How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Rippling is the best Gusto alternative for growing teams that want HR, IT and payroll in one platform, though its pricing is quote-based.
- OnPay and Patriot Software are the cheapest full-service payroll options, with published prices that suit small businesses where payroll is the main job.
- Deel is the best choice for international contractors and employer-of-record hiring, while Gusto remains stronger for simple US payroll.
- Justworks and TriNet are PEOs, not just software, which changes benefits, compliance and the employer relationship.
- Square Payroll suits businesses already using Square, since payroll stays close to sales data.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Rippling | HR, IT and payroll in one | See website | No |
 OnPay | Simple, affordable payroll | $40 per month | No |
 Patriot Software | Budget payroll | $17 per month | Free trial (30 days) |
 Deel | Global contractors and EOR | $49 per contractor/month | No |
 Justworks | PEO for small US teams | See website | No |
 ADP Run | Growing businesses at scale | See website | No |
 Paychex Flex | Compliance-heavy industries | See website | No |
 Square Payroll | Square users | $35 per month | No |
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The best Gusto alternatives
#1Rippling
Best for: HR, IT and payroll in one4.8/5 on
G2 (13,464 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit rippling.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Rippling goes further than payroll alone, combining HR, IT, finance and payroll around one employee record. When a new hire starts, Rippling can set up payroll, benefits, device management and app access together, which saves time for growing teams. That unified approach is its main reason to switch from Gusto, especially past 15 to 20 employees.
The drawback is pricing and setup. Rippling pricing is modular, so the base platform price does not show the full cost of payroll, benefits and IT modules. Implementation also takes more effort than a simple payroll signup. For teams that want one system for HR and IT as well as payroll, Rippling is the strongest Gusto alternative.
What we like- One employee record across HR, IT and finance
- Device and app management
- Wide integration range
Watch out for- Pricing is modular and quote-based
- Setup is heavier than Gusto
#2OnPay
Best for: Simple, affordable payroll4.8/5 on
G2 (407 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit onpay.com
Starting price$40 per month
Free planNo
OnPay is a straightforward Gusto alternative for small businesses that want full-service payroll without a complex platform. Published pricing starts at $40 per month plus $6 per person, which makes it cheaper than Gusto for many small teams. It handles payroll taxes, filings, benefits administration and basic HR tools, with a simple interface that suits owners who run payroll themselves.
OnPay does not offer the HR, IT and finance depth of Rippling, and it is less suited to large companies with complex needs. For a small business where payroll is the main job, and HR needs are basic, OnPay offers strong value at a clear price.
What we like- Full-service payroll at a low published price
- Benefits and HR tools included
- Simple setup
Watch out for- Fewer HR and IT features than Rippling
- Less suited to large, complex organisations
Starting price$17 per month
Free planFree trial (30 days)
Patriot Software is the budget pick among Gusto alternatives, with basic payroll from $17 per month plus $4 per worker in published pricing, and full-service payroll at a higher tier. That low entry price suits very small businesses, startups and seasonal employers that need reliable payroll without paying for a full HR suite. A 30-day free trial lets you test payroll before committing.
Patriot HR and benefits features are more limited than Gusto or Rippling, and its interface is functional rather than polished. For a team that mainly needs payroll taxes, filings and direct deposit, Patriot is a practical, low-cost choice. For teams that need deep HR, look at Rippling or BambooHR instead.
What we like- Lowest starting price in this list
- Full-service and basic payroll options
- US-based support
Watch out for- HR and benefits features are more limited
- Interface is simpler than Gusto
#4Deel
Best for: Global contractors and EOR4.7/5 on
G2 (6,959 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit deel.com
Starting price$49 per contractor/month
Free planNo
Deel is the best Gusto alternative for teams that hire outside the US. It handles contractor payments in many countries and currencies, with local contracts and compliance support, and it offers employer-of-record services where you need to employ staff without a local entity. For a US company hiring its first international contractor, Deel removes much of the legal and payment complexity.
Deel is overkill for a purely US team, where Gusto, OnPay or Rippling offer simpler and often cheaper payroll. Its US payroll pricing is also quote-based, so a direct price comparison needs a sales quote. For global hiring, Deel is the clear leader in this list.
What we like- Contractor payments in many countries
- Employer-of-record services
- Local compliance support
Watch out for- Overkill for US-only teams
- US payroll pricing is quote-based
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Justworks is a professional employer organisation, or PEO, not just payroll software. Under a PEO model, Justworks co-employs your staff for benefits, payroll taxes and compliance purposes, which can give small teams access to better benefits and HR support than they could get alone. Payroll, benefits and compliance are handled in one service, with a simple admin interface.
The PEO model is a bigger decision than switching payroll software, since it changes the employer relationship and how benefits work. Pricing is also quote-based, so small teams need a quote to compare with Gusto. For a small US team that wants PEO benefits and HR support, Justworks is a strong alternative.
What we like- PEO model with pooled benefits and HR support
- Payroll taxes and compliance handled
- Simple admin
Watch out for- PEO co-employment changes the employer relationship
- Pricing is quote-based
#6ADP Run
Best for: Growing businesses at scale4.7/5 on
G2 (6,546 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit adp.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
ADP Run is built for growing small businesses that need established payroll and compliance support at scale. It handles multi-state payroll, tax filings, benefits and HR tools, with resources for complex or regulated industries. ADP scale and support suit companies that expect to grow from a small team to a larger workforce without switching payroll providers.
