Gusto vs Patriot Payroll 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

Patriot Payroll

0.0 (0 reviews)

Patriot Payroll is an easy-to-use cloud-based software designed to help American small business owners run payroll accurately in minutes with guaranteed calculations and optional full-service tax filing support.

Starting at $17/mo
Free Trial 30 days

Quick Comparison

Feature Gusto Patriot Payroll
Website gusto.com patriotsoftware.com
Pricing Model Subscription Subscription
Starting Price $40/month $17/month
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✓ 30 days free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment saas mobile saas
Integrations QuickBooks Online Xero FreshBooks TSheets When I Work Trainual Clover Expensify Asana Slack QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Desktop Patriot Accounting Patriot Time & Attendance Patriot HR Vestwell 401(k) Advisors Workers Comp
Target Users small-business mid-market small-business mid-market
Target Industries
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2011 2002
Headquarters San Francisco, USA Canton, 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.

strtoupper($product2['name'][0])

Patriot Payroll

Patriot Payroll provides a straightforward way for you to manage your company's payroll without needing an accounting degree. You can choose between a basic plan where you handle your own tax deposits or a full-service option where the platform manages all federal, state, and local tax filings for you. The interface is designed for speed, allowing you to finish a standard payroll run in just three simple steps.

You can easily manage employee direct deposits, print checks, and handle various pay types like commissions and bonuses. The software also includes a free employee portal where your team can view their pay stubs and tax forms independently. It is built specifically for U.S. small businesses with 1 to 500 employees who need a reliable, no-frills solution that keeps them compliant with tax laws.

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.
strtoupper($product2['name'][0])

Patriot Payroll Features

  • Three-Step Payroll. Run your entire payroll in just minutes by entering hours, reviewing the totals, and clicking submit.
  • Full-Service Tax Filing. Let the experts handle your federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and deposits with a 100% accuracy guarantee.
  • Employee Self-Service. Give your team 24/7 access to their own pay stubs, W-2s, and time-off balances through a secure online portal.
  • Flexible Payment Options. Choose between free direct deposit or printing your own paper checks at no additional cost to your business.
  • Time and Attendance Sync. Connect your payroll directly to integrated time tracking to eliminate manual data entry and reduce human errors.
  • Multiple Pay Rates. Manage different pay rates and types for various roles or departments within your company from a single dashboard.

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

Patriot Payroll Pricing

Basic Payroll
$17
  • Setup wizard and free support
  • Guaranteed accurate calculations
  • Free direct deposit
  • Print checks on your own
  • Employee self-service portal
  • Unlimited payroll runs

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

Patriot Payroll

Pros

  • Extremely intuitive interface that requires no training
  • Highly responsive and knowledgeable US-based support
  • Very affordable pricing compared to major competitors
  • Quick and painless initial setup process
  • Reliable and accurate tax calculations every time

Cons

  • Limited advanced HR features for larger corporations
  • No native mobile app for employers
  • Integration options are fewer than enterprise platforms
×

Please claim profile in order to edit product details and view analytics. Provide your work email @productdomain to receive a verification link.