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.
Workday
Workday is a unified cloud platform that manages your global workforce, financial operations, and planning processes through a single AI-driven system to streamline enterprise resource management and organizational growth.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Gusto | Workday |
|---|---|---|
| Website | gusto.com | workday.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 | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Pleasanton, 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.
Workday
Workday provides a unified cloud environment where you can manage your people, finances, and operational data in one place. Instead of toggling between disconnected systems, you get a single source of truth for everything from payroll and benefits to procurement and financial reporting. You can automate manual accounting tasks, track employee performance, and manage global compliance requirements through an intuitive interface designed for modern teams.
The platform is built specifically for mid-market and enterprise organizations that need to scale complex operations. You can use its built-in AI to surface talent insights, predict financial trends, and simplify repetitive administrative workflows. Because it operates on a single version of software, you always have access to the latest features and security updates without the headache of manual upgrades.
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.
Workday Features
- Human Capital Management. Manage the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement while tracking skills, performance, and global compensation in one place.
- Financial Management. Streamline your core accounting processes, manage global spend, and gain real-time visibility into your financial health with automated reporting.
- Adaptive Planning. Create flexible budgets and forecasts using real-time data so you can pivot your business strategy quickly when market conditions change.
- Payroll and Cloud Connect. Process payroll accurately across multiple countries and integrate with external providers while maintaining a single record for every employee.
- Talent Optimization. Identify skill gaps within your team and use AI-driven recommendations to match employees with new internal opportunities and growth paths.
- Spend Management. Control your organization's indirect spend and streamline procurement workflows with automated invoice processing and strategic sourcing tools.
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
Workday Pricing
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
Workday
Pros
- Unified data source eliminates the need for multiple third-party integrations
- Highly customizable reporting allows you to drill down into specific metrics
- Regular automated updates ensure you always use the most current version
- Excellent mobile app provides full functionality for managers on the go
Cons
- Significant time investment required for initial implementation and setup
- Steep learning curve for administrators managing complex backend configurations
- Search functionality can be difficult to navigate for casual users