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.
Toast
Toast is an all-in-one point of sale and restaurant management platform designed to help you streamline operations, increase sales, and create better guest experiences through integrated technology.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Website | gusto.com | toasttab.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $40/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No 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 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Boston, 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.
Toast
Toast is a comprehensive restaurant management platform that centralizes your entire operation into one system. You can handle everything from front-of-house point of sale transactions to back-of-house kitchen displays and inventory tracking. Whether you run a small cafe, a busy full-service restaurant, or a multi-location franchise, you can customize the hardware and software to fit your specific service model and workflow.
You can manage your staff with integrated payroll and scheduling tools while building guest loyalty through built-in marketing and rewards programs. The platform also enables you to expand your reach with online ordering and delivery integration, ensuring you never miss a sale. By putting all your data in one place, you can make faster, more informed decisions to grow your business and improve your bottom line.
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.
Toast Features
- Point of Sale. Process orders and payments quickly with durable hardware designed to withstand the heat and spills of a busy kitchen.
- Kitchen Display System. Connect your front and back of house instantly so your kitchen staff can manage tickets and prep times efficiently.
- Online Ordering. Take orders directly through your own website and skip the high commissions of third-party delivery apps.
- Inventory Management. Track your food costs in real-time and manage your stock levels to reduce waste and improve your margins.
- Payroll & Team Management. Simplify your administrative work by syncing timesheets directly with payroll and managing employee benefits in one place.
- Guest Loyalty Programs. Create custom rewards and email marketing campaigns to keep your customers coming back and increase their lifetime value.
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
Toast Pricing
- 1 terminal included
- Cloud-based POS software
- Payment processing integration
- Customer engagement tools
- Real-time reporting
- Standard support
- Everything in Quick Start, plus:
- Advanced POS functionality
- Table management
- Menu management
- Kitchen display system access
- Multi-location management
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
Toast
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes training new staff quick and easy
- Reliable offline mode keeps you taking orders during internet outages
- Hardware is specifically built for heavy restaurant use
- Seamless integration between online ordering and the kitchen
Cons
- Requires use of Toast for payment processing
- Contract terms can be long and difficult to exit
- Customer support response times vary during peak hours