DeskTime 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

DeskTime

0.0 (0 reviews)

DeskTime is a fully automated time tracking and productivity software designed to help you manage teams, track project progress, and eliminate manual data entry for improved operational efficiency.

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 DeskTime Gusto
Website desktime.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 desktop saas mobile
Integrations Trello Asana Basecamp Jira Zapier Google Calendar Outlook Calendar Slack GitLab GitHub QuickBooks Online Xero FreshBooks TSheets When I Work Trainual Clover Expensify Asana Slack
Target Users freelancer small-business mid-market small-business mid-market
Target Industries
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2011 2011
Headquarters Riga, Latvia San Francisco, USA

Overview

D

DeskTime

DeskTime is an automated time tracking platform that helps you understand how your team spends their workday without manual timers. It automatically records the apps and websites you use, categorizing them into productive, unproductive, or neutral categories based on your specific business needs. This gives you a clear picture of where time goes and helps you identify bottlenecks in your daily workflows.

You can manage employee shifts, track project costs, and generate detailed reports for client billing all in one place. Whether you are a freelancer or managing a large remote team, the software provides the data you need to boost accountability and optimize performance. It eliminates the guesswork of manual timesheets, allowing you to focus on high-value tasks while the background app handles the documentation.

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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

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DeskTime Features

  • Automatic Time Tracking Track your work hours automatically from the moment you turn on your computer without clicking start or stop.
  • URL and App Tracking See exactly which websites and applications you use throughout the day to identify your biggest productivity killers.
  • Document Title Tracking Record the specific names of documents or files you work on to accurately allocate time to different projects.
  • Project Tracking Assign your time to specific projects and tasks to see how much effort each client or job requires.
  • Shift Scheduling Plan and manage your team's shifts in a visual calendar to ensure you always have the right coverage.
  • Invoicing and Billing Convert your tracked project hours into professional invoices automatically to get paid faster by your clients.
  • Private Time Option Pause tracking with a single click when you need to handle personal matters to maintain your privacy.
  • Offline Time Logging Log time spent away from your computer, like meetings or brainstorming sessions, to keep your records complete.
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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

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DeskTime Pricing

Lite
$0
  • 1 User only
  • Automatic time tracking
  • URL & App tracking
  • Mobile app access
  • Basic productivity stats
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

DeskTime

Pros

  • Automatic tracking eliminates the need for manual start/stop buttons
  • Detailed reports make client billing and auditing much faster
  • Visual dashboard provides an immediate overview of team productivity
  • Private time mode ensures employee trust and personal privacy

Cons

  • Desktop app must be installed for full tracking capabilities
  • Learning curve for setting up custom productivity categories
  • Mobile app features are limited compared to the desktop version
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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