Top 9 Gusto Competitors And Alternatives in 2025

How often have you trusted a company that never paid you on time?

Probably never. Because trust isn’t built on promises, it’s built on actions. But, when that trust is broken, even once, doubt creeps in. Morale dips. Engagement falls. 

No matter how well you run your business, payroll isn’t just a back-office function; it’s the foundation of trust. Are you making sure your employees never have to question it?

As a small to mid-sized business owner, selecting the right payroll solution can free you from hours of administrative tasks and let you focus on strategic growth.

Gusto has established a solid position as a popular payroll platform, especially among small businesses. It offers a user-friendly interface, straightforward pricing, and essential features like automated payroll processing and benefits administration.

However, as your company grows, particularly if you have international expansion plans, you may encounter Gusto’s limitations.

In this article, you’ll discover the top 9 alternatives to Gusto in 2025, with Tarmack leading the pack. We’ll help you evaluate each platform based on its key features, how it compares to Gusto, its advantages and disadvantages, and its pricing structure. 

What to Look for in a Gusto Alternative

When evaluating alternatives to Gusto, you must consider several key factors impacting your day-to-day operations and long-term business growth. Here’s what you should prioritize in your search:

Software integrations

Pick payroll systems that connect with your current tools. These save you from entering the same data twice.

Say your employee works 40 hours. Your time-tracking system sends this data directly to your 

payroll system, which then automatically calculates their pay. After payroll runs, that same data flows into QuickBooks, updating your accounting records without manual entry.

Complete HR solutions

When new employees join your company, your system guides them through digital onboarding, stores their tax forms, and enrolls them in benefits. Later, when she earns a raise after her performance review, the system automatically updates her payroll information on the same platform.

Look for platforms that do more than process paychecks. Sound systems combine payroll with other employee management tasks.

Recruiting features

Better platforms include tools to help you find and keep great employees.

Say you need a new developer. Your system posts the job to multiple sites, sorts applications based on your requirements, and tracks candidates through interviews. Once hired, the same system manages their training progress and career development plans.

Automation

Choose systems that handle repetitive tasks without human involvement.

When employees submit time off requests, the system automatically sends them to managers, updates team calendars, and adjusts payroll calculations without manual steps.

Mobile access

Select platforms with mobile apps so people can handle tasks away from their desks.

Picture this: While traveling for work, submitting expenses on the go is easy. Take photos of receipts, upload them through the app, and check upcoming pay details, all within minutes, even while waiting for a flight.

International support

If you employ people in different countries, you need a system that handles international requirements. Compliance requirements constantly evolve, with significant penalties for mistakes. 

Your company just hired team members in both Canada and Germany. Your payroll system automatically calculates the correct tax deductions for each country, pays employees in their local currencies, and ensures compliance with their different labor laws, all managed from your U.S. headquarters.

Tarmack’s payrolling services let you handle this with ease.

Top 9 Gusto Competitors & Alternatives

Here are the top 9 Gusto competitors and alternatives for 2025, with detailed insights into what makes each unique and which types of businesses they best serve.

Platform	Primary Services	Pricing
Tarmack	Global EOR, Recruiting, Payroll, HR software	EOR: Starting at $199/employee/month, Recruiting: Starting at 10% of annual salary, Payroll: Starting at $15/employee/payroll
Rippling	HR, IT, and Finance platform	Starting at $8/employee/month, Price increases with added features
QuickBooks Payroll	Payroll with accounting integration	Core: $45/month + $6/employee Premium: $80/month + $8/employee Elite: $125/month + $10/employee
Paychex	HR and payroll for scaling businesses	Flex Essentials: $39/month + $5/employee Higher tiers: Custom pricing
ADP	Comprehensive HR and payroll	Custom quote-based pricing
OnPay	Simplified payroll and workforce management	$40/month + $6/employee
TriNet	HR and payroll with scheduling tools	$6/employee/month + base package fees, Minimum 5 employees required
Square Payroll	Payroll with POS integration	Employees: ($35/month + $6/employee Contractor: $6/contractor/month)
Patriot	Easy-to-use payroll and accounting	Basic: $17/month + $4/employee Full-Service: $37/month + $4/employee

1. Tarmack

Tarmack combines four essential components into one powerful solution: recruiting, Employer of Record (EOR), HR software, and payroll services. This integration makes Tarmack uniquely positioned to help you manage your entire workforce, whether domestic or international, without the complexity of multiple systems or service providers.

