If Gusto no longer fits your growing business needs or you just want more value for your money then keep reading. 📊
This guide breaks down 5 powerful Gusto alternatives that are easier to use, better for support, and built for your kind of business. 💡
Whether you’re a beginner or just tired of hidden fees and limited features, we’ll help you make the switch smoothly. 🙌
🚀 Let’s find the right payroll tool that works for you, not the other way around.
Why Look for a Gusto Alternative?
Gusto does a good job for small businesses but it isn’t always enough when your needs become more serious.
Here are the most common reasons companies switch:
- Growing team = higher monthly cost
Pricing increases quickly as employees increase. - No international payroll
Not suitable for global hiring or remote-first companies. - Limited HR and compliance tools
You will need extra software for onboarding, policies, and time tracking. - Customer support delays
Especially during tax season when help is needed the most. - Not ideal for certain industries
Retail, franchises, or regulated businesses need more robust features.
📌 Step-by-step guide for running payroll in Gusto.
How to Select the Best Gusto Alternative for Your Business
Choosing a payroll tool isn’t just about price it’s about picking something that makes your life easier, saves time, and grows with your team. Here’s what to focus on:
1. Ease of Use
Look for a platform with a clean interface and simple setup. If you’re new to payroll, it should guide you not confuse you.
2. Payroll and Tax Accuracy
The right tool should handle calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits automatically and without errors.
3. HR & Employee Management
Need to onboard new hires or manage time off? Choose software that includes basic HR features like hiring tools, benefits, and employee self-service.
4. Customer Support You Can Count On
Sometimes, things go wrong. Make sure there’s helpful support whether it’s live chat, email, or phone.
5. Scalability & Integrations
As your business grows, your software should too. Tools that connect with apps like QuickBooks, Slack, or your POS system can save hours each week.
6. Data Migration Help
Choose a platform that helps you move your data from Gusto safely and easily so you don’t lose important info or face tax issues.
5 Best Gusto Alternatives for Payroll & HR in 2025
Gusto is a great payroll tool but it’s not perfect for every business.
Whether you’re managing remote employees, working with hourly staff, or simply need better HR support, there are smarter options available.
👇 Here are the top 5 Gusto alternatives that are beginner-friendly, budget-conscious, and packed with helpful features.
1. Rippling – Best All-in-One Gusto Alternative
Rippling is a modern payroll and HR platform that brings everything onboarding, payroll, benefits, compliance, and even IT access — under one system. It’s designed for fast-growing companies that want automation and efficiency without juggling multiple tools.
Key Features:
- Onboard new hires in just 90 seconds
- 100% accurate global payroll
- No-code automation for admin tasks
- Manage devices and software access
- Real-time cross-department reporting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All‑in‑one HR, payroll, and IT automation platform. | Pricing can increase quickly as add‑ons are enabled. |
| Supports global employees and contractors. | Mobile app experience is still being improved. |
| Fast onboarding with very short setup time. | |
| Highly scalable for growing and distributed teams. | |
| Automated compliance and approval workflows. |
Pricing:
Starts at $8/month per user
Ratings:
- G2: ★ 4.8/5
- Capterra: ★ 4.9/5
2. QuickBooks Payroll – Best for QuickBooks Users
QuickBooks Payroll is a smart option for businesses already managing accounting inside QuickBooks. It connects payroll and finances seamlessly, helping reduce errors and making tax season much easier.
Key Features:
- Same-day direct deposits
- Auto payroll for salaried staff
- Tax penalty protection up to $25,000
- Full integration with QuickBooks Online Accounting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Best native sync with QuickBooks accounting software. | No support for international payroll. |
| Same‑day direct deposit options. | HR and benefits features are limited. |
| Automatic payroll runs for salaried workers. | Overall cost can be high if both accounting and payroll are required. |
| Tax penalty protection available up to $25K on some plans. |
💰 QuickBooks Payroll + Accounting Pricing
Save 70% for the first 3 months limited-time offer
| Plan Name | Price (After Discount) | Original Price |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | $11.40/month | $38 |
| Essentials | $22.50/month | $75 |
| Plus (Best Value) | $34.50/month | $115 |
| Advanced | $82.50/month | $275 |
Ratings:
- G2: ★ 4.0/5
- Capterra: ★ 4.4/5
3. Paychex – Best for HR Help & Compliance Support
Paychex is ideal for companies that need hands-on HR support along with payroll. It provides access to HR experts, legal guidance, and compliance tools making it great for companies dealing with strict regulations or growing teams.
