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 designed to help small business owners manage scheduling, time tracking, payroll, and team communication from a single platform.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | Homebase |
|---|---|---|
| Website | gusto.com | joinhomebase.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 tool built specifically for local businesses with hourly employees. You can stop juggling paper schedules and messy spreadsheets by moving your entire operations into one digital hub. It allows you to build work schedules in minutes, track employee hours with a GPS-enabled time clock, and communicate with your team through a built-in messenger.
You can also automate your payroll process by syncing timesheets directly to your pay runs, reducing manual data entry and errors. The platform helps you stay compliant with labor laws by tracking breaks, overtime, and certifications automatically. Whether you run a single cafe or multiple retail locations, you can manage your entire workforce from your desktop or mobile device while keeping your labor costs under control.
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 publish team schedules in minutes using templates and drag-and-drop tools that sync instantly to everyone's phone.
- Time Tracking. Turn any device into a smart time clock that tracks hours, breaks, and overtime while preventing early clock-ins.
- Full-Service Payroll. Convert your timesheets into paychecks automatically with built-in tax filing and direct deposits for your entire team.
- Team Communication. Message your whole team or individual shift workers without exchanging phone numbers using the secure in-app messenger.
- Hiring and Onboarding. Post jobs to top boards, track applicants, and send digital onboarding packets to new hires before their first day.
- Compliance Tools. Stay ahead of labor laws with automated alerts for missed breaks, overtime limits, and expiring employee certifications.
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
- Employee scheduling
- Time and attendance tracking
- In-app team messaging
- Hiring with job board posting
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Unlimited employees
- Advanced scheduling and auto-scheduling
- Remote clock-in and GPS tracking
- Real-time labor cost tracking
- Performance tracking and shift notes
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
- Generous free version for single-location businesses
- Extremely easy for hourly staff to learn
- Mobile app makes schedule changes simple
- Location-based pricing is cost-effective for large teams
- Seamless integration between timesheets and payroll
Cons
- Payroll features require an additional monthly fee
- Limited customization for complex shift patterns
- GPS tracking can occasionally be imprecise
- Customer support response times vary by tier