costly compared to dedicated global platforms
• Customer service complaints — Users report inconsistent support quality, especially on lower-tier plans
• Add-ons add up — Next-day direct deposit, time tracking, and other features cost extra on the Simple plan

If any of these hit home, keep reading. For reference, Gusto's current pricing is $49/month + $6/employee for Simple, $80/month + $12/employee for Plus, and $180/month + $22/employee for Premium. Check out our full Gusto pricing breakdown for more details.

1. OnPay — Best Overall Gusto Alternative

Pricing: $40/month + $6/person

OnPay is the closest thing to a no-brainer Gusto alternative. One plan, one price, all features included. No nickel-and-diming you for multi-state payroll or time tracking.

What's good:

• Unlimited payroll runs at no extra cost
• Multi-state payroll included in the base price (unlike Gusto's Simple plan)
• Tax filings in all 50 states with an error-free guarantee
• Award-winning customer support — consistently praised in reviews
• Free first month and free account setup

What's not:

• No dedicated mobile app (though the website is mobile-friendly)
• Fewer third-party integrations than Gusto
• No tiered plans for growing companies that want advanced HR features

Bottom line: If you're frustrated by Gusto's plan limitations and just want straightforward payroll with great support, OnPay is your best bet. It's $9/month cheaper at the base level and includes multi-state payroll that Gusto charges $31 more per month to access.

2. Rippling — Best for Fast-Growing Companies

Pricing: $35/month + $8/employee (add-ons extra)

Rippling isn't just payroll—it's an entire business operating system. HR, IT, payroll, and finance all in one platform. If you're scaling fast and need to manage devices, apps, and employee data from one dashboard, Rippling is worth the complexity.

What's good:

• Global payroll in 160+ countries (Gusto can't touch this)
• 500+ integrations—way more than Gusto
• Automated onboarding that includes device provisioning and app setup
• Custom automation workflows for complex HR processes
• IT management built right into the platform

What's not:

• Steeper learning curve than Gusto
• Add-ons like global payroll and benefits management cost extra
• Overkill for a 5-person team that just needs basic payroll
• Onboarding takes longer than simpler platforms

Bottom line: Rippling is the power-user choice. If you're planning to hire across borders or need to manage IT alongside HR, it's the best in class. But if you just need to pay 10 people in one state, you're paying for features you won't use.

3. QuickBooks Payroll — Best for QuickBooks Users

Pricing: Core $45/month + $6/employee | Premium $80/month + $8/employee | Elite $125/month + $10/employee

If you're already running your books on QuickBooks Online, their payroll product makes sense. The integration is seamless, and you won't have to worry about syncing data between platforms.

What's good:

• Native integration with QuickBooks accounting (data flows automatically)
• Same-day or next-day direct deposit on Premium and Elite plans
• Tax penalty protection up to $25,000/year on Elite (covers any errors, not just theirs)
• Guided setup that most small businesses complete in one day

What's not:

• Less intuitive than Gusto for HR-specific tasks
• Limited HR tools compared to dedicated HR platforms
• No free trial (though discounts are common)
• Customer service gets mixed reviews

Bottom line: QuickBooks Payroll is a great choice if you're already invested in the QuickBooks ecosystem. The accounting sync alone saves hours of manual work. But if you need robust HR features, look elsewhere. Compare both in detail in our Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll breakdown.

4. Square Payroll — Best for Retail & Restaurants

Pricing: $35/month + $6/person (Contractor-only: $6/person, no base fee)

Square Payroll is the obvious choice if you're already using Square POS. Hours tracked on Square sync directly to payroll. Tips, commissions, and multiple pay rates are all handled smoothly.

What's good:

• Direct integration with Square POS and team management tools
• Instant payouts if employees use Cash App
• Cheapest base price for full-service payroll ($35 vs Gusto's $49)
• No base fee for contractor-only payroll
• Simple, transparent pricing with no hidden fees

What's not:

• Limited HR features compared to Gusto
• Fewer third-party integrations
• Support hours are limited (M-F 6am-6pm PT)
• Not ideal for knowledge workers or office-based teams

Bottom line: If you run a restaurant, retail shop, or any business using Square POS, their payroll product is a no-brainer. The integration is seamless and you'll save $14/month on the base fee alone. For office-based businesses, Gusto or OnPay are better fits.