Key features

• Global entity infrastructure: Tarmack allows hiring and paying employees across more than 150 countries without establishing your legal entities. Expanding internationally eliminates months of paperwork, legal consultations, and regulatory hurdles.
• Global compliance: The platform ensures full compliance with local tax and labor laws in every jurisdiction where you operate. You don’t need to become an expert in international employment regulations, Tarmack handles the complexity for you.
• Global recruiting: Access expert recruiters who understand local talent markets and can help you source the best international talent. This targeted approach reduces time-to-hire and improves candidate quality compared to generalist recruiting methods.
• Seamless cross-border managemegardless of location. This centralization provides clear visibility into your global workfont: Manage employees across multiple countries with consistent payroll processing, rerce costs and performance.

How Tarmack compares to Gusto

Gusto primarily serves businesses with domestic U.S. employees, while Tarmack does this for global workforces. Where Gusto struggles with international capabilities, often requiring expensive workarounds or third-party solutions, Tarmack builds these features into its core service.

Tarmack offers real advantages over Gusto:

• Cost advantage: Starting at $199, Tarmack costs far less than Gusto for comparable services, especially when hiring internationally.
• Global reach: Gusto operates in 150+ countries without hassle and struggles with international capabilities.
• One-stop solution: Ditch multiple vendors and simplify everything through a single platform.
• Automatic compliance: No need for in-house experts in each country, Tarmack keeps you compliant as regulations change.
• Fast setup: Launch in new markets in weeks instead of months, without the traditional bureaucratic delays.
• Custom approach: Beyond off-the-shelf options, Tarmack crafts solutions specifically for your business needs.

Pricing

• Employer of Record: Starting at $199 per employee/month
• Recruiting: Starting at 10% of the candidate’s annual salary
• Payroll: Starting at $15 per employee per payroll
• Enterprise: Custom pricing for 10+ resources  

2. Rippling

Rippling unifies HR, IT, and finance functions into a single platform, making it easy to manage employee benefits, payments, and expenses. 

Key features

• Unified management platform: Rippling brings together HR, IT, and Finance in one system. allowing you to manage everything from payroll and benefits to computer provisioning and expense reimbursements.
• Rapid employee onboarding: The platform can onboard new employees in as little as 90 seconds, automatically setting up payroll, benefits, and even computer configurations simultaneously.
• Advanced workflow automation: Create sophisticated, custom workflows without coding knowledge, automating repetitive tasks across departments and systems.
• Global payroll capabilities: Pay employees and contractors internationally, though with less comprehensive coverage than Tarmack’s 150+ country network.

How Rippling compares to Gusto

While Gusto focuses primarily on payroll and essential HR functions, Rippling extends into device management, app provisioning, and identity management. Rippling also provides superior automation capabilities compared to Gusto, potentially saving your team significant time on administrative tasks.

Pros and cons 

With a rating of 4.8/5 on G2, here are Rippling’s pros and cons. 

Pros

• Automates onboarding, offboarding, and compliance (G2)
• Makes it easy to keep track of payslips and calendars, upcoming and remaining leaves (G2)
• Easy for employees to add their bank accounts (G2)

Cons

• Limited customization for reporting tools (G2)
• Frequent updates make it hard to find the features you want at times (G2)

Pricing

• Starting at $8 per employee per month
• Price increases significantly as features are added.

