Gusto is one of the top names in payroll processing, and it’s recently evolved its feature set to also include time tracking and employee scheduling. However, some users find those extra features somewhat limited, and plans that include payroll, time tracking, and employee scheduling tend to be pricier than other comparable tools.
Additionally, factors like an increasing subscription cost and frustrating customer service experiences have left many longtime users wondering if it’s time to switch to a new tool.
If you’re in that position, we’ve compiled this list of the seven best Gusto alternatives to help you find the perfect replacement quickly and easily.
Why look for an alternative to Gusto?
We’ve done some poking around and found out a few of the common reasons small businesses might be looking to replace Gusto. Do any of these ring a bell?
You’re still struggling with time tracking
Smooth payroll for hourly workers and contractors depends on accurate time tracking. As a combined payroll and HR platform, Gusto’s add-on time tracking capabilities are rudimentary, not included in the base plan, and lack advanced features (like geofencing, overtime rules, or punch verification).
One Reddit user described Gusto’s time tracking features as “barely a step above physical time cards and calendars.”
Your bill keeps going up
Your team and business have grown (yay!) and you’ve found new ways to use Gusto to manage it all (okay!) — but now your monthly bill is putting a pinch on your overhead (not yay).
Gusto’s base fee has increased over time, leading some users to wonder whether they’re getting the same value out of the tool as they did when they first signed up.
You’re not getting the support you need
Changes to Gusto’s customer service have left some customers on the hunt for a replacement payroll tool.
Reviews of Gusto’s customer support reveal frustrations with unhelpful interactions, long wait times, and inaccurate information.
The 7 best Gusto alternatives (and what to know about each)
Below, you’ll find our in-depth reviews of the seven best Gusto alternatives, including how they stand out, where they overlap, and which you should focus on evaluating.
1. Buddy Punch
The best Gusto alternative for really nailing time tracking and smoothing out payroll operations.
Buddy Punch focuses on helping small businesses simplify employee time tracking and payroll. It connects robust, flexible time tracking and payroll into one easy-to-manage workflow that ensures everything gets tracked accurately and processed on time.
To get more out of your existing payroll tools, you can integrate Buddy Punch with popular payroll providers — including Gusto, ADP, Paychex, and QuickBooks — out of the box. By integrating with payroll tools, you can track time easily, transfer employee time data to an existing payroll provider, and finish payroll faster and more accurately than ever before.
However, some business owners want to simplify even further and manage time tracking and payroll from one piece of software. So we also made it possible to add payroll features to your Buddy Punch plan, like W-2 and 1099 processing and direct deposit, to let you handle everything inside Buddy Punch.
Who uses Buddy Punch?
Business owners, operations managers, and shift supervisors in businesses of any size that need easy-to-use tools for more accurate and efficient employee time tracking, scheduling, payroll, and more.