5. ADP RUN — Best for Enterprise-Level Features

Pricing: Starts around $79/month + $4/employee (custom quotes required)

ADP is the 800-pound gorilla of payroll. They've been doing this for decades and serve over half a million US businesses. If you need enterprise-grade compliance, dedicated support, and a platform that can scale to hundreds of employees, ADP delivers.

What's good:

• Dedicated account specialist and 24/7 customer support
• Robust compliance tools for heavily regulated industries
• Handles complex multi-state and multi-entity payroll
• Over 700 integrations
• Strong benefits administration

What's not:

• No transparent pricing—you have to call for a quote
• Can be expensive for small businesses
• Interface feels dated compared to Gusto
• Overkill for simple payroll needs

Bottom line: ADP is for businesses that have outgrown simple payroll software. If you need dedicated support, complex compliance handling, or plan to scale to 100+ employees, ADP is worth the premium. For small teams, it's probably more than you need. Read our detailed Gusto vs ADP comparison for more.

6. Justworks — Best PEO Option

Pricing: Basic $59/employee/month | Plus $109/employee/month

Justworks is a PEO (Professional Employer Organization), which means they become the employer of record for your team. This comes with big benefits: access to better health insurance rates, hands-on compliance management, and less HR admin on your plate.

What's good:

• Transparent PEO pricing (rare in this space)
• Access to big-company benefits at small-company prices
• Hands-on compliance management
• No extra fees for off-cycle payroll runs
• Great for startups that want to offer competitive benefits

What's not:

• Significantly more expensive than traditional payroll software
• You give up some control as they become the technical employer
• Overkill if you just need basic payroll

Bottom line: Justworks makes sense if you want to offer Fortune 500-level benefits to attract talent, or if you'd rather outsource HR headaches entirely. It's not cheap, but the convenience and benefits access can be worth it for the right company. We've covered this matchup in our Gusto vs Justworks article.

7. Paychex Flex — Best for Mid-Size Companies

Pricing: Custom quotes only

Paychex has been around for 50 years and specializes in mid-size to large businesses. They offer the most comprehensive HR suite on this list, including performance management, learning management, and dedicated support.

What's good:

• Full HCM platform with performance management and LMS
• Dedicated account specialist
• 24/7 customer support
• Handles complex payroll scenarios (multiple entities, acquisitions, etc.)
• Industry-specific solutions

What's not:

• No transparent pricing
• Charges extra for features Gusto includes free (benefits admin, GL integration)
• Not cost-effective for small businesses
• Can feel bloated for simple needs

Bottom line: Paychex is for companies that need a full HR department in a box. If you have 50+ employees and need performance reviews, training management, and complex compliance, it's worth getting a quote. For smaller teams, stick with Gusto or OnPay. See our Gusto vs Paychex comparison for the full breakdown.

Quick Comparison Table

Which Gusto Alternative Should You Choose?

Here's my take based on common scenarios:

• You want the simplest switch: Go with OnPay. Similar features, better pricing, all-inclusive plan.
• You're a QuickBooks user: QuickBooks Payroll for the seamless integration.
• You run a restaurant or retail shop: Square Payroll if you're using Square POS.
• You're scaling fast and hiring globally: Rippling is your best bet.
• You want PEO-level benefits: Justworks gives you big-company perks.
• You're outgrowing small business tools: ADP or Paychex for enterprise features.

Still not sure? Start with the free trials where available. OnPay gives you a free month, and most platforms offer demos. Test the interface, run a mock payroll, and see what clicks.

For more payroll comparisons, check out our guides on payroll software for small business and Gusto vs Rippling.

And if you decide Gusto is still the right fit after all, try Gusto here to get started with their platform.