Best Gusto Alternatives
in 2026
We tested and compared 4+ alternatives to Gusto. Whether you need something cheaper, more feature-rich, or just different — we have you covered.
Payroll, benefits, HR for small business
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Free plan available — no credit card required
Gusto vs Top Alternatives — Quick Comparison
See how Gusto stacks up against its top alternatives at a glance.
| Feature | Gusto | Rippling | BambooHR | Workday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $40/user/mo | $8/user/mo | $6.19/user/mo | Free |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid | Paid | Paid |
| G2 Rating | | | | |
| Founded | 2012 | 2016 | 2008 | 2005 |
| Payroll | ||||
| Benefits | ||||
| Time Tracking | ||||
| Compliance | ||||
| Hiring | ||||
| Onboarding | ||||
| Tax Filing | ||||
| Contractor Payments | ||||
| Hr | ||||
| It Management | ||||
| Device Management | ||||
| App Management | ||||
| Visit Website | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site | Visit site |
* Pricing shown per user/month. Ratings from G2. Data updated 2026.
Try the top-rated alternative
Free plan available — no credit card required
All Gusto Alternatives (4)
Detailed breakdown of every alternative to Gusto, with pros, cons, pricing, and features.
HR, IT, and Finance in one
Workforce management platform combining HR, IT, and finance to manage employees, apps, and devices in one system.
Pros
- ✓ Combines HR + IT in one platform
- ✓ Powerful automation rules
- ✓ Global payroll support
- ✓ Device management built-in
Cons
- ✗ Complex pricing
- ✗ Can be overkill for small teams
- ✗ Implementation takes time
- ✗ Customer support issues reported
HR software for small and medium businesses
Comprehensive HR software with applicant tracking, onboarding, performance management, and payroll.
Pros
- ✓ User-friendly interface
- ✓ Great onboarding experience
- ✓ Good ATS features
- ✓ Strong HR reporting
Cons
- ✗ Payroll is an add-on
- ✗ Pricing not transparent
- ✗ Limited for enterprise scale
- ✗ Advanced analytics require add-ons
A new day at work
Enterprise cloud HCM platform for HR, payroll, finance, and planning for mid-to-large organizations.
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive enterprise platform
- ✓ Strong financial + HR integration
- ✓ Excellent analytics and reporting
- ✓ Global capabilities
Cons
- ✗ Very expensive (enterprise pricing)
- ✗ Long implementation timeline
- ✗ Complex to use
- ✗ Requires dedicated admin team
People management platform
Performance management platform with goal tracking, 1-on-1s, reviews, and employee engagement tools.
Pros
- ✓ Excellent performance review tools
- ✓ Good OKR and goal tracking
- ✓ Employee engagement surveys
- ✓ Nice UI and experience
Cons
- ✗ Primarily performance management (not full HR)
- ✗ Gets expensive for larger teams
- ✗ Payroll not included
- ✗ Some features require multiple tiers
Try the top-rated alternative
Free plan available — no credit card required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Gusto?
The best free alternatives to Gusto include Workday. These all offer free plans with core features.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Gusto?
Yes! Rippling and BambooHR are more affordable alternatives to Gusto, starting at lower monthly prices.
Why switch from Gusto?
Common reasons to look for Gusto alternatives include: pricing concerns as your team scales, needing specific features that Gusto doesn't offer, wanting better integrations with your existing stack, or preferring an open-source or self-hosted solution.