Key Features:
- Tailored HR and payroll solutions
- Access to HR and legal consultants
- Time and attendance management
- Employee self-service tools
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to HR advisors and legal guidance. | Pricing and plan structures are not very transparent. |
| Strong compliance and employee management capabilities. | Interface can feel outdated compared with newer tools. |
| Customisable solutions for almost any business size. | Support quality may vary depending on region or rep. |
Pricing:
Custom quote required
Ratings:
- G2: ★ 4.2/5
- Capterra: ★ 4.1/5
4. ADP Run – Best for Compliance & Reporting Power
ADP Run brings enterprise-level payroll power to small businesses. Known for compliance strength, it’s a great fit for companies operating in multiple states or industries with heavy labor law requirements.
Key Features:
- Multi-state tax filing
- Deep labor law and compliance tools
- Mobile access for team members
- Handles benefits, insurance, and deductions
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very strong compliance and reporting features. | Interface and workflows are not beginner‑friendly. |
| Excellent for multi‑state payroll and regulated industries. | Pricing is not listed publicly and usually needs sales calls. |
| Long market history and strong brand trust. | Add‑ons can make the overall solution expensive. |
Pricing:
Custom quote based on business needs
Ratings:
- G2: ★ 4.1/5
- Capterra: ★ 4.4/5
5. Square Payroll – Best for Hourly & Retail Teams
Square Payroll is built for small businesses with hourly staff like retail shops, cafes, and service providers. With its direct integration into Square POS, it makes paying workers effortless and keeps time tracking accurate.
Why Square Payroll?
If your team already uses Square POS, this tool is plug-and-play for hourly payments and simplifies everything from time tracking to deposits.
Key Features:
- Full sync with Square POS
- Automatic tax filings & direct deposit
- Contractor-only payroll support
- Employee self-service portal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing for small and hourly teams. | HR and compliance tools are fairly limited. |
| Seamless integration with Square POS. | Not intended for large or highly remote teams. |
| Contractor‑only plan keeps overall costs low. | No support for global payroll. |
| Very simple to set up and use. |
💰 Square Pricing (Updated)
Pricing is based on per location great for retail & food businesses
| Plan Name | Monthly Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Square Free | $0/month | Basic selling needs, pay only per transaction |
| Square Plus (Best Value) | $49/month | Food, retail & appointment-based businesses |
| Square Premium | $149/month | Growing businesses needing 24/7 support & advanced tools |
📌 Additional fees apply for payment processing.
Ratings:
- G2: ★ 4.3/5
- Capterra: ★ 4.6/5
📊 Gusto vs Top 5 Alternatives: Quick Comparison (2025)
| Feature / Tools | Gusto | Rippling | QuickBooks Payroll | Paychex | ADP Run | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll accuracy | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Global payroll | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ⚠ Limited | ✅ | ❌ |
| HR tools | Basic | Advanced | Limited | Advanced | Advanced | Basic |
| Time tracking | Add‑on | Built‑in | Add‑on | Built‑in | Add‑on | Built‑in |
| Compliance strength | Medium | High | Medium | High | Very high | Low |
| Best for team type | SMB only | Growing + global | QuickBooks users | HR‑heavy teams | Multi‑state / regulated | Hourly & retail |
| Starting price | $40 + $6/user | $8/user | $45 + $5/user | Custom | Custom | $35 + $6/user |
“Check current Gusto pricing before choosing an alternative”
What This Table Tells You
Gusto is great for small businesses just starting out, but it lacks flexibility for more complex or international needs.
Rippling wins for companies that want everything in one place payroll, HR, device management, automation, and global support.
QuickBooks Payroll is a perfect fit for businesses already using QuickBooks for accounting, helping keep finance and payroll connected.
Paychex offers personalized HR support, making it great for companies that need help navigating labor laws and employee issues.
ADP Run is powerful for businesses in regulated industries and those needing detailed compliance and reporting.
