Gusto
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.
Homebase
Homebase is an all-in-one team management software providing small businesses with integrated tools for hourly scheduling, time tracking, payroll processing, and team communication to simplify daily operations and compliance.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | Homebase |
|---|---|---|
| Website | gusto.com | homebase.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $40/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
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.
Homebase
Homebase is a comprehensive team management platform designed specifically to help you manage hourly workforces without the paperwork headache. You can build schedules in minutes, track employee hours with a digital time clock, and message your team instantly. It eliminates the manual effort of calculating total hours and overtime, ensuring your business stays compliant with labor laws while keeping your labor costs under control.
You can also manage the entire employee lifecycle from hiring and onboarding to automated payroll and performance tracking. The platform integrates directly with your point-of-sale system to sync sales data with labor costs, giving you a clear view of your business health. Whether you run a single cafe or manage multiple retail locations, you can handle all your people management tasks from one centralized dashboard.
Overview
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.
Homebase Features
- Employee Scheduling. Build and share work schedules in minutes using templates and drag-and-drop tools that notify your team instantly via mobile.
- Time Tracking. Turn any device into a smart time clock that tracks breaks, prevents early clock-ins, and automatically calculates total hours worked.
- Automated Payroll. Convert your timesheets into paychecks with a few clicks, including automated tax filings and direct deposits for your entire team.
- Team Communication. Message your whole team or individual employees through a secure app, ensuring everyone sees important updates and shift changes.
- Hiring and Onboarding. Post jobs to top boards, track applicants, and complete all new-hire paperwork digitally before their first day on the job.
- Compliance Tools. Stay protected with automated alerts for missed breaks, overtime limits, and labor law updates specific to your business location.
Pricing Comparison
Gusto Pricing
- 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
- Everything in Simple, plus:
- Multi-state payroll capabilities
- Next-day direct deposit
- Time tracking and PTO management
- Advanced hiring and onboarding
- Performance management tools
Homebase Pricing
- Up to 20 employees
- One business location
- Time tracking and time clock
- Employee scheduling
- Team messaging
- Hiring and job posting
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Unlimited employees
- Advanced scheduling tools
- Team communication history
- Remote clock-in and GPS
- Performance tracking
- Labor cost forecasting
Pros & Cons
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
Homebase
Pros
- Per-location pricing saves money as you hire more staff
- Extremely user-friendly mobile app for hourly employees
- Seamless integration with popular POS systems like Square
- Automated shift reminders reduce employee no-shows significantly
- Generous free plan includes essential scheduling and tracking
Cons
- Payroll services require an additional monthly add-on fee
- Advanced HR compliance features locked behind higher tiers
- Occasional sync delays between mobile app and desktop