Suggested Read: 10 Rippling Competitors That Offer More for Less in 2025

3. QuickBooks Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll integrates directly with QuickBooks accounting software, simplifying the experience for businesses already using the platform for their financial management.

Key features

• Automatic Tax Management: The system automatically calculates, files, and pays all federal, state, and local taxes on your behalf, guaranteeing against penalties.
• Same-Day Direct Deposit: Premium and Elite plans offer same-day direct deposit, which allows you to get funds to your employees faster than Gusto’s standard two-day timeframe.
• Mobile Timesheet Management: Employees can easily track and submit timesheets from the mobile app, which supervisors can then review and approve from anywhere.
• Benefits Administration: Manage health benefits, 401(k) plans, and worker’s compensation all within the platform, though with less flexibility than some alternatives.

How QuickBooks Payroll compares to Gusto

QuickBooks Payroll excels in accounting integration, a significant advantage if you already use QuickBooks for your business finances. It also offers faster direct deposit options than Gusto, which can improve employee satisfaction.

However, QuickBooks Payroll lacks Gusto’s broader HR functionality and focuses more narrowly on payroll processing and related tax compliance. 

Pros and cons

With a 3.8/5 on G2, here are the pros and cons of this tool: 

Pros

• Helps small businesses handle operations with the polish of a bigger, established company (G2)
• Good for companies who are looking to track time (G2)
• Intuitive to use (G2)
• Automated tax filing and payments (G2)

Cons

• Requires a QuickBooks subscription for optimal functionality (G2)
• Customer support is not dependable with their responses (G2)
• Price keeps rising at regular intervals (G2)

Pricing

• Core: $45/month plus $6 per employee
• Premium: $80/month plus $8 per employee
• Elite: $125/month plus $10 per employee

4. Paychex

Paychex is a Gusto competitor that delivers an all-in-one HR and payroll solution designed for scaling businesses. With decades in the industry, Paychex offers established services with multiple package options to accommodate growing companies.

Key features

• Mobile enrollment: Employees can self-onboard through mobile enrollment options, reducing the administrative burden on your HR team.
• E-learning platform: A built-in learning management system helps bring together employee training and development across your organization.
• Digital employee handbook: The customizable employee handbook builder lets you communicate policies clearly while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
• Performance management tools: Track employee performance, conduct reviews, and develop talent through integrated performance management capabilities.

How Paychex compares to Gusto

Paychex targets a broader range of business sizes than Gusto, with customizable packages that can accommodate larger organizations. While Gusto appeals primarily to small businesses with its simplified approach, Paychex offers more scalable options for growing companies.

The tradeoff comes in complexity and cost. Paychex typically requires more setup and configuration than Gusto.

Pros and cons

With a rating of 4.2/5 on G2, here are Paychex’s pros and cons: 

Pros

• Easy to enter information and review it (G2)
• The interface is easy to use, therefore cutting administrative task time in half (G2)
• Comprehensive HR and payroll functionality like 401k (G2)

Cons

• Customer service and account managers need more training (G2)
• Pricing discounts expire after a year, and the prices almost double (G2)

Pricing

• Flex Essentials: $39/month plus $5 per employee
• Flex Select and higher tiers: Custom pricing

5. ADP

With over 70 years in the industry, ADP has established itself as one of the largest and most recognized names in payroll services that makes it a best Gusto competitor. It serves businesses of all sizes, from small startups to multinational enterprises.

Key features

• Self-service employee portal: Through a dedicated portal, employees can access their payroll information, tax documents, and benefits, reducing HR administrative burdens.
• Extensive integrations: ADP connects with numerous third-party applications, including popular accounting software, time-tracking systems, and benefits platforms.
• Comprehensive benefits management: Manage health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits directly within the platform with dedicated support.
• PEO services option: Access Professional Employer Organization services for outsourcing HR functions, compliance management, and risk mitigation.

How ADP compares to Gusto

ADP offers significantly broader capabilities than Gusto, particularly for large enterprises with complex needs. Where Gusto focuses on simplicity for small businesses, ADP provides depth and customization for organizations of all sizes.