How Buddy Punch compares to Gusto
Here’s how Buddy Punch stacks up as an alternative to Gusto, with an explainer of where their features and use cases overlap:
| Gusto | Overlap | Buddy Punch | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary strength | Combined HR and payroll | Both can offer time tracking and payroll features together | Simple, full-featured time tracking |
| Time tracking | Basic time tracking available with paid add-on | Both allow employees to clock in/out via mobile or web | Robust time tracking controls including geofencing, IP restrictions, facial recognition, punch rounding, and overtime tracking |
| Payroll processing | Full-service, automated payroll (W-2, 1099, multi-state, tax filings) | Both offer payroll in the U.S. | Integrates well with payroll tools (including Gusto); payroll add-on available |
| Ease of use | Modern, intuitive UI for HR/payroll tasks | Both are cloud-based and accessible via mobile devices | Extremely simple and quick for time tracking; minimal training required |
| Setup time and onboarding | Streamlined onboarding workflows, e-signatures, employee self-onboarding | Both can be set up in a day depending on needs | Very fast to deploy — easy to get going within minutes |
| Cost vs. value | Valued for payroll and HR combo; additional time tracking features add up | Both offer tiered pricing plans | Very affordable for time tracking features |
| Compliance support | Payroll tax compliance, ACA reporting, new hire reporting, labor law alerts | Both can track time-off balances and support approvals | Enforces break/overtime rules and audit logs for labor compliance |
| Scheduling and shift management | None | N/A | Full-featured scheduling with shift templates, employee availability, and notifications |
| Employee self-service | Employees manage benefits, tax forms, pay history | Both allow time entry and some self-management | Employees manage time punches, schedules, and PTO easily |
| Mobile accessibility | Mobile time tracking and self-service offered | Both offer Android/iOS apps | Mobile punch-in/out, alerts, and scheduling features optimized for mobile use |
| Integrations | Integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, time tracking tools, and benefits providers | Both can be used with other employee management tools | Integrates with Gusto, ADP, QuickBooks, and more for payroll export |
| Support for remote or hybrid work | Handles remote onboarding, self-service, contractor payments | Both allow remote time capture | Strong enforcement tools (geofencing, facial ID, IP lock) for remote/field employees |
| Customer support | “Poor” rating on Trustpilot (June 2025) | Both provide help centers and chat/email support | “Excellent” rating on Trustpilot (June 2025) |
Learn more about Buddy Punch
- Start a free trial — no credit card required
- View pricing
- Watch a video demo
- Take an interactive product tour
- Request a personalized demo
2. Deel
The best Gusto alternative for international payroll.
Deel specializes in helping companies hire, pay, and manage international employees and contractors. Deel’s regional coverage is broader than Gusto’s, encompassing global compliance, contracts, and payroll, so you can grow your team anywhere in the world without setting up foreign entities or navigating local regulations yourself.
If your team is spread across multiple countries, Deel centralizes payments, tax filings, and legal compliance in one platform. It doesn’t offer deep domestic HR features like Gusto, but it’s undeniably a better fit for businesses expanding internationally who need contractor management and employer-of-record services worldwide.
Who uses Deel?
Founders, HR leads, and finance teams at startups and growing companies that need to hire international employees or contractors quickly, stay compliant across borders, and manage global payroll without setting up foreign entities.
How Deel compares to Gusto
| Gusto | Deel | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary strength | Full-service domestic payroll with built-in HR tools | Global hiring, compliance, and payments across 100+ countries |
| Time tracking | Basic time tracking with paid add-on | Light time tracking for international contractors |
| Payroll processing | Automated W‑2/1099 payroll, multi-state support, tax filings | Global payroll with EOR support and localized tax compliance |
| Ease of use | Intuitive UI for small business HR/payroll | Streamlined onboarding and contract setup for global hires |
| Cost vs. value | Affordable for small U.S. teams with bundled HR tools | Higher cost, but delivers high value for global teams (especially EOR) |
| Compliance support | U.S. payroll tax filing, ACA reporting, labor law alerts | Built-in legal compliance, tax handling, IP protections in 100+ countries |
| Integrations | Connects with QuickBooks, Xero, benefits platforms, and time tracking tools | Integrates with QuickBooks, Xero, BambooHR, and offers API for deeper customization |
| International support | Limited to U.S. payroll and international contractors | Full international payroll, visa support, EOR infrastructure |
3. QuickBooks Payroll
The best Gusto alternative for businesses already using QuickBooks.
QuickBooks Payroll is a great Gusto alternative if you’re already on Team QuickBooks. Handshake integrations within the QuickBooks ecosystem make it easy to sync payroll and financial data between Payroll, Time, and other offerings in the QuickBooks suite, helping business owners simplify reconciliation and automate common workflows.
With automated tax filing, direct deposit, and same-day payroll, QuickBooks Payroll offers many of the same core capabilities as Gusto — just with a stronger focus on syncing financial records rather than managing benefits or HR. If you’re already living inside QuickBooks, switching to its native payroll system can streamline your tools and save you time during tax season.
Who uses QuickBooks Payroll?
