Best Gusto Competitors: Which Payroll Software Should You Actually Use?

Gusto is a solid payroll platform-there's a reason over 400,000 businesses use it. But it's not perfect for everyone. Maybe you need better international payroll, more robust HR features, or just want to pay less per employee.

I've dug into the top Gusto competitors to help you figure out which one actually makes sense for your business. No fluff, just the real details on pricing, features, and who each platform is best for.

Already know you want Gusto? Try Gusto here and see our full Gusto review for the complete breakdown.

Quick Comparison: Gusto vs Top Competitors

1. Rippling: Best for Growing Companies

Rippling is the closest thing to a true all-in-one platform. It combines HR, payroll, IT management, and finance into a single system. If you're tired of juggling separate tools for onboarding, device management, and payroll, Rippling eliminates that headache.

The platform uses modular pricing-you pay for what you need. The base HRIS module starts at $8 per employee per month with a $35 monthly base fee. Add payroll and you're looking at roughly $15-25 per employee monthly for a typical setup with HRIS, payroll, benefits admin, and time tracking.

What Rippling does better than Gusto:

• Global payroll in 90+ countries with local compliance (Gusto is primarily U.S.-focused)
• IT management built in-device provisioning, app management, single sign-on
• 500+ integrations vs Gusto's 180+
• More powerful automation with custom workflow builder
• Automated provisioning and deprovisioning-when someone is hired or leaves, IT access updates automatically
• Multi-currency support in 180+ currencies for distributed teams

Where Rippling falls short:

• No transparent pricing-you need to talk to sales for accurate quotes
• Adding modules can get expensive fast, with costs escalating unpredictably as you scale
• Only admins can access the knowledge base (employees have to contact HR)
• Steeper learning curve than Gusto
• Setup can feel heavy for startups without dedicated HR staff
• Mobile app lacks many features available on desktop

Real-world pricing example: A 25-employee company using Rippling's core HR platform, payroll, benefits administration, and IT management might pay $400-600 per month total. If you add global payroll through their EOR services, costs can jump to $499-599 per employee monthly for international workers.

Bottom line: If you're a fast-growing company with 20+ employees and need more than just payroll, Rippling is worth the extra cost. For simple U.S. payroll, it's overkill. The platform truly shines when you need to manage both HR and IT in one place-perfect for tech companies and remote teams.

Read our full comparison: Gusto vs Rippling

2. ADP RUN: Best for Scalability

ADP is the 800-pound gorilla of payroll-over 900,000 small business clients and presence in 140+ countries. ADP RUN is their small business product for companies with 1-49 employees.

Their entry-level Essential plan starts at $39 per month plus $5 per employee. But here's the catch: ADP doesn't post transparent pricing. You need to contact sales for an actual quote, and costs vary based on your specific needs.

ADP offers four RUN tiers: Essential, Enhanced, Complete, and HR Pro. Each adds more features, but also more cost. Time tracking and benefits administration are add-ons, not included in base plans.

What ADP does better than Gusto:

• More robust HR features on higher tiers
• ZipRecruiter integration for hiring
• Better for companies planning to scale past 50 employees (can upgrade to Workforce Now)
• 200+ standard payroll reports for deeper insights
• Decades of experience and established trust in the industry
• Strong support for complex payroll scenarios

Where ADP falls short:

• Opaque pricing makes it hard to budget accurately
• Time tracking and benefits admin cost extra
• Setup can be more complex and time-consuming
• Customer service gets mixed reviews with some reporting slow response times
• Interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
• Hidden fees can surprise you after signing up

Bottom line: ADP makes sense if you're planning to grow significantly and want a platform that can scale with you from 5 to 500 employees without switching providers. For small, stable teams, Gusto's transparency is easier to work with. The brand recognition and longevity are valuable, but you'll pay a premium for them.

See our detailed comparison: Gusto vs ADP

3. OnPay: Best Budget Alternative

OnPay is the anti-enterprise payroll solution. One plan, one price: $49 per month plus $6 per person. That's it. No tiers, no add-ons, no surprises.

