Gusto vs Paylocity 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

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
VS

Paylocity

0.0 (0 reviews)

Paylocity is a comprehensive human capital management platform that simplifies payroll, benefits, and talent management while providing modern engagement tools to help you build a stronger workplace culture.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Gusto Paylocity
Website gusto.com paylocity.com
Pricing Model Subscription Custom
Starting Price $40/month Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment saas mobile saas mobile
Integrations QuickBooks Online Xero FreshBooks TSheets When I Work Trainual Clover Expensify Asana Slack Microsoft Teams Slack Blue Cross Blue Shield 401k providers Indeed LinkedIn Glassdoor NetSuite QuickBooks ClearCompany
Target Users small-business mid-market small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2011 1997
Headquarters San Francisco, USA Schaumburg, USA

Overview

G

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.

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Paylocity

Paylocity is an all-in-one human capital management platform designed to help you manage your entire employee lifecycle from a single interface. You can automate complex payroll runs, streamline open enrollment for benefits, and track time and attendance without manual data entry. The platform focuses heavily on the modern employee experience, offering social collaboration tools and mobile-first features that make it easier for your team to stay connected and productive.

Beyond basic administrative tasks, you can use the software to recruit top talent, conduct performance reviews, and provide on-demand training through a built-in learning management system. It is specifically designed for mid-market organizations that need to move away from disconnected spreadsheets and manual processes. By centralizing your data, you gain real-time insights into labor costs and employee engagement to make better business decisions.

Overview

G

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.
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Paylocity Features

  • On-Demand Pay. Give your employees early access to their earned wages so they can manage unexpected expenses without financial stress.
  • Community Social Hub. Create a central space where you can share company news, recognize achievements, and foster collaboration across your entire organization.
  • Automated Payroll. Run your payroll accurately and quickly with automated tax filings, direct deposits, and compliance updates that sync with your time data.
  • Mobile App. Empower your team to clock in, view pay stubs, and request time off directly from their smartphones at any time.
  • Learning Management. Assign and track mandatory compliance training or professional development courses to keep your workforce skilled and compliant.
  • Recruiting & Onboarding. Post jobs to multiple boards and transition new hires into your system automatically with digital paperwork and welcome tasks.

Pricing Comparison

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
P

Paylocity Pricing

Pros & Cons

M

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
A

Paylocity

Pros

  • Highly customizable reporting for complex data needs
  • Excellent mobile app experience for remote employees
  • Strong social engagement features improve company culture
  • Unified database eliminates redundant data entry tasks
  • Regular updates based on user feature requests

Cons

  • Initial implementation process can be time-consuming
  • Customer support response times vary during peak seasons
  • Learning curve for advanced reporting modules
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