Small business owners and bookkeepers who already use QuickBooks for accounting and want a simple, integrated payroll system that keeps finances and paychecks in sync without extra complexity.
How QuickBooks Payroll compares to Gusto
| Gusto | Overlap | QuickBooks Payroll | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary strength | Full-service payroll with built-in HR, onboarding, and benefits tools | Both offer automated payroll with tax filing | Tight integration with QuickBooks Online; strong for accounting-driven workflows |
| Payroll processing | Handles W‑2, 1099, multi-state payroll, tax filing, and benefits | Both run payroll, calculate taxes, and offer direct deposit | Handles W‑2/1099 payroll with automatic tax payments and filings |
| Ease of use | Modern UI designed for non-HR professionals | Both have clean dashboards and mobile apps | Simple if you’re already using QuickBooks; less intuitive for non-accountants |
| Setup time and onboarding | Fast onboarding with e-signatures and employee self-onboarding | Both can be set up quickly with guided workflows | Streamlined for QuickBooks users; setup can be trickier for non-QuickBooks customers |
| Cost vs. value | Cost-effective for small businesses with HR needs | Both offer tiered plans with per-employee pricing | Lower base price, but fewer built-in HR features — higher tiers can get costly |
| Integrations | Connects with accounting (QuickBooks, Xero), benefits, and time tracking | Both integrate with accounting, time tools, and benefit platforms | Deep, native integration with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Time |
4. Rippling
The best Gusto alternative for businesses willing to shell out more money for more features.
Rippling stands out from Gusto as an alternative for fast-growing, tech-savvy companies that want to unify HR, IT, and finance in one platform. Rippling goes far beyond payroll, offering automations for device provisioning, org charts, employee workflows, and more — all triggered during onboarding or role changes.
Like Gusto’s premium features, you can run payroll, manage global teams, and track time and benefits with Rippling. But unlike Gusto, you can use Rippling to assign software licenses, ship laptops, and even handle IT support. It’s a one-stop shop for companies that want to manage the entire employee lifecycle, not just HR.
If you wish Gusto went further than payroll, benefits, and time tracking (like, way further), Rippling may be the right fit to help you connect everything your workforce touches.
Who uses Rippling?
Tech-forward companies and fast-scaling teams that want to unify HR, payroll, IT, and device management in one powerful platform that automates onboarding, offboarding, and everything in between.
How Rippling compares to Gusto
| Gusto | Overlap | Rippling | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary strength | All-in-one payroll and HR for small businesses | Both offer full-service payroll, benefits, and onboarding | Highly customizable platform combining HR, IT, and finance tools in one system |
| Payroll processing | Full-service payroll with automated tax filing in all 50 U.S. states | Both handle W-2, 1099, multi-state, and contractor payroll | Enterprise-grade payroll engine with global payroll add-on available |
| Ease of use | Intuitive UI built for small teams without a dedicated HR person | Both have modern, user-friendly interfaces | Powerful but more complex; built for companies that need deeper customization |
| Cost vs. value | Budget-friendly for small teams, especially with bundled features | Both offer per-employee pricing tiers | Higher cost, but delivers extensive customization and cross-functional automation |
| Compliance support | Handles ACA, new hire reporting, and labor law alerts | Both help ensure tax and HR compliance | Deep compliance management with built-in policy engine, device tracking, and custom workflows |
| International support | U.S.-focused payroll with support for paying international contractors | Both support global contractors | Global workforce management, international payroll (via add-ons), and legal entity support |
5. Paychex
The best Gusto alternative for businesses who want to skip support and get a human on the phone.
Paychex is a Gusto alternative for companies that want more hands-on service and deep compliance support. Where Gusto is built for self-service, Paychex offers live representatives, HR consulting, and customizable payroll solutions — features that can make Paychex ideal for companies wary of the compliance minefield.
Paychex also lets you manage time tracking, retirement plan administration, and insurance services through its Paychex Flex platform. It’s especially attractive to companies that don’t want an easy dashboard so much as they want a long-term payroll partner with human support baked in.