Everything is included: unlimited payroll runs, multi-state tax filing, W-2 and 1099 processing, benefits administration, and HR tools. The software averages 4.8 out of 5 stars across review sites-higher than most competitors.

What OnPay does better than Gusto:

• More features included at base price (Gusto locks some features behind higher tiers)
• No extra charge for multi-state payroll
• Licensed benefits brokers in all 50 states to help you choose plans
• Better customer service ratings with faster response times
• Supports niche industries like restaurants, farms, and nonprofits
• 30-day free trial to test before committing
• Custom report designer included at no extra cost

Where OnPay falls short:

• No native time tracking (relies on integrations with When I Work, Deputy, or QuickBooks Time)
• Fewer third-party integrations overall compared to Gusto
• No employer-side mobile app-only employees have app access
• Less polished UI than Gusto, though still functional
• Limited performance management features

Who OnPay works best for: OnPay excels for specialized industries that other platforms struggle with. If you run a restaurant and need tip credit calculations, an agricultural business filing Form 943, or a nonprofit exempt from federal unemployment taxes, OnPay handles these scenarios without extra fees. Church payroll with additional exemptions? OnPay covers that too.

Bottom line: OnPay is the best value in payroll software for small businesses that don't need fancy extras. If you want straightforward payroll with excellent customer service and don't care about having the prettiest interface, OnPay should be at the top of your list. You're getting Gusto-level features at the same price but with more transparency.

4. Justworks: Best for PEO Services

Justworks is a PEO (Professional Employer Organization), which means they handle more than just payroll-they become a co-employer for benefits, compliance, and HR purposes. This gives small businesses access to big-company benefits at better rates.

Justworks Basic costs $59 per employee per month. Justworks Plus runs $109 per employee per month and includes health insurance, dental, and vision access through their group plans.

What Justworks does better than Gusto:

• Access to Fortune 500-caliber benefits at small business prices through economies of scale
• Hands-on compliance management with dedicated support
• 24/7 customer service via phone, chat, Slack, and email
• Multi-state payroll with no extra fees
• Dedicated HR support for employee issues
• Workers' compensation included and managed
• Lower health insurance premiums through group buying power

Where Justworks falls short:

• Significantly more expensive per employee-$59 minimum vs Gusto's $6 per employee
• Fewer payroll features than dedicated payroll software
• Limited accounting integrations (just Xero and QuickBooks Online)
• Comparatively few payroll reports
• Less control since they're a co-employer
• Not ideal if you just need basic payroll

Breaking down the PEO model: As a PEO, Justworks technically becomes your co-employer. This means they handle workers' compensation, unemployment claims, and compliance issues directly. For businesses in high-risk industries or those struggling with compliance, this hands-off approach is valuable. But it also means less control-you're outsourcing more than just payroll processing.

Bottom line: Justworks is ideal if you want to outsource HR headaches entirely and get access to better benefits than you could negotiate on your own. It's not cheap, but the PEO model offers real value for businesses that need comprehensive HR support and enterprise-level benefits without hiring a full HR team.

Read more: Gusto vs Justworks

5. QuickBooks Payroll: Best for QuickBooks Users

If you're already running your accounting on QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Payroll is the path of least resistance. The integration is seamless-payroll syncs automatically with your books.

QuickBooks Payroll Core costs $45 per month plus $6 per employee. Premium is $80 plus $8 per employee (adds same-day direct deposit and time tracking). Elite runs $125 plus $10 per employee and includes tax penalty protection and a dedicated HR support team.

