Gusto alternatives: top competitors compared
Named alongside Gusto
ADP Workforce Now64% of Gusto answersRipplingBest forCompanies wanting identity, device and access management tied directly to HR and payroll data62% of Gusto answersQuickBooks PayrollBest forSmall businesses that already use QuickBooks Online and want payroll reconciled with their books60% of Gusto answersPatriot SoftwareBest forUS small businesses with up to 500 employees, and the accountants and bookkeepers who serve them47% of Gusto answers
Data from SlateIndex weekly runs
Gusto has a visibility score of 49.2 in Payroll, #1 of 46. AI answers that name Gusto most often also name these 4.
What AI answers fault Gusto for
Generally more expensive than alternatives
Raised in 1 collected answer.
Quick reference
| Alternative | Best for | Starting price | Visibility | Key differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP Workforce Now | — | — | 34% | — |
| Rippling | Companies wanting identity, device and access management tied directly to HR and payroll data | — | 28.7% | Access and device provisioning driven by a single source of truth for employee data shared across HR, IT and finance |
| QuickBooks Payroll | Small businesses that already use QuickBooks Online and want payroll reconciled with their books | — | 26.8% | Native integration with QuickBooks Online, so payroll reconciliation with the books largely disappears |
| Patriot Software | US small businesses with up to 500 employees, and the accountants and bookkeepers who serve them | $17 / mo | 19.3% | Accounting and payroll under one login, with free USA-based support included at every price tier |
Alternative 1
ADP Workforce Now vs Gusto →ADP Workforce Now
ADP Workforce Now is ranked #2 in Payroll.
Quick facts
- Pricing not available
- 34% visibility score · #2 in Payroll
Key features
- Workforce Now IT Management — Links hiring, role changes and offboarding to device ordering, app access and security policies.
- ADP Assist — AI agents for employees, managers, HR and payroll practitioners, launched January 2026.
ADP Workforce Now vs Gusto
| Dimension | ADP Workforce Now | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 34% | 49.2% |
| Pricing model | — | — |
| Entry price | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Trial | — | — |
Pros
- Global scale and coverage in over 140 countries
- Robust compliance and tax engine
- Widely used, market-leading payroll provider
- Comprehensive HR and payroll platform for mid-sized and large businesses
Cons
- Custom quote model makes pricing hard to compare upfront
Alternative 2
Rippling vs Gusto →Rippling
Rippling suits companies wanting identity, device and access management tied directly to HR and payroll data.
Quick facts
- Pricing not available
- 28.7% visibility score · #3 in Payroll
- 600+ native integrations
Key features
- Identity and Access Management — Automatically updates app access, permissions and groups as roles change, with SSO and RPass.
- Device Management — Setup, configuration and software install across macOS, Windows, iOS and iPadOS.
- Inventory Management — Stores, ships and retrieves devices from procurement to buyback.
- Helpdesk — Automatically resolves employee IT requests.
Rippling vs Gusto
| Dimension | Rippling | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 28.7% | 49.2% |
| Pricing model | — | — |
| Entry price | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Trial | — | — |
Pros
- Unified HR, IT, and payroll in one automated system
- Strong user ratings from reviewers and analysts
- Recruiting tightly integrated with HR and payroll
- Ease of use and intuitive interface
- Expense management connected to HR and payroll
Cons
- Mandatory annual contracts with undisclosed discounts
- Custom quotes make pricing hard to compare
Alternative 3
QuickBooks Payroll vs Gusto →QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll suits small businesses that already use QuickBooks Online and want payroll reconciled with their books.
Quick facts
- Pricing not available
- 26.8% visibility score · #4 in Payroll
Key features
- Payroll Core — Full-service US payroll with direct deposit.
- Premium — Adds same-day deposit, QuickBooks Time and HR support.
- Elite — Top plan, includes multi-state payroll.
- QuickBooks Time — Time tracking for payroll.
QuickBooks Payroll vs Gusto
| Dimension | QuickBooks Payroll | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 26.8% | 49.2% |
| Pricing model | — | — |
| Entry price | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Trial | — | — |
Pros
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting and tax tools
- Over 800 third-party integrations and app connections
- Widely used payroll platform for small businesses
- Strong mobile app and bookkeeping synchronization
- Free 30-day trial
Cons
Alternative 4
Patriot Software vs Gusto →Patriot Software
Patriot Software suits uS small businesses with up to 500 employees, and the accountants and bookkeepers who serve them.
Quick facts
- $17 / mo · flat tiers
- 30-day free trial
- 19.3% visibility score · #6 in Payroll
Key features
- Accounting Software — Invoicing, bank imports, account reconciliation, expense tracking and financial reports.
- Bookkeeping Service — Optional add-on in which Patriot's team closes the books monthly, hosts a monthly review and reconciles accounts.
- Payroll (Basic Payroll and Full Service Payroll) — Payroll runs with direct deposit, contractor payments, and in Full Service, federal, state and local tax filings and deposits.
- Time & Attendance — Add-on in which employees enter hours or clock in and out, with custom overtime rules, feeding payroll.
Patriot Software vs Gusto
| Dimension | Patriot Software | Gusto |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility score | 19.3% | 49.2% |
| Pricing model | Flat tiers | — |
| Entry price | $17 / mo | — |
| Free plan | No | — |
| Trial | 30-day free trial | — |
Pros
- Low-cost, budget-friendly payroll for small businesses
- Straightforward, no-frills service
- Free trial available
- US-based customer support
- Clear published pricing
Cons
- Limited advanced HR features
- No standard annual-billing discount
How to choose
Match the pricing model to your cost driver: headcount, usage or features.
| Platform | Pricing model | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Gusto | — | — |
| ADP Workforce Now | — | — |
| Rippling | — | — |
| QuickBooks Payroll | — | — |
| Patriot Software | Flat tiers | $17 / mo |
More alternatives
Ranked by how often AI answers name them alongside Gusto in the latest weekly run.