Square Payroll is the easiest and most affordable option for small retail shops, restaurants, or contractor-heavy teams.
💡 Pro Tip:
If you’re planning to grow, go remote, or need more than just paychecks, Rippling is the most scalable and future-proof option.
🧠 Which Gusto Alternative Should You Choose? (Based on Your Business Type)
Not every payroll tool fits every business.
Here’s the fastest way to pick the right one 👇
| Business Type / Industry | Best Alternative | Why It’s a Good Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Retail shops, cafes, restaurants, salons | Square Payroll | Strong POS integration + simple hourly payroll |
| Global or remote-first teams | Rippling | Manages payroll, IT, and HR worldwide |
| Accounting-focused businesses | QuickBooks Payroll | Perfect finance + payroll sync, error-free bookkeeping |
| Companies with legal/compliance needs | Paychex | Access to HR & legal advisors + strong compliance |
| Multi-state + regulated industries (healthcare, logistics, construction) | ADP Run | Powerful state compliance & reporting tools |
| Fast-growing startups | Rippling | Automations save time + easy scale-up |
| Solo operators or contractor-heavy teams | Square Payroll | Affordable contractor-only plans |
Must-Have Features in a Payroll Tool
Before you commit to an alternative, make sure the platform offers these essentials:
- ✅ Accurate Payroll Processing – Must calculate wages, taxes, and deductions reliably
- ✅ Tax Filing & Compliance – Should file federal, state, and local taxes automatically
- ✅ Employee Self-Service – Gives employees access to paystubs, forms, and PTO
- ✅ HR Add-ons – Benefits management, onboarding tools, and time tracking are a plus
- ✅ Integrations – Sync with tools like QuickBooks, Slack, Square POS, or CRMs
Final Verdict: Rippling is the Best Gusto Alternative
If you’re looking for a tool that goes beyond basic payroll and truly supports a growing, modern business Rippling stands out as the top choice.
Unlike Gusto, which mainly focuses on payroll and basic HR, Rippling combines HR, IT, and finance into one seamless platform.
This means you can onboard new hires, run global payroll, manage employee devices, assign software access, and automate admin tasks all from a single dashboard.
Why Rippling Wins:
- ✅ All-in-One Platform: It does more than payroll it handles HR, IT, and finance in one tool.
- ✅ Global Payroll Ready: Perfect if you’re hiring across countries or working with remote teams.
- ✅ Powerful Automation: You can automate routine tasks like approvals, emails, and reminders without coding.
- ✅ Scales with You: Whether you’re a 5-person startup or a 100-employee company, Rippling grows with your needs.
- ✅ Beautiful & Easy Interface: Even with advanced tools, Rippling remains simple and clean to use.
While other tools on this list shine in specific areas (like QuickBooks for accounting or Paychex for HR support), Rippling offers the most complete, future-proof solution making it the best Gusto alternative in 2025.
“Must Read”
- Gusto Free Trial: Get 3 Months of Payroll & HR Tools Free
- Gusto Review: Best Payroll & HR Tool for Small Business
FAQs
Q1. Can I try these Gusto alternatives before paying?
Yes! Most payroll platforms like Rippling, Square Payroll, and Paychex offer free demos or trials. It’s a good idea to explore the dashboard and ask questions before committing.
Q2. Do these alternatives handle benefits like health insurance and 401(k)?
Yes, many do. Tools like Rippling, Paychex, and ADP offer benefits administration including health, dental, and retirement plans. Just check what’s included in your pricing plan.
Q3. Is it safe to switch payroll providers mid-year?
Absolutely. Most providers help you transfer employee and tax data safely, even mid-year. They’ll also ensure that all filings stay compliant.
Q4. Which Gusto alternative is best for contractors or freelancers?
Square Payroll is a great option it offers a contractor-only plan for just $6/month per contractor, with automatic tax forms.
Q5. Can I manage multiple business locations with these tools?
Yes. Platforms like ADP, Rippling, and Paychex are great for businesses with multiple locations or remote teams. They handle different tax rules by state and even country.
Q6. How fast can I set up a new payroll system?
In most cases, setup takes just a few hours. Some tools like Rippling can onboard your first employee in under 90 seconds. Others may take 1–2 business days with full data transfer and verification.