This expanded functionality comes with notable tradeoffs. ADP’s interface is considerably more complex than Gusto’s. While Gusto offers transparent, published pricing, ADP requires potential customers to contact sales for custom quotes, making price comparisons difficult.

Pros and cons

With 4.1/5/5 on G2, here are the pros and cons of ADP: 

Pros

• Comprehensive features covering all aspects of HR and payroll (G2)
• Strong compliance management and reporting (G2)
• Customer service is effective (G2)

Cons

• Complex interface and ever-changing features with a steeper learning curve (G2)
• Some have faced problems with the approval process (G2)

Pricing

Custom quote-based, with no published standard rates.

6. OnPay

OnPay delivers a payroll and workforce management solution designed primarily for small to medium-sized businesses seeking simplicity without sacrificing essential features.

Key features

• Custom payroll reports: Create and save customized reports that provide exactly the payroll insights your business needs.
• Flexible payment options: Employers can be paid through direct deposit, debit cards, or printed checks, accommodating various worker preferences.
• Comprehensive time-off management: Track, request, and approve time-off easily through an intuitive system that automatically calculates accruals.
• Visual organization charts: Generate and maintain visual representations of your company structure, helping employees understand reporting relationships.

How OnPay compares to Gusto

OnPay targets a similar market segment as Gusto, small to medium businesses looking for straightforward payroll solutions. OnPay offers slightly lower costs per employee (albeit with fewer automation features) than Gusto while maintaining comparable core payroll functionality.

Pros and cons

Onpay has a G2 rating of 4.8/5.

Pros

• Easy to keep track of payroll in different states (G2)
• Easy to onboard employees and set up pay types and rates (G2)

Cons

• Does not always give reliable information about taxation, leading to penalties for the user (G2)
• Cannot edit the dashboard to avoid looking at services you do not use (G2)
• Their third-party partners don’t always have customer support (G2)

Pricing

• $40/month plus $6 per employee
• No tiered pricing structure

7. TriNet (Previously Zenefits)

TriNet provides HR and payroll services with built-in scheduling and attendance tools. It targets mid-sized businesses needing comprehensive human resources support without an entire in-house HR department.

Key features

• Compliance automation tools: Stay current with changing regulations through automated compliance updates and notifications.
• Auto-generated tax forms: The system automatically generates and distributes W-2s, 1099s, and other tax documents to employees and contractors.
• Automated garnishment management: Manage wage garnishments with automatic calculation, withholding, and disbursement to appropriate agencies.
• Comprehensive benefits administration: Access enterprise-level benefits options typically available only to larger organizations.

How TriNet compares to Gusto

While Gusto provides a simple solution for tiny businesses, TriNet delivers more sophisticated tools for growing companies with more complex needs.

The tradeoff comes in TriNet’s minimum requirements and pricing structure. Unlike Gusto, which can serve businesses with just one employee, TriNet requires a minimum of five employees and uses a tiered pricing approach that includes both per-employee fees and base package costs.

Pros and cons

With an average of 4/5 on G2, here are Trinet’s pros and cons: 

Pros

• Ability to compare paychecks to look at tax deductions (G2)
• Additional resources available to you that add a lot of value, like trends and reminders (G2)
• Very easy to look at the information on the go (G2)
• Users like the training, quizzes, and HR community available to them (G2)

Cons

• Inability to link multiple companies (G2)
• Many hidden fees that are not disclosed (G2)

Pricing

They charge you on a per-employee basis, with costs depending on needs and region. 

8. Square Payroll

Square Payroll offers a cloud-based solution with integrated time tracking, designed to complement Square’s broader ecosystem of point-of-sale and business management tools. This makes it particularly valuable for retail and service businesses already using other Square products.