What QuickBooks Payroll does better than Gusto:

• Native QuickBooks integration (obviously)-no third-party connectors needed
• Same-day direct deposit on Premium and Elite tiers
• Time tracking via QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets) on higher plans
• Often runs promotions for new customers
• Familiar interface if you already use QuickBooks
• Easy setup if you're migrating from QuickBooks Desktop

Where QuickBooks Payroll falls short:

• Less robust HR features compared to Gusto
• Entry-level plan lacks workers' comp integration
• Health insurance admin not included on Core plan
• No free trial available
• Limited employee self-service features on lower tiers
• Tax penalty protection only on most expensive Elite plan

Cost comparison example: For a 10-employee company, QuickBooks Core costs $105/month total ($45 + $60). Gusto's Simple plan costs $109/month ($49 + $60). The prices are nearly identical, but Gusto includes more HR features while QuickBooks wins on accounting integration.

Bottom line: QuickBooks Payroll makes sense if you're already in the QuickBooks ecosystem and want everything in one place. If you need more HR functionality, Gusto offers better value. Don't choose QuickBooks Payroll just because you think it's easier-Gusto integrates with QuickBooks just fine.

Compare options: Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll

6. Paychex Flex: Best for Mid-Size Companies

Paychex Flex sits between small business solutions like Gusto and enterprise platforms like ADP Workforce Now. It's built for companies that are outgrowing basic payroll but don't need (or can't afford) full HCM suites.

Paychex doesn't publish pricing-you need to get a quote. Based on reviews and reports, expect it to cost more than Gusto, especially once you add features like benefits administration, time tracking, and SUI management.

What Paychex does better than Gusto:

• More customizable with retirement plans, benefits, and HR support options
• Labor posters and HR document library included
• Performance management and learning management system (LMS) on higher tiers
• Good for companies scaling from 30-100+ employees
• Dedicated account managers for personalized support
• Strong mobile app for both admins and employees

Where Paychex falls short:

• Many features that Gusto includes for free cost extra with Paychex
• General ledger integration is an add-on
• State unemployment insurance administration costs extra
• Pricing isn't transparent-expect surprise fees
• Implementation can take several months
• Customer service quality varies by location

Bottom line: Paychex Flex works for mid-size businesses (30-100 employees) that need more HR depth than Gusto offers. But watch out for add-on fees that can make it significantly more expensive than the initial quote suggests. The platform is powerful but complex-overkill for most small businesses.

See also: Gusto vs Paychex

7. Square Payroll: Best for Contractor-Heavy Businesses

Square Payroll offers something unique: a contractor-only plan with no monthly base fee. You pay only $6 per contractor you pay each month. For W-2 employees, it's $35 per month plus $6 per person paid.

If you're already using Square for point-of-sale, the integration is seamless-employees can clock in directly through Square POS.

What Square Payroll does better than Gusto:

• Permanently waived base fee for contractor-only businesses (Gusto only waives for 6 months)
• Only charges for contractors you actually pay each month
• Free seasonal inactivity (no fees when not running payroll)
• Native Square POS integration with built-in time clock
• Automatic tips calculation for restaurant employees
• Simple pricing structure with no hidden fees

Where Square Payroll falls short:

• Fewer third-party integrations beyond Square ecosystem
• Limited HR features compared to Gusto
• Less robust than Gusto for full-time employee management
• No performance management tools
• Basic reporting compared to competitors
• Health insurance options more limited

Ideal use cases: Square Payroll is perfect for businesses that rely heavily on contractors-freelance agencies, construction companies, creative studios. It's also excellent for seasonal businesses that don't need year-round payroll. Restaurants already using Square POS get the added benefit of integrated tip reporting and time tracking.

Bottom line: If you primarily pay contractors or run a seasonal business, Square Payroll's flexible pricing structure can save you money. For traditional W-2 payroll with robust HR needs, Gusto offers more value. But if you're in the Square ecosystem already, the convenience factor is hard to beat.

8. BambooHR: Best for HR-First Companies

BambooHR takes a different approach from Gusto-it's an HR platform first, with payroll as an add-on. This makes it ideal for companies that prioritize employee experience, performance management, and people operations over payroll efficiency.

BambooHR doesn't publish pricing online. Based on past reports, expect to pay around $108/month flat fee for 20 employees, with per-user pricing for larger teams. Payroll is an additional charge per employee per month.

