2026 Best Software Awards are here!See the list

Compare Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll

At a Glance
Gusto
Gusto
Star Rating
(8,313)4.6 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (84.2% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $49.00 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 3 pricing plans
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll
Star Rating
(484)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (52.1% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
$22.50 Per Month
Browse all 3 pricing plans
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • G2 reviewers report that Gusto excels in user experience, particularly highlighting its intuitive interface that simplifies payroll and expense management. Users appreciate features like the ability to log hours easily and split shifts into multiple time blocks, making it a favorite for startups.
  • Users say that QuickBooks Payroll offers a fast and easy setup, especially for those already using QuickBooks Online. However, some find it less efficient compared to dedicated payroll systems, indicating a potential area for improvement in overall functionality.
  • Reviewers mention that Gusto's implementation process is notably quick and straightforward, with many praising the ease of setup and compliance features. This has made it a go-to choice for small businesses looking to streamline their HR processes.
  • According to verified reviews, while QuickBooks Payroll integrates well with other QuickBooks products, users have expressed a desire for more robust payroll features. Some have noted that it lacks the depth of functionality found in other dedicated payroll solutions.
  • G2 reviewers highlight Gusto's strong support quality, with users noting that the platform has been a reliable partner in managing their payroll needs. The high ratings in support quality reflect a commitment to customer service that many find reassuring.
  • Users report that Gusto's comprehensive benefits administration features are a significant advantage, with many appreciating the ease of managing employee benefits and compliance. In contrast, QuickBooks Payroll's benefits management capabilities are seen as less robust, which may be a consideration for businesses prioritizing this aspect.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
Gusto
Simple Plan
Starting at $49.00
Per Month
Browse all 3 pricing plans
QuickBooks Payroll
Core
$22.50
Per Month
Browse all 3 pricing plans
Free Trial
Gusto
Free Trial is available
QuickBooks Payroll
No trial information available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
9.4
6,355
8.9
394
Ease of Use
9.5
6,562
9.1
401
Ease of Setup
9.3
5,219
8.5
261
Ease of Admin
9.3
2,254
8.8
259
Quality of Support
9.0
5,299
8.9
374
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
9.1
2,252
8.9
267
Product Direction (% positive)
9.2
6,435
8.8
388
Features by Category
Core HR
8.8
903
8.8
199
9.0
915
8.6
190
8.1
794
7.2
107
8.6
843
8.0
137
8.8
862
8.6
158
8.7
868
8.8
189
Generative AI
7.2
472
6.8
36
Platform
8.2
2239
8.2
204
8.0
2046
7.5
143
Feature Not Available
7.5
127
8.9
2274
8.7
220
9.2
2277
8.6
208
8.9
2182
8.4
182
8.8
2243
8.1
203
9.1
2267
8.6
215
Employee Self Service
9.5
5151
|
Verified
8.0
35
|
Verified
8.9
4659
|
Verified
7.4
26
|
Verified
9.0
4716
|
Verified
7.2
27
|
Verified
Administration
9.4
4978
|
Verified
8.7
37
|
Verified
9.1
4595
|
Verified
7.7
36
|
Verified
9.6
5065
|
Verified
8.6
35
|
Verified
8.9
4443
|
Verified
8.1
31
|
Verified
9.2
4653
|
Verified
8.4
33
|
Verified
8.8
4158
|
Verified
7.8
29
|
Verified
9.1
4366
|
Verified
8.3
26
|
Verified
9.2
4540
|
Verified
8.5
33
|
Verified
9.2
4544
|
Verified
8.4
29
|
Verified
Taxes
9.3
4846
|
Verified
8.6
35
|
Verified
9.2
4716
|
Verified
7.7
33
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
8.1
28
|
Verified
Integration
8.6
4090
|
Verified
7.5
22
|
Verified
8.8
4113
|
Verified
7.6
28
|
Verified
8.8
4159
|
Verified
8.6
32
|
Verified
8.6
3901
|
Verified
8.3
24
|
Verified
Platform
9.0
4576
|
Verified
8.0
36
|
Verified
9.2
4568
|
Verified
8.4
35
|
Verified
9.3
4798
|
Verified
8.1
38
|
Verified
9.2
4447
|
Verified
7.4
32
|
Verified
Benefits AdministrationHide 31 FeaturesShow 31 Features
8.7
2,596
8.5
309
Benefits Administration Platform Features
9.0
1358
9.0
200
8.9
1313
9.2
191
8.4
1218
8.5
151
9.0
1328
9.0
193
9.1
1307
8.6
140
9.2
1345
9.3
200
9.0
1276
8.9
151
8.8
1251
8.7
155
Benefits Administration Platform Features
9.0
1358
9.0
200
8.9
1313
9.2
191
8.4
1218
8.5
151
9.0
1328
9.0
193
9.1
1307
8.6
140
9.2
1345
9.3
200
9.0
1276
8.9
151
9.1
928
9.2
169
8.8
1251
8.7
155
8.5
1058
8.4
116
8.3
975
7.6
45
8.9
1040
8.1
56
Generative AI
7.2
838
6.9
33
7.2
835
6.8
32
7.1
830
7.0
32
Platform
8.2
2239
8.2
204
8.0
2046
7.5
143
Feature Not Available
7.5
127
8.9
2274
8.7
220
9.2
2277
8.6
208
8.9
2182
8.4
182
8.8
2243
8.1
203
9.1
2267
8.6
215
Not enough data
Not enough data
Automation