Key features

• Diverse payment methods: Pay employees through direct deposit, manual checks, or even through Cash App for immediate access to funds.
• Comprehensive tax management: The system automatically handles tax filings, including W-2s, 1099-NECs, and all required state and federal forms.
• Flexible payment structures: Easily manage multiple pay rates, commissions, bonuses, and tips, ideal for service-industry businesses with complex compensation models.
• Mobile-first management: Run payroll, approve timecards, and manage employee information from anywhere using the Square Team App.

How Square Payroll compares to Gusto

Square Payroll excels for retail and service businesses with hourly workers. It offers better integration with point-of-sale systems and more flexible options for variable compensation structures than Gusto. Its interface is also notably simpler, focusing on core payroll functions without the clutter of advanced HR features.

Pros and cons

With an average rating of 4.2/5 on G2, here are the pros and cons: 

Pros

• Simple to convert work time cards for easy payroll processing (G2)
• Automatically calculates overtime, paid, or unpaid breaks (G2)
• Makes it too easy to look at custom reports like new hire reports (G2)

Cons

• Issue of overpayment of taxes by the tool (G2)
• Users say adding employees and then having to invite them separately is time-consuming (G2)
• Not great for companies that are not retail stores or restaurants (G2)

Pricing

• $35/month plus $6 per employee
• Contractor-only option: $6 per contractor monthly

9. Patriot

Patriot provides online accounting and payroll services known for their ease of use and affordability, making them particularly attractive to small businesses with straightforward payroll needs.

Key features

• Flexible pay frequencies: Manage multiple pay schedules simultaneously, including weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly payments.
• Dynamic rate adjustments: Change employee hourly rates on the fly without exiting the payroll processing workflow, streamlining adjustments.
• Departmental budget controls: Set and track payroll budgets by department to maintain better cost control across your organization.
• Unlimited user access: Add as many users as needed with customized permission levels, allowing appropriate access without additional costs.

How Patriot compares to Gusto

Patriot offers a more affordable solution than Gusto. Its more straightforward interface, focused on basic payroll processing, makes it an excellent option for budget-conscious small businesses with straightforward payroll requirements.

The tradeoff comes in advanced features and integrations. Patriot offers fewer automated workflows, less sophisticated reporting, and more limited integration options than Gusto. Additionally, while Patriot handles hourly rate changes smoothly, it lacks the same flexibility for salaried employees.

Pros and cons

With an average rating of 4.8/5 on G2, here are Patriot’s pros and cons: 

Pros

• Automatically completes filings and handles payroll tax (G2)
• Eliminates the need for manual entry for many by integrating with Quickbooks (G2)

Cons

• Well-informed customer service (G2)

Pricing

• Basic payroll: $17/month plus $4 per employee
• Full-Service Payroll: $37/month plus $4 per employee

How to Choose the Right Gusto Competitor for Your Business?

We’ve given you ten alternatives, but how do you know which works best for you? Follow these steps to identify which Gusto alternative will serve you best:

Assess your specific business requirements.

Start by evaluating your company’s size, industry, and geographic scope. A five-person startup has vastly different needs than a 500-employee enterprise.

Consider your global footprint, both current and planned. Suppose you employ talent across borders or plan to expand internationally. In that case, you’ll need a solution like Tarmack, which excels in managing global workforces across 150+ countries without requiring you to establish separate legal entities.

Consider budget constraints and ROI

The lowest-priced option isn’t always economical when considering time savings, compliance risk reduction, and operational efficiency. Tarmack’s starting price of $199 delivers exceptional value when considering its comprehensive service offering that replaces multiple vendor relationships and the significant cost savings from consolidated international operations.

Evaluate international capabilities

This factor becomes critical if your business operates globally or plans to hire internationally. Most alternatives offer limited international capabilities or charge substantial premiums for global services. 

For businesses with international ambitions, the ability to quickly enter new markets without establishing legal entities can accelerate growth significantly, turning a months-long process into a matter of days or weeks. Tarmack can help you with that. 

