6 Gusto Payroll Alternatives

6 Gusto payroll alternatives

1. ADP

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) is one of the best-known names in payroll, providing automated payroll services for more than half a million United States businesses.

With popular integrations like QuickBooks and Xero and a robust mobile app, ADP automates payroll processes and provides advanced HR, time tracking and compliance features.

Here’s a look at ADP’s key features and pricing options. 

ADP key features

• Taxes: ADP calculates employee withholdings and automatically completes and files forms for federal, state and local taxes. In addition, you may not need to pay for tax consultants, as ADP is a liaison for tax-related issues with agencies and can send employees and contractors W-2 and 1099 forms.

• New-hire reporting: The employee onboarding process can be tedious and with staff shortages, you’ll want to get new employees working as soon as possible. After entering a new employee profile, ADP can complete and file all new worker information to the appropriate agencies.
• Compliance features: In higher-tier plans, ADP can regularly check your state unemployment insurance rates to ensure you’re not overpaying. You can also use ADP’s Labor Law Poster Compliance Update Service and wage garnishment assistance.
• Advanced HR: Depending on your plan, you may be eligible to receive the following services:
  • HR best practices
  • Benefits assistance
  • Library of crucial government forms
  • ZipRecruiter integration
  • Annual background checks (up to five)
  • One-on-one help from ADP’s HR team
• Time tracking: Employees can use ADP’s mobile app to clock in and out, request paid time off and log overtime. Managers can use the app to create schedules and verify hours.

ADP pricing

ADP does not offer transparent pricing. Like Gusto, the payroll software offers a tiered service plan structure: Essential, Enhanced, Complete and HR Pro. 

For all tiers, pricing is based on your business, the features you need and the number of employees you have. You have to contact ADP directly to receive a price quote. 

Learn more with our ADP review.

2. OnPay Payroll 

OnPay streamlines the payroll tools by offering an inclusive subscription that benefits small business owners and HR professionals. With unlimited payroll runs and multiple pay schedules, OnPay keeps all-in-one payroll solutions affordable.

OnPay offers tax services in its subscription plan. It provides an error-free guarantee on its filing of federal, state and local taxes, so you don’t have to worry about compliance on your own.

The platform allows multistate payroll processing with a licensed staff in all 50 states. The team ensures you have the best health insurance and retirement plans.

OnPay Payroll’s key features

• All the payroll solution features are in one affordable subscription plan. 
• No extra charge for integrations: The platform even provides an onboarding representative and emergency weekend assistance to reduce downtime.
• Unique free features: These include a custom report designer and HR vacation calendar for quickly reviewing time off.

OnPay Payroll pricing

• Base service subscription fee: $49 monthly plus $6 per employee.

See more features in our OnPay Payroll Software review.

3. Paychex

While most payroll solutions can handle various business sizes, Paychex can support up to 1,000 employees. You know how quickly payroll can get overwhelming if you are a large business. Paychex automates payroll processing and tax filing for hundreds of staff.

Paychex has more than a hundred integrations for popular accounting software from Sage to Xero. Its robust HR platform will help you manage and serve your growing number of employees.

Higher-tier plans include employee screening and company handbook services for compliance assurance. You can also use Paychex to purchase various types of business insurance.

Here’s a look at Paychex’s key features and pricing options.

Paychex key features

• Learning management system: Paychex Flex Select (and higher tiers) offers this system for seamless employee onboarding and training.
• Personalized integrations: Paychex offers an API Developer Center and documentation. The platform currently works with over 250 integrations.
• Unique features: These include purchasing cyber liability insurance and processing unemployment claims.

Paychex pricing

Like ADP, Paychex does not offer transparent pricing. The payroll software offers a tiered service plan structure: Flex Select, Flex Pro and Flex Enterprise. 

For all tiers, pricing is based on your business, the features you need and the number of employees you have. You have to contact Paychex directly to receive a price quote. 

Discover more details with our Paychex review.

3. QuickBooks Payroll

If you already use QuickBooks for accounting tasks, look into QuickBooks Payroll to streamline your day-to-day operations. 

Plus, if you approve payroll by the close of business the day before payday, everyone will still get their paycheck on time, whether they’ve requested direct deposit or a paper check. 

Here’s a look at QuickBooks Payroll’s key features and pricing options. 

QuickBooks Payroll key features

• Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online: If you already use QuickBooks Online for accounting, using QuickBooks Payroll is a logical step. There is less of a learning curve and your information can easily be transferred. Learn more in our QuickBooks Online review.
• Promotions: QuickBooks Payroll is more affordable than Gusto due to its monthly low per-employee cost. Unlike Gusto, QuickBooks also provides regular promotions for even greater affordability regardless of whether you use QuickBooks Online or not, making it one of the best Gusto payroll alternatives.
• Fast, reliable direct deposit: Whether you have accounting staff or not, QuickBooks Payroll offers next-day direct deposit for lower tiers and same-day direct deposit for Premium and Elite. 

QuickBooks Payroll pricing

• Core costs $50 plus $6 per employee per month.
• Premium costs $85 plus $9 per employee per month. You get same-day direct deposit, expert review and on-the-go time tracking.
• Elite costs $130 plus $11 per employee per month. It includes expert setup, both time and project tracking, tax penalty protection and a personal HR advisor.

The Premium and Elite tiers include an HR support center and workers’ comp insurance administration.

Find out more in our QuickBooks Payroll review.