Not enough data
Not enough data
Logistics
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Management
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Monitoring
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
7.9
97
Basics
Not enough data
7.8
65
Not enough data
8.5
80
Not enough data
8.6
80
Not enough data
7.7
57
Data
Not enough data
8.2
90
Not enough data
8.0
87
Not enough data
8.1
82
Logistics
Not enough data
7.9
66
Not enough data
8.7
83
Agentic AI - Offboarding
Not enough data
5.7
5
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
8.6
199
Not enough data
Platform Basics
8.5
183
Not enough data
9.2
192
Not enough data
8.9
183
Not enough data
Platform Performance
8.8
189
Not enough data
8.5
177
Not enough data
Platform Functionality
9.1
184
Not enough data
8.5
180
Not enough data
8.8
177
Not enough data
Platform Additional Functionality
8.8
180
Not enough data
8.4
174
Not enough data
8.1
171
Not enough data
Generative AI
7.3
157
Not enough data
9.0
830
Not enough data
Platform Basics
9.2
773
Not enough data
9.2
778
Not enough data
Platform Administration
8.6
711
Not enough data
9.1
756
Not enough data
9.0
763
Not enough data
Platform Payment Content
9.0
760
Not enough data
8.4
652
Not enough data
9.1
735
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Talent Acquisition SuitesHide 1 FeatureShow 1 Feature
Not enough data
Not enough data
Generative AI
Not enough data
Not enough data
8.6
2,526
8.3
266
Agentic AI - Onboarding
7.6
241
8.0
5
7.9
242
Not enough data
7.8
244
Not enough data
7.9
245
Not enough data
8.0
246
Not enough data
Platform Content
8.7
1152
8.2
132
9.1
1175
8.8
147
9.2
1174
9.1
151
8.4
1087
7.5
96
8.8
1101
8.6
125
8.6
1093
8.3
119
Platform Additional Functionality
9.2
1153
8.8
139
8.7
1092
7.8
96
8.5
1066
7.7
99
8.9
1112
8.7
139
9.1
1135
8.9
142
Platform Data
8.4
1018
8.3
18
8.7
1057
8.5
118
8.8
1041
8.8
114
Platform
8.2
2239
8.2
204
8.0
2046
7.5
143
Feature Not Available
7.5
127
8.9
2274
8.7
220
9.2
2277
8.6
208
8.9
2182
8.4
182
8.8
2243
8.1
203
9.1
2267
8.6
215
Recruiting and Onboarding
8.0
992
7.0
77
9.0
1101
9.0
140
Not enough data
Not enough data
Documentation - I-9 Compliance
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
Gusto
Gusto
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll
Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll are categorized as Onboarding, Benefits Administration, Core HR, and Payroll
Unique Categories
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is categorized as Offboarding and I-9 Compliance
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
Gusto
Gusto
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
84.2%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
15.3%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
0.6%
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
52.1%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
43.2%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
4.7%
Reviewers' Industry
Gusto
Gusto
Non-Profit Organization Management
5.5%
Computer Software
5.2%
Accounting
5.2%
Health, Wellness and Fitness
4.8%
Hospital & Health Care
4.5%
Other
74.8%
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll
Computer Software
6.6%
Non-Profit Organization Management
6.4%
Hospital & Health Care
6.2%
Insurance
5.7%
Accounting
4.5%
Other
70.6%
Alternatives
Gusto
Gusto Alternatives
Rippling
Rippling
Add Rippling
Paycor
Paycor
Add Paycor
Justworks
Justworks
Add Justworks
Paylocity
Paylocity
Add Paylocity
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll Alternatives
Rippling
Rippling
Add Rippling
Paylocity
Paylocity
Add Paylocity
Dayforce
Dayforce
Add Dayforce
Paychex
Paychex
Add Paychex
Discussions
Gusto
Gusto Discussions
Is there an app for Gusto payroll?
4 Comments
Michael M.
MM
Yes it’s gusto wallet but it’s used by employees or payees not payroll provider. Read more
Is gusto payroll safe?
3 Comments
Samuel D.
SD
Yes, it is secureRead more
Why doesn't Gusto take responsibility and rectify the pay problems that they have caused?
2 Comments
Official Response from Gusto
Hi there, we see you've been in touch with several customer support advocates and managers to help go through the situation as well as provide options for...Read more
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll Discussions
Does GoCo support both salaried employees and 1099 contractors?
2 Comments
TC
Yes, GoCo does support both salaried and 1099 contractors through the onboarding process. I think of it as your new HR personnel record keeper. Read more
Did you ever use GoCo as a repository for your documents?
2 Comments
Rene'e D.
RD
Yes, Employers that keep records of immunization status, support orders, and other important documents.Read more
What makes GoCo different from other HR platforms?
2 Comments
LO
The big stand-out for GoCo is service! Each company gets a dedicated CSM (client service manager) along with a multitude of other team members that work...Read more