What BambooHR does better than Gusto:

• More sophisticated HR features-org charts, employee directories, custom fields
• Better performance management with goal tracking, reviews, and feedback
• Stronger applicant tracking system (ATS) for recruiting
• More customizable workflows and approvals
• Excellent employee self-service portal
• Better for companies focused on culture and employee engagement
• Lifetime access to employee data and documents

Where BambooHR falls short:

• Payroll isn't built-in-it's an add-on that costs extra
• More expensive than Gusto for similar-sized teams
• No pricing transparency-requires sales call
• Overkill if you just need payroll and basic HR
• Time tracking is another paid add-on
• No native accounting integration-requires third-party apps

Who should choose BambooHR: Companies with 50+ employees that already have payroll figured out but need better HR infrastructure. If you're hiring frequently, managing performance reviews, or building a strong company culture, BambooHR's HR-first approach makes sense. But if payroll is your main pain point, start with Gusto.

Bottom line: BambooHR is excellent HR software, but it's not trying to be a payroll platform. Choose it if you need comprehensive people management and plan to use a separate payroll solution (or their add-on). For businesses under 50 employees that need both payroll and HR, Gusto offers better value and simpler implementation.

9. Paycor: Best for Mid-Size Frontline Businesses

Paycor focuses on businesses with hourly and frontline workers-restaurants, healthcare, retail, nonprofits. It offers robust workforce management alongside payroll and HR, with features like scheduling, labor cost tracking, and mobile time clocking.

Paycor doesn't list pricing publicly, but reports suggest the Basic plan previously started around $99 per month plus $6 per employee. The platform offers four tiers for small businesses (under 50 employees): Basic, Essential, Core, and Complete.

What Paycor does better than Gusto:

• Built specifically for frontline and hourly workforce management
• Advanced scheduling with labor cost optimization
• Multiple time collection methods-mobile punch, geofencing, facial recognition
• Strong analytics and workforce planning tools
• Learning management system for training
• Career planning and development features
• Better for healthcare, restaurants, and retail industries

Where Paycor falls short:

• Time tracking and scheduling are paid add-ons, not included in base plans
• No pricing transparency-requires sales consultation
• Implementation can take 2-6 months on average
• Mobile app receives mixed reviews with reports of freezing and crashing
• Customer support quality is inconsistent
• Not ideal for remote-first or tech companies

Best fit industries: Paycor shines in frontline sectors. Healthcare organizations can manage PBJ reporting and nursing credentials. Restaurants can optimize shift coverage and claim hiring tax credits. Retailers can control labor costs with real-time reporting. If you're managing hourly workers across multiple locations, Paycor's workforce management capabilities justify the higher cost.

Bottom line: Paycor is powerful for mid-size businesses (30-200 employees) with complex workforce management needs, especially in frontline industries. But for small businesses or remote teams, it's overcomplicated and overpriced. Gusto offers better value and easier implementation unless you specifically need advanced scheduling and labor tracking.

When to Stick with Gusto

Despite all these alternatives, Gusto remains the right choice for many businesses:

• You're a U.S.-only small business (under 50 employees) that wants intuitive payroll with good HR basics
• You value transparent pricing and want to know exactly what you'll pay before talking to sales
• You need solid benefits administration built into the platform without add-on fees
• You want a modern, user-friendly interface that doesn't require extensive training
• You're a tech startup or remote company that doesn't need industry-specific features
• You want quick implementation-Gusto takes minutes to set up versus months for enterprise solutions

Gusto's Simple plan starts at $49 per month plus $6 per employee. The Plus plan ($80/mo base + $12 per employee) adds features like time tracking, next-day direct deposit, and multi-state payroll. Premium (starting at $180/mo base + $22 per employee) includes dedicated support, compliance alerts, and certified HR experts.

Check our Gusto pricing breakdown for the full details.

