7shifts vs Gusto Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

7shifts

0.0 (0 reviews)

7shifts is a specialized team management platform designed for the restaurant industry to simplify employee scheduling, labor cost tracking, team communication, and integrated payroll processing in one place.

Starting at Free
Free Trial 14 days
VS

Gusto

0.0 (0 reviews)

Gusto is an all-in-one HR platform that automates payroll, manages employee benefits, and streamlines hiring and onboarding processes for small to medium-sized businesses looking to simplify their people operations.

Starting at $40/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature 7shifts Gusto
Website 7shifts.com gusto.com
Pricing Model Freemium Subscription
Starting Price Free $40/month
FREE Trial ✓ 14 days free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✓ Has free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud mobile saas mobile
Integrations Toast Square Clover Lightspeed ADP QuickBooks Xero TouchBistro Revel Systems Paychex QuickBooks Online Xero FreshBooks TSheets When I Work Trainual Clover Expensify Asana Slack
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise small-business mid-market
Target Industries hospitality
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2014 2011
Headquarters Saskatoon, Canada San Francisco, USA

Overview

7

7shifts

7shifts is a dedicated team management platform built specifically for the restaurant industry. You can move away from messy spreadsheets and paper schedules by using an intuitive drag-and-drop builder that accounts for staff availability and labor costs. It helps you stay compliant with local labor laws while ensuring you always have the right number of people on the floor during busy shifts.

You can manage your entire workforce from a single dashboard, from hiring and onboarding to tracking time and processing payroll. The platform integrates directly with your Point of Sale (POS) system to sync real-time sales data, allowing you to make smarter staffing decisions based on actual demand. Whether you run a single cafe or a national restaurant chain, you can streamline your operations and improve team communication through a centralized mobile app.

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Gusto

Gusto simplifies how you manage your team by bringing payroll, benefits, and HR into one intuitive platform. You can run payroll in just a few clicks, with all local, state, and federal tax filings handled automatically. Beyond just payments, the platform helps you support your team with health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' compensation, all integrated directly into your payroll workflow to ensure compliance and accuracy.

You can also streamline your entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to offboarding. Use the platform to send offer letters, conduct digital onboarding, and track time and attendance without switching between different tools. Whether you are hiring your first employee or managing a growing team across multiple states, you get the tools you need to stay organized and compliant while focusing on growing your business.

Overview

7

7shifts Features

  • Drag-and-Drop Scheduling Create and publish weekly schedules in minutes while automatically accounting for employee availability and time-off requests.
  • POS Integration Connect your POS system to view real-time sales data alongside your schedule to optimize labor targets.
  • Mobile Team App Give your staff the ability to view schedules, swap shifts, and chat with teammates directly from their smartphones.
  • Labor Budgeting Set labor-to-sales goals and receive alerts when you are at risk of hitting overtime or exceeding your budget.
  • Integrated Time Clocking Track exact clock-in times and prevent buddy punching with photo enforcement and GPS geofencing on tablets.
  • Compliance Tools Stay ahead of labor regulations with automated alerts for missed breaks, overtime, and fair workweek requirements.
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Gusto Features

  • Automated Payroll. Run payroll in minutes with automatic tax calculations and filings for all 50 U.S. states.
  • Benefits Administration. Sync medical, dental, and vision plans directly with your payroll for seamless premium deductions and enrollment.
  • Digital Onboarding. Send offer letters and collect signed documents electronically so your new hires are ready on day one.
  • Time Tracking. Track employee hours and PTO requests that automatically sync with your payroll to eliminate manual data entry.
  • Compliance Alerts. Stay ahead of changing labor laws with automated notifications and access to certified HR experts for guidance.
  • Employee Self-Service. Give your team their own portal to download paystubs, view tax forms, and manage their personal information.

Pricing Comparison

7

7shifts Pricing

Free
$0
  • Up to 30 employees
  • 1 location only
  • Basic scheduling
  • Time off management
  • Team communication app
  • Availability tracking
G

Gusto Pricing

Simple
$40
  • Full-service payroll for one state
  • Employee self-service profiles
  • Basic hiring and onboarding tools
  • Gusto wallet mobile app
  • Standard payroll reports
  • Workers' comp administration

Pros & Cons

M

7shifts

Pros

  • Highly intuitive interface designed for non-technical staff
  • Seamless integration with popular restaurant POS systems
  • Mobile app significantly reduces scheduling phone calls
  • Effective labor cost tracking helps maintain profitability

Cons

  • Payroll integration can require manual data cleanup
  • Advanced reporting is locked behind higher-priced tiers
  • Occasional notification delays on the mobile app
A

Gusto

Pros

  • Extremely intuitive interface that requires almost no training
  • Automated tax filings save hours of manual work
  • Seamless integration between payroll and employee benefits
  • Helpful automated reminders for important compliance deadlines

Cons

  • Customer support response times can be slow during peak seasons
  • State tax registration assistance is limited for new businesses
  • Advanced HR features require the most expensive plan
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