If you’ve outgrown DIY payroll or want more white-glove service than Gusto provides, Paychex brings decades of experience and a dedicated support model to the table.
Who uses Paychex?
Established small to midsize businesses with physical locations or in multiple states that want expert payroll and HR support, employee benefits management, and hands-on service.
How Paychex compares to Gusto
| Gusto | Overlap | Paychex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary strength | All-in-one HR and payroll platform for small businesses | Both offer full-service payroll, HR, and benefits management | Scalable payroll and HR solutions with hands-on service and industry longevity |
| Time tracking | Basic time tracking (via higher tiers or integrations) | Both offer employee time tracking tools | Integrated time and attendance system with scheduling, biometric options, and rule enforcement |
| Payroll processing | Automated W‑2/1099 payroll with full tax filing and multi-state support | Both support payroll, tax compliance, and contractor payments | Full-service payroll with compliance expertise and industry-specific pay solutions |
| Ease of use | Designed for non-HR users with a modern interface | Both offer online payroll dashboards and mobile apps | Feature-rich, but interface may feel dated or complex to first-time users |
| Compliance support | Includes ACA compliance, new hire reporting, and tax filings | Both offer labor law compliance features | Strong compliance offering with built-in alerts and access to HR consultants |
| Mobile accessibility | Gusto app for employees and admins | Both offer mobile functionality for time and pay | Paychex Flex app allows employees and admins to manage payroll, schedules, and benefits |
| Customer support | Chat and email support; concierge support on higher tiers | Both offer live support and help centers | Strong live support model, often with dedicated reps and phone access for setup and troubleshooting |
6. ADP RUN
The best Gusto alternative for businesses already using ADP.
ADP RUN is an enterprise-ready Gusto alternative for small businesses that want serious scalability. Backed by ADP’s longstanding payroll expertise, ADP RUN offers advanced features like wage garnishment, contractor payments, HR toolkits, and integrations with ERPs.
Where Gusto appeals to small business owners just getting their payroll ducks in a row, ADP RUN is often the next step for companies growing into more complex operations. It supports multi-state compliance, benefits, and HR guidance, while also giving you the option to scale into ADP’s larger platforms when needed.
If your business is expanding quickly or navigating HR complexity, ADP RUN is a logical upgrade from lighter platforms like Gusto.
Who uses ADP RUN?
Growing small businesses that need flexible payroll tools with advanced HR features, customizable compliance support, and the ability to scale smoothly into more complex enterprise-grade systems over time.
How ADP RUN compares to Gusto
| Gusto | Overlap | ADP RUN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary strength | All-in-one HR and payroll platform for small teams | Both provide payroll, benefits, onboarding, and tax filing | Scalable, highly customizable payroll solution backed by a trusted enterprise brand |
| Time tracking | Basic time tracking (with higher-tier plans or add-ons) | Both offer time tracking and PTO tracking | Built-in time tracking or integration with ADP Time & Attendance module |
| Payroll processing | Automated payroll with tax filing in all 50 U.S. states | Both handle W‑2/1099, multi-state payroll, and direct deposit | Enterprise-grade payroll engine with tax compliance, garnishments, and benefit deductions |
| Ease of use | Clean, intuitive interface for non-HR pros | Both offer modern interfaces, depending on setup | Powerful but can feel complex or dated for smaller teams; learning curve often higher |
| Cost vs. value | Transparent pricing with strong value for bundled HR and payroll | Both use per-employee pricing tiers | Custom quotes; base pricing can be higher, but includes more compliance and tax support |
| Compliance support | Handles ACA, new hire reporting, state/federal tax filings | Both help businesses stay compliant with labor laws and payroll regulations | Strong compliance offering including built-in alerts, labor posters, HR guidance, and tax support |
| Employee self-service | Employees manage pay, time off, benefits, and tax forms | Both allow employee portals for self-service | Robust employee access to pay, tax, time, and benefits through ADP Mobile or web portal |
| Mobile accessibility | Gusto mobile app for both admins and employees | Both offer mobile apps and portals | ADP Mobile app offers full admin and employee functionality for payroll, time, and HR tasks |
| Integrations | Connects with QuickBooks, Xero, benefits providers, and HR tools | Both integrate with accounting and business systems | Integrates with a wide ecosystem including ERPs, accounting, timekeeping, and benefits platforms |
| International support | U.S.-based payroll with support for paying international contractors | Both can support international contractor payments | Global capabilities available through ADP Global Payroll and cross-border compliance services |
| Customer support | Email and chat support; concierge support at higher tiers | Both provide help centers, chat, and sometimes phone support | 24/7 support with access to HR specialists, dedicated reps, and advanced compliance guidance |
7. SurePayroll
The most affordable Gusto alternative.