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My Recommendation: How to Choose

Here's the quick decision tree based on your specific situation:

• Simple U.S. payroll with good value: Gusto or OnPay
• Cheapest all-inclusive option: OnPay
• Growing company needing HR + IT + Payroll: Rippling
• Planning to scale past 50 employees: ADP or Paychex
• Want PEO benefits without the enterprise price: Justworks
• Already on QuickBooks: QuickBooks Payroll
• Mostly paying contractors: Square Payroll
• HR-first approach with performance management: BambooHR
• Frontline/hourly workforce management: Paycor
• Need global payroll and IT management: Rippling

Key Decision Factors

Budget constraints: If you're watching every dollar, OnPay and Square Payroll offer the most bang for your buck. OnPay includes everything at one price, while Square Payroll's contractor-only plan eliminates base fees entirely.

Company size matters: Under 20 employees? Stick with Gusto, OnPay, or Square. Between 20-50 employees? Consider Rippling or ADP if you need more robust features. Over 50 employees? Look at ADP, Paychex, or Paycor for scalability.

International needs: Only Rippling truly handles global payroll well among this group. If you're hiring internationally, that's your answer.

Industry-specific requirements: Restaurants using Square POS should consider Square Payroll. Nonprofits and farms benefit from OnPay's specialized support. Healthcare and retail should look at Paycor's workforce management features.

Integration requirements: QuickBooks users get the most seamless experience with QuickBooks Payroll. Rippling offers the most integrations overall (500+). BambooHR excels at HR-specific integrations.

HR vs payroll focus: Need robust HR first? BambooHR or Rippling. Just need payroll done right? OnPay, Gusto, or Square Payroll. Want comprehensive PEO services? Justworks.

Common Migration Mistakes to Avoid

When switching from Gusto to a competitor (or vice versa), watch out for these pitfalls:

• Not testing during a trial period: Most platforms offer demos or trials. Use them. Run a full payroll cycle in the new system before fully committing.
• Underestimating implementation time: Gusto and OnPay take hours. Paychex and Paycor take months. Plan accordingly.
• Ignoring hidden fees: That attractive base price might not include tax filing, multi-state payroll, or benefits administration. Read the fine print.
• Forgetting about year-end reporting: Switching mid-year complicates W-2s and annual reports. If possible, switch at year-end.
• Not involving your team: Your employees need to access the new system. Choose something they'll actually use.

Questions to Ask Before Switching

Before you leave Gusto for an alternative, ask yourself:

1. What specific problem am I trying to solve? If Gusto works but you just want to save $20/month, switching might not be worth the hassle.
2. Do I need the advanced features? Rippling's IT management is powerful-but do you actually need it?
3. How will this scale? Will this platform still work when you hit 50, 100, or 200 employees?
4. What's the true total cost? Add up base fees, per-employee costs, and all add-ons you'll actually use.
5. How's the support? Check recent reviews. Great software with terrible support creates new problems.
6. Can I get my data out? If you need to switch again, will they make it easy or hold your data hostage?

The Bottom Line

Gusto is genuinely great software for most small businesses. Its clean interface, transparent pricing, and comprehensive features make it hard to beat for U.S.-based companies with under 50 employees.

But you should consider alternatives if:

• You need international payroll (Rippling)
• You want maximum value with zero frills (OnPay)
• You're scaling rapidly and need IT management (Rippling)
• You mostly pay contractors (Square Payroll)
• You need enterprise-level benefits for small business prices (Justworks)
• You're already locked into QuickBooks (QuickBooks Payroll)
• You manage frontline hourly workers (Paycor)
• You prioritize HR over payroll (BambooHR)

For most businesses reading this, the real choice is between Gusto, OnPay, and Rippling. Gusto offers the best balance. OnPay offers the best value. Rippling offers the most power. Pick based on your priorities.

Still unsure? Check out our complete guide to payroll software for small businesses for more options and detailed comparisons.

Need help managing your sales pipeline while you sort out payroll? Check out Close CRM for a powerful sales platform that integrates with all these payroll tools.