ADP pricing is quote-based, so small teams cannot compare it directly with published Gusto or OnPay prices without a quote. Setup can also feel heavier than a simple Gusto signup. For companies that value an established vendor and deep compliance resources, ADP Run is a reliable Gusto alternative.
What we like- Established payroll and compliance resources
- Multi-state payroll
- HR and benefits depth
Watch out for- Pricing is quote-based
- Setup can feel heavy for very small teams
#7Paychex Flex
Best for: Compliance-heavy industries4.1/5 on
G2 (1,748 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit paychex.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Paychex Flex combines payroll, HR, benefits and time tracking in one platform, with strength in compliance-heavy industries and multi-location businesses. It suits companies with complex pay rules, multiple locations or regulated workforces, where payroll accuracy and compliance reporting matter more than a simple interface. Dedicated support options help larger small businesses manage that complexity.
Paychex pricing is quote-based, and the platform can feel complex for a team of five that only needs basic payroll. For those teams, OnPay or Patriot are simpler and cheaper. For growing companies with compliance needs, Paychex Flex is a strong, established alternative.
What we like- Payroll plus HR and benefits in one platform
- Strong for regulated and multi-location businesses
- Dedicated support options
Watch out for- Pricing is quote-based
- Platform can feel complex for very small teams
#8Square Payroll
Best for: Square users4.2/5 on
G2 (31 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit squareup.com
Starting price$35 per month
Free planNo
Square Payroll suits businesses already using Square for sales, such as retail, food service and service businesses. Payroll sits inside the Square system, so sales, team management and pay stay close together. Published pricing starts at $35 per month plus $6 per person, which is competitive for small teams.
Square Payroll HR depth is less than Rippling, Paychex or a PEO, so companies with complex HR needs should look elsewhere. For a Square seller who wants payroll without a separate system, it is a simple, well-priced Gusto alternative.
What we like- Payroll inside Square
- Simple setup for Square sellers
- Tax filings and benefits options
Watch out for- Best for Square users
- HR depth is less than Rippling or Paychex
How we chose
We compared pricing pages, product documentation and public reviews on G2, Capterra and Reddit, and we checked vendor homepages where the browser service allowed. We favoured alternatives that cover real payroll needs, not just HR tools without payroll, and we included different buyer types: small US teams, growing companies, global teams, PEO buyers and users of Square. Pricing was taken from vendor pages and recent public comparisons, with See website used for quote-based platforms. We weighed payroll accuracy, tax filings, benefits, HR depth and total cost, including base fees and per-person charges.
How to switch from Gusto
Switching payroll is less risky if you plan the timing and check the details before the first pay run. A rushed switch can cause tax filing gaps, missed benefits or pay errors, so use a checklist rather than relying on a sales promise.
Compare total cost, not just the headline price
Add the base fee and the per-person fee at your actual headcount, then add benefits, contractor and multi-state costs where relevant. A platform with a low base fee can cost more at 20 employees than a platform with a higher base fee and lower per-person charges. Ask for a quote at your real team size.
Check payroll taxes, benefits and state coverage
Confirm that the new provider files federal, state and local taxes for every state where you have staff, and that benefits administration covers your current plans. Check contractor payments, multi-state payroll and year-end forms, since gaps here cause the most switching pain.
Time the switch between pay periods
Switch between pay periods, not in the middle of one, and keep Gusto records for year-end tax forms. Run a parallel check for the first pay period if possible, and confirm that direct deposit, tax filings and benefits deductions all match before closing the old account.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Gusto alternative?
Rippling is the best overall alternative for growing teams that want HR, IT and payroll together. OnPay is the best low-cost full-service payroll option, while Deel is best for international hiring and Justworks is best for PEO benefits.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Gusto?
Yes. Patriot Software starts at $17 per month plus $4 per worker for basic payroll, and OnPay starts at $40 per month plus $6 per person for full-service payroll. Both are cheaper than Gusto Simple for many small teams, though HR features differ.
Can I switch from Gusto mid-year?
Yes, but timing matters. Switch between pay periods, keep records for year-end forms and confirm tax filings with the new provider. A mid-year switch is common, but it needs careful coordination to avoid filing gaps.
Do Gusto alternatives handle benefits?
Most do, including Rippling, OnPay, ADP Run, Paychex Flex and Justworks, though benefits depth varies. PEOs such as Justworks and TriNet offer pooled benefits, while software platforms offer benefits administration for plans you choose.
What is the difference between payroll software and a PEO?
Payroll software runs pay and filings for your company as employer. A PEO co-employs your staff for benefits, payroll taxes and compliance, which can improve benefits access but changes the employer relationship. Choose software for control, and a PEO for pooled benefits and HR support.
Is Deel a good Gusto alternative for US-only teams?
Usually not. Deel excels at international contractors and employer-of-record hiring, but US-only teams will find Gusto, OnPay or Rippling simpler and often cheaper. Choose Deel when international hiring is part of the plan.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.rippling.com
- https://onpay.com
- https://www.patriotsoftware.com
- https://www.deel.com
- https://www.justworks.com
- https://www.adp.com
- https://www.paychex.com
- https://squareup.com/payroll
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.