SurePayroll is a Gusto alternative built for very small businesses, startups, and household employers who want no-frills payroll at a lower cost. It basically puts an easy-to-use interface in front of ground-level features like automated tax filing, direct deposit, and new hire reporting
Owned by Paychex, SurePayroll benefits from the infrastructure and compliance experience of a major payroll provider, while still offering a lightweight solution for budget-conscious business owners. That means you get dependable payroll and support without paying for HR features you don’t need.
If you’re feeling like Gusto has more features than you’ll ever use and a monthly bill that knocks your balance sheet off kilter, SurePayroll delivers just the bare necessities you might be looking for.
Who uses SurePayroll?
Cost-conscious small business owners, household employers, and accountants who want simple, no-frills online payroll with solid tax filing, affordable pricing, and a user-friendly interface built for busy schedules.
“Wait,” you might ask — “If Paychex owns SurePayroll, then what’s the difference between them to me as a small business owner?” Fair question!
- SurePayroll is tailor-made for really small businesses (think 10 or fewer employees), and offers a ‘set it and forget it’ solution for payroll.
- Paychex is preferred by companies that start small but expect growth, because it offers personalized support, compliance guidance, and scalability to a more complete set of PEO services.
- If you fall in love with SurePayroll and want to get more without leaving the Paychex ecosystem, Paychex does offer an upgrade path from SurePayroll to Paychex Flex. Just worth keeping in mind.
How SurePayroll compares to Gusto
| Gusto | Overlap | SurePayroll | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary strength | All-in-one payroll and HR with a modern, easy-to-use platform | Both provide full-service payroll and tax filing | Simple, affordable online payroll built for small businesses and household employers |
| Payroll processing | Automated payroll with W-2/1099, direct deposit, multi-state, and filings | Both offer automatic payroll with tax compliance | Easy-to-use payroll with tax filing and direct deposit; ideal for hourly or salaried workers |
| Ease of use | User-friendly dashboard, self-service onboarding, and modern design | Both are cloud-based with guided workflows | Straightforward, no-frills interface optimized for quick, accurate payroll |
| Cost vs. value | Great value for bundled HR and payroll features | Both offer competitive per-employee pricing | Very low-cost payroll option; proves its value for basic needs |
| Employee self-service | Employees can manage pay history, benefits, tax forms, and PTO | Both offer basic employee portals | Employees access pay stubs, tax forms, and edit personal info online |
| Mobile accessibility | Mobile app for employees and employers to run payroll and manage info | Both offer mobile-friendly access | Mobile browser access; no standalone employee app |
| Integrations | Connects with QuickBooks, Xero, time tracking tools, benefits providers | Both can connect with accounting software | Limited integrations (primarily QuickBooks); best for simpler setups |
| Customer support | Chat/email support; higher tiers get priority care | Both provide access to knowledge base and reps | Known for strong customer service |
Choosing the best Gusto alternative
That was a lot, so let’s take a moment to summarize the info above: If you want to make all aspects of managing employee compensation easier, Gusto isn’t the right tool for you. If you just need to streamline payroll processing and HR features, Gusto could still be a good fit.
If you’re looking for tools to replace Gusto, here’s the most important thing to know about each of the most popular options mentioned in this article.
- Buddy Punch doesn’t focus on packing in HR features like Gusto, but it’s more affordable, easier to get started with, and helps you focus on tracking time better to keep your company on track. Plus, it integrates easily with other payroll tools and can be enhanced with optional built-in payroll.
- Deel really makes sense if you’re hiring internationally, since it can help you hire and manage workers and keep you compliant in multiple countries. But for U.S. teams, its high cost and lack of helpful tools like time management make it a hard sell compared to tools like Gusto.
- QuickBooks Payroll is a natural fit if you already use QuickBooks for accounting, though it lacks the deeper HR functionality Gusto provides.
- Rippling combines HR, IT, and finance in one platform, making it great for scaling teams and complex workflows. The tradeoff with Rippling is that it can be a bit more costly and harder to set up than Gusto.
- Paychex brings decades of payroll experience and offers hands-on service, but its interface can feel outdated and less intuitive for small, modern businesses.
- ADP RUN is highly customizable and scalable, making it popular for growing companies. But its scalability is a double-edged sword, and small businesses may find it more complex and less transparent than Gusto.
- SurePayroll offers straightforward, budget-friendly payroll with strong tax filing support. Its simplicity makes it ideal for very small businesses or household employers who want reliable payroll without the complexity of the extra HR features Gusto includes in its plans.
Is paying for Gusto a good idea if you’re not fixing the root problem?
Gusto is a full-featured payroll tool, no doubt about it. It’s even been described as “the Swiss army knife of payroll,” and it’s got higher pricing tiers that offer time-tracking tools. But here’s the secret: Easy payroll starts with great time tracking. Without it, your payroll will be off and you’ll end up overpaying, underpaying, or triggering compliance issues.
Without the foundation of strong time tracking, payroll becomes guesswork. Small errors like forgotten clock-outs, miscalculated overtime, and verbally approved PTO quickly turn into big problems, even if you’ve got the best payroll software on the market.
In other words: Bad time in = bad payroll out.
That’s why, instead of building one platform to rule them all, we created Buddy Punch to solve the real-world problems small businesses are facing every day, like incomplete, inaccurate, and inconsistent time tracking — not Fortune 500 headaches.
The small businesses who choose Buddy Punch over tools like Gusto do so because it helps them solve a lot of payroll challenges (like inaccurate time tracking reports, time theft, and buddy punching) by improving their time tracking.
The gaps in Gusto’s core feature set (like basic time tracking features) limit its practicality for small businesses who just need to keep timesheets accurate and payroll moving.
Buddy Punch is purpose-built to make tracking time easier and more accurate without reinventing the wheel, whether you’re using pen-and-paper timesheets, Excel spreadsheets, or other software tools to track and manage employee time.
The bottom line: Should you be using Gusto?
Staring at pricing models and comparison charts can help you rule out the obvious “no”s. But when choosing time tracking and payroll tools, we always recommend that you choose the tool that fits your specific use case: What do you actually need to do with a tool like Gusto?
Use Gusto if: You need a full HR/payroll system with compliance, benefits, and employee lifecycle tools built in — and you’re okay with paying more for time tracking.
Use a tool like Buddy Punch if: You need an accurate, flexible time tracking solution with easy-to-use tools, features that make sense for small businesses, minimal overhead, and payroll tools and integrations available.
Gusto isn’t a good fit if:
- You don’t need to combine HR and payroll tools.
- You’re still tearing your hair out trying to find out who’s working when.
- You think you’re underpaying or overpaying employees but never really know for sure.
- You’ve spent weekends scrambling to get payroll together.
- You don’t want to play time cop anymore.
Here’s what we’d recommend you do next: Pick the three Gusto alternatives you like best, request a free trial and/or a demo (like Buddy Punch’s no-risk 14-day trial), and ask other business owners what they’ve heard about them.
Like any important decision, the process of picking a new or replacement tool for payroll is slow by design, but the more time you spend really considering your needs and what’s available, the more it’ll pay off when you make the right choice.