Assess automation and time-savings

Calculate how much time your team currently spends on payroll and HR administration. Solutions with robust automation can dramatically reduce this workload, freeing your team to focus on strategic priorities.

Why Prefer Tarmack Over Other Gusto Alternatives?

After reviewing ten leading alternatives to Gusto, Tarmack emerges as the superior choice for forward-thinking businesses, particularly those with international operations or expansion plans.

Superior global coverage

While most competitors offer limited international functionality, Tarmack provides comprehensive coverage across over 150 countries. 

This extensive network allows you to hire the best talent regardless of location without the complexity of establishing separate legal entities or managing multiple regional payroll providers.

Significant cost advantages

Tarmack delivers exceptional value starting at $199, which is substantially more affordable than comparable services from competitors. This price advantage becomes even more significant when considering the consolidated services, eliminating the need for multiple vendors and systems.

For international operations, the cost savings are particularly dramatic, eliminating the need for separate legal entities, local payroll providers, and compliance consultants in each country where you operate.

Comprehensive service offering

Unlike alternatives that focus primarily on payroll or basic HR functions, Tarmack provides:

• Global recruiting capabilities
• Employer of Record services
• Complete HR software functionality
• International payroll processing
• Compliance management across jurisdictions

This integrated approach eliminates the fragmentation and data inconsistencies that plague businesses using multiple disconnected systems.

Simplified compliance management

Tarmack automatically handles compliance with local tax and labor laws across all jurisdictions where you operate. This proactive approach dramatically reduces your compliance risk without requiring in-house expertise for each country’s regulations.

As laws change frequently, Tarmack’s systems update automatically, ensuring you remain compliant without constant monitoring and adjustment.

Choose Tarmack for Your Hiring and Payroll 

Rather than relying solely on self-service resources or tiered support models, Tarmack provides dedicated assistance throughout implementation and ongoing operations.

This commitment to service quality ensures you maximize the value of your investment while minimizing disruption during transition periods.

For businesses seeking a Gusto alternative that delivers comprehensive functionality, global capabilities, and exceptional value, Tarmack is the optimal choice. 

Request a demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is a competitor to Gusto?

Several companies compete directly with Gusto in the payroll and HR space. The most notable competitors include Rippling, QuickBooks Payroll, Paychex, ADP, OnPay, TriNet, Square Payroll, Patriot, Zenefits, and Tarmack. 

Each offers various combinations of payroll processing, HR management, benefits administration, and compliance tools, though they differ significantly in pricing, international capabilities, and feature depth.

What is the best alternative to Gusto?

Tarmack stands out as the best overall alternative to Gusto, particularly for businesses with international employees or expansion plans. 

Tarmack offers superior global capabilities across 150+ countries, comprehensive services including recruiting and Employer of Record functions, and significant cost advantages starting at $199. Depending on your specific needs, companies like Rippling, OnPay, or Patriot may also be worth considering for businesses focused purely on domestic payroll.

How does Tarmack compare to Gusto in terms of pricing?

Tarmack offers significantly better value than Gusto when comparing equivalent services. 

Starting at just $199, Tarmack provides comprehensive global capabilities that would require multiple add-ons or aren’t available at all with Gusto. 

While Gusto’s base pricing might appear competitive for tiny, US-only businesses, the costs escalate quickly as you add employees, premium features, or international services. Tarmack’s pricing model is more transparent and includes comprehensive services as standard, eliminating surprise fees or add-on costs.

Can Tarmack handle international payroll better than Gusto?

Yes, Tarmack significantly outperforms Gusto in terms of international payroll needs. While Gusto offers limited international contractor payments with substantial fees, Tarmack provides comprehensive international capabilities across more than 150 countries. 

Tarmack’s Employer of Record services allows you to hire employees globally without establishing separate legal entities while ensuring full compliance with local labor and tax laws. For businesses with international workforces or global expansion plans, Tarmack’s international payroll capabilities are vastly superior to Gusto’s limited offerings.