3. Rippling

Rippling offers various options through a la carte pricing, such as payroll, benefits administration and information technology (IT).

While Rippling’s offerings for small businesses might feel overwhelming, the flexibility of payroll and HR options combined with more than 400 third-party integrations makes it easy to streamline current software and take a baby-steps approach. Rippling is recommended for businesses with more than 10 employees. 

Here’s a look at Rippling’s key features and pricing options. 

Rippling key features

• All-in-one platform: Businesses interested in a payroll service providing additional practical services will appreciate Rippling’s offerings. The platform can include benefits, time tracking, training, recruiting and IT. 
• Seamless integrations: Rippling integrates with over 600 apps for third-party services like Google Workspace, Slack, Zoom, GitHub, Asana, Amazon Web Services and many more. If you are already using another payroll software, you can select it from your Rippling account list. Rippling can pull all your payroll data and tax information from Gusto and TriNet. It can also pull existing data from ADP, Patriot, QuickBooks Online and more. For more information, read our Rippling vs. Gusto Comparison.
• À la carte pricing: Whether you need one feature or 10 added to your payroll software, Rippling lets you purchase each one as needed and grow your business on your timeline.
• Automated wizard: Rippling provides a step-by-step guide on processing payroll for employees and contractors. It prompts the user with questions and helps you set up compensation for your workers accurately.
• International support: Rippling supports international locations, employees and contractors. You can even automate switching from a contractor to an employee.

Rippling pricing

Rippling’s pricing starts at $8 per month, per user. Contact Rippling with the services you need for a custom quote.

For more information, read our in-depth Rippling Payroll review and Rippling HR Software review.

4. TriNet

TriNet is the only HR and payroll solution with built-in scheduling and attendance tools for all subscription levels. Attendance information and time-off requests sync with payroll.

TriNet can also support various job positions, from full-time warehouse workers to sales teams working varying hours. It can reimburse business expenses directly to employee paychecks.

Here’s a look at TriNet’s key features and pricing options. 

TriNet key features

• Automation tools:
  • TriNet provides your HR staff with automated reminders for compliance tasks such as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for overtime pay.
  • The platform can auto-generate W-2s and employees can see their tax forms online or in the mobile app.
  • TriNet can set aside funds for wage garnishments automatically, which is not standard across all payroll providers.

TriNet pricing

TriNet doesn’t have a monthly fee, but you must have a minimum of five employees to get started. You must first purchase a base package with HR tools and then add payroll. The platform doesn’t have a stand-alone payroll solution. There are three plans available, but pricing isn’t transparent on the website so you must call for a quote.

Read more about the plans in our TriNet review.

Gusto payroll alternatives compared 

Every payroll software type has pros and cons. While most have a well-balanced set of features, some lack a free trial, international employee support or advanced features on lower-tier plans. The chart below compares several key features as well as pricing and whether a free trial is offered.

What to consider when choosing a Gusto alternative

If you’re looking for an alternative to Gusto, you should consider several factors. Think about what your business needs might be in the future. If you’re planning to expand, you’ll want to find a service that can scale with you or offer flexible payroll options. You may also require more HR assistance or integrations to help you run your business. 

“Business owners need to ask themselves whether the software will save them time, reduce costs and genuinely support the needs of their particular business,” said Tiffany Haynes, chief operating officer of Fingercheck. “When evaluating payroll providers, business owners need to think holistically. Payroll is critical, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle. And customer service, always, should be at the top of the list.”

Flexible payroll options

Think about who your employees and contractors are, and make sure the payroll service can accommodate different payment types. “If it’s just U.S.-based employees, Gusto might do the job,” said Paddy Stobbs, co-founder and chief executive officer of Stackfix. “But if you’ve got contractors in Europe, a designer in Argentina and a development team in India, you’ll need a global platform like Deel or Remote that handles classification, compliance and payments across borders.”

Similarly, look for services that offer unlimited payroll, which can ultimately save you money. “Paying per run just doesn’t add up,” Haynes said. She also suggested looking into an on-demand pay feature. “Waiting for payday isn’t always practical for hourly employees,” she added. 

Broader HR needs

“Do you need benefits, onboarding, time tracking or IT provisioning? Tools like Rippling, HiBob, and Deel bundle these in — letting you manage most HR needs from one place,” Stobbs said. The ability to schedule for hourly and shift workers as well as for salaried employees is also important.

According to Haynes, another consideration is for employees that clock in and out. “Mobile punch in/out with geo-fencing allows you to track time and reduce time theft such as paying for unworked hours, long breaks and buddy punching — it adds up fast.”

Integrations

Stobbs suggested thinking about the tools you need to connect your payroll platform. “Consider your accounting tool (like QuickBooks or Xero), your compensation management tool (like Pave or Complete), your performance management platform (like Lattice or Culture Amp).” Integrations with 401(k) and worker’s comp are also important, if they aren’t already offered by your payroll service provider.

User experience and support

Haynes felt that “real, responsive customer support — not just chatbots,” should be top of mind when considering a Gusto alternative. Look for multiple channels (phone, chat, email), 24/7 support if needed and an online knowledgebase that offers training resources, tutorials or webinars.

Also, consider ease of use and whether your team is able to handle complex tasks. “Do they need a simple platform that is super easy to set up, or do they have the time and/or sophistication to handle a more complex platform?” Stobbs said. Many services offer assistance with set-up and onboarding employees, which can be a great help.

Danielle Bauter contributed to the